Eight Things To Eat at the Australian Open

If you’re heading to the Australian Open this year, you’re in for a treat. Of course, there’ll be world-class tennis. But also, there’ll be world-class food and drink with stalls from the likes of New York burger chain Shake Shack, Junda Khoo’s Ho Jiak and a collab by Stalactites and Taverna all accessible to ground pass holders.

Here are eight things we can’t wait to get our hands on at this year’s open. Want to sample everything? Here’s the full AO food and drink line-up. 

King prawn toast from Ho Jiak

At chef Junda Khoo’s Ho Jiak stall, you’ll find his spin on the Hong Kong favourite. The toast is topped with chunks of king prawns as well as the typical prawn and fish paste mousse. There’s a salted duck egg hidden in the centre of the toast. “It looks like a prawn toast from the outside but once you get to the middle, there’ll be molten salted duck egg oozing out to add umami,” says Khoo.

Lamb filo cigars from Stalactites x Taverna

CBD icon Stalactites is joining forces with Angie Giannakodakis’s Taverna for a special collaboration at this year’s Australian Open. The highlight is a lamb cigar that sees crisp filo pastry packed with six-hour roasted lamb, served alongside Stalactites’ traditional tzatziki.

Tennis ball doughnut from Hector’s Deli 

Fresh after opening a dedicated doughnut kiosk on Bourke Street, Hector’s Deli will have tennis ball doughnuts. A classic Hector’s doughnut is covered in a brat-green summer apple-flavoured icing, complete with two white stripes that mimic tennis ball seams. A great courtside companion.

Shack Burger from Shake Shack

The most anticipated AO debut this year is not a player, but Shake Shack. Restaurateur and Setting the Table author Danny Meyer’s New York-born burger chain (which isn’t even available in all 50 US states) is flipping burgers in Australia for the first time at this year’s open. Line up for the chain’s signature Shake Burger, an Angus beef patty with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and Shack Sauce on a toasted potato bun. It’s available alongside an AO-exclusive chocolate cookies-and-cream shake. 

Popcorn from Mindy Woods

Chef and former Masterchef contestant Mindy Woods, of Karkalla On Country in Byron Bay, was awarded The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Champion of Change award in recognition of her work spotlighting Indigenous food culture. She’s made two popcorns for the tennis: a savoury ooray (aka Davidson plum) salt and vinegar number, and a sweet wattleseed caramel one.

French grazing box from Nik Hill 

If you prefer snacky bits and pieces, chef Nik Hill of Sydney favourite French bistro Porcine has you covered. His French grazing box – consisting of foie gras with stone fruit gelée, French camembert, brandy-soaked prunes, a baguette and cultured butter – will be available from the Courtside Bar. 

Salad bowl from Season Chargrilled Chicken Service 

For a refreshing bite, stop by Season’s stand. In addition to original and spicy fried chicken tenders, the Vietnamese chicken shop from the team behind Good Days will have punchy salad bowls. The slaw, inspired by chicken goi, sees cabbage, red onion, cucumber, carrot and bean sprouts mixed with a soy-based nuoc cham dressing and topped with poached chicken, crushed peanuts and fried shallots. 

Spicy tuna onigiri from Suupaa

The AO stall from Cremorne’s Japanese convenience store-inspired Suupaa is focused on quick grab-and-go options. We’ll be stopping by for the spicy tuna onigiri – a rice ball with tuna, mayo, orange kosho (a citrus-chilli paste), wombok, shichimi (spice blend) and bonito flakes.