Opening a cafe in Richmond, VIC: Market & Competitor Analysis (2026)

Richmond has 14 cafes operating currently, which puts the competitive density score at 69 out of 100. But effective density - a measure adjusted for population and spending power - sits at just 31 out of 100. In practice, the suburb looks crowded on paper but isn't oversupplied once demand is factored in.

The numbers lean positive. Richmond's strategique score is 61 out of 100, market opportunity is high at 89 out of 100, and competitor strength is only moderate at 45 out of 100. That mix of strong demand and manageable rivals points to genuine room for a cafe, though the 69/100 density score means the exact site still matters.

It's moderate rather than fierce. The Competitor Strength Index reads 45 out of 100. The operators to study are Commons Coffee on Cremorne Street in Cremorne, rated 5 stars from 86 reviews, ONAIR Cremorne at 4.5 stars from 60 reviews, and Here or There, also 5 stars from 57 reviews. None carry huge review volume, leaving an opening to compete on product and service.

Weekly household income in Richmond averages $2,577 across a population of 17,671, well above typical suburban benchmarks. That supports higher price points - think $5-6 coffees and $18-22 lunch plates - without resistance. Operators pricing toward the top of the local market are working with the spending capacity the catchment already has, rather than against it.

Map the gap between the Cremorne Street cluster - home to Commons Coffee and ONAIR - and quieter pockets away from Swan Street, where effective density drops to 31/100. Check review counts on any site you're considering; established competitors sit under 90 reviews each, so a solid opening month can shift local rankings quickly. Budget the fit-out for the $2,577 weekly income base nearby.