Once upon a time street food conjured up images of greasy meals that were likely to send you to the ER, but these days street food is an art form which rivals the menus of fine dining restaurants. Convoys of street food trucks and stands allow hungry Melbournians to refuel on the go without sacrificing quality or taste. Broaden your palette and take social dining to a whole new level at these Melbourne street food markets.
Welcome to Thornbury | Courtesy of Welcome to Thornbury
Melbourne’s first permanent food truck stop pulled into Thornbury in 2015 and has been dishing out meals ever since. What was once the Morris Minor Factory is now the second largest beer garden in Melbourne, with the means to accommodate over 700 people. Welcome to Thornbury hosts a rotating schedule of more than 40 different food trucks, with up to 6 trucks on site at any one time and when Mr Burger is a regular visitor, you know it’s good.
The Food Truck Park, Preston VIC | Courtesy of The Food Truck Park
Catering to the northern suburbs The Food Truck Park on High Street Preston often hosts themed block parties including Pizzafest, All American Feast, Gluten Free Fest, Sausage Fest and more. Fitted out with crates and fairy lights, the former card yard has ample outdoor and indoor room to mingle and the fully licensed venue also features Barry’s Bar which serves craft beer and cider on tap. The best part is that The Food Truck Park is family friendly and you can even bring your pooch.
When those on the southside have a hankering for street food, they head to Hank Marvin’s pop up mess hall. Only minutes from Chapel Street, Hank Marvin offers fine food, fresh produce and street food in a relaxed environment. The event takes places each Saturday at Alma Street Park and there’s even a Canine Wellness Kitchen to satisfy your four-legged friends.
Europa Night Market, Melbourne | Courtesy Queen Victoria Market
The Queen Victoria Market is renowned for their Wednesday Night Markets which take place throughout summer and winter. In the winter, you can rug up and enjoy 30 global food traders, warm drinks and beer besides roaring fires. The market also features over 50 specialty and design stalls as well as live music and entertainment that’s sure to make winter a little more bearable.
For a night of nostalgia roll into Coburg Drive-In, which first opened its gates in 1965. Pull up in front of the 33 meter screen, tune into the FM frequency and enjoy the latest blockbusters within the comfort of your car. Complete with a retro 50s diner, the Drive-In also hosts food truck events alongside movie screenings. Save the popcorn for another day and bite into Senor BBQ, Pasta Face, Crepes De Lile, Dos Diablos and Manny’s Doughnuts among others.
Every night you’ll find a file of food trucks parked along Somerville Road next to Hanmer Reserve. Shake out a picnic blanket and feast upon Mr Burger, Señor Churro, Maple Leaf Foods, Just Like Nonna’s, 3 Lil Monsters and a Pizza Truck among others. While you won’t go hungry on weeknights, on Fridays and throughout the weekend you can expect to see up to 10 trucks parked along the road.
Each November for Good Food Month Birrarung Marr transforms into an Asian Hawker market buzzing with foodies and live entertainment. Ribbons of people wait eagerly in line to sample culinary delights from Wonderbao, Chin Chin, Red Spice Road and Hoy Pinoy and with over 30 food stalls to choose from, Melbourne’s Night Noodle Market is a gastronomic voyage around Asia.
