2019 Melbourne Survival Guide

The Melbourne Esports Open has officially kicked off with flocks of people coming from out of town to visit the culinary capital of Australia.

As one of Snowball’s Resident Melburnians, I have been asked once again to let you know some more of what I think is good in Melbourne. Unlike last year, there will only be one piece, focusing primarily on food that I have only recently discovered, relatively new to Melbourne or only got a brief mention in 2018. 

This piece is a companion to those published in 2018, where myself and Michael Carmody gave a run down some of the best that Melbourne has to offer in terms of Food, Coffee and Things to do. Each of these locations is still highly recommended and any that are sadly no longer with us are no longer featured.

There is something truly special about burgers in Melbourne. With a myriad of great locations in and around the Melbourne CBD, they are one of Melbourne’s staples especially if you want something casual. 

Betty’s Burgers and Concrete Co. (Multiple Locations)
97 Elizabeth Street and 222 Exhibition Street

After only receiving a fleeting mention in 2018, Betty’s Burgers makes its way back into the survival guides in 2019 with a full feature. 

Betty’s is a place that does everything to an outstanding quality with being over the top. A solid menu of burgers with made quality ingredients complemented with excellent sides. On top of their burgers, they also serve a great range of custard-based ice creams and thick shakes. With multiple locations, fast and exceptional service, and ample seating, Betty’s is a great choice if in a group or just looking for a great burg. 

Royal Stacks
470 Collins St

Much like Betty’s, Royal Stacks does burgers to an outstanding quality but with more pizzazz. With exceptional sides and great ice cream and shakes, Royal Stacks does find itself with a line, but quick service sees people constantly coming in and out that allows the line to move forward with ease.

Also quickly becoming one of the city’s Staple foods especially in our cold winters. Whilst this weekend isn’t forecasted to continue the recent run of cold weather, Melbourne’s weather is known to change at the drop of a hat, so if you get caught out in the cold or are just looking for something warm and hearty, look no further than some of the great Asian cuisine the CBD has to offer.  

Musashi Ramen Bar
1/181 Russell St

Whilst most ramen locations in our city are great, Musashi is one of the ones that I have found stands out over the rest. Musashi Ramen hits the perfect combination in terms of price, quality and service, and will leave you feeling very satisfied with your choice. A line to wait is expected due to this but is more than worth your time if you are not in a rush.

Little Ramen Bar
346 Little Bourke Street

Another one of Melbourne’s great ramen locations, the name describes what you’ll find when you get in. Serving some solid Ramen and great sides, Little Ramen Bar is highly recommended if you want to get a ramen fix. Service is quick and serves are large so you can’t go wrong. 

Hana’s Kitchen
344 Little Bourke

Blink and you’ll miss it, located next to the Little Ramen Bar is Hana’s Kitchen, an unassuming restaurant that serves some great Japanese and Asian fusion cuisine at an inexpensive price. Located near major retail hubs and the RMIT Campus, Service has to be rather quick in this area to attract those crowds and Hana’s is no exception. 

DonDon
198 Little Lonsdale Street and 330 Little Lonsdale Street 

One of the city’s true greats if you are looking for good food at bargain prices. Aimed towards Students and Corpoates, DonDon serves great Japanese Dons and Bento’s on the cheap at its multiple city locations. Lines during peak times will be out of the door, but with their exceptionally quick service, you’ll be in and out the door before you realise. 

ShanDong MaMa
Mid City Arcade, 7/200 Bourke Street

ShanDong MaMa is an unassuming restaurant found in the Midcity arcade in Chinatown, that serves some great dumplings and other Chinese staples at really great prices. Come here less for the ambience and more for the food, which you could not go wrong with here. 

Rice Workshop (Multiple locations)
238 Little Bourke Street and 321 Lonsdale Street (food court of emporium)

Another favourite student with a location inside the emporium shopping centre as well as in the heart of Chinatown, Rice Workshop does Japanese lunch food right. If looking for solid bowl of food that you can pick up quickly or sit down with in cafeteria style seating or a food court, you can’t go wrong. Prices and menus between the two locations seem to vary (with the Chinatown location be slightly cheaper and more varied at last check) but both will give you an exceptional meal at an exceptional price. 

CJ Lunch Bar
391 Little Lonsdale Street

Located in a laneway near the Law Campus of Victoria University, CJ Lunch Bar is a hole in a wall that serves great Korean food at very reasonable prices. Whilst you won’t find yourself doing KBBQ here, you will find some great Korean lunch meal, including bulgogi dons, bento’s and sizzling plates, as well as many varieties of bibimbap amongst its menu. Despite the name, it is also open for dinner and is a recommendation if you want a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Sal’s Authentic New York Pizza
289 Flinders Lane

A true New York Style pizza joint that recently finds itself in Melbourne via New Zealand, Sal’s have very quickly become one of my favourite pizza places, and my go-to when looking for pizza in the CBD. 

Sal’s serves pizza the New York way: large and thin bases, tomato sauce, mozzarella, served with only a couple of simple but quality toppings. With the Pizza being over twice as large than those found at most other restaurants, a couple of slices will be more than enough to satisfy, and won’t set you back all that much.

With both walk-out and sit down service, located near Flinders Street Station and trams that go towards MEO, Sal’s is an ideal place to get a quick bite before, during or after the event.

Mr Crackles
164 Bourke Street

If you are looking for great sandwiches, quality bbq pork, or both at the same time, a trip to Mr Crackles is your best bet. Serving hearty sandwiches and salads with great meats, Mr Crackles is a great location if you are looking for something that will keep you full for the long run.

Shortstop Coffee & Donuts
12 Sutherland Street

A place that I didn’t know existed until our Overwatch content lead Andrew “Ducky” Amos told me about it during the last MEO, Shortstop does what is says in the name, but with a hipster twist. Shortstop serves the best Donuts I have found in the Melbourne CBD. If you are looking for a great donut and what I think is a great coffee at a cafe price, there is no better place. 

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If you have a recommendation I might have missed, let us know on twitter @snowballesports. 

This article was not sponsored by any of the featured locations.