Best Places to Eat in Melbourne, Australia: A Guide to Street Food Delights

Melbourne, the cultural capital of Australia, boasts a vibrant and diverse culinary scene that caters to every taste bud. Whether you’re a foodie seeking new gastronomic adventures or just looking for a quick bite on the go, Melbourne’s street food scene is not to be missed!

Queen Victoria Market (QVM)

The Queen Victoria Market, or QVM as locals affectionately call it, is the heart and soul of Melbourne’s food scene. This bustling market offers an array of delicious street food options, from classic Australian meat pies to international delicacies like Turkish gozleme, Greek souvlaki, and Vietnamese banh mi. Don’t forget to try the famous Queen Vic Market chocolate freckles!

Chinatown

Melbourne’s Chinatown is a treasure trove of Asian street food. With numerous hawker-style stalls offering mouthwatering dishes, you can sample everything from dim sum and dumplings to baos and noodle soups. Some notable eateries include Kong BBQ for skewers, and Shanghai Street Kitchen for Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).

South Melbourne Market

The South Melbourne Market is another must-visit destination for food lovers. This historic market offers an extensive range of street food, from fresh seafood and artisanal cheese to international street eats like Korean fried chicken at GangGang Chicken or Mexican tacos at Taco Truck.

Bourke Street Mall

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Bourke Street Mall is home to various food vendors serving up a mix of traditional and contemporary street food dishes. Some popular choices include Halal Snack Pack (HSP) from Mr Burger, crepes from Crepe Co., and Malaysian-inspired street food at Hawker Hall.

Lygon Street, Carlton

Known as Little Italy, Lygon Street in the suburb of Carlton is famous for its Italian eateries serving up authentic street food-style dishes like gelato, pizza al taglio (by the slice), and espresso coffee. Some standout places include Pidapipó for artisanal gelato, Lygon Street’s iconic European bakery, Brunetti, and 400 Gradi for wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas.

So there you have it! Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these street food hotspots in Melbourne offer a delightful gastronomic journey that showcases the city’s rich cultural diversity and culinary prowess. Bon appétit!