• The dish: Lleyton Hewitt's favourite foods and restaurants

Few people head to a sporting event for the food. But for the hundreds of thousands who attend the Australian Open each year, the culinary stars are as much an attraction as the tennis players, thanks to a world-class food program that summarises how Australians eat.

Restaurants from Melbourne's hippest eat streets join family-run businesses in keeping the fans fed and watered. Lebanese, Indian and Vietnamese eateries are there. Melbourne hero chef Andrew McConnell, Sydney seafood star Josh Niland and landmark diners like Maha and Stokehouse will cook in surrounds that feel light years away from a stadium kiosk.

Wandering around – with an entry-level ticket, the ground pass – can feel like a day at a food festival, rather than a grand slam event. In fact, you don't even need to watch any tennis.

Here's how to plan your day out, whether you're there for the food or the sport, plus a guide to what lies within easy reach of Melbourne Park.

Best on ground

WHERE TO TAKE … OUT-OF-TOWNERS

Supernormal Restaurant

Why: Because there's nothing more Melbourne than an Andrew McConnell restaurant at the Happy Slam.

What: Supernormal signatures, including delicate prawn dumplings and the peanut butter parfait dessert, are joined by dishes created for the tennis, such as tea-smoked duck with anise caramel and burnt mandarin. The restaurant will feel like the Flinders Lane original, with a few design quirks.

Essentials: From $295. Bookings for Supernormal Restaurant must be purchased with tickets to the tennis. You can access the Terrace as a walk-in (details below).

THE WHOLE FAM

Oasis Bakery (plus the Peach Melbourne dessert)

Why: It's uncomplicated, affordable fun.

What: Family-run bakery Oasis, which began in Murrumbeena, has halloumi pies for the teen who's not eating meat, Lebanese fried chicken and chips for ravenous appetites, falafel and salad for whoever's on a health kick, and chips for the picky eater.

Later, grab a Peach Melbourne, the AO's riposte to Wimbledon's famed strawberries and cream.The peach, raspberry and soft-serve cup (pictured, right) is made with peach puree from fruit grown in Shepparton, a region recovering from drought and floods.

Essentials: Prices at Oasis start at $12. Part of Grand Slam Oval, it's accessible with all tickets. Peach Melbourne ($6) is available at Kia Arena and Show Court 3.

A FANCY-PANTS DATE

Nomad

Why: It's bringing a classy, fun and summery vibe to the light and leafy Atrium.

What: Fiery harissa spatchcock, house-made charcuterie and grown-up ice-cream sandwiches are the play at Nomad, showing off the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours Jacqui Challinor is known for. A table also gets you access to the rooftop bar, where city views are made better by prawn sandwiches and Ortiz anchovies with crisps and toum.

Essentials: From $175. Bookings for Nomad restaurant and bar must be pre-purchased with tickets to the tennis.

TRUE FOODIES

Stokehouse

Why: Summer-loving dishes in a sophisticated space away from tennis mania – but with a price tag.

What: Stokehouse will be open for business in the final days of the tournament. Things will heat up off-court, too, judging by the menus planned. Think Aquna Murray cod with mussel escabeche, Ramarro Farm tomato tart and, for select matches, a tennis ball-shaped dessert inspired by Eton mess. The white chocolate mousse with surprising pops of lemonade is moulded around pavlova – crack it open to make your own mess.

Essentials: From $320. Stokehouse at the Glasshouse bookings available Jan 24-29 only and must be pre-purchased with tennis tickets.

VERY HUNGRY MATES

Elsies

Why: Real-deal Indian cooking covering crowd-pleasers and regional specialties.

What: Chef Mischa Tropp earned good reviews cooking at the Rochester Hotel in Fitzroy, then cemented his reputation during lockdown with Elsies, serving a ridiculously good heat-at-home butter chicken. That recipe is on show at the Open, along with vada pav, spiced potato patties on soft white rolls. Other pavs include missal, with a light mung bean curry and shallots, and crumbed rockling with slaw. Did we mention there are chips and curry, too?

Essentials: From $12. Part of Grand Slam Oval, accessible with all tickets.

FUN-SEEKERS

Beach Bar

Why: The beach comes to the city, giving you the best of both worlds.

What: Palm trees, white sand, spritzes and fish and chips are all there for the party at AO Beach Bar, headlined this year by Josh Niland's Charcoal Fish. Try his boundary-pushing yellowfin tuna cheeseburger or a rotisserie Murray cod roll. Or play it safe with fish and crunchy chips.

There's also a Spritz Bar serving cocktails by the mix masters at The Everleigh, including the bespoke Set Point Spritz, combining hibiscus, bitters, cinnamon and vodka. Living large? Book a cabana for 10 mates for drinks service, seafood platters and more.

Essentials: Food from $14. Accessible with all tickets. Cabanas ($250 per head) must be pre-booked.

THOSE ON A BUDGET

Supernormal Terrace

Why: You get fancy feels without the hefty price tag.

What: The Terrace is Supernormal's casual no-bookings outdoor space at the tournament, perfect for those who fly by the seat of their pants – or know how to spot a bargain. Unlike the fixed-price restaurant menus, here you order what you want and nothing more from the brief snack-centric menu. We'll take the lobster rolls and a glass of bubbles, please.

Essentials: From $19. Accessible with any ticket type.

SANDWICH FANS

Ca Com Banh Mi Bar or Rocco's Bologna Discoteca

Why: In case you hadn't noticed, Melbourne is obsessed with sandwiches right now. With so many top-ranked choices, a few have made it to the world stage.

What: Best known for her restaurants Anchovy and Jeow, chef Thi Le also makes a damn fine banh mi, wowing Melburnians at Richmond's Ca Com with fillings such as grilled turmeric chicken or house-made spicy sausage. For the Open, she's also bringing three light and bright bun (vermicelli salads).

Rocco's legendary meatball sub (pictured, right) and its fried bologna sandwich are also coming out to play, providing fuel for long matches.

Essentials: From $18. Both part of Grand Slam Oval, accessible with all tickets.

See ausopen.com