Chefs’ guide to outer Melbourne: Where our top chefs like to eat out
Some of our city’s top chefs have named their favourite places to eat and drink in outer Melbourne— did your local make the cut?
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We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to eating and drinking in Melbourne.
But have you been to these hidden gems?
Our city’s top chefs share their favourite outer suburban eating spots for you to try ahead of the festive season.
Did we miss any? Let us know your favourite suburban restaurant in the comments below.
Deer Park
Kirsty Chiaplias
Babajan chef and owner
Phat Thuan
This has been a long-time favourite of mine for many years. I rave about their raw fish coleslaw to anyone who will listen, and have done forever! I’ve never seen it at any other Vietnamese restaurant and it’s my go-to order – with the salted fish and chicken fried rice, of course. Sometimes I opt for entertainment and they’ll make and roll the rice paper rolls at the table, often with the raw fish coleslaw. They have heaps of dishes I find it hard to say no to, so I always over order. I never leave Phat Thuan hungry.
815 Ballarat Rd
Chef Lagenda
Another great spot around the corner from my house. I used to be in love with their chicken laksa but have recently tried the vegetable laksa and it’s fair to say it knocked the chicken out of the park. The kung pao chicken and Massaman beef curry are incredible too. They also do dumplings, bao, and san choy bow which my son devours. The roast pork and duck is a must-order when dining with bigger groups. There is always a line to get in but service is super quick so you never have to wait long for a table.
835 Ballarat Rd
Deer Park Hotel
This is an old favourite. I used to meet my dad here at least once a week – he’d call me on my way home from work and ask if I wanted to meet at the pub. I always said yes. He’d order me a parma with no ham and a $5 chardonnay. It’s changed over the years, you can only eat in the bistro and the $5 chardonnay is no longer, but the food has remained proper pub grub. The service is warm and you always get a table quickly. It’s a place filled with memories for my family since losing dad and will always hold a special place in my heart.
760 Ballarat Rd
BON BONS
This is a small takeaway bakery cafe in Brimbank Central Shopping Centre. It’s basically the only place I trust in ordering a coffee in the area. One of the lovely girls who used to work at Babajan also works here, so I love popping in to visit her. They do awesome milk bun rolls with custard, coconut or taro. My son loves the rolls with the mini frankfurts in them. They also do swiss rolls with matcha that are heavenly light. It’s my go-to Sunday treat.
Cnr Neale and Station Rd
Foodworks
This is a great supermarket so close to my house. It’s run by a Turkish family and has incredible Halal-only produce and its own butcher with a huge selection. It also has all of the cheeses and filo I have at Babajan, so it’s my go-to for when I need to grab some stock quickly. They have an incredible array of fresh vegetables and fruits, including okra, sweet and hot yellow peppers for stuffing, Turkish chillies, lots of different pulses, spices and olive oils. It’s certainly not your average supermarket.
803-805 Ballarat Rd
Springvale
Yee Kar Loong
Silks chef de cuisine
Co Do 2
I’ve recently been exploring the Springvale area and have come across this incredible Vietnamese restaurant. Co Do 2 is a small, humble and very underrated hotspot that has incredible comfort food, especially on a cold winter’s night. I particularly love the fragrant Bún bò Huế – a hidden gem in Vietnamese cuisine – a rich and spicy soup with deep layers of flavour, paired with tender slices of beef and pork and topped with fresh herbs. Co Do 2 definitely deserves more attention, so don’t let the location deter you from giving this restaurant a visit. I can assure you won’t be disappointed.
347/349 Springvale Rd
Phở Hung Vuong
Any restaurant that is generous with its portions is always a yes from me, and Phở Hung Vuong Saigon does exactly that. There is a hearty amount of rice noodles and a significant quantity of meat served with each bowl of phở. The broth is the champion of the dish. Real, traditional phở takes hours to prepare, and the final product is a broth that is clear, and supremely flavourful. It is an art form that Phở Hung Vuong Saigon has found the perfect formula for. When I look at the clarity of the broth in this restaurant, my heart pounds in sheer admiration. Each spoonful to my lips is a delight and leaves me rolling my eyes in pleasure. The food in this restaurant is well worth every dollar.
