Calling on Melbourne Foodies

laoisforliam

I have done a bit of searching but I cannot find specific answers so hopingsome of the locals can help me out.

I know a number of you work in the hospitality industry so hoping you canpass on your local knowledge.

I will be taking a 5 day break in Melbourne next month and I am looking forsome foodie recommendations.

Breakfast lunch and dinner

Eat everything and I am hoping to find some hidden treasures.

Staying in the CBD but recommendations from all neighbouring suburbs wouldbe appreciated.
Thanks

danotroy

laoisforliam wrote: »

I have done a bit of searching but I cannot find specific answers so hopingsome of the locals can help me out.

I know a number of you work in the hospitality industry so hoping you canpass on your local knowledge.

I will be taking a 5 day break in Melbourne next month and I am looking forsome foodie recommendations.

Breakfast lunch and dinner

Eat everything and I am hoping to find some hidden treasures.

Staying in the CBD but recommendations from all neighbouring suburbs wouldbe appreciated.
Thanks

I like manchester press for breakfast/Brunch. Great coffee menu is mostly bagels and salads.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1584177/restaurant/CBD/Manchester-Press-Melbourne

Lunch I quiet like to go asian and a favorite of mine is shandong mama its in a shopping mall strip location and it gets busy at lunch time due to the location in the business heart of the city, but they do home made dumplings! not the crap you get at most places in the city. the Melbourne Dumplings are great!

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1721113/restaurant/CBD/Shandong-Mama-Melbourne


Naked in the sky is good for dinner in brunswick as you get to sit on a rooftop looking back over the city skyline from Fitzroy. The BBQ octopus was amazing the last time i went there.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1725108/restaurant/Melbourne/Naked-In-the-Sky-Fitzroy


Went to the brunswick mess hall last week and it is worth checking out if your in the area http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1720954/restaurant/Melbourne/The-Brunswick-Mess-Hall-Brunswick

"Greens" is a hot spot in brunswick for breakfast no sign on the door just an illy coffee sign outside.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760812/restaurant/Melbourne/Green-Refectory-Brunswick


Then you've got burger joints such as brother burger and huxta burger which are glorified burger joints very "in" at the minute both are tasty and fun.


Hope this helps!

laoisforliam

Thanks Danotroy. Iv had a quick look and il definitely check out some of those places. Staying a short walk from Manchester Press so will be hitting that first.

Just looking at Naked for Satan and got me thinking about bars, Perth has a burgeoning small bar scene and Im sure Melbourne must have it beat hands down. Can you also recommend anything along those lines?

Not a big fan of super pubs/clubs, prefer something more chilled where you can get some good drinks.

hussey

Movida is amazing, golden fields in st kilda is a great spot. Cafe di stansio have a great lunch 2courses $35 (2 hats)
depends how deep your pockets are really, gingerboy, ezard etc

mamasita is class too

danotroy

laoisforliam wrote: »

Thanks Danotroy. Iv had a quick look and il definitely check out some of those places. Staying a short walk from Manchester Press so will be hitting that first.

Just looking at Naked for Satan and got me thinking about bars, Perth has a burgeoning small bar scene and Im sure Melbourne must have it beat hands down. Can you also recommend anything along those lines?

Not a big fan of super pubs/clubs, prefer something more chilled where you can get some good drinks.

right around the corner from you will be £1000 bend, nice cafe/bar vibe.

The Workshop is also near you.

Section 8 is an out door container bar.

Black cat on brunswick street

99 problems on johnson street




Brunswick street in Fitzroy or smith street in Collingwood are great for bars.

laoisforliam

hussey wrote: »

Movida is amazing, golden fields in st kilda is a great spot. Cafe di stansio have a great lunch 2courses $35 (2 hats)
depends how deep your pockets are really, gingerboy, ezard etc

mamasita is class too

Thanks Hussey, haha I have already looked at each restaurant you have mentioned on Urbanspoon and the problem is I think there is almost too much choice.

TBF on the review websites there doesn't seem to be much separating a lot of the restaurants, that is why I am looking for the opinions of esteemed boardies.

