Melbourne restaurants: Chinatown best dumplings, Asian food on offer to returning Victorians

It’s time to come back to Chinatown, experience the magic and the food on offer and revitalise the once thriving precinct, businesses say.

Chinatown businesses are asking Melburnians to look to the city for their next night out or foodie adventure.

The historic Little Bourke St strip was one of the first dining precincts to be hit by the economic impacts of COVID in early 2020 — before Victoria’s lockdown — made worse by the loss of international students, tourists and low CBD foot traffic.

While visitor numbers are steadily increasing, businesses were down 55 per cent pre-COVID earnings, according to the most recent Melbourne Council data.

Chinatown Precinct Association president Danny Doon said the loss of tourism and students had been heavily felt in the area and encouraged Victorians to come back and enjoy the diverse street.

“Businesses rely on students and office workers coming for lunch and young tourists coming through … numbers of people visiting are getting better, but not quick enough to bring it back to normal,” Mr Doon said.

“A lot of international students come to Chinatown for their meals and many work part-time jobs … without students restaurants are left short staffed and rental properties empty.

“We want all of Victoria to enjoy the huge range of food and experiences in Chinatown.”

The council has provided $100,000 to the association to help bring the buzz back to streets and laneways as part of its $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund.

In a report presented to the council, data showed 29 per cent of CBD shopfronts were shut and tourist spending was down by 91 per cent in November and December compared to the same time in 2019.

Chinatown business representatives told The Melbourne City News most duty free gift shops — which they rely solely on travellers — have not reopened since the pandemic started.

Iconic Chinatown restaurants Shark Fin Inn, under new owners, and Dragon Boat closed in 2020 but will reopen soon after extensive renovations.

Popular dumpling houses, restaurants and bubble tea eateries — who, pre-COVID would usually have a line out the door — were empty on Thursday during the lunch rush period.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said it’s time for Melburnians to “rediscover” Chinatown and help support one of the areas earliest hit during the COVID economic downturn.

“Melbourne’s Chinatown plays a huge role in the cultural fabric of our city,” Cr Capp said.

“Chinatown was one of the first areas to suffer a downturn in visitors and trade due to the COVID pandemic, but there are positive signs that Melburnians are returning.

“Many of Chinatown’s much-loved restaurants have embraced outdoor dining with visitors able to enjoy Yum Cha, dumplings and piping hot noodles in outdoor dining ‘parklets’.”

She said there were a number of closed laneways to create more space for outdoor dining on the weekends.

“Our message to Melburnians is to come in and rediscover Chinatown,” Cr Capp said.

“Follow the lanterns to your favourite restaurant, laneway bar or specialty store venue and enjoy everything this wonderful part of our city has to offer.”

Businesses are continuing to work with the local and State Government to look into more ways to encourage city workers and Victorians to enjoy the precinct.

This includes a new Chinatown night market starting next month, decorated street poles running down Little Bourke St and eight laneways closed to traffic on weekends to allow restaurants to serve up yum cha, noodles and more.