Melbourne is a food haven where you can practically get any type of food from any corner of the world. Trip Advisor and Zomato are two well known websites to refer to if you need any suggestions as to where to have a nice meal.

And I tell you, Melbourne’s coffee prepared by trained baristas is the best in the world. I think it has something to do with the “fresh” milk. I would only order Cappuccino in Melbourne because it is a standard practice that they sprinkle chocolate on it and thus I do not need to add sugar to my coffee. Below are some photos of cappuccinos prepared by Melbourne’s baristas with freaking nice coffee art:

Before you proceed any further, I have to warn you that there are non-halal food photos here. Therefore, if you are a Muslim, you may want to take a miss on this article.

Billy’s Central Melbourne CBD

This is a newly opened cafe located in Melbourne Central 1st Floor next to the link bridge to Emporium. I strongly recommend this place as this is no Q unlike Hardware Societe.

MeatMaiden Little Collins Melbourne CBD

My eldest son took us to MeatMaiden which was my first time there. My two boys loved the Wagyu Beef Grade 7.

Operator 25 Melbourne CBD

This is another restaurant owned by a Malaysia. Therefore, in their fusion food you can expect some Malaysia flavour such as Rendang and Laksa.

I visited it for the second time and the food was really tasty.

Curry Vault Indian Restaurant – Bank Pl Melbourne CBD

Curry Vault is another favorite restaurant of mine because the naans are great and the curry not super spicy, haha.

Tip – visit The Fork website to make reservations and you will get discount 🙂

 

 

IPPUDO – The Best Ramen In The World Is Now In Melbourne

If you have never tried Ippudo before, I strongly recommend that you order the Akamaru Ramen which is my favorite ramen. Ippudo is located at QV in Melboune CBD.

KLANG & CO @ ASIAN FOOD DEPOT – Shop 8, 672 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn Vic 3122

Klang & Co specializes in Malaysian food and opened its doors in June 2017. My wife and I dropped by on 1st August 2017 where we ordered their Hainanese Chicken Rice, Roast Chicken and Nasi Lemak. I tell you, Klang & Co’s Hainanese Steam Chicken is The Best in Melbourne; actually it’s the best steam chicken I ever had!!! The steam chicken was freaking tender, or like what food critics like to say, it melts in your mouth!!!

As for the Nasi Lemak, I tell you, I love it because the sambal is the type I like, not too pedas, perfect texture (not too thick or watery) and sweet 🙂 The ikan bilis is freaking good too and the reason is the ikan bilis are air flown from Malaysia!!! You can have either chicken curry or fried chicken with the nasi lemak.

Authentic Klang Bah Kut Teh is served on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Klang & Co! And you will love it because it is served with chicken rice. I tell you, combination of real Bah Kut Teh Soup and Chicken Rice is like heaven on earth. Since the chefs of Klang & Co are from Klang, they can proudly claim that their Bah Kut Teh is authentic. Other places in Melbourne serving Bah Kut Teh are “fakes” if their main chef is not from Klang, hahahaha.

Klang & Co’s menu will satisfy everyone including vegetarians as they offer “vegetarian duck” which is really yummy with fried rice (I “tau pau” back to try it).

Klang & Co’s deco is modern and reflects the owner’s background. The place is bright and super clean. You can either dine in or take away your meals. The owner has specially ordered containers that separate the rice/noodle and the chicken with sauce (see photo below).

If you reside in Melbourne and love Malaysian food, you must drop by Klang & Co and you will thank me for it 🙂

Klang & Co is easily accessible via car (ample parking behind Coles, Woolwoorths and Train Station) and train (it’s just next to the Train Station) and trams.

Click here to visit Klang & Co website.

Click here to visit Klang & Co Facebook Page and read the reviews from their satisfied and happy customers.

Hardware Societe – Hardware Lane

This is my favorite cafe in Melbourne CBD. They do not accept reservations, as such, the best time you go is between 11.20am and 12.00pm on weekdays. If you go after 12pm, you may end up waiting up to half an hour for a table.  And the reason why I recommend the time mentioned above is because they start serving lunch at 11.30am and therefore you get to try their lunch menu also where they have daily specials. I would advise you not to visit Hardware Societe on weekends because the queue is freaking long. FYI, they only serve breakfast and lunch.

