Best Express Lunches in Melbourne's CBD
A quick lunch doesn’t have to be unhealthy or lacklustre – there’s evidence of that on just about every block in Melbourne’s CBD. Thankfully, the city is full of impressive express lunch options, from the European sandwich bar to the Michelin-star hawker joint.
We’ve gathered our favourite local spots where you can grab a fast, satisfying lunch – whether you're solo or with a group. If you left your lunch at home, feel uninspired by your leftovers in the work fridge, or just want to break up the tourist trail with a quick yet hearty meal, this list has you covered.
Restaurant
Reed House
The Workers Lunch at Reed House gets you steak, potatoes, lettuce and onion rings for $35. Vegetarian option available.
Restaurant
Lulu's Char Koay Teow
Owner Chee Wong quickly made his mother-in-law’s char kway teow (and the special sauce) a hot commodity. Choose one of the seven options of the popular Malaysian hawker dish (including original with prawns, and vegetarian) for a sumptuous midweek meal. No booking? No worries.
Restaurant
Dodee Paidang Little Collins Street
Descend to the sprawling and busy basement for a menu that honours classic Thai food including pad thai, whole fish soup, seafood platters, papaya salads and plates of barbequed meat.
Restaurant
Hutong Dumpling Bar CBD
Its revered xiao long bao has drawn crowds since it opened in 2008. Other favourites include spicy wonton and pan-fried dumplings. A reliable classic for no-fuss, high quality dumplings.
Restaurant
Soi 38
This Thai street-food spot is a cult Melbourne fave. Brave the queues for pad krapow, aromatic boat noodles, spicy papaya salads, crying tiger (slow-cooked and grilled beef brisket), mixed Thai hotpot and more.
Cafe
Fishbowl
Masterfully marries Japanese cuisine with fresh Australian seafood in an easy, grab-and-go setting. Build your own poke or salad bowl, or trust the experts. Fans come back for the salmon, tuna and inventive combinations (think tofu and cucumber with tamari almonds and shallots).
Restaurant
Miznon
Mediterranean street food from Jerusalem-born Masterchef judge Eyal Shani, with outposts in London, New York and Singapore. The stuffed pita pocket is a quick and filling midday option – choose from vegetables, grass-fed beef, lamb or seafood stuffings. Tuck your napkin into your shirt and dig in.
Restaurant
Shandong Mama
You’ll find some of the best dumplings in town in an arcade off Chinatown. Don’t let the long line deter you. The staff at this stripped back, all-day Chinese diner keep the queues moving quickly. Shandong is known for its seafood so be sure to add a plate to the order.
Restaurant
Ippudo
The world-famous chain has been perfecting its ramen since 1985. It’s loved for its signature hakata ramen (a rich, creamy, pork bone broth with chewy noodles) while its tonkotsu akamaru shinaji ramen is made from a 25-year-old recipe. Any of its bowls will fit the bill for a fast and filling lunch.
Cafe
Waffle On
A hole in the wall along Degraves Street that’s ever-reliable for a filling French baguette to go. Spot the scribbled chalkboard, order your ideal combo (Gruyere, ham, French pickles, and mustard is a classic) and be on your way. Waffles make a sweet addition here.
Restaurant
Little Ramen Bar
Quick and hearty ramen for all tastes – from the traditional to the adventurous. Enjoy a classic tonkotsu or spicy ramen, or customise your bowl to an equally impressive vegan or vegetarian option. Wash it all down with sharp Sapporo.
Bar
Bar Carlo
Drop by on a weekday for a toasted panini with classic combinations such as mozzarella and tomato, or Asiago cheese, prosciutto and grilled peppers. Enjoy it with a spritz or Italian wine if you’re off (or on) the clock.
Restaurant
Bangpop
Bangpop might be set along the Birrarung, but it’s set on recreating the atmosphere at Bangkok’s lively street hawker stands. A standout dish is the sweet and spicy barramundi with lychee, pineapple and cherry tomato.
Restaurant
Butchers Diner
Chequerboard floors and a meat cabinet create an authentic American diner experience at this fast-casual, hole-in-the-wall burger joint. The menu honours timeless American classics like the Reuben sandwich, chilli dog and cheeseburger. More adventurous carnivores might enjoy a black pudding and devilled egg burger.
Restaurant
Daughter In Law
A vibrant pan-Indian diner that’s proudly “unauthentic”. Sink into a plush booth for sweet-and-sour fried cauliflower, colourful thali and Tandoori-fired-pineapple cocktails before spilling out onto Chinatown after.
Restaurant
Dohtonbori
A DIY okonomiyaki restaurant that’s perfect for a group. Slip into a semi-private booth and have a go at the hotplate, either à la carte or all-you-can-eat okonomiyaki. There’s also sushi, salads, fried chicken, donburi, gyoza, yakitori and Japanese beer.
Cafe
Greta
Hankering for a filling sandwich? They’re front and centre at this European-inspired cafe and wine bar. Standout sandwiches might include Provolone and the house Greta sauce (mayo-spiked salsa verde) or pesto-slathered beef cheek. Plus coffee from Axil Coffee Roasters.
Restaurant
Taxi Kitchen
Asian-inspired small and large share plates (dumplings, bug tails, sashimi) with an almost 360-degree city view make for an impressive lunchtime pit stop. What's more, the set lunch menu is stellar value for $45. Available Wednesday to Sunday.
Cafe
Liminal
Sandwiches covering the basics to the unexpected – here you’ll find fillings as pedestrian as mozzarella and as exotic as pickled sardine and honey miso. Dine in the spacious room or eat it en route back to the office.
Cafe
Nico's Sandwich Deli
A European-style sandwich bar serving quick, fresh grab-and-go lunches. Come for jazzed-up, Italo-Japanese-leaning sangas, strong coffees and sweet shakes.
Restaurant
Tres a Cinco
This lively cantina is all about home-style Mexican. Expect beef tacos exactly how they’re served in Mexico, prawn-and-chorizo tamales and a jiggly chocolate flan. Plus: eight different Margaritas and hard-to-find agave spirits.
Restaurant
The Waiters Restaurant
Starting in the 1940s as a place for migrant waiters to unwind after a shift, this Melbourne icon still serves reliably good pastas and desserts. There’s nothing fancy here – just good wine in glass tumblers, humble family-run hospitality, and a chalkboard menu of hearty Italian classics.
Cafe
Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar
Legend has it Pellegrini’s was the recipient of Melbourne’s first espresso machine in ’54. Now a Bourke Street icon, its appeal is evident in the diverse clientele: office workers, theatregoers, students and tourists all chasing hearty pastas and watermelon granita.
Cafe
Warkop Melbourne
This Indonesian sandwich and coffee shop (by an ex-Navi sous-chef) serves Aussie cafe favourites with Indo flair. Find gado gado sandwiches, sambal-spiked Filet-o-Fish and sweets like kaya crullers. Plus, Dukes coffee all day.
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