15 Iconic Melbourne Foods You Must Try

One of the things I love most about Melbourne is that it’s a city built for food lovers. No matter where you go, there’s always something delicious waiting to be discovered—a hidden laneway café, a family-owned bakery, or a bustling market stall.

Over the years, I’ve made it my mission to try every classic Melbourne dish, and along the way, I’ve gathered recommendations from friends, chefs, and even friendly strangers in cafés.

So, if you’re looking to eat like a true Melburnian, here’s a list of the most iconic Melbourne foods—each with a little story behind how I discovered them.

Food is at the heart of Melbourne’s identity. Walk through the city, and you’ll find Greek souvlaki joints next to Italian pasta bars, Vietnamese bánh mì stalls beside Aussie bakeries, and world-class coffee on every corner.

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Food has always been about more than just eating—memories, conversations, and connections.

Whether sharing a plate of salt and pepper calamari at a beachside pub or grabbing a late-night dim sim after a night out with friends, every dish has a story.

Now, let’s dive into Melbourne’s most iconic foods.

1. The Classic Meat Pie

A classic Aussie snack, the meat pie is a handheld pastry filled with minced beef, gravy, and seasonings. It’s flaky on the outside and packed with rich, savoury flavours.

Ask any Aussie about their childhood; I guarantee meat pies will come up. My first real memory of one was at the MCG, watching the AFL with my dad. The pie came in a brown paper bag, the crust was golden and flaky, and the filling was piping hot—so hot that I burnt my tongue. Lesson learned: always wait a few minutes before taking a big bite.

These days, I still love grabbing a classic meat pie before a game or on a road trip. The best ones have a buttery crust, a rich beef filling, and just the right amount of gravy.

Where to Try It:

🥧 Dinkum Pies (Royal Arcade) – Traditional and nostalgic.
🥧 Bourke Street Bakery (CBD) – Gourmet pies with fabulous fillings.
🥧 Any footy stadium stall – It tastes better while watching a game.

2. Chicken Parmigiana (Parma)

If there’s one dish that defines Melbourne’s pub culture, it’s the chicken parma. My first one was at The Napier Hotel in Fitzroy, thanks to some uni friends who insisted I “had to try it.” It arrived on the table bigger than my plate—a golden, crispy schnitzel topped with rich tomato sauce, ham, and gooey melted cheese, served with chips and salad.

Since then, I’ve had countless parmas across Melbourne, but nothing beats that first bite at a reasonable, cosy pub with a pint on the side.

Where to Try It:

🍗 The Napier Hotel (Fitzroy) – Huge portions, the perfect balance of flavours.
🍗 The Local Taphouse (St Kilda) – Great craft beer selection to go with your parma.

3. Vegemite on Toast

I know, I know—Vegemite is controversial. People either love it or hate it. But trust me, when done right, it’s incredible. The secret? A thin layer of Vegemite over heavily buttered toast. Get that wrong, and you’ll probably never want to eat it again.

My mum made it for me growing up, and it’s still a comfort food for me today. Some cafés have started serving gourmet versions with sourdough and whipped butter if you’re feeling adventurous.

Where to Try It:

🍞 Higher Ground (CBD) – A fancy, café-style version.
🍞 Cumulus Inc. (CBD) – Sourdough + Vegemite + a side of avo.
🍞 Any local café – Just order it and see how you feel!

4. Barramundi

I first tried barramundi at The Atlantic in Crown after a waiter suggested it over salmon. “Trust me,” he said, “it’s buttery, delicate, and melts in your mouth.” He was right.

Cooked grilled with crispy skin, it had this fantastic balance of lightness and richness—definitely one of the best seafood dishes I’ve ever had.

Now, barramundi is my go-to whenever I’m in the mood for fresh seafood.

Where to Try It:

🐟 The Atlantic (Crown) – Fancy but worth it.
🐟 Claypots (St Kilda) – More rustic, but incredible flavors.
🐟 Hunky Dory (Various locations) – Casual but always fresh.

5. Anzac Biscuits

Growing up, Anzac biscuits were a tradition in our house. Every April, my grandmother would bake a batch, filling the kitchen with the smell of golden syrup, oats, and coconut. She told me the story behind them—how they were initially made for soldiers in World War I because they lasted long without spoiling (source).

