Melbourne rooftop, balcony, laneway and riverside lunches with a view

IT’S not just the views that make these CBD lunch spots popular for the Monday to Friday work crew. They also make food so good you’ll wish you’d forgotten your soggy sandwich.

MELBOURNE may have perfected the brunch trend but, these days, there is a new culinary hour seducing our tastebuds - lunch.

Forget lacklustre leftovers and soggy salad sandwiches, these city lunch spots are rethinking everything from fast food to fun food, and giving hungry city dwellers plenty to drool over.

And the food is just the beginning. As well as a delicious eat-in or takeaway lunch, they also provide plenty of photo fodder for your Instagram feed.

INSIDE THE YARRA VALLEY’S SECRET WINE REGION

WHERE TO GET LUNCH FOR LESS THAN $10 IN MELBOURNE

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Here are some of the best - and most Instagram-worthy - lunch spots in the city.

ROOFTOP LUNCH SPOTS

If you like your lunch on high, Melbourne has no shortage of rooftop eateries.

CAMPARI HOUSE

For one of the best lunch deals in the city, get around Lane Way Lunches at Campari House (Monday to Thursday, 23-25 Hardware Lane). For $20 you will get a pizza, pasta or pub classic and a drink. Plus, the rooftop vibes are free.

WATERSIDE HOTEL

A little further south, lunches at the Waterside Hotel (508 Flinders St) also go down a treat, with a selection of mains and a thirst quencher for just $22.

IMPERIAL HOTEL

Watch the pollies waffle while enjoying lunch overlooking Parliament House at the Imperial (2-8 Bourke St). Opt for something to share, or keep your buns to yourself and go with a juicy burger.

GOOD HEAVENS

For something a little more adventurous, climb to Good Heavens and grab a sandwich from the smoked meat gods (Thursdays to Sundays only. Level 2, 79 Bourke St). We’re talking pulled pork, beef brisket and smoked sausage sambos served in the sunshine, courtesy of the Fancy Hank’s kitchen.

LOOP ROOF

Meanwhile, Friday lunches at the lantern-lit Loop Roof (Level 3, 23 Meyers Place) can also get pretty wild. Plus, it’s hard to go past Japanese fried chicken, Jamon and manchego croquettes and a classic Loop cheesy.

BOMBA ROOFTOP AND TAPAS BAR

Get around the worker’s lunch at Bomba Rooftop and Tapas Bar (103 Lonsdale St), which is a tantalising offer of one tapa (small plate), followed by a racione (bigger plate) and a side of veg for $15. Your mouth will thank you for it.

BALCONY LUNCH SPOTS

They might not be rooftops, but these first-floor walk ups still offer same sweet views and even more sumptuous food.

FATHER’S OFFICE

Head to Father’s Office (249 Little Lonsdale St) for $15 lunch deals (Monday to Wednesday), starring a selection of fried, flame-grilled and fabulous options, including American cheeseburgers, cinnamon calamari and Miami-style jerk salads served with a glass of beer, wine, cider or soft drinks.

CABINET BAR

Another popular nosh spot is Cabinet Bar (11 Rainbow Alley), where every Wednesday is $10 flatbread day. Wrap your tastebuds around the Moroccan lamb, salsa verde, spinach and fetta option.

LANEWAY LUNCH SPOTS

There is nothing more Melbourne than a good laneway lunch.

HOCHI MAMA

If you’re looking for a quick Vietnamese fix, Hochi Mama (11 Liverpool St) is a great place to get it. And with two courses for $21.90, it’s a steal.

LANEWAY GREENS

For an authentic city lunch experience, get down to Laneway Greens (2/242 Flinders Lane) for a nourishing salad fix. Grab one to go or eat at the bar and soak up the city vibes.

PEZZO

A little further along Melbourne’s unofficial eat street, Flinders Lane, you’ll find Guy Grossi’s latest venture, Pezzo (88 Flinders Lane), which is dishing up 48-hour fermented sourdough pockets stuffed with delicious Italian fillings. Think meatballs, tomato and provolone or veal schnitzel, slaw, pickles and white sauce.

SCHMUCKS BAGELS

Or, if you feel like getting your New York on, Schmucks Bagels (corner Little Bourke and Guests Lane) is where it’s at. Try the classic smoked salmon and cream cheese with pickled red onion and cress on a lemon rye bun.

RIVERSIDE LUNCH STOPS

When it comes to idyllic lunch spots, it’s pretty hard to look past the Yarra River.

Pick almost any eatery along Southbank and you’ll be treated to some of the city’s best midday views.

Ponyfish Island under the bridge between Flinders St and Southbank. Picture: David Caird

On any given weekday you’ll find locals enjoying lunch in the sun at Bear Brass, Soho or Hopscotch (Riverside, Southbank) or Po nyfish Island, which is floating under the pedestrian bridge that crosses from Flinders St station to Southbank.

ARBORY

If you’re looking for a breezy lunch, settle in at Arbory for an open-air feast. The trendy lunch spot, which runs along the riverside of Flinders St Station, offers diners fresh air, casual fare and a vibrant atmosphere, year round.

FATTO

Across the river, at the base of the Arts Centre, you’ll find Fatto, an ever-popular Italian-themed lunch spot. Be warned, this buzzing Southbank lunch parlour does pizza and a beer or wine for $15 so you’ll have to get in early if you want to secure a table.

PILGRIM

A little further along the river, Pilgrim (Federation Wharf), which is tucked below Federation Square is grilling tasty toasties, subs and baguettes. Pair one with a side of oven-roasted potato wedges or a side salad for $20 and you have yourself a reason forget your lunch.

THE BOATBUILDERS YARD

If you’re heading to South Wharf, sail into The Boatbuilders Yard (23 South Wharf Promenade) and enjoy lunch (or a post-lunch treat) overlooking the water from its sprawling deck.

For more tips on foodie hot spots in Melbourne, check out this week’s mX Zero - available from 3pm on Wednesday at Flinders St, Southern Cross, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central, Parliament and Richmond stations.

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