Melbourne Food Trail 2022

Melbourne Food Trail 2022

These were the places we visited and ate at, as regular paying customers, on the Melbourne Food Trail 2022 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Day 1
Hungry Jack's
Pie Thief
Ink-Redible Calamari
Merrywell Burger Bar

Day 2
Golden Mug Cafe
Man Tong Kitchen Express
Zero Gradi
The Mitre Tavern

Day 3
Union Kiosk
Hunky Dory
Flinders Kebab
Supper Inn

Day 4
Rustica
San Churro
Kwafood Fried Chuan
Hills BBQ Noodle Shop

Day 5
South Melbourne Market
Aptus Seafoods
Small Town Pie Co. Pie Shop
Mama Tran Dumpling

Day 6
Bratwurst Shop & Co
American Doughnut Kitchen
Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens
Europa Cake Shop
Ling Nan Restaurant

Day 7
Studio Coffee
Top Paddock

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Day 1
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Hungry Jack's
@ Ground Floor CS-14, Southern Cross Station, 99 Spencer Street, Docklands, Melbourne, Victoria 3008, Australia
Opening Hours: Fri - Mon 7am – 11pm, Tue - Thu 7am – 10pm
https://www.hungryjacks.com.au/

Slept right through the flight, and after clearing the airport, headed straight to town. Got off at Southern Cross Station, and was feeling a little peckish by then, though it was still early in the morning. Spotted this branch of Hungry Jack's, the Australian version of Burger King, which happens to be among the list of eating places I intended to visit. Hooray for Hungry Jack's!

Ambience at this branch of Hungry Jack's is aging and a little unclean, not quite the standard I would expect. Service at this branch of Hungry Jack's is mostly transactional, with little engagement. Food at Hungry Jack's is American style fast food, with some local Australian renditions. Ordering is via kiosks, and portion sizes are medium to large for individuals.

Hungry Jack's, Southern Cross Station Branch Facade

The Egg & Bacon Roll (AUD $5.95), also known as Jack's Brekky Roll, has fluffy soft burger bread rolls, and sandwiched within, is a slice of thick chewy pork back bacon, fluffy fried egg, and gooey cheddar cheese, dressed with rich barbecue sauce. Their egg & bacon roll has a bold meaty salty sweet savoury sour tangy eggy cheesy flavour, is slightly greasy but rather satisfying. Decent enough, and it provided good energy for me to lug baggage around for the next 20 minutes. Worth ordering!

Egg & Bacon Roll (AUD $5.95)

Egg & Bacon Roll

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Pie Thief
@ 297 Barkly Street, Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria 3011, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30am – 3pm, Sat - Sun 10am – 4pm
https://piethief.com.au/

Founded by craft beer proprietor Aaron Donato and ex-Supernormal Head Chef Scott Blomfield in June 2019, the tiny cheerily colourful Pie Thief shop has since grown to be rated among the best for serving meat pie in Melbourne, Australia. Their mascot, a misty-eyed little monster longing for meat pies, adorns the stall signs, their packaging, and even the rags-to-riches book their success story has spawned. I was eager to visit Pie Thief, and headed straight over here after completing check-in at the hotel.

Ambience at Pie Thief is rustic and casual, with a handful of outdoor al-fresco seats sheltered with large umbrellas. Most folks order takeaway. Service at Pie Thief is friendly and engaging, I appreciate that they helped heat up my order, fresh from the oven. Food at Pie Thief is focused on Australian style meat pies, with a good range of traditional and modern flavours. Portions are nicely sized for individuals, their pies are about palm-sized with a generous amount of filling within.

Pie Thief Facade

Pie Thief Sign

Pie Thief Menu

Display Of Pies

Pie Packaging

Ordered the classic Meat Pie Beef Steak & Cheese (AUD $8). Roughly palm-sized, the crust is fragile puff pastry made with cultured butter, crisp and flaky with excellent structure that holds the filling well, lending beautiful buttery sweet savoury flavour. Within the meat pie, chunks of tender beef steak, tender diced carrots, oozy cheddar cheese, and a rich meat gravy with herbs and spices, combines for a robust meaty savoury vegetal sweet cheesy salty spice flavour, yum. A gold standard, I can see why it's award-winning. Highly recommended!

Meat Pie Beef Steak & Cheese (AUD $8)

Meat Pie Beef Steak & Cheese

Meat Pie Beef Steak & Cheese

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Ink-Redible Calamari
@ 20 Booker Street, Spotswood, Melbourne, Victoria 3015, Australia
Opening Hours: Fri 5pm – 10pm, Sat 12pm – 10pm, Sun 12pm – 9pm, Closed Mon - Thu
https://ink-rediblecalamari.com.au/

Dropped by Grazeland Melbourne since I was nearby and it was open – this was the only opportunity I had to visit this weekend food fair. Grazeland Melbourne features over 50 F&B stalls, along with live music and a great view of the bay, and is pet-friendly. After walking around a bit, decided to try the Ink-Redible Calamari kiosk. This family-run business started from a food truck in May 2017, before they settled in Grazeland Melbourne with a permanent kiosk in October 2020. My curiosity was piqued observing the long constant queue at Ink-Redible Calamari, so I decided to join and place an order.

Ambience at Ink-Redible Calamari is bright and attractive, drawing a near constant queue. They are a pure takeaway kiosk, without dedicated seating, though Grazeland Melbourne does have common seating areas. The raised open kitchen allows you to observe staff busy preparing orders. Service at Ink-Redible Calamari is friendly and casual, staff helpfully walk you through the order, and their ticketing system is clear and organised (though order numbers may not be called in sequence). Food at Ink-Redible Calamari is Italian cuisine, focused on hand breaded calamari squid rings served in various ways. Portions are large, and are best shared.

Grazeland Melbourne

Tiger Beer Mural

Ink-Redible Calamari Facade

No regrets trying the Salt & Pepper Calamari Squid (AUD $16), this is among the best I've ever had. Their rendition of salt & pepper calamari squid has thick-cut, bouncy calamari squid rings with a light chew, coated in a house special batter of all-purpose flour, salt, white pepper, and thyme, which is light and crisp. Has lovely sweet savoury salty spice herbal flavour, very addictive. Served with a lemon wedge for a splash of tangy zesty sour notes. Serving portion size is generous, and you can opt to add-on sauces as well, though I feel this is tasty enough on its own. Highly recommended!

Salt & Pepper Calamari Squid (AUD $16)

Salt & Pepper Calamari Squid

Salt & Pepper Calamari Squid

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Merrywell Burger Bar
@ Ground Floor, Crown Entertainment Complex, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria 3006, Australia
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 12pm – 9pm, Fri - Sat 12pm – 10pm
https://www.crownhotels.com.au/melbourne/restaurants-bars/the-merrywell

I'd wanted to visit Merrywell Burger Bar since 2018, but didn't have the opportunity to, so I was looking forward to visiting this time. The award-winning Merrywell Burger Bar offers a range of classic American-style burgers and some unique Australian burger creations, courtesy of Chef Daniel Wilson, in a decidedly casual-diner setting overlooking the bustling Clarendon Steet and the calm Yarra River. Also, the design of their logo with the arches seems, hmm...

Ambience at Merrywell Burger Bar is relaxing and lovely, with their plush comfortable sofa seats, high ceiling, and large windows with views. Service at Merrywell Burger Bar seems purely transactional, staff seldom engage with customers, serving orders to tables without a word or a smile, most unusual. The exception is when they receive guests at the door, but even this is inconsistent. Food at Merrywell Burger Bar is American and Australian cuisine, with a focus on burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, and cocktails. Quality is fantastic, and portions are large and generous for individuals.

Merrywell Burger Bar Exterior

Merrywell Burger Bar Interior

Merrywell Burger Bar Menu

I like how their Soft Drink Coca-Cola Zero With Lemon (AUD $4.60) features a slice of lemon in the soft drink coca-cola zero, lending a refreshing tangy zesty sour note to the herbal sweet flavours of the beverage. Good!

Soft Drink Coca-Cola Zero With Lemon (AUD $4.60)

The Cocktail Rummageddon (AUD $23) is essentially a Baron Samedi Spiced Old Fashioned Cocktail, a blend of aged dark rum, cinnamon syrup, and falernum syrup (lime, cloves, ginger, almond), garnished with orange zest and served over ice. This has potent fruity boozy sweet spice flavour, stiff and strong. Good!

Cocktail Rummageddon (AUD $23)

The Beer Battered Onion Rings (AUD $5) feature thick cut juicy white onion rings, coated in a light and crisp beer batter infused all-purpose flour. Seasoned with salt, these beer battered onion rings have an intense vegetal sweet salty spice flavour, but it was overly intense for me. Could be improved.

Beer Battered Onion Rings (AUD $5)

Beer Battered Onion Rings

Loved the Fries (AUD $4) here, with the medium cut strips of potato fries having a fluffy crisp bite to texture, and good starchy salty savoury flavour. A reliable and satisfying option. Good!