Even now, every time I eat an Anzac biscuit, it reminds me of her warm kitchen and cups of tea on cool autumn mornings. While homemade is always best, some bakeries do excellent fresh-baked versions.

Where to Try It:

🍪 Rustica Sourdough (CBD) – Crispy on the outside, chewy in the middle.
🍪 Bourke Street Bakery (CBD) – A perfectly traditional version.
🍪 Your local supermarket – If you want the store-bought classic.

6. Lamingtons

I’ll be honest—I never really appreciated Lamingtons as a kid. They always seemed a bit plain compared to fancy cakes. But then, a friend took me to Beatrix Bakes in North Melbourne and told me, “Just try it.”

I did. And wow—light-as-air sponge cake, rich chocolate coating, and coconut that tasted fresh, not dry and flaky like the supermarket versions. Some places even fill lamingtons with jam or cream, which makes them extra indulgent.

Where to Try It:

🍰 Beatrix Bakes (North Melbourne) – A game-changer for lamington lovers.
🍰 Mister Nice Guy’s Bakeshop (Ascot Vale) – A fantastic vegan version.
🍰 Bibelot (South Melbourne) – Fancy, French-style lamingtons.

7. Fairy Bread

If you grew up in Australia, fairy bread was a staple at every birthday party. Just white bread, butter, and rainbow sprinkles (aka “hundreds and thousands”). Simple, but somehow, completely magical.

As an adult, I hadn’t thought about fairy bread for years until I saw a gourmet version at a café in Fitzroy. They used brioche and premium butter, and while it was fancier, it still had that same joyful, nostalgic taste. Sometimes, food is all about the memories it brings back.

Where to Try It:

🍞 Milky Joe’s (Fitzroy) – A fancier take on the classic.
🍞 Any Aussie home party – This is best made at home.
🍞 Local bakeries sometimes have it – Keep an eye out!

8. Salt and Pepper Calamari

I used to think calamari was just calamari—until my husband ordered it at Claypots in St Kilda and insisted I take a bite. Melbourne’s version is special: light, crispy batter, perfectly seasoned with salt, pepper, and a hint of chilli, with a squeeze of lemon on top.

It’s the perfect dish to share at a seaside pub or outside on a warm summer evening.

Where to Try It:

🦑 Claypots (St Kilda) – Some of the best seafood in Melbourne.
🦑 The Stokehouse (St Kilda) – is fancy but worth it.
🦑 Any good pub – This is a pub classic for a reason.

9. Dim Sims

A few years ago, I chatted with a taxi driver who was a foodie. When I asked him where to find the best Melbourne-style dim sims, he didn’t hesitate: “South Melbourne Market. Get them fried.”

I followed his advice, and he was right—these are nothing like the delicate dumplings at Yum Cha.

They’re huge, packed with pork, cabbage, and spices, and have a crispy golden exterior. If you’re in Melbourne, this is one street food you can’t miss.

Where to Try It:

🥟 South Melbourne Market Dim Sims – The most famous, and for good reason.
🥟 Golden Dragon Palace (Templestowe) – A yum cha favourite.
🥟 Queen Victoria Market food stalls – Another great spot for classic dimmies.

10. Magic Coffee

I first heard about magic coffee when I was standing in line at Dukes Coffee Roasters in the CBD. I was about to order my usual flat white when the barista asked, “Have you ever tried magic?”

I shook my head, and he grinned. “You should.”

It turns out that a magic coffee is Melbourne’s best-kept secret. It has two ristretto shots (a more concentrated espresso) and just enough steamed milk. The result? It is a bold, smooth, and vibrant coffee I now order almost every time.

Where to Try It:

☕ Dukes Coffee Roasters (CBD) – Where I first discovered it.
☕ Proud Mary (Collingwood) – Expertly crafted specialty coffee.
☕ Market Lane Coffee (Various locations) – Always a great choice.

11. Tim Tams

The first time I had a Tim Tam, I thought, “Okay, nice chocolate biscuit.” Then my friend said, “No, you have to do the Tim Tam Slam.”

If you don’t know, this involves biting off both ends of a Tim Tam and using it like a straw to sip a hot drink—usually coffee or hot chocolate. The biscuit melts from the inside out, turning into a gooey, chocolatey dream. It’s messy but 100% worth it.

