How To Eat And Drink Like A Local In Melbourne Australia

Walk down any street in Melbourne and you’ll discover hipster hangouts and gelato joints, fusion restaurants and cuisine from all corners of the world. Among the thousands of choices, though, there are certain meals which are distinctly Melbournian. We list the things to eat like a local here.

Gelato

On Brunswick Street and Sutherland Street, Melbournians line up for N2’s liquid nitrogen gelato which is churned in front of your eyes and often includes a chocolate-filled syringe. Another Melbourne favorite is Gelato Messina which has 40 made-on-site flavors ranging from the traditional to limited-addition flavors. High Street’s Scroll Ice Cream is the latest craze. Made on a teppanyaki cold plate, this tubular ice cream can be salty, sweet or cheesy, and both vegan and gluten free varieties are available.

N2 329 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC

Scroll Ice Cream 190 High St, Windsor VIC +61 0422 450 166

Messina 237 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC +61 03 9417 0488

Bimbo's $4 Pizza

Bar, Pizzeria, Pub Grub

Since 2002 Bimbo Delux has operated as a bar and offers gourmet $4 pizzas. There are other foods you could try but no-one goes to Bimbos for the salads. Don’t be intimated by the naked doll on the roof out the front and take note of the mismatched furniture which gives the bar a relaxed feel.

Madame Brussels Jugs

Madame Brussels is a place for friends to share fruity jugs under the stars. This winter try a jug of the refreshing Double D Cups, Gin Garden with cucumber & elderflower cordial, a tropical Mai Tai or share a classic Sangria. There are other seasonal concoctions available as well as mixes that can be enjoyed all year round. The drinks can be accompanied by a scrumptious selection of cupcakes.

Coffee

Market, Coffee, Australian, Vegetarian

Some of the best coffee shops include Market Lane in South Yarra, Seven Seeds in Carlton and Industry Beans in Fitzroy. Right now it’s all about cold drip but Melbourne’s expert baristas can make you everything from the classic espresso to pour over, lattes and cappuccinos.

Food Trucks

Over the past few years a flotilla of food trucks have been popping up around Melbourne and it seems there’s no stopping them. For Asian street food we recommend White Guy Cooks Thai, for a taste of New Orleans try Gumbo Kitchen, visit Dos Diablos for a Mexican feast, gourmet wood fire pizzas can be found at Soul Kitchen, The Little Mushroom Co is a must for vegetarians and for the best dessert stop by The Brûlée Cart.

Chin Chin

Restaurant, Bar, Cocktail Bar, Asian

Located in Flinders Lane, Chin Chin is a casual, drop-by-whenever-you-like South East Asian dining experience. Many diners who frequent Chic Chin ask for share platters, just say ‘feed me’ to the waiters and they’ll bring your table a selection of yummy chef choices. Open 11am until late, seven days a week you can dine besides the neon bunny or visit the GoGo Cocktail bar.

Souvlaki and Kebabs

In Melbourne a night out is never complete without Turkish or Greek food and it’s not uncommon to see small, family-owned shops serving until the wee hours of the morning. Haci’s Kebabs in Preston and Ali’s Jumbo Kebabs in Doncaster are customer favorites and for souvlaki you can’t beat Stalactites on Lonsdale Street.