Fries (AUD $4)

Fries

The Hot Dog - "Brat Dog" (AUD $14) features soft fluffy hot dog buns, filled with a large juicy snappy pork bratwurst sausage, dressed with crunchy pickled gherkins, soft caramelised white onions, juicy sauerkraut, creamy yellow mustard, and rich tomato ketchup. Bite in, and you get a big messy mouthful full of smoky meaty salty savoury vegetal sweet sour tangy spice bready flavour. Excellent, would come back for this hot dog. Highly recommended!

Hot Dog - "Brat Dog" (AUD $14)

Hot Dog

Hot Dog

Hot Dog

The Burger With The Lot - "Aussie Deluxe" (AUD $17) is a visual treat for the eyes, and a gastronomic delight for the palate. A classic Australian burger with the lot, with fluffy soft sesame burger buns, stacked high with a thick juicy tender Angus beef patty, chewy smoked pork back bacon, soft fried egg, crisp iceburg lettuce, juicy tomato, tender beetroot, juicy pineapple ring, oozy cheddar cheese, crunchy dill pickles, rich smoky barbecue sauce, and creamy mustard aioli. Too large to get it all in a single mouthful, this burger with the lot has beautiful smoky meaty savoury salty vegetal sweet sour tangy spice fruity cheesy flavour. Super shiok, will order again. Highly recommended!

Burger With The Lot - "Aussie Deluxe" (AUD $17)

Burger With The Lot

Burger With The Lot

Burger With The Lot

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Day 2
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Golden Mug Cafe
@ Ground Floor, Novotel Melbourne Central, 399 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 5:30am – 6pm, Sat - Sun 7:30am – 3:30pm
https://golden-mug-cafe.square.site/

The Golden Mug Cafe was directly below the Novotel Melbourne Central hotel I was in, and I observed it to be fairly popular, with a good number of people stopping by in the morning to grab breakfast and coffee. Decided to try dining at the Golden Mug Cafe myself, it seems to be an under-the-radar sort of place which locals frequent.

Ambience at Golden Mug Cafe is cozy and rustic, with furnishings closely packed together in the small area. Service at Golden Mug Cafe is cheerful and polite, with staff happily working to fulfill orders. Food at Golden Mug Cafe has both Italian and Australian cuisine influences, making use of fresh ingredients. Portions are nicely sized for individuals.

Golden Mug Cafe Exterior

Golden Mug Cafe Interior

Golden Mug Cafe Seating

The Coffee Magic (AUD $5), a double ristretto shot pulled into a 160 ml cup, then topped up with steamed milk, has a good strength of body without being overly milky, carrying fragrant aroma of roasted coffee beans. With a smoky earthy flavour, their version of coffee magic here is pretty good. Worth ordering!

Coffee Magic (AUD $5)

Coffee Magic

Their Banana Bread (AUD $4.50) was comforting and filling, with a dense fluffy soft texture and robust buttery fruity bready sweet flavour. Can taste the notes of ripe bananas within their banana bread, nice. Good!

Banana Bread (AUD $4.50)

Banana Bread

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Man Tong Kitchen Express
@ Ground Floor, Crown Entertainment Complex, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria 3006, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 11pm
https://mantongkitchen.com.au/

The quick-service kiosk of the renowned fine dining restaurant establishment, Man Tong Kitchen Express is located in the food court near its more esteemed sibling. At Man Tong Kitchen Express, you get more casual dining fare, with a good range of stir-frys. Took a break from work and dropped in to visit Man Tong Kitchen Express for lunch.

Ambience at Man Tong Kitchen Express is shared with the rest of the food court, which means communal seating and warm lights. The array of dishes on display look so attractive behind the glass panel. Service at Man Tong Kitchen Express is helpful and patient, staff provide clear explanations on the ordering process and demonstrate good product knowledge of the dishes. Food at Man Tong Kitchen Express is Chinese cuisine, with a focus on stir-frys and deep-fried items. Portions are large and generous for individuals, even their small plate serving is sufficiently filling.

Man Tong Kitchen Express Facade

Economy Rice Small Plate (AUD $17)

Economy Rice Small Plate

By all means, these are well-executed Dim Sim (AUD $2.80), not overly greasy, with a crisp crunchy dumpling skin exterior, and a tender moist filling on the interior. The minced pork and cabbage carry decent meaty savoury sweet salty vegetal earthy flavour, though the texture is a little too soft for my liking. Personally, I can't quite accept the flavour of this dim sim.

Dim Sim (AUD $2.80)

Dim Sim

Dim Sim

The Honey Chicken (AUD $5.70) here has meaty strips of boneless chicken, coated in a flour batter and dunked in a blend of sweet and sour sauce with honey. With a crisp tender bite to texture, and lovely sweet sour floral flavour, the honey chicken was more appealing than I'd anticipated. Worth ordering!

Honey Chicken (AUD $5.70)

Honey Chicken

I like their rendition of Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers (AUD $5.70). The strips of beef are tender with a light chew, the white onions are soft with a gentle crunch, and the bell peppers / capsicum have a satisfying crunchy juicy texture. All of it is enhanced by the rich thick beef gravy with black beans and black pepper, lending meaty salty savoury vegetal earthy peppery spice flavour. A pretty worthy rendition of stir-fried beef with onions & bell peppers. Good!

Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers (AUD $5.70)

Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers

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Zero Gradi
@ Ground Floor, Crown Entertainment Complex, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria 3006, Australia
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 8am – 10pm, Fri - Sat 8am – 12am
https://400gradi.com.au/zero

Also within the same food court was this branch of the famed Zero Gradi dessert brand. Known for their exquisite range of American, Italian, French, and Australian style confectionery desserts, pastries, beverages, and hand-churned gelato ice cream, Zero Gradi presents a delightful treat.

Ambience at Zero Gradi is shared with the rest of the food court, which means communal seating and warm lights. The array of confectionery desserts and gelato ice cream on display look so attractive behind the glass panel. Service at Zero Gradi is cheerful and transactional, with some interaction and quick efficiency at fulfilling orders. Food at Zero Gradi is focused on American, Italian, French, and Australian cuisine, specifically desserts. Quality is refined and exquisite, their desserts being among the better options around. Portions are decently sized for individuals, but can also be shared.

Zero Gradi Facade

The Hot Chocolate (AUD $5) here is rich and thick, creamy with deep chocolatey sweet flavour. Dusted with chocolate powder for even more depth of taste, this hot chocolate was decadent, perfect for cold days.

Hot Chocolate (AUD $5)

Hot Chocolate

The lamingtons here are very good. The Lamington Strawberry (AUD $6) is coated with chewy grated coconut, layered with a thin stripe of raspberry jam within the soft and fluffy strawberry butter sponge cake. This lamington strawberry has bright fruity sweet sour earthy nutty flavour, yum. The Lamington Chocolate (AUD $6) is coated with chewy grated coconut, layered with a thick blanket of raspberry jam within the soft and fluffy chocolate butter sponge cake. This lamington chocolate has deep chocolatey sweet fruity sour earthy nutty flavour, yum. Good!

Lamington Strawberry (AUD $6)

Lamington Strawberry

Lamington Strawberry

Lamington Chocolate (AUD $6)

Lamington Chocolate

Lamington Chocolate

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The Mitre Tavern
@ 5 Bank Place, Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 11am – 12am, Sat - Sun 12pm – 11pm
https://www.mitretavern.com.au/

After work, I stopped by The Mitre Tavern for a quick dinner. The Mitre Tavern is an Austalian institution, established since 1868, and is the oldest standing structure in Melbourne. A shingled pre-Victorian cottage housing a well-worn pub, The Mitre Tavern has seen many a business deal discussed over its worn wooden tables, and the financial and legal suits still frequent the place on week nights.

Ambience at The Mitre Tavern harkens back to the good ole days before the early stock market crash of the 90s, with warm lighting and tightly packed wooden benches and tables arrayed around a bustling bar counter and entrance with standing room for business discussions. Service is just as friendly and affable, staff demonstrate good product knowledge on the menu, and cheerfully serve orders. The bartender is busily engaged with customers around all night. Food at The Mitre Tavern is classic British English and Australian cuisine, they're originally known as being a premier steakhouse, but have since expanded to offer well-executed pub grub and other comfort dishes.

The Mitre Tavern Facade

Bar Counter

The Mitre Tavern Historic Plaque

The Mitre Tavern Signage

I was hangry for a solid beef steak, and The Mitre Tavern surpassed expectations. The Beef Steak 200g Porterhouse Set (AUD $36.90) is served with a fresh Garden Salad, including crisp leaves of baby spinach, rocket leaves / arugula, lettuce, chard, and mizuna, all with vegetal sweet bitter herbal flavour, alongside juicy fresh tomato with vegetal sweet notes. A refreshing garden salad to be sure. The Steak-Cut Potato Chips are large, crisp outside and fluffy inside, with satisfying starchy salty savoury flavour. Loved their steak-cut potato chips, it was nicely filling.

The star is the Beef Steak 200g Porterhouse Cut. This porterhouse cut of grain-fed beef steak is thick, large, and grilled to a perfect medium rare doneness, with a slight crisp char on the exterior, and tender juicy beef meat interior. Carries bold smoky meaty savoury salty flavour. Served with a Traditional Brown Meat Gravy to complete, the thick gravy lending robust meaty salty savoury notes that enhance the dish. Excellent with or without the gravy. Highly recommended!

