Chinese $ Was craving a good bowl of noodle soup, so came here! House-made noodles, warm beefy broth, definitely hit the spot. I had the signature handmade beef noodle soup (minus coriander so looks a bit bare!) and the spicy and numb beef noodle soup. The signature was okay, personally I feel like it’s tooContinue reading “Master Lanzhou Noodle Bar (Chadstone)”
Tag Archives: melbourne
Din Tai Fung (CBD)
Taiwanese $$ One of my favourite places for xiao long bao (pork dumplings). Super juicy with a light dumpling skin, mmm. They even have instructions on how to eat it printed on the chopstick packets! Food comes very fast and you order everything (with pictures to guide you) on an ipad. My other favourite hereContinue reading “Din Tai Fung (CBD)”
Brew Sisters (Parkville)
Cafe $ On the corner of Grattan and Swanston St of Melbourne Uni, definitely a meeting place for students. Had one of their chicken schnitzel wraps; veges tasted like packet veges, but the chicken was okay! For a cheap, fast, student meal, not bad at all. 🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯 6/10 https://www.facebook.com/brewsisters/
Pho Hung Vuong (Springvale)
Vietnamese $ For the true pho lovers. They don’t do anything except pho, and they do it well. Don’t except service with a smile or a menu, just look on the wall and choose your pho topping and size. Two minutes later, you’ll have a beautiful bowl of hot noodle soup. You’ll feel like you’reContinue reading “Pho Hung Vuong (Springvale)”
Osteria Ilaria (CBD)
Italian $$$ In terms of Italian in the city, had never heard of this place! But this place is a gem! Everything was beautifully flavourful and buttery. Highlights were the croquettes (wonderfully crunchy), duck pappardelle (nothing like that bitey fresh pasta) and fried potato. On top of that, desserts were also incredible, ricotta gelato hadContinue reading “Osteria Ilaria (CBD)”
Little White Duck (Chadstone)
Chinese $$ Been meaning to try this restaurant in the Chadstone foodcourt for a while! Tried the shanghai pan-fried black truffle pork buns and the homemade buns, pretty good! Couldn’t taste any truffle, not as flavourful as I’d like, but still delicious. And I know the homemade buns are easy to make, but I’m aContinue reading “Little White Duck (Chadstone)”
Meet Fresh (Glen Waverley)
Dessert $ A bit of a misleading name, but a popular Taiwanese dessert franchise, famous for its shaved ice. A relatively light dessert that suits an Asian palate. Had the Q Mochi Snowflake Ice, mochi was soft and chewy, and shaved ice was light with a delicate condensed milk flavour. Certainly an Asian favourite. 🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧Continue reading “Meet Fresh (Glen Waverley)”
The Grand Tofu (Glen Waverley)
Malaysian $ Great Asian food for the soul. Cheap, good quality, and fast! I had the Yong Tofu, where you can choose your soup, type of noodles, and extras (dumplings, meat, veges). Also had the Combination Crispy Fried Noodles, delicious. Noodles so crispy and good mix of meat and prawns. The Teh Tarik (both hotContinue reading “The Grand Tofu (Glen Waverley)”
Lulu’s Char Koay Teow (CBD)
Malaysian $ When you’re after authentic, good quality Char Koay Teow, this is the place. Taste was on point, prawns were delicious, and decent amount of noodles. Love these little places that only do a couple of dishes but do it well. 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜 9/10 https://www.facebook.com/lulucktmelbourne/
Grazeland (Spotswood)
Food market $$ A new foodie haven on the westside, this place has a multitude of food stalls and cuisines for anyone’s taste. And open every weekend! For just a $2.50 entry fee, you can access all the food and live entertainment. Family and pet friendly too! Busy, as expected, but lines weren’t too long,Continue reading “Grazeland (Spotswood)”
Marion (Fitzroy)
Wine bar/Modern European $$ In the streets of Fitzroy, this classy wine bar is the first of a row of hip quintessential Melbourian restaurants. Elegant interior with a tapas like menu, it’s a nice place for a fancier night out with friends. I enjoyed the homemade Cavatelli pasta and I’m a sucker for croquettes. Wouldn’tContinue reading “Marion (Fitzroy)”
