Melbourne is positively teeming with delicioso eats, and it is my sworn duty as a lifelong Melburnian to introduce you to your next favourite restaurant. You’ve heard of the pub crawl, but may I present to you…the grub crawl? See what we did there?
If you’re game, I recommend hitting each and every one of my suggestions below over a single weekend in the city. It’s the grub crawl that’ll change your life forever. BYO eatin’ pants.
If you need EVEN MORE recommendations, there are so many hot tips at What’s On Melbourne – go on. Don’t risk getting FOMO.
Hardimans Hotel
There’s plenty of competition for the ‘best pub’ accolade in Melbourne, that is for sure. I gotta say though, Hardimans Hotel in Kensington is absolutely up there.
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There’s a gorgeous and spacious beer garden (try to nab the big table in the far corner, it’s your own private outdoor dining area), and the food is TRULY good. Lots of GF and vegan options too for our dietary requirement-babes. I recommend the GF flatbread.
As if that wasn’t enough, Hardimans are deeply dog-friendly. Bring your pooch and they might even be featured on their @hounds_of_hardimans Insta.
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The Waiter’s Restaurant
If you’re after a quick bite before or after a musical in Melbourne’s CBD, The Waiter’s Restaurant (sometimes called The Waiter’s Club) is pretty hard to beat. Founded in the 1940s, this legendary hidden gem was originally a place for immigrants working in the hospitality industry to chill out, have a meal and play some cards.
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Very much ‘blink and you’ll miss it’, The Waiter’s Restaurant is right up the top of a thin flight of rickety stairs. The pasta and pizza on offer is absolutely *mwah* bellissimo, and quite affordable too.
Robot Bar
Alright, it’s getting a little later now in our grub crawl journey, and you’re probably ready for a lil drink and refresh. What better place to do such a thing than Robot Bar in the city. This lil slice of Japan offers a wide range of hard-to-find Japanese sake and Asian beers, as well as some lovely cocktails.
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And if you do get peckish, there’s house-made gyoza, deep-fried chicken and more original Japanese bar foods on offer. If you *really* wanna chill out, visit on a Tuesday – there’s a regular anime screening night.
Bodega Underground
Oh Bodega Underground. How I love thee.
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I gotta say this one is my personal favourite. Their menu is vegan friendly and 100 percent gluten free – and you gotta believe me when I say these are the best tacos I’ve had. May I recommend the tacos de batata (sweet potato tacos). They do a mean spicy margarita here too!
Pho Victoria
Who doesn’t love a hot, comforting pho in the middle of winter? Pho Victoria is the perfect place to warm up, right in the heart of North Melbourne.
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Pho Victoria cook their stock for 10 hours a day, and that’s how you know it’s gotta be good. Enjoy with a fragrant jasmine tea, and perhaps a side of rice paper rolls too.
Get to the city for Melbourne’s most iconic eats, from cosy basement bars and fireside dining, to gourmet pop-ups and street food markets. Visit What’s On Melbourne and follow @whatsonmelb on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to find out what’s on.