Probably looking to eat well (read expensively) for breakfast and dinner and keep it simpler for lunch. Although the 2 Course lunch at Cafe di Stansio does sound very tempting.

jackbhoy

laoisforliam wrote: »

Not a big fan of super pubs/clubs, prefer something more chilled where you can get some good drinks.

Depending on your definition of good drinks:


Whiskey/Spirits:

http://www.whiskyandale.com.au/ (CBD) - small bar with over 400 whiskies from around the world. Soundest bar staff in Melbourne, lovely atmosphere, reasonably priced, decent craft beer list and holders of about 25% of my paycheck since they also started retailing top class single malts

http://www.murmur.com.au/ (CBD)- whiskey, spirits, cocktails good food.

Sake:
http://www.izakayachuji.com/index.php? (CBD)- great sake list, knowledgeable staff and can order excellent Japanese food at bar or head to their restaurant next door.



If you want to head out of CBD the following places are all around Brunswick/Brunswick East.

These are all lined up on Lygon street, which has 2 tram lines from CBD running directly up it, so you could cover most of them in a night if you wanted:

http://www.micorazon.com.au/ (Lygon St). Lovely tequila bar and Mexican restaurant. Food reasonably priced, could easily drop a lot of money on top class tequila though!

http://www.hellenicrepublic.com.au/ - (Restaurant) Just south of micorazon. One of George Calombaris's places, best Greek food I've had.

http://kumoizakaya.com.au/ (Lygon St, few blocks south of micorazon)- Sake/whiskey bar and restaurant. Fantastic food and owner is one of handful of sake masters in Aus.

http://thealehouseproject.com.au/ - (Lygon St, few blocks south of kumoizakaya). Fantastic craft beer selection both on tap and bottle. Food is standard bar fare but well done.

http://www.templebrewing.com.au/ (around corner from Alehouse). Craft Brewery with bar overlooking beer vats. Their stout is one of best I've had in Oz, but they have a wide range. Aslo serve food.

http://rumirestaurant.com.au/ - (just south of Alehouse). Known as one of, if not the best Lebanese restaurant in Melbourne, and that is saying something.

You could do a Sydney road version on tram from CBD as well. Starting north:

http://www.thewoodlandshotel.com.au/. 100s of craft beers, great Mauritian food (goat curry especially!)

www.balhaspastry.com.au/ - Lebanese bakery. Famous for best baklava in Melbourne. Makes for a great dessert place if eating in area. Open late and always busy.

http://thebrunswickmesshall.com.au/ - From same guys who own Murmur in the city. Great craft beer, good spirits and cocktail selection. Food is asian and pretty good as well.

http://www.albertst.com.au/ - (restaurant) With Messhall is a sign of gentrification sweeping through old Brunny! Owned by Philippa Sibley, who you may have seen on Masterchef etc. Food is fantastic.

http://www.tomphat.com.au/ - (restaurant/bar) Vietnamese/fusion. Love this place. Does some unbelievably good breakfast too.

Penny Black, Brunsiwck Green, Snug, Cornish Arms are all good local pubs along Sydney road too, wouldn't travel across the city for them but nice places all the same.

lg123

for dinner, Bistro Vue at Vue De Monde, you cant go wrong. for a couple, i would expect to pay about $300 for 3/4 courses with wine.

or if you are rolling in cash, Vue De Monde itself. shannon bennetts place is probably one of the best restaurants in the world, 3 hat. expect to pay around double what the bistro would charge. fine dining at its best.

lg123

Pellegrini's Espresso Bar is one of Melbourne's iconic Italian places. its worth a lunch visit just to see what the fuss is about. me personally, i wasn't very impressed but i know some who love it.

markymark21

The lads have covered some great spots, surprised no one has mentioned Chin Chins though! It's hardly a secret, (two hour wait for a table on a Monday proves this!) but rock up at 6pm and you'll get a table. Although It's a mixture of different Asian cuisines I think Its a super spot! Funky little cocktail bar under in the basement as well.


Oh and If your looking for a cheap lunch. Head to the Taiwanese Cafe on the top of Swanston street. $9.80 will get you an awesome beef brisket noodle soup!