2/ 15 Balmoral Ave
Pappa Roti
You may have seen the Papparoti chains scattered around Melbourne, and you’ll be able to recognise them by the heavenly aroma as you pass by. Perfect for a Sunday morning with coffee in hand, Papparoti creates mouth-watering Malaysian coffee buns with an array of different flavours and fillings. My personal favourite is the Papparoti signature bun – soft and fluffy in the middle, flavoured with coffee, glazed with caramel and always served warm. If I’m feeling particularly decadent, you can add a durian topping too. People are often deterred by durian because of its distinct and often pungent flavour, but it pairs particularly well with the sweet bun.
29B Buckingham Ave
KFL Supermarket
While this isn’t a restaurant, I couldn’t not suggest a visit to KFL Supermarket. When cooking Asian cuisine at home, it’s imperative to use fresh, quality and authentic ingredients to really bring a dish to life. KFL Supermarket stocks an incredibly wide range of ingredients across different cuisines – whether you’re cooking a Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese or Malaysian dish, you’ll find everything from seafood and poultry to sauces, spices, and everything in between. For beginner cooks, the staff are incredibly helpful and can point you in the right direction to finding the right ingredients. KFL is definitely not your average grocer, it’s a mecca for Asian ingredients.
Springvale Shopping Centre, 46-58 Buckingham Ave
Bun Bun Bakery
I’m sure you’ve had many friends claim they’ve ‘just had the best banh mi in Melbourne’, but I’m telling you, if it wasn’t from Bun Bun Bakery, it can’t have been it. Serving delicious Vietnamese rolls for more than 20 years, Bun Bun Bakery is worth the visit to Springvale. They roast the pork in a sticky-sweet barbecue sauce that’s unlike anything I’ve ever tasted, with fatty and moist squares that lie on a bed of fresh salad and nuzzled into a fresh, crispy roll. Lathered on the inside, you’ll find mayo, barbecue sauce and the best liver pate you’ve ever tried. But the best part? Bun Bun’s banh mis are only about $5 a pop.
1/288 Springvale Rd
Pascoe Vale
Martin Sun
Mr Joe Dining executive chef and co-owner.
Shop225
This is one of my favourite pizza restaurants in Melbourne. Their pizza is perfect from the
dough, homemade sauce and topping ingredients. The best thing is they keep adding new
dishes on their menu, from mainly pizza to some pasta options. All the dishes I tried from
their menu are delicious, cooked with heart. They also provide GF and vegan options.
225 Melville Rd, Pascoe Vale South
Miinot Gelato
You will not miss this corner gelato shop when you drive past every weekend to see the
lines outside this small cute shop front, especially during the hot days. You can always find
some new exciting flavour to try when there is an adventurous spirit in your heart. It was
super satisfying to grab two scoops after work, which brightened my afternoon.
71 Melville Rd, Pascoe Vale South
Ciccio Pizza
There are quite limited cuisine options in Pascoe Vale and pizzeria are quite many options
here. Some of them are mainly takeaway and some of them are new with beautiful
interiors but I particularly love the family-style Italian restaurants and Ciccio Pizza has this
kind of ambience. The pizza is a thin crust and yeast has been done perfectly with big puffs
on the edge and good quality ingredients on the top. All other dishes are done with care
and love, which you can tell.
98 Kent Rd
Noodle Corner
There are really very limited Asian food options in Pascoe Vale. When I was craving Asian/
Chinese food I would go to this little Asian takeaway shop to fulfil my Asian stomach. Their
beef brisket rice bowl, char siu on rice and roasted duck are done perfectly to the standards
of the Melbourne Hong Kong food scene. At that time the shop was run by an old Asian
couple, with a humble attitude – which made me feel like I was in Hong Kong.