Galleon Cafe (St Kilda)
Cafe $$ A cute cafe in St Kilda, that focuses on quality food. A local favourite. While food isn’t always Insta-pretty, it tastes great! Highlight was the sweet potato and feta mash. https://galleoncafestkilda.business.site/ 🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯 8/10
Lulabelle’s (Camberwell)
Cafe $ A family friendly lunch spot. Chicken schnitzel sandwich was decent, and nothing like a warm scone with cream and jam. Little play area in the back for kids. http://lulabelles.edan.io/ 🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪 7/10
JoJo Little Kitchen (CBD)
Malaysian $ Hidden in a little alleyway is this little Asian gem. Great noodles, hits the spot. You can pick if you want dry or soup noodles, and what thickness. Fried pork wasn’t as good as I hoped, but still decent. https://www.instagram.com/jojolittlekitchen/ 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜 8/10
Cornershop (Yarraville)
Brunch $$ Popular brunch in the middle of the hip part of Yarraville. Nice covered outdoor area out back, and can’t go too wrong with a smashed avo. Good chai latte, you get at least 1.5 servings out of the pot. https://www.cornershopyarraville.com/ 🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳 8/10
Seven Seeds (Carlton)
Coffee/Brunch $ Well known coffee place near Melbourne University. Popular, expect a line! ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️ 8/10 https://sevenseeds.com.au/
Black Star Pastry (St Kilda)
Dessert $$ Famous watermelon cake lives up to the hype! Not overly sweet, absolutely well balanced. Other cakes weren’t as great, but still tasty. https://www.blackstarpastry.com.au/ 🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉 10/10
Koko Black (South Yarra)
Dessert $$ This chocolate is next level. My favourites are the coconut dotties and the Australian wattleseed biscuits! Eating in was less impressive, brownie was a bit dry. Mango white chocolate smoothie was too thick. The chocolate honey joys were surprising great. And the easter ‘eggs’ were praline chocolate! https://www.kokoblack.com/ 🍫 🍫 🍫 🍫 🍫 🍫 🍫 🍫 8/10
Pancake Parlour (Malvern East)
Dessert $$ Great range of pancakes and huge size, but quite expensive. https://www.pancakeparlour.com.au/ 🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞 8/10
The Westin (CBD)
High Tea $$ There was a ‘high cheese’ at the Westin, serving baked camembert and gouda scones. Delicious! I never feel full after high tea, but was fun to try. Not always a cheese themed high tea there, as themes change with the seasons. https://www.westinmelbournedining.com.au/ 🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀 7/10
Gami (Maribyrnong)
Korean $$ Love the boneless fried chicken and cheese corn. Kimchi pancake isn’t bad either! Not cheap, but tasty stuff. https://gamichicken.com.au/ 🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗 8/10
Sapa Hills (Footscray)
Vietnamese $ A more modern and slightly westernised version of a typical Vietnamese restaurant. Has all the classics such as beef skewers wrapped betel leaf and papaya salad. http://www.sapahills.com.au/ 🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢 8/10
The Loft (CBD)
Cafe $$ On one of the top floors of Peter Mac hospital, this has a large outdoor area with beautiful views akin to a fancy hotel. Decent lunchables. Home 🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪 8/10
Mr Brooks Stonegrill and Bar (Braybrook)
Australian/Steakhouse $$ Surprising steakhouse/Australian restaurant in the ‘burbs of Braybrook. Good quality food and decent range. Not pictured but great stonegrill steak. Homepage 🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩 8/10
Hakata Gensuke (CBD)
Japanese $ When you can’t go to Japan for ramen this is the next best thing! Always a huge line, but moves fairly fast and quick service once inside. My go to place in Melbourne for ramen. I’m basic and like the Signature Tonkotsu, the gyoza and chicken kaarage are great sides. 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜 10/10