Beef Steak 200g Porterhouse Set (AUD $36.90)

Garden Salad

Steak-Cut Potato Chips

Beef Steak 200g Porterhouse Cut

Traditional Brown Meat Gravy

Beef Steak 200g Porterhouse Set

Beef Steak Medium Rare Doneness

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Day 3
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Union Kiosk
@ 10 Howey Place, Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 3pm
https://unionkiosk.com.au/

I wanted to eat a Jaffle, and heard that Union Kiosk served some of the best, albeit completely vegan. Established before February 2016, Union Kiosk is a hole-in-the-wall cafe, along an alley in the heart of Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD), serving tasty jaffles and coffee for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Being 100% vegan friendly, Union Kiosk is an fair example of a sustainable alternative diet.

Ambience at Union Kiosk is cozy and casual, with a handful of indoor and outdoor seats in the small place. Most folks order takeaway. Service at Union Kiosk is friendly and efficient, with staff taking and fulfilling orders quickly and promptly. Food at Union Kiosk is Austalian cuisine, focused on jaffles or toasties, with a good range of options that are completely vegan. Portions are sized for individuals, and are designed to be filling and satisfying.

Union Kiosk Exterior

Union Kiosk Interior

Their Hot Chocolate (AUD $5) is among the best hot chocolate around, with a large warm mug of drinking chocolate topped with cinnamon powder and chocolate powder for greater depth of taste. Their hot chocolate is thick and rich, with robust chocolatey sweet spice milky flavour, yum. Highly recommended!

Hot Chocolate (AUD $5)

Hot Chocolate

The Chai Latte (AUD $5) here has a beautiful fragrance, sweet spice earthy milky on the nose. With a thick calming feel to the chai latte and its cinnamon powder topping, this was lovely on cold days. Highly recommended!

Chai Latte (AUD $5)

Chai Latte

Also known as a Toastie or Toasted Sandwich, the Jaffle is an enclosed sandwich cooked within a clam shell sandwich toaster iron. Their Jaffle Baked Beans & Cheddar (AUD $10) is a traditional home-cooked version, made with a filling of warm soft baked beans in tomato sauce, layered with gooey cheddar cheese. Bite into the crisp toasted jaffle white bread garnished with sea salt crystals, and you get a burst of the ingredients, carrying vegetal earthy salty sweet cheesy flavour. Surprisingly, the jaffle baked beans & cheddar is more filling than it appears to be. Worth ordering!

Jaffle Baked Beans & Cheddar (AUD $10)

Jaffle Baked Beans & Cheddar

Also known as a Toastie or Toasted Sandwich, the Jaffle is an enclosed sandwich cooked within a clam shell sandwich toaster iron. Their Jaffle Tofu Scramble, Vegan Ham, Cheddar, Hollandaise (AUD $11.50) is a modern vegan sandwich, with crisp toasted jaffle white bread garnished with sea salt crystals, holding a filling of soft tofu beancurd scramble, tender vegan ham, gooey cheddar cheese, and creamy hollandaise sauce. This jaffle tofu scramble, vegan ham, cheddar, hollandaise sandwich carries mild grainy sweet savoury salty sour tangy earthy flavour, a novel contrast of tastes that doesn't overwhelm. Worth ordering!

Jaffle Tofu Scramble, Vegan Ham, Cheddar, Hollandaise (AUD $11.50)

Jaffle Tofu Scramble, Vegan Ham, Cheddar, Hollandaise

Jaffle Tofu Scramble, Vegan Ham, Cheddar, Hollandaise

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Hunky Dory
@ 135 Swan Street, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria 3141, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 9:30pm
https://www.hunkydory.com.au/

Heard that Hunky Dory Fish & Chips has, in recent times, risen to be regarded as among the best Fish And Chips shops around. Founded in September 2004 by Greg Robotis, who hails from a long-line of family fishermen dating back to 1927, Hunky Dory is renowned for serving up healthier renditions of Fish And Chips, though they certainly can also serve the usual decadent fare. I'd been looking for a better fish and chip shop in Melbourne since the brands I'd last visited had disappeared into obscurity, so I picked Hunky Dory.

Ambience at Hunky Dory differs by branch. For example, the Richmond branch is casual and rustic, with simple sturdy wooden furnishings and a lingering frying odour; while the South Yarra branch is up-market with fine cutlery laid out on elegant wooden furnishings draped with clean tableclothes. Service across Hunky Dory branches are friendly, efficient, and attentive, with staff demonstrating good product knowledge on the menu, and working quickly at serving or cleaning up. Food at Hunky Dory is classic British English and Australian cuisine, focusing on fish and chips, either battered and deep-fried, or seasoned and grilled. They offer a good range of fresh fish and seafood, plated in a balanced meal, setting them apart from other brands. Portions are large for individuals, I rarely could finish the meal, though I observed many locals polishing their plates completely (and quickly too).

Hunky Dory Richmond Branch Exterior

Hunky Dory Richmond Branch Interior

Sea Salt & Black Pepper

An average rendition of Dim Sim (AUD $1.60) here, perhaps the only element worth mentioning is that it's non-greasy. Otherwise, standard crisp dumpling skin with a little minced pork and cabbage within that is tender and crunchy and moist, with mild meaty savoury sweet salty vegetal earthy flavour. A dim sim that's straightforward, nothing to shout about, and actually skippable.

Dim Sim (AUD $1.60)

Dim Sim

Dim Sim

The Fish And Chips, The Old School Fried Flake Pack (AUD $14) is a filling set meal, an above average rendition of fish and chips that I would love to order again. It's served with thick-cut potato chips in the classic British English and Australian style, crisp outside and fluffy inside with bold starchy salty savoury flavour. There's a few leaves of fresh crunchy lettuce on the side, with nice vegetal sweet flavour. A wedge of lemon accompanies, to drizzle lemon juice which lends tangy zesty sour notes over the fish and chips as you wish.

The star is the fresh fillet of flake fish, which is a lean white flesh fish. It's coated in a thin crisp batter, with a tender moist flaky texture, and seasoned with salt, giving it a meaty salty sweet savoury flavour. Easy to eat, addictive enough to keep reaching for more. Highly recommended!

Fish And Chips, The Old School Fried Flake Pack (AUD $14)

Fish And Chips, The Old School Fried Flake Pack

Fish And Chips, The Old School Fried Flake Pack

Fish And Chips, The Old School Fried Flake Pack

The Grilled Fish, Grilled Flake Pack (AUD $18.50) is a healthy set meal, an above average rendition of grilled fish that I would love to order again. It's served with thick-cut potato chips in the classic British English and Australian style, crisp outside and fluffy inside with bold starchy salty savoury flavour. There's a fresh healthy garden salad (with cucumbers, tomatoes, baby spinach, chard, arugula / rocket leaves) that's crisp and juicy and crunchy, with bright vegetal sweet earthy bitter herbal flavour. A wedge of lemon accompanies, to drizzle lemon juice which lends tangy zesty sour notes over the grilled fish as you wish.

The star is the fresh fillet of flake fish, which is a lean white flesh fish. It's lightly seasoned with salt and paprika, and has a tender moist flaky texture with meaty salty sweet spice flavour. A pleasant, enticing meal that feels clean and wholesome. Highly recommended!

Grilled Fish, Grilled Flake Pack (AUD $18.50)

Grilled Fish, Grilled Flake Pack

Grilled Fish, Grilled Flake Pack

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Flinders Kebab
@ 534 Flinders Street, Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 4am
https://www.instagram.com/flinderskebab/

Among the many Middle Eastern kebab stalls that line Flinders Street, is Flinders Kebab. Established in December 2018 by Fırat Osmanoğulları, Flinders Kebab counts itself among the newer contenders in the area, but has quickly risen to be among the best in ambience, service, food, and consistency in quality. Flinders Kebab is also well regarded amongst the Turkish community for supporting the needy, through various initiatives such as feeding the homeless in Melbourne, or providing meals for cash-strapped students. I was looking to try a Halal Snack Pack (HSP), and settled on Flinders Kebab on the strength of its reviews.

Ambience at Flinders Kebab has an edge over their competitors, with a comfortable sit-down environment adorned with luxurious looking plush chairs and modern functional tables. Service at Flinders Kebab also edges out the rest, with friendly staff that interact and demonstrate good product knowledge on the menu, guiding customers through the ordering process. They also pack dishes securely, enabling takeaway and delivery to go smoothly, with the food travelling well. Food at Flinders Kebab is distinctly Turkish and Australian cuisine, with a focus on quick and easy meals. Portions are medium to large for individuals, with some communal sharing options.

Flinders Kebab Exterior

Flinders Kebab Interior

Flinders Kebab Counter

The Halal Snack Pack (HSP) Mixed Beef & Lamb (AUD $13) is the ultimate late-night hangover snack. Here, thinly sliced halal-certified doner kebab meat (lamb or beef or mixed) that's tender with a light chew to texture, is placed over crisp fluffy thick-cut potato chips. The halal snack pack (HSP) is drenched in no less than 3 different sauces of your choosing, I got creamy garlic sauce, thick barbecue sauce, and thin sweet chili sauce, a classic trio. Each mouthful of this glorious mess carries robust smoky meaty savoury salty starchy sweet tangy sour spice flavour. Punchy and filling even in a small serving size, the large serving size comes in a huge platter. Worth ordering!

