The best macaroni and cheese in Melbourne
MELBOURNE is in the middle of a macaroni and cheese renaissance. Whether it's the star attraction, or a side dish, here’s where to find the best of this classic, cheesy goodness.
delicious.100
Don't miss out on the headlines from delicious.100. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DID you know Victoria is home to the country’s first ever macaroni factory?
It comes as no surprise, then, that Melburnians have had a longstanding love affair with the classic Italian-inspired dish.
A MILLION WAYS TO DINE IN THE WEST
A GUIDE TO THE BEST ITALIAN IN MELBOURNE
All over Melbourne chefs are coming up with increasingly creative — and mouth-watering — ways to celebrate this creamy pasta goodness.
From doughnuts to hotdogs, there's nothing this classic flavour combination can’t do.
Traditional macaroni and cheese is a casserole baked in the oven, but it may be prepared in a saucepan on the stove or, in desperate times, from a packet mix.
The earliest recordings of the dish dating back as far as the 14th century, with one of the oldest-known medieval Italian cookbooks detailing a recipe for a pasta and parmesan dish.
But it wasn’t until American president Thomas Jefferson had a delicious encounter with the cheesy macaroni casserole in northern Italy in the 1790s that the dish exploded into mainstream cookery.
It has become so popular, in fact, that there is even a national day in its honour.
To celebrate July 14 being National Mac & Cheese Day, we’ve put together this guide to Melbourne’s best mac and cheese.
Because we want everyone to have a Happy Macentine’s Day.
Enjoy.
THE MAC & CHEESE BIBLE
CBD
MEATMAIDEN: 195 LITTLE COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE
How can you make mac and cheese better? Add lobster to it. Revolutionary. Or turn them into jalapeño mac and cheese croquettes. Either way is fine by us.
FANCY HANKS: LEVEL 1, 79 BOURKE ST, MELBOURNE
A city favourite.
BELLEVILLE: GLOBE ALLEY, MELBOURNE
This three-cheese truffle mac ‘n’ cheese with Cheezel and bacon crumbs is life.
GRAND TRAILER PARK TAVERNA: 87 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE
So, this just happened.
BOWERY TO WILLIAMSBURG: 16 OLIVER LANE, MELBOURNE
Grab a New York-inspired sanga with a side of mac n cheese.
RIVERLAND: VAULTS 1-9 FEDERATION WHARF, MELBOURNE
These mac and cheese croquettes with bacon crumb and baconnaise come highly recommended.
EASEYS: 3/48 EASEY STREET, COLLINGWOOD | 637 CHAPEL ST | 579 LITTLE COLLINS ST
Mac and cheese hot dogs. Or if you’re vegetarian why not try mac and cheese jammed between two potato cakes. It’s like all the best things in one. Macaroni. Cheese. Potato. Yewwww.
BROOKLYN DEPOT: SHOP 4, 399 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE
Go the macaroni & three cheeses (gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan) baked in bechamel sauce, topped with crispy bacon bits and garnished with spring onions if you feel like sharing. Or go the Maclovin Balls if you feel like friend mac and cheese goodness all to yourself.
ROYAL STACKS: 470 COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE | 800 SYDNEY RD, BRUNSWICK | CHADSTONE
The mac and cheese patty is in the burger. I repeat, the patty is in the burger.
EAST
THE NATIONAL: 344 VICTORIA ST, RICHMOND
Now that’s a nice burger.
THREE ONE 2 ONE: 424 BRIDGE RD, RICHMOND
Mac and cheese is pretty much mandatory at this Richmond burger joint.
MEATMOTHER: 167 SWAN ST, RICHMOND
A few of our favourite things, too.
EAST OF EVERYTHING: LEVEL 3, 72 AUBURN PARADE, CAMBERWELL
Rotating house-made mac and cheese in Japanese breadcrumbs with aioli and hot sauce.
SWEET NIGHTS: FOREST HILL CHASE SHOPPING CENTRE, 270 CANTERBURY ROAD, FOREST HILL
We want a pizza the mac and cheese action. Can’t even.
