A drool-worthy guide to Australia's best cheese toasties

For those times when nothing by a cheese toastie will do…

Consider this your guide to Australia’s best cheese toasties, slathered with butter and grilled until gooey. Here are some beautifully engineered examples from around the country.

VIC | NSW | QLD | WA | SA | NT | TAS

Victoria

Mushroom and cheese toastie at HIFI Collingwood, Melbourne

HIFI is a new hipster hole in the wall in Collingwood that slaps mushroom ragu and taleggio between slabs of sourdough and toasts it until it is ridiculous. The Collingwood bolthole is the sibling to nearby Terror Twilight and Tinker in Northcote, and it is impossible to pootle past the kiosk due to the pervasive perfume of melting cheese. Expect cameos from achingly cool members of local bands such as Surprise Chef, and Hiatus Coyote who appreciate the vinyl-spinning vibes in a corner of Collingwood co-owner Kieran Spiteri describes as “dirty chic".

Cheese toasties at HIFI Collingwood — HIFI is a new hipster hole in the wall in Collingwood. (Image: My Friend Tom)

Calabresie toastie at Maker & Monger, Prahran

The Swiss raclette and All-American grilled-cheese toastie with onion and parsley at Maker & Monger is the signature toastie at this chapel to cheese in the heritage harvest hall at Prahran Market. The staple ingredient on the Calabresie toastie is the smoked scamorza, ‘nduja and oregano, which is gorgeously gooey on the inside and all crisp and crunch on the outside. It’s become a tradition for visitors to Anthony Femia’s stall to choose their wedge of gorgonzola or chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano from the seven-metre-long cheese cabinet before submitting to the toastie. Resistance is futile.

Fondue Toastie, Maker and Monger, Australia — Just submit to the toastie. Resistance is futile.

The Latina at Aphro & Wolfe, Fitzroy North

Aphro & Wolfe is serious about its toasties, with a dedicated toastie window that doles out epic cheese toasties with fillings that literally make them shine. It’s a meal fit for those fixie-riding hipsters who live in Fitzroy North and are fighting to remain WFH to feed their addiction to these doorstop-sized toasties. Blame the banh mi toastie: this creation is made from pulled pork cooked slowly for six hours and then squished between slabs of flame-grilled bread and a mix of cheeses. Keep saying no to the suit and tie and hole up here in the cosy cafe, fitted with plywoods and antiques.

Toastie, Aphro & Wolfe, VIC, Australia — Aphro & Wolfe is serious about its toasties. (Image: Aphro & Wolfe)

Ghosty Toasty, Bendigo

Who said bread was dead? Not the breadheads at Ghosty Toasty, that’s for cert. If you’re on a road trip in regional Victoria, and heading to Viva Bendigo, let it be for food first. The rest will follow. The Mark Truffalo with truffle oil, mushroom, rocket and thyme will hit you where it counts, as will the peanut butter, maple bacon and banana designed in honour of Elvis, who is taking over the city until July as part of the festivities surrounding the Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition coming to town. Wear your supersized jumpsuit for the Pastrarnold Schwarzenneger with pastrami, hot English mustard, cream cheese and pickles, surely one of Australia’s best cheese toasties.

Mark Truffalo Toasties, Ghosty Toasty, Australia — The Mark Truffalo will hit you where it counts.

Hector’s Deli, Richmond

Chef Dom Wilton worked at Attica and Stokehouse before co-founding Hector’s Deli and has some cred with bread. Hector’s Deli is a shrine to the sandwiches he so loves. Wilton’s formula is simple: he elevates deli-counter staples and tried and true treasures into superlative sangas by using exceptional ingredients. The Never Now-designed cafe, located in a quiet suburban backstreet in Richmond, is a low-key part of the hood in which to hang. Discover why Wilton is considered a champion toastmaster when you wrap your laughing gear around the monster HCT, mortadella with provolone, mozzarella and tomato chutney on sourdough.

