23 unmissable tastes to try at the 2019 Royal Melbourne Show
Doughnuts, dimmies and Dagwood dogs aren’t the only treats to scoff down at the Royal Melbourne Show. From craft beer to smoked ribs and vegan burgers, this is the ultimate guide to what to eat and drink at the showgrounds this year.
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Did someone say scones? You bet they’ll be there and more than 15,000 will be baked, for it would not be the Royal Melbourne Show without the wonderful women of the CWA serving their famous treats laden with jam and piled high with cream.
But along with the doughnuts and dimmies and buckets of chips, this year’s show also sets the table for all tastes.
Putting a spotlight on fabulous fare from the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria’s five award programs — Australian Food Awards, Australian International Coffee Awards, Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, Australian International Beer Awards and the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards — the Winning Tastes Pavilion is the first stop for foodies keen to get stuck into some of the country’s best produce and sip on some of our best drinks.
With pop-up restaurants, food trucks and cooking demos to check out — that’s before you factor in the whiz-bang new showbags hall, the woodchopping and, of course, the Livestock Pavilion — having a great day at the show comes down to organisation.
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To help you plan the day — or at least help you squeeze six meals in — here are the top tastes to try when the show kicks off on Saturday.
1. ANGUS BEEF STEAK
In a first, this year’s show boasts an authentic pub-style steakhouse restaurant.
To celebrate the beef cattle feature breed at this year’s show, three specialty cuts will be on offer at the Angus Steakhouse.
Flame-grilled to order by executive chef Neil Rocke and his team a choice of rib-eye, rump or sirloin will be served with chips and salad.
It might be a steakhouse, but vegetarians aren’t forgotten — the miso tofu steak served with hinterland mushrooms and slaw is a must.
2. CRAFT DROPS
Enjoy a taste test of a selection of award-winning beer, wine and spirits at the Winning Tastes Bar in the Winning Tastes Pavilion.
Speak with the brewers, distillers and winemakers who have created these winning drops, including Old Young’s vodkas, beers from Temple Brewing in Brunswick East and top drops from Central Victoria’s McPherson Wine.
3. CHEESY PASTA
It’s pasta that’s wheely, wheely good!
That’s Amore Cheese is serving its crowd-pleasing 4 Formaggi pasta from a huge cheese wheel in the Winning Tastes Pavilion.
And if you’re on the hunt for more cheese, don’t leave without some fresh cannoli — the traditional ricotta flavour is always popular.
4. GOURMET PIZZA
Enjoy one of 400 Gradi’s famous authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas at the Meadow, the ultimate chill-out precinct and hot spot to grab a bite from some of Melbourne’s best food and drink vendors.
The semi-undercover food, drink and entertainment precinct will host live acoustic tunes during the day and into the evening.
5. MISO FRIES
In the Meadow, also check out Miso Loaded Fries from Miso Fresh, a Japanese fusion food truck that delivers a variety of modern Japanese dishes combining different culinary traditions.
6. BELLARINE VINO
Wine from the Geelong region will be poured at the 6Ft6 pop-up bar also in the Meadow along with cocktails — the prosecco frose is perfect for a warm sunny afternoon.
7. BIGGIE SMALLS KEBABS
Shane Delia’s Biggie Smalls is back at this year’s show.
The hip hop-loving Kbabs with ‘tude and big flavours will be served in the Meadow.
8. RASPBERRY MUSHROOM DESSERT
When it’s time for something sweet, all roads lead to the spectacular raspberry mushroom dessert from Christy Tania’s Glacè. It’s almost too pretty to eat!
Find Christy, who you might recognise from MasterChef, in the Winning Tastes Pavilion, serving a selection of seriously sweet treats.
9. STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM
Spring means strawberries and tuck into a punnet topped with cream from the Sweet Side of the Street stall in the showbag pavilion.
10. COUNTRY COOKING
It’s not just scones the CWA will be serving this show — even though they’ll be looking to smash their record of 15,000 sold last year.
Head to the CWA kitchen under the public grandstand for a fully cooked country breakfast or hearty lunch as well as morning and afternoon tea.
11. $3 CHEESE TOASTIE
It’s the best three bucks you can spend at the show. The Cheese Toastie Factory’s famous $3 toastie is back.
Get your hands on this top toasted sandwich snack at Eat Street in the showbag pavilion.
12. LOUKAMADES
Loukamades — Greek doughnuts — are a fluffy, fried sweet treat the whole family will love.
Honey Dee Loukamades in doughnut lane in the showbag pavilion is serving these tasty balls of happiness drizzled with honey, walnuts and cinnamon for the traditionalists and with flavours including chocolate, caramel and Nutella for those wanting to walk on the wild side. Gluten-free versions means everyone can get stuck in.
13. GARDEN OF VEGAN BURGER
Vegan visitors are spoiled for choice throughout the show, but for something seriously hearty, head to Mary Jane Burgers for the Garden of Vegan Burger over at Eat Street in the showbag pavilion.
With crunchy southern fried tofu with ginger and soy, MJ’s tomato relish and vegan black sesame and wasabi mayo, even carnivores will want to get their hands on this delish beauty.
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14. MAMA’S GOZLEME
Did somebody say, Gozleme? Select from a large range of delicious traditional, handmade Turkish pastries with different fillings, from the original cheese and spinach, to the cheesy chicken.
Get yours from Mama’s Gozleme at Eat Street in the showbag pavilion.
15. SUSHI
Need a light snack to tie you over between lunch and dinner?
Head to Eat Street in the showbag pavilion for a sushi snack from Sushi Izu.
16. AVO ON TOAST
All Things Avo does what it says on the tin. A slice of avocado on toast always hits the spot, and they’ll be smashing them at Eat Street.
17. DELECTABLE DOUGHNUTS
Serious sweet tooth? Head straight to All Day Donuts in Doughnut Lane for a tempting selection of doughnuts including the seriously good cookie caramel.
18. ROYALE WITH CHEESE BURGER
Brighton’s favourite burger boys are back at this year’s show.
Royale Brothers will park in the Winning Tastes Courtyard and serve up their famous Royale with Cheese, along with the Hippy Royale and Pony Boy for the kids.
19. ANGRY HOT FRIED CHICKEN
Looking for something hot and spicy?
The Angry Hot Fried Chicken from Willy’s World Famous Fried Chicken has you covered. Temper the heat with a side of chips and gravy at the Winning Tastes courtyard.
20. SMOKED BEEF SHORT RIBS
Low and slow southern-style barbecue is name of the game at Limp Brisket.
Follow your nose and you’ll find the terrifically tender eight-hour smoked beef short rib served in the Wining Tastes courtyard.
Team it with a serve of decadent mac and cheese croquettes for a magnificent meaty meal.
21. GIPPS STREET PALE ALE
Thirsty? Grab a Gipps Street pale ale and this deliciously smashable quencher will sort you out. Find Stomping Ground Brewery’s icy Esky filled with cool cans at the Winning Tastes Courtyard.
22. DANE’S COFFEE
Whether it’s a latte to start the day or an espresso in the middle of it, Dane’s Coffee has you covered in award-winning ways. Back-to-back winners of the Champion Australian Roaster award at the Australian International Coffee Awards, Dane’s delivers caffeine kicks with class. Get your fix in the Winning Tastes pavilion.
23. DAGWOOD DOG
Finally, it wouldn’t be the show without demolishing a Dagwood Dog.
The carnival classic comes courtesy of Food Food, found on the corner of Thrillseekers Carnival and the Showgrounds Station entry.
It’s the perfect snack for the train ride home!
The Royal Melbourne Show runs from Saturday, September 21, to October 1.
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