Darling Group is a leading Melbourne-based hospitality company that develops, owns and operates many of Australia’s most recognised and acclaimed hospitality venues including Top Paddock, Higher Ground, Darling Cafe, The Kettle Black, Dundas & Faussett, and Bambu Asian Eating House. Our forward-thinking philosophy creates world-class hospitality brands, all with a focus on service, design, innovation and experience.

Higher Ground cafe Melbourne available for birthdays, work functions, weddings, holiday gatherings, and more.  Higher Ground is a six-level destination offers a unique and comprehensive experience unlike any other. The interior design at Higher Ground features a rich and tactile palette, combining terrazzo, cork, steel, stone and solid timbers to define and anchor each setting.

Higher Ground’s award-winning cuisine, specialty coffee and signature cocktails offer a truly immersive experience from morning through to the evening.

^”Enjoyed having a bunch of meetings here. Staff are super on the ball and hilarious, space itself is like nothing else in the CBD, and the top level is a ripper spot for a meeting away from the buzz below. Do a nice whack of caffeine as well. Cheers legends_”

Kinfolk is a not-for-profit cafe that believes in eating well, for good. 100% of distributable profits are donated to Australian charities. The in-house training program of Kinfolk delivers capacity building & community for volunteers from all walks of life & each week they deliver food relief to vulnerable Victorians.

In addition, Kinfolk also donates over five hundred homemade meals to vulnerable Victorians through a pandemic food relief alliance of social enterprises called Moving Feast.

Kinfolk believes that food is for sharing, this amazing food offered by Kinfolk relief is facilitated through a combination of customer donations, kinfolk kitchen operations & supplier support.

^”Don’t hesitate – order the side of bacon! I never thought a slab of cured pork would transcend you through time and space but it does! The place is super busy in the morning but it’s a testament to the friendliness of the staff, great coffee and awesome food! Make sure you pop in_”

Cat Cafe Melbourne as the name suggests one of the best cafes in Melbourne that offers a unique social experience where customers can play, pat and relax with friendly cats. You can even have coffee and snacks while inside with the kitties.

Cat Cafe Melbourne split into two parts with a cosy cat lounge on the ground floor where furry friends hang out.  This one-stop destination has to offer to relax over the drink and foods.

In addition to this, you can visit their merchandise area that offers a range of gift items.

^”Absolutely love this place. Nice, warm and cozy atmosphere and lovely staff. If you are a cat lover then a visit is a must. The coffee and muffin are great. The whole place is very clean and no smells. The cats are all well cared, very cute and friendly, by the way, they really love the treats😋 We had a fabulous time and will definitely return when reopening👍_”

Krimper Cafe was designed in a way to allow the customers to feel relaxed while visiting their cafe in Melbourne.

The interior design uses minimal lighting against a water-blasted brick wall and Japanese-stained ply creates the sense of a warm and welcoming hearth. The café tables and chairs are made from recycled lift doors and old timber pieces that were obtained on-site. The dis-used, 100-year-old lift car and mechanical wheels are used to recreate an inside dining booth, which has become a key feature of the café and the space area.

^”Months after my visit, all I remember is how great the atmosphere was, it was big, spacious, and surprisingly peaceful. The lighting was on point, loved all the pictures I took inside. I was content with the food and dessert. But I’m not sure what their best menu is. There are big and long tables so it won’t be a problem if you come in big groups. I will definitely give another visit next time._”

The Quarter Cafe is a casual dining space that sits nestled amongst the hubbub that is Degraves St. The 80 seats fill quickly as patrons flock to sample the Mediterranean fair on offer. The European ambience and black and white euro art lure unsuspecting passersby in for a closer look…. the strong aroma of freshly ground coffee is too strong to ignore.

The Quarter is conveniently located at the centre of Melbourne to serve better.

^”I was shocked by the service which I received in this cafe. They are very fast and the quality of the food was also good. I even liked the drinks there. I must say they have got the best chef in-house. Their prices are also sensible compared to other cafes in Melbourne. Anyone can afford it and have a great time there. The place where this cafe is located is also nice and calm._”

One of Melbourne’s most sophisticated food and beverage hotspots, The Kettle Black, sits somewhere between cafe and restaurant, almost creating its own new genre of venue. Old and new styles merge seamlessly on the outside while the interior palette has been carefully curated with warm finishes of soft oak timbers and polished concrete, offset by the punch of the mischievous green furniture and marble tiles. The energetic, dynamic and elegant space is the winner of various awards including Best Cafe Design, Best New Cafe, Best Restaurant and Best Cafe. A Darling Group venue.

^”Great experience! Gets busy on weekends but we did still get placed on a table straight away. Good selection of food, can recommend the banana waffles if you’re looking for something sweet!_”

League Of Honest Coffee

^”Best coffee in Melbourne and great selection of pastries, sandwiches, muffins etc. Friendly and helpful staff go over and beyond. I always stack up on bags of fresh coffee beans whenever I am in town._”

The Grain Store @517 Flinders Lane Melb. Cafe| Dining | Bar & Specialty coffee . Chef Ingo Meissner brings his european heritage and local knowledge of fresh produce and ingredients to create our ‘Table of inspiration’.

^”Excellent dining. High quality commodities used in the diverse meals on the menu. A touch of European style. Highly skilled and very friendly staff. Great coffee. Very refreshing to be so satisfied. Well done._”

Creative hearty brunch & specialty coffee ☕️

^”Yes, the food there was crazily nice, can tell this can be another level of meals. Loved coffee too! Just one thing, it is extremely busy and loud as this is the one of famous one in Melbourne and people are lining up at the front, staffs all were trying to clean as quick as all finished and ask if needed more, all understandable. But if you want to catch up with your friends or family chill-lax, this cannot be But highly worth to go to have food, coffee there_”

A modern cafe in the heart of Melbourne CBD serving up speciality coffee in a vibrant space.

^”such yummy food and amazing staff- one staff member walked us from one cafe to the other making sure we made it to the right spot. yummy coffee too 🤭_”