It could be a quick refuel, it could a boozy business meeting, or perhaps sharing a meal to catch up, lunch is a sacred part of the day for many Melburnians.
No matter where you are around town, the lunch Melbourne options are almost dizzying, here's where to lock in your next one:
Babajan
CARLTON NORTH & CBD
A spot where the lunch crowds tend to flock is Babajan, its Middle-Eastern leaning spread includes a bountiful selection of flavoursome salads, sandwiches, their cult-favourite Borek as well as plenty of sweets.
Also, a top destination to stock up for a night's dinner if you're short on time, or perhaps grab something inspiring from the pantry section of the deli, from spices to preserved goods, pickles and more.
Saluministi
CBD, DOCKLANDS
Inspired by the panini shops in Italy, including the world-famous All’Antico Vinaio in Florence, co-owners and family Peter Mastro and Frank Bressi opened Saluministi back in 2016.
It has since expanded to a second store in Flinders Lane, and once you try the panini you’ll understand why it’s been so popular. Our personal lunch go-to is the porchetta roll, stuffed with slow-roasted pork, artichoke paste, pecorino and rocket, like all Italian cooking, it’s simple but packed with flavour.
Ca Com Bánh Mì Bar
RICHMOND
A departure from your conventional Vietnamese bakery, Ca Com is the joint venture of chefs JY Lee and Thi Le (Anchovy, Jeow) who have developed this outpost on Bridge Road to critical acclaim. It's not the cheapest banh mi in town but the options here are diverse, and the standards are truly life-changing. There is the revelatory crispy pork belly ($17) and charcoal-grilled turmeric chicken ($15).
Seoul Toast Bong
CBD
The Korean hot spot is an ideal cheap lunch Melbourne spot, the CBD diner serves up the famed K-Street Toast—two thick-cut slices of white bread that are grilled with an egg mix, topped with fillings, and toasted to perfection. You can opt from sangas like the beef Bulgogi with cheese ($10.50) or the fried chicken variation with bacon ($11.50)—you could even knock back both and still be under $25 for a feed—not bad at all.
Tsukiji Restaurant
PRAHRAN
Tsukiji Restaurant is one of High Street's best hole-in-the-wall spots, part Japanese grocer, part sashimi counter. For lunch, we recommend taking the bento boxes for a spin, choose from chicken teriyaki, flame salmon and king fish-themed boxes.
But there’s something to be said for their flame-seared sushi; flame salmon, flame scallop, flame eel and flame prawn. It’s a quick pick, pay and slice set up but the sushi is high quality.
N Tran
PRAHRAN
Also known as Chapel St’s best hangover cure, this banh mi is not your traditional sort. N Tran has opted for a softer rye roll over the Viet-French baguette. The fillings are Western-orientated too: think beetroot, cheddar cheese, sundried tomatoes and roasted mushrooms.
The purists will roll their eyes and dismiss N. Tran as a Southside cop-out, but we’re here to tell you these rolls are bloody tasty. One more thing: always go with the ‘pork sauce’. Pro-tip.
Terror Twilight
COLLINGWOOD
This friendly little corner resting cafe on Johnston Street has all the ingredients of a stellar cafe, their coffee is always on point, a delicious menu of hearty and healthy lunch options, and an all-star team always makes you feel right at home.
The light-filled space of Terror Twilight is considered one of top cafes for good reason, and it's always brimming with hungry punters sitting down to Melbourne lunch options with a cup of coffee in tow.
Very Good Falafel
BRUNSWICK
If a restaurant is confident enough to put it in the name, it’s promising that it will indeed be very good. You’ll probably never find it empty either, as Very Good Falafel has become a local favourite with some of the best vegetarian food on offer, although they do have a few meat options.
At only $13, their Falafel plate will satiate any lunch appetite and make sure you try out some of their fresh salads, all of which are vegan with some gluten-free options for good measure.
Hakata Gensuke
CBD, CARLTON, HAWTHORN
Offering serious bang for buck, Hakata Gensuke is a speciality ramen bar with shops in the CBD, Hawthorn and Carlton. Touted as some of the best ramen in Melbourne, the cost per bowl here is well within friendly budget territory with their staple umami-rich Tonkotsu ($22) with slow-cooked pork belly, or you could opt for the God Fire ($23.50) a spicy broth of noodles, chicken cha su and bamboo shoots.
Falco
COLLINGWOOD
There's a lot to like about Falco—baked goods a' plenty of salted peanut butter and miso cookies, cardamom buns to those hefty bear claws. Despite the onslaught of pastry, it's the lunch here that shines supreme, from the absolutely lauded chicken sanga in thick-cut sourdough to their mind-melting toasties which elevate even the simple ham and cheese to another level.
