Eating and Drinking in Melbourne

Tried and true classics of Melbourne, Centre Place is more casual, fast lunch and takeaway, Degraves Street is more sit down Brunch, Lunch and Dinner.

If you want to eat lunch for anywhere in the world, including Korean, Vietnamese, Brazilian and more with true Melbournians, Equitable Place is worth checking out. 

Favourite places are: 

Sambar (Brazilian)

https://www.facebook.com/SambarMelbourne/

Louie (Cafe/Sweet and Savoury Muffins)

and 

This Side Of Paradise (Cafe/Brunch)

http://www.madamimadam.com/

Often called Melbourne’s Best Coffee, it’s a great place to grab Brunch if you’re exploring South Melbourne, Albert Park, Shrine of Remembrance or St Kilda

50 Albert Road, South Melbourne

https://www.thekettleblack.com.au/

The definition of a hidden Melbourne Cafe, this place cannot be seen from the roadside. It is hidden behind a petrol station but once you find it it is a wonderland. They roast and sell their own coffee and actually specialise in filter coffee (try the daily batch and ask for a sample of the fancy batch). Their espresso coffee is also top notch. A full and vibrant menu filled with sweet and savory meals. Has many Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options.

8 Raffa Pl, Carlton. Corner of Lygon and Elgin Streets. Down the left side of the Petrol Station, you should see a sign for “Coffee” down the little laneway there. 

https://vertuecoffee.com.au/

Very few options but a specialised selection of sandwiches. European roots, Heartattack and Vine offers simple breakfasts, hearty lunches, and long relaxed evenings of drinking and snacking. Their night menu is based around cicchetti (a Venetian style of bar food, similar to tapas, but with its own distinct dishes and flavours), and is perfect for grazing, sharing or feasting.

329 Lygon St, Carlton

http://www.heartattackandvine.com.au/

Also outside of the CBD, you can go to:

Lygon street, Carlton (Italian Precinct)

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Smith Street and Johnston Street, Collingwood

Toorak Road and Chapel Street, South Yarra (Try Middle South East for a Middle Eastern take on Brunch food https://middlesoutheast.com.au/)

St Kilda (https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/guides/best-cafes-st-kilda/)

Charming, legit French creperie. They make traditional savoury buckwheat galettes and sweet crepes as well as more modern and Australian inspired plates. Any of the cheese crepes I’d recommend, especially the Camembert, and the escargot. Also open for lunch and takeaway.

Scott Alley (parallel to Degraves Street, just off Flinders Lane between Degraves Street and Swanston Street)

https://www.roulegalette.com.au/

A South East Asian Tapas restaurant based on the Hawker Bars of the area. You choose 5 dishes for 2 people to share – $32pp lunch | $37pp dinner and go from there. The food is super fresh and all designed to be eaten with your hands. Their cocktails are also amazing and refreshing and pair well with the food. Also open for lunch. If they are full, Ho Chi Mama next door are also excellent.

15 Hardware Lane, CBD or 307 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

https://ricepaperscissors.com.au/

Bavarian (south german) style bier hall and restaurant, designed to look like the Royal Beer Hall (Hofbrauhaus) in Munich. Claim to have the best schnitzel in Melbourne and I can say it’s very good. The Hofbräuhaus is known for its classic traditional pork, beef and poultry dishes, rich in flavour, created from old family recipes. Complemented by a wide range of traditional side dishes such as dumplings, spätzle and sauerkraut. Also sport a large selection of Bavarian beers. Specials for Schnitzel on Tuesday nights and Wurstl (sausages) on Wednesday night. They also do a midweek lunch special.

18-28 Market Ln (A laneway between Bourke and Little Bourke Streets. You can get to it from Chinatown).

https://www.hofbrauhaus.com.au/

For good, cheap dumplings your best bet is to go to either Empress of China or Shanghai Village in the heart of Chinatown. Both allow you to BYO alcohol for very cheap. Make sure you order the Xiao Long Bao (Pork and soup dumplings), they’re awesome.

Empress Of China - 120 Little Bourke St,

https://www.zomato.com/melbourne/empress-of-china-1-cbd/menu

Shanghai Village - 112 Little Bourke St, 

https://www.zomato.com/melbourne/shanghai-village-dumpling-1-cbd

While all of Degraves Street will give you great options for dinner, Metro Burgers are fun for two reasons. 1. They’re a great burger place and 2. They do weird burgers like Kangaroo, Emu and Crocodile. Also open for lunch.

12 Degraves Street

https://www.zomato.com/melbourne/metro-burgers-1-cbd

Right in the heart of Federation Square next to the Koorie Heritage Trust! Big Esso brings modern indigenous food and a vibrant atmosphere. Sourcing ingreidents from local suppliers, this is where you can try out all of the Australian plant and animal life. From Emu Liver Parfait to Pepperberry & saltbush fried Crocodile

FED SQUARE, NAARM

https://www.mabumabu.com.au/dining

Modern and chique, this gem is tucked into the laneways, providing a fantastic experience, fusing modern and traditional spanish dishes.