Must try dishes at Hardware Societe are their Baked Eggs, Twice Cooked Pork Belly (please note that they may have another pork belly item on the menu), Duck and lunch specials. And if you like Hot Chocolate, you must try Hardware Societe’s Hot Chocolate.

HASH # – 113 Hardware Lane

Hardware Societe mentioned above is always packed and sometime we may need to wait more than half an hour for a table. So for those of you who have no patient (like me), we can always drop by Hash which is right opposite Hardware Societe where they serve similar food. I highly recommend the Pannacotta at Hash, it’s like a multi sensory explosion of flavors in you mouth.

I have been to Hash a couple times (because I had to wait 45 minutes for a table at Hardward Societe) and didn’t need to wait long for a table (like almost immediate). I guess it is because Hash has more seating capacity since they have a Mezzanine Floor.

Oh yes, you must also try their hot chocolate with cotton candy. Great for taking photos, hehe.

 

Shark Fin Inn (50 Little Bourke)

If you would like to have Live Lobster with Spring Onion and Ginger Noodles, the place to go to is Shark Fin Inn. I have tried Lobster with Noodles at many Chinese restaurants around Melbourne but I find Shark Fin Inn’s the best. You can ask for extra noodles (but of course you will be charged for it) and even extra “gravy” and they would happily entertain your request.

As for their other dishes, most of them suit my palate and I have nothing to complain about. The service at Shark Fin Inn is generally pretty good.

Most of the time when I celebrate my children’s birthday or when we are in Melbourne during Chinese New Year, we’ll have our dinner at Shark Fins Inn and order their lobster.

Ants Bistro (7 Corrs Lane)

This is another favorite Chinese Restaurant of mine. They serve “simple” yet delicious Chinese Food. What you must try at Ants Bistro is their Scrambled Egg White with scallops and Clay Pot Baramundi. The restaurant is owned by two brothers and I have come to know one of the brothers and his wife pretty well. So much so, they will entertain me whenever I request for something not on their menu, like Macau Crab Porridge (however, this needs to be ordered a few days in advance).

I am happy with Ants Bistro’s service whenever I go there, even though sometimes I may need to wait for more than half an hour or so before my food is served, and I can tell you the wait is worth while (especially if  you order the scrambled egg white and clay pot fish).

Secret Kitchen – Corner of Little Bourke Street and Exhibition Street

This restaurant was formerly known as China Bar where they have now engaged award winning chefs from mainland China. Most of the Chinese restaurants in Chinatown basically serve Hong Kong style cooking (that is why you will find that the Lobster Ginger and Spring Onion Noodle in London Chinatown tastes similar to the ones in Melbourne Chinatown).

However, since the chef at Secret Kitchen is from mainland China, you can expect their style of cooking to be different for the same dish that you get at say, Shark Fins Inn. For example, I once ordered the Lobster Ginger Spring Onion Noodle at Secret Kitchen and there was hardly any “gravy” and the taste was different from other restaurants BUT it still tasted pretty good.

The food and service at Secret Kitchen is generally good and what I like is that their tables are well spaced apart unlike most of the restaurants in Melbourne CBD. However, their Managers are not that friendly or willing to go the distance to make you happy unlike Shark Fins Inn’ Managers (Kelvin and Angus).

I have been to Secret Kitchen more than 3 times for dinner and each time I spent more than AUD600 (8 pax) but the Manager there refused to waive the corkage charges!!! Once I had to pay AUD30 per bottle for corkage charges when I took my award winning cognac, Gautier XO Gold & Blue, for dinner at Secret Kitchen. The amount, AUD30, is negligible compared to the overall bill but it is small things like this (i.e. waiving corkage charges)  that make me really happy, hahaha.

What you must try at Secret Kitchen is their Dim Sum which is unlike the Hong Kong Dim Sum we get around Chinatown Melbourne.

