10 Restaurants making Melbourne a city of culinary delights

If your travel itinerary is all about exploring different cuisines, then Melbourne is your dream city. It?s a melting pot of cultures all thanks to its rich immigrant history making it a city that offers every world cuisine at its authentic best. From European style coffee shops to flavorsome Vietnamese and African food, Melbourne?s menus are truly a dream for a foodie traveler.

There?s plenty of food to discover but it can also leave you little overwhelmed, therefore, we handpicked some best places just for you from fine dining experience to interesting casual spots, family-style restaurants to small plates menus for solo travelers.

1.Pellegrini's Espresso Bar

66 Bourke St

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Authentic simple Italian meals at the Pellegrini?s menu makes it a quintessential Melbourne food experience. Started in 1954, Pellegrini?s serves traditional Italian dishes such as classic pasta and lasagna.? This landmark place introduced the European coffee culture to the city. Even after all these years; the place remains the same- an old school narrow room with red-vinyl stools. The interesting thing about this place is that it has no menu!? Staff will tell you about the offer that day and serve your choice of food on an old-school plate with a glass of the signature melon granita.

Image Source: https://www.goodfood.com.au/

2. Flower Drum Restaurant Melbourne

17 Market Ln

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

This Melbourne?s culinary institution is one of Australia's most award-winning Cantonese fine dining places. The 44-year-old restaurant is known for its unpublished chefs? menu served with eminently unforgettable experience. Located in Chinatown, as you will enter the place there will be the host who will welcome you to the red-carpeted dining room, one of the best formal dining spaces anywhere in the world. Feast over the dumplings and noodles or enjoy a legendary Peking duck served panache, this place will surely make you one of their legion customers.

Image source: https://flowerdrum.melbourne

3. N Lee Bakery Cafe

61 Little Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Situated in Melbourne, this caf? is famous and well known for its banh mi.

Given the fact that it?s a well-known spot for foodies and a ?must visit? caf? for tourists, expect a queue at lunchtime.

This eating joint plays with traditional flavors and boasts of its house made pate, pickled carrot, mayo and not to forget, their secret sauce. What makes the experience of eating here a memorable one is the taste of freshly baked bread that lingers on in your mouth for a long time, making you want to go back again. The size of the sandwich and quality of pork make it a good deal and a value for money meals in the town.

While trying to find out about caf??s you might also hear To?s, Nhu Lan and Bun Bun, but N Lee Bakery stands out of all. The Smith street location is quoted to be the best among Melbournians.

Image source:https://www.broadsheet.com.au/

4. A1 Bakery

643-645 Sydney Rd

Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia

A craze amongst students, locals and tourists, this bakery has been attracting crowds for 25 years now. This pocket friendly bakery offers a wide variety in its menu starting at 1.50 Australian dollars for an out-of-the-oven pizza flavored with oregano, sesame seeds and thyme. For a filling meal consisting of a chicken tawouk and a falafel platter, you will have to shell out only 10 Australian dollars.

This is a family owned bakery which is a Lebanese concept offering freshly baked flat breads that are a must taste item.

Image source: https://www.broadsheet.com.au

5. ShanDong MaMa

Mid City, 7/200 Bourke St

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

This humble dumpling corner is the go-to place for Chinese food lovers of all ages. Situated in the heart of the CBD arcade, ShanDong MaMa was started by a mother daughter duo, with the mother being lovingly referred to as MaMa. Though you may not be here to experience an exotic d?cor, however you certainly don?t want to miss out on their dumplings. Often visited for their sea food dumplings, we recommend you to certainly give their Signature Spanish Mackerel a try. Another unique discovery were their squid ink boiled dumplings, they ooze out the flavors of smashed squid and chicken mince. The hint of coriander gives it the final touch. Not heavy on your pocket, most of the mains are under $20 and portions and sufficient.

Image source: https://www.yelp.com.au

6. Queen Victoria Market

Queen St

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Visiting the Queen Victoria Market is equivalent joining celebrations of an ever-lasting festival. It is known for being one of the largest open-air markets of Australia and can easily be referred to as a dynasty of food coma and produce. The market is the home to multiple small businesses, food hawkers, stalls- basically a foodie?s paradise. Pick the freshest greens and fruits from Gunday?s Fruit & Vegetable, Berries Corner or go organic with Garden Organics. Dive into a pile of pancakes at Dutch Pancakes or indulge into mesmerizing patisseries at Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses. Pay a visit to Happy Wishbone and funk Fish for lip smacking appetizers.

Cover it all with scrumptious and generous food tours for less than $70!

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7. Sunda

18 Punch Ln

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

South East Asian cuisine is a favorite among citizens across the world, though originally from Sydney, Chef Khanh Nguyen has given food goals to a large population in Melbourne! The food is an amalgam of authenticity, flavors and creativity, taking the cuisine to newer heights. Do try their tempeh, tofu curds and rock oysters. The flavors take you back to its origin and give you a tour in every bite. Don?t forget to ask for their hidden menu options!

Image Source: www.zomato.com

8.Bar Margaux

Basement/111 Lonsdale St

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Wine and cocktails anyone? Bar Margaux should be your go to place, Try their Athol Brose for the perfect blend of honey, scotch and cream. New York flip and Golden Cadillac will take you to a dreamland of dessert cocktails! Pair these beauties with some duck frits, olives or oysters. Their Gnocchi Parisienne is radiating excellence, the portion comes with pickled onions, parsley and comte gruyere. End your meal with the evergreen and epic Cr?me Brule or even the mouse tart! Enjoy this galore of French food!

Image Source: https://barmargaux.com.au/

9. Daughter In Law

37/41 Little Bourke St

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

California based Chef Jessi Singh has you covered for the most scrumptious and delectable Indian food! An Indian celebration covers everything festive and so does this restaurant with its serene interiors and the neon pinks adding the right amount of Jazz to the ambience. Their tandoori chicken is succulent, juicy and marinated with just the right amount of flavor. Lamb Shank Curry and short rib Korma with famous Indian Naan bread make the best team! Try their Aunty Dhal- slow cooked lentils with a punch of ginger makes it a must have for all vegetarians.

Image Source: www.timeout.com

10. Pellegrini's Espresso Bar

66 Bourke St

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Did someone say Italian? This place is Italian authenticity at its best. Brought to you by Italian immigrants themselves, this place is said to have revolutionized the Australian Caf? culture. The place stays unchanged and goes back 1954 giving you the perfect retro vibe and legit spaghetti and pasta. Their marinara can give you nostalgia and pesto will make you crave for more! It?s a place known to have fed generations and the quality remains top notch! We recommend their Granita and of course as the name suggests- Don?t miss the espresso!

Image Source: www.flickr.com