196 Gaffney St, Coburg North
Augustus Gelatery
This gelataria is a summer paradise for kids as it has very nice outdoor seating and a
long sitting bench inside for you to wait for your love of ice cream. The two big display
fridges are normally packed with classic flavours and seasonal choices. I always go with
pistachio or salted caramel. And my little one loves strawberry or lemon sorbet. A super relaxed place to chill and enjoy something sweet. They are open until 10pm, so I occasionally grab some late-night guilty treat from them.
15a Pascoe St
Hampton
Carina La Delfa
The Hamptons Bakery head pastry chef
Miramare Gelateria
Located down a side street close to the beach, this beautiful gelataria opened in 2021 and serves the most smooth, delicate gelato flavours. The team use real, seasonal ingredients in all of their authentically made gelatos. It is the perfect location to grab a scoop and walk down to the beach on a sunny day or even to just watch the sunset.
Shop B/25 Small St
Butcher and Vine
You can smell the grill the moment you walk by the entrance. This has become my go-to for a steak and a great glass of wine, with a curated selection of Australian and international labels. The steaks are always cooked to perfection. During the warmer months, I love sitting out the front with friends. I love the calamari and burrata with peaches, but the steak
and rustic fries are a must.
427 Hampton St
Feast
The cheese room at Feast is a dream. I always get carried away and walk out with far more cheese than intended. Looking around, you could easily think you were in a beautiful delicatessen in Italy. The team are lovely and highly knowledgeable, always helping me choose the best cured meats or pickled veg to complement the cheese. My favourites are a Stilton and a beautiful soft Vacherousse d’Argental.
343 Hampton St
La Svolta
If you’re looking for an authentic thin-based pizza, you’ll find it at La Svolta. You can taste the quality ingredients used here – it’s a superb experience, whether eating in or taking away. Their pizza and wine deal is a no-brainer and a favourite for a Friday night in or out.
450 Hampton St
Meatsmith
This gourmet butcher has the finest meat and poultry. My family and I bought our meat for Christmas last year from Meatsmith, and it was exceptional. It is such good quality and the butchers inside are super knowledgeable and even give you tips on how to cook your product. I would highly recommend.
612 Hampton St, Brighton
Oakleigh
Phillip Latta
Orrong Hotel head chef
Oakleigh Fish And Chippery
A classic Greek family-run fish and chippery. The smell, sound and atmosphere makes me feel like I’m stepping back in time and revisiting a classic fish and chip shop from my childhood. It’s always busy and fresh. I love my beer battered King George Whiting and Greek salad. If you were born in the ’80s, you can’t go past the battered Dons hotdog.
45 Chester St
Cote Terra
This cafe is a favourite of mine, offering the best coffee in Oakleigh. Through the owners’ consistency and dedication to sustainable coffee, they have built a local cult following, which is impressive as they are competing with so many other local hospitality institutions. My favourite go-to items are the 12-hour smoked brisket Reuben and the steak and eggs.
17 Station St
Il Maestro Woodfired Pizza
Oakleigh is a better place because of Il Maestro. Boy, can they make pizza. It’s tucked away in Burlington St and takes the local neighbourhood pizza shop to another level. They are successful because of the owner’s Sicilian roots as well as the incredibly skilled and hardworking staff. Il Maestro is Oakleigh’s busiest small business and it’s best kept secret. You must try the house-made tiramisu.
16 Burlington St
Oakleigh Gourmet Deli
When I’m entertaining at home, I love to show off the flavours of the local area by hitting up Oakleigh Gourmet Deli. The must try is an assortment of Greek sausages infused with orange, chilli and red wine. I like to lightly grill them on the barbecue, slice them up and put them on a platter beside taramasalata and fresh bread.
