It’s a staple of the Melbourne city landscape – a bastion of kitsch amongst an ever-gentrifying CBD dining scene. But the food at Stalactites has a well-earned reputation as uncomplicated, traditional Greek, and if you haven’t sought a stomach-full after a big night in the twisting laneways of the city, then you haven’t lived.

Owned and operated by the Konstandakopoulos family since 1978, you’ll find breakfast, lunch and dinner on offer. It’s proudly open 24 hours, but let’s be honest, there are some times of day here that are better than others. Breakfast can be interesting (and relatively simple with eggs and OJ), but that’s not really the point. It’s fresh dips like the tarama, or chicken and lamb giros from the spit and the famous range of souvlaki that you come for – regardless of the time of day (or night).

The name is self explanatory; false plaster stalactites claw at you from the ceiling, while slate floors climb up the walls, adding to the faux cave aspirations of the dinning room – it’s an odd place for a grotto on the corner of Lonsdale and Russell. But the questionable décor has become endearing over the years, particularly when sometimes all you need is moussaka at the end of a big night.