Or perhaps ...

The Basement Cafe (03) 9329 4554, 350 Latrobe St, Melbourne

Birdcage Cafe (03) 9329 7525, Hotel Discovery, 167 Franklin St, Melbourne

Bisq (03) 9650 6966, 107 Flinders la, Melbourne - Bisq is the classiest of the office cafeteria that adorn this section of Flinders La. Comfort, but not too much is the aim here.

Cafe Au Soleil (03) 9650 0462, shop 45, royal arcade, 148 Elizabeth St, Melbourne

Caffe e Biscotti (03) 9650 1080, 41-43 Block Pl, Melbourne - Once a little hole in the wall, Caffe e Biscotti has expanded to include two rooms with tables and chairs out in Block Place.

Cafe Mezz (03) 9643 2591, David Jones Melbourne-mezzanine Level, 299 Bourke St, Melbourne - A modern comfortable space despite a rather stark quality. Enlivened by friendly staff.

Cafe Segovia (03) 9650 2373, 33 Block Pl, Melbourne - The first cafe in Block Place before the latte-craze hit Melbourne; Cafe Segovia set the standard for cafe food and good coffee.

Cafe Serendipity (03) 9600 3160, 50 Hardware St, Melbourne - A tiny place that looks like you average sandwhich bar but the menu offers healthy and interesting alternatives to the norm.

Cafe Y (03) 9329 5188, 489 Elizabeth St, Melbourne

Chaise Lounge (03) 9670 6120, Basement, 105 Queen St, Melbourne - Nice to be able to escape the corporate rat-race and have a drink in this funky little grotto.

Coffea (03) 9326 7388, 521 Elizabeth St, Melbourne - Visit any time during market hours and this place is packed to the rafters with coffee-a-holics in this coffee roaster.

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant (03) 9696 4000, P.O Box 372, South Melbourne 3205, Spencer St, Melbourne

The Commune (03) 9654 5477, 27-29 Parliament Pl, Melbourne

Dancing Goat 9670 4002, Dancing Goat, Shop 4, 280 King St, Melbourne

Degraves Espresso Bar (03) 9654 1245, 23 Degraves St, Melbourne - This mostly outside cafe that takes over a lane is long time favourite of city work workers and residents. Always busy for coffee, lunch and snacks.

Deli Manjoo (03) 9671 4544, QV, 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

e:fiftyfive (03) 9620 3899, 55 Elizabeth St, Melbourne - Backpackers and travellers of all ages find this Internet cafe a comfortable way to contact the world they have left.

Elizabeth Street Espresso Bar (03) 9663 4422, 28 Elizabeth St, Melbourne - This one-time cigarette kiosk has become Melbourne's tiniest cafe. Good coffee and bread based snacks.

Fare Exchange (03) 9629 1500, 1/ 530 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Feeling Fruity (03) 9643 2519, David Jones, 310 Bourke St, Melbourne - The first of the Feeling Fruity juice chain, this juice bar is in David Jones. Offering a variety of fruit salad combinations

Garden Plaza Cafe (03) 9654 2456, 120 Collins St, Melbourne - Looking out onto a manicured garden surrounded by the BHP Building, The Garden Plaza sits like an oasis in the middle of the city.

Guggenheim (03) 9662 1655, 55 Flinders la, Melbourne - For those of us who understand that a bagel is more than a bun with a hole in it, Guggenheim adds significantly to the amenities of the inner-city.

Illia (03) 9640 0422, 180 William St, Melbourne - This is a popular al fresco spot for nearby office workers and Melbourne's legal fraternity.Good cafe fare and service.

Macchiato on Collins (03) 9650 9387, 446 Collins St, Melbourne

Nudel Bar (03) 9662 9100, 76 Bourke St, Melbourne - Convenient, quick, the menu comprises pasta and Asian style noodles to macaroni cheese. Serves are large, flavoursome and a cheap option at this end of the city.

Postal Hall (03) 9663 0998, 116 Russell St, Melbourne - At the ground level of the Hero Apartment Buildings, Postal Hall brings to inner city workers and residents, reliable, good quality coffee, food and friendly service

Queen Vic Gallery Cafe (03) 9663 8799, QV, 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Ruby Orange (03) 9663 7312, 313 Swanston St, Melbourne

Salon Rouge (03) 9620 3999, Basement, 313 Flinders la, Melbourne

Sam And Sons 0414 911 625, Shop 45, Royal Arcade, Melbourne

Shamiana (03) 9670 6800, 420 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

SMXL (03) 9629 6344, Shop 5, 15 Customs House La, Melbourne

Stax (03) 9663 3008, 16 Little LaTrobe St, Melbourne - A crisply coloured interior, functional high gloss wooden benches, quietly humorous understated art works on walls. Good cafe food.

Sweet Mama's Cafe (03) 9663 3944, 225 Bourke St, Melbourne - A cute place tucked into what was the disabled access to the bank. Friendly guys serving who are fast.

Time Out (03) 9671 3855, St Paul's Court, 2 Swanston St cnr Flinders St, Melbourne

Toasted On Collins Place (03) 9654 4445, Shop 51 Collins Pl, 45 Collins St, Melbourne

Travellers Cafe (03) 9654 7690, 2nd Floor, 169 Swanston St, Melbourne

Two Floors Up (03) 9639 0966, lv 1&2, 185 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Verve (03) 9639 5886, 177 Little Collins St, Melbourne - A cafe wrapped in a clothing shop. So tiny is this space that you could probably do both things at once.

Westin Foyer Bar (03) 9635 2222, Westin Hotel Melbourne, 205 Collins St, Melbourne

William Angliss College (03) 9606 2409, 555 LaTrobe St, Melbourne

Word Lounge Bar (03) 9606 0611, 14 Goldie Pl, Melbourne