39 Hanover St
Thomastown
Dario Di Clerico
That’s Amore Cheese executive chef
Melbourne Kebab Station
This is my go to place when I’m craving a kebab. The team bake their own Turkish bread and the meats are very high quality. The dine-in menu is fantastic too
265 High St
Taste of Thai
The best Thai food in the area. The chef has been cooking since he was 10-years old. My go to dishes are the whole fish and the red duck curry.
260-268 High St
Roast Art
As an Italian, I love a good coffee supplier. Marco and Claudio always look after me with coffee beans, caffettiere (Italian percolator) and everything I need to make the perfect coffee. I love that they grind the coffee right in front of me so I always know it is fresh.
267 Settlement Rd
IGA Mercato
This is my one stop shop for all things Italian. I recommend trying the Italian biscuits. I also love the in-house butcher, as they make some of the best sausages in the area.
275 High St
Zegov Restaurant
I love this unpretentious family-run eastern European restaurant, the food is great and the staff are very friendly. The mix grill, sarma and the pork neck grill are excellent.
16 Wood St
Abruzzo Lab
This one is in Epping but is a place is close to my heart, as I grew up in Abruzzo. They serve Arrosticini — a traditional Abruzzo dish — which are tender meat skewers cooked over charcoal. They bring back so many memories. The menu is seasonal and Michelle and Mara are great hosts. I love this place.
Shop 14/24-30 Taryn Dr
Cheltenham
Andrea Serreli
Tipico head chef
Bar Savarin
Let’s start with my favourite little bistro and wine shop. This classic European-style bar is
where you’ll find me on a Saturday afternoon munching on their small snacks and sipping on a glass of vino. They have a great selection of European wines, as well as many other imported wines which you can grab as a take-home bottle on the way out.
132 Keys Rd
Frank’s
My local cafe is a humble and relaxed venue, hidden in Cheltenham’s backstreets. The staff are unreal and always very friendly. The food coming out of the open kitchen is influenced by Asian and western tastes. One of my favourite dishes is the mortadella melt with mustard pickle jam and Swiss cheese — it’s truly sensational and goes perfectly with a cup of coffee. Another thing you must try is the lamb pita; you’ll thank me later. A lazy morning stroll to Frank’s is how I spend my Sundays.
97 Cavanagh St
Johnny Dante
If you’re after a classic breakfast with no fuss, Johnny Dante is the spot for you. A family-run
cafe that I have been going to for years. The staff know my order without giving me the menu, which makes me feel like I’m part of the family. My go-to Sunday brunch is the zucchini fritters — they are delightful. With a relaxing vibe and super friendly staff, Johnny Dante will always be an all-time favourite.
253 Charman Rd
Out4 Thai
Run by a family of passionate cooks, Out4 Thai is the place you go to for a casual feed. The interiors take me back ’90s and the food is always so fresh and delicious. One of my favourite dishes is the authentic beef pad thai with rice noodles, spring onion, bean sprouts, egg, peanuts and a traditional Thai sauce. A comfy little gem that’s perfect for a fuss-free meal.
294 Charman Rd
Bad Shepherd Brewing Co
Bad Shepherd Brewing Co is laid back and perfect for a Sunday arvo beer and bite. Beers on tap are home-brewed, food is American BBQ and that beer wall is a temptation station — I just want to try them all. This place is perfect to hang out with friends for some great chats, fine beer and delicious food.
386 Reserve Rd
Chadstone
Remco Brigou
Koko Black head chocolatier
Black Star Pastry
The cult pastry shop that’s famous for its strawberry watermelon cake (also known as
“the world’s most Instagrammed cake”) is a new to Chadstone. Along with its sweet treats, the store also serves savoury pastries and coffee. This one is hard to miss, just look for a huge metal halo with a bunch of jumbled letters. I recently discovered their black sesame cheesecake which is absolutely delicious. It’s sweet and salty balance creates the perfect umami experience from the sesame and miso.
Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Rd
Kalimera Souvlaki Art
A fantastic Greek spot in the heart of Oakleigh filled with authentic food ranging from souvlakis to dips and salads. The interior is cosy and features exposed brick walls and colourful recycled wood, making for a wonderful place to bring the family. Kalimera Souvlaki Art has Melbourne’s best souvlakis.
43 Chester St, Oakleigh
Riserva Wine
Riserva is across the road from Central Park and is a beautiful place to enjoy quality European food and wine. The menu is simple and full of flavour with constantly changing dishes to share with family or friends. The service is also great, with a passionate team of staff who really know how to seamlessly match wine with each plate. I enjoy Riserva for a glass of champagne and selection of small plates such as the beetroot ravioli filled with goats cheese, burnt butter, sage and hazelnut — it is a standout for me.
395 Wattletree Rd, Malvern East
Nikos Oakleigh
This is a traditional spot renowned for its sweet Greek pastries and specialty cakes. I am always impressed by the team’s quality and service. The venue is always bustling, whether you’re there to pick up a cake or to sit down and have a coffee and pastry. I enjoy Bougatsa — a Greek pastry filled with velvety custard cream which is served warm with icing sugar. If you’re looking for a celebratory cake, Nikos has you covered.
25 Portman St, Oakleigh
Pastore
Found on the ground floor of Hotel Chadstone, Pastore combines Italian cuisine with an Australian touch. Opened by restaurateur Scott Pickett, the menu has a strong focus on wood-fired cooking and handmade pasta. The wine list is filled with an abundance of Italian varietals from local producers. Its location is prime for those staying at the hotel or shopping at Chadstone. My go-to is the pansotti with burnt butter, sage and macadamia.
1341 Dandenong Rd
Master Lanzhou
This restaurant is known for its simple beef noodle bowls, inspired by the streets of Lanzhou in northwest China. All noodles are made in-house and combined with authentic Chinese beef broth and signature chilli oil. This is slow food served fast — each bowl takes 28 hours to create but is served in as little as five minutes. For those wanting a little chilli kick, I’d go for the spicy beef noodles. Master Lanzhou also has a range of vegetarian options. This one is great for a quick meal when you’re shopping on the go.
1341 Dandenong Rd
Altona
Tom Brockbank
Lancemore Werribee executive chef
Bezirk Café
An amazing place for coffee and great food. I have been going to Bezirk for the past four years, about five to six times a week. The owner is friendly and a big foodie who loves a chat. He also owns his own bakery and supplies it to the cafe. Bezirk uses San Pedro coffee, a Brazilian brand the owner’s cousin makes and supplies. It’s superb, with an amazing flavour. I love ordering the fruit buns and the pulled pork eggs Benedict. Bezirk is a place where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the amazing view of Altona Beach on a sunny day.
1A Millers Rd
Pier 71
This gem serves authentic Italian cuisine seven days a week. Fresh ingredients are sourced from local suppliers to create Italian favourites, such as pasta, risotto and antipasto. Pier 71 also has prosciutto and mortadella dry-curing in the fridge windows. There’s also a deli out the front with sauces, pastas and olive oils for you to buy and take home. Pier 71 should be known for its sensational food and produce, and great wine at a good price.
71 Pier St
Sacca’s Fine Foods
Now this is the place I go to for boutique produce. The deli is extraordinary with prosciutto old and new hanging around and a parmesan wheel that’s cut fresh to order. You can also make your own orange juice. The vegetable section always looks pristine and they always have everything in season. Sacca’s is like an encyclopaedia for a chef – it spurs my creativity.
124-134 Millers Rd, Altona North
The Butcher Club
This family business spans two families and three generations. The Butcher Club is a big supporter of local farmers and producers, with the butchers going out of their way to get the best meat for their customers. The thing I love the most is they can be so flexible for me (not that I am fussy). Their sausages are fantastic and are my son’s favourite. Who doesn’t like a good snag?
