Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
427 Little Collins St.
&
03/9642 1699.
Reservations recommended. Main courses A$10-A$25
(US$6.50-US$16). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat 5pm-3am.
Nudel Bar
NOODLES A favorite with city slickers, the Nudel Bar serves up a
variety of noodle dishes to the crowded tables and bar. Examples of what you
might find here are cold spicy green tea noodles and
mee goring
(a noodle dish with
peanuts and, here, often chicken). Sticky rice pudding is a favorite for dessert.
76 Bourke St.
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03/9662 9100.
Reservations recommended Fri-Sat night. Main courses A$13-A$18
(US$8.40-US$12). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11am-10:30pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 4-10:30pm.
INEXPENSIVE
Café Segovia
CAFE Café Segovia is one of the most atmospheric
cafes in Australia, with a smoky, sensual interior reminiscent of Spain. Seating is
also available outside in the arcade, but you'll have to come early at lunchtime
to nab a chair. Typical cafe food is on offer, such as focaccias, cakes, and light
meals. Live music Thursdays and Fridays.
33 Block Arcade.
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03/9650 2373.
Main courses A$8-A$13 (US$5.20-US$8.50). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri
7:30am-11pm; Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 9am-5pm.
Chocolate Buddha
NOODLES Located within the precinct of Federation
Square, this place offers mostly organic produce, including some organic wines.
Based mostly on Japanese inspired noodle, ramen, and soba dishes to which
meat, chicken, or seafood is added, it's casual yet particularly satisfying dining.
Food is creative and the view across the square to the Yarra River and Southbank
is a delight at dusk.
Federation Square, corner of Flinders and Swanson sts.
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03/9654 5688.
Main courses A$13-A$17
(US$8.45-US$11). AE, MC, V. Daily noon-10:30pm.
Hopetoun Tearooms
CAFE The first cup of coffee served in this Mel-
bourne institution left the pot in 1892. It's very civilized, with green-and-white
Regency wallpaper and marble tables. The cakes are very good; the sandwiches go
for A$4.50 to A$6.50 (US$2.90-US$4.25) and the focaccias for A$7 to A$8.50
(US$4.50-US$5.50). Scones, croissants, and grilled food are also available.
Shops 1 and 2, Block Arcade, 280-282 Collins St.
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and fax
03/9650 2777.
Main courses A$4.50-A$8.50
(US$2.90-US$5.55) (minimum charge A$5/US$3.25 per person noon-2pm). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs
8:30am-5pm; Fri 8:30am-6pm; Sat 10am-3:30pm. Closed Sun.
Sheni's Curries
SRI LANKAN This tiny, basic but very busy place (it seats
30) offers a range of excellent-value, authentic Sri Lankan curries. You can either
dine here or take your lunch special to go. Choose between three vegetable dishes
and a choice of meat and seafood dishes. All meals come with rice, three types of
chutney, and a papadam. You can also buy extra items such as samosas and roti.
Shop 16, 161 Collins St. (on the corner of Flinders Lane and Russell St., opposite the entrance to the Grand
Hyatt).
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03/9654 3535.
Lunch specials A$5.50-A$12 (US$3.60-US$7.80). No credit cards. Mon-Fri
11am-4pm.
Supper Inn
CANTONESE Head here if you get the Chinese-food munchies
late at night. It's a friendly place with a mixed crowd of locals and tourists chow-
ing down on such dishes as steaming bowls of
congee
(a rice-based porridge), bar-
becued suckling pig, mud crab, or stuffed scallops. Everything here is the “real
thing!”
15 Celestial Ave.
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and fax
03/9663 4759.
Reservations recommended. Main courses A$10-A$15
(US$6.50-US$9.75). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 5:30pm-2:30am.
Finds