7 budget eating worth the trip across Australia, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All Australia guides.
Laksa King ★ 4.7 · Melbourne
yarraville · 6-12 Pin Oak Crescent, Flemington VIC 3031
Laksa King in Flemington has set the Melbourne standard for the dish since 1998: asam laksa, curry laksa and char kway teow at prices worth the detour.
A1 Bakery ★ 4.5 · Melbourne
brunswick · 643-645 Sydney Road, Brunswick VIC 3056
A1 Bakery on Sydney Road is Melbourne's best A$5 meal: fresh za'atar manakish from a wood-fired oven that has run on Brunswick's main strip since 1992.
South Melbourne Dim Sim ★ 4.5 · Melbourne
south-yarra · South Melbourne Market, 322 Coventry Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205
The South Melbourne dim sim is a Melbourne birthright: invented at this stall in 1949, deep-fried in a paper bag and eaten standing on the market footpath.
Pho Hung Vuong 2 ★ 4.4 · Melbourne
richmond · 108 Victoria Street, Richmond VIC 3121
Pho Hung Vuong 2 on Victoria Street is the Richmond pho standard: a 12-hour bone broth, fresh herbs and the type of no-frills room that earns repeat visits.
Hu Tong Dumpling Bar ★ 4.3 · Melbourne
cbd · 14-16 Market Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hu Tong Dumpling Bar on Market Lane serves Shanghainese dumplings in Chinatown: xiao long bao, pan-fried pork and a queue that validates the wait every time.
Mamasita ★ 4.3 · Melbourne
cbd · Level 1, 11 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Mamasita on Collins Street is Melbourne's most consistent Mexican kitchen: tacos al pastor, elotes and a long tequila list for the post-work crowd upstairs.
Ta-Ke Don ★ 4.2 · Melbourne
cbd · 4/265 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Ta-Ke Don on Little Lonsdale Street is the CBD's fast donburi canteen: A$10 small and A$15 large bowls of katsu, karaage and tempura over rice with Japanese curry and Thai chilli sauces.