While you're at it head down to Eau De Vie down Malthouse lane. It's near Chin Chins. It's a speak easy style venue, no sign on the door. You just walk down this dark alley way, push on these fairly innocuous looking downs and you'll find yourself in an intimate 1930's style speak easy. Except they have liquid nitrogen on tap! This place is brilliant place to bring friends new to the city. It's an impressive set up!

danotroy

jackbhoy wrote: »

http://thealehouseproject.com.au/ - (Lygon St, few blocks south of kumoizakaya). Fantastic craft beer selection both on tap and bottle. Food is standard bar fare but well done.

http://www.templebrewing.com.au/ (around corner from Alehouse). Craft Brewery with bar overlooking beer vats. Their stout is one of best I've had in Oz, but they have a wide range. Aslo serve food.

.

I agree that these two places are of top quality! howver not to fond of the temple saison!

mandrake04

Try this place, excellent experience.

http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=32116

Doc

I live just off Smith street and around my area I would recommend from personal experience the following.


Proud Mary's: (Breakfast/Lunch/Coffee)

Cafe on 172 Oxford St Collingwood
I live across the road form this place so I am now a bit of a coffee lover. They do great food and great coffee but they don't do bookings so be prepared to wait if you want to eat there as they are always packed.


Huxtaburger (Burger bar)

106 Smith St Collingwood
Huxtaburger may have a reputation as being hipster but the burgers are great my advise is to ring in your order as it is nearly always packed with people and you may have to wait. The burgers are great the chips aren't so great but you will love the burgers (not if your on a diet though).


Hell of the North: (Dinner)

This place really dose great food. I've eaten here a couple of times and loved it. European style food and a great place to bring a date. The service was great and friendly.


Vegie bar (Lunch/Dinner)
380 Brunswick St Fitzroy
I'm not a vegetarian but I have a couple of friends that are and despite my reservations I really enjoyed eating here. For food that never had a face it tasted really good!


The Everleigh.(Cocktails)

Love this place!
Its a cocktail bar located upstairs at 150-156 Gertrude St. Fitzroy. It is a really nice place. It has the real felling of a classy Prohibition speakeasy with great music and awesome decor. The cocktails are really great and you can just describe to the waiting staff the type of drink you like and they will make you something wonderful. Everyone I ever brought there loved it.

laoisforliam

Cheers for chipping in everyone, looks like we're gonna be spoiled for choice.

Really looking forward to it now hope I get around to doing something other than just eating though!!

hussey

lg123 wrote: »

for dinner, Bistro Vue at Vue De Monde, you cant go wrong. for a couple, i would expect to pay about $300 for 3/4 courses with wine.

or if you are rolling in cash, Vue De Monde itself. shannon bennetts place is probably one of the best restaurants in the world, 3 hat. expect to pay around double what the bistro would charge. fine dining at its best.

One of my ambitions before I leave Aus to to eat quay, tetsuyas and Vue De Monde.

lg123

hussey wrote: »

One of my ambitions before I leave Aus to to eat quay, tetsuyas and Vue De Monde.

vue de monde was great, it wasn't a meal it was an experience.

i have a big birthday coming up soon and i have been laying on the hints pretty heavy for tetsuyas. very expensive though.

mandrake04

hussey wrote: »

One of my ambitions before I leave Aus to to eat quay, tetsuyas and Vue De Monde.

I been to Quay and cafe Sydney, both very impressive especially Cafe Sydney as I got an right outside table when the cruise ships were in.

Went to the Hunter valley over Easter and went to this place good friday.

http://bistromolines.com.au

No joke it's up in the hills above Cessnock and I thought the GPS had got me lost as I had left the tarmac was on unsealed roads in the back end of nowhere roo everywhere, absolute gold when you get there just before dusk its like a villa in Tuscany with an excellent view of the vinyards. Food is unreal (French/Algerian chef) and of course excellent selection of wines.

also went to this place

http://www.tuscanywineestate.com.au/the_mill/the_mill_restaurant.html

not as good as Molines but still good.

Have not been to Tetsuyas yet but been to Sokyo at the star.