Particle Cafe (Avondale Heights)
Vegan/Brunch $$ Didn’t realise we’d stumbled onto a vegan cafe, but food was great! Mango smoothie with almond milk was one of the greatest smoothies I’d ever had, and tacos were delicious! Fake cheese was even quite tasty. Not a fan of fake bacon though. Had some games to play while you waited for foodContinue reading “Particle Cafe (Avondale Heights)”
Bahari (Richmond)
Greek $$ Probably the best Greek restaurant I’ve been to. Loved the saganaki (cheese) and the Taramosalata ‘Caviar’ dip. Soooo delicious. https://www.bahari-richmond.com.au/food 🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯 10/10
Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana (CBD)
Italian $$ A great little Italian place in an alleyway of the CBD. Good quality pasta and pizza. https://www.maccaronitrattoria.com/ 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝 8/10
Rockpool Bar and Grill (Southbank)
Steakhouse $$$ Some of the best steak in Melbourne in a chic place in Crown Casino. Obviously the meats are good, but shoutout to the mac and cheese, I’d go just for that. Home 🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩 9/10
The Kiosk by D’Asporto (Williamstown)
Cafe $ A nice cafe on Williamstown beach. Good for a light lunch/snack or smoothie. Perfect for a beach lunch. https://www.facebook.com/thekioskdasporto/ 🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪 9/10
Sargon Cafe (CBD)
Brunch/Cafe $ Great coffee, even by Melbourne standards! Goes fantastically with their range of bagels. ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️ 8/10
Curry Smuggler (Fitzroy)
Indian $$ In the middle of Brunswick St, a tasty Indian restaurant. I’m basic, but the butter chicken is fantastic. And cheesy roti is amazing! Home 🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘 8/10
Meet Sando (CBD)
Brunch/Japanese $$ Located near Queen Victoria Market, a hipster corner cafe. Had a decent brunch here, would like to come back to try their Katsu Sando (Japanese style sandwiches). Home ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️ 7/10
Jaspresso (North Melbourne)
Japanese $ Fantastic place for Japanese curries and jaffles for an inexpensive but delicious lunch. Close to Parkville hospitals if you’re in the area. They also do an excellent matcha and white chocolate cookie, definitely worth a trip! https://www.instagram.com/jaspresso.melbourne/ 🍛🍛🍛🍛🍛🍛🍛🍛🍛🍛 10/10
Shinmai Tasty (Maribyrnong)
Japanese $$ A great Japanese place in the ‘burbs of Maribyrnong. Fresh sushi and great noodle soup. 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣 9/10
Desserts by Night (Maribyrnong)
Dessert $$ On a little strip of restaurants in Maribyrnong is this cute dessert place! Dishes look beautiful and taste great. https://www.dessertsbynight.com/ 🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰 8/10
Notorious Burgers (Caroline Springs)
Burgers $$ A great little burger joint on the westside. Loaded chips were very cheesy which was well received! Wouldn’t get the hot dog with mac and cheese again, but was fun to try. https://www.notoriousburgers.com.au/ 🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔 8/10
Red Rooster (Chadstone)
Fast Food $ Very decent quarter chicken and chips, not too greasy! Chicken roll is not worth getting again though. Cheesy chicken nuggets sounded better than they tasted. https://www.redrooster.com.au/locations/chadstone/ 🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗 7/10
RocoMamas (Maribyrnong)
Burgers $$ Located in Highpoint, a good stopover to Hoyts. 🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔 7/10
Mammoth (Armadale)
Brunch $$ A nice corner cafe in Armadale, with a nice modern vibe. https://www.mammotharmadale.com.au/ 🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳 7/10
Fifty Acres (Richmond)
Brunch $$ Famous pumpkin pancakes are definitely worth the hype! Especially with bacon. Had one of the pasta specials, also very tasty and cheesy. Very popular though, often very busy! https://www.fiftyacres.net.au/ 🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞 10/10
