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Thessaloniki Food Guide: Where To Eat

Paul
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Thessaloniki Food Guide: Where To Eat

THESSALONIKI | Visitors to Greece tend to head straight to Athens and the country’s Mediterranean islands when travelling. In the mountainous north of the country, however, you’ll find the city that Greeks head to when they want to eat the best food in the country.

That city is Thessaloniki, which was designated as a UNESCO ‘City of Gastronomy’, in 2001. What makes the food in Thessaloniki so good? It’s the city’s long and diverse history. People from all over have moved through and settled in this region over thousands of years. It was part of Ancient Greece, and the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Greek, Turkish, Sephardic Jewish, and wider Balkan influences, amongst others, have all had a part to play in making the cuisine of Thessaloniki what it is today. The land in northern Greece is very fertile, which lends itself to food that showcases the amazing fresh produce of the region. Some of the best wines in the country also come from this region.

In this Thessaloniki Food Guide, updated as at August 2024, I’ll tell you the places to visit if you want to experience the best food and drink in Thessaloniki.

I’ve placed the tips in alphabetical order, and they’re all worth checking out. Are any of your favourites listed below? Are there any places that you think should be on my Thessaloniki food guide?

Agora Modiano

Built between 1922 and 1925, Agora Modiano (Modiano Market) is a covered market that’s conveniently located in the centre of Thessaloniki. It’s long been a popular place for those looking for top quality local produce, and as a community meeting place.

Reopening in 2022 after a major restoration and renovation, the market today is home to over 75 vendors, including fresh produce stalls, butchers, speciality food vendors, tavernas, and bars.

Charilaos

There are plenty of traditional nut shops in Thessaloniki. They’re where you go when you want not just nuts, but things like legumes, flour, semolina, rice, herbs, spices and the like. Charilaos is popular with locals, and is known for its top quality products, and knowledgeable staff.

Chatzifotiou / Hatzifotiou

Chatzifotiou is an artisan patisserie and chocolatier that’s been around since 1946. They’re famed for their high quality, delicious Greek sweet treats, and have a huge variety of things to choose from. A must try are their famed pourakia (wafer cigars stuffed with praline cream). There are several versions, my favourite is the one coated in dark chocolate.

Διαγώνιος 1977

This no-nonsense name of this restaurant (it’s on a diagonal street and opened in 1977), carries through to the menu. It’s a traditional Greek taverna that’s super popular with locals, who come here for two specific dishes. They’re soutzoukakia Smyrneika, oblong shaped, generously herbed/spiced, pan fried meatballs served with chilli flakes; and pork gyros. Order both.

Deka Trapezia

If you want to try Cretan food in Thessaloniki, one of your best options is Deka Trapezia. It’s a taverna from Cretan chef Manolis Papoutsakis, and sees traditional dishes reimagined in a contemporary manner. The focus is on small and share plates, with an unwavering dedication to quality ingredients.

Dekaepta Cafe

Thessaloniki is home to several great speciality coffee shops, and Dekaepta is one of the best. It’s a modern spot with a full range of espresso and filter-based coffee drinks made using locally roasted, ethically sourced beans. They also have cocktails and a small food menu of rotating seasonal plates.

Father Coffee & Vinyl

Another great spot for coffee in Thessaloniki is Father Coffee & Vinyl. Along with great coffee, they also offer a selection of pastries and. As for the second part of the name, it’s not just that there’s a great selection of vinyl being played over the speakers. Father Coffee & Vinyl also doubles as a record store.

MIA Feta Bar

The Kourellas family have been making feta, along with a variety of other dairy products, at their Grevena farm since the 1960s. At casual restaurant MIA Feta Bar, their feta and other products are showcased across a variety of dishes. There’s also a retail section where you can purchase Kourellas Dairy products for home.

