Café Melinjo French Flavor

Café Melinjo is a French-run bakery and café on the second floor of the Marina of Labuan Bajo building, right where many day boats and liveaboards board. The counter is stacked with croissants, pains au chocolat, almond pastries and cakes baked on site, and the menu adds brunch plates, baguette sandwiches, smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices and good coffee.

It is the obvious stop for breakfast before a boat departure or a coffee while you wait for the rest of your group. The terrace looks over the marina lawn and the bay. It holds a 4.7 rating from about 650 Google reviews.

Open daily from 07:30 to 21:00. Prices are a little above local cafés but fair for the quality.

Order a croissant and coffee to take aboard if your boat leaves early, or come back after the trip for a full brunch plate. Because it sits inside the marina building, it is also a useful place to meet your boat crew or guide. Expect queues for pastries on busy mornings in July and August.