Melbourne’s Must Eats

Melbourne, it’s been a while. As the city finally reopens after a rough 2020, so too do our favourite lunch spots – be they tiny hole-in-the-wall takeaway joints or grand fine-diners.

To celebrate the kitchen burners firing up again, we’ve partnered with the City of Melbourne to curate a limited-edition series of lunch specials.

Topping out at $30, the lunches are available for a limited time only, from April 12–May 9. Here’s what you need to know.

Hemingway’s Wine Room

Sample its “Elements of Coq au Vin” – seared free-range chicken breast, pancetta, wild mushroom, red wine sauce and crushed potatoes – paired with a glass of beaujolais.
Available 12pm–3pm, Tue–Fri

150 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne

The iconic venue is dishing up black cabbage and feta fataya (a samosa-like pastry), served with a pumpkin and fennel salad and a fresh, light glass of 2019 Tombacco pecorino (an Italian white grape variety).
Available 12pm–3pm, Mon–Fri

45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Butchers Diner

Offering the Butcher's lunch order: you get a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a Bad Shepherd lager.
Available 11.30am–3.30pm, Mon–Sun

10 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Magic Mountain Saloon

Chicken and potato massaman curry, green papaya salad and jasmine rice with a pot of Pirate Life Throwback IPA, or a house red or white wine.
Available 12pm–3pm, Wed–Sat

62 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Farmer’s Daughters

The takeaway grazing plate celebrates some of the best seasonal produce and ingredients from the Gippsland region, served with a coffee or juice, and a pastry.
Available 11.30am–2.30pm, Mon–Fri

80 Collins Street, Melbourne

Greta

The beef cheek baguette with pesto and mozzarella is served alongside a bowl of Napoli sauce (for dipping) and comes with your choice of red, white or sparkling wine.
Available 7am–4pm, Mon–Fri

450 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Daughter In Law

Sample a showcase of its most iconic dishes with its lunch thali, served with a complimentary glass of cava.
Available 12pm–2.30pm, Fri–Sat

37 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

The George on Collins

The George is serving a classic lunch roll filled with barbequed chicken, carrot, daikon, cucumber and pickles. And you'll get a mini gin sour on the side.
Available 12pm–3pm, Tue–Fri

162-168 Collins Street, Melbourne

Fancy Hank’s

Choose between the brisket sandwich with pickles, slaw and barbeque sauce, the Cubano sandwich with smoked pork shoulder, mortadella and Swiss cheese or the pulled mushroom sandwich with mushroom, Swiss cheese and chilli-lime mayo. All served with slaw and your choice of beer, wine or cider
Available 12–3pm, Wed–Fri

Level 1 79 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Book a Table

Supernormal

Try the Supernormal ramen - made with organic bone-broth, grilled chicken, house-made dumplings, wakame, soy egg and togarashi and an Asahi Dry Black. It's lighter in style than a traditional ramen, so it's perfect for a power lunch.
Available 12pm–3pm, Mon–Fri

180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Book a Table

Akaiito

Choose from 3 Akaiito express sets including a house beer or wine.
Available 11.30am–3.30pm, Tue–Fri

349-351 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Asado Bar and Grill

200g steak of the day served with patatas bravas and butter lettuce, red oak and radish salad served with a glass of house wine or beer
Available 12pm–3pm, Tue–Fri

6 Riverside Quay, Southbank

+39 Pizzeria and Antipasteria

Enjoy any meal with a pinot grigio, shiraz or a Peroni
Available 12pm–3pm, Mon-Fri

362 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Book a Table

BangPop

Enjoy BangPop's bestselling pad thai with your choice of chicken, pork or as is. To drink, choose from a pot of Fat Boy lager, a glass of house wine or a soft drink.
Available 12pm–3pm, Mon-Fri.

