The Best Melbourne,VIC Asian Restaurants

The menu champions the region with dishes like the Fremantle octopus, with lemongrass, bush tomato, and onion to the egg noodles, with xo sauce, chicken crackling, pepper berry prepare for your limitations of this cuisine to be dashed. Nguyen's sibling restaurant, Aru, also won Good Food restaurant of the year, so you know you're in good hands—will they be up for the title in 2023? Oriental Teahouse has been a go-to for dumplings and Yum Cha in Melbourne for quite some time.
Fish sauce, duck sauce, oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce, etc all contain gluten, unless specific. Web many classic chinese dishes are naturally gluten free, such as steamed vegetables, rice, and tofu. With its fairy-esque lights, vibrant green hanging plants that curl out of their baskets and the ever-present smell of grilled meat, Sunshine Social is the epitome of the Australian backyard barbecue, only indoors. The menu reflects the modern Australian community, jumping from peking duck Melbourne Cajun slaw ($8) to hot Belgian waffles ($10.50), while old favourites like a double beef burger ($17.50) and fish fingers in white bread ($12.50) get a look in, too. But if you’re here for the big meats, the half charcoal chicken with sage stuffing ($15) and the pork belly with fennel and apple puree ($20) also come in under budget. Another Melbourne institution, it’s hard to walk past the live seafood tank—one of the biggest in the city—without being lured inside.

Cult institution Dainty Sichuan Food has mushroomed in different locations across Melbourne, but its flagship shop in South Yarra remains the OG – the chilli is hot and the Sichuan pepper is tinglingly, numbingly fresh. Don’t leave without trying the boiling fish in golden basin , the deceptively named fish flavour eggplant (it’s vegan), the fiery mapo tofu and the delicately piquant cumin lamb slices. It’s way up there with the best Sichuan we’ve ever had the pleasure of burning our mouths on.
It has never been easier in Melbourne to procure a high-quality sandwich or toastie, and Picnic is part of the new-age bread wave. Tucked away in the space that used to house Fitzroy North institution Moroccan Soup Bar, Picnic is a laidback space – you can park yourself for a few hours and while the afternoon away, or grab a quick bite and go. Boasting Tonka's Adam D'Sylva as creative culinary director, Lollo is Flinders Lane's swanky hotel restaurant with no scrambled eggs in sight.
David Zhou’s casual eatery hits all the beats for flavour, atmosphere and service. But best of all, this is the kind of place that won’t hurt your wallet. Chinese is one of the most ancient and varied cuisines in the world, yet it often gets oversimplified in Australia. Cantonese and Sichuan may be the most prominently represented of China’s regional cuisines in Melbourne, but they're just two of “the eight great cuisines” . Adding to the hospitality clout is Maha Bar's head chef, Niko Pasieka, being named as one of Melbourne Food & Wine's 30 under 30 chefs—so you know you're in good hands.

The majority of the pitas come in at just under $20, and you’ll be full for hours. Delhi Streets may be named in honour of India’s capital, but its menu criss-crosses the country. An all-in nutritious meal of thali plates comes in between $17 and $20, while you can get a masala dosa for $18. Indian-inspired wraps and pizzas similarly won’t break the bank. Hole-in-the-wall, that it’s moved into a much bigger shop just a few doors down. The first Phở Thìn branch outside of Asia, Melbourne’s outpost is known for its signature ‘stir-fried up’ rare beef pho, which sees skirt steak fried in oil and garlic before being added to a piping hot bowl of broth.
The drinks selection is unapologetically Japanese, with several highball options available along with the occasional Strong 9, a 9% premix found in the many convenience stores of Tokyo and beyond. They take cash only, but don’t worry, there’s an ATM in the venue. With an all-day menu perfect for shift workers or anyone that loves a burger or waffles at any time of the day, you can get yourself a feed for under $20 easy. Expect everything from a Blood Sausage & Devilled Egg Roll, to an Egg & Maple Bacon Burger, to Berkshire Pork Tongue Skewers, to Spanish Doughnuts and Tiramisu. It goes without saying—if a suckling roast duck is what you’re into, then Roast Duck Inn is the place to be.
The restaurant serves up traditional Chinese food and tea in a stylish setting. They also offer gluten-free options and wheelchair accessibility. For authentic Asian flavours, Brighton locals and tourists alike head to Bok Choy on New Street, where elegant surrounds of white starched tablecloths and wooden décor await. A destination for those who eat to the beat of their own drum, Melbourne’s Salted Egg on Flinders Lane delivers a dining experience where knowledge and authenticity have a seat at the table. I never thought I would say this but the food was out almost before we ordered. There were no warmers so the food was barely warm by the time we got to eat...

It may be a tighter space than others, but the charm of Embla is what’s made it such a popular spot. The xiao long bao was a dumpling of intrigue and mystery to non-Shanghainese diners and the perpetrator of many burnt tongues when this dumpling house first quietly opened up in 2010. But three venues later, it has secured its place as a leader in delivering perfect XLBs. There are five different varieties available, and other classic favourites like shu mai, wonton soup, spring onion pancakes, mapo tofu and kung pao chicken.
4Fingers have you sorted with whatever type of deep-fried halal goodness you're after. Think chicken wings with Japanese rice and kimchi coleslaw and chicken burgers topped with fresh mushrooms. Maha is home to some of the city’s most incredible Middle Eastern flavours. Headed up by Shane Delia of SBS’s ‘Spice Journey’ fame, it’s best to check with the staff what is Halal on the day. If they’ve got the supply, go for the six-course tasting menu and arrive hungry.