Halal Snack Pack (HSP) Mixed Beef & Lamb (AUD $13)

Halal Snack Pack (HSP) Mixed Beef & Lamb

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Supper Inn
@ Level 1, 15 Celestial Avenue, Melbourne Chinatown, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 5:30pm – 2:30am
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Supper-Inn/153690991329647

Supper Inn is a Melbourne dining institution, it hasn't changed at all since it opened in 1977. There's something to be said for reliable consistent quality of food, which Supper Inn possess in its 200 plus dishes on their menu, though having dined here over the years, we usually make a beeline for the same comfort dishes. Supper Inn is also the go-to restaurant for late night dining, as it opens till 2:30am everyday, and is well-liked by chefs in Melbourne. We picked Supper Inn for supper to introduce a friend to their reliable home-cooked fare.

Ambience at Supper Inn hasn't changed since the 1970s. You still ascend the narrow, creaky wooden steps to the worn door, stepping through into harsh fluorescent lights with a small floor area packed back-to-back with old school metal and cushioned furniture. Worn timber wall panels and grey window drapes surround, as it did in the past. Service at Supper Inn fluctuates between warm friendly and cold transactional, some likening it to a temperament hostage situation. It's certainly better if you can converse in Chinese Cantonese at Supper Inn. Food at Supper Inn is what folks come for, their tasty home cooked Chinese Cantonese dishes served in large and generous communal sharing portions. Most people have a range of favourites which they usually order, along with a few experimental choices from their extensive menu.

Supper Inn Facade

The Salt & Pepper Calamari Squid (AUD $??) here is done Chinese Cantonese style, with a thin crisp flour batter spiced with salt, black pepper, and red chili, and the bouncy tender calamari squid within. The salt & pepper calamari squid here has a more pronounced salty spicy sweet flavour, with a slight lingering heat. The batter goes limp if left for too long, so it's best eaten quickly. Worth ordering!

Salt & Pepper Calamari Squid (AUD $??)

Salt & Pepper Calamari Squid

Their rendition of Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers (AUD $??) is pretty good, with large strips of tender beef, crunchy bell peppers / capsicum, and soft caramelised white onions, tossed in a gravy of black beans, black pepper, and garlic. This results in the stir-fried beef with onions & bell peppers having a rather potent meaty salty savoury vegetal earthy peppery spice flavour, sharp and tingly on the palate. Best paired with white rice. Good!

Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers (AUD $??)

Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers

Ordered by a friend, this ?? (AUD $??) dish has crunchy baby octopus, slippery jellyfish strips, and crisp cucumber, in a thick gravy that is sour spicy in taste, definitely having some black vinegar within. Not quite sure what to make of this experimental dish.

?? (AUD $??)

The Congee Combination (AUD $??) features a hearty warm comforting congee, the thick gloopy rice porridge carrying lovely grainy sweet flavour. Garnished with a medley of pork parts, including tender pork loin, bouncy pork meat balls, and gelatinous pork blood pudding, lending big meaty savoury salty earthy mineral flavour. Not a fan of blood pudding, so I just stuck to the congee. Good!

Congee Combination (AUD $??)

Congee Combination

The Prawn Hor Fun With Egg Sauce (AUD $??) is big on flavour thanks to monosodium glutamate (MSG), as with most dishes here. The taste is primarily from the gooey egg sauce, bold with eggy salty savoury sweet flavour. The wide flat rice noodles / hor fun itself has muted wok hei / breath of the wok, slippery smooth with mild grainy sweet flavour. Garnished with large fresh prawns, deshelled, tender crunchy with lovely natural sweet savoury flavour. This prawn hor fun with egg sauce is pretty decent. Worth ordering!

Prawn Hor Fun With Egg Sauce (AUD $??)

Prawn Hor Fun With Egg Sauce

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Day 4
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Rustica
@ Level 2, Melbourne Central, 300 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Wed 9:30am – 3:30pm, Thu - Sat 9:30am – 4:30pm, Sun 10am – 4:30pm
https://rusticasourdough.com.au/

I'd earmarked a visit to Rustica, also known as Rustica Sourdough Bakery or Rustica Bakery & Cafe (yes, they have many names), because of the many rave online reviews, with many lists claiming they serve the best brunch in town. Founded in January 2012 by renowned baker Brenton Lang, Rustica has grown to be among the most successful and recognised bakery cafes, on the strength of their artisanal sourdough bread, delicate pastries, and excellent coffee (their founder also owns the acclaimed First Love Coffee cafe). Today, Rustica supplies their artisanal baked goods to over 300 venues.

Ambience at Rustica is classic Melbourne Australian cafe style, clean simple lines, minimalist decor, ample wood finishes with warm lights, and a rustic homely feel. They've 7 branches around the city, but the outlet I visited in the Melbourne Central Shopping Centre has ample indoor and outdoor seats, great for people watching. Service at Rustica is friendly and engaging, albeit a little ditzy because there was 1 occasion they misheard our order, though service recovery was performed immediately. Food at Rustica is classic Australian and Modern European cuisine, focused on breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes. Think beautifully plated dishes made with fresh ingredients (and typically featuring a type of bread), served in large hearty portions that are filling for individuals, but are best shared.

Rustica Counter

The Hot Chocolate (AUD $6.30) has the most beautiful and precise beverage art I'd seen for a drinking chocolate beverage during my visit. Taste-wise, the hot chocolate has a medium strength of body, smooth and medium rich in texture, with a pleasant chocolatey milky sweet nutty flavour that isn't overly cloying, just nicely balanced. An excellent hot chocolate rendition. Highly recommended!

Hot Chocolate (AUD $6.30)

Hot Chocolate

Their Coffee Magic (AUD $5.70) is among the better versions I've had on this trip. The double ristretto shot pulled into a 160 ml cup, topped up with steamed milk, has a lovely toasty fragrance, and good strength of body. A good solid coffee magic, like magic. Good!

Coffee Magic (AUD $5.70)

Coffee Magic

Said to be loved by hipster millenials (who spend all their $ on it) and loathed by cranky boomers (who blame it for causing youngsters to be unable to afford housing), the Smashed Avocado On Toast (AUD $24.20) is but an innocent dish, targeted by lovers and haters. Pop culture anecdotes aside, the smashed avocado on toast, also known as smashed avo, here features a base of their crisp pourous toasted sourdough bread with grainy bready sour sweet flavour. Spread over is rough mashed avocado, creamy and chunky with vegetal earthy sweet flavour. Bits of crisp toasted rice puffs with smoky grainy sweet flavour lend a nice contrast. Completed with juicy cherry tomatoes with vegetal sweet notes, juicy pickled red onion with vegetal sour sweet flavour, crisp red radish with vegetal herbal sweet flavour, and soft goat cheese with milky cheesy salty flavour. Wholesome and healthy, a great brunch plate that ticks all the right boxes. Highly recommended!

Smashed Avocado On Toast (AUD $24.20)

Smashed Avocado On Toast

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San Churro
@ Level 2, QV Melbourne, 255 Swanston Street, Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Sun - Wed 12pm – 10pm, Thu - Sat 12pm – 11pm
https://www.sanchurro.com/

Stopped by San Churro on a whim, just to pick up drinks and a dessert. San Churro is Australia's leading Spanish dessert brand, having expanded to over 50 stalls across the country, since it began in September 2004.

Ambience at San Churro is modern functional, with ample metal and wood furnishings, warm lighting, and cozy corners. Service at San Churro is slow, like, really slow, with drinks taking up to 30 minutes to be served!. Food at San Churro is Spanish cuisine, with a focus on churros, hot chocolate, and croffles. Portions are sized for individuals.

We came for their Croffle (AUD $4.95), and despite the slow service, this unique dessert pastry was decent enough. The croffle has a crisp fluffy soft texture of a waffle, and the bready sweet savoury buttery flavour of a croissant. Their croffle rendition is sprinkled with cinnamon sugar crystals, lending a lovely floral sweet note. Interesting concept, playing tricks on your mind, takes some getting used to. Worth ordering!

Croffle (AUD $4.95)

Croffle

Croffle

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Kwafood Fried Chuan
@ 287 Swanston Street, Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 12am
https://www.instagram.com/kwafood_sydney/

Who doesn't love skewers? Kwafood Fried Chuan is a small takeaway-only kiosk, recommended by several personalities. Didn't need to be sold on this, walking past in the cold night, the aroma of fresh grilled skewers and fiery Chinese spices caught my attention, and I promised myself to visit sometime in the next few days, so I did.

Ambience at Kwafood Fried Chuan is compact, with bright lights and the main attraction - a chiller with rows upon rows of skewers, with helpful illustrated ordering instructions at the top. Service at Kwafood Fried Chuan is friendly and works efficiently, quickly fulfilling orders so you never wait too long even despite the crowd. Food at Kwafood Fried Chuan is Chinese cuisine, with a focus on Sichuan / Szechuan spiced skewers of meat, vegetables, and others. Portions are small, sized for individuals.

