Head In The Cloud Coffee

42 Wilson St, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
$$$ Cafe , Coffee store
(110 Reviews)
Price Range $1–20

Head In The Cloud Coffee sits quietly just a few steps off Chapel Street on Wilson Street, offering a no-frills but thoughtful coffee experience in South Yarra’s busy café scene. This is a spot where the barista bench is open and inviting, deliberately removing the usual divide so that ordering your coffee feels more like catching up with friends than a transactional moment.

The space itself is compact, with a cozy indoor setting that doesn’t feel cramped thanks to its clever layout and friendly energy. It's a place where locals appear comfortable lingering, whether they’re popping in for a morning boost or settling in with their laptop mid-afternoon. The absence of outdoor seating is made up for by the inviting social flow inside, where the communal vibe is a draw as much as the coffee.

Coffee quality is where Head In The Cloud really holds its ground. The baristas are precise and passionate, evident in the consistently well-crafted drinks that earn respect from those who consider themselves coffee purists. For anyone partial to plant-based options, the soy flat white here has gathered a good reputation among regulars seeking that creamy, balanced cup. Beyond the classic espresso menu, offerings like chai and soy matcha come recommended, adding a bit of variety while maintaining a careful focus on quality.

This venue suits those who appreciate a quieter coffee moment with an emphasis on genuine connection and craft. It’s not the kind of place to rush through, but rather where you’d want to take your time — whether reading, working, or catching up with a friend over a precisely made magic or flat white. The best times to visit tend to be weekday mornings or early afternoons, when the place isn’t too busy and the staff can give you that attentive, personable service that regulars keep coming back for.

For visitors knowledgeable about Melbourne’s café culture, this cafe stands out for maintaining an authentic, almost aftermarket approach to coffee service—unpretentious but sharp, in a neighborhood buzzing with choices yet thirsting for sincerity.

Highlights
Serves great coffee
What they serve
Serves coffee
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

6:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Tuesday

6:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Wednesday

6:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Thursday

6:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Friday

6:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Saturday

7:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Sunday

7:00 AM - 11:30 AM

110 Reviews
Jack Colquhoun

09 Jan 2026

Jim and head in the cloud is my favorite coffee in all of Melbourne!! no one makes a better magic in the whole city, nestled just behind Chapel St is this hidden gem I always keep coming back to every time I’m home in Melbourne 10/10

Benjamin Wedrat

18 Nov 2025

Flew in from Cairns and was stoked to see our air bnb had this little gem of a cafe right next door. Good energy and excellent use of the space. The fact they have laid out the store without a bench between the baristas and you is a pleasant change. You feel like you’re being hosted by friends rather than being “served”. Seems to be a secret favourite of the locals we met here. We had a Burundi single origin pour over and a flat white. Both were perfect.

Grace Kimpton

10 Nov 2025

This cafe is by far the best to drop in and get a great coffee at a great price. The service is always amazing regardless of who’s on shift, and the coffee is just straight up yummy.

Rosh Patel

24 Oct 2025

As a first class coffee snob, The BEST COFFEE in South Yarra, Windsor, Toorak and Hawksburn. Community vibe with staff who are passionate about serving great coffee. Their chai and soy matcha are also amazing. Jim and his team are a dream!

Alan Gore

20 Oct 2025

Stumbled on this gem while walking the back areas of Prahran. If looking for good coffee you find it hard to beat this one. Cozy small inside but that doesn't limit the atmosphere which permeates from the focus and precision while pouring the perfect cup.... every time. Like watching an artisan creating a work oh both beauty and love. The coffee is strong enough to demand a clear "good day to you" while the perfectly textured milk soothes with every sip. A definite return visit coffee location.

Melody Phoenix

13 Oct 2025

Such a hidden gem tucked away on a tiny street! The aroma of the coffee warms your heart—just like Jim’s big smile. Though it’s more of a grab-and-go spot, this little place carries a big sense of community, where people can pause, connect, and feel at home. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Lipika Kochar

02 Oct 2025

Jim spoils you with the best coffees and the best vibes. Once you come in here and try their coffee or leaf chai, everything else in Melbourne is going to feel below average.!

TheMissOmni

27 Sep 2025

Lovely little hidden local. My nose followed the coffee and chai smells up the lane to find this place. Picked up a coffee to go that tasted like a breakfast wine, very rich, fruity and sweet, as well as a bag of NIGHT blend, which is definitely my current morning highlight!

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