Chef’s Guide: Best places to eat, drink in Prahran and surrounds

From dumplings, the best noodle soup in town and a bistro to rival any in Paris — here are the best places to eat and drink in Prahran.

You don’t go to Hutong Dumpling Bar without trying the chilli wontons. Picture: Supplied.

From dumplings, Sunday sessions, the best noodle soup in town and a bistro to rival any in Paris — here are the best spots to eat and drink in Prahran, according to Pinchy’s head chef Jack Tsai

Pinchy’s head chef Head Chef Jack Tsai

HU TONG DUMPLING BAR

There’s something mesmerising about watching chefs make dumplings — from rolling the thin elastic dough to beautifully encasing the juicy filling in perfect pleats. The xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are the real deal here. For something with more of a kick, go for the wontons with hot chilli sauce.

162 Commercial Rd

Xiaolongbao at Hu Tong.

COLLEGE LAWN HOTEL

My favourite local neighbourhood pub to catch up with mates over a beer (more likely a few). Nice cozy indoor seating with a great beer garden atmosphere outdoors. New app ordering system makes it easy to keep the beers flowing without having to leave your seat.

36 Greville St

College Lawn is great for catching up with friends over a beer. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

CATO FRUIT & VEGETABLES ASIAN GROCERIES SHOP

Is window shopping at a grocery shop a thing? Even when I don’t need any groceries I love wandering around this shop, there are so many different treasures from all kinds of cuisines. The focus is on Asian goods, so I can find everything to make traditional dishes such as Zongzi (bamboo leaf wrapped sticky rice) when I am up for a challenge.

10-12 Cato St

Chefs in the open kitchen at L'Hotel Gitan. Picture: Sarah Matray

MASTER LANZHOU NOODLE BAR

Soup noodles are my ultimate comfort food. My mum always made beef noodle soup when we were growing up. Every city I live in I always go find the best beef noodle soup there is, and I have found them here at Lanzhou Noodle Bar. It is as authentic as it gets. Don’t forget to add pickled mustard greens to your bowl, and for God’s sake finish the soup.

199 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

L'Hotel Gitan eye fillet w bearnaise. Picture: Sarah Matray

L’HOTEL GITAN

Given that international travel is not an option right now, I’m lucky that L’Hotel Gitan is just up the road. I can walk five minutes and feel like I’m in a Parisian bistro. Get any of one their selection of steaks with an order of pommes frites, or try the rotisserie du jour, and finish with a lovely baked meringue.

32 Commercial Rd

FRATELLINO

I am a sucker for noodles of any kind. It may be one of the greatest food inventions of all time and the Italians sure know how to make them tasty. Fratellino is no different. Great ambiance for a warm and cosy date night. Enjoy one of their delicious wood-fired pizzas with your hot date while you share a bowl of spaghetti a la Lady and the Tramp.

415 Malvern Rd, South Yarra

FYI: Pinchy’s lobster, seafood and champagne bar is open Thurs from 5pm and Fri-Sun from noon at level 1/200 Bourke St, Melbourne. pinchys.co