Feature image Uncle’s Melbourne via facebook
Considered one of Australia’s most populous cities in the state of Victoria, Melbourne rates very highly in terms of entertainment options and dining for visitors to the country. Each year millions of international and domestic visitors from other states congregate to experience the plethora of amusements that take over the city. Along with its festivals come the pop-up eateries and the restaurants that jostle for attention. As a new migrant or someone planning on emigrating to Melbourne, we’ve taken the hassle out of sampling a selection of the best restaurants with our lineup of the following popular eateries for expats and locals alike.
Here’s our expats guide to Melbourne’s must visit restaurants
Uncle
15 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
188 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Uncle’s St Kilda is located above Blackhearts and Sparrows and they have a second restaurant conveniently located on Level 1, 15 Collins St in Melbourne city. This trendy Vietnamese restaurant and bar is everything and more than you would expect from a eatery designed by Adele Winteridge (Foolscap Studio) and furniture by Northcote’s, Steve Edwards. The quality of the food is incredible and our must try dish is the Free range chicken slaw with fragrant herbs, chili and peanuts and the smoked red coconut curry with roasted cauliflower, crispy chickpeas and peanut and pomegranate. To drink, you have to try the Boulevardiere, which is an awesome bourban based cocktail.
400 Gradi
99 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057
From the outside looking in 400 Gradi might come off as just another ordinary pizzeria down Lygon Street. However, appearances can certainly be deceiving where this restaurant is concerned. Following restaurant owner Johnny Di Francesco´s recent success at the World Pizza Championship, diners can be assured of experiencing nothing less than the best pizza at this restaurant in Melbourne. The restaurant’s own Margherita pizza stole the crown along with the palates of the judges at the competition. Deriving its name from the perfect temperature to cook pizza (400 Degrees), the atmosphere within its walls offers the ideal warmth for some hot comfort food on a cold evening. While it is recommended highly that one should sample the pizza, 400 Gradi offers a diverse selection of Italian fare to savour. There´s the crumb fried veal with stuffed olives and the pappardelle with herbs, pancetta and parmesan which are the two more popular dishes. For those who are looking for a spot of adventure to spice up their things-to-do-list in melbourne, the margherita gelato is a must.
5 Lire
116 Errol St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
In a bid to bring back an authentic taste of all things Italian, head chef and founder Laura Notarfrancesco´s restaurant the 5 Lire is already creating a buzz. Located just across the street from more established eateries, the 5 Lire has turned up the heat of competition in the neighbourhood. Diners over the weekend have to queue up for a table at the eatery and options such as communal seating have been included so as not to disappoint. For those visitors who don’t fancy staying in line, then an early start at 5 Lire, offers a savoury or sweet breakfast. Not too many restaurants in Melbourne have a fancy breakfast menu that includes ricotta hotcakes, coconut granola or poached pear. However, for those who hanker for a savoury start, try the mushroom and frittata or the mozzarella and Italian pork sausage paste with sourdough.
5 Points Deli
118 Elgin St, Carlton VIC 3053
Melburnians are quite fond of their American cuisine staples such as fried chicken, burgers and BBQ dishes. While many restaurants and pubs in Melbourne serve up a decent burger, the kid on the block that everyone wants to eat at is the 5 Points Deli. Drawing its inspiration from a typical New York Deli, 5 Points offers diners a sleek and refreshing saloon look that is devoid of the usual sandwich menu displays. As for the menu it’s relatively uncomplicated, but mature enough to host your friends and family for a meal. Aside from the sandwiches and the bagels that are standard yankee fare, the smoked pastrami and the Cobb salad laced with thick dressing are favourites among diners.
ABACUS
383 Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141
Located down Chapel Street, Abacus with its floor to ceiling glass paneled windows offers a fresh and summery feel for those who dine there. Priding itself on the freshest and seasonal produce of the local market, the restaurant even maintains its own beehives. Unlike other restaurants in Melbourne, the Abacus offers some brunch time dishes with an experimental twist. Dishes like scrambled eggs with almond butter and croquettes are a crowd pleasers along with well prepared Padre Coffee at this restaurant in Melbourne. For evening drinks diners need not look around for pubs in Melbourne as the local drinks list at Abacus includes cocktails and wines. Nibbles dressed up on share plates are also available throughout the night.