Your slightly intoxicated, dance floor-weary self might be rather fond of the old 2am kebab. But sometimes you’ve just gotta put that fool in their place and give your taste buds the kind of sophistication they truly deserve. Forget about the sad burgers and lukewarm pizza slices. If you know where to look, Melbourne’s late night dining scene is brimming with gastronomic gold. Here’s where to tame the late night hunger in style.
#1 Hell Of The North, Fitzroy
Behind a bluestone facade and bright yellow door just off Fitzroy’s Smith Street, Hell of the North plates up a modern take on Euro-leaning bistro fare and you can sink your teeth into it right up until 1am. That bain-marie pizza slice from down the road has nothing on this joint’s supper menu, with its beef tartare, silky smooth chicken liver parfait, choux pastry gougères oozing gruyère cheese, and bowls of classic French-style mussels. Throw in some classic cocktails and European wine and you’ve got yourself one seriously tasty late night situation.
#2 Boilermaker House, CBD
You’ll find yourself faced with some pretty tough choices during a late-night visit to Boilermaker House. I mean, if you thought it was hard to pick favourites from the bar’s expert curation of whisky and craft beer, just wait until you see the hefty lineup of cheese and charcuterie, sourced from across the globe. By the front entrance, a dedicated meat and cheese bar slices treats to order, even after midnight has become a distant memory. Graze your way through a late-night charcuterie board, or get a little more substantial with some chicken ribs, miso Brussels sprouts and maybe one of the cheesy, three-meat sambos.
#3 Arlechin, CBD
The latest venture from the iconic Grossi family, laneway bar Arlechin opened to pretty high expectations, but no one anticipated just how banging its late night dining offering would be. Here, in a cosy bunker surrounded by walls of wine bottles, you’re in for some of the best midnight snacking you’ve ever encountered, with a menu that’s equal parts elegant and adventurous. Think, finger-licking chilli fried quail, baccala ‘sloppy joes’, smoked eel parfait and a memorable serve of spaghetti bolognese – all of it on offer way past your usual dinnertime.
#4 Melbourne Supper Club, CBD
If any place can infuse your late-night antics with a healthy dose of fanciness, it’s the legendary Melbourne Supper Club. Sandwiched between fellow Spring St institutions The European and Siglo, it’s a place of dapper waitstaff, Chesterfield sofas and fine booze, which naturally calls for some upscale eats to match. Here, discover the antithesis of that late night Macca’s run, indulging in freshly shucked oysters, caviar, foie gras and perfectly grilled steaks, well into the wee hours. What’s more, with a nifty 6am licence on weekends, you needn’t be in any rush to leave.
#5 Mayfair, CBD
Taking its cues from the famed supper clubs of New York, Melbourne’s newly opened Mayfair proves a chic addition to any foodie’s late-night itinerary. It’s old-world glamour all the way, as you hole up in a luxurious leather booth, quaff some bubbly and indulge in a bit of top-shelf, late-night feasting. The kitchen’s whipping up French-inspired bistro favourites like duck a l’orange, steak tartare, crème brûlée, and a chicken and truffle omelette, with a special late night supper menu available until 1am.
Image Sources: Hidden City Secrets, Melbourne Supper Club, Concrete Playground.