Melbourne Restaurants

If you feel like some great Malaysian food when in town, Malaymas is not to be missed. I have been going there for more than 10 years and originally it was only a take away shop with a couple of tables. Over the years it has become so popular that they had to move into a bigger premise. It is always busy so you may have to wait for a table if you don't book, but the service is quick and the food is hot. It only takes cash and alcohol is not allowed but dont let that stop you. Its open everyday but Tuesday.

Favorite Dish: In my opinion they have the best Laksa in Melbourne offering a range of different types. Other favourite dishes is their Malaymas Fried Rice, Chicken Curry, Hainan Chicken, the fried chicken wings (not that healthy but sometimes you have to induldge), Mee Goreng and Kuay Teow.

Thanks to everybody who posted...
We have been spoilt as we spent 3months travelling through Northern Italy last year and we hoping to repeat the eating experience. We didnt want to end up in the old stock standard everybody does the same pizza and pasta sort of deal that you get when you get a setup like Lygon st, and another like Fremantle in W.A. where anybody with the slightest bit of Italian heritage thinks they can cook Italian.

Many Thanks

Marco

Tucked away off the main drag of Chinatown is this absolute gem.

Blink and you will miss it.

Head inside and you find a clean unpretenious little restaurant that is all about the food.

Everytime I come to Melbourne I come here. Why becuase its good food, good value, good service and it takes me back to Malaysia everytime.

I come especially for the Har mee (Prawn Soup) made just how I remember it to be. I have sampled other dishes on the menu and they are good but this soup is hard to find and even harder to be made to authentic Malaysian standard. This soup is hot and spicy, and it can be made even hotter by adding the restaurants own HOME MADE SAMBAL, belissimo. I asked about buying the sambal but its not for sale.

So if you want great Malay food this is the place to be.

I haven't got a picture for you - I do try to remember to take one but the experience and the food takes over and I forget.

This place was packed as we walked pass. And you know the saying if in doubt "Do as the locals do." And so we did and what a find.

Having been to Vietnam and a lover of Pho this place was as good as any I had before.
You have the option of a small bowl or large. I ordered large because I could and was glad I did. The soup was perfect. Loaded with alot more beef than what normally would served. I enjoyed every last morsel.
A small is sufficient, not as small as the bowls you get in Vietnam so I would deem them to be more of an average sized bowl.

Service was quick and the decor typical put together Asian Restaurant. Tiled Floor, Standard Table and chairs, with the plastic side tray with all the condiments in it, box of tissues.

As we departed I took another look around and guess what, the place was still packed.

Favorite Dish: Pho Bo - Vietmanese Beef Noodle Soup - The Soup that feeds a Nation!

This is more of up-market FISH and CHIP Shop with outdoor cafe stripe style seating.
We feasted on a Seaside Pack, Fast Pack and Grill Pack. Total for all these tasty treasures was AUD $31.70 and worth every cent. The portitions are larger than normal- see the photo.

Favorite Dish: Seafood was cooked well and looks like they change the vats regulary. Shop was packed with customers - if in doubt "do as the locals do."

Lemongrass Thai is a beautiful restaurant, from the decor to the food.

I was unaware that any Thai restaurant in Australia actually sold Chicken Pandanus, however Lemongrass does, and it is unbelievably good.

We had a selection of dishes off their menu, including Green Curry, Prawn curry, Massaman, Roti, Satay and a chilli beef which was on the specials board.

Service was good, they let us eat our meal in peace, but were on hand immediately if we needed/wanted something.

If the prices had been Thai prices, it would have made the experience so much better

Favorite Dish: Chicken Pandanus. Marinated to perfection, cooked beautifully ($13.80)
Green Curry. Was a real green curry, although not hot enough ($23.50)
Roti with satay sauce - absolutely devine

So after about 20 minutes of 'seeing' Acland St, i was bored and wanted to move on, and felt like a slurpee (they are godsends on 30deg days!) and found a 7/11 just down the rd, and in the process stumbled across Blessington St, with a slew of 6 cafes all in a row! (score!)
If i had to describe it, i would say- picture Acland St, and then think of the total opposite- a place where all the 'real locals' go to get their coffee and lunch!
There's something for everyone, from spuds and pizza's to vegetarian-
but my fav was cafe 47!

I almost missed this place, but i'm so glad i didnt!! This small but charming place, is obviously one of those places where the owners know everyone's name- making you instantly feel like a local for even 'knowing' where it is!
The main draw of the cafe is their massive salad bar- where you can make your own salads.
I had to resist the temptation to stuff everything available in the the salad- it all looked so good! They also use organic coffee (suprisingly hard to find in Melbourne!) which, once you taste, you'll never want to go back...

So if you're looking for a place with great coffee, great lunches and friendly staff, without the decadance and overkill of most cafes in the area, make the 2 minute trip off Acland St, to this cool little street!

Favorite Dish: I made my own salad- there's practically everything you can think of to choose from- and it was amazing, and realllly filling! So you really cant go wrong if you pick your own!

If you are on a tight budget, The Mekong is the best place to get a huge bowl of noodles for just AUD$8! The restaurant is simple and always busy. The menu is extensive and you would be spoilt for choice! I had the beef noodles and it was fabulous! Many locals eat here and that is always an indication of a good place to fill your empty tummy!