Bougatsa Bantis

Thessaloniki is famed for it bougatsa – sweet and savoury fillings sandwiched between thin, flaky layers of filo pastry. Bougatsa Bantis is a small bakery, owned and run by trained pastry chef Philippos Bandis, whose carrying on the business that was started by his father Dimitris in 1969, and run by his dad Dimitris before Philippos took over. Philippos’ bougatsa is based on his grandfather, Philippos’s recipes, and is wonderful.

Bougatsa Giannis

Another popular spot for bougatsa in Thessaloniki is Bougatsa Giannis. Aristotelis and Efstathia Papadopoulou opened the store in 1996, naming it after their son, Giannis. Today, it’s run by Giannis and his brother George. You’ll find all of the popular sweet and savoury flavours here, along with the popular house speciality with cream and Merenda (basically Greek Nutella).

ERGON Agora

ERGON Agora is one of the best spots in town to enjoy contemporary Greek cuisine made using the best quality produce available. It’s a large, indoor concept market space that hosts a restaurant and cafe, greengrocer, butcher, fishmonger, and bakery. Everything is sourced from small, independent Greek producers, with a focus on quality.

Expect things like a selection of fresh caught fish, cooked how you like; orzo with seafood, fresh tomatoes, and herbs; and smoked sardine gyros in ladopita with spicy herbed tomato sauce.

Giannoula

The taverna is an integral part of Greek culture, and one of the best ways to become acquainted with Greek cuisine. They’re unfussy spots, with simple décor and extensive menus featuring all the classic Greek dishes.

Giannoula is a great example of one. It opened in 1974, a family run taverna named for the matriarch of the family. Today the taverna is run by Stavros, Giannoula’s son, his wife, Katerina, and his brother, Nikos. The atmosphere is homely and welcoming, with the same homestyle recipes that have always been used.

Kapani Market

Kapani Market is the oldest fresh produce market in Thessaloniki. It opened as a flour market (the Turkish term for flour market is “un kapan”) in the 15th century, during the Ottoman era. Today, you’ll find an assortment of top quality produce like locally grown vegetables and fruits, spices, meat and fish, nuts, olives, and more.

Mimis

Mimis is a no-nonsense gyros spot in the centre of Thessaloniki that’s been a favourite amongst locals since opening in 1974. Named after the original owner, today Mimis is run by his son, Giorgaros. You have a choice or pork or chicken as your protein (there’s also a vegetarian option), a selection of fillings and sauces, wrapped in a soft, warm, fluffy pita. Simple, quality ingredients done right

Mourga

Chef Ioannis Loukakis opened Mourga in 2017. It’s a small, welcoming venue, not too dissimilar than the city’s typical tavernas, and is a must visit in Thessaoniki. The menu, which changes daily depending on what’s good at the organic markets each day, is based on classic flavours and seasonal produce. There’s no meat on the menu, just fish and vegetables.

Dishes are simple at heart, ones that allow the quality of the produce to shine with flawless execution. Think shrimp with two soft boiled eggs, and galotyri cheese, served sizzling in the pan; and steamed mussels with angel hair pasta in a creamy avgolemono-like broth.

Mourouzi Patisserie

Mourouzi is a traditional Greek sweet shop and patisserie shop. Visit for no-fuss, quality versions of classis treats like sugared almonds, pastafrola (jam-filled shortcrust pies), and moist portokalopita (syrupy filo orange cake).

Nea Folia

Nea Folia is another Greek taverna that’s worth your time. Traditional at heart and in feeling, it’s actually relatively new compared to the others on the list, having opened in the 2000s. The menu is smaller than a classic taverna, with a focus on more contemporary dishes that play homage to the classics. Be sure to try something from their speciality aged cheese selection.

Ouzeri Tsinari

Tsinari has been around since 1865, and provides visitors a window into Ottoman Greece. The building’s interior and exterior are virtually unchanged since those times, and the original wood-fired oven is still in use. The menu features traditional taverna fare done right. Things like Greek salad, pan fried halloumi, dolmadakia, souvlaki, and fresh seafood that’s grilled to order over charcoal.