35 South Wharf Promenande, South Wharf

Bar Carlo

Settle into a couple of arancini to start, followed by a panino and glass of wine of your choice, and cap it off with a regular coffee.
Available 12pm–3pm, Mon–Fri

20 Meyers Place, Melbourne

Auction Rooms

Try their pork belly banh mi with pickled papaya and mushroom pate, paired with a Moon Dog tropical lager.
Available 11am-3.30pm, Mon-Thu

103-107 Errol Street, North Melbourne

Gradi Crown

$30 gets you a pizza or a pasta with a house vino, beer or soft drink.
Available 12pm–3pm, Mon–Fri

Shop 25 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

Book a Table

Din Tai Fung

Pop in to try xiao long bao, spicy shrimp and pork wonton noodles served with a drink.
Available 11.30am–2pm, Mon-Thu

M002/4 Emporium Melbourne 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Book a Table

Dohtonbori

Try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (which uses fillings rather than toppings). Choose from pork, seafood or vegetable flavour. And you get a Virgin Apple Mojito to go with your meal.
Available 12pm–3pm, Mon–Fri

Level 1 14B Star Circus, Docklands

The Moat

Choose from roasted artichokes and fresh king prawns with a daily house-made pappardelle pasta or pesto lasagne (paired with a glass of wine).
Available 12pm–3pm, Tue–Fri

176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Hawker Chan

The deal here gets you two servings of roast duck with rice plus two drinks.
Available 12–3pm, Mon–Fri

157 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Palermo

You get an entree and a main, plus a dulce de leche alfajor (a South American biscuit) for dessert.
Available 12pm–3pm, Tue–Fri

401 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Pepe's Italian & Liquor

You'll get a refreshing Aperol Spritz, your choice of a pasta main dish and a scoop of Boca Gelato.
Available 12pm–2pm, Mon–Fri

275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

San Telmo

San Telmo's deal nabs you a tasty lomito (Argentinian steak sandwich) or choripan (Argentinian chorizo roll) sanga, a delicious empanada and a beer.
Available 12–3pm, Mon–Thu

14 Meyers Place, Melbourne

The French Brasserie

At this French classic, you'll get a hearty helping of coq au vin and a glass of red.
Available 12pm–3pm, Mon–Fri

2 Malthouse Lane, Melbourne

Rooftop Bar

Try the fried green tomato sandwich served with a Garden Paloma (mezcal, grapefruit, rhubarb, lemon, celery bitters and soda)
Available 12pm–3pm, Mon–Fri

Level 7, Curtin House 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Ippudo

Choose from a selection of delicious ramen, with a side dish and a drink included.
Available 12–3pm, Mon–Fri

Shop 18 Artemis Lane, QV Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

ShanDong MaMa

Get the dumpling combo, with an aged vinegar black fungus salad on the side and a beer.
Available 11.30am–2.30pm, Mon–Fri

Shop 7 200 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Taxi Kitchen

Try the chef's selection of 15 dumplings and a handle of Kirin.
Available 12pm–3pm, Wed-Sun

Level 1 / Transport Hotel Federation Square Swanston & Flinders Street, Melbourne

Gai Wong
Something to share - Hainanese chicken, choose from either char siew Asian barbeque pork or roast pork, two chicken stock-infused rice with fresh chilli garlic and spring onion-ginger sauces, two chicken broths and two soft drinks.
Available 11.30am–2.30pm, Mon–Sat

Chilango's Mexican Cantina Docklands
Try their Mexican feast, including Chili Con Carne (beef or veg options), nachos, elotes, churros and a jarrito.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 3pm

Mörk Chocolate
Something for your sweet tooth, try its chocolate ganache, orange and fennel tart - paired with its Mörk Layered Chocolate drink, made with a chilled dark chocolate and topped with a warm and aerated crema Catalan custard, infused with orange zest and vanilla bean.
Available Thursday to Sunday - 10am to 5pm

Protagonist
The perfect special for sharing with a friend, enjoy two serves of steamed fresh bao buns with marinated juicy pork belly, Asian slaw and Sriracha mayonnaise and two glasses of house wine.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 3pm

The Olive Jar
Choice of one of its meals of the day plus a glass of cabernet merlot.
Available Thursday to Sunday - 12:30pm to 3pm

Ca de Vin
Dine in the iconic Postal Lane and enjoy a pizza of your choice, a glass of house wine and a serve of hot donuts.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 2pm