Industry Beans
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Now a household name across Melbourne's cafe scene, Industry Beans has spread its empire across the city with stores located at Chadstone, Fitzroy and the CBD. Their in-house coffee operation is top of the range and their food menu is just as bloody good. A no-brainer as a best spot for lunch in Melbourne.
Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam
CBD
One of the most storied restaurants on Swanston Street, Mekong is an institution, an unassuming giant—simply one of the best pho and top lunch spots in Melbourne. From your staple sliced beef ($18) to the incredibly char-grilled pork ($19) both options result in a hearty bowl of glistening soup with perfectly cooked noodles and a side plate of Vietnamese mint, bean shoots and lemon slices to garnish. Game. Set. Mekong.
Biang Biang
CBD
If you’re looking for some quality street food without a hefty price tag, then look no further than Biang Biang. Thick, hand-pulled noodles with various toppings are on the menu here, and boy do they do it well. You’re looking at lunchtime prices from as low as $11.80 for their cheapest option, which is the wide noodle topped with chilli oil, but if you want to splurge, their stewed pork or lamb only sets you back a measly ($20.50). They also serve up cold rice noodles ($13.80).
Cibi
COLLINGWOOD
This carefully curated warehouse space is home to two phenomenons: a stacked menu of breakfast and lunch options and the ultra-refined plant and homewares store. Cibi is an aesthetic-filled pleasure, with white-washed walls, plants all around, and Japanese-fused dishes like Miso-baked eggs, vegetable curries, udon noodle salads and more.
Shark Fin Inn
CBD & KEYSBOROUGH
Shark Fin really delivers the goods when it comes to lunch in Melbourne, their circling carts deliver plates of dim sim, spare ribs with black bean sauce, salt and pepper squid and more. For something a little different, try the fried taro dumpling or prawn puff. Their pork and peanut dumplings are a no-brainer, much like the prawn and sweet corn ones. If you are looking for a bigger dish, the beef-fried noodles are phenomenal.
Hinoki Japanese Pantry
CBD
Hinoki Japanese Pantry is Fitzroy’s local sushi bar and Japanese grocer. The range of sushi offered at Hinoki’s counter is beyond impressive. You certainly won’t be hard-pressed for lunch options with endless iterations of nigiri, inari, sashimi, maki and California rolls. You can also browse a wide range of Japanese snacks while you’re waiting, think green tea Kit Kats, pocky sticks, packaged teas and ramen.
Nico’s Sandwich Deli
FITZROY, BRUNSWICK & CBD
One of the real-go lunch Melbourne staples, Nico's and their deli sangas have the daytime trade dialled. The chicken schnitzel sandwich is every bit as good as it sounds with crispy panko crumbed thigh fillets—if you listen closely you can almost hear the crunch.
The meatball sub is another indulgent offering, complete with bone marrow and pecorino cheese. They even do ice cream sandwiches for when you’re in need of something sweet. We promise once you’ve tried Nico’s sandwiches, you’ll be going back for more.
Din Tai Fung
CBD
The hype was palpable when Din Tai Fung opened in our city. Hailed as some of the best yum cha outside of Asia, and certainly some of the best lunch Melbourne CBD has to offer, their dumplings are little bites of deliciousness.
Din Tai Fung’s standards are outrageously high, both in taste and presentation. They also have a pretty loaded menu, so if you’re not sure where to start try the spicy shrimp and pork wonton, Kung Pao chicken or shrimp and pork wonton noodles with a spicy sauce.
Rustica
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
This home to bread, sangas and baked treats on Chapel Street is so much more than your standard bakery. This impeccably designed 100-seat cafe is state of the art, Rustica’s wide glass window showcases all the magic happening behind the scenes of the baking process.
The open floor dining area allows you to soak up all this action whilst sampling the goods and putting back their in-house coffee, from sister store First Love.
Don Don
CBD, FOOTSCRAY & SOUTH MELBOURNE
As far as lunch in Melbourne has to offer, Don Don is up there. Authentic, and most importantly affordable Japanese, Don Don is a favourite with corporate office workers just as much as it is amongst students. With almost everything on the menu under $15 and generously portioned, Don Don is just about the best value-for-money CBD lunch option you will find.
Hella Good
CBD, CHADSTONE, FITZROY
It’s all there in the name, Hella Good’s Souvlakis are some of the best in the business. Committed to keeping things simple and dishing up some of the tastiest souvlaki in Melbourne, Hella Good has a range of different options, but it’s hard to pass up their marinated lamb ($16 )which is cut straight from the spit.
There's also the Hella Snack Pack with chicken giros, hot chips, pita and Tzatziki ($18) and even a vegan souvlaki option ($14) with vegetable fritter, house-made hommus and salad.
