A Tour Of Melbourne Through Global Cuisines

Set inside a Victorian terrace home opposite the Carlton Gardens, Epocha is a grand example of the term comfort food. The interior has aged like a fine wine with weathered timbers and elegant wallpaper. The service is sharp and sincere with owners Guy Holder and Angie Giannakodakis visibly devoted and the experience is warm and memorable. Epocha’s menu consists of sharing platters with humble English and Greek roots, including a traditional Sunday Roast Lunch featuring the most succulent chicken you’ve ever tasted. When we visited the lunch also include a floral soup served in dainty crockery and mushroom vol au vents.

Styled after a New York diner, Trunk is Melbourne’s largest beer garden serving up a jumbo size Americana menu with a splash of Tex Mex. Try The Ron Swanson or Breaking Bad hot dog with a side of wagyu chilli cheese fries, or opt for a quesadilla. American cuisine typically shuns those of the plant-eating variety but at Trunk, vegetarians can masticate the Meatless in Seattle or order from their salad menu. Don’t gorge yourself on savoury dishes, though, because Trunk is famous for their sundaes including the Salted Caramel and Banana Split. There’s also a kids menu and the diner is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Matt Waldron’s South American restaurant Lulo has been a fixture on Glenferrie Road for what seems like forever. This festive Latin tapas and wine bar is open for lunch and dinner and has a relaxed atmosphere perfect for people watching. The homemade chorizo is a fan favourite and the Meat Club menu is packed with chargrilled options including the Wagyu Rump with chimmichurri and salsas. The wine and cocktail list includes Spanish beers, sangria and the must-try Spanish Quaalude.