SOUTH
THIRD WAVE CAFE: 189 ROUSE STREET PORT MELBOURNE
A classic with a twist … This version is smoked with Hickory Wood, and has the added deliciousness of smoked crispy bacon.
SOUTHSIDE SOCIAL: 433 NEPEAN HIGHWAY, FRANKSTON | 34 CHAPEL STREET, WINDSOR
These mac & cheese nuggets are the bomb. Or try the Fatty 5-0 Burger with a double beef patty, triple bacon, mac’n’cheese, smoky BBQ sauce, spicy pickles and sour cream mayo.
BELLES HOT CHICKEN: 150 GERTRUDE ST, FITZROY | 107 SWAN ST, RICHMOND | 147 CHAPEL ST, WINDSOR
They make a good case...
MORRIS JONES: 163 CHAPEL ST, WINDSOR
Truffle mac and cheese. Enough said.
MISTY’S DINER: 765 GILBERT RD, RESERVOIR | 103-105 HIGH ST, PRAHRAN
Yes. Yes that is a mac and cheese hot dog. You’re welcome.
MURRAY’S FOOD STORE: 3B MURRAY ST, PRAHRAN
A mac and cheese pie now exists and everything seems right in the world.
SAINT LUCIA: 78 CHAPEL STREET, WINDSOR
We’ll just leave these here, then ...
GRAMERCY SOCIAL: 162-164 COMMERCIAL ROAD PRAHRAN
From now on, I will only eat at places that serve their burgers with a macancini popper on top. That’s a fried mac, cheese and jalapeño arancini ball, in case you were wondering.
WHITE OAKS SALOON: 115 — 117 GREVILLE ST, PRAHRAN
People of the world, spice up your life. With this chilli mac and cheese, of course.
RIPPONLEA FOOD AND WINE: 15 GLEN EIRA RD, RIPPONLEA
Few things in life are better than a mac and cheese jaffle (which you can also get at Ripponlea Food and Wine), but these mac and cheese sliders with smoky beef brisket, jalapeño mayo and pickle come pretty darn close.
NORTH
LE BON TON: 51 GIPPS ST, COLLINGWOOD
It’s the combination of cheddar, American and Swiss that makes this mac and three-cheese so delicious.
TRAMWAY HOTEL: 165 RAE ST, FITZROY NORTH
Because burgers and mac and cheese are a mac made in heaven. Chipotle or original. Vegan option available, too.
PO BOY QUARTER: 295 SMITH ST, FITZROY
Hello, hand-pressed macaroni and cheese croquettes with three different cheeses, fresh pasta and homemade Cajun mayonnaise.
CHEESE & BREAD: 518 HIGH ST, PRESTON
Lenny and Carl go together like macaroni, béchamel and house blend cheese.
STRAIGHT SIX: 336 RACECOURSE RD, FLEMINGTON
Deep fried, golden bites of mac and cheese katsu goodness.
VERTUE OF THE COFFEE DRINK: 8 RAFFA PLACE, CARLTON
You didn’t think brunch would escape the lure of the mac, did you? This is Melbourne, after all. We’re pretty obsessed with this house-made mac and cheese croquette with slow-braised ham hock, textures of beetroot, poached egg and beetroot bearnaise. Just a little bit fancy.
WEST
TOAST & CO: 181 ADDERLEY ST, WEST MELBOURNE
Go the classic mac and cheese Mack, or the Mack Daddy toastie with pulled pork. Because, carbs taste between carbs.
UP IN SMOKE: 28 HOPKINS STREET, FOOTSCRAY
Where would we be without mac and cheese sides?
FOOD TRUCK
TWISTED MAC: ROAMING
Mac and cheese on the go. Please and thank you.
Why wagyu cannoli should be on your must-eat hit list
Marameo serves up kitchen hits like a knockout plate of reginette and the terrifically twisted wagyu cannoli. But it’s not just the food luring in the office lads and ladies to this reborn CBD stalwart.
The stupidly delicious dish you need to order at Maha Bar
Everything you need to know about Shane Delia’s new venue Maha Bar, the northside sibling to his Maha restaurant, can be found within the four-bite must-order borek bun.