Snack Bar: Tex-Mex, Pizza Burgers and More Melbourne Food News

What’s happening around town

• Kensington wine bar Arnold’s is hosting a fundraiser for World Central Kitchen from 1pm to 5pm this Sunday July 12. There’ll be snacks from chef Frankie Hadid, wines by Strange Grapes, beers by Bone Head Brewing and cocktails. Plus, DJ sets from Nadia Hernández, Daniel González and Lucreccia Quintanilla, and vegetable boxes from True Leaf Alphington available for purchase. All proceeds from the event will go to the not-for-profit organisation founded by chef José Andrés, which is currently on the ground in Venezuela to support communities impacted by recent earthquakes.

• Carlton rooftop bar Johnny’s Green Room has transformed part of its space into Johnny's Hamburgers. The pop-up, running until Sunday July 12, features a classic hamburger – with cheese, pickles, burger sauce and leaves – made with pizza dough in place of the typical bun, served with a side of fries for $32.

• Osteria Ilaria head chef Jett Alexander is popping up at Public Wine Shop on Monday July 13, cooking a $95 five-course set menu with the wine bar’s head chef Jake Mayhew. Book here.

• The Cookie Box just opened its second CBD store. Stop by the new Bourke Street location for chocolate chip, miso and peanut butter, and more chunky cookies.

• Non-alcoholic booze maker Lyre’s is donating $1 from every product sold in Australia this month to the Dry July Foundation, a charity that distributes funds to cancer organisations across the country. Order a Lyre’s cocktail – available at venues including Beverly Rooftop and Spaghetti Club – and $1 from each drink will go to the foundation.

• Maha chef Shane Delia’s cocktail bar Jayda is broadening its offering, transforming into a Levantine bar and bistro. The venue is now open for lunch from Tuesday to Saturday and dinner from Thursday to Saturday. Stop by for dishes such as lamb kofta ragu with tagliatelle and Spring Bay mussels on toast with harissa tomato fondue and torched guanciale.

Dine Out

• Chef Sid Ahuja spent a decade shaping London’s two-Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Gymkhana. He’s cooking an à la carte menu at Mischa Tropp’s Kolkata Cricket Club from Wednesday July 22 to Sunday July 26 for Broadsheet’s winter food festival Dine Out. Book here.

• Geoff Marett of the Nama pop-up swings into the kitchen at Curtin House’s Mexican restaurant, Mesa Verde, on Thursday July 23. Marett and head chef Jacob Green will prepare a menu that explores the similarities and contrasts between Mexican, Japanese and Cantonese cuisines. Book here.

• Menu reveal: what to expect when two masters of fire join forces at Old Palm Liquor for Dine Out.

What we covered this week

• Melbourne’s nine best new casual spots of 2026 (so far).

• First look: Dingo Ate My Taco’s new Abbotsford restaurant aims to repairs Tex-Mex’s reputation.

• Coming soon: chef Alejandro Saravia wants you to help test the menu for his new CBD restaurant.

• First look: choose from 15 different types of scrolls – including pizza and tiramisu – at new CBD bakery Sunny Day Scrolls.

• First look: get knife-cut noodles at new Abbotsford spot Chun’s Kalguksu.

• Two of the most exciting new pop-ups are at your local bowls club.

• Try some of Melbourne’s best Mexican-inspired food at these five events.

• Malvern’s 170-year-old pub, The Angel of Malvern, reopens with a new Mediterranean restaurant and a listening bar.

• Four excellent pasta dishes to try in Melbourne this July.

You might have missed

• The 11 best new Australian restaurants of 2026 (so far).