Sebriko / Semprkio

If you’re looking for a contemporary, eclectic take on Greek cuisine, Sebriko is a great choice. The focus in on showcasing the best seasonal regional produce along with local craft beer and wines from small, independent Greek producers. The restaurant also doubles as a small grocery store, offering many of the produce used in the kitchen, for home.

+ ΤροΦή | Sintrofi

Another of chef Ioannis Loukakis’ restaurants that’s worth checking out is Sintrofi. Visit for a constantly rotating selection of dishes made using the best quality produce from around Greece. Everything is made on site, from scratch, with dishes cooked over an open wood-fired grill.

Utopia Taproom

Craft brewers Utopia opened Utopia Taproom in 2023, and quicky established itself as the best place for lovers of craft beer in Thessaloniki. Across the venue’s 13 taps, you’ll find Utopia’s beers, and a selection of beers from the best craft breweries across the Balkans.

There are regular events and tap takeovers, and an impressive selection of bottles and cans in the fridge. You’ll find highly rated beers from the region’s breweries, along with collaborations and limited releases from further abroad.

Valenio

Valantis Lamprianidis has been involved in Thessaloniki’s hospitality industry for almost 30 years, and is one of Greece’s most highly regarded coffee experts. Valenio is his venue, and is where you’ll find some of the best coffee in the city. His contemporary take on Greek coffee is well worth a try.

Along with coffee, Valenio is the place to visit if you want to pick up some coffee equipment or coffee-related products. You can even take part in a coffee masterclass if you’re interested.

Vogatsikou 3

Conveniently named for its address, Vogatsikou 3 is my favourite cocktail bar in Thessaloniki. It’s a vibrant, but not too hectic space where you can get excellent versions of the classics, plus unique house creations. House creations rotate with the seasons, and are based on a theme. When I visited, the theme was “The Simpsons”, with artworks created by a local tattoo artist.

It’s more than just a gimmick, with each cocktail considered and linked to the wider theme in a way that’s explained to you as it’s served. Vogatsikou 3 is also open during the day as a cafe, with a globally influenced food menu.

Have you been to Thessaloniki before? What are your favourite things to eat there, and your favourite place to eat them? What would you add to this Thessaloniki Food Guide?

The Interlude, Coburg

Paul
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0
The Interlude, Coburg

MELBOURNE | Housed inside Melbourne’s 170 year old, Pentridge Prison, which closed in 1997, has been transformed into a luxurious food, drink, and entertainment destination. Housed in the prison’s infamous B Division block, where a young Ned Kelly was once held, you’ll find boutique hotel, The Interlude.

The hotel is one of the most unique that I’ve stayed at anywhere in the world, and that’s saying something. It’s been painstakingly integrated into the historic site, with a respect for what it once was. I recently visited and stayed overnight as a guest of the hotel.

Location

Coburg, in particular once you go north of Bell Street, isn’t an area that comes to mind for most visitors to Melbourne, but there’s actually a lot going for the location. The airport is just a 20 minute drive from The Interlude, and the CBD is a 20 minute drive or 35 min tram ride away. Between the amenities at the hotel (more on that later) and all that’s going on in the area, you might not even want to head into the CBD.

Brunswick is one of Melbourne’s most exciting food and drink destinations, and Coburg, around Sydney Road, is getting in on the action. There’s trendy new wine bars, restaurants, breweries, boutique shops, and more in the area, along with diverse food options from various immigrant groups who have shaped this part of Melbourne.

Also nearby you have the Lygon Street, Brunswick East, and High Street, Preston and Thornbury. Scenic Merri Creek, and the associated cycling train that runs along it, is just behind Pentridge.

Rooms

The Interlude contains 19 rooms, which are housed in former cells in Division B’s South East wing. You enter by walking through the light-filled atrium, which features a wonderfully high ceiling, along the old gangway between the cells.

The rooms are long, narrow spaces, formed by the careful removal of the interior walls of four (or five if you have a room with a bath) adjoining cells. It’s an eerily beautiful space that showcases the original bluestone walls, barrel-vaulted ceilings and barred windows, softened by luxe furnishings.