Kwafood Fried Chuan Exterior

Kwafood Fried Chuan Interior

Skewer Selection Chiller

Takeaway Packaging

Skewers

Probably should have put more thought into what I ordered and got a wider range of skewers, but this is what I ended up with in a hurry. Loved the Beef Strips Skewer (AUD $4.10 for Set of 5 Skewers) and Pork Strips Skewer (AUD $4.10 for Set of 5 Skewers), both good value for money with tender lean meat (beef strips and pork strips) that has a good chew, and coated with the house seasoning, has meaty savoury salty spice flavour. The Little Pork Sausage Skewer (AUD $0.80 per skewer) has an Oriental pork sausage half, juicy and snappy, with smoky meaty savoury spice salty flavour, yum. The Chicken Wing Tip Skewer (AUD $0.80 per skewer) has a chicken wing tip, unfortunately dry and chewy, but still tasty thanks to the seasoning. Overall, worth ordering!

Beef Strips Skewer (AUD $4.10 for Set of 5 Skewers)

Pork Strips Skewer (AUD $4.10 for Set of 5 Skewers)

Little Pork Sausage Skewer (AUD $0.80 per skewer)

Chicken Wing Tip Skewer (AUD $0.80 per skewer)

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Hills BBQ Noodle Shop
@ 586 Station Street, Box Hill, Melbourne, Victoria 3182, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Tue 12pm – 11pm, Wed - Sun 12pm – 2am
https://www.zomato.com/melbourne/hills-bbq-noodle-shop-box-hill

I'd had a memorable dining experience at Hills BBQ Noodle Shop back in 2019, and I was looking forward to this return visit; am glad to say it remains as good as before. For over 30 years, Hills BBQ Noodle Shop has remained consistent in the quality of their dishes for the most part, and I would return again.

Ambience at Hills BBQ Noodle Shop remains a blast from the past, the bright flourescent lights, faded wooden panels, and old-school metal and wooden furniture tightly packed in the cramped space. Service at Hills BBQ Noodle Shop is still transactional with little engagement, and less regard for hygiene. Food at Hills BBQ Noodle Shop remains focused on serving traditional, authentic, Chinese Cantonese cuisine, with consistently executed and tasty roast meats and soups. Portions are still large for individuals, and can be shared.

The Fried Pig's Intestines (AUD $23.80) feature strips of pig's intestines that are spice marinated then deep-fried, resulting in a slightly crisp exterior, with a tender and moist interior. This traditional Chinese snack has a deep savoury salty spice flavour, and a lovely fatty chew. Good!

Fried Pig's Intestines (AUD $23.80)

Fried Pig's Intestines

Just like before, a daily soup-of-the-day courtesy of the kitchen was served before our dishes arrived. This visit, it's the Double Boiled Pork Ribs & Old Cucumber Soup (AUD $Complimentary). The clear broth holds deep meaty vegetal sweet savoury earthy herbal flavour, helping to open the palate for the meal ahead. Good!

Double Boiled Pork Ribs & Old Cucumber Soup (AUD $Complimentary)

The Roast Duck (AUD $23.80 Half) here is excellent. The roast duck still has a tender, juicy, succulent chew to texture, just like before. Each bite still carries a lovely meaty savoury salty smoky flavour, and the duck fats lend a touch of decadence. So yummy, this remains a must-order for me. I observed many other diners also ordering this. Highly recommended!

Roast Duck (AUD $23.80 Half)

Roast Duck

The Steamed Barramundi Fish In Hong Kong Superior Soy Sauce (AUD $55) is as good as ever, thanks to the use of fresh barramundi fish and quality superior soy sauce. The tender flaky barramundi fish has gentle sweet savoury flavour with few bones that are easily removed. The aromatics of light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, ginger, shallots, spring onions, Shaoxing rice wine, white sugar, and sesame oil, all infuse the fish with herbal earthy salty savoury flavour. Loved every bite of the steamed barramundi fish in Hong Kong superior soy sauce. Highly recommended!

Steamed Barramundi Fish In Hong Kong Superior Soy Sauce (AUD $55)

Steamed Barramundi Fish In Hong Kong Superior Soy Sauce

Steamed Barramundi Fish In Hong Kong Superior Soy Sauce

The Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers (AUD $15) here is really good. Served over a bed of fluffy white rice with grainy sweet flavour, the dish features tender strips of beef flank, chewy with meaty savoury salty flavour, alongside crisp red onions with vegetal sweet flavour, and crunchy juicy bell peppers / capsicum with vegetal bitter sweet flavour. All tossed in a thick gravy of black beans, black pepper, cornstarch, and garlic, carrying earthy salty peppery spice flavour. Large in portion size, wallet-friendly, and tasty, it's a great meal for hungry students on a budget. The best rendition of stir-fried beef with onions & bell peppers we had on this trip. Highly recommended!

Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers (AUD $15)

Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers

Stir-Fried Beef With Onions & Bell Peppers

The Ginger & Spring Onion Crab Noodles (AUD $102) was pretty unremarkable this visit, a noticeable drop in standard and quality from pre-covid. Sad, could be improved.

Ginger & Spring Onion Crab Noodles (AUD $102)

Ginger & Spring Onion Crab Noodles

Ginger & Spring Onion Crab Noodles

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Day 5
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South Melbourne Market
@ 322 - 326 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia
Opening Hours: Fri - Sun 8am – 4pm, Closed Mon - Tue, Wed 8am – 4pm, Closed Thu
https://www.southmelbournemarket.com.au/

Our favourite market has to be the South Melbourne Market. Established in 1867, South Melbourne Market is a lively indoor market with stalls selling fresh produce, meat, seafood, ready-to-eat dishes, and more; a global market if you will. Love wandering the rows of shops with broad displays of their fresh items. It's a must-visit for me, and we returned a couple of times.

Ambience at South Melbourne Market is bustling, yet not overwhelming. People browse the displays at a leisurely pace, and finding seats at the common areas is relatively hassle-free, perhaps with just a short wait. Stalls really showcase their products well, with large lighted glass displays, so attractive. Service at South Melbourne Market is friendly and attentive, stalls having worked out an efficient system to attend to each customer in turn. They demonstrate intimate product knowledge on their offerings, as expected. Food at South Melbourne Market is International cuisine, though fruits, pastries, seafood, cheese, Italian, Chinese, and Australian dishes feature more prominently. Portions are usually sized for individuals, with options for sharing.

South Melbourne Market Signage

It was the Apple season when we visited, and the range of fresh Green Apple Granny Smith (AUD $0.90 Each) and Red Apple Pink Lady (AUD $0.90 Each) look irresistible. The apples are crunchy and juicy, the green apples having bright fruity sour sweet flavour, the red apples having pronounced fruity sweet flavour. Good!

Apple - Green Apple Granny Smith & Red Apple Pink Lady

Apple - Green Apple Granny Smith (AUD $0.90 Each) & Red Apple Pink Lady (AUD $0.90 Each)

The Sfogliatelle (AUD $4) called out to me as I was browsing the pastry display, and I instantly knew I had to have it. This pretty delicate Italian dessert pastry, shaped like layers of stacked leaves, has a crisp crunchy flaky pastry crust, with a filling of almond and ricotta cheese paste flavoured with orange. Dusted with icing sugar, the sfogliatelle carries yummy buttery fruity nutty sweet flavours, delicious. Highly recommended!

Sfogliatelle (AUD $4)

Sfogliatelle

Sfogliatelle

The Sausage Roll (AUD $3) here is a petite version, for petite appetites. I look at it and think, "Aww, so cute". The sausage roll has tender minced beef and soft carrots in a crisp flaky puff pastry shell, with big meaty savoury salty vegetal sweet buttery bready flavour. Good!

Sausage Roll (AUD $3)

Sausage Roll

The Beer Fat Yak Original Pale Ale (AUD $4.20 per bottle) is an American style pale ale brewed by the Carlton & United Breweries in Abbotsford, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It has a bright golden colour, with aromas and tastes of passionfruit, grass, rock melon, and straw. The body is thin, herbaceous, and light, with grainy sweet sour herbal metallic flavour, and a refreshing finish. Best when chilled.

Beer Fat Yak Original Pale Ale (AUD $4.20 per bottle)

With all the fresh ingredients here, we had to buy some and cook it ourselves. Really, half the meal battle is won with the use of fresh, good quality ingredients; we only had to season and cook it simply, and we had a great meal. We decided to challenge ourselves with just 1 ingredient - large fresh abalones which we had to clean and shuck on our own. After all the painstaking effort to prep the abalones for cooking, I now appreciate why it's so expensive in restaurants.

Was very pleased with how the dishes turned out. We had Stewed Mussels & Abalones In Garlic, Onion, And Rose Wine Broth; and Oven-Baked Asparagus, Baby Carrots, And Potatoes; also Oven-Baked Bulgogi Marinated Chicken Riblets; and Grilled Lamb Cutlets to complete.

