I’m all for bringing pre-packed lunches to work however when it comes to working in an office building during the day, I personally find it quite therapeutic to go for a nice walk, perhaps relax in the patio area of a restaurant and just to step outside for a little to break up the day.
In the past few years, the selection and quality of lunch choices has increased significantly, so long gone are the days where your only (decent) options were the office cafeteria or the takeaway shop downstairs. With all the multitude of restaurants and eateries to choose from, I wanted to share a few of my favourite lunch spots in the Melbourne CBD. On most occasions, you’ll be in and out of here within an hour and hopefully you’ll find it’s something that can spice up your work day!
PACO’S TACOS
Starting off this list is one of my favourite warmer weather spots, Paco’s Tacos. Sunshine and warm weather always calls for a visit here, and perched on the top of the NAB building sitting just across from MoVida Acqui, it’s suitable for anyone looking for a lighter meal, casual drinks and a place with a more laid-back vibe.
I’ve always loved the great selection of tacos available and from my last visit two weeks ago, the Crumbed blue grenadier and Slow cooked beef brisket were both delicious, flavoursome and moorish. The nachos are also fantastic and well-portioned with a generous amount of toppings. And with at least 4 types of salsas to complement your tacos, you won’t need to complain about your taco’s not having enough heat.
They don’t take bookings, so getting a table on Fridays can be quite of a task (especially when there’s good weather) so the best best is to head there at 12pm.
Pacos Tacos
Price: $15-20 (Tacos are $6 each, recommend 2-3 per person)
Order: Tacos (Crumbed blue grenadier, slow cooked beef brisket), Nachos (recommend the large if you’re sharing)
Service: No table service. Order and pay at the bar
1/500 Bourke Street (Enter up the staircase from Little William or Little Bourke Street)
Melbourne VIC 3000
POK POK JUNIOR
Pok Pok is situated in St James’ plaza, an open air square between several office buildings that’s home to a number of dining options.
Whilst Pok Pok serves up Western-style breakfasts in the mornings in addition to all day coffee. the lunch menu encompasses a wide selection of hawker-style Thai dishes and there’s almost something available for everyone – plus vegetarian options too. I highly recommend the King Prawn Pad Thai, Pineapple Fried Rice and Massaman lamb curry with roti. In particular, the Massaman lamb curry actually consists of a lamb shank that has been slow cooked in the massaman curry, bringing out a fragrant, hearty flavour that goes perfectly with the crispy roti.
Pok Pok offers both indoor and outdoor seating and on Fridays, there’s also live music in the plaza. Great tunes and good food – thats definitely a winning combination me!
Pok Pok
Price: $15-20
Order: King Prawn Pad Thai, Pineapple Fried Rice, Massaman Lamb Curry
Service: Table service
St James’ Plaza (accessible from William and Bourke Street)
Shop 9, 555 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
CAFE VUE
As the younger sibling of Vue Du Monde and Bistro Vue, Cafe Vue offers some delicious lunch fare at decent prices. Part of the restaurant is shared with Bistro Vue, so dining in the alfresco section means you will be seated amongst some gorgeous round marble tables (heated during winter). It’s all very chic and filled with Parisian flair.
There’s two things about Cafe Vue which continually makes me gravitate towards it, as it had done so for the past 4 years – its delicious David Blackmore Wagyu Beef Burger (served with duck fat fries) and the Cafe Vue Lunch Box. Whilst the Cafe Vue Lunch Box changes monthly, I have always been impressed by the different combinations offered and how well they complement each other. This generally comprises of a salad, a sweet, a petite main and a mini sandwich/roll.
And if you’re inclined, you can trust that there will always be more than enough options to end your visit on a sweet note.
Cafe Vue
Price: $15-20
Order: David Blackmore Wagyu Beef Burger, Cafe Vue Lunch Box, Confit Duck Quiche
Service: Table service
430 Little Collins St
Melbourne VIC 3000
http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/vue
SUDA
If you have walked past Healys Lane recently, you may have noticed that it is almost completely filled with eateries with a multitude of lunch offerings. There’s Gami Chicken (Korean Fried Chicken), Mr Nice Guy (Thai) and the beloved Kennys Bakery known for its Banh Mi. However, one joint that particularly stands out for me is Suda.
The fit out is simple and minimalistic, quite of a contrast from its food and what one might expect from most Korean eateries. Suda’s concept is Korean-Fusion food which is personified as a cosy little food outlet that can make you feel like you have stepped into a friends house. For the lunch menu, they do a range of specials including a delicious rice plate ($10) which comes with a small salad, fried dumplings and your choice of a protein, including beef and spicy pork bulgogi. And its served with purple rice too. The fried chicken sliders (2 for $10), served with a side of lotus chips (deep fried lotus roots), are also a winner.
Suda
Price: $10
Order: Rice plates, 2 slider lunch option
Service: Table service
ShopC2 550 Lonsdale St (Healys Lane)
Melbourne VIC 3000
In writing this post, I wanted to say a special ‘Thank you’ to my lovely friends who patiently let me take photos before we eat and even offering to help me out with food styling!