When first arriving in Melbourne you can be overwhelmed with the number of dining options available. Believe me, there are so many amazing choices so here is a quick guide to help get you started… these are my absolute favourites!
Ginger Boy
Ridiculously delicious is the only way to describe the Asian street food from Ginger Boy.
As you walk down the trendy Melbourne lane-way the “Ginger Boy” neon sign draws you in and I have never ever been so glad to act on a whim and just go in as this is now my new fave in Melbourne.
The food is delicious with so many fresh Asian flavours and the setting is colourful but sophisticated which is perfect for a quick bite or a long catch-up with family or friends.
The food is designed so you can share, but when you get a plate of Fried Salt and Pepper Chicken Spare Ribs with Korean BBQ Sauce you are not going to want to share these with anyone!
Must Try
Sesame prawn toast with sweet and sour sauce, gochujang mayonnaise
Crispy pork belly bun with Szechuan pickles, chilli tamarind relish
Fried salt and pepper chicken spare ribs with Korean BBQ sauce
Prawn and ginger wontons
Hint: To make your experience even better have a signature cocktail!
Ready to try the most delicious spare ribs? Visit Ginger Boy
Longrain
At the end of the laneway where Ginger Boy lives there is another great restaurant called Longrain that you must eat at when in Melbourne. I love this place for three reasons the amazing food, the shared tables and the upstairs Longsong bar.
Longrain specialises in delicious flavours which combine together to create tasty South East Asian food. The Longsong bar, a converted second-story horse stable, is the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink while taking in a view of the lane-way from the huge windows.
The restaurant is based on the philosophy of sharing. There are large shared tables and share-size meals allowing everyone to enjoy this taste of perfection. I must say that when we were shown to our table I nearly freaked out that we were sharing with about 10 others.. but soon realised that everyone was doing their own thing and it actually added to the atmosphere and feel of the night.
Must Try
Caramelised pork, prawn, peanuts on sour pineapple
Wok-fried king prawns, asparagus, wild ginger & green peppercorns
Caramelised pork hock, five-spice & chilli vinegar
Hint: Ask to sit near the window so you can see all the action outside in the lane-way
Ready to try Southeast Asian food? Visit Longrain
Pidapipó Gelateria
Now for something that is… certainly one of the best eats in Melbourne! Gelato… but not just any Gelato it is Pidapipó Gelato that comes with hot NUTELLA in the middle of it!
Pidapipó Gelato comes in so many different unique flavours. There is vanilla bean and honeycomb, peanut butter and white chocolate, coffee and chocolate brownie, apple crumble, key lime pie as well as your usual favourites like lemon sorbet. This little gem is very popular so don’t worry if you have to line up to get your gelato. It is worth the wait and don’t forget to ask for the hot Nutella in the middle you won’t regret it!
Must Try
Vanilla bean and honeycomb with hot Nutella
Peanut butter and white chocolate with hot Nutella
Ready to have hot Nutella in your gelato? Visit Pidapipó Gelato
Gazi – currently closed
Since visiting Greece a few years ago I had been in search of delicious Gyros (Souva), well look no further than George Calombaris’ Greek restaurant GAZI. This is Greek street food at its finest, George has taken the Gyro to a whole new level and I would say even a little bit la-ti-da with soft-shelled crab, pork belly and beetroot falafel.
The restaurant is intimate but trendy with booths, an open kitchen and terracotta pots that hang from the ceiling. The menu has an abundance of great Greek modernised classics to choose from but make sure you book ahead to avoid disappointment as this restaurant gets packed out which just adds to the atmosphere.
Must Try
Tzatziki – pickled cucumber dip
Prawn Kataifi – prawns wrapped in kataifi pastry
Soft Shelled Crab Souva – Japanese mayo, mint, coriander, parsley and fries
Chips – oregano, garlic oil and feta
Hint – Ask for a booth or table at a window!
Ready to visit Greece in Melbourne? Visit Gazi
Thoughts & opinions shared about What You Must Eat in Melbourne are entirely my own!