Bulgogi Marinated Chicken Riblets Ready For Oven-Baking

Seasoned Vegetables Ready For Oven-Baking

Washed & Cleaned Mussels And Abalone Ready For Stewing

Washed Cleaned Mussels & Abalones Ready For Stewing

Stewed Mussels & Abalones In Garlic, Onion, And Rose Wine Broth

Stewed Mussels & Abalones In Garlic, Onion, And Rose Wine Broth

Oven-Baked Asparagus & Baby Carrots

Oven-Baked Potatoes & White Onion

Oven-Baked Bulgogi Marinated Chicken Riblets

Grilled Lamb Cutlets

Grilled Lamb Cutlet, Plated

DIY Meal Flat Lay

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Aptus Seafoods
@ Stall Number 25, South Melbourne Market, 322 - 326 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia
Opening Hours: Fri - Sun 7am – 4pm, Closed Mon - Tue, Wed 7am – 4pm, Closed Thu
https://www.aptusseafoods.com.au/

Among the most popular stalls in South Melbourne Market, Aptus Seafoods has been delighting customers since 1969 with their extensive array of fresh fish and seafood. We'd patronised Aptus Seafoods several times over the years, and have returned time and again for more - not just packing their fresh fish and seafood to cook back in our accomodations, but also to feast on their ready-to-eat dishes, including fresh sashimi, luxurious baked lobsters, succulent oysters, and more.

Ambience at Aptus Seafoods is bright and attractive, with rows of well-lit glass cases showcasing their fresh fish and seafood over crushed ice. There's always a buzz of activity around, from people browsing their displays, to staff interacting with customers on their order. They're a pure takeaway shop, with only standing bars for patrons who decide to consume their ready-to-eat dishes on the spot. Service at Aptus Seafoods is friendly and attentive, staff accord each customer personalised attention in turns, ensuring everyone is served fairly. They accede to simple requests, such as cleaning and slicing, but not to more complex or effort-intensive requests. I like that their standing booths are stocked with condiments to which you can freely avail yourself for your purchased items. Food at Aptus Seafoods is focused on fresh fish and seafood. Their ready-to-eat dishes span raw sashimi grade dishes, to cooked dishes, all made with the freshest fish or seafood possible. High quality and delicious. Portions are sized for individuals, but most people choose to share.

Aptus Seafoods Facade

Display Of Fresh Fish & Seafood

The Oysters St Helens (AUD $22 per dozen) are shucked daily, fresh and large with a creamy soft slippery texture. The St Helens oysters are best served natural, with just a splash of lemon juice or lime juice for added tangy zesty sour flavour, complementing the natural sweet briny salty mineral flavour of the oysters. Highly recommended!

Oysters St Helens (AUD $22 per dozen)

Oysters St Helens

Always a treat to feast on Sea Urchin (AUD $??) here, with the sea urchin served fresh, straight from the shells. It's creamy soft and gooey in texture, with a lovely briny salty sweet mineral flavour of the ocean. Good!

Sea Urchin (AUD $??)

Sea Urchin

Caught in the pristine cold ocean, the Australian Southern Rock Lobster, also known as the King Island Crayfish, boasts delicate firm flesh, a beautiful 'sea spray' flavour that's briny salty sweet in taste, and a generous meat-to-shell ratio. No wonder it's among the world's most indulgent food experiences.

Here, they've done the Australian Southern Rock Lobster / King Island Crayfish in a couple of ways. The ever popular Rock Lobster Mornay (AUD $30 Half) has the crustacean coated in gooey cheddar cheese and baked with dill, lending a bold cheesy salty herbal flavour. The Rock Lobster On Potato Salad (AUD $30 Half) has the lobster meat deshelled, then the empty shell is filled with a chunky potato salad of tender potatoes, juicy peas, tender carrots, and creamy mayonnaise, after which the lobster meat is placed on top, and garnished with flying fish roe. The potato salad has lovely starchy milky vegetal earthy sweet savoury flavour, complementing the lobster. Highly recommended!

Rock Lobster Mornay (AUD $30 Half)

Rock Lobster Mornay

Rock Lobster On Potato Salad (AUD $30 Half)

Rock Lobster On Potato Salad

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Small Town Pie Co. Pie Shop
@ Stall Number 24, South Melbourne Market, 322 - 326 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia
Opening Hours: Fri - Mon 8am – 4pm, Closed Tue, Wed 8am – 4pm, Closed Thu
https://www.facebook.com/SmallTownPieCo/

Opening its doors in April 2020 under the ownership of the Ambient Food Group, the Small Town Pie Co. Pie Shop serves as their commercial kitchen for their brand range, but also serves up a wide range of meat pies, pasties, and healthy salads direct to customers. That said, the Small Town Pie Co. Pie Shop is most well known for their meat pies, and folks queue to get their hands on those morsels of deliciousness. We'd chanced upon it while browsing South Melbourne Market, and impressed by the wide range on offer, decided to try several.

Ambience at Small Town Pie Co. Pie Shop exudes a warm, cozy, homely feel. Their range of fresh baked pies line the display, drawing the eye. Odd layout choice as the place feels like 2 different stalls, but are actually one and the same. Service at Small Town Pie Co. Pie Shop is quick and transactional, with staff interacting just to fulfill orders efficiently. Thankfully, this moves the queue along quickly. Food at Small Town Pie Co. Pie Shop is Australian cuisine, focused on meat pies, pasties, and salads. They're among the better options for meat pies, which are delicious and of good quality. Portions are large for individuals, and can be shared.

Small Town Pie Co. Pie Shop Signage

Range Of Pies On Display

The Meat Pie Beef Steak & Guinness Stout (AUD $8.90) is excellent. The pie crust is crisp and flaky, with buttery savoury notes. Within, a generous filling of chunky tender diced beef, crisp celery, and soft caramelised white onions, all with smoky meaty vegetal savoury salty sweet flavour. Filled with a rich gravy, made with a blend of beef stock, spices (garlic, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, mustard seeds), white sugar, salt, barbecue sauce, white vinegar, tamarind paste, beer, and vegemite. This results in a robust boozy salty savoury earthy herbal spice flavour upfront, with a tinge of sour bitter sweet on the back, to the overall meat pie beef steak & guinness stout. Kept reaching for more. Highly recommended!

Meat Pie Beef Steak & Guinness Stout (AUD $8.90)

Meat Pie Beef Steak & Guinness Stout

The Meat Pie Beef Steak & Kidney (AUD $8.90) is of good quality, with a crisp flaky pie crust that shatters lightly to reveal the filling within. Generously packed with chunky tender diced beef, chewy beef kidneys, crisp celery, and soft caramelised white onions, this has big smoky meaty mineral bitter earthy salty savoury flavour, strong without being overwhelming. The same rich gravy goes into the meat pie beef steak & kidney as well. Good!

Meat Pie Beef Steak & Kidney (AUD $8.90)

Meat Pie Beef Steak & Kidney

The Meat Pie Chicken & Mushroom (AUD $8.90) has the signature pie crust that is flaky and crisp, shattering beautifully. Their meat pie chicken & mushroom is generously filled with chunky tender diced chicken, crisp celery, soft caramelised white onions, crunchy leeks, tender potato cubes, soft carrots, tender parsnip, tender button mushrooms, thyme, and parsley. This results in mellow meaty vegetal earthy herbal savoury sweet salty bitter flavour, very enticing and tasty. Among the better versions around. Good!

Meat Pie Chicken & Mushroom (AUD $8.90)

Meat Pie Chicken & Mushroom

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Mama Tran Dumpling
@ Stall Number 35, South Melbourne Market, 322 - 326 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia
Opening Hours: Fri - Sun 8am – 4pm, Closed Mon - Tue, Wed 8am – 4pm, Closed Thu
https://www.southmelbournemarket.com.au/traders/mama-tran-dumpling

For over 35 years, the family-run Mama Tran Dumpling, comprising wife-husband founders Tran and Dieu Ky, together with son and daughter-in-law Andy Ky and Em, has been delighting customers with their fresh handmade dumplings. Offering over 15 varieties of dumplings, Mama Tran Dumpling has both ready-to-eat snacks available, as well as packs for take home cooking. We were curious about the fast moving queues at Mama Tran Dumpling, and decided to buy some of their offerings.

Ambience at Mama Tran Dumpling is bustling and chaotic. The pure takeaway kiosk has queues forming in several places at once, and you need to navigate them with some common sense and polite enquiries from the people in-line. Service at Mama Tran Dumpling is efficient and attentive, they manage to accord each customer good undivided attention, and quickly fulfill their orders. Food at Mama Tran Dumpling is Chinese cuisine, focused on fresh handmade hand-held snacks. They're regarded as having some of the best dim sim around. Portions are sized for individuals, and are meant to be eaten on-the-go.

Mama Tran Dumpling Signage

Am always a little hesistant when it comes to Dim Sim, because this Australian take on the Chinese snack, comprising minced pork and cabbage seasoned with spices, is usually rather lacklustre, and I've mostly experienced disappointment eating Dim Sim. But as Mama Tran Dumpling was reputed to have the best Dim Sim around, I was game to try after much consideration; after all, if I was still disappointed by the best version, then perhaps it's not for me.

I greatly enjoyed the Dim Sim Fried (AUD $2.20), to my utter surprise. The large fist-sized dim sim fried dumpling was crisp crunchy outside, tender juicy inside, with pleasant meaty sweet savoury salty spice flavour. Really satisfying, I would order this again. Highly recommended!

