What Are the Best Cheap Eats in Melbourne?

Melbourne is one of Australia's best food cities, so there isn't just one dish you have to try. The city is particularly famous for its coffee culture, multicultural food scene, brunch, hot jam doughnuts and dim sims.

If you're visiting Melbourne for the first time, these are some of the foods and drinks worth adding to your itinerary.

1. Melbourne-Style Coffee ☕

Coffee is an essential part of the Melbourne experience. One local specialty worth trying is the Melbourne Magic — traditionally made with a double ristretto and silky steamed milk.

For a classic Melbourne café experience, try a coffee at Brick Lane Melbourne, Higher Ground or Proud Mary Coffee.

2. Hot Jam Doughnuts 🍩

A trip to Melbourne isn't complete without trying a hot jam doughnut from Queen Victoria Market. The American Doughnut Kitchen has been serving its famous freshly fried, jam-filled doughnuts since the 1950s.

The combination of a crisp, sugary exterior and warm jam filling makes this one of Melbourne's most iconic quick bites.

3. South Melbourne Dim Sim 🥟

South Melbourne dim sims, often simply called “dimmies,” are another local favourite. They are larger and different from the smaller Chinese-style dim sum dishes many visitors may know.

South Melbourne Market's famous dim sim tradition dates back to 1949, making it a particularly historic Melbourne food experience.

4. Australian Meat Pie 🥧

For a classic Australian food experience, try a meat pie. Usually filled with seasoned meat and rich gravy inside flaky pastry, it is a popular Australian comfort food.

For a sporting twist, What's On Melbourne highlights the classic Four'n Twenty pie at the MCG as a quintessential Melbourne experience.

5. Smashed Avocado on Sourdough 🥑

Melbourne's café culture helped make smashed avocado on toast internationally famous. A typical Melbourne brunch version can include sourdough, avocado, poached eggs, feta, chilli, lemon and seasonal ingredients.

For a brunch experience, you could try The Hardware Société, Operator25 or Bowery To Williamsburg.

6. Dumplings and Asian Food 🥟

Melbourne's multicultural food scene means visitors can enjoy excellent dumplings, noodles, pho, ramen and other Asian dishes throughout the city. Chinatown is an obvious place to begin exploring.

This diversity is one of the reasons Melbourne's food culture is so distinctive.

7. Croissants and Melbourne Pastries 🥐

Melbourne's café culture extends beyond coffee. Croissants, cruffins, pastries and creative baked goods are popular choices for breakfast or an afternoon treat. Visit a local café and pair a pastry with a Melbourne-style coffee for the full experience.

Where Should You Start?

If you only have time for a few things, try this simple Melbourne food itinerary:

Morning: ☕ Melbourne-style coffee + brunch
Midday: 🥟 South Melbourne dim sim or dumplings
Afternoon: 🍩 Hot jam doughnut
Evening: 🥧 Australian meat pie or a multicultural dinner