Cheese toastie, Hector's Deli, Australia — Discover why Wilton is considered a champion toastmaster. (Image: Hector’s Deli)

New South Wales

Four-cheese toastie at Arms Length, Potts Point

Arms Length in Potts Point is one of the go-tos for a bottomless brunch in Sydney. But the cafe that turns into a bar by night is also known for its excellent jaffles, as toasties are known in Australia. Make a stop at Arms Length late at night after enjoying a neon-lit night in nearby Kings Cross. Arms Length recently relocated from Redfern to this leafty new HQ in Potts Point and the four-cheese toastie with crisps is especially good after a night on the town. This is the place to be as the sun sinks over the horizon, as you will want to Shazam every song during the DJ’s set.

The filthy-good cheese toastie on offer at Arm's Length served with a pile of salty crisps. — The filthy-good cheese toastie served with a pile of salty crisps. Credit: Chad Konik

Eight-cheese toastie at Penny’s Cheese Shop, Potts Point

If you’re in the mood for a cheese toastie, the version at Penny’s Cheese Shop is regarded by devotees to be one of the nation’s best. Owner Penny Lawson’s decadent rendition is made from a blend of up to eight different cheeses which she changes each day at her new digs in Sydney’s Potts Point. Those game enough to try and replicate this marvellously gooey creation at home can purchase all the artisan cheeses and the PiOik sourdough from the European-style deli and give it a red-hot go.

8-cheese toastie, Penny's Cheese Shop, Australia — The decadent rendition is made from a blend of up to eight different cheeses which she changes each day. (Image: Penny’s Cheese Shop)

Confit duck and five-cheese toastie at Three Blind Mice, Mascot

Three Blind Mice is a new neighbourhood providore in Mascot that specialises in cheese and meat. The most glorious dish on the menu is the toasted sandwich with confit duck, fig jam and scallions, mixed with a blend of five cheeses and grilled until golden and oozy at its centre. Chef Daniel Hughes and cheesemonger Milan Majstorovic are the co-founders of the elegant European-style deli that has put Mascot on the map for foodies.

Cheese toasties, Three Blind Mice, Australia — Three Blind Mice is a new neighbourhood providore in Mascot that specialises in cheese and meat.

Dosa Potato Jaffle at Flyover Fritterie and Chai Bar, Redfern

Flyover Fritterie’s owner Gunjan Aylawadi draws on his Indian heritage for his take on toasties that are a mash-up of old-school Aussie jaffles stuffed with Indian flavours in pairings such as Dosa potato and peanut chutney, and tofu tikka. Flyover Fritteria started as a hole-in-the-wall in Sydney CBD, but has moved to larger premises in Redfern due to the popularity of its dishes. The eatery is nods to the no-name street-food carts that jostle for space amid heaving crowds beneath Mumbai’s overpasses (flyovers).

Jaffle and Corn, Flyover Fritterie, Redfern, Australia — Taste the exquisite mash-up of old-school Aussie jaffles stuffed with Indian flavours.

Pork belly, provolone + American cheese toastie at SOUL Deli, Surry Hills

K-food culture is alive and well at Taylor Square in Redfern where SOUL Deli doles out decadent toasties designed to cure a heinous soju (hangover). Plough into the golden sourdough sanga that is filled with pulled pork, fried kimchi, provolone and American cheese and served with house-made pickles. Kimchi is an acquired taste and one that Australians are acquiring at an ever-increasing rate judged by its appearance on menus. SOUL deli also does a killer KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) roll.

Toasties from SOUL Deli, Surry Hills, Australia — SOUL Deli doles out decadent toasties designed to cure a heinous hangover.

Mushroom and gruyere cheese toastie at SixSmith Create, Cronulla

Drive a few kilometres south of the main hub of Cronulla and you will find a pretty little corner cafe sandwiched between Oak and Shelly parks. What you will also find at Sixsmith are members of the Jellybeans swim club tucking into the mushroom, thyme and gruyere toastie, which, like the cafe itself, is a jealously guarded secret. Pull up a seat at the communal table, where past and present NRL players and local cricketing legends make regular cameos, while you enjoy your toastie grilled to creamy perfection on Brasserie Bread sourdough.

Six smith Create, Cheese toastie, Australia — Enjoy your toastie grilled to creamy perfection.

