Taco stands, on-court bars, top-tier restaurants and family-run bakeries will host the tens of thousands expected to pour through the gates of Melbourne Park for this month’s Australian Open.

One of the biggest sporting events in the southern hemisphere, the tournament continues to ace its “happy slam” reputation among players and fans by catering to budgets at both ends of the spectrum. That includes the food on offer, with meticulously chosen casual and fine-dining outlets dotted all over the precinct.

The splashiest of all the high-end dining has to be Club 1905. For a cool $30,000-plus, you get access to a new members’ club helmed by hospitality power couple Martin Benn and Vicki Wild (ex-Sepia) that pours champagne all day and night. You also get a seat at every match of the tournament. But in the Open’s democratic spirit, you can also get a fluffy, salty, cheesy Lebanese pie from Melbourne favourite, A1 Bakery, for $12.

This year, a selection of revered Melbourne eateries, renowned chefs and fresh talent make their debut. Cook and author Julia Busuttil Nishimura will be showing tennis fans the joy of Malta’s pastizzi pastries, backed up by hearty Mediterranean salads at her Ostro stall. Meanwhile, Australian tennis champ Alexei Popyrin has designed his own fried chicken sub for Top Snacc, the food precinct at Top Court.

From extravagant experiences through to kids’ packs, here’s where to hit up at this year’s AO.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY BITES

All budget-friendly food options are accessible with a Ground Pass (adult $59, child from $15).

Ostro

In a nutshell: Named for her debut cookbook, Ostro is the closest we’ve ever gotten to a Julia Busuttil Nishimura restaurant in Melbourne. We’re predicting it’ll be big.

What you get: Along with the savoury Maltese pastries pastizzi ($15 for three) – a nod to Busuttil Nishimura’s heritage – there’s calamari dusted with zaatar ($23), two salads ($22-$24), and Italy’s triple-lemon dessert delizia limone featuring layers of sponge, cream and lemon custard ($12.50).

Where: Garden Square.

Entrecote

In a nutshell: Low-key luxe fare from one of Melbourne’s most playful bistros.

What you get: Easy to devour as you roam Melbourne Park is the Entrecote burger – beef patty, pickles and cheddar stacked on a brioche bun ($25). Add on faultless fries and try to guess what’s in the secret herb butter.

Where: Garden Square.

The Filipino Project

In a nutshell: Coming from Adelaide, this food stall by couple Maria and John Viojan offers a feast that includes the duo’s signature sinigang salt and vinegar fries.

What you get: Maria’s golden pastry empanadas are packed with beef, carrot, potato and raisins, served with a plum sauce ($14.50 for two). The barbecued chicken roll bursts with atchara (pickled papaya), cabbage, herbs and crisp shallots ($20.50).

Where: Grand Slam Oval.

A1 Bakery

In a nutshell: Renowned for the Middle Eastern staples of their family bakery, brothers Anthony, Daniel and Haikal Raji head to Garden Square for the first time, bringing crowd favourites such as halloumi pies and their sublime toum (garlic sauce).

What you get: The spinach and feta triangle ($12) is ultra budget-friendly while the falafel wrap with lettuce, tomato, pickled cucumber, pickled turnips and tahini in pita ($19) will sustain you through even the longest matches.

Where: Garden Square.

CDMX Taqueria

In a nutshell: Mexico City street-food flavours from one of Melbourne’s most serious taquerias.

What you get: Light and summery Baja-style fish tacos include beer-battered fish, cabbage, pico de gallo and chipotle mayo in a corn tortilla, with a side of corn chips ($22.50). Or there’s the heartier barbacoa tacos made with braised beef short-rib, salsa, coriander and onion ($22.50). Don’t miss the guacamole.

Where: Grand Slam Oval.

Piccolo Panini Bar

In a nutshell: For their AO debut, childhood friends Stephen Hatzikourtis and Damian Iaconis are delivering the same Italian-style deli sandwiches and dolci that regularly draw crowds to their Hawthorn sandwich shop.

