A locals guide on where to eat in Melbourne CBD
Melbourne has so many amazing places to eat to explore. Yet, when you research them as a traveller, it’s always the same names over and over again! As a local, I will give you the inside scoop on where NOT to go and where to eat instead…
We all want to know the best restaurants in Melbourne or the best cheap eats in Melbourne CBD, but the challenge is - there are SO many great eats in Melbourne. It’s hard to know where to start! Now a big caveat before we begin - I’m not saying any of the “don’t go” places on this list are bad - in fact, most are actually very good. But, they are overhyped.
Melbourne, and Australia in general, has a very high standard of quality food and drink. This means you don’t have to go to the same “must go” place as every other tourist to have a great dining experience. Instead, explore some more interesting options that locals frequent here in my home town of Melbourne. Or if you’re up for it, compare all the “don’t” and “do” suggestions on the list and report back with your own findings and reviews!
Don’t go to Lune for a croissant, DO go to Bakemono Bakers or Agathé
Lune makes a mean croissant, yes. But there’s often a long queue and there are a lot of great pastries to be had in the Melbourne CBD. Bakemono offers a Korean spin to pastry classics and Agathé also blends French tradition with a twist.
Don’t go to Brunetti for cake, DO go to Tori’s
So want to eat the best cake in Melboourne? Brunetti will likely come up in your search. It’s a Melbourne institution and does have a wide range to choose from. But, for me, Tori’s takes the cake so to speak! The flavours are much richer and more creative. They offer old school cakes by the slice or some more Japanese style options which are great too. I struggle to think of better cake I’ve eaten in Melbourne - and I eat a LOT of cake. all the time.
Don’t go to a hidden laneway bar, DO go to rooftop
Ok, maybe if you’re not from a big city, still go to a classic Melbourne hidden bar as well BUT otherwise, move on. Yes it’s fun to walk through a hidden door or down an alleyway, but once you’re in - they’re usually pretty normal bars. What Melbourne does have a lot however, is great rooftop bars and they tend to be more reliable in terms of vibe. If you want to mingle with locals especially, visit just after work is done on a Thursday or Friday evening for people watching. HER and Siglo are a couple of my faves.
Don’t go to Chinatown for Asian food, DO stay on Swanston Street
I love Chinatown + it’s usually pretty affordable and tasty - it’s definitely a good option for cheaps eats in Melbourne. It’s such a long standing Melbourne tradition and it’s important to support its many long held venues, so I hate to say this but…
Australia is a diverse nation, but you will notice a lot more white Australians in Chinatown whereas Australians and students from diverse Asian backgrounds tend to stay on Swanston Street for more authentic dining experiences. Swanston is the main street of the Melbourne CBD. On Swanston between Bourke Street and the top of Melbourne Central, you will see a stretch full of varied Asian restaurants packed - Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Hot pot - many affordable. You’ll see some street stalls too if you don’t want a full-on dinner.
Don’t go to Starbucks for a fun drink, DO try bubble tea
You can get Starbucks almost everywhere in the world these days and it’s pretty much the same everywhere. Australia has famously good coffee and such a large variety of different kinds of hot, cold, and iced beverages to try so why not try something else? I’m not a huge coffee connoisseur honestly so I won’t give recommendations on the best coffee in Melbourne, but I do like what I call a “fun drink.”
Thanks again to Australia’s multicultural society, we have a lot of bubble tea! As above, wander Swanston and you will be spoiled for choice. Some stores will specialise in water/juice based drinks, others creamy, some with fillings or extras. A personal favourite of mine is Machi Machi with their Panna Cotta topped drinks. If you’re a bubble tea newbie - hot tip - ask for the “less sugar” option if they ask for a sweetness level!
Don’t go to Arbory for drinks, DO go to PonyFish
I’ve been to Arbory (and its floating twin Arbory Afloat) more than once and I do like it. For the atmosphere however, I much prefer PonyFish. Now this is almost negating my earlier point in the paragraph above as PonyFish is kind of a “hidden” bar. PonyFish Island is found at the halfway point of a bridge crossing the Yarra River, down a barely noticeable staircase to the side. It’s small and cosy, and one of the few outdoors bars I don’t even mind when it’s winter - with blankets and mulled wine on offer.
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