Did you know around 400,000 people are expected to drop into the Melbourne Royal Show between Thursday, 25 September and Sunday, 5 October?
Over eleven days, thrill seekers scream their lungs out on carnival rides while others are there to pat the cute and cuddly farm critters (yep, there’s 6000 animals on site, holy cow).
On top of that you’ll be able to catch an illusionist, nightly fireworks, live music, a new equine display (Night of the Horse) and the Little Farmers Field where you dig up veggies or pretend to shear sheep. Of course, there’s more than 400 different showbags. Duh.
But for us, and for many others, it’s a day spent gorging on fairground fare. As Melbourne Royal Show’s Sam Buckley says, “Melbourne is a city built on foodie culture and we look to offer the best at the Show.”
“It also gives a fantastic opportunity to local businesses to showcase their offerings and build their profile and reputation.”
There are fresh delicacies, treats and cheap eats this year—with more than 84 different food outlets, each guaranteeing a $10 or less option.
Wonder Pies
Image: Wonder Pies | Supplied
Wonder Pies was born when fine-dining chef Ray Capaldi went in search of change, wanting to create something meaningful and delicious.
The first of the pies arrived in late 2018. Now, Wonder Pies is dishing out some of the best fillings in the biz.
“It’s all about chef-led production, small-batch flavour, crafted with care and attention to detail,” Capaldi says.
It’s a given that crowd favourite—the Lasagna Pie (a layered, oozy, bechamel and beef ragu dream)—is on the menu at the showgrounds.
Other flavours include the Lamb and Saltbush Pie and the Mushroom and Cheese Pie.
This year, an additional offering is the Marry Me Chicken Pie, which beat five thousand entries in a local comp. Best of all? All pies are just 10 bucks. Winner.
Stay tuned for more. Ray and his hard-working team have just wrapped testing on new flavours like Char Sui Sausage Roll, Chicken Lemon Myrtle Pie, Duck and Pepper berry Pie and Osso Bucco and Polenta Pie.
More of Melbourne's best pies over this way.
Son In Law
It’s cuteness overload as the CBD’s Son In Law turns up at the Good Fortune Garden with its cartoon and character-inspired bao buns.
The trio running the place has been in hospo for 13 years and spends days creating adorable hand-crafted characters on some of the fluffiest and most flavourful bao buns in town.
There’s savoury (roast duck, fried chicken, tofu) and sweet (Nutella banana, crunchy Biscoff, egg custard). And for extra fad fun–Labubu-themed bao buns are making an appearance.
For more on the Labubu fad, and where to get yours if you're playing catch-up, head this way.
The Farmer’s BBQ
Hard to beat a sausage sizzle, between 11am and 2pm daily, charging a mere $3.50 per sanga.
It’s a perfect stomach liner for a massive day out at the Show. It’s community-minded too, with sausage sizzle proceeds supporting drought relief via the Victorian Farmers Federation.
LA Looops
Image: LA Loops | Supplied
Fresh to the Show is LA Looops bringing funnel cakes—a deep-fried pastry made by pouring pancake-like batter through a funnel to form a criss-cross pattern and dropped into piping hot oil.
The end result is a crispy, golden-hued creation typically smothered in icing sugar, fresh fruit, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and so on. The aim is to “create desserts as photogenic as they are delicious.”
Flavours include Dubai Chocolate, Hot Honey Chipotle Chicken, Cookie Crunch, Cinnamon Churro Biscoff and Berries and Cream.
Tennessee Wingboys
Cult-fave Tennessee Wingboys love a major event, last popping up at the Aussie Tennis Open Tennis. Top chef Charlie Carrington is bringing his quality fast food, in the shape of Nashville hot chicken, to the Eat Street precinct.
As Tennessee Wingboys professes—“bold flavours, house-cut fries and Southern vibes. Y’all ready to wing it?”
Banh Mi Runner
Image: Banh Mi Runner | Supplied
Jenny Nguyen, who started Bánh Mi Runner last year, shares the flavours of her childhood with Melbourne, recalling the delectable Bánh Mí she would devour for breakfast before heading to school.
In her Show debut, Jenny assures all dishes are nut-free—and the special, extra rich sauce is made from roast pork dripping—no hoisin or bottled sauces in sight.
And if you're chasing a banhi mi day to day these are Melbourne's best.
Toastie Combo
The Gourmet Pantry and Cellar is about sampling everything from cheese to condiments, candied fruit through to artisanal charcuterie and chocolate. There’s also a range of tipples from fine wines through to stronger spirits.
It’s also where you find a milkshake and toastie combo for ten bucks at the PURA Milk Bar.
Hot Drinks
Image: St Remio | Supplied
Speaking of beverages, St Remio, marking a decade of bringing ethically sourced coffee to our shores, steps it up with a signature innovation to the Mont Blanc—a 21-hour steeped cold brew topped with a coffee cloud (whipped, velvety coffee cream).
Or you can just order a coffee cloud creamy indulgence on its own.
Kariton
Another newcomer, also at the Good Fortune Garden, is Kariton (Footscray, Glen Waverley and Chinatown) serving Filipino gelato, sorbet and desserts.
And as they scoop vibrant purple-hued artisanal gelato—the ube halaya (purple yam jam gelato), Kariton poses the pointed question—is ube the next matcha?
More gelato and ice cream recs over here.
Bonus Classic Feeds For Under $10
- Twistto Stick: A Korean style, hand-cut, fried potato, twisted and stretched to around 35 centimetres.
- Burn City Smokers: Mac & Cheese
- La Mano: Quesadilla—a stuffed tortilla cooked on a griddle
- 48 Hour Gnocchi: Arancini balls (x2)
- Naval’s Eats: Pancakes and ice cream (x4)
- El’s Fried Chicken: Popcorn chicken on a stick
- Greek Trojan Truck: Chicken yiros wrap with salad or chips
- Gass’d: Cheesy Garlic Calzone
To pre-book your tickets or for more info, head over to the show website. Melbourne Royal Show runs from Thursday, 25 September and Sunday, 5 October at the Melbourne Showgrounds in Flemington.
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Image credit: Royal Melbourne Show | Supplied
Words: Necia Wilden