What you get: Make the most of summer produce with the Caprese panino filled with tomatoes, basil, bocconcini and basil pesto ($19). Add on parmesan chips or, for a sweet bite, an Italian doughnut bursting with Sicilian-made Pistachio Papi.

Where: Garden Square.

Good Days

In a nutshell: A north-side favourite makes its first courtside foray, bringing its vibrant brand of Vietnamese cooking spanning snacks, bowls and drinks.

What you get: A mountainous noodle salad could be the nourishment you need before settling in to watch a match. It’s piled high with pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, bean sprouts, roasted peanuts and fried shallots, all splashed with a zingy soy and pineapple dressing ($21.90). House-made iced sencha is an ideal thirst-quencher.

Where: Western Courts.

Hank’s Bagelry

In a nutshell: Fuss-free and fresh-as bagels, inspired by New York but coming direct from the popular Armadale cafe Hank’s.

What you get: A banging bagel can really hit the spot during a long day at the tennis. Salmon cured in beetroot and gin is layered with dill cream cheese, red onion and wild rocket ($19), and roasted pumpkin is partnered with harissa, almond feta, hummus and wild rocket for a vegan option ($19).

Where: Courtside Bar.

Tennessee Wingboys

In a nutshell: Fast food taken to the next level by Melbourne chef Charlie Carrington (Atlas Dining), who discovered his love for Nashville’s fiery, spicy fried chicken during his time in Tennessee.

What you get: There’s the original Nashville chicken burger with pickles and slaw ($18.50) or fried chicken tenders, served with fries tossed in a secret seasoning ($16.50). Vegetarians are looked after with roasted sweet potato topped with salsa, spiced beans, cheese and sour cream ($18.50) – there’s even vegan cheese available.

Where: Western Courts.

Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar

In a nutshell: For the first time, you can get substantial bites at this regal red bar, always a favourite for catching up with friends before or after matches. Sweet and savoury crepes, quiches and crisp salads continue the French theme.

What you get: Glasses of Piper-Heidsieck start at $25, and crepes include raclette, potato and pickles, and poached peach, vanilla custard and raspberry (both $22). Complete your French immersion with a champagne-infused madeleine from hit Lygon Street shop Madeleine de Proust ($11).

Where: Rod Laver Arena terrace.

El Jannah

In a nutshell: This Sydney-born charcoal chicken shop is slowly making inroads to Melbourne, and it’s bound to win a few more fans at the AO with its burgers, tabbouleh and golden chips with chicken salt.

What you get: Snack on fried chicken tenders ($16) or go all in with a spicy chicken burger made with fried chicken breast and El Jannah’s house chilli sauce on a sesame seed bun ($17.50).

Where: Grand Slam Oval.

CATERING TO KIDS

If your young ones have refined palates, seek out a trio of mini beef and pork sausage rolls by Entrecote (3 for $14) or, on Kids Tennis Day (January 11), D.O.C’s margherita pizza by the slice, made with San Marzano tomatoes ($9).

Returning to AO Ballpark is Wonder Pies, with a box of two party pies and two party-size sausage rolls ($14). The team’s lasagne pie is a deliciously messy delight for young and old ($10).

A southern hemisphere first is the M&M’s pop-up, with a chocolate wall and two special colours (pink and light blue), created at the company’s Ballarat factory exclusively for the tennis.

Another crew making its debut at AO Ballpark is social enterprise cafe, All Things Equal, run by an all-abilities staff. In addition to classic cafe treats, there are cheese or choc-hazelnut jaffles for the kids, served with a juice box ($12). The vibrant tennis ball tart of mango, passionfruit and lemon curd ($10) is essential for the pic opp alone.