Queensland

M.C. Cheese at Melt Brothers, Brisbane

The Melt Brothers have two locations in Brisbane: one at Post Office Square, and the other in the Myer Centre. And nowhere does a goopy New York-style grilled cheese sanga better.

The M.C. Cheesy is a molten monster of macaroni and cheese gussied up with maple bacon and finished with a sweet swipe of smokey BBQ sauce and aioli. The thick-cut white sourdough gives the double-decker treat structural integrity. Delish.

Goopy Cheese Toastie, Melt Brothers, Brisbane, Australia — No one does a goopy New York-style grilled cheese sanga better. (Image: Justin Kim)

Criminal Coffee Company, Maroochydore

Criminal Coffee Company is known and loved for two things: ‘Roasting and Toasting’. So consider it a bonus that you go for the cheesy, decadent toasties and stay for the artisan roasted coffee.

Toasties from Criminal Coffee, Australia — Go for the cheesy, decadent toasties.

The Criminal Coffee Company HQ is located in a quiet corner of Cotton tree in Maroochydore and it has a sister venue, called The Toast Office , on the bustling Mooloolaba Esplanade. Ask for your toastie extra unctuous. We love the signature toasted sarnie, the Padre, held together on fresh fermented sourdough and stuffed with a secret blend of herbs, cheese and spices.

Toasties from the Toast Office, Australia — It has a sister venue, called The Toast Office, on the bustling Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Two Blocks Cafe, Holloways Beach

This cute little cafe in Holloways Beach is routinely rammed with locals. It’s called two blocks because it’s literally two blocks back from the beach in the northern suburbs of Cairns. Tropical North Queensland is designed for al fresco dining and this industrial-chic cafe presents an excellent example of that. Sit in the outdoor dining area, which is softened with rustic railway sleepers and tropical greenery, and meet some of the friendly locals who are justifiably proud that this is their neighbourhood hang. Go for a walk along the beach after inhaling the ham and gruyere toastie with bechamel, mozzarella, house pickles and jalapeño mustard.

ham and gruyere toasties, Two Blocks Cafe, QLD, Australia — Try their ham and gruyere toasties. (Image: Benjamin McKay)

Milk Bar Coffee, Maroochydore

This Milk Bar Coffee specialty staple ingredient is a black truffle paste, which means we can carb-load here all-year round on black truffle and roast mushie toasties and not be restricted by the seasonal availability of fresh fungi. This is the crowd favourite, made up of field mushrooms, mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan cheese and served with house-made bread and butter pickles on the side to cut through the richness. You might want to extend your lunch break and have a snooze under a palm tree as you will enter a deep carb coma after devouring this beast.

Toasties from Milk Bar, Maroochydore, Australia — Carb-load here all-year round on amazing toasties. (Image: Timothy Birch Studio)

Western Australia

Bolognaise and cheese toastie at Foxtrot Unicorn, Perth

Foxtrot Unicorn is housed in an old underground bank vault built in 1887, where it’s likely the recipe to their jaffle toastie is stored for safekeeping. And while the eight-cheese toastie is sweetly nostalgic, a veggie option becomes a contemporary take with a serve of kimchi on the side. The award-winning bartenders here also do magical things with cocktails. And, as an aside, it’s a top spot to bunker down during an apocalypse. The outside of the jaffles is brushed in confit garlic butter, then crusted in parmesan. Inside, is a blend of about eight different cheeses and a top-secret seasoning called “jaffle crack".

Cheese toastie, Foxtrot, Queensland, Australia — Taste the blend of about eight different cheeses in their cheese toasties. (Image: Darius Photography)

Toastface Grillah, Perth

Those chasing the thrill of the grill in Perth should go directly to Toastface Grillah (and sister grillah, Lil’ Toastface). While the OG toasted sanga temple is known for its hangover-beating cheese toasties, it’s also one of the coolest cafes in the WA capital. Pull up a milk crate in the grungy alleyway and forgo the Panadol after your big night out in favour of the toasted chilli cheese sanga which will kick your dry-mouth horrors to the graffiti-clad kerb. There are now five locations of Toastface Grillah peppered around WA. We recommend the Quodzilla, a 35 cm x 25 cm four-cheese beast that you can slam dunk into four dipping sauces.