124-134 Millers Rd, Altona North
Fish and Chips on Civic
This place gets a big “hell yes” from me. Firstly, it uses great potatoes, fish, and the team doesn’t mind pushing the boundaries with the seafood it sources. I know it’s a basic meal, but fish and chips have been around since 1860s in London. The owners do an amazing job and are passionate about what they do. I have been going to this place for the past two years.
39 Civic Parade
Mount Waverley
Franky Pham
Only Hospitality Group executive chef
Proud Peacock Vietnamese
This restaurant is famous for its Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef noodles) and grilled pork with tomato, rice and egg. Both are exceptional. What makes this restaurant even better is that they make an at-home sauce line, including sambal, XO and chilli jam. These are all great condiments for cooking Vietnamese cuisine at home. The interior is filled with relaxed decor – a blend of rustic and coastal settings to make you feel like you’re nestled on a beach in Vietnam. With soulful food and great service, this place feels nostalgic for me, bringing back memories of travelling back to Vietnam.
28 Hamilton Pl
Mango Tree Thai Restaurant
This is a perfect place for your Thai food fix, with the team serving simple, authentic food. Whether you eat in or takeaway, the service is always reliable. I prefer to dine in for dinner, as night brings a great atmosphere to the venue. On the menu, I’d recommend ordering por pia tod for entreé; these are pork spring rolls with vermicelli noodles and vegetables wrapped in egg rice paper then deep fried. For main, you can’t go past the pla sam rod; deep fried
barramundi with sweet and spicy sauce. Those in the area can stop in for lunch or dinner from Tuesday through Sunday. It’s a must-try.
315 Stephensons Rd
Black Label Grill
If you’re craving a classic, no-fuss burger, or if you’re keen to try something a little different
such as a ‘banh mi’ inspired burger, this is the spot. One of my go-to meals is the pork-lore
burger (it looks like a banh mi roll), filled with marinated pulled pork, radish, apple, onion, coriander, chilli jam and bulgogi mayo in a toasted sesame nine-inch submarine bun. If you’re keen to stick to the classics, try the El Torro burger filled with spicy crumbed chicken, lettuce,
bulgogi mayo, slaw and hot sauce in a toasted sesame seed bun. They also do mean loaded fries.
13 Centreway
Lion City Asian Grocery
This is the place to go if you need to stock up on Asian groceries. It is every local’s go-to store. You’ll find a variety of Asian staples from sauces and spices, to fresh herbs and vegetables and more. I love walking the aisles being inspired by the range of products and trying to find new things to work and experiment with. There are so many incredible ingredients and products to purchase here to get creative in the kitchen.
15 Centreway
Piccolino Italian Restaurant
This Italian venue is pretty spectacular, not only from a food perspective, but the design is next level. From the outside, you’re greeted with floor-to-ceiling windows and upon entry, timber joinery envelops the entire space, including the walls and the triangular-shaped ceiling. The restaurant is split between two open levels, so you really feel the atmosphere throughout the entire space. Once you’ve finished admiring the design, you’ll find a mix of modern and traditional Italian flavours on the menu. I’d recommend the prawns and scallops with garlic chilli butter to share for entreé and a classic wood-fired pizza for main. There’s also a kids menu, so it’s great for the whole family.
55 Blackburn Rd
Inglewood Coffee Roasters
Inglewood opened in 2017 and has been roasting its beans at this site for wholesalers and individuals. Stop in for a fresh brew in the morning at the coffee bar and buy some beans for home. You’ll find everything from single origin espresso to blends and filtered coffee. There is also a selection of pastries as who doesn’t love a fresh croissant with their coffee?
23 Lionel Rd
New-Age Greek snack bar is everything we love about eating out
This Yarraville eatery seats 15 people inside, has 11 items on the menu and nothing costs more than $24 a plate. It’s also everything we could ask for in a restaurant right now.
How much more restaurant meals cost compared to five years ago
Meal prices at some restaurants have tripled over the past five years, but chefs and owners say the industry is broken and they’re in dire need of help.