Aside from being one of the world’s most liveable cities, the City of Melbourne also prides itself in one other thing: their food.
Brimming with an incredibly diverse community, Melbourne has the 10th largest migrant population among other metropolitan areas worldwide. As a result, it has also cultivated a unique culinary community that offers various cuisines and flavours, making their food some of the best in the world.
If you’re going to be visiting Melbourne any time soon, I’m going to tell you this early on that it might be overwhelming to find a place to eat. However, fret not, as we have crafted the perfect guide for you! Having visited Melbourne a handful of times, I’ve had my fair share of gastronomic adventures, and I’ve listed down some of my favourite to help make your life easier. So when someone asks you: “Where do you wanna eat?”, feel free to whip out this bookmarked article on your phone to use as your guide.
Brunch/Lunch
Starting off with the most important meal of the day! (Sort of) Brunch is a huge part of the culture in Melbourne, and you absolutely cannot leave until you have had a proper plate of Chilli Scrambled Eggs or Avocado Toast.
Mammoth Cafe
Located just along Malvern Road, Mammoth Cafe makes some of the best coffee I’ve ever had in Melbourne. If you’re looking for something to munch on, their extensive menu has a little bit of everything, guaranteeing that you’ll find something to suit your palette. A personal favourite is their ‘Avocado Dukkah Toast’.
Top Paddock
One of the very first brunch spots that I visited in Melbourne was Top Paddock. A quaint and welcoming space in the heart of Richmond, its diverse culinary offerings range from your classic Açai Bowls to Soba Noodle Bowls. One of my favourites is their delicious rendition of Chilli Scrambled Eggs. Served with some mushroom confit and goat’s cheese, it’s the perfect balance to jump-start your day.
Hector’s Deli
My ultimate comfort food whenever I’m in Melbourne, Hector’s Deli crafts some of the best toasted sandwiches in the city. Crowd favourites include their tuna melt, chicken schnitzel, and my personal favourite, the beef and pickles with hector’s sauce and cheese.
Dinner/Drinks
Now on to a later part of the day, dinner is just as seriously taken by Melbournians as Brunch. Here are some of my favourite spots when I’m looking for something to finish off the work week.
Serai
Ranked ‘Restaurant Of The Year’ by Time Out, Serai serves Filipino-Australian food just along Racing Club Lane in Melbourne’s bustling CBD. In an interview with Lifestyle Inquirer a few months ago, we got the chance to catch up with their founders and learn a little bit more about what goes on behind the scenes. Each dish is meticulously conceptualized and crafted before making it to the menu, and one of my absolute favourites is their rendition of the well-loved ‘lechon’.
MoVida
A well-loved Spanish restaurant just along Hozier lane in the CBD, MoVida serves familiar Spanish favourites. One of my favourite dishes that I’ve tried so far is their Air-dried Wagyu with truffled potato foam and a poached egg. Served with sourdough bread, it’s the perfect dish to kick off the weekend.
Mya Tiger
Inspired by the Chinese cook-shops that sprang up throughout St Kilda during Victoria’s 1850s gold rush era, Mya Tiger serves up some of the most memorable Chinese food I’ve had in Melbourne so far. Their dumplings pack a punch and will definitely leave you dreaming several weeks after having them.