Livingstone’s Urban Jungle, Northbridge

Livingstone’s Urban Jungle is the toast of Northbridge thanks to its killer combos. Particularly, the Mac Daddy (triple cheese macaroni and cheese). Likewise, Bada-bing (Italian meatballs, garlic, rosemary, tomato sauce and Emmental cheese). Meanwhile, keep it simple with old-school winners such as ham and cheese. Moreover, take it up a notch with the seductive Slam ‘n’ Cheese, featuring smoked ham, bechamel sauce, seeded mustard and gruyere cheese. Check out the special boards for more out-there combinations such as The Raging Bull (braised beef short ribs with caramelised onions and cauliflower cheese). And then settle in for coffee at the greenery-filled oasis, which, we presume, was named after explorer Dr Livingstone who went missing in the wilds of Africa.

South Australia

Proof, Adelaide

Great sangas abound at the Proof located near to Press Food and Wine in Adelaide. The trick to making the colossal sandwiches so good is in the engineering; these are sandwiches with structural integrity. Let’s not overcomplicate things. Obviously, the Breville is in the detail. And the grilling is also integral to the success of a sweet-as sanga. Take some beans. Add some salsa and jalapenos and smoosh together in a jaffle iron. Sprinkle with some Dorito dust and hey presto: it’s a Tex Mex toastie. We would also like to tip our hat toward the lamb, hummus, ras el hanout with za’atar which is a beautiful collision of crunch, and is silken, sweet and spicy all at once. If you consume it all at once, it can be the sort of sandwich that will require an afternoon siesta.

Cheese toasties, from Proof Bar, Adelaide — The trick to making the colossal sandwiches so good is in the engineering.

Northern Territory

Postie, Darwin

The cheese toasties at Postie really cut the mustard. The secret to the perfect cheese sandwiches at Postie is all about the quality ingredients. Chiefly, the sturdy slabs of sourdough and secret blend of cheeses. Basically, there’s a science to making the perfect grilled cheese toastie as this video attests. Because you want to bite off more than you can chew, you should order the humble Postie toastie. Indeed, it features ham off the bone, homemade pink onion jam, a blend of cheeses and seeded mustard on sourdough. This cheesy concoction is toasted until golden, crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside.

Tasmania

Samuel Pepy’s Cafe, Launceston

Why did the great diarist Samuel Pepy bury his giant wheel of Parmesan during the Great Fire of London? Because Parmigiano Reggiano was considered valuable even back in 1666, when Pepy buried his treasures before escaping from his house. Correspondingly, the owners of Samuel Pepy’s Cafe in Launceston also share a fondness for cheese. Evidently, the casual eatery with the vintage vibes does a pleasing lunchtime toastie that will appeal to gluten-free tribes. Finally, arrange a gatho to chow down on the chicken, bacon, avocado, cheese and aioli sanga on GF bread.

Toast, Launceston

Mainlanders travelling to Tassie seem to want to give Launie a bit of love. We’ll toast to that. Keep it simple with chicken and cheese. Or the ham, cheese and tomato. Equally, you can up the ante with a chicken parmie toastie or pork ‘n’ slaw. Besides, the BLT is also a thing of beauty: a tasty torpedo of melted cheese, mushies, bacon, pickles and lettuce. Accordingly, The Land Down Under flips the notion of a toastie with dim sims, bacon, mozzarella cheese and ABC sauce. Certainly, this is how Aussies like to eat.

The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns.

It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach , the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.

Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road . Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.

Split point lookout — The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.

This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities.

Lorne to Birregurra

Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park , which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.

Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.

From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.

You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae , helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.

Brae restaurant — Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Apollo Bay to The Otways

Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.

A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.

Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles

The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.

It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.

The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.

Port Campbell to Timboon

Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream , Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.

Warrnambool to Port Fairy

Warrnambool building — A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.

Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.

The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit.

The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip.

Eating there

The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.

Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.