Little Collins opened, bringing Melbourne cafe culture to Midtown East, where Australian sensibility meets New York energy.
The cozy spot serves exquisite food and coffee with every detail carefully considered from menu to playlist throughout service.
This 3rd Avenue location became a neighborhood favorite where corporate breakfast crowds and boozy Sunday brunches coexist throughout the decade.
What Makes Little Collins Special
The restaurant captures Melbourne’s unique cafe culture with Australian quality style, creating memorable experiences throughout every visit.
Sweet Uncle Fred features toasted banana bread with ricotta, berries, honey, and almond brittle, becoming the signature dish throughout brunch.
The Australian coffee program with Piccolo Lattes and smooth macchiatos delivers quality espresso throughout the morning rush.
The Story Behind the Cafe
Little Collins launched when the founders fell in love with New York but found themselves dreaming about Melbourne cafes throughout the years.
The vision created a world capturing New York’s energy and diversity with a slightly cheeky Aussie sensibility throughout operations.
The decade-plus of service built a family of regulars who return for the carefully considered details throughout every visit.
New York’s Favorite Menu Items
Food Highlights
- Sweet Uncle Fred: The signature dish features toasted banana bread with ricotta, berries, honey, and almond brittle throughout preparation. The combination creates a perfect sweet breakfast that even non-sweet-breakfast people love throughout morning service. 🍌
- Holy Shishito: Creamy scramble with shishito peppers and cheddar cheese delivers high-quality, well-seasoned breakfast throughout the menu. The consistently excellent dish keeps regulars coming back throughout the years of visits. 🌶️
- Avocado Smash: Classic avocado toast with feta cheese and seeds creates an Australian cafe staple throughout brunch. The quality ingredients and proper preparation never disappoint throughout ordering. 🥑
- Seasonal Buttermilk Pancakes: Thick, yummy pancakes with whipped cream and sticky walnuts plus hazelnuts throughout seasonal preparations. The crunch from nuts elevates fluffy pancakes, creating a favorite dish throughout sharing meals. 🥞
- Breakfast Burrito: Solid tortilla with chorizo, though the meat could use more fat and oil throughout preparation. The salsa adds good flavor while tasting relatively clean throughout the filling. 🌯
- French Toast: Quality preparation delivers a satisfying sweet option throughout the brunch menu. The execution showcases proper technique throughout breakfast service. 🍞
- Eggs Benedict: Perfectly poached eggs with hollandaise sauce create a classic preparation throughout weekend brunch. The mushroom and salmon variations offer alternatives throughout ordering. 🍳
- B.L.A.T: Crispy bacon sandwich delivers a savory option throughout lunch service. The quality ingredients create satisfying meals throughout midday ordering. 🥓
- Chorizo Baked Eggs: Excellent chorizo dish with a sauce good enough to reuse for pasta throughout preparation. The well-seasoned combination creates a flavorful breakfast throughout service. 🍳
- Granola Bowl: Labneh with real vanilla bean seeds, homemade granola, and brûléed banana creates a guilt-free option at $17. The tangy, sweet combination with nice crunch throughout elevates standard granola bowls. 🥣
- Shakshuka: Baked eggs in tomato sauce deliver Mediterranean flavors throughout the breakfast menu. The hearty dish provides an alternative to the standard American breakfast throughout ordering. 🍅
- Turkey Confit Sandwich: Quality sandwich option delivers satisfying lunch throughout the afternoon service. The confit preparation showcases attention to detail throughout the menu. 🦃
- Corn Fritters: Australian cafe staple creates a unique option throughout brunch service. The savory fritters offer an alternative to egg dishes throughout the menu. 🌽
Atmosphere
The cafe sits at 708 3rd Ave in Midtown East near Grand Central and the Chrysler Building throughout the neighborhood.
Inside, small, cozy space with limited seating stays packed during corporate breakfast hours throughout weekday mornings.
The classy but loud atmosphere creates an energetic environment where lingering isn’t encouraged throughout busy service.
Bottom Line
Visit Little Collins for Australian cafe culture, meeting Midtown energy with Sweet Uncle Fred banana bread and Holy Shishito scramble.
Perfectly poached eggs Benedict, seasonal pancakes with sticky nuts, and Piccolo Lattes throughout Melbourne-inspired breakfast service.
The decade of carefully considered details, from coffee cups to playlist creates memorable experiences worth 40-minute weekend waits. 🌟
Little Collins
708 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017 (Midtown East, between 44th & 45th)
📞 (212) 308-1969
🕐 Mon: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Tue-Fri: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Sat-Sun: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Takeout and delivery available | Limited indoor seating | Order online | Arrive early for weekends