Australia is a melting pot for various cuisines from all over the world. Many foods with distinct flavours, numerous ingredients, and cooking styles are blended into the native cuisine, making it today a multicultural experience.
The country’s cuisines borrowed many traditional ingredients from different cultures and fused them in their own unique way into their own dishes. The legacy of those cultures stayed and manifested in restaurants, eateries, bars, and other food establishments.
Fortunately, you don’t have to travel all across Australia to witness this diversity in cultural cuisines. Melbourne itself is home to some of these hand-picked food experiences that you must try.
Transported Back To Ancient China At Panda Hot Pot
As you enter through the grand staircase at Panda Hot Pot located in Carlton, it feels like being transported back to ancient China! You will get to enjoy your evening with a spicy bowl of Sichuan under a grand steel dragon above; it feels like floating at the top. Sip and slurp rich, spicy, and flavourful broth with 80+ ingredient options!
Where To Find: 100 Victoria Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053
Visit To Learn More: pandahotpot.com.au/
Feel A Bit Mediterranean On Ponyfish Island
Experience a near-Mediterranean experience in a ship-shaped bar under a bridge over the Yarra River. Find Ponyfish Island once you get off the pedestrian bridge after a spiral staircase, somewhere between Flinders Street Station and Southbank.
Pick from their handful of menu selections, perhaps a four-cheese pizza or ½ dozen oysters with a cocktail. Or just snack on their chilli peanuts with a beer can while enjoying the view of Melbourne’s skyline.
Where To Find: Underneath Evan Walker Bridge, Southbank, 3006
Visit To Learn More: www.ponyfishisland.com.au/
Awaken Your Inner Viking In Mjolner Fine Dining
This is a must-visit food experience for anyone who is into Vikings! Mjolner is a fine-dining restaurant and bar located on Hardware Street, inspired by Viking culture and a nod to Norse mythology.
It feels like having a feast in a large hall, like the Vikings used to after wars. You will see carvery selections with custom-carved knives and drinks from the horns of the beer, whiskey, or other cocktail from their menu. This one is an indulgent dining and drinking experience to not miss in Melbourne.
Where To Find: Ground Floor, 106 Hardware Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Visit To Learn More:mjolner.com.au/melbourne/
A Classic Italian Dining Experience In Melbourne
Grossi Florentino is one of the oldest restaurants in Melbourne. It offers a classic Italian dining experience. You won’t find many such restaurants in Melbourne, where they open your door for you, hang your jacket, greet you, pull out a chair for you, and fold a napkin across your lap.
With more fast food chains, such as chivalrous mannerisms, restaurants are rare to come across. It was opened in 1928 and received a contemporary makeover in 2013. There is also a Florentino Grill upstairs and a Cellar Bar down the street, which you will love to experience.
Treat yourself to their Gran Tour Menu, an exquisite five-course set menu complemented with the finest wines from Australia, France, and Italy. Such meals you would want to stay with lingering over hours, so better to visit around midday.
Where To Find: 80 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
Visit To Learn More:florentino.com.au/
Relish A Family Dinner At A Traditional Russian Restaurant
In addition to other cuisines and cultural foods intersecting in Australia, one unique and lesser-known restaurant is the Nevksky Russian Restaurant, which serves authentic Russian Cuisine.
Prepare to devour a 10-course Degustation dinner along with drinks made on premises by the Russian Chef. You will go through a whole culinary journey, including fresh seafood, red caviar, king prawns, main courses, desserts, and, obviously, vodka!
This is great for couples and families to experience, especially if you’ve already tried so many popular Middle Eastern and Asian restaurants and Burger joints and want to explore something less explored.
Where To Find: 476 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick VIC 3185, Australia
Visit To Learn More:nevsky.com.au/
Lay Low At Japanese-Inspired Underground Bar & Eatery
The perfect spot to escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of Melbourne and lay low is this underground bar and eatery named Ototo. With dim lighting and comfortable couch booths, it is an ideal spot for groups to dine in and enjoy Asian-inspired cocktails, Tapas, and snacks.
Do keep in mind that their kitchen closes at 10pm, so no food is served after that. However, you can enjoy the drinks as long as the bar remains open.
Where To Find: Underground 349-351 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, 3000
Visit To Learn More: ototo.com.au/
Have A Mouthfeel Cheeseburger at Butcher’s Diner
Perhaps the most delicious cheeseburger in Australia can be found at Butcher’s Diner! You can get a mouth-feel premium burger, even at midnight. This eatery is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, in Melbourne.
They have a meat-centric menu with more carnivorous appeal, leaning towards European cuisine with some fusion of America, Japan, and China.
Where To Find: 10 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Visit To Learn More: butchersdiner.com/
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