Self Preservation

Great coffee and service. If you like a strong coffee and full of flavour, self preservation is the place to be. The service is very friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be going back for a relaxing glass of wine and catch up with friends. There are many choices however the look and the vibe is very appealing and I will definitely be back.

First coffee stop in Melbourne, as it's a block away from our airbnb. Love the ambiance. Indoor and outdoor seating with an open bar of coffee -- so you're one with the baristas!

Black coffee is strong! Just the way I like it. Small brekkie options like croissants, muffins and toasts. City wifi works inside the place. Very popular on weekday mornings, service is great and people are really easy to smile.

I always have a great experience here, whether for coffee, drinks or some of their delicious cakes. The interior is moody but not overly so, outside is charming and great for people watching, rotating food selection is always wonderful. Bonus points that they serve coffee later than most places around.

One of the best Hot Chocolate in the world I think ☕ Wonderful atmosphere, Yummy little cake ! (Orange cake is the best choice always💛) I really recommend you to order Orange cake + Hot / Ice chocolate = HEAVEN 🧚🏻‍♂

Amazing, enthusiastic and friendly staff. Such a great ambiance and good value cheese platter. Coffee was good too!

Pretty good cafe. I had a nice berry cake with some cream on top. And as usual on this street the coffee is pretty strong

Good coffee, tasteful decoration, a very pleasant place for breakfast!

The best coffee machine in Melbourne ever: VBM lever with manual control. Really good cappuccino 🤙

Beautiful cafe with a warm atmosphere.... Had a tasty coffee here and would recommend!

Beautiful wine selection. Lovely staff.
Nice spot for an after work beverage.

Love this place, tucked away at top end of Bourke Street. Had a stunning spiced pulled lamb with hummus and picked onion - just perfect flavours. Good wine list too. All at a great price for such quality Highly recommend also for breakfast. Staff friendly and attentive.

I love this cafe, it has a great vibe, great cakes and doors the transition from early coffees to evening drinks particularly well.

But what gets five stars from me was the way a waitress responded to a homeless man who came into the café one day. She responded to him in a way that was generous and dignifying, and it's things like this that make a good cafe info one I visit again and again.

Superb vibe and coffee and one of the few quality places open on a Sunday morning.

Excellent coffee, some of the best I've had in Melbourne. If you like mochas don't hesitate. Pastries / cakes are also first-rate. Cost for breakfast is on par with other places, but the quality is a step above. Highly recommended.

I love this little place. It has great atmosphere and I find the eclectic staff friendly and warm. It seems like a completely different place comparing breakfast and dinner experiences but both are lovely. Also just a wine by candlelight at night is great experience too. My go to place with a friend or solo.

Amazing strong coffee! Perfect for a pit-stop in the afternoon.

Rarely does one get to experience the pleasure of a perfectly dressed salad (my life long pursuit), but what I was served at Self Preservation was a pure delight and the savory tart was deliciously perfect too.
Relaxed, comfy, restful, dreamy: I could stay all day.
A delightfully gorgeous way to spend some time in Melbourne. Yum!

I’ve been here several times and enjoyed it a lot. Today I got the turkey sandwich and I thought the bread was a little stale, and the waitress (maybe manager? Owner?) must have noticed I was unsure, came over straight away and asked if everything was ok. I said “yes it’s all good I just noticed the bread was a little stale but it’s totally fine I don’t want to waste anything and the rest is delicious”, she instantly offered to get me something else free of charge, gave me a paper bag for the sandwich even though I said it was ok and brought me an antipasti plate which was DELICIOUS. She was super accommodating and lovely and I really appreciated her care and effort. Highly recommend.

This is one of those places where you do not want to write a review about or let anyone know as you get afraid that everyone would start flocking and overcrowd it. First time coming here a couple days ago, and I love it! Quiet and good spot to catch up with friends and also people watch the generally more affluent people who walk by due to it being situated close to the higher end shops such as Coach etc. Very friendly staff who are helpful in suggesting items off the drinks menu too. Will be back for sure!

Best fritters I've had for years. Thanks.