All Are Welcome
NORTHCOTE
Right at the entrance to High Street Northcote, All Are Welcome is another delicious hybrid cafe-bakery that is all the rage and for good reason. They’ve got seriously good coffee, organic bread, and a range of sweet pastries, sandwiches, and cakes that have propelled them to popularity within the region—and that's why this spot is considered one of the spots to head for lunch in Melbourne.
A1 Bakery
BRUNSWICK
Melbourne’s original Lebanese bakery, and Brunswick’s favourite destination for cheap eats. Almost everything on the menu at A1 is around $10, but our favourite is the chicken Tawouk wrap: marinated chicken, hot chips, pickled vegetables, coleslaw and garlic, wrapped and toasted for $10.50.
Soi 38
CBD
In 2022, Soi 38 is a quintessentially Melbourne restaurant. They serve world-class street food, the noodles are $15, and it’s hidden away in a car park. Their specialty is Thai Boat Noodles, a traditional dish that is packed full of flavour with vermicelli noodles, meat and an intricately made broth.
It’s designed to be eaten with chopsticks in one hand and a spoon in another, so you can eat the noodles followed immediately by the broth. Be prepared to wait during the lunchtime rush though, for everyone who’s come across Soi 38 it’s a favourite.
Monk Bodhi Dharma
BALACLAVA
Just off the hustle and bustle of Carlisle Street Monk Bodhi Dharma is a unique gem in Melbourne’s cafe scene. With a plant-based menu and an extensive list of coffee from beans all over the globe and roasted on-site, Monk’s is one of the top lunch in Melbourne for vegan options and speciality coffee.
Hector’s Deli
RICHMOND, SOUTH MELBOURNE, FITZROY
When Hector’s Deli opened in Buckingham Street, some people wondered if anyone would notice. Buckingham Street is not exactly Times Square. How good could these sandwiches really be? Turns out: very good.
People queue on Sunday mornings for the Chicken Schnitty, which has become Hector’s signature stack. One crumbed free-range chicken schnitzel, homemade tarragon butter, iceberg lettuce and ‘secret mayo’ (probably aioli) on a steamed white bap.
Tivoli Road Bakery
SOUTH YARRA
Formerly known as MoVida Bakery (and owned by Frank Camorra), head baker Michael James has took the thriving South Yarra business under his wing some years ago, and now in 2023, Tivoli Road is considered one of Melbourne’s best bakeries.
The artisan-inspired pastries and breads are baked fresh before your very eyes; many visit for golden pies and sausage rolls, meanwhile the sweet tooths will have a field day getting down on the likes of eclairs, cookies, lemon curd-filled doughnuts and more.
Burnside
FITZROY
Gracing the intersection of Smith and Gertrude Street, this quaint corner resting cafe is constantly swollen with a flock of caffeine enthusiasts. Burnside is the daily ritual of many and its good-vibe atmosphere and exceptionally quick pulling of espresso have cemented it as one of the best cafes Melbourne has on offer.
There are a few chairs and tables inside and out the front to park up and sample the goods which include espresso and filter options alongside a tidy selection of baked goods, sangas and cookies.
Kudo
CBD
A mere hole-in-the-wall of the heritage-listed Windsor Hotel, Kudo is the new CBD artisan bakery specialising in gluten-free bread and baked goods. Inside Kudo, there's a previously unimaginable selection of gluten-free treasures, be it a matcha-infused canalé, pomelo chiffon cake, cream-filled choux pastry or even a pull-apart Mars Bar-style cookie with wattleseed.
As impressive as the baked goods are, it's the bread here that's the star— foremostly the sourdough. For anyone who has sampled GF bread, it's an easy read on why it's landed itself into the best lunch in Melbourne list.
Hugo’s Deli
RICHMOND
Opening at the end of 2021, Hugo’s Deli has quickly become a local fave in Richmond. In fact, if you’re on Swan Street pretty much anytime before 2:30 pm, you’ll notice a crowd of people standing out front for lunch.
Hugo’s is all about New York and Japanese-style sandwiches served alongside specialist coffee, exactly the combo that Melburnians love. For order the fried chicken. It’s freshly crumbed daily and fried to order, and is served on Shokupan bread with plenty of sauce, pickles and cheese.
Sunny’s Bakery
COLLINGWOOD
If you live near Smith Street, you’re either Team N-Lee, Team Sunny’s or Team Trang. The three Vietnamese bakeries are very similar. All three do cheap bread, grilled meat and sandwiches and churn out some of the best banh mi on an industrial scale.
Which one you favour is down to personal taste. For us, it's too close to call. Sunny's bread has that classic crust, the grilled pork is always juicy, and they go heavy on the carrot, grilled onions and coriander—it's practically a Melbourne lunch ritual.
Check out more of Melbourne's best:
Best restaurants in Melbourne
Best gluten-free restaurants in Melbourne
Best bars in Melbourne
Image credit: Falco (supplied)