Rossini Bistro Pasta & Pizza (Malvern)
Italian $$ Great quality pizza! Americana pizza is one of my favs. Pastas are average, but pizzas are much better! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rossini/158677674168455 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕 8/10
Cafe Carpenter (Malvern)
Asian $$ A quaint little cafe with a great range of quality Asian food. A local favourite! Attached to a cute Asian grocery store. Kimbap (Korean sushi) is a highlight. http://www.cafecarpenter.com.au/ 🍱🍱🍱🍱🍱🍱🍱🍱🍱🍱 10/10
Calia (Chadstone)
Japanese $$ An modern Asian fusion restaurant. Aburi salmon and miso eggplant are my favourites! Even in takeaway. But in person, matcha lava lava dessert is definitely a favourite. https://calia.co/ 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣 10/10
Etto (Malvern)
Italian $$ The best Mac and Cheese! Anyone passing by should definitely stop by. Other pastas and pizzas are also top notch, some of best I’ve had! 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝 10/10
Nicosia (Malvern)
Turkish $$ Was feeling snacky and stumbled across this place. Great find! Tasty dips and bread. Want to return for a proper meal! 🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘 8/10
Aliza Place Cafe (Chadstone)
Brunch $$ A small cafe in the suburbs of Chadstone; nothing spectacular, not great flavours. https://my-site-100056-103309.square.site/ 🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳 5/10
Shanghai Red (Chadstone)
Chinese $$ Has some of the best dim sum of Melbourne! Prawn dumplings and xiao long bao are amazing, great quality meat. Prefer the regular xiao long bao over truffle xiao long bao. And can’t look past a great bao with condensed milk. Love love love. Main drawback is that it’s expensive for Asian food.Continue reading “Shanghai Red (Chadstone)”
Mr Miyagi (Windsor)
Japanese $$ The best salmon tacos I’ve ever had! Fantastic Asian fusion in the hip side of Windsor. Be warned though, there is usually a long wait (over an hour) if you don’t book ahead! Even in takeaway, absolutely delicious. https://mrmiyagi.com.au/ 🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮 10/10
Taco Truck
Food Truck/Tacos $$ I’m a sucker for fish tacos, and these hit the spot! Slightly over salted but fish was fresh. Would get again if it was in my area! https://tacotruck.com.au/ 🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮 8/10
Miznon (CBD)
Pop Up/Mediterranean $$ Went to the pop up at the Australian Open, and tried the popular baby cauliflower in pita bread. Delicious! Almost a meaty bite to it. Would want to try the actual restaurant. https://www.miznonaustralia.com/ 🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙 9/10
Tokyo Tina (Windsor)
Asian $$ On the super hip part of Chapel Street, this little modern Asian gem is popular but usually without a super long wait. https://tokyotina.com.au/ 🥣🥣🥣🥣🥣🥣🥣🥣 8/10
Son of Tucci (Mount Waverley)
Brunch $$ An unexpected treat in the ‘burbs! Tried the sriracha maple glazed bacon, perfectly balanced in flavours, not too sweet or spicy! Prawn tacos were a great option for brunch too. Coffee wasn’t amazing, but food definitely made up for it! Sat outside, but interior had a nice chill modern vibe. https://m.facebook.com/Son-of-Tucci-1528095900804943/ 🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓 9/10
Nobu (CBD)
Japanese $$$$ A fantastic Asian fusion located in Crown. Decided to go a la carte. Wagyu beef tacos were so tender and perfectly balanced, and toro sushi literally melts in the mouth! Crispy chicken with ranch and truffle salt was amazing too. Soft shell crab sushi maki also fantastic, warm and crunchy. All went wellContinue reading “Nobu (CBD)”
Tim Ho Wan (CBD)
Cantonese/Yum Cha $ One of my favs in the city. Michelin star yum cha food, great quality, don’t expect the friendliest service but who cares, the foods that good. And at pretty decent prices! Can’t go here without trying the baked bun with BBQ pork, and the rice with chicken, sausage and mushroom. Possibly theContinue reading “Tim Ho Wan (CBD)”
Bread Club (North Melbourne)
