Melbourne’s top 10 places for late-night food
IT’S late, the night’s been long and whoops — drinks somehow took the place of dinner. From smashing a souva or knocking back some noodles, chefs share their favourite spots for a late-night feed in Melbourne.
Best of Melbourne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Best of Melbourne. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IT’S late, the night’s been long and drinks somehow took the place of dinner.
It’s a common scenario as the pre-Christmas catch-up season gets into full swing.
But where to go for a food fix when the only thing louder than the clock striking 12 is the rumble coming from a hungry belly?
OPEN ALL HOURS CITY DINER A FEAST OF MEAT
MOCKTAILS STEALING THE SHOW AT MELB’S TOP RESTAURANTS
We asked some of the chefs who are appearing at this year’s Taste of Melbourne where they go to fill the void — and what they cook when they get home.
Scroll down for our top 10 spots for when the midnight munchies take hold.
Charlie Carrington, ATLAS
Where do you go for feed after a shift?
If we ever get out before 12 we are at France Soir.
After midnight we are at Stalactites or my all-time favourite Ling Nan, Healeys Lane in the city is a great choice too for people watching and delicious Korean food.
Why do you love it?
Ling Nan is my second home because the food is always consistent. The service staff are always inviting and you can have a laugh with them. Whenever we go as a team we always bump into other hospitality professionals doing the same thing.
What do you usually eat there?
It’s very hard to go past the classics. Spring rolls, roasted quail, san chow bow, fried rice and every Australian chef’s favourite — XO anything with fried Chinese doughnuts. Yum!
What do you cook for a late-night snack?
At the moment we are a Mexican restaurant (Atlas completely changes cuisine every four months) so we have been making left over tacos or tostadas. Our kingfish and avocado tostada is a dish I developed during one of my recent trips to Mexico and is a favourite on the menu at the moment. Actually, at Electrolux Chefs’ Secrets as part of Taste of Melbourne, I’ll be teaching people how to make my tostada. It’s super simple but big on taste and something that people can adapt at home when they want to impress guests at home. We’ll be making our own tortillas, which is something a bit different, and I’ll reveal my secrets to the best-ever avocado tartare.
Janral Singh, Babu Ji
Where do you go for a feed after a shift?
These days you don’t really have to go anywhere because of UberEats, but sometimes when I feel like actually going out after big day at work, usually find myself somewhere in Chinatown, mostly at Supper Inn.
Why do you love it?
It’s very casual — perfect after big day.
What do you usually eat there?
My favourite is the mud crab.
What do you cook for a late-night snack?
Khichdi, which is like Indian risotto. It’s simple, quick and delicious. The reason this dish so perfect for a late night snack because you hardly have to do anything. Take a cup of rice, a cup of lentils (any type, usually yellow lentil called “moong” ), 2 ½ cups water, 1 tsp turmeric, a pinch of chilli and salt to taste. Put everything in a pot and bring to the boil (if you have pressure cooker this will speed up the process). Once it’s boiled, let it sit for few minutes and then it’s ready. Sprinkle with chopped coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Liz Contini, Shadowboxer
Where do you go for a feed after a shift?
If we manage to get out at a somewhat reasonable time we will quickly dash over to France-Soir.
Why do you love it?
You always know it’ll be good.
What do you usually eat there?
Steak tartare is always a definite.
What do you cook for a late-night snack?
Nothing too elaborate after a long shift! My go-to is usually packet noodles, because at 1am it needs to be quick and simple, and it’s something I find a lot of chef’s love. Everyone has their own variations and tweaks, but the consensus is it must have a fried egg on top.
I poach a whole chicken on a Monday with lemongrass, ginger and kaffir lime leaf, then shred it to last me most of the week. When I get home after work I’ll start warming through the chicken and some steamed bok choy in a pan, while boiling the noodles. When the noodles are nearly done I’ll quickly fry an egg in the same pan I’ve used for the chicken. I’ll then stir the noodles through my chicken and bok choy, and set the fried egg on top.
BRUNETTI UNVEILS FANCY NEW HOME
POH TAKES THE CAKE WITH NEW BOOK
Jo Barrett, Oakridge
Where do you go for a feed after a shift?
Supper Inn.
Why do you love it?
It’s easy, quick and cheap. I love abrupt service.
What do you usually eat there?
Dumplings.
What do you cook for a late-night snack?
Toast with avocado, kimchi and cheese with a cup of broth. You can’t go wrong with toast! It’s textural in all the right ways — crunchy, chewy, soft. The kimchi and cheese are salty, acidic and creamy. Broth makes it feel a bit healthier.
While you are heating your cup of broth, lightly toast a piece of bread. Top with sliced avocado and season slightly with salt. Spread an even layer of kimchi and top with a few slices of sliced cheese. Pop under the grill to crisp the cheese. Few little drops of chilli sauce and you’re set. The broth will make sure you wake up feeling good as gold.
Frank Camorra, MoVida
Where do you go for a feed after a shift?
Arlechin.
Why do you love it?
It’s a great place to enjoy wine very late at night and simple, delicious, fulfilling dishes perfect after work.
What do you usually eat there?
Midnight spaghetti
What do you cook for a late-night snack?
If I get home late and feel hungry, I usually throw on a pot of water on and cook a simple pasta.
I’ve been cooking this since my uni sharehouse days. It’s super easy. Simply get lots of salted water on to a rolling boil and add your pasta. In a pan add plenty of roughly crushed garlic, chilli and diced pancetta if you have it. Once sauteed, add a can of tomatoes and cook down for a few minutes to a sauce. Add the al dente pasta, toss through the sauce and finish with plenty of fresh grated parmesan.