In the middle, when you enter the room, you have a space with luggage storage, clothes hangars, and a safe. To the right is a lounge with small table, minibar, and tea station, and coffee pod machine. Beyond this, there’s a queen-size bed with a Chromecast enabled 55-inch TV. To the right of the entrance, is the marble bathroom, with a free-standing bath beyond that.

The mini bar is stocked with (mostly), drinks and snacks sourced from businesses based in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. The tea bar, with its selection of Impala & Peacock loose-leaf tea blends, is a nice touch.

All rooms come with free WiFi, free bottled water, bathrobes and slippers, and premium toiletries.

Amenities

One of the many areas where The Interlude shines is it amenities. The subterranean relaxation pool, housed below the central gangway, is a beautiful space for contemplation, and is available for all guests to access at any time. One one side of the pool is The Interlude’s gym, on the other, a series of relaxation zones.

Another very worthwhile experience that’s offered is “Story of Place”. A host escorts you to B Division’s former panopticon, one of only eight in the world. It’s a divided outdoor space where prisoners held in solitary confinement could a few minutes of fresh air. While you enjoy a bottle of local wine paired with a cheese and charcuterie board, your host will share stories about the prison’s history, and specific tales about some of the individuals who were kept here. Guests are encouraged to ask questions and share their own stories, and it’s a great way to learn more about Pentridge.

An entire wing of B Division has been left relatively untouched compared to the others, and is a museum of sorts. Each cell is set up differently to tell different stories of Pentridge’s past. Themes include things like contraband, punishment, and ingenuity. Graffiti, markings in the walls, and more have all been left in place, which provides even more of a sense of place.

If you’d like to go for a ride and explore the area, you can hire snazzy Dutch ‘Lekker’ bicycles for free. If you have a car, there’s parking for guests underneath the hotel, charged at $25 per night.

Eat & Drink

There’s two options for food and drink at The Interlude – Olivine Wine Bar, and restaurant, North&COMMON.

Olivine is housed in another wing of B division, and is a brilliant wine bar. A modern bar sits in the centre of the space, just off the atrium, while the cells have been converted into cosy, intimate spaces. The impressive ‘Book of Wine’, features over 500 new and old world wines, along with a few cocktails and craft beers. To eat, it’s a a seasonal snack menu from the North&COMMON kitchen.

North&COMMON, hosed in the prison’s former cafeteria, is a modern Australian restaurant with seasonally focused menu that showcases local ingredients and small producers. Expect things like char-grilled Fremantle octopus, top quality steak cooked over fire, and assorted pasta, rice, and veggie dishes.

The Verdict

I have stayed at many hotels over the years, and The Interlude is up there as one of the most memorable. Its opening was delayed by quite a bit due to the effort that was made to ensure that the heritage elements of Pentridge Prison were properly preserved. The way that the hotel has been integrated into the prison is nothing short of exceptional.

Staying at The Interlude is an exciting, humbling, and slightly eerie experience. You can’t help but reflect on the prison’s past, and think about all of the things that went on here over the years. Indeed, during my “Story of Place” experience, my host and I had an insightful discussion about the different ways that former inmates have responded to being back here in its transformed state.

A stay at The Interlude is truly one of Melbourne’s best hotel experiences. Even if a hotel stay isn’t on the cards for you, I highly recommend popping into Olivine for a drink and/or North&COMMON for a feed, and experiencing the space in some capacity, for yourself.

The Interlude

1 Pentridge Boulevard
Coburg
Victoria 3058
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9100 9191
E-mail: n/a
Website

North&COMMON, Coburg

Paul
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0
North&COMMON, Coburg

MELBOURNE | North&COMMON is a modern Australian restaurant housed in the former cafeteria of the heritage listed Pentridge Prison. It’s part of the Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Pentridge, along with wine bar Olivine, boutique hotel, The Interlude, and serviced apartments upstairs in a new tower. I was recently invited in to take a look.