Dim Sim Fried (AUD $2.20)

Dim Sim Fried

Dim Sim Fried

Was very pleased with the Dim Sim Steamed (AUD $2.20), a welcome delight. The large fist-sized dim sim steamed dumpling was soft tender outside, chewy juicy inside, with pleasant meaty sweet savoury salty spice flavour. A delicious snack, I would order this again. Highly recommended!

Dim Sim Steamed (AUD $2.20)

Dim Sim Steamed

Dim Sim Steamed

The Prawn Toast (AUD $3.50) was so good, we ordered another round of it. This has crisp toasted white bread, topped with juicy bouncy succulent deshelled shrimp / prawns, fresh and sweet savoury bready in flavour. Studded with sesame seeds which give it a slight nutty note. So good this prawn toast. Good!

Prawn Toast (AUD $3.50)

Prawn Toast

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Day 6
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Bratwurst Shop & Co
@ Stall 99 – 100, Queen Victoria Market, 513 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Tue 6am – 3pm, Closed Wed, Thu - Sat 6am – 3pm, Sun 9am – 4pm, Closed Mon
https://www.bratwurstshop.com/

Have fond memories of the hot dogs at Bratwurst Shop & Co, so we paid a return visit. Since December 1990, Bratwurst Shop & Co has been drawing crowds with its delicious, Australian bratwurst sausages. Popular especially with the breakfast and lunch crowds, their hot dogs are quick, filling snacks / light meals that you can eat on the go.

Ambience at Bratwurst Shop & Co is bustling, noisy, and crowded. There are apparently 2 queues to the storefront, but because people don't queue in orderly lines, it's sometimes hard to tell where exactly to stand. As a pure takeaway place, there are no seats here. Service at Bratwurst Shop & Co is straightforward, transactional, and brusque. Because orders fly non-stop, staff exhibit little patience, expecting you to already have made up your mind before reaching the front of the queue. Food at Bratwurst Shop & Co is American and German style hot dogs and sausages. Made with locally sourced Australian ingredients and freshly grilled, they offer 7 different varieties of bratwurst sausages, 2 types of bread rolls, 4 types of toppings, and 16 different sauces or spreads. Quality is consistent and delicious. Portions are medium to large for individuals.

The Hot Dog - "Cheese Bratwurst With Gherkin Relish, Sauerkraut, Caramelised White Onions" (AUD $8) was excellent. The crisp crunchy toasted hot dog bun has mild bready savoury smoky flavour, stuffed with a juicy snappy tender cheese and pork bratwurst sausage that bursts with smoky meaty savoury cheesy salty sweet flavour. The toppings contribute big tasty notes; from the soft caramelised white onions with smoky vegetal sweet earthy flavour; the pickled gherkin relish with bright vegetal sour sweet zesty herbal flavour; and the crunchy juicy sauerkraut with sharp vegetal sour earthy sweet flavour. Dressed with tomato ketchup and yellow mustard, lending bright vegetal sweet tangy zesty sour flavour. Very filling and satisfying. Highly recommended!

Hot Dog - "Cheese Bratwurst With Gherkin Relish, Sauerkraut, Caramelised White Onions" (AUD $8)

Hot Dog - "Cheese Bratwurst With Gherkin Relish, Sauerkraut, Caramelised White Onions"

Hot Dog - "Cheese Bratwurst With Gherkin Relish, Sauerkraut, Caramelised White Onions"

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American Doughnut Kitchen
@ Outside "I" Shed, Queen Victoria Market, 470 Queen Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Tue 7am – 3pm, Closed Wed, Thu - Fri 7am – 3pm, Sat 6am – 4pm, Sun 7am – 4pm, Closed Mon
https://www.adk1950.com.au/

An iconic stall at the famed Queen Victoria Market, the American Doughnut Kitchen is a food truck that has been operating since the 1950s. Originally founded by Arnold Bridges and Dave Christie, the American Doughnut Kitchen today is still run by their families, churning out fresh hot jam doughnuts, made using the original recipe.

Ambience at American Doughnut Kitchen is bustling, with long constant queues at their food truck, though this moves really quickly. Service at American Doughnut Kitchen is fast and efficient, staff quickly pack and serve orders, and the focused menu makes it easy to decide. Food at American Doughnut Kitchen is American cuisine, specifically focused on hot jam doughnuts made using their age-old family recipe. Portions are sized for individuals, but you order several in bulk.

American Doughnut Kitchen Food Truck

The Hot Jam Doughnut (AUD $6 for 5 pieces) here is iconic. The chewy yeasted dough is made fresh daily, with thick gloopy raspberry jam piped deep into the center, then it's freshly fried, sprinkled with white sugar crystals which lend a bit of crunch, and served piping hot. Best eaten fresh, it's almost a tradition to partially scald your mouth with the heat from the hot jam doughnut. Has lovely bready fruity sour sweet flavour, with the generous raspberry jam just bursting or oozing out when bit. Highly recommended!

Hot Jam Doughnut (AUD $6 for 5 pieces)

Hot Jam Doughnut

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Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens
@ Fairfield Park Drive, Fairfield, Melbourne, Victoria 3078, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 9:30am – 5pm, Sat - Sun 8:30am – 6pm
https://www.fairfieldboathouse.com/

Established in 1908 by piano tuner John St Clair as a a picnic, camping, boat shed, and refreshment space, the Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens is surrounded by the natural greenery of the Yarra Bend Park. The Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens underwent restoration in 1985, and most recently in 2010, and today, remains a quaint recreational space, owned and operated by Paul Van Der Sluys and his family.

Ambience at Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens benefits from the lush natural bushland of the Yarra Bend Park, with a dock right beside the river for casting off rented boats. The picnic area is particularly inviting, not just for people, but for the birds in the area too. Service at Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens is polite, but because of the long queues, tend to sometimes be brusque and transactional. They do their best to fulfill orders quickly. Food at Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens is home-style Australian and British English cuisine, with a good selection of beverages, snacks, and pastries. Portions are large for individuals, and are best shared.

Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens

Plant Garden

Heater

River Seating

Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens Menu

One of Australia's first certified organic beers, the Beer Mountain Goat Organic Steam Ale (AUD $4.50 per bottle) is a craft beer brewed by the Mountain Goat Beer Brewery in Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It has a pale cloudy yellow colour, with aromas and tastes of straw, pineapple, red apple, and brioche bread. The body is crisp, clean, and lively, with bready fruity sweet sour flavour, and a dry finish. Very refreshing, more so than most.

Beer Mountain Goat Organic Steam Ale (AUD $4.50 per bottle)

Love the rich Italian Hot Chocolate (AUD $5.20) here, which is warm and thick. The hot chocolate has deep chocolatey sweet flavour, best for cool days as it can get heavy on the palate.

Hot Chocolate (AUD $5.20)

Hot Chocolate

The Coffee Magic (AUD $5.50) here is very good, brewed with Australia's first Enigma E’4M x-wide/ST Super Traditional coffee machine, halving the brewing (and waiting) times, while maintaining a good solid quality for each cup. The coffee magic has a decent strength of body, with toasty roasted earthy notes from the coffee beans. Good!

Coffee Magic (AUD $5.50)

Coffee Magic

The Children's Fish And Chips (AUD $14.50) is a small, children's size version of fish and chips, featuring fresh fillets of boneless flat head flounder fish, coated in batter and deep-fried. This results in a crisp crunchy exterior, a moist flaky interior, and good sweet salty savoury flavour to the fish. Served with medium cut potato chips, with starchy salty savoury flavour. Accompanied by thick tomato ketchup (or tommy sauce) which lends vegetal sour sweet flavour. An overall decent rendition, albeit unspectacular. Worth ordering!

Children's Fish And Chips (AUD $14.50)

Children's Fish And Chips

The Vanilla Slice (AUD $11.90) here is well executed, with a wobbly gelatinous vanilla-infused custard, sandwiched with crisp flaky puff pastry dusted with icing sugar. The vanilla slice has bright floral buttery sweet earthy flavour, yum. Served with fluffy clotted cream, which lends a touch of decadence. Good!

Vanilla Slice (AUD $11.90)

Vanilla Slice

Vanilla Slice

They do traditional British English Scones With Jam & Clotted Cream (AUD $14.90) here. The scones are large, with a crisp exterior and a soft interior, carrying bready sweet savoury flavour. Served with thick strawberry jam which lends fruity sweet flavour, and rich fluffy clotted cream with milky sweet notes. Among the better renditions I've had. Highly recommended!

Scones With Jam & Clotted Cream (AUD $14.90)

Scones With Jam & Clotted Cream

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Europa Cake Shop
@ 81 Acland Street, Saint Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria 3182, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 7am – 7:30pm
https://europacakeshop.com.au/

Established in 1982, Europa Cake Shop is a powerhouse pastry brand, offering offer vibrant, sweet flavourful dessert pastries that have delighted for generations. Regarded as being among the best pastry shops in Melbourne, Europa Cake Shop is an essential local gastronomic experience, a place I'll try to visit when I'm in town.

