Footscray might be considered out of the way to some, but it’s home to many of the city’s best kept food secrets. Whether you live in the area, are travelling through, or nowhere near, it’s full of authentic cuisines and under-the-radar menus that you’ll want to add to your must-eat list.
From iconic Ethiopian joints oozing hospitality to exclusive Japanese fine dining eateries, Footscray restaurants are serving up culinary delights like nowhere else in the city.
Footscray Restaurants At A Glance
- Best Cheap & Cheerful Restaurants In Footscray
- Best Casual Dining Restaurants In Footscray
- Best Footscray Restaurants That Will Impress
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Without further ado, here are the best restaurants Footscray has to offer in 2025, according to Urban List.
Best Cheap & Cheerful Footscray Restaurants
Slice Shop
101 Nicholson Street Mall, Footscray
Image: Slice Shop | Supplied
Deep in the heart of Footscray adorned in the native colours of red, white, and blue, Slice Shop is the little corner store serving up large slices of NYC-inspired pizza. The neon-lit sign out front is a shining beacon for the 18-inch pizza pies which you can tackle by the slice or in full. The menu features plenty of staples from a spicy meatball with provolone to a classic pepperoni. There's even a vegan option with tomato, braised eggplant, olives and capers.
INSIDER INTEL
- They do delivery Friday to Sunday, and it’s free if you buy two or more pizzas.
- Weekly specials involve creations like Palak Pizza, featuring a spinach curry base topped with mozzarella and goat cheese.
- There’s a few seats available, but we recommend eating your pizza with a beer in hand at neighbouring Mr West (you can get it delivered straight to your table).
Ollie’s Deli
7/158 Barkly Street, Footscray
Melbourne loves a sandwich moment. For some of the best sangas in the west, head to Ollie’s Deli, where the pastrami is Insta-worthy and the BFC (buttermilk fried chicken) will hit right where you want it. Located on the well-loved Barkly Street, Ollie’s welcoming green signage and delicious coffee supplied by Industry Beans makes for the perfect stopover.
INSIDER INTEL
- Add a side for $3, we recommend the pickles or potato crisps (or both).
- The truffle cheese melt is the incredibly impressive vegetarian option.
- Baked goods on offer, for a post-sandwich sweet treat.
Xuan Anh Banh Cuon
194/81 Hopkins Street, Footscray
Northern Vietnamese flavours are on the menu at Xuan Anh Banh Cuon, and we couldn't be more here for it. Located inside Footscray Market, there’s a spotlight on steamed rice rolls (of which there is a huge array) but you can also order plenty of noodle soups, spring rolls, and sticky rice. It’s cheap, cheerful, delicious, and the portions are generous. What more could you want? There are lots of Vietnamese restaurants in Footscray but this one stands out.
INSIDER INTEL
- Pair your meal with an iced Vietnamese coffee or coconut juice.
- Expect to pay $10 to $20 for a meal.
- The meatloaf is a big crowd favourite.
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Best Casual Dining In Footscray
Ras Dashen
247 Barkly Street, Footscray
The service is as good as the food at Ras Dashen, the Ethiopian restaurant that welcomes you with a smile and an abundance of delicious dishes to try. The injera bread is a must, and you can wash it down with Ethiopian beer or coffee depending on your mood. There’s a reason locals keep coming back for seconds and there are plenty of vego-friendly meals to satisfy your whole table. This bustling and joyful joint is one of the best restaurants Footscray has to offer.
INSIDER INTEL
- Unsure where to start with the menu? The staff are more than happy to offer recommendations.
- There are set menu options for groups of four or more.
- Open from 12:45pm to 9:30pm, and closed Monday and Tuesday.
Sapa Hills
112 Hopkins Street, Footscray
Image: Sapa Hills Restaurant Footscray | Supplied
Sapa Hills is South East Asian cuisine at its finest. With flavours from Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, and more, you can expect menu offerings like crispy teriyaki fish, red chicken curry, bun cha, and pho. The spring rolls are actually phenomenal. And the prawn toast is a big favourite, topped with a thick layer of sesame seeds ready for you to dunk into chili lime mayonnaise.
INSIDER INTEL
- Those with dietaries are welcomed, with plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options.
- The cocktails are terrific, try the soju martini or the jalapeno coconut margarita.
- Speaking of cocktails, they’re half price every Friday from 5pm to 6:3opm.
Papelón
190/81 Hopkins Street, Footscray
Image: Papelón Restaurant Footscray | Supplied
This authentic Latin American restaurant in Footscray is serving up flavour, tradition and community. Papelón is your new go-to when you want deliciously heart-warming, belly-filling food in a wholesome joint. On the menu think tequeños (crunchy pastry filled with halloumi), all sorts of tasty arepas, empanadas, and sancocho (which could be described as Latin American ramen).
INSIDER INTEL
- Get all you can eat tacos on Monday night for $45.
- Wash it all down with a Venezuelan beer to achieve 100% contentedness.
- The portion sizes are big, make sure you come hungry.
Best Footscray Restaurants That Will Impress
Bar Thyme
227 Barkly Street, Footscray
For a cute night out with someone special, Bar Thyme is the place to go. Another Barkly Street haunt for 2025’s hall of fame, you’ll instantly feel at home at this Footscray restaurant, featuring an intriguing vinyl collection and craft spirits to tempt you all night long. The food menu is seasonal, changing weekly or sometimes even daily. But you can expect dishes like anchovy toast with confit leek, smoked duck breast with roast quince, and truffled cauliflower cheese. Plus, a chef with Movida on his resumé? Sold.
INSIDER INTEL
- The wine list is fab, featuring natural wines by small producers.
- Thursday is steak night.
- Get the six course tasting menu for $85 per person.
Matsu
275 Barkly Street, Footscray
Image: Matsu Japanese Restaurant Footscray | Supplied
Matsu is an intimate place. It’s one for the special occasions, even if the special occasion is simply that you managed to get a seat at Matsu. What started as a four seater restaurant, now fits up to 12 guests, setting the scene for an exclusive experience. Head chef and owner Hansol Lee spent 10 years at Melbourne CBD’s Japanese fine dining restaurant, Kenzan. Lee has curated a kaiseki dining experience, which involves a structured set menu of multiple seasonal courses. It's not just the best Japanese restaurant Footscray has to offer, but one of the very best Footscray restaurants full stop.
INSIDER INTEL
- The set menu comes in at $265 per person, plus $95 for the sake pairing.
- There’s a rolling booking system, where new bookings open every two weeks for the following two week period.
- Matsu has been awarded a Good Food Hat for the past two years.
Main Image Credit: Matsu | Supplied
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