CASUAL DRINKS

In the heart of the action, the Grey Goose Rooftop at the Courtside Bar overlooking Court 6 (accessible with a ground pass from $59) is back for more fun. This year, the debut drink is the Lemon Ace: Grey Goose vodka, passionfruit syrup, sparkling lemonade, fresh mint and lemon zest ($23). It’s conveniently available in a can, too ($17.50). There’s also Le Grand Fizz with vodka, St Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice, soda water and lime.

BLOW-OUT EXPERIENCES

Riverside Social

In a nutshell: Italian-leaning snacks, pumping music and a ripper view at this terrace bar and eatery by Grant Smillie, the Aussie restaurateur behind Crown’s new riverside hotspot Marmont as well as Los Angeles eatery Grandmaster Recorders.

What you get: A relaxed vibe with roving canapes, Melbourne skyline views, daily DJs and a cocktail on arrival. A notable bite is the tuna tartare on a nori cracker, pepped up by Calabrian chilli, orange and mint.

How much: From $469 a head, including an arena seat.

Where: Riverside Social Space on River Terrace.

The Bistro by Rockpool

In a nutshell: Crowd favourite Rockpool Bar & Grill returns with a refined menu celebrating fine Australian seafood and beef.

What you get: A three-course a la carte menu puts you in control. Standouts include grilled swordfish with romesco and red pepper salsa, and passionfruit and raspberry pavlova for a very Australian finish.

How much: From $600 a head, including an arena seat.

Where: Overlooking Garden Square.

Tedesca Osteria

In a nutshell: Celebrated chef Brigitte Hafner brings a taste of her two-hatted (and notoriously hard-to-book) Mornington Peninsula restaurant Tedesca Osteria to the city.

What you get: A three-course meal that includes roasted coral trout with Sri Lankan black curry butter and lime sambal, followed by caramelised brioche, poached apricots and mascarpone ice-cream.

How much: From $1200 a head, including an arena seat.

Where: AO Glasshouse, adjacent to Rod Laver Arena.

Alejandro Saravia in the Rod Laver Arena Suites

In a nutshell: From your private suite, watch the game as you’re treated to a parade of dishes from chef Alejandro Saravia (Morena, Farmer’s Daughters), renowned for delivering Latin American flavours with a twist.

What you get: Expect the likes of braised lamb shoulder with creamed polenta, hazelnut and parsley salsa; pork belly, crushed carrots and cider sauce; and fried Padron pepper, avocado, crisp kale and seaweed vinaigrette.

How much: From $1200 a head, including an arena seat.

Where: Rod Laver Arena.

On-Court presented by Piper-Heidsieck

In a nutshell: Always wanted to watch the tennis from an on-court seat? This is your chance. It gets better: pre-game, you’ll experience an omakase-style meal by Shimpei Raikuni from Brisbane’s leading Sushi Room.

What you get: In addition to the “interactive omakase” dining experience, a chauffeur and behind-the-scenes tour of Rod Laver Arena are included. Chef Raikuni says his menu “will be elegant and beautiful while at the same time simple, adhering to Japanese sensibilities and form”.

How much: From $2000.

Where: Twelve seats actually on the court of Rod Laver Arena. The dining space is underneath the arena.

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME

Club 1905 by Martin Benn and Vicki Wild

In a nutshell: ChefMartin Benn and restaurateurVicki Wild (ex-Sepia) excitedly took on the challenge of creating the inaugural Club 1905, an exclusive new space (with a price tag to match) that includes bottomless Piper-Heidsieck champagne to go with Benn’s visionary cooking.

What you get: Membership of Club 1905, lunch and dinner every day of the tournament, and a prime seat at Rod Laver Arena for every session. Each menu is three courses, with choices including smoked duck breast with apple yoghurt and fermented cherry; and Murray cod with wasabi leaf cream. Grey Goose martinis are there for those who tire of the fizz.

How much: To become an inaugural member of Club 1905, it’s a small matter of paying the membership fee, which starts at $32,240.

Where: A new purpose-built pavilion called Club 1905 (named after the first year the Open was held).

Tickets and more information at ausopen.com