Vending machines dispensing cakes, steaks and cocktails are the way of the future, say a new generation of Australian entrepreneurs who are choosing robots over traditional retail.

“It’s expensive [to buy a high-tech vending machine], but it’s half the price of fitting out and setting up a shop,” says Jonathan Mussaad, who launched his Cake Mail vending machine in Sydney’s Chatswood in June.

In Japan, more than 5.5 million vending machines sell everything from soft serve ice-cream to fresh eggs. The trend is gathering momentum Down Under.

A Dom Perignon vending machine has been solving champagne emergencies at Melbourne’s Rialto Towers since 2017, while Southern Cross Station has been all but colonised by vending machines in the past 12 months, filling gaps left by tenancies that closed after the COVID lockdowns.

Automated drink vending machines are commonplace in Thailand, where Forth Corporation operates more than 6000 machines and continues to grow.

In October, the company launched its first Australian machine in Melbourne, under the name Flying Turtle. It has since expanded to Sydney, and another will open in Brisbane next week.

Managing director Panrapee Kwong says they expanded to Australia because of rising operating costs in food and drink businesses, and the need for after-hours options in big cities.

“This is especially important as people’s lifestyles have changed ... and in workplaces where people work 24/7, such as hospitals,” Kwong says.

The company is about to install 10 machines selling coffee, iced tea and other non-alcoholic drinks at RMIT University’s three Melbourne campuses. The university has increased the number of vending machines on site from 60 to 95 since 2015, according to a spokesperson.

Kwong says the company plans to eventually launch machines mixing alcoholic cocktails with Asian-inspired flavours like yuzu and lychee, under the name Tipsy Turtle.

In Sydney, Chop Butchery founder Dave Funnell installed two meat vending machines to give customers an after-hours alternative to major supermarkets.

Food vending machines are popular with young professionals, families and students, many of whom film the process to post on social media.

But not everyone is on board, says Matheson, with concerns about the technology replacing jobs and human interaction.

“In reality, we wouldn’t have been able to afford to grow and service [some] areas without the vending machine,” Matheson says. “It actually increased the number of people we hired because we needed more delivery drivers and bakers.”

Seven vending machines around Melbourne

Mini cakes and cupcakes, Cake Creations by Kate

Let them eat cake ... from a vending machine in a suburban shopping centre. Find this peach-toned machine and take your pick from colourful cupcakes, single-serve “cake tubs” and mini birthday cakes that serve four in flavours such as Oreo, Biscoff and more. A second machine is coming soon to a new location.

Kmart Quadrant, Craigieburn Central, 340 Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn, cakecreationsbykate.com.au

Coffee and friends, Flying Turtle

Coffee for less than $4 in Melbourne’s CBD? It’s not an urban myth – you just need a Flying Turtle to make it. This chirpy machine can make you a latte in about a minute, with on-screen updates along the way. The machines, located in universities, hospitals and more, also dispense Thai milk tea, refreshing ginger soft drink, iced coffees, smoothies and nearly 200 other drinks.

About 40 locations around Melbourne, flyingturtle.com.au

Fancy choc tops, Dear Frankie

You don’t need to see a film to get the GOAT of cinema snacks. Choc tops are now accessible 24/7 thanks to Dear Frankie’s new vending machines. Cones come in creamy flavours including choc-coated creme brulee and apple pie, but there are also vegan options such as mango and strawberry.

231 Waiora Road, Heidelberg Heights; Southern Cross Station, Spencer Street, Docklands, dearfrankiechoctops.com

Iced coffee and more, Thieves

Thieves sources coffee from roasters all over, acting like an aggregator of the best beans. Their coffee vending machine is no different. Find a collection of the team’s favourite ready-to-drink iced coffee, including Industry Beans cold brew and Japan’s famous Boss bevs, plus some cult drinks from outside the world of coffee, such as 100 Plus isotonic drinks from Malaysia.

36-38 Kerr Street, Fitzroy, threethousandthieves.com

Chips, chocolate and more, I Heart Snacks

So it’s more an arcade game than a vending machine but there’s serious pull to this shop, filled with glowing yellow machines. Inside the belly of each, you’ll see stacks of Tim Tams, M&Ms, instant noodles, mochi and other goodies. Your challenge is to use the skills tester (at $1 a pop) to secure your bounty.

Melbourne Central, lower ground floor (opposite Results Laser Clinic), corner Swanston and La Trobe streets, Melbourne, melbournecentral.com.au

Japanese-inspired ice-cream, Kori

A cone scooped by a human or a tub delivered by a vending machine? The choice is yours atKori’s CBD carpark ice creamery, the follow-up to its popular Hawthorn original. Twelve flavours have delightful Japanese flourishes, including black sesame and Fuji apple, Hokkaido cheesecake, and matcha-pistachio. Each tub is 480mL and costs $16.

392 Bourke Street, Melbourne, kori-icecream.com.au

Coffee supplies, Market Lane

To quell specialty coffee cravings during lockdown, one of the city’s leading roasters launched a vending machine outside its Brunswick East roastery. Four years on, it’s still dispensing a great range of beans, roasted mere metres away, plus filter papers to brew with.

126 Weston Street, Brunswick East, marketlane.com.au

Correction: an earlier version of this article stated that beverage company Tao Bin operated 200 vending machines in Bangkok. In fact, the parent company is Forth Corporation and they run more than 6000 machines across Thailand.