Where to get your chicken parma fix in Melbourne

Consistently winning votes for Melbourne’s best parma every year, The Birmingham Hotel (known to locals as “The Birmy”) is a must-visit for chicken schnitzel lovers.

Don’t be fooled by the pub’s old-fashioned facade. The grub on offer here might be traditional but it’s cooked to absolute perfection – hence its legendary status.

So what can you expect? Plenty of top beers on tap, 50 cent chicken wings, and great big, glistening parmas – lots of them, too.

There’s Hawaiian, Mexican and even Indonesian flavoured parmas to explore on the menu here, but we reckon you can’t go wrong with The Birmy’s classic chicken parma.

It’s so big it arrives at your table on a huge wooden board in all its golden-fried, saucy, cheesy glory. Add crispy chips and salad to the party and Bob’s your uncle. The perfect parma exists.

If you can brave the sea of hungry pub-goers at dinnertime, Thursday’s parma night. Mark your diaries.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Thursday special chicken parma ($15)

Most CBD workers around La Trobe Street know Captain Melville as a buzzing hive for after-work drinks and meet ups.

What some may not know, however, is that this Captain happens to dish out one of the best chicken parmas in the city.

The chicken schnitzel here is thick and juicy with a well-seasoned crumb. It’s cloaked in a traditional-style Napoli sauce with a generous dollop of melted cheese. What’s notable about this parma is the fresh basil in the topping – a hint of herbaceous zestiness in an otherwise greasy, decadent treat.

While many pubs serve fairly unmemorable fries, the ones here are special. Appearing hand-cut and extra crispy and thick, they make the perfect fluffy accompaniment to the star of the show.

There’s not a whole lot to say about the salad, but honestly – who pays attention to salad when a parma’s in sight?

If the captain’s calling your name, I’d board this ship as soon as you can.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chicken parmigiana ($28)

If it’s important to you that your parma’s as big as your head, make The Cheeky Pint your next pub night. Whispers are spreading fast that this parma’s just as impressive in size as it is in flavour.

The house-made chicken schnitzel arrives on a whopper chopping board with a side of crunchy wedges.

Layers of rich Napolitana sauce and leg ham are disguised in a bubbling, hot, golden-brown mix of cheeses. If the king of parmas had a king itself, this would be it.

Right in the centre of the ‘Cray on Barkly Street, the microbrewery isn’t just a drawcard for westside parma lovers. Discover giant copper tanks of exclusive brews from The Cheeky Pint itself, Sunday roasts, live entertainment, spots outside to catch the rays, and a menu of quality pub classics available six days of the week.

Dish Cult’s top pick: The famous cheeky parma ($30)

If The Grace Darling’s charming back story or moody, nautical-themed interiors fail to entice you, rumours of the famous Grace parma are sure to do the trick.

Though it’s Melbourne’s second oldest pub, in the parma stakes it may just hold the blue ribbon. It’s an ooey-gooey package of double-smoked ham, freshly torched raclette cheese, house-made sugo and tender chargrilled free range chicken.

If your mouth’s watering now, wait until you see how beautifully it’s plated up with the rustic chips and salad.

Far from your standard suburban pub parma, the Grace is an experience that transcends your expectations. Wash it down with an icy pint and you’re golden.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Tuesday special free range chicken parma ($18)

The Local Taphouse parma is nothing fancy but its simplicity is what will seduce true parma traditionalists.

Expect a moderate-sized hunk of free range chicken breast smothered in Napoli sauce, wood-smoked ham and lots of melted cheese, all ratios on point.

Like most parmas, it comes with beer-battered chips and a fuss-free vinaigrette salad. But what we love especially about this award-winning tavern are all the other sides you can go crazy with.

The entire menu at The Local Taphouse takes gastropub to the next level.

Try mac and cheese, a bit of Cajun spice on your chips, or a plate of semolina-dusted whitebait with malt vinegar. There’s also a decent selection of terrines, breads and globally inspired dips to get stuck into. Why not turn your parma night into a parma feast?

Plus, there’s craft beer, a rooftop, live music and comedy, and even a bocce court. Bottoms up!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chicken parma ($26)