Bakery/Brunch $ Possibly the best sandwiches I’ve ever had, had this everyday for a month. Cute little hipster cafe with excellent bread. Even during covid there was always a line. Different sandwiches everyday. Also have excellent giant cookies. Opening another one in Albert Park, yay! Favourite bites: Eggplant parmigiana sandwich, mortadella sandwich, salted caramel darkContinue reading “Bread Club (North Melbourne)”
Shortstop (CBD)
Donuts/Dessert $ Can’t go too wrong with a donut. As expected, delicious. But pricey. https://www.short-stop.com.au/ 🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩8/10
Co Do (Sunshine)
Vietnamese $ Traditional Vietnamese, great quality, delicious and cheap! Definite go-to on the Westside! Best dishes: Bun Bo Hue (traditional Vietnamese style chilli beef soup), Bun Bo La Lot (rice vermicelli with beef wrapped in vine leaf) 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜8/10
Grain Asian Cafe (Boxhill)
Chinese $ For all your dim sum and Canto cravings. My go-to for congee, baos, and cheung fun (steam rice rolls). Not the cheapest, but always lots of Chinese customers so you know it’s the real deal. 🍚🍚🍚🍚🍚🍚🍚🍚8/10
Layla (CBD)
Mediterranean $$ Had the set menu for $45, such a great range of food. Couldn’t even finish it! Didn’t feel too heavy as lots of tasty veges included. In a nice outdoor marquee in the CBD. 100% would go again. https://www.laylabar.com.au/ 🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗10/10
Hibiki (Camberwell)
Asian Fusion $ One of the best brunches I’ve ever had. Mix of traditional Japanese food and fusion. Dinner menu is similar and just as delicious! Best dishes: Scattered Sushi Bowl with Shiozake Salmon, Japanese Curry with Chicken Katsu, Curry Gratin, Chirashi Zushi https://www.hibikimelbourne.com/ 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣10/10
Capitano (Carlton)
Italian $$ Absolutely delicous, true Italian food. Simple but brilliant. One waiter was rude. Best food: ‘Carbonara’ suppli, Classic Cheese Pizza, an Vodka Sauce Rigatoni https://www.capitano.com.au/ 🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀9/10
Shanklin Cafe (Hawthorn East)
Brunch $ Decent suburban brunch. So much peanut butter in the acai bowl! 🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞7/10
Coda (CBD)
Asian fusion $$ Fantastic modern asian. Fancy but won’t break the bank. Best dishes: Salmon Gravlax, Hervey Bay Scallop, Steak Tartare, Yellow Duck Curry 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜10/10
Palermo (CBD)
Argentinian $$$ A rustic restaurant in the CBD with chill vibes and excellent South American flavours. https://www.palermo.melbourne/ 🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟9/10
Louis (Fitzroy)
Vegetarian/Vegan $ Off the main road, an accidental find ended up being a very cute an decent vegetarian brunch. https://www.cafelouis.com.au/ 🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯7/10
Bistro Guillaume (Southbank)
French $$$ Beautiful French restaurant in Crown. Steak tartare and cheese souffle were divine. Fish of the day was simple but perfectly cooked. Definitely want to return to try their cheese menu. https://www.crownmelbourne.com.au/restaurants/premium/bistro-guillaume/ 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 10/10
Morris Jones (Windsor)
Modern Australian $$ Asian-inspired menu with a great modern indoor decor. Within the young hipster parts of Windsor, it’s a selfie-lovers dream with an indoor flower wall and Instagramable food. Got the set menu; dumpling and sushi entrees were great, beef for main was a little overcooked. Dessert was overly sweet. Overall though a greatContinue reading “Morris Jones (Windsor)”
Roule Galette (CBD)
French $ Delicious sweet and savoury crepes in a cute alleyway in the CBD. https://www.roulegalette.com.au/ 🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐9/10
New Shanghai (Chadstone)
Chinese $$ Best place for Xiao Long Baos, and excellent crispy chicken noodle soup. Both the steamed Xiao Long Baos and the pan fried are top-notch; very juicy and flavourful. https://www.newshanghai.com.au/ 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜10/10
