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Back in 2017 a planned trip to ski at Mount Buller and the cheap option of staying in Mansfield saw us searching for breakfast. Merchant (next door to the Delatite Hotel was already bustling at just after 7am. The fire was roaring, the coffee was grinding and the porridge was memorable.

In 2021 we purchased a property in the area and since that time Merchant has been our local cafe and the supplier of fine roasted coffee beans for home. But we have never reviewed it (strange), so time to rectify that today after a regular Saturday coffee stop.

Established in 2014, Merchant Café in Mansfield stands as a the local favourite — it is a place where country hospitality, vibrant energy, and cosmopolitan sensibilities converge in the heart of Victoria’s High Country.

There’s an undeniable pulse to Merchant Café. Set on Mansfield’s bustling main street, this warm, light-filled address brings together a crowd of skiers, road trippers, locals and weekend regulars, with a coffee blend that’s as eclectic as the menu.

AMBIENCE >

Step inside and you’re greeted by timber floors, subtle greenery, and natural light streaming across a convivial communal table. Pendant lamps dangle overhead, casting a soft glow onto locals with laptops, Melbourne escapees sharing pastries, and cyclists in need of a caffeine revival. There’s an easy flow to the space—large windows frame Mansfield’s main drag, inviting a people-watching pause between sips.

EAT >

The food is hearty but thoughtful—local produce features in everything from poached eggs on sourdough to slow-cooked lamb toasties and vibrant grain bowls. The morning pastries are textbook flaky, the lunch salads boast textural contrast, and the baked goods come with generous swirls of seasonal fruit.

Merchant have a wood fired pizza oven and knock out some the best sourdough bread around (you can even pick up a loaf in the local supermarket), seasonally you will also find some great pasta dishes and excellent pizza.

DRINK >

Merchant’s baristas know their blend: robust, balanced, just enough funk to satisfy city palates without alienating the country crowd. Espresso and batch brew are dialled in to perfection, with an ever-rotating lineup of single origins if you want to lean nerdy. Batch brews, cold brews and a myriad of caffeine treats.

Merchant Café in Mansfield is tied closely to the craft of Mansfield Coffee Roasters — famed for championing quality beans and ethical sourcing. Mansfield Coffee Roasters began with a simple vision: to bring exceptional specialty coffee to a region best known for snowfields, wine, and cattle stations.

Coffee is roasted fresh onsite on Mount Buller Road. With blends like Bueller, New Kid on The Block, Knight Rider and seasonal special blends.

SERVICE >

There’s a gentle professionalism to the staff — orders are handled with precision, smiles flow freely, and even on the busiest snow-season weekends, there’s time for a warm joke or a local tip.

VERDICT >

Merchant Café is the kind of place that anchors a small town’s rhythm, offering both a thoughtful espresso and a window into Mansfield life. Grab a seat by the window and settle in: here, the High Country hospitality is more than a slogan—it’s poured into every cup.

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