There are famous culinary areas in Melbourne, renowned for their great value restaurants and unique atmosphere. Take a walk down Lygon Street,Carlton: it’s Melbourne’s ‘Little Italy’ and you’ll find countless Italian restaurants, many featuring the requisite red-checked tablecloths and candlesticks, and all competing for your business. The spruikers stand at their doorway beckoning to passersby with their competing voices and charming grins. It’s the beautiful art of persuasion in action. Choose your winner, then tuck in to a generous bowl of authentic pasta washed down with a glass or three of wine.
With one of the largest populations of Chinese people outside of China, Melbourne’s the place to come for Yum Cha. Chinatown is found in the CBD – wander along Little Bourke Street from Swanston Street (where Chinatown begins) up to Exhibition Street. For top quality yum cha try Shark Fin House (Chinatown) – my personal favourite; Westlake (Chinatown) or Yum Cha Dragon (Docklands). If you’re craving Chinese food at night, Melbourne's Chinatown has plenty of cheap and tasty dumpling restaurants churning out plate after plate of these addictive little parcels. Try Hu Tong Dumpling Bar or Shanghai Dumpling. (It’s a good idea to book at both of these places.)
If it’s Vietnamese food you’re wanting, head to Victoria Street (covering the suburbs of Richmond and Abbotsford) where you’ll find a long strip of authentic and cheap Vietnamese restaurants, interrupted by a few Thai and Chinese places. There are so many places to choose from here it’s hard to single them out, and every Melbournian has their favourite. For Chinese food here it’s hard to go past Pacific House. But if in doubt, choose a restaurant that’s full of Vietnamese and Chinese diners.
The Locals' Melbourne
Visit the Melbourne restaurants that all the locals love. For modern Thai food in a hip, vibrant setting, it’s hard to go past Cookie located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Climb the stairs in Curtin House (252 Swanston Street) to the first floor, where boldly creative and colourful Thai dishes await you. It’s best to book here as it’s super busy every night of the week.
At the other end of the size spectrum lies Von Haus – a tiny, cosy little bar and restaurant hidden away on a little city lane (Crossley Street) – very Melbourne. Half the fun is finding it. The menu changes regularly but expect to find generous, warming comfort food like Hungarian Goulash or saffron- and cinnamon-braised lamb. There’s also a fabulous wine list and mouth-watering cheeses.
Vegetarians (and even dedicated carnivores) will love Moroccan Soup Kitchen – a colourful eclectic little place in Melbourne’s north (St George’s Rd, Fitzroy North) that’s been serving up plates of exciting vegetarian Moroccan food to its loyal fans for many years. Highlights include the homemade dips and pickled vegetables and an outstanding chickpea dish with yoghurt and crunchy toasted flat bread. Food here is designed to be shared, and including a starter and small dessert should cost you no more than AUD$20.
This is just a very small selection of Melbourne’s fantastic restaurants and eating destinations, chosen because they embody what Melbourne is all about - authentic, delicious, good-value food in trendy, eclectic and welcoming settings. Use them as jumping off points to explore the divine culinary world of Australia’s coolest city (in my humble opinion anyway...don’t tell Sydney).
Ruby Lohman - I'm a freelance writer and editor/proofreader from Australia, but currently travelling through Thailand with no plans and no plane ticket ...
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