Melbourne Survival Guide: Food

Burgers

One of my favourite foods, Melbourne has a number of great restaurants serving burgers. While there are scores of places to visit for a great burger, including Mr. Burger, Rocket Burgers and Betty’s Concrete & Burger Co, my two favourites and two that I recommend to people the most have to be Huxtaburger and 8bit.

Huxtaburger

Huxtaburger has become a Melbourne institution in the last half a decade. Starting off as one restaurant in 2011, it has expanded to seven locations in Melbourne, with an eighth in Perth. With the CBD’s location in the rear of 357 Collins Street (with access to the store from Fulham Place, off Flinders Lane), Huxtaburger is your location for a amazing burger, fantastic fries and a even a good frothie if you want it.

8bit

8bit has also steadily grown to become an institution in the last couple of years. 8bit is a burger and hot dog place with a not too over the top gaming theme serving brilliant burgers, hot dogs, and fries as well as succulent milkshakes. 8bit has two city based locations, with the main location open 7 days a week on the edge of Chinatown at 231 Swanston Street and with a secondary location open for lunch during the weekdays at 1/360 Collins Street.

Asian Cuisine

Asian Cuisine is ingrained into Melbourne culture, and has seen a large number of great restaurants and eateries open up serving the best food that Asia has to offer.

Torasan Ramen

Whilst there are many great Ramen places to be found in the City, my personal favourite has to be Torasan Ramen on 410 Elizabeth Street. Less of a restaurant and more of a cafeteria, Torasan features a diverse menu of Ramen and other Japanese cuisine. Ordering is done on iPad’s found on every table and seating location, where you are able to order to your heart’s content.

Hanaichi

Hanaichi is another one of my personal favourites. Located inside QV Square (corner of Swanston and Lonsdale Streets), Hanaichi serves amazing Ramen, Udon and plates of Japanese Curry at very reasonable prices. If you are looking for a quick and filling pickup, Hanaichi is your place to go.

Chinatown

While in Melbourne and looking for a bite to eat, you can’t go wrong with a quick trip into Chinatown. Running along either side of Little Bourke Street between Swanston and Exhibition Street, Chinatown is chock-full of amazing eats from China, Korea, Japan and the rest of Asia. You’ll be able to find a range of both takeout and sit down places, and with a tonne of options, Chinatown is highly recommended while in Melbourne.

Korean BBQ

Another cuisine/style of eating that has become a classic staple in Melbourne is Korean BBQ. KBBQ is a great way for you to meet with friends for a meal. You’re able to order classic Korean meat meals and you also generally cook the meat yourself! With at least a couple dozen options for KBBQ places in the CBD and the immediate surrounds, you can’t go wrong with any of the locations in Melbourne. Recommendations include Oriental Spoon at either 254 LaTrobe Street or 291 Elizabeth Street, or Marroo at 392 Little Collins Street.

Food Courts

If none of the above really appeals to you, or you are part of a crew of people with different tastes, a trip to one of Melbourne’s food courts wouldn’t go amiss. There are plenty of food courts, but the best options in the city are Melbourne Central, the Emporium and the Crown Food Court.

Crown Food Court

The Crown Food Court located inside the Crown Casino on Southbank is the closest to MEO. There are chains and other standard food court eateries found inside, as well as a number of sit down restaurants if that tickles your fancy.

Melbourne Central/Emporium

Melbourne Central and Emporium are both deeper inside the city, located on either side of the corner of Lonsdale and Elizabeth Street. The two connected shopping centres have ample food courts and eateries located inside, serviced with the top chains of Australia as well as your food court staples. These locations will allow you to find good food and an escape from the hustle and bustle if needed.

Queen Victoria Market

Another location that can be ideal for a large group with different tastes is the Queen Victoria Market, particularly the Dairy Hall and the food court located on the corner of Victoria and Elizabeth street. The Queen Victoria Market is ideal to those staying in the northern part of the city, as it opens early and is full of market stalls serving fresh food that make an ideal breakfast place. It is also a great place to do some general food shopping if that is something you desire. The market is open from 8am till at least 2pm Tuesday & Thursday – Sunday.

HSPs

If you are looking for a fulfilling but ultimately greasy meal in the wee hours of the morning whilst in the CBD, you can’t go wrong with what has fast become one of Melbourne and Australia’s staple meals, the Halal Snack Pack.

A HSP, also known as an AB in Adelaide, is a bed of chips topped with cheese, lamb and chicken doner kebab meat, and served with the Holy Trinity of sauces (Garlic, BBQ and Chilli). Whilst all of the self-respecting kebab joints in the city can serve a great HSP, three stick out from the rest as the best the CBD has to offer: Viva Kebabs, CBD Kebabs and Queen’s Kebabs. The former are both located at 546 Flinders Street while Queen Kebabs is located at 26 King Street, but all three are considered by most as the best locations in the CBD.

Viva/CBD Kebabs

Queen’s Kebabs