Summer in Melbourne means long warm nights, a few too many drinks, and the necessary pre-bed greasy meal to soak up the evening’s festivities. However, late night dinners are no longer reserved for people stumbling out of the club after a night out. Whether you are a shift worker, can’t sleep, or you’re just plain drunk (no judgement; we’ve all been there), you no longer have to settle for a dirty kebab or cheese burger after midnight.
While the rest of Melbourne is tucked up in bed, there are a number of restaurants across Melbourne offering quality food until the early hours of the morning. Here are our top picks for dining after dark.
Bar Ampere
16 Russell Place, Melbourne CBD
A popular hospo hangout, Bar Ampere serves quality Parisian-style food until 3am every night of the week. Offering a variety of options for everyone from popcorn chicken to maple infused duck crepes, you won’t leave Bar Ampere hungry. For those feeling particularly peckish you can’t go past the Ampere Burger; an impossibly perfect beef patty served in a yoghurt bun with swiss gruyere, slaw and a spicy tomato relish. Be warned though, the charming bartenders are known to talk you into sampling something from their (dangerously) large selection of absinthe, which of course, you will happily oblige.
Le Bon Ton
51 Gipps St, Collingwood
Hidden in the back streets of Collingwood, this New Orleans-inspired barbeque supper club will take you on a culinary journey through the South. Comfort food, ya’ll! Think smokey brisket sandwiches, chili cheese fries, chicken ribs and all night oysters for when you’re feeling a little fancy. With the late-night menu available until 6am on weekends, it’s hard to not get carried away snacking and drinking until the early hours of the morning.
Stalactites
177-183 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD
Not your usual 3am kebab, Stalactites has been the go-to for a late night souva for over 30 years. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the family run Greek restaurant has perfected the giros souvlaki, offering a variety of options any time of day or night. Always fresh and always tasty, ask for chips inside your next souv to take it up a notch.
Boston Sub
96 Chapel Street, Windsor
Modest in appearance and with only two menu offerings, Boston Sub packs a punch with their American sandwiches and poutine. Their ‘Jabba the Hut’ poutine is the ultimate drunken late night feed; confit lamb, braised beef, pulled pork AND bacon, all cooked to perfection served over fries swimming in gravy. Refuelled and not quite ready to go home? Head on through the cool room fridge door to Jungle Boy, a hidden speakeasy style tiki bar where you can enjoy your somewhat out of place yet delicious sub with an equally enjoyable cocktail. American subs, Canadian poutine, and tiki cocktails; what more could you want at 12am?
China Bar
Various Locations
There always has been, and always will be, China Bar. With a variety of locations around Melbourne, each one offers all of your favourites, whether that be mi goreng, BBQ duck, or wonton noodle soup. There’s no need to be ashamed of eating dumplings as the sun rises; you’ll almost always be surrounded by others proudly doing the exact same thing. Don’t expect exceptional service from the tolerable wait staff, but you can guarantee the food will always be high in quality and low in cost. You can always rely on China Bar for your late night fix.
By Madeline Wallman