CHIN CHIN – Flinders Lane

This is one restaurant you must try while you are in Melbourne. Once again, if you hate to wait in a queue like me, it’s best to go around 11.30am before the lunch crowd. Generally, Chin Chin does not accept reservations. However, if there are minimum 10 people in your party, you can make a reservation but must go with their “banquet” that cost AUD69 per pax but they will keep feeding you until your stomachs explode!

If you go to Chin Chin’s website, you may have the impression that they serve Thai food; however, this is not really the case as they serve Fusion food with a heavy Thai influence. Must try at Chin Chin are their King Fish Sashimi, Caramelised Pork Belly, Crispy Duck, Salmon in Banana Leaf and their curries/rendangs.

Taxi Kitchen (Level 1, Transport Hotel, Federation Square).

This is an award winning restaurant and I tell you, their service is second to none.

I really love Taxi Kitchen which is located on the 1st floor which overlooks the city (Southbank and Flinders St). The service at Taxi Kitchen is fantastic and more importantly the food is really good. They serve fusion food and as such our taste buds will have a good time when you order several dishes and share them with your loved ones.

You will be surprised that Taxi Kitchen staff are well aware that Asians love to share their food; and may even ask who in your party are sharing the food so that they can place the cutlery and plate accordingly; and the dish that is to be shared comes automatically with a separate serving spoon and fork.

Top Of The Bay Williamstown – The Best Fish and Chips in Melbourne

This is the place my family and I would go to if we want fish and chips in Melbourne. Besides the fish and chips, you get a spectacular view of Melbourne City. I have taken many of my relatives/friends from Malaysia to Top Of The Bay and all of them agree that it’s even better than the one in Freemantle, Perth.

It would be more convenient to drive to Top Of The Bay Williamstown from Melbourne CBD where the car ride will take about 20 minutes.

I would recommend that you simply order fish of the day and if you wish to, you can add calamari or prawns.

Blue Chillies Malaysian Restaurant (182 Brunswick St, Fitzroy)

If you miss Malaysian food, this is the restaurant to go to in Melbourne. My favorite dish here is the thrice cooked duck where the skin is really crispy and goes really well with the sweet sauce. You may have to go two or three trips to be able to enjoy all the delicious dishes they offer.

Fomo Thai Restaurant – Bourke Street Melbourne CBD

I have tried a few Thai restaurants in Melbourne and I must say many of them serve really delicious red duck curry. However, my favourite Thai restaurant is FOMO Thai where everything I have tried there so far tasted really good. You must try their roast pork belly and papaya salad. And their Tub Tim Grob (water chestnut dessert) is actually pretty good. Reservation is recommended.

Jinda Thai Richmond

Jinda Thai does not accept bookings on weekends; therefore I recommend that you go before 12pm if you hate to wait for a table like me.

A friend (long time follower of mine who have since become a good friend) invited me for lunch at Jinda Thai in August 2018. I must say the food at Jinda Thai is pretty good and the fish he ordered was exceptionally fantastic. I love red curry duck and I was super happy he ordered it.

N2 Extreme Gelato – Sutherland Street Melbourne CBD – CLOSED

If you love ice cream, you must try N2 while you are in Melbourne CBD. They change the flavours every week and my favourites are The Red Velvet and Creme Brulee. Their gelatos are made on the spot using liquid nitrogen and you can view it as they are made.

Nshry (129A Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park) – CLOSED

Too bad Nshry is closed for forver. It was one of my favorite restaurant in Melbourne.

I really love Nshry. Besides the delicious food there, the view is also fantastic. Nothing beats having a wonderful lunch overlooking the blue calm sea water.

Nshry has won an award for their burger and they have several types. I highly recommend their corn fritters.

 

Click On the image below to read my article titled Rolex GMT Batman 116710BLNR and Pepsi 126710BLRO at Nobu Japanese Restaurant Crown Melbourne

To see my Spirits collection in KL and Melbourne and prices of Japanese Whiskies in Japan, Singapore, Australia and Malaysia, please click on the image below: