Melbourne eats under $10
Discover some of the best eats under $10 in Victoria’s bustling capital city ...
Melbourne is a foodie’s heaven, and the best thing is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy some fantastic food. If you’re heading south for a few days, check out these cheap eats, which will all set you back less than $10.
Goz City, 502 Little Collins St, Monday-friday 7am-4pm It’s often the case that the fewer things on a menu, the better. Stick to one thing and do it well, and that’s exactly what this little gem down the Spencer St Station end of the CBD does. Here, it’s all about the gozleme. The kitchen window faces out to the street, and through it you can watch the pastry being rolled out paper thin before being stuffed with cheese and spinach, minced meat, herbed chicken or mushroom and vegetables, before it’s served perfectly crisp. There’s breakfast pide and borek as well and a simple selection of fresh salads. Goz City is popular with local office workers and at lunchtime the line-up of suits stretches out the door. Gozleme are $11 (OK, a little over $10, but worth it), Borek $5 and Pide $7.
Don Don, 198 Little Lonsdale St, 7 days, 11am-9pm
This simple Japanese eatery is known for its super quick service and its tasty and filling meals, all of which are less than $10. The Niku Udon ($8.30) is a bowl of flavourful broth filled with thinly sliced beef, tofu, udon noodles and greens, or try the Don Don Box ($9.40) with teriyaki chicken, sukiyaki beef, salad and rice.
Queen Victoria Market Dairy Hall, 513 Elizabeth St, Tuesday and Thursday 6am-2pm, Friday 6am-5pm; Saturday 6am-3pm; Sunday 9am-4pm
The dairy hall of the Vic Market is a full sensory experience. The glorious displays of fresh breads, pastas, cakes, salamis, cheeses, dips, chocolates and wines will make you want to buy one of everything. Once you’ve worked up an appetite shopping for your supplies, stop at the The Bratwurst Shop and Co for one of their famous grilled bratwurst with sauce, cheese, mustard and sauerkarut. Brats start at $7. Right next door is the equally good Borek Shop, where you can get a filling spinach and cheese, spicy potato or spicy lamb borek for just $3. To get there from the CBD, catch the 19, 57 or 59 train on Elizabeth St.
Shanghai Village, 112-114 Little Bourke St, Monday-saturday noon-3pm; 4-9.30pm (Fri/sat 10.30pm).
If you’re looking for a quiet romantic dinner for two, this place might not be your best bet. It’s noisy, crowded, the decor’s basic, the walls are pink, and you might find yourself ushered to a seat in the middle of a communal table, but if you’re out for a few beers with friends or are just looking for a simple, tasty and cheap meal and a lively atmosphere, this cheery Chinese dumpling house is a winner. A plate of 15 fried dumplings will set you back just $8.50.
A1 Bakery, 643-645 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, Mondaywednesday, Sunday 7am-7pm, Thursday-saturday 7am-9pm
If you have the time to get out of the CBD, take the No. 19 tram from Elizabeth St to the inner north suburb of Brunswick. The main drag, Sydney Rd, has a good selection of cafes, including the popular A1 Bakery, where you can feed two people for less than $10. Their menu includes Lebanese pizzas, pies and dips, including the Zaatar piza with thyme, oregano, sumac and sesame seeds for $1.50, the Shanklish pie with cheese tomato, onion and herbs for $5 and the dips platter with hummus, baba ganoush and tzatziki for $6.
Balha’s Pastry, 761-763 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 7 days 9am-11pm A short walk up the road from A1 is Lebanese pastry palace, Balha’s. If you’re a fan of baklava, you’ll be in heaven. They have a huge range, in varieties including cashew and pistachio.