The restaurant is full of character, with a fitout that respectfully integrates the heritage aspects of the space. Of particular note as you enter are the original bluestone walls, a 10 metre high ceiling, and restored cross timbers.

Head chef Abhi Dey (ex The Sugar Club in Auckland, Silvester’s in Sydney) has developed a produce driven, seasonally focused menu that showcases local ingredients and small producers. It’s a selection of small and large plates, easily enjoyed solo or to share.

Delicious things cooked over an open flame feature heavily on the menu. To start, try the brilliant charcoal grilled Fremantle octopus, mixed with sobrassada, fennel, potatoes, and cultured cream. For larger plates, the black garlic glazed 250g Scotch steak with herb jus, baby carrot, fried leek, and parsnip puree, is a great choice.

Fans of vegetables should try the crispy fried brussels sprouts with tamarind and kelp glaze, and the koshikari risotto with fire-roasted mushrooms and smoked mozzarella. Dietaries are well catered to, with indicators next to the description of each dish.

To drink, it’s the 500-strong wine list from adjacent bar, Olivine, along with that bar’s other selection of drinks. Speaking of which, I highly recommend visiting Olivine for a pre or post-dinner tipple in one of the bar’s former prison cells turned cosy booths.

North&COMMON is another feather in the cap for hotel restaurants in this Melbourne. The kind of place that’s worth visiting regardless of whether you’re staying at the hotel or not.

North&COMMON

1 Pentridge Boulevard
Coburg
Victoria 3058
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9100 9000
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Wed – Fri: 5:30pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 12:00pm to 11:00pm

Love Shack Brewing Co, Castlemaine

Paul
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Love Shack Brewing Co, Castlemaine

CASTLEMAINE | Love Shack Brewing Co was founded by former Stomping Ground brewers and mates, Conna Mallett and Harrison Cox in May 2021. They began brewing in a tiny shack out the back of Castlemaine’s historic Theatre Royal, and it wasn’t long before they outgrew the space, and as chance would have it, the spot next door became available.

It’s that spot where you’ll find the tap room, which feels like a classic country pub that’s always been there, a few fridges filled with cans of beer to go, and the brewery out back. The branding, and the brewery harken back to old-school Australia, with a 1970s feel. There’s lots of timber, brass, and green, booths, stools, and seating, and a long bar that showcases what the venue’s all about. The walls are lined with retro themed memorabilia. It’s a very welcoming, cosy space.

Love Shack’s beers are focused on great versions of classic styles. The IPA, Lager, and Pale are three of the most popular beers, and their ESB (properly poured on hand pump), Red Ale, and Stout are highly regarded. There’s a few rotating seasonals and limited beers at any given time, but this isn’t the place for anything too experimental. It’s just fantastic, honest beer.

If you’re not a beer person, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a small but diverse selection of wines from some of the region’s best independent wineries available by the glass, plus an extensive range of local spirits, and cocktails. There’s a decent selection of non-alcoholic options too.

The kitchen is headed up by head chef Joel Baylon (ex Northern Light, Shobosho), who’s cooking up a sharp menu of excellent pub classics. Think chicken schnitzel, fish and chips, and a few burgers. There’s also an assortment of top notch small dishes.

The ‘Love Burger’ is one of the best burgers that I’ve had all year. A smashed beef patties, with cheddar, lettuce, white onion, tomato, and a zingy house sauce inside a soft bun. Broccolini, with toasted almonds, macadamia cream, a crispy chilli oil is a must order from the snacks section, as are the moreish devilled eggs with curry mayo.

Love Shack Brewing Co

26 Hargreaves Street
Castlemaine
Victoria 3450
Australia

Telephone: (03) 5470 5774
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Tue: 12:00pm to 9:00pm
Wed – Thu: 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Sat: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Sun: 11:00am to 9:00pm

Olivine, Coburg

Paul
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0
Olivine, Coburg

MELBOURNE | I’ve been to a number of bars housed in unique locations over the years, and Olivine, which opened this year inside Melbourne’s infamous former Pentridge Prison, is up there. I was recently invited in to take a look.

The bar is housed in B Division block of the prison, which was home to some of Australia’s harshest solitary confinement conditions back in the day. A young Ned Kelly, before he became the bushranger of lore, was one of the prisoners who spent time in B Division.

The entire Pentridge complex, which dates back to 1851 in parts, is heritage listed. Much of the original structure remains, and has been painstakingly integrated into the bar, which is part of the Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Pentridge. There’s wine bar Olivine, restaurant North&COMMON, boutique hotel, The Interlude, and serviced apartments upstairs in a new tower.

What was the walkways between the prison cells is where you’ll find the stylish bar and an airy plush couch section. To either side, behind the original bluestone prison cell walls, you’ll find a series of intimate booths. Individual cells are divided by curtains, allowing the spaces to be combined or kept separate.

The wine list, or ‘Book of Wine’, as Olivine calls it, is impressive. It’s a tome featuring over 500 new and old world wines. There’s well regarded drops from large producers, and plenty of interesting things from up-and-coming winemakers. There’s little snippets of info about each of the options, and informative staff on hand to answer any questions. If wine’s not your thing, there’s short and sharp selection of spirits and cocktails, and an approachable little selection of local craft beers.

Food comes from the North&COMMON kitchen, featuring a seasonal snack menu that showcases local producers. Things like Cantabrian anchovies and zesty lemon crème on toasted Cobb Lane sourdough; creamy Mediterranean chicken liver pate with muscat jelly, and grilled brioche; and fried chicken with spiced tomato glaze.

Olivine

1 Pentridge Boulevard
Coburg
Victoria 3058
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9100 9116
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Tue – Fri: 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 2:00pm to 11:00pm

Mamao Club, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Mamao Club, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | You might remember Mamao, a casual Thai restaurant that I posted about earlier this year. It’s popular with students and Thai expats for it’s authentic casual street-food dishes and affordable prices. The team have recently opened a new spot, Mamao Club, which I recently visited for What’s On Melbourne

Mamao Club is hidden up an unassuming set of stairs on the second floor of the same building that houses perennial favourite, cocktail bar Madame Brussels. It takes the late night bar elements of Mamao and ramps them up in a low lit space with colourful lights. There’s a bar and booths down one end, and tables facing a live music and DJ stage on the other end. It’s very much a bar/club rather than a restaurant, the kind that evokes late night adventures in Bangkok.

I visited as the night was starting, and things were just starting to get busier as I left. From what I’ve heard, the place is heaving and has quite the party vibe later on in the night.

Open until the wee hours of the morning, Mamao Club is the kind of place that’s perfect when you’re out on the town and are at the point of the night when some food is in order. There’s beer towers, tropical cocktail jugs, and more with a focus on the celebratory, party side of things, and a food menu of keenly priced snacky things designed to go well with drinks.

Think things like deep fried barramundi with fish sauce, rice porridge with seafood, spicy fried pork belly salad, salted duck egg fried calamari, and grilled meat and veg skewers. All great options to keep you fuelled for the night.

Mamao Club

2F, 59 Bourke Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: 0411 963 561
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Thu: 9:00pm to 2:00am
Fri – Sat: 6:00pm to 3:00am

Afghan Kebab House, Lalor

Paul
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0
Afghan Kebab House, Lalor

MELBOURNE | Running adjacent to the rail lines on Station Street in Lalor, there’s a strip mall that’s typical of Melbourne’s primarily residential post World War II built suburbs. They’re unfussy things, providing a mixture of retail and hospitality to service the local community.

Driving past this particular strip mall a few weeks ago, I noticed a sign “Afghan Kebab House” that got me intrigued. I added it to my list and, when I found myself nearby a few weeks later decided to pop in for lunch.

Owner Roohollah and his family opened Afghan Kebab House in 2016. From the moment you walk inside the small, simple place and smell the aromas from the kitchen, you know that you’re in for a treat. In the open kitchen, there’s a large custom-built charcoal grill, lined with skewers of assorted meat and veg being barbecued. To the side, large rounds of Naan-e-Afghani are being baked to order on the tandoor.

