Ta-Ke Don ★ 4.2
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.
Order: Karaage donburi with Japanese curry sauce
Eat well in Melbourne for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Cheap eats worth seeking out
Hu Tong Dumpling Bar ★ 4.3
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.
Order: Pan-fried pork and prawn dumplings
Pho Hung Vuong 2 ★ 4.4
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.
Order: Large beef pho with tendon and tripe
A1 Bakery ★ 4.5
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.
Order: Za'atar manakish with olive oil from the wood-fired oven
Laksa King ★ 4.7
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.
Order: Curry laksa with tofu puffs
Mamasita ★ 4.3
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.
Order: Charcoal chicken taco and salsa verde
South Melbourne Dim Sim ★ 4.5
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.
Order: Original South Melbourne deep-fried dim sim in a paper bag
Book food experiences in Melbourne
Melbourne: Original Lanes & Arcades Walk (max 8 guests only)
Discover the magic of Melbourne’s laneways on this immersive walking tour, with passionate local guides. Experience the city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and...
Melbourne: Cafe Culture Walk (small group/max 8 guests)
Immerse yourself in Melbourne's vibrant cafe culture on a small group conversational walk. Explore historic coffee palaces and Melbourne's bustling laneway cafes.
Melbourne 3-Hour Dumpling Discovery Walking Tour
There's nothing Melbournians like better than a plate of dumplings! But where to go? Let us take take you to our favourite Melbourne dumpling houses on our 2.5-hour Du...