The Westin Melbourne
The Westin Melbourne will be serving up a Club Sandwich with layers free range chicken, smoked kaiserfleisch, tomato, lettuce, egg, cheese and mayonnaise served with thick chips or green salad and paired with a glass of Elgee Park Chardonnay.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 3pm

La Camera
Pizza Romana to start, classic and delicious Tiramisu for dessert finished off with a coffee.
Available Wednesday to Saturday - 12pm to 4pm

Edwin Wine Bar
Enjoy a two course lunch (main and dessert) with either a beer or wine. Mains include: house made gnocchi, butternut squash & goat cheese; great southern grass fed beef, celeriac & jus gras; spiced lamb ragu, casarecce & pecorino pepato and more.
Available Wednesday & Thursday 3pm to 5:30pm / Friday & Saturday - 12pm to 5:30pm

Neo Lemonade
Blue Eye, summer corn custard, broccolini, wild rice paired with cocktail (alcoholic and non-alcoholic option available).
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 3pm

Calia
Try either a Crispy Roast Pork Rice Bowl or Aburi Salmon Rice Bowl with either a glass of Chandon Brut or Chandon Rose Sparkling.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 3pm

Cargo Restaurant and Bar
Unlimited tacos for 60 minutes - choose from Fish, Pulled Pork, Grilled Chicken or Falafel tacos with a selection of 8 beers on tap.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm until 2pm. T's and C's apply

Ging Thai
Along with a sample of their delicious Southeast Asian flavours, you can enjoy a free beverage of your choice upon arrival, varying from a house wine, local beer or soft drink.
Available Wednesday to Friday - 12pm to 2.30pm

The Quarter
Sample 3 Bao Buns (1x lamb, 1 x chicken and 1 x vegan), served with its house made beetroot hummus, and paired with its house specialty cocktail "Social Quarter", based loosely on the Mojito.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 3pm

JiYu Thai
Start with a Roti Pancake with Satay Sauce, try the Vegetable Curry with Rice, Thai Milk Tea, and a Jiyu Signature Pudding to finish.
Available Monday to Friday - 11:30am to 2:30pm

Caffe e Torta
Try its Nonna’s Tagliatelle Bolognese Ragu, with a choice of house wine and finish with a tea or coffee.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 3pm

Oriental Teahouse
Visit Oriental Teahouse for a late lunch Yum Cha special, which includes chilli wagyu beef dumplings, pork and chive dumplings washed down with a Sapporo Premium.
Available Tuesday to Friday - 2pm to 3pm

Niubi
Try its lunch special with a main, choice of sides and a drink.
Available Monday to Friday - 11:30am to 3pm

Da Guido 365
Bruschetta, Pappardelle with classic slow-cooked beef bolognese and parmesan, homemade bread and a glass of Chianti.
Available Monday to Friday - 11:30am to 2:30pm

Flovie
Try its most popular fondue triple cheese burger plus a cocktail, beer or glass of wine.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 3pm

Maverick Melbourne
Gnocchi with brown butter and sage, paired with a glass of red, white or sparkling wine.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 3pm

Miyako Japanese Cuisine & Teppenyaki
Miyako Bento Box plus miso soup and steamed rice plus a glass of house wine finished with a dessert of the day.
Bento box comprised of Sashimi, Vegetables Tempura, Green Salad, choice of Chicken Teriyaki or Eye Filet with Wafu sauce or Salmon Teriyaki or Stir-fried Mixed Vegetables.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 2:30pm

Musou
Try its Mala stir fry, with a side of rice and a signature plum drink.
Available Monday to Friday - 11pm to 3pm

Royal St Collins
Sample its hearty autumn salads with a choice of house wine, and a tea or coffee to finish.
Available Monday to Friday - 11:30am to 3pm

Soul Soul Cafe
Try either its Wagyu Beef Burger, or Soft Shell Crab Sliders paired with its signature avocado smoothie.
Available Monday to Friday - 12pm to 2pm

Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar - Melbourne Central
Deluxe Lobster Ramen and Pink Grapefruit and Lime Punch Mocktail.
Available Monday to Friday - 11:30am to 4:30pm