Where to find Melbourne’s best hidden lunch spots and cult favourites

SOME of Melbourne’s top lunch spots aren’t listed in any food guides - until now. From caravan creperies to digital dumpling dealers, here’s our round-up of the city’s best-kept lunch secrets.

MELBOURNE might be known for its fancy restaurants, specialty coffee shops and oh-so-Instagrammable breakfasts.

But, as any of the city’s 854,000-strong Monday to Friday crew can attest, some of its best lunch spots aren’t listed in any food guides or cafe roundups. Until now.

Hiding in laneways, underpasses, arcades and atop seemingly concealed staircases you’ll find some of the city’s best-kept lunch secrets.

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From caravan creperies and graffitied baguette booths to digital dumpling dealers and first-floor burger bars - these are some of the city’s cult midday mouth-pleasers.

WAFFLE ON

Shop 9, Degraves St

Don’t let Waffle On’s humble facade fool you.

This compact baguette bar, which is the first thing you see when you emerge from the Campbell Arcade underpass, is proof that you should never judge a baguette by its cover.

Though its moniker might throw passers-by off the sambo scent, it’s the seriously delicious French baguettes that have made this place a local institution.

Here, fluffy French sandwiches come layered with all the traditional fillings, such as roast beef, brie, pickles and mayonnaise.

Try Le Parisien - a toasty baguette filled with ham, Emmental cheese, French pickles, mustard and a healthy carving of butter for just $11.

VPR VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD

3/19 Freshwater Pl, Southbank

Blink and you might miss the subtle staircase that leads to this first-floor Vietnamese vendor, which is hidden above the bustling Freshwater Place food court.

VPR, a favourite among the Southbank suits crew, is known for its fresh, fast and seriously tasty Vietnamese street food.

We’re talking fragrant pho, rice paper rolls and signature vermicelli salads.

With change from a tenner.

But be sure to get there before 2pm as they often sell out.

MIGO’S

289 Flinders St, Melbourne

If you’re looking for one of the city’s best kept lunch secrets, look no further than Migo’s. This cosy cafe is tucked away on Flinders Lane, where it is dishing up authentic European-inspired fare and an impressive selection of house-baked daily treats.

The menu, which is scribbled on a blackboard behind the counter, is rustic and unpretentious as the cafe’s inimitable owner.

Get around the fresh Portuguese tarts and one of the best seafood pastas this side of the Yarra.

THE DUKE

146 Flinders St, Melbourne

Feel like ducking out for a quick midweek parma and pot pick-me-up? The Duke has you covered.

Their Duchess Parma deal comes complete with crinkle-cut chips, slaw and Dijon dressing, as well as a glass of wine or beer for $20.

Available weekdays from 12-3pm. Lunch, sorted.

TETSUJIN

Level 4, Emporium Melbourne, 295 Lonsdale St, CBD

Michelin-starred chef Masahiko Yomoda has teamed up with Emporium’s Tetsujin restaurant to bring city slickers a new 17-dish lunch feast.

And urbanites are lapping it up.

The dishes are inspired by the traditional flavours of Japan, but with a modern twist.

Think 48-hour beef short rib basted with Korean chilli BBQ sauce ($25), soft-shell crab ($12), Tetsujin wagyu steak ($21) and more.

The collaborative midday menu is available from 11:30am – 3pm weekdays.

FANCY HANK’S

79 Bourke St, Melbourne

Wrap your tastebuds around the city’s juiciest lunch at Fancy Hanks.

You won’t be disappointed by the pulled pork, smoked brisket, fried eggplant or hot smoked sausage sandwiches ($12-$13).

Or, if you feel like pigging out, treat your mouth to a brisket or pulled pork plate that comes complete with 150g of meat as well as coleslaw, beans and pickles. Because #treatyoself

CHUCKLE PARK

322 Little Collins St, Melbourne

A laneway cafe that is set up like a laneway? That’s about as Melbourne as it gets.

This lantern-lit lunch spot is slinging some of the city’s most moreish meals.

That means homemade meatball pitta bread wraps, Spanish-style hearty broth with toasted bread, or frittata burgers ($13).

China Red dumplings - do your tastebuds a favour.

CHINA RED

206 Bourke St, Melbourne

No lunch list would be complete without a nod to one of Melbourne’s best-loved and most share-friendly feasts: dumplings.

These succulent, pastry-wrapped parcels are one of the greatest gifts to mouthkind.

And at China Red, you can eat to your heart’s delight without ever speaking to a waiter.

At this bustling Bourke St eatery, you can order via iPad, which means: a) the service sets the record for speediest meal and drink delivery in Melbourne; and b) you can order as much as you like without having to worry about being judged by your waiter.

And with chilli oil dumplings this good - trust us, you’ll want to.

You can even watch chefs preparing your food fresh from behind a glass viewing window. Winning.

UNION KIOSK

Shop 2, Causeway Lane, Melbourne

When it comes to ultimate lunches, a good old-fashioned jaffle has to be up there with greats.

And, if you’ve got a hankering for the melting hot sandwich, Union Street is where you’ll find some of the city’s finest.

An apple pie jaffle from Union Kiosk in Causeway Lane, Melbourne.

With options like vegetarian bolognese and mozzarella, Mexican black bean, guacamole and salsa, avocado, Vegemite and cheese or an apple pie jaffle with custard and cinnamon sugar (prices from $7), it’s pretty much the definition of lunch heaven.

For more on what’s hot in Melbourne, pick up this week’s mX Zero. Grab your copy from 3pm at Flinders St, Southern Cross, City Loop and Richmond stations, thanks to Carlton Zero.

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