The menu is all about traditional Afghan cuisine, with a small selection of Persian dishes from neighbouring Iran. Kebabs of juicy, tender, well seasoned meat cooked over the charcoal grill feature heavily, imparting wonderful smoke and char to many of the dishes. The mixed kebab plate – two lamb skewers, two shami (minced beef) skewers, charred tomato and chilli, atop a bed of saffron rice, is a must order.

Kabuli pulao, considered by many to be the national dish of Afghanistan, is also something you have to try. You get a mountain of fluffy, aromatic steamed rice mixed with caramelised carrots and dry raisins, with a tender slow-cooked shank of marinated lamb meat. Mix it all together and you’re in for a treat.

Mantu, the famed Afghan dumplings served in a yoghurt-based mint and garlic sauce, are another must order. Wash it all down with some doogh/aryan – cold sour fermented milk, or some Persian white grape juice.

The family also own Afghan Supermarket, and AFG Fruit & Veg Market on the same strip. They’re both worth a visit after your meal if you want to grab some high quality market-fresh produce and Middle Eastern goods.

Afghan Kebab House

334 Station Street
Lalor
Victoria 3075
Australia

Telephone: 0470 363 806
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Tue, Thu – Fri: 11:00am to 9:00pm
Wed, Sat – Sun: 9:00am to 9:00pm

Kantin, Carlton

Paul
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0
Kantin, Carlton

MELBOURNE | The diversification of offerings along the Carlton end of Lygon street post-pandemic has been a boon for Melbourne diners. After a lull in the 2010s, when the street coasted on a reputation that no longer reflected the current situation, Lygon street is exciting once more. Long-standing, and newer Italian restaurants stand side-by-side with restaurants representing the cuisine of more recent waves of immigrants to Melbourne.

Kantin is one of the new wave of exciting Lygon Street restaurants, joining D’penyetz and d’Cendol, and Beku Gelato in bringing some Indonesian flair to the street. I recently popped in to find out more for What’s on Melbourne.

Kantin is the Indonesian word for canteen. It’s reflective of the small, casual diner that Kantin is. Owner Chan and the team focus on home style Indonesian food. What sets Kantin apart from other, similar Indonesian restaurants in town, is its focus on Minahasan/Manadonese cuisine of North Sulawesi. Manadonese food is known for its generous use of rich spices, spicy condiments, wide variety of proteins, and European-influenced baked treats.

Signature dishes at Kantin include things like bakmi ayam rica (Manadonese spicy chicken, fried wontons, and bok choy, atop a bowl of noodles), nasi iga sapi panggang (sticky, caramelised grilled beef ribs on rice with sambal manis pedas), and udang woku santan (prawns in Manadnoese spices with coconut gravy). All are well worth trying.

If you want a bit of a mix plate, check out the nasi kuning manado. It’s fragrant toasted coconut and turmeric rice served with a hard boiled egg, spicy caramelised anchovies and peanuts, garlic crackers, cucumber, sambal terasi, and your choice of protein.

If you have a sweet tooth, my favourite is the crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside burnt butter toast. It’s lathered with pandan and topped with a scoop of ice-cream. The Dutch-influenced klapertaart brulee is another winner. A smooth silky custard is baked with chunks of young coconut, almond and cinnamon, with a crisp, toffee lid.

To drink, there’s a wide selection of Indonesian house made, and packaged drinks, and a few boozy options. It’s hard to go past Katin’s version of the classic es cendol, or their take on the popular coffee drink Mont Blanc, which uses salty pandan cream.

