The Australian Open is undoubtedly one of the country’s most iconic events, where tennis fans from across the nation come together at Melbourne Park for an unforgettable fortnight of heated competition, music, and of course, an unmatched culinary offering from some of the nation’s top chefs.
The AO's 2025 food and drink offering has blown other year's out of the water with food and entertainment that (almost) matches the excitement of the actual tennis. We're talking bangin' burgers from French legends Entrecôte, banh mis from the heroes at Good Days and snacky Lebanese treats from the A1 Bakery crew. Fill your cup at the Grey Goose bars and their signature Lemon Ace drink while you're at it, or if champagne is more your style, hit up Piper-Heidsieck.
If you're still looking for somewhere to stay throughout the festivities, we've shortlisted Melbourne's Best Airbnbs, Best Hotels and Victoria's Best Stays if you're looking to explore the rest of the state. While you're at it, why not check out some of the city's Best Restaurants.
For our full guide to everything you need to eat, drink and do while you're in Melbourne head over here, otherwise scroll down for everything you need to know about the mouth-watering bill of food and drink on offer at the 2025 Australian Open to ace your eats (and drinks).
- Jump to: AO newcomers
- Jump to: returning favourites
- Jump to: honourable mentions
- Jump to: where to eat
- Jump to: gigs and what's on
- Jump to: bars
AO Newcomers
Entrecôte
Image credit: Entrecôte | H Davidson
One of Melbourne’s most esteemed restaurants for French fare is making its AO debut in 2025—and yes, the famous Entrecôte cheeseburger and frites is on the cards. But it’ll also be slinging hefty mitraillette baguettes, stacked with Rangers Valley Black Market beef, frites and secret herb butter sauce. Perfect fuel for a lunchtime picnic in the Garden Square.
CDMX Taqueria
By the same team behind Seddon’s Superchido, CDMX is well-loved across its Brunswick East and Melbourne Central locations. And now, you can find its tidy menu of tacos, snacks and drinks at a third location: courtside at the 2025 AO. CDMX’s mouth-watering birria tacos are a must, but don’t sleep on the battered barramundi or grilled pork belly varieties, either.
A1 Bakery
Image credit: A1 Bakery | S Schultz
This cult-favourite Lebanese bakery, cafe and Middle Eastern grocer has been loved by Melburnians for more than 30 years. Now, A1 Bakery is taking its cheap and cheerful baked goods to the AO’s Garden Square for the first time ever. Expect cheese-filled pastries, wraps, parcels, falafel bowls and tons more.
Good Days
Over at Melbourne Park’s western courts, you’ll find an appearance from a favourite among Brunswick vegans. Though not exclusively vegan, meat-free dishes are king at Good Days—a Sydney Road eatery offering fresh, tasty and authentic Vietnamese fare. Perfect for those sweltering days at the AO, ensure to swing by for a tangy vermicelli noodle salad packed with veggies, peanuts, fried shallots, spring rolls and your choice of protein.
Tennessee Wingboys
A new player has arrived in the Prahran dining scene. Tennessee Wingboys is the latest project by the chef behind South Yarra’s Atlas Dining, Charlie Carrington. Unlike the global influence at Atlas, however, the new High Street eatery serves as an ode to one specific region: Nashville, and its bustling hot chicken scene. If you’re eager to get your hands on a succulent fried chook burger, Tennesse Wingboys is also coming to the AO in 2025. Tuck into traditional (read: crispy, golden, spicy) Nashville-style hot chicken, plus burgers and snacks.
Piccolo Panini Bar
Image credit: Piccolo | Three Fold Social
There’s nothing like tucking into a hulking sanga while catching all of the Grand Slam action. In an AO first, Hawthorn's hole-in-the-wall panini joint Piccolo is serving up its widely revered Italian-style focaccias, including the return of the crowd-favourite meatball panino that’s just like Nonna’s. Piccolo regulars can also expect to see bestsellers like the house-crumbed chicken cotoletta sanga, the classic caprese, and of course, dolci for those with a sweet tooth.
El Jannah
Speaking of fried chicken, famous Lebanese-style fried chicken chain El Jannah is also coming to the AO’s main food arena—the Grand Slam Oval—with its perfectly cooked charcoal chicken burgers, wings, pickles, salads and more. While it's the chicken joint’s tennis debut, Melburnians will likely be familiar with the menu.
The Filipino Project
This mobile caterer has changed the food truck game with its offering of live fire barbecue cooking, catering and events—all made with love by Filipino couple John and Maria Viojan. Stop in between matches for delectable charcoal chicken skewers, empanadas, and other barbecued goods. Or, if you’re after something fresh amidst the heat, go for the green papaya salad.
Returning Favourites
D.O.C
Image credit: D.O.C | Three Fold Social
A slice of pizza al taglio by one of Carlton’s most famous pizza joints, D.O.C will be sure to hit the spot after a long day of watching the tennis. By-the-slice options will include San Daniele, Margherita and Soppressa varieties, or drop by for a caffeine pit stop between matches at D.O.C’s espresso bar.
Silk Spoon
Asian canteen-style dishes are the hero at chef Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook)’s casual CBD eatery, Silk Spoon. Returning to the AO in 2025, you can expect grab-and-go Eastern Asian snacks and dishes from Asian Canteen’ style dishes including Victor Liong’s famous dumplings, Kashgari chicken, and a Szechuan spiced calamari at the Grand Slam Oval.
Fishbowl
Cult Japanese-style salad chain Fishbowl has quickly become a lunch staple for punters across its Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and even New York outposts since its Bondi flagship was established in 2016. So, it comes as no surprise that it will be making a triumphant return at the AO next year. New to the Fishbowl craze? The ‘OG’ bowl is a surefire crowd pleaser, stacked with all the good stuff like salmon sashimi, shallots, kale, beets, red onion and edamame with a roasted sesame dressing, seaweed and tabiko. Perfect for a summer’s day.
