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Melburnians love food. If one thing sets Melbourne apart from almost all other cities in the world, it is the outstanding quality, variety and affordability of its food and drink. Melbourne’s thousands of restaurants and cafés feed the city’s millions with nearly every cuisine imaginable.
While some of the best places can be tucked away in the nooks and crannies of the city, it is not particularly difficult to find good food anywhere. It is actually harder to find a bad meal than it is to stumble upon a great find! Just walk down the street and take your pick of cafés, restaurants, bars and takeaway outlets. Ambiance is as important as the food, and style is simply a way of life in Melbourne, so expect to find the most popular places in the city’s famous streets and districts, each known for a specific approach to lifestyle, fashion or food.
Brunswick Street
In the north of the city, Brunswick Street has become a weekend favourite for long, languid brunches enjoyed in a distinctly inner city, urban environment. The best cafés have been established for years—such as Marios and The Fitz. Newer arrivals such Retro Cafe and Umago are sneaking up the popularity stakes. These eateries are well patronised and serve up huge, hearty delectable brunches (all day and all night) using the local fresh produce to its best advantage. Brunswick Street is a sanctuary for Melbourne's fringe dwellers and arts community, so be prepared to meet street performers, joke tellers, fire twirlers and many other colourful locals.
Lygon Street
The first wave of Italian immigrants claimed this area as their domain and it remains so today. Any celebration of Italian culture takes place here—festivals, food, fashion and the Italian sense of fun. Many of the eateries are without pretence, simply serving good wholesome Italian food the way mama used to cook it. Places like Tiamo and Brunetti have remained the same since the day they opened and can be relied on for quality at a reasonable price. Santinos Terrace is ideal for that extra special treat.
Victoria Street
If you are travelling to the east of Brunswick Street, chances are you will stumble into Victoria Street and wonder if you are still in Australia. A wonderful example of Melbourne's cultural diversity, Victoria Street is a hectic and exciting strip of Vietnamese restaurants, businesses and street traders. People scurry to and fro and locals flock here to enjoy incredibly quick, cheap eats which are guaranteed to fill the belly. Restaurants such as Tho Tho's, Thy Thy I and The Huong have thrived in this area on quick turnaround and word of mouth.
Central Business District
With abandoned warehouses being turned into slick, modern apartments, the city of Melbourne is no longer a place just for weekday business lunches. Groovy cocktail bars, such as the Gin Palace, Hairy Canary and Melbourne Supper Club are springing up in the back alleyways to accommodate the chic set who call the city centre their home. There are numerous examples of fine dining in the city centre that cater specifically for the Melbourne professional—Grossi Florentino, Marchetti's Latin and Tuscan Grill are all celebrated establishments.
Chinatown
Where would any hungry city be without a Chinatown? Situated on Little Bourke Street in central Melbourne, Chinatown is a significant attraction of Melbourne, seeing little change over the years since the first Chinese came to make their fortunes on the goldfields. Traditionally, Chinatown is Sunday
yum cha, yet Melbourne's Chinatown reflects the city's all day, all night eating attitude. The choice is wide, from restaurants that are a treat to the pocket as well as the tastebuds, to Chinese dining at its most magnificent—Flower Drum. Along with the restaurants, Chinatown also has many grocers and speciality shops, as well as a Chinese Museum.
Southbank
While Southbank may exude commercialism in a way that is quite unusual for Melbourne, the food and entertainment in this area have proved to be very successful. Visitors can choose from classy and more costly to fast, funky and affordable (Blue Train). The Crown Entertainment Centre, with its many offerings, is hugely popular. Southbank also acts as a gateway to many tourist attractions such as the Melbourne Aquarium, Victorian Arts Centre and Polly Woodside.
Chapel Street
Fashion is the key when heading to Chapel Street. Be seen (and make sure you have reason for people to look) on this trendy strip of designer clothes and all-that-is-hip. Expensive cars cruise Chapel Street at night but it is just as popular during the day when the beautiful people shop and enjoy long lunches over wine and coffee. The eateries are specially designed to complement the clientele with attitude and accoutrements to match. Try out Caffe Sienna, Caffe e Cucina and Kush.
Acland Street
St Kilda exudes the relaxed, kickback culture of the seaside all year round and has grown as another arts centre within Melbourne. Acland Street is at the heart of this culture—a place where you can savour the best coffees and eat the most delicious, kilojoule-laden, continental cakes in town. Many of these cafés are without pretence (La Roche Cafe), but others are tailored for a more groovy crowd (Big Mouth). On Sundays, enjoy the shopping on Acland Street then peruse the crafts at the Esplanade Market.
Fitzroy Street
Just around the corner from Acland Street, Fitzroy Street could be considered the main drag of St Kilda with its broad avenue leading down towards the beach. In the past Fitzroy Street gained a reputation as one of the seedier areas of Melbourne, but has now been claimed by the young arty set. Restaurants, cafés and bars, such as Sapore, Mink and Leo’s Spaghetti Bar, make Fitzroy Street the place to eat, while still retaining its old street life charm.
Restaurants may come and go in this culinary crazed city, but the hospitality industry is thriving. Enjoy!
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