Reuben Davis, The Press Club
Where do you go for a feed after a shift?
I love the Arlechin, the food there is awesome and so are the wines and cocktails.
Supper inn is good for Chinese or Butcher’s diner is great for late night meat cravings and a few beers.
Why do you love it?
Arlechin has a good vibe the food is good the wine is good and it’s open till 3 so it’s a good place to chill and have a few drinks and unwind. Supper Inn is an institution, always busy whatever time of day, with delicious Chinese food and it’s good for a large group.
The bacon cheeseburger at Butcher’s Diner is awesome washed down with a couple of cans of Moritz.
What do you usually eat there?
At Arlechin, the bone marrow risoni is delicious, the midnight spaghetti is awesome late-night food, or for something a bit dirty the bolognese jaffle. At Supper Inn, the XO pipis and Chinese doughnuts is a must.
What do you cook for a late-night snack?
I love an omelet with whatever I have in the fridge. It’s great because it is quick and easy, plus it can be semi healthy depending on the ingredients.
How do you make it?
The key to a great omelet is a good non-stick pan and not to cook the eggs too much. Only season the eggs after they are cooked. I normally put some tomato, cheese and a bit of avocado in mine, then some hot sauce (whatever brand you like). Turn it out of the pan and eat with a bit of crusty bread and a beer!
WHY VICTORIA’S BEST RESTAURANTS ARE IN THE BUSH
SKIPPED THE PHO BUT ANNAM KEPT THE FUN
————————————————
10 BEST CITY SPOTS FOR A MIDNIGHT SNACK
BUTCHER’S DINER, 10 Bourke St, CBD
From a few fat steamed dimmies through to a full steak-and-chips feed — not to mention
the excellent cheeseburger with crisp, house-cured bacon — Butcher’s Diner saves the day late at night, serving food 24 hours a day.
ARLECHIN, Morane Pl, CBD
Whether it’s the sunshiny twirl of tomatoes, capers, and basil that’s the “midnight spaghetti”, baccala sloppy joes, Bolognese jaffles or even flaming doughnuts, the new laneway bar from the Grossi family is stating hungers until 3am every day. Yay!
THE MAYFAIR, 45 Collins St, CBD
A fluffy omelet with decadent truffle gravy, steak frites complete with fried egg, a simple “bowl of pasta” or lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, the supper menu served until 1am at the sexy den of jazz-and-cocktails that’s The Mayfair makes lingering long into the night a delicious delight.
JULIETTE, 37 Lt Bourke St, CBD
Punch Lane’s hidden little sister, Juliette, does witching hour cheese and charcuterie — and raclette, too — late in the week. Look for the red light, descend the stairs and be welcomed into Juliette’s arms.
AUNTY FRANKLEE, 205 Russell St, CBD
Move past the mahjong-playing aunties and onto a table for a late-night bowl of bak kut teh — an aromatic Malaysian pork broth amped with all sorts of tasty pig bits.
SHUJINKO, 225 Russell St, CBD
Rich and restorative ramen is a winner at any hour, but at 3am you can bet it will help make tomorrow a brighter day. Serving up authentic Tokyo-style ramen round the clock, Shujinko comes to the late night rescue.
D UTCHESS, Lvl 2, 146 Flinders St, CBD
Spicy wings, croquettes and waffle fries served with a soundtrack of DJ beats makes settling into one of the Dutchess booths a very seductive proposition.
Pizza at HEARTBREAKER, 234A Russell St, CBD
It’s the dive bar with top shelf pedigree and now late-night haunt Heartbreaker also comes with New York-style pizza to eat-in or go. Just three pizzas — classic cheese, pepperoni and a thick square-cut deep-pan Sicilian — are offered by slice or “by the pie”. My gawd, they’re good.
LONGSONG, Upstairs, 44 Lt Bourke St, CBD
The long-awaited bar above Longrain is now shaking and stirring and serving until 1am every morning, with David Moyle’s kitchen cooking skewers threaded with calamari or mushrooms, sausage or chicken, over coals. Perfect late-night, one-handed fare.
HELLA GOOD, 7 Elizabeth St, CBD
While Stalactites remains the 24-hour go-to for souvas and chips, it’s new little sibling serves up four grab-and-go versions to city night owls until 5am weekends.
————————————————
TASTE OF MELBOURNE
Charlie Carrington, Rueben Davis and Jo Barrett will all spill the beans on their favourite dishes as part of the Electrolux Chefs’ Secrets event at Taste of Melbourne.
This year’s 10th anniversary event is bigger than ever, with chefs including George Calombaris and Frank Camorra and restaurants including Babu Ji and The Royal Mail serving up signature dishes across the event.
New this year, the After Dark party on Friday and Saturday nights includes PBS beats, Estrella beer, and a selection of late-night snacks.
Taste of Melbourne, Nov 30-Dec 3 at Yarra Park.
For full line up and tickets, melbourne.tastefestivals.com
How to plan a post-lockdown Great Ocean Road getaway
The regional border has lifted, which means we can plan a trip to the Great Ocean Road. Here’s where to eat, stay and play.
‘I wouldn’t even s*** that’: What you missed on Wentworth
Wentworth does WikiLeaks in the third episode of the new season, as the Foxtel drama welcomes a new face. And there’s drama for Reb and Lou. Warning: Spoilers.