A$10-A$18cbdWed evenings Nov-Mar, 5pm-10pm
The Queen Victoria Market Night Market runs Wednesday evenings in summer with street food traders, live music and the outdoor energy the CBD loses each night.
Order: Rotating seasonal stalls: Korean pancakes, Vietnamese banh mi, Greek souvlaki
A$7-A$12yarravilleMon-Sat 8am-5pm
Phuoc Thanh inside Footscray Market is the banh mi benchmark for Melbourne's west: house-made pate, house-picked vegetables and a queue that never shortens.
Order: Banh mi with pork, pate and pickled vegetables
A$15-A$20yarravilleTue-Thu 11:30am-2:45pm and 5pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-2:45pm and 5pm-10pm, Sun 11:30am-2:45pm and 5pm-9pm
Laksa King in Flemington has set the Melbourne standard for the dish since 1998: asam and curry laksa at honest prices in a room worth the detour.
Order: Curry laksa with fish cake and tofu puffs
A$12-A$18fitzroyMon-Sun 11:30am-9:30pm
Huxtaburger on Smith Street launched Melbourne's smash burger era in 2012: the double patty, American cheese and secret sauce that started the city format.
Order: Huxtaburger with American cheese and pickles
A$10-A$15cbdMon-Sun 11am-11pm
Ta-Ke Don on Little Lonsdale Street is the CBD's fast donburi counter: katsu, karaage and tempura over rice for A$10 small, A$15 large with curry, Thai chilli or teriyaki.
Order: Karaage donburi with Japanese curry sauce
A$10-A$16cbdDaily 11:30am-9:30pm
Shanghai Dumpling House on Tattersalls Lane is the standby for pan-fried and steamed dumplings at prices that match every other reason to visit Chinatown.
Order: Pan-fried pork and cabbage dumplings