Where to Try It:

🍫 Supermarkets – Tim Tams are everywhere, and they’re always a good idea.
🍫 Hash Specialty Coffee (CBD) – Pair it with their famous hot chocolate.
🍫 Any Melbourne café – Bring your Tim Tams and do the Slam!

12. Pavlova

Every year at Christmas, my mum makes pavlova, and every year, someone at the table says, “You know, this was invented in New Zealand.”

Debate aside, pavlova is one of the most delicious desserts ever—a crispy meringue base with a marshmallow-like center, topped with fresh whipped cream and fruit. The tartness of passionfruit and berries cuts through the sweetness perfectly.

The best pavlova I’ve had outside of home was at Bibelot in South Melbourne—light, airy, and beautifully decorated.

Where to Try It:

🍓 Bibelot (South Melbourne) – A fancy, elegant take on the pav.
🍓 LuxBite (South Yarra) – Creative, modern versions of pavlova.
🍓 Home-baked – Honestly, pavlova is best homemade!

13. Bánh Mì

Melbourne has one of the most significant Vietnamese communities outside of Vietnam, so it’s no surprise that we have some of the best bánh mì around.

A crispy baguette filled with pickled carrots, fresh coriander, and perfectly seasoned meat—it’s one of my go-to lunch options when I want something delicious but quick.

A Vietnamese-Australian colleague once told me, “If you want real bánh mì, go to Footscray.” She wasn’t wrong. The best one I’ve had was from N. Lee Bakery in the CBD—their crispy roast pork version is out of this world.

Where to Try It:

🥖 N. Lee Bakery (CBD) – Their pork crackling bánh mì is legendary.
🥖 Ba’get (Various locations) – Always fresh and flavorful.
🥖 Footscray’s local bakeries – The real hidden gems.

14. Lune Croissants

I had heard the hype about Lune Croissanterie for years before I finally tried it. People called it “the best croissant in the world,” and honestly? They might be right.

The first time I went to Lune in Fitzroy, I waited in line for 40 minutes—and it was worth every second. Their classic croissant is buttery, crispy, and impossibly flaky, and their almond croissant is next-level decadent.

If you’re in Melbourne, Lune is a must-visit. Just be prepared to wait!

Where to Try It:

🥐 Lune Croissanterie (Fitzroy & CBD) – The one and only.
🥐 Agathé Pâtisserie (South Melbourne Market) – Another great option.
🥐 Baker Bleu (Elsternwick) – If Lune is too busy, try here!

15. Queen Victoria Market Doughnuts

If you’ve never had a hot jam doughnut from Queen Victoria Market, you’re missing out on one of Melbourne’s most incredible food experiences.

As a kid, my dad and I would go to Queen Vic Market on Saturday mornings, and no trip was complete without stopping by the American Doughnut Kitchen van.

I’d watch through the window as the freshly fried doughnuts were filled with hot, gooey raspberry jam and rolled in sugar.

Even now, as an adult, I can’t resist grabbing a few whenever I visit the market. They’re best eaten immediately; just be careful—that first bite is always lava-hot!

Where to Try It:

🍩 American Doughnut Kitchen (Queen Victoria Market) – The original and best.
🍩 Dandee Donuts (Dandenong Market) – Another great market classic.
🍩 Walker’s Doughnuts (CBD) – A fun, retro doughnut shop.

Best Restaurants in Melbourne

Melbourne’s food scene is as diverse and exciting as its coffee culture. I love discovering hidden cafés and exploring the city’s incredible dining options, from classic Aussie pub meals to world-class fine dining.

There’s always something delicious, whether it’s a chicken parma at a local pub, fresh seafood by the bay, or a late-night dim sim from South Melbourne Market. If you’re looking for unforgettable meals across the city, check out this guide to the best restaurants in Melbourne for must-visit spots that capture the heart of Melbourne’s vibrant food culture.

Final Thoughts

Melbourne’s food scene is one of the best in the world, and these iconic dishes showcase everything that makes it unique—cultural diversity, incredible flavours, and a deep love for good food.

From a hot meat pie at the footy to a buttery Lune croissant or a bag of jam doughnuts at Queen Vic Market, every dish has a story to tell.

So, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong local, go out and eat through Melbourne—one delicious bite at a time!