30-32 Crossley St

https://www.crossleystcantina.com.au/

Hardware Lane

All the restaurants here will try and make you a good deal. One will offer free drinks, one will offer garlic bread, the next one will offer 2 free entrees. You can get some great discounts here. Mostly Korean and Italian cuisine here.

Degraves Street

Many great options for food down here including Italian, Fish and Chips, Burgers and Gelato.

Liverpool Street, Crossley Street and Myers Place

These three laneways off Bourke Street in the Bourke Hill District (Bourke Street between Exhibition and Spring Streets) are filled with great places like Pizza, Pizza, Pizza, SPQR, Bodega Underground and Ginger Boy to name a few. The whole area is filled with wonderful bars to get a drink after your meal.

Incredible woodfire pizzas and they specialise in also being a mozzarella bar (try the mozzarella tasting board). Simple but bold and fresh flavours. Some of the best pizza you’ll get in Melbourne. They have a great drinks list filled with local and Italian craft beers and wines.

295 Drummond St, Carlton and Tenancy 7, 6 Riverside Quay, Southbank

https://docgroup.net/

Great pub food but surprise it’s all vegetarian! Great selection of local craft beers and huge range of wine. Looks dingy on the outside but it is comfy and cosy on the inside

418 Lygon Street, Carlton 

http://www.greenmansarms.com.au/

A cheese and wine bar, they offer amazing cheese tasting "flights" with cheeses paired with different drinks (wine, beer, cider, gin, whiskey and more) as well as full on cheese boards and other meals. If you love cheese and booze, this is a must try. You could find your new favourite cheese. The staff are also incredibly knowledgeable and helpful.

323 Lygon Street, Carlton

https://milkthecow.com.au/

There are so many great places to eat here in Melbourne, I cannot put them all here. So go explore, you might find something completely new that I don't know about about. If you do, let me know and I'll go check it out, maybe add it to the list.

Also check out:

Brunswick Street and Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Smith Street and Johnston Street, Collingwood

Toorak Road and Chapel Street, South Yarra 

Acland Street, St Kilda 

Richmond

Most restaurants in Melbourne will have a good number of vegetarian (v), vegan (vg), gluten free (gf) or other dietary requirements listed on their menus already but here are a few specialised Vegetarian/Vegan Eats. If in doubt about any dietary requirements, just ask the wait staff BEFORE you order.

Most of the places I've mentioned previously have good Vego/Vegan options (yes, even the burger places), but here are a few specialised places

One of the oldest exclusively vegetarian restaurants in Melbourne, opening in 1972. They are inspired by many countries in South East Asian including India, Thailand, China and Japan, an East-meets-West fusion restaurant.

Open for lunch and dinner.

201-203 Faraday Street, Carlton

https://www.shakaharivegetarian.com.au/

Vegetarian/Vegan takes on global cuisine. They have dishes from all over including curries, pastas, comfort food, salads, soups and more.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

73 Acland Street, St Kilda

and 77 Swan St, Richmond

http://www.sisterofsoul.com.au

Breakfast, brunch, fresh food with a big focus on sustainability, all within a 1 minute walk of St Kilda Beach. This place is very popular and does not take bookings so there may be a queue to get in.

72A Acland Street, St Kilda

http://www.matchamylkbar.com/

Relaxed, chilled out modern Mexican food, they serve their (huge) trademark tacos, quesadillas, burritos and taquitos, with many vegan and gluten free options.

Open for Lunch and Dinner

234 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

and 6 Acland Street, St Kilda

https://www.trippytaco.com.au/

Looks like rich, traditional, creamy, indulgent Italian cuisine but surprise, it's all vegan. Mind blowing technique and creativity leads to some very good food.

Open for brunch Friday and Saturday, dinner Tuesday - Saturday

175 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

http://www.smithanddaughters.com/

Classic world dishes, done with fresh ingredients and all vegetarian (duh). 

Open for lunch and dinner.

380 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

https://www.vegiebar.com.au/

Welcoming atmosphere, very friendly, designed to look and feel like a traditional Moroccan eatery. Vibrant flavours and traditional dishes.

Open for Dinner and takeaway

47-51 Boundary Rd, North Melbourne

https://www.moroccansoupbar.com.au/

Pub/bar classics like Vegan and non-vegan pizzas, burgers and burritos, served in a busy pub with a large craft beer menu. Be sure to try the Mac and Cheese bites and the Chick'n Parma. Also has a wonderful rooftop bar.

163A Sydney Rd, Brunswick

http://www.cornisharms.com.au/

Melbourne is Australia's only real 24 hour city but it is still not as busy in the wee hours of the morning as some places so here's two places for if you're lost and hungry.

One of the best spots for Ramen in the city, they also do a variety of other dishes including rice dishes, sides and dumplings. They have a great saké list to pair with your food

225 Russell St (they have other outlets but this is the only one open 24 hours)

http://shujinko.com.au/

Iconic greek restaurant, mainly known for their signature souvlakis. Classic, cannot go wrong, unbeatable.

177/183 Lonsdale St

http://www.stalactites.com.au/