Should I book: Ish
10 Feb 2023
10 Feb 2023
While the Docklands has had its fair share of critics and admirers over the years, it’s hard to deny the allure of the contentious waterfront ‘burb’s growing food scene.
From popping Thai street food and cheap Vietnamese noodles, to gastropub steakhouses and traditional tapas, there’s no shortage of reasons why venturing west of Melbourne’s CBD is a delicious idea. So whether you’re an inner city worker on their lunch break, a tourist just passing by, or a rowdy band of sports fans hungry for dinner after a game at Marvel Stadium – take note of these great cafes and restaurants in the Docklands.
Fishbowl
Seafood, Salad
Image credit Fishbowl
If top quality Aussie seafood with a Japanese twist sounds like your idea of the perfect lunch, then Fishbowl is your ticket.
Come early afternoon, the lunch crowd transforms this peaceful 30-seater dining room into a buzzing salad bar dishing out healthy made-to-order bowls.
Here, you can find straight-from-the-sea salmon and tuna, plump pearls of sushi rice, edamame, fresh garden greens, and authentic soba noodles – all swimming in some seriously silky Japanese salad dressings. Think flavour combos of lemon, garlic, shoyu, miso, ginger, sesame and chilli, topped with flavour bombs like crispy shallots and wasabi peas. Beyond seafood, you’re free to opt for other meat-based and vegetarian proteins, too.
Why not try the coconut tom-yum chicken,12-hour braised beef or ‘shroomami’ shitake bowl?
Or if you’re feeling game, get creative and ask to build your own.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Spicy miso salmon bowl ($16.90)
Pok Pok’s self-proclaimed mission is to bring Thai street food to Melbourne. Judging from the enthusiastic hordes of workers flocking to its doors at lunch time each day, it’s clearly doing a fantastic job so far.
If you want a seat, get in as early as possible. Although there’s a takeaway option, Pok Pok’s bright interiors and bustling atmosphere are just as much a part of the experience as the traditional Thai curries, salads, snacks and desserts on the menu.
Whatever you do, don’t go past the barramundi fish cakes. They’re insanely good.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Chiang Mai pork belly and neck curry ($17.50)
Picture a noisy German-style beer hall with long tables. Huge jugs of ale. Some of the crispiest and juiciest pork knuckles in Melbourne. And merry bands of diners toasting to their celebrations… and you have The Hof Downtown.
The sister outlet to Market Lane’s wildly successful Hofbrauhaus, The Hof Downtown promises something called “the new age of Bavarian cuisine”.
It’s here the hungry go to gorge on Alpine cheeses, giant pretzels, sauerkraut, currywurst, Käsespätzle (German cheese noodles), schnitzel, bratwurst sausages and all your other favourite Northern European classics.
As they say in Germany, “prost!” (cheers!)
Deep in the heart of the Docklands, Bar Nacional is a pintxos bar and eatery from the Collins Square Hospitality Group that is the definition of casual San Sebastian elegance.
The setting is moody and contemporary with high ceilings and dark accents. But it’s the food at Bar Nacional that’s generated plenty of buzz, from the charred octopus with potato crisps and smoked paprika to the jamon duroc serrano from Northern Spain, aged 18 months.
With smaller tapas classics like patatas bravas and fresh mussels with sherry vinaigrette on the menu, plus larger dishes like the stuffed wood-fired chicken with mojo verde to choose from, this feast is best enjoyed with a group of mates – and a jug (or jugs) of house-made sangria.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Pedro Ximenez beef cheek with cauliflower puree ($26)
Steakhouse Grill 66
Steak, Modern Australian
Image credit Steakhouse Grill 66
For serious steak fans in Melbourne, Steakhouse Grill 66 is a must-try.
It only takes a quick glance at the restaurant’s sparkling reviews with headlines like “best steak in town!’ and astonishingly, ”best steak ever” to see why Steakhouse Grill is worth a dinnertime visit.
Without too much pomp or fanfare, this relaxed modern steakhouse serves up quality cuts of all your favourite classics: porterhouse, rib eye, Wagyu rump, eye fillet and scotch fillet. Ask for a side of fries and creamy peppercorn sauce and your meal is set.
On cold winter nights, seating in the heated outdoor terrace area provides extra comfort. And don’t forget a generous glass of Aussie red to wash it all down!
Wedged between Marvel Stadium and the Bolte Bridge, Cargo is a lively all-day foodie hub serving up popular lunch and dinner eats ‘til late.
The atmosphere is hip while the menu is large and versatile, offering something for everyone at this waterfront eatery.
You can’t go wrong with a craft beer and chicken parma, but slightly more adventurous diners will appreciate the saganaki and Asian-glazed pork belly on the menu.
Whether you’re up for a pizza, a burger or simply a salty selection of pub-style snacks to go with your drinks, Cargo is unlikely to disappoint.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Cargo paella ($36)