Kantin

122 Lygon Street
Carlton
Victoria 3053
Australia

Telephone: 0431 431 353
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Sun – Thu: 11:30am to 9:30pm
Fri – Sat: 11:30am to 10:30pm

Amiri Cafe, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Amiri Cafe, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | In April 2018, when Japanese ramen chain, Ippudo, opened their first Melbourne store on Artemis Lane in QV shopping centre, it heralded what would become a complete transformation of what was a relatively uninspiring, functional thoroughfare. Today, Artemis Lane is home to several quality dining options. The most recent addition, Amiri Cafe, opened late last year. I recently popped in to grab some photos for What’s On Melbourne.

Amiri Cafe is a broadly East Asian inspired cafe. It continues a trend that’s been adopted in Melbourne in recent years, open from the morning until late at night. A wide selection of ONA coffee and alternative lattes (try the durian cheese latte), savoury food options, and pastries are available all day, while the extensive dessert menu is available from 2:00pm onwards.

Presentation of the dishes is primed for social media, but thankfully it’s not a matter of style over substance. There’s crowd pleasers like a wagyu beef katsu sando, smashed avocado on toast, and bingsu, plus creative options. The eggs benedict, for example, sees two pieces of roti topped with sticky soy bbq pulled pork, kale, gochujung hollandaise, chilli jam mayo, and poached eggs.

My pick of the savoury dishes is the Kyoto-style omurice. A fluffy omelette atop a teriyaki hamburger patty, pickled radish, and steamed Japanese rice, served in a bed of Japanese curry. The buckwheat soba topped with Hokkaido scallops, seared salmon, tobikko, and cold yuzu soy dressing is another great choice.

For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert menu is enticing. There’s slices of cakes and pastries, plus special desserts. I highly recommend the ‘Dragon Eggs’, theatrically served on a steaming ‘nest. They’re essentially thin walled sweet potato donut shells, filled with your choice of salted egg sauce, or matcha sauce. The ‘Cafe Island Coconut’ is another great option. It’s a milk chocolate base shell topped with a coconut and pandan sponge cream cake, filled with young coconut cream, and toasted shaved coconut.

Amiri Cafe

Shop R02, QV Melbourne
Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Sun – Thu: 9:45am to 10:00pm
Fri – Sat: 9:45am to 11:00pm

Brim CC, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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Brim CC, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Whenever I’m walking to or from Southern Cross station, I never seem to find myself on Little Collins Street. Walking down there the other day, I spotted a few food and drink spots that I’d never heard about that looked like they’d be worth a try. The reason I found myself in this part of town was to grab some photos of one of these spots for What’s On Melbourne, Brim CC.

Search online for this hole-in-the wall Japanese cafe and you won’t find much. They have no online presence apart from a Facebook page which hasn’t been updated since 2020. It used to contain updates on new menu items, but is mostly Japanese holiday snaps and random pieces of Japanese factoids posted by the owner. Also, a lot of posts about former Japanese football player Keisuke Honda, made during the time he was playing for Melbourne Victory.

Brim CC has been open since at least 2012, focusing on simple, Japanese-style lunch dishes done well, served with care and a smile. There’s a real attention to detail here. Everything is sourced locally where possible, is free range, and organic. As much as possible is made from scratch on site.

You’ll find all of the favourites on the menu. Snacks like karaage, takoyaki, and agedashi tofu. There’s a selection of salads, curries, donburi, gyoza, and noodle dishes. Bento boxes and combo deals are priced keenly, and the place clearly has a loyal following if the lunch crowd on the day that I visited is any indication.

I’m always trying new things, so decided to take a different approach at Brim CC and ordered three classics which I haven’t had in a while. A bento box with chicken katsu, pork and vegetable gyoza, and Japanese beef curry. True to what was promised, each was an exceptional take on things. The chicken is, juicy and tender with the lightest, crunchiest exterior. The omelette that it’s served on is a nice touch. The gyoza, generously filled, and pan fried to perfection, are a winner, as is the rich, thick curry with its classic Japanese curry flavour, and tender chuck beef.

If you’re looking for classic Japanese lunch dishes done right in the CBD, Brim CC is a place that should definitely be on your list.

Brim CC

2/601 Little Collins Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 8672 9934
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Fri: 11:00am to 9:00pm

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