8 Can’t-Miss Places to Eat in Melbourne, Australia
Food is one of the best parts of travel.
Ok let’s be real, food is one of the best parts of life.
As soon as I booked my plane tickets, I started researching Australian food. But I quickly learned that Australia doesn’t have an iconic cuisine.
When I thought about it, I really only associated Vegemite with Australian food (and I only ended up seeing that on one menu in Australia- probably to cater to us uninformed tourists).
Although Australia doesn’t have a defined cuisine like Italy or Mexico, there are still plenty of delicious eateries to check out. I learned that Australia offers an eclectic cuisine, made up of British and Asian influences.
Plus, Australia has a strong coffee culture (which I fully support).
Melbourne is a diverse global city. It is filled with unique cafes and international restaurants. I had 4 days to explore the city, so I only scratched the surface of what Melbourne has to offer (more of a reason to go back).
But, I want to share 8 of the best places to eat in Melbourne. These are the places I’m still thinking about weeks after my trip.
If you are heading to Melbourne soon, or just want some inspo, check out my list below. You can also find my other Australia guides here:
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Operator 25
25 Wills Street
Operator 25 is a cozy brunch & coffee house located in a historic telephone exchange building.
You can sit inside the bright, plant-filled space or opt for an outside table along the quiet lane.
The brunch menu is filled with trendy dishes like an Avocado Smoothie Bowl and Twice Cooked Cauliflower.
I tried the Ube Waffle, which was vibrant and not too sweet even though it is a sweet potato waffle topped with fruit, white chocolate sauce, and coconut & black sesame ice cream.
This cafe also offers a variety of speciality coffee drinks. Many Australian iced coffee drinks are served with a scoop of ice cream, which you can sample here if you order an iced mocha. Or, branch out and try an iced latte with coffee jelly (which tastes exactly like it sounds)
Patricia Coffee Brewers
Little Bourke St & Little William St
I discovered Patricia Coffee Brewers while I was looking around on GoogleMaps for a quick coffee stop. I’ve found a few other cafes and restaurants this way, but most of the time coffee shops have 50-100 reviews. Maybe a couple hundred if
Patricia Coffee has over 1,000 Google reviews. Woah. When I saw that, I knew I had to check this place out.
And I loved it! The unassuming cafe is tucked into a side street. It doesn’t have a large sign announcing the entrance. But when I went (early on a Monday morning) it was packed. People were grabbing a coffee before work and others were hanging out near the large open windows. The baristas were so friendly and I could tell this was a place for regulars, although they gladly welcomed us!
To keep it simple, I ordered the standard flat white. There is some dispute between New Zealand and Australia, but this beverage originated in one of these countries. If you’ve never had one, it’s similar to a latte but contains less foam.
Lune Croissanterie
Shop 16 161 Collins Street
Unlike our last stop, this place is not unassuming. Lune is known for selling the world’s best croissant.
Have you been to Dominique Ansel or Mr. Holmes Bakeshop? If so, then you know what to expect from Lune. Lines and sold out signs.
A 3-day process is needed to make Lune’s signature pastry. The result is a flaky, delicious treat you will crave. I went to Lune twice during my short trip. I sampled a Plain Croissant, a Twice Baked Almond Croissant, a Lemon Cruffin, and a Pain au Chocolat.
You will find the original location in Fitzroy, but you can also visit their smaller CBD location for a selection of their classic treats.
Chin Chin
125 Flinders Lane
Chin Chin is a trendy Asian fusion restaurant with locations in Sydney and Melbourne. The menu is filled with curries, noodle bowls, and BBQ. If you can’t decide, opt for the $70 “Feed Me” meal where you can sample a selection of the chef’s
I visited Chin Chin on a Friday night, so naturally this place was crowded. If you don’t feel like waiting, find a table downstairs in the GoGo Bar. Although it has a slightly different vibe than the main dining room, this still offered a fun, Instagram-worthy atmosphere.
Plus, you can order from the SAME menu. And you don’t have to wait. This was a huge win! I enjoyed a fruity cocktail, Chicken & Shitake Spring Rolls, and Pad Seuw of Braised Wagyu Beef.
Metro Burgers
12 Degraves Street
Degraves Street is one of the many pedestrian laneways in Melbourne. This CBD thoroughfare is filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. I knew I wanted to eat on this street, so I wandered around until I came across Metro Burgers.
I’m not going to lie, this place isn’t particularly special. But, the reason I went was to try the Outback Burger. This burger is made from a kangaroo patty and topped with bush seasoning, beetroot, and wild tomato relish.
I didn’t love the burger. But I wanted to try kangaroo during my trip and this seemed like a fun place to go. I sat at the window-facing bar which was really nice. This was the perfect place to people watch and relax. Plus, they serve some other delicious burgers and fries if you don’t feel like eating kangaroo.
James Squire Brewhouse
127 Russell Street
The James Squire Brewhouse is a relaxed pub where you can grab a drink or a meal. There are a few locations around Australia, including one on the Sydney Harbor (which offers great views of the Opera House).
The Melbourne location is in CBD near Chinatown. I’m not a beer person, but I really like their Orchard Crush Apple Cider (which is made from Australian apples).
If you are looking for a meal, enjoy some Australian pub food like meat pies, crocodile and chicken spring rolls, or veal schnitzel.
Aqua S
16 Red Cape Lane
Aqua S is a soft-serve shop offering unique flavors and toppings. Their signature sea salt flavor is aqua blue and perfect for Instagram!
Their rotating flavors include watermelon, mango passionfruit, red bean, and blueberry cheesecake, just to name a few. Plus, you can top the treat with things like caramel popcorn, fairy floss
The Melbourne location is set in one of the city’s many malls. These malls are different than the large indoor shopping spaces you find in America. Most Australian malls I encountered were large open spaces where you can relax. There is a welcoming green space near Aqua S where you can sit under the open rooftop and almost feel like you
Queen Vic Summer Night Market
Queen Street
Unfortunately this market is only held on Wednesday nights from November-March. But if you are in town during the summer, this is a must-do!
At the market you will find dozens of food stalls serving unique international cuisine. Like any good food market, you will find drinks, desserts, and plenty of meals you can eat on-the-go. But this market is so massive you shouldn’t have trouble finding somewhere to sit and enjoy your food.
I tried an Instagrammable noodle bowl from Flying Noodle and a drink from Running Bull Sangria. Yum on both accounts!
Of course there are hundreds of other delciious palces to eat in Melbourne. What did I miss? Let me know what I should check out next time!
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