Ambience at Europa Cake Shop remains largely as before, quaint and homely with limited seating. The large storefront display looks so enticing with rows of their fresh baked pastries. Service at Europa Cake Shop is as affable and friendly as ever, with staff chatting as they serve customers. Orders are fulfilled quickly, with most folks ordering takeaway. Food at Europa Cake Shop is Modern European and Australian cuisine, focused on desserts and dessert pastries. Portions are medium to large, decadent, and are best shared.

Europa Cake Shop Facade

Their Vanilla Slice (AUD $7) hold together better than most, thanks to the additional layers of crisp puff pastry, layered in the middle and sandwiching both ends. This also means it has slighlty less wobbly soft vanilla-infused custard within, though I find it's not overly cloying or heavy on the palate, just nicely balanced instead. This vanilla slice carries bright floral bready earthy sweet flavour, yum. Rather addictive, we kept reaching for more. Good!

Vanilla Slice (AUD $7)

Vanilla Slice

Vanilla Slice

The Cherry Custard Cheesecake (AUD $8) is delicious. The base features a graham cracker crust, crumbly with buttery sweet flavour. A thick creamy block of custard cheesecake sits on top, rich with milky sweet floral flavour. Topped with juicy stewed cherries, bright with fruity herbal sour sweet flavour, contrasting the richness of the cheesecake nicely. This cherry custard cheesecake was a delight. Good!

Cherry Custard Cheesecake (AUD $8)

Cherry Custard Cheesecake

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Ling Nan Restaurant
@ 207 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Opening Hours: Wed - Mon 5pm – 1:30am, Closed Tue
https://www.facebook.com/people/Ling-Nan/100074328331654/

Originally established in the 1990s, Ling Nan Restaurant was among the restaurant casualties of the covid-19 pandemic, leading to its closure in October 2020, upon which it was mourned. Fortunately, Ling Nan Restaurant subsequently made a comeback in December 2021, with part-owner Sherri Mong having setup at a new location within the city for the restaurant.

Ambience at Ling Nan Restaurant is bright, clean, and casual, a stark difference from their old place. Furnishings are still closely packed, and the atmosphere remains buzzing throughout the night. Service at Ling Nan Restaurant seems better than before, with staff proactively clearing away finished plates and emptying discarded shells ever so often. They demonstrate good product knowledge, but it's best to be conversant in Chinese Cantonese here. Food at Ling Nan Restaurant is Chinese Cantonese cuisine, with several star dishes amongst their extensive menu. Portions are standard communal sized, meant for sharing between at least 3 to 4 people.

Ling Nan Restaurant Signage

The Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs (AUD $32) are a house signature dish, featuring thick tender juicy bone-in pork ribs, stir-fried with salt, white pepper, garlic, and red chili slices. This results in a bright meaty salty savoury spice flavour, very addictive and yummy. Kept reaching for more of this salt & pepper pork ribs, we polished this off. They also offer a rendition with chicken riblets which we hear is equally good. Highly recommended!

Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs (AUD $32)

Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs

Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs

The Number 1 house signature dish and their claim to fame, the Pippies With X.O. Sauce (AUD $36) is a must-order here, we observed every table had this. The pipi, a type of saltwater clam native to Australia, is stir-fried in a X.O. sauce (of dried scallops conpoy, dried shrimp, Jinhua ham, shallots, garlic, chili, and oil), and has a bouncy tender light chew to texture, with savoury spicy salty sweet flavours from the rich X.O. gravy. I can see why the pippies with X.O. sauce is such a legendary dish here. Highly recommended!

Pippies With X.O. Sauce (AUD $36)

Pippies With X.O. Sauce

Pippies With X.O. Sauce

The Stir-Fried Morning Glory (AUD $23) features crisp crunchy morning glory / water spinach / kang kong, simply stir-fried with garlic. This has bright vegetal sweet savoury spice flavour, feels wholesome. Good!

Stir-Fried Morning Glory (AUD $23)

Stir-Fried Morning Glory

The Braised Tofu Beancurd With Salted Fish (AUD $36) arrives bubbling in a claypot, the wobbly soft tofu beancurd looking so enticing. The thick rich gravy of pork minced meat, salted fish, and parsley, has a robust meaty salty savoury sweet flavour. Warm and comforting, this practically begs for a bowl of white rice to accompany. Good!

Braised Tofu Beancurd With Salted Fish (AUD $36)

Braised Tofu Beancurd With Salted Fish

The Fried Dough Fritters (AUD $5), also known as Chinese Doughnut, is a side dish that's popular to pair with any dish that has gravy (like pippies with X.O. sauce). With a spongy crisp texture that soaks up gravy or congee beautifully, these lend a mild bready savoury flavour. Worth ordering!

Fried Dough Fritters (AUD $5)

Fried Dough Fritters

I seldom eat beef congee because I prefer pork or seafood versions, but my friends insisted on getting the Beef Congee (AUD $17) here. And it's great, the thick gloopy rice porridge congee is warm and comforting with grainy sweet flavour. Filled with super tender beef slices which lend meaty savoury flavour. So yummy. Highly recommended!

Beef Congee (AUD $17)

Beef Congee

Beef Congee

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Day 7
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Studio Coffee
@ Basement Level, DFO South Wharf, 20 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne, Victoria 3006, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 6pm
http://www.studiocoffee.com.au/

Studio Coffee is a casual, family-run cafe. It's a rather average cafe that just happens to be located in the Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) South Wharf Shopping Centre, and we stopped to get a drink and snack.

Ambience at Studio Coffee is open and casual, with white lights and modern functional furniture spaced out within the large area. Service at Studio Coffee is lacklustre and bored, they get few customers, and there's little interaction from staff. Food at Studio Coffee is focused on Modern European and Australian cuisine, specifically light bites and beverages. Portions are sized for individuals. Overall, I feel it's a once-off visit type of cafe.

The Egg & Bacon Roll (AUD $14.50) features fluffy but dry sesame burger buns, stacked with a soft fried egg, chewy pork back bacon, and barbecue sauce. The egg & bacon roll carries bold meaty salty savoury eggy bready sweet flavour, with a hint of tangy sour notes from the sauce. Alright, a decent rendition.

Egg & Bacon Roll (AUD $14.50)

Egg & Bacon Roll

They get their Rocky Road (AUD $3.50) from a supplier, so this is pretty good. This confectionery dessert has milk chocolate fudge, marshmallows, and hazelnuts, over a chocolate brownie cake base. With soft creamy bouncy crunchy grainy textures, and bold chocolatey candy sweet nutty flavour, this decadent confectionery dessert treat of rocky road will delight most. Good!

Rocky Road (AUD $3.50)

Rocky Road

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Top Paddock
@ 658 Church Street, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria 3121, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 7am – 4pm, Sat - Sun 8am – 4pm
https://darlinggroup.com.au/venues/toppaddock/

Glad to see Top Paddock Cafe survive the pandemic and pull through, seemingly stronger than ever. Top Paddock is among my favourite cafes in Melbourne, and I'm glad to find that everything remains as good as before.

Ambience at Top Paddock cafe remains bright, spacious, and airy, the combination of raw industrial and natural greenery in perfect harmony. Service at Top Paddock cafe still lives up to restaurant standards, staff are polite, knowledgable, and engaging, working efficiently. Food at Top Paddock cafe still consists of modern American, British, and Australian breakfast cuisine. Dishes feature classic comforting flavours, made with fresh seasonal ingredients, presented in a beautifully plated manner. Portions are large, and are best shared.

Top Paddock Signage

Top Paddock Exterior

Top Paddock Interior

Seating

Seating

Decorative Lamps

The Cocktail Blood & Sand (AUD $20) features a blend of scotch whisky, heering cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth, and orange juice. This has bright fruity sour sweet tangy zesty boozy flavour, strong and punchy, nice.

Cocktail Blood & Sand (AUD $20)

The Affogato (AUD $7) here is positioned as a beverage, with strong black coffee and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I note the ice cream holds up well, it doesn't melt too quickly. When combined, this affogato has a toasty floral earthy bitter sweet flavour, yum. Good!

Affogato (AUD $7)

Affogato

Affogato

The Breakfast Salad (AUD $29) is clean and wholesome, a healthy start to the day. It features leafy sautéed kale, crunchy broccolini, creamy pumpkin purée, tamari / fermented soy bean clusters, crisp sunflower seeds, runny poached egg, and spongy soft grilled halloumi cheese, all lightly dressed with miso paste. The breakfast salad carries bright vegetal earthy nutty salty savoury sweet eggy flavours, so delicious. Vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options are available. Highly recommended!

Breakfast Salad (AUD $29)

Breakfast Salad

Breakfast Salad

Have fond memories of the Blueberry & Ricotta Hotcake (AUD $28), and it remains as good as ever. It features large, pillowy soft buttermilk and ricotta cheese pancakes / hotcakes with a moist crumbly spongy texture, garnished with fresh seasonal berries (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry) with bright juicy textures, toasted seeds (sunflower seeds, pine nuts) that lend a crisp crunch, rich creamy smooth airy double whipped cream, thick luscious maple syrup, and edible flowers. Bright flavours of fruity sweet cheesy milky nutty. Looks so pretty on the plate, and tastes so wholesome. Highly recommended!