Let the feasting begin!
These Melbourne restaurants will remind you why this city is lauded as one of the top foodie destinations in the country.
Khaosan Lane
Channelling the energy of the buzzing Bangkok street after which it was named, the newly opened Khaosan Lane in Melbourne’s CBD offers fun and lively street dining and delicious Thai barbecue dishes. Mu kratha is their speciality: a style of Thai barbeque cooked on a dome-shaped grill surrounded by a hotpot. Pork is the star, but there’s also plenty of tasty seafood options, and little-known delicacies: fried duck’s beaks, for instance. Make sure you come early as this popular joint quickly has a line out the door as soon as it opens.
Poodle Bar & Bistro
Poodle is a playful and classy art deco-inspired addition to Fitzroy’s Gertrude Street, with creative European fare and a martini called the Wet Poodle that you’ll want to order three of. Start off with some Sydney rock oysters, and make sure to try the Yarra Valley Smoked Salmon Caviar with seaweed madeleines. Enjoy the grand bar area downstairs with its leather lounges and art-adorned walls, or head out to the courtyard for a long spritzy lunch.
Tipo 00
There’s no shortage of great Italian food in Melbourne, and Tipo 00 is up there as one of the best (it was even listed as one of the top Italian restaurants outside Italy in 2022 by Top 50 Italy)! Named after the finely ground flour used to make pasta, you can find it on Little Bourke Street serving dishes with premium ingredients such as spaghetti with Moreton Bay bug, squid ink tagliolini and delicious Italian desserts. Go on – indulge!
Old Beijing
If ever there was a place to dine like a king, Old Beijing is the place to do it. The menu offers up the tantalising ancient flavours of imperial China as well as a few wallet-friendly favourites. Splash out with a generous serving of Fois Gras in Moutai Brine, or try the Duck Tongue in Balloon Flower. For something a little more low-key, opt for the fried noodles and their signature Xiaolongbao. When you need to wash it all down, try the Szechuan Sour – a tongue-tingling concoction of Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz, Szechuan spiced red wine and lemon.
Pretzel Knox
Easily one of the cutest and most photographable eateries in the city (and probably the entire country), Pretzel Knox is the most recent addition to the now 9-strong Pretzel franchise. Just stepping inside the pretty-in-pink store will lift your mood and your first bite into a delicious pretzel will have you floating on a fluffy cloud for the rest of the day. With plenty of vegan and vegetarian options to choose from, the cabinet is packed with funky flavours including peanut butter Oreo, cheese and pepperoni, and salted caramel. Find the full list of locations here, or make your own tasty treats at home with this DIY Pretzel Kit!
Still hungry? Check out our go-to foodie guide to the best foodie experiences around Australia!
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