Easey’s
Image credit: Easey's | Arianna Leggiero
Burgers from Collingwood-famous restaurant Easey’s are sure to be a hot commodity at the AO. Perched above five stories in a retro rooftop train carriage in Melbourne’s inner-north, punters come to Easey’s for the cool decor—and stay for the mouth-watering burgers. Here, it’s all about going back to basics. Think sweet buns, juicy beef patties, golden melted cheese and all the trimmings. We don’t know about you, but a burger paired with a frothy and a spot of tennis sounds like the perfect summer day out to us.
Stalactites
Melbourne institution Stalactites has proven it isn’t just for those late nights in the city. Another year of tennis and souvlakis is on the agenda next year and we can’t say we’re not pleased about it. Delectable, garlicky souvas are a must. But even something as simple as a Greek salad and a box of chippies is sure to hit the spot on a scorching hot day.
Honourable Mentions
There are plenty of other honourable mentions for the stacked food lineup at the AO’s premium sections (for those wanting something a lil fancy to go with their courtside experience). Starting with the Ballpark, social enterprise cafe All Things Equal is making its AO debut, staffed by an all-abilities workforce. Pies and family friendly dishes will also be on offer from one of the best pie shops in Melbourne (if we do say so ourselves): Coburg North’s Wonder Pies.
Over at the Glasshouse, renowned chef Brigitte Hafner is bringing a seasonal menu from her acclaimed Tedesca Osteria in Red Hill for the final week of the tournament; while chef Shimpei Raikuni will be on deck with Omakase-style dishes from Brisbane’s Sushi Room.
One of Melbourne’s most popular bars Nick and Nora’s will be slinging cocktails and other cold beverages, or for the ultimate premium experience, be sure to hit up Rockpool for a juicy steak.
What's On
It’s Not Just About The Tennis, What About The M&Ms
Image: M&Ms | Supplied
This is definitely a case of run, don’t walk—in an Australian-first there’s an entire store dedicated to M&Ms at the AO. If you’re a choccie diehard like us (peanut all the way, don’t talk to us crispy people) you can help yourself to M&Ms merch including personalised canisters, snap a photo with the M&Ms gang and best of all mix and match a your own combo including two dedicated Aus Open shades; pink and light blue, that were made specifically for the event in the Ballarat factory.
Complimentary Drinkies For AO Ticket Holders At Bougie South Yarra Bistro Omnia
625 Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141
South Yarra’s Modern-European bistro, Omnia is getting into the AO spirit by offering all ticket holders a complimentary drink. The selection includes: Estrella Lager, 2023 Famille Perrin Rosé or Roku Gin & Tonic.
AO Signature Cocktails At New Quarter
Ground Level/79 Swan Street, Richmond
Stretch the legs from Melbourne Park and cruise over to New Quarter with the perfect courtside-inspired treat, Aperol Ace. For Australian Open ticket holders, the signature cocktail is $12 and includes a refreshing mix of Aperol, gin, lemon, and rosemary syrup.
Try The World’s Fastest Growing Sport Melbourne-Style On A Rooftop
472 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Tennis, but make it cute. Everyone knows pickleball, you’ve heard the stories and the obsessions, not you can play for yourself from 10 January to 28 February. The Hilton court is open to the public where you can enjoy Sip & Serve Sessions featuring curated drinks, live tunes, and pickleball coaching on Wednesday evenings.
Enjoy The Games (And A Stein) On The Big Screen At Hofbräuhaus
18-28 Market Lane, Melbourne CBD
Catch all the Australian Open action at Hofbräuhaus. The crew are showing all the big matches in the Alpine Bar, where you can dive into some German classics like schnitzel, pork knuckle, currywurst, brezel sundaes and steins and there’s a happy hour every day from 4pm-6pm.
Where To Dine
For all of Melbourne's Best Restaurants, Best Restaurants In The CBD and Best Bars hit up those pages, otherwise we've curated some bangin' exclusive AO deals for you below nice and close to all the action.
Vinesmith
1 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Oh yeah, Vinesmith is a spot and it’s super accessible from Melbourne Park and the East End hotels, plus they’re slinging three lunch menus ranging from $49 up to $79 to indulge pre-game. Head in after and mop up those spirtzes with a three-course menu for $95 featuring a little taste of Europe, via Victoria’s foodbowls. They’ll also treat you to a private wine cellar tasting if you ask nicely.
Hochi Mama
Melbourne CBD & Richmond
Arguably Melbourne’s vibiest Vietnamese restaurant, Hochi Mama is serving us up an awesome Australian Open special, for just $59.50 enjoy a spritz, their feed me menu and dessert. There's one in Richmond and one in the CBD so you can trundle out of Melbourne Park and head either direciton.
Straight Outta Saigon
138 Russell St, Melbourne
Line the belly with Straight Outta Saigon’s special Saigon Social menu pre-match, all for $49 per person. Tuck into two smaller Vietnamese inspired dishes, two larger plates and one tasty side to top it off.
Australian Open Bars
Every year we're blown away by the bar offerings in Melbourne Park. We like to start with a martini at the dedicated Grey Goose Courtside Bar and then make our way over to the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar because we're bougie like that, but we'll leave your tipple up to you.
We've gotten in early with this guide and we'll continue to update it throughout January, but if you're hosting an event or have a bar organised for the Australian Open 2025, let us know at editormelb@theurbanlist.com and we'll include it. Back soon! x
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Image credit: D.O.C | Three Fold Social