Melbourne lunch bargains | lost treasures
When there are so many options, considering how many new places are competing for the short attention span of Melbourne diners, it is easy to retire older but reliable options. Recently looking through some of my older entries, I was astonished at the trove of long forgotten treasures – many of which also have awesome lunch bargains / specials. I’ve come up with a very SHORT list of some old favourites which currently have specials / which I consider a bargain (though not necessarily dirt cheap), and have included some newer places too.
Komeyui (Japanese, Port Melbourne)
Deal: Unlimited free sake.
Available: Wednesday nights.
Site link
See blog post.
What more can I say: free flowing sake on a Wednesday night? If that isn’t enough then think pristine sashimi, amazing chawan mushi, super juicy grilled ox tongue – surely that’s enough to tempt a trek?
Madame Sousou (French bistro, Brunswick)
Deal: Lunch 2 courses + house wine: $35 / person. 3 courses + house wine: $45 / person.
Available: lunch Monday-Friday.
Site link: lunch menu.
See my blog post: dinner.
The only thing I am disappointed at, is that the chocolate fondant only appears on the dinner menu. What a bummer.
Straying from their formal lunch menu, I’ve also recently tried out some of their French brunch options and they are immorally decadent – Perdu with buttery brioche, almond, chocolate, and poached pear; Banana crepe with hazelnut praline; Zucchini and sweet corn fritters with creme fraiche and smoked salmon.
Matteo (Modern Contemporary, North Fitzroy) *The Age 2 hats
Deal: Lunch express, 2 courses + glass of wine $44 / person.
Available: Mon – Fri
Site link
See my blog posts: Dinner, dessert.
As a consistently hatted restaurant (The Age 2 hats), this is most certainly one of the forgotten treasures of Melbourne.
A La Bouffe (French bistro, South Yarra)
Deal: Lunch 2 courses + wine + coffee $35; without wine $27.
Available: Mon – Fri
Site link: specials.
See blog post.
One of the places in my huge blog inventory of eaten and only partially blogged (see above). A La Bouffe is a French restaurant serving down to earth bistro food, not to mention some amazing classic French desserts.
Shiranui (Japanese, Glen Waverly)
Deal: Lunch set menu ($14 – $20). Rice dish + sashimi / chawan mushi + miso soup.
Available: Closed Monday + Sunday
Site link:
See my blog post: Dinner.
Having had dinner here a number of times, I have never ventured to the lunch menu. I only recently discovered what a bargain their lunch set menus are – courtesy of Agnes (Typical Food Blog). *ahem I have yet to write about the lunch special myself so see here for Agnes’s writeup.
Akachochin (Contemporary Japanese, South Wharf)
Deal: Lunch set menu $20.
– Option 1: Sashimi + tori yakimono / butabara yakimono / sansai age dashi tofu + steamed rice, miso soup, marinated vegetables.
– Option 2: Tempura / chirashi + udon noodles with wagyu beef + marinated vegetables
Available: Tue – Fri; from 12pm
Menu: Facebook page ; July menu.
Jimmi Jamz (Pizzeria / café, Brunswick)
Deal: house pizza $6 / pizza.
Available: Monday & Tuesday; all day
Site link: menu.
See blog post: N/A.
I was recently invited by the team at Jimmi Jamz to try out their new reinvigorated menu. It was very much a gamble to give them a go, given the ranking on Urbanspoon of 52% (from 300+ votes) which would normally suggest seething problems. I am glad I gave them a leap of faith, otherwise I would not be able to recommend to readers this extremely value for money pizzeria. With pizzas on average $8 usually (and even cheaper on Mon / Tues), which according to my palate should be worth a lot more than $10 it is a bargain – a rarity in the Melbourne dining scene.
Other things to look out for: Brioche bun sliders; Oreo puff pizza with hazelnut chocolate sauce.
Itali Co (Italian, St Kilda)
Deal: $12 wood fired pizzas (usually $18 – 20)
Available: Monday night
Site link: Facebook.
See blog post.
Only a recent discovery after an initial launch invitation, but has become one of my go to places for Italian, when I feel like travelling down towards St Kilda. The black ink tagliolini with moreton bay bug is a must.
Circa Prince (Fusion Asian, St Kilda) *The Age 1 hat
Deal: Express lunch $35; 2 courses + glass of wine / beer / sake.
Available: Everyday. P.S. free valet parking Sat + Sun lunch.
Site link: menu.
See blog post.
Ok, so the lunch menu is arguably probably not that much discounted off the dinner a la carte, but it is still “cheaper”. I absolutely love this place so I couldn’t help myself in adding it to this list. I would happily spend $35 for lunch here if I lived closer to St Kilda.
Nam Phuong (Vietnamese, Springvale)
Deal: simply cheap Vietnamese everyday.
See my blog post.
Ok, this one is most certainly a cop out. I’m not sure they are even open for lunch, but definitely still on my recommended cheap eats. It is one of the very few places that serve an unadulterated Vietnamese street cuisine.
Almost Always Ravenous 