Handpicked Unique & Affordable Foodie Treats in Melbourne, Australia.

When it comes to unique treats in the city regarded as the food capital of Australia (and highly likely up there in the world feast stakes); affordability is relative. To some in these current times, I appreciate that a cup of coffee is now beyond what is considered to be a luxury. To me personally, these are treats; and if these so called treats were everyday occurrences, the concept of a treat would be quickly diminished, as well as (almost quite literally) breaking the bank.

I do not know about you, yet when it comes to travelling any distance away from home, you want that ideal mix of uniqueness and affordability when it comes to enjoying some "treats" for your well earned hard work. I am choosing to share some handpicked treats that are rather difficult to buy anywhere in my home town of Sydney, Australia. Whenever you need to visit Melbourne in Australia for whatever reason, I want to help you be the foodie that wants to be pampered for what is considered affordable (in Australian Dollars) when it comes to eating out.

1. Strawberry Cup with Belgian milk chocolate - The Terrace inside Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens

On first observation, the strawberries looked fresh and well presented in the cabinet. I do not know if I happened to be on the right side of lucky, however my cup of fresh strawberries was smothered in chocolate, as you can see in the images in this article. This made the way for a filling treat, where half way through the chocolate started to harden, yet it was still velvety smooth in my mouth. At this point, this treat became a little messy to eat; hence a strawberry fork and a spoon come highly recommended, together with some napkins. (Maybe even some hand sanitiser too). There were no bruises on the strawberries, and each strawberry was tart without being overly sweet. With nature as your backdrop, you cannot go wrong.

There is also another stand in Melbourne Central selling chocolate strawberry cups for a dollar more, where the chocolate provided was way less generous, and you are in a busy, hectic mall.

Therefore, in my books this treat is a winner.

Verdict: 9.5/10

Price: $12.14 (Including a 14 cent Visa credit card surcharge).

Where: The Terrace, Royal Botanic Gardens. Corner Alexandra Avenue &, Anderson St, South Yarra VIC 3141.

2. Miso Glazed Duck Confit - Little Sparrow Kitchen

Little Sparrow is a Melbourne foodie institution, starting off with cafes, and now expanding to restaurant style experiences in Melbourne's Emporium. Must I say, this dish was well presented, and you certainly need to ask for some complimentary chilled table water to enjoy this one. This dish is gluten free, and it comes with a miso glazed Duck Maryland, perched on a bed of miso sauce and creamy potato, with a side of kale (like crispy hot kale chips) sprinkled with a bit of sesame. This dish was filling and rather faultless, except the duck (near the bone) was rather dry. The miso certainly gave the dish a lot of flavour, while keeping the integrity of a healthy lunch, and without overpowering the dish with miso. Naturally, I was full to the brim, and hence was not able to eat or drink anything (only water) for the next few hours, while getting 35,000 steps in on that particular day. If a steak in a restaurant in Sydney and elsewhere is at least $32, then imagine how much this meal would cost elsewhere. If you have relished duck pancakes in the past, then this is not a miss.

Verdict: 9/10

Price: $27.30 (including a 40 cent service charge for paying on a Visa credit card).

Where: Little Sparrow Kitchen Melbourne Emporium. Shop 2 -041 level 2/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

3. Small Cappuccino - Monopoly Dreams Melbourne

That's right, home to the Monopoly Board Game, of which helped revived the culture of Melbourne, Australia post-lockdown. This is from the Monopoly-themed cafe next to the museum and retail shop selling related Monopoly merchandise.

The iconic Monopoly hat is drizzled with chocolate powder on top, and this is what you come to expect from Melbourne coffee. Complimentary chilled table water is also provided here. I do not know exactly what roaster is used, yet the quality of the coffee bean and the texture of the milk was bang on, despite the Barista being quite new on this particular occasion. I am in awe with the beautiful Monopoly-themed designs on the cup. It is a shame that they do not sell these cups in their retail store, unlike the Monopoly Dreams Cafe plates. As the Barista on duty was new, the service was rather slow on this occasion, and as a result the host did not charge me for this coffee at the time.

Furthermore, I have also enjoyed their Lavender Lattes here; yet I feel that this particular latte is overpriced for what you get, together with the inconsistencies in the rose petal presentation; on one occasion your Lavender Latte is drizzled with rose petals, while on another the rose petals are missing. Their savoury food choices leave a lot to be desired, yet it is worth coming here for the drinks and desserts, while soaking in the Monopoly-themed ambience.

Verdict: 8/10

Price: $5. (The Lavender Latte is an extra $3). Note: This cafe only accepts card payments.

Where: Monopoly Dreams Cafe Melbourne Central (LG floor) 290 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

4. Beef Chow Mein with Chilli & Coriander - Spice Bar at the Qantas Domestic Business Class Lounge - Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)

It is really nice (albeit kind of special) to enjoy a sit down restaurant meal in an airline lounge on a domestic/interstate flight. Such privileges are normally reserved for international/overseas travellers; yet if there is a pizza bar in Perth, then there is a spice bar in Melbourne.

The beef was a little salty on both occasions (enjoyed in both April and August 2024), yet that saltiness mellows out with only a little chilli. If you like your meals mild as opposed to spicy, then you are in really good company with this one; otherwise those bits of chopped up chilli can be moved to the side. The crispy noodles were surprisingly tasty, together with the coriander. If there was a little more coriander, and a little less crispy noodle; this dish would rate higher in my books. If you are lucky to properly sit at the restaurant table, the experience is amazing. Be prepared to enjoy this on your lap if the lounge gets super busy in peak times.

Furthermore, for a vegetarian option, there is a tofu laksa available. The serving portion is more generous that with the beef chow mein, with more soup and noodle than anticipated. The latter dish could do with an extra 1-2 pieces of tofu, with less noodles and soup to compensate.

Verdict: 7/10

Price: Included in all Qantas domestic business class bookings, travelling from Melbourne (whether paid through cash and/or Frequent Flyer Points) - and for Qantas Platinum level Frequent Flyers (regardless of cabin class flown from Melbourne).

Where: Qantas Domestic Business Class Lounge, T1 Melbourne Airport, Arrival Dr, Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) VIC 3045.

5. Monopoly Money Hazelnut Choux - Monopoly Dreams Melbourne

This would have to be the least healthiest treat to be included in this article review, yet I was simply drawn to this trendy dessert, and I like hazelnuts. The Monopoly money token logo was cute. I cannot recall as to whether or not it was edible, yet I enjoyed the pastry with the hazelnut cream mixed in with crushed hazelnuts. Take your time in enjoying this one. If you are not a cake or pastry person, then you might be incredibly surprised.

Verdict: 7/10

Price: $6.50. Note: This cafe only accepts card payments.

Where: Monopoly Dreams Cafe Melbourne Central (LG floor) 290 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

What do you think?

Before anyone says Lune Croissants in the comments, and those hot jam doughnuts at the Queen Victoria Market; I have to quickly say that these were worthy considerations. For me, they did not make the cut this time round. Perhaps my tooth may not be sweet enough, or thy wallet may not be thick enough. Either way, if you have any other unique and affordable treat mentions for people to enjoy while in Melbourne, Australia; feel free to share such in the comments. Thank you so much.