Richmond: home to some top notch cafes, Victoria St with a veritable number of cheap and cheerful Asian options and a growing collection of restaurants with some seriously talented pedigree. Whether you’re penny pinching or ready to flop out the gold card for an impressive meal, Richmond has got you covered. Here are our Top 10 Must Eats from super cheap to exxy and everything in between…
Chasing a Plate’s price guide
One for the penny pinchers: under $10 per person.
Won’t break the bank: around $25 per person.
The bill can creep up on you: budget between $50-$80 per person.
Whip out that gold card: if you pull out all the stops then you’re looking at about $100-$150 per person.
1. Did U Eat
72 Victoria Street, Richmond.
Open 7 days from 8:00pm until late.
Good to know: One for the penny pinchers. Takeaway or eat-in. Good vege options.
Open from 8:00pm until the early hours of the morning, Did U Eat offers authentic Indian and Pakistani curries at a steal. Think naan, two curries and rice for $10. Don’t be put off by the bain marie, we can assure you that you’ll find yourself returning again and again for the spicy, hearty lamb mince curry and tender chicken curry. It’s not fancy, quite the opposite in fact, so if it’s ambiance you’re after don’t eat in, but if you’re wanting to be transported right back to Delhi, then this is the place.
2. Nhu Lan
152 Victoria Street, Richmond.
Open 7 days, closes mid afternoon.
Good to know: One for the penny pinchers. Bakery and Vietnamese desserts available too.
If you can walk past Nhu Lan without buying a banh mi then you have a helluva lot more willpower than us. Crisp batons of cucumber, vinegary carrot, fresh coriander and chilli, a smear of pate and a generous scattering of BBQ pork into the crusty roll makes for the perfect snack.
3. Cheerio
323 Lennox Street, Richmond.
Open Monday to Saturday 7:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday & public holidays 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Good to know: Won’t break the bank. It’s only a small spot so you may have to wait.
This wee gem of a cafe will completely charm you, we guarantee it. The coffee is very good and the concise menu has simple but well executed brunch options such as porridge with stewed rhubarb, poached eggs with pea and garlic mash with herbed ricotta and excellent sandwiches. A real locals cafe that is consistent, friendly and does damn delicious food.
4. Moondog Brewing
17 Duke Street, Abbotsford/Richmond.
Open Thursday to Friday 4:00pm to 11:00pm, Saturday to Sunday 12:00pm to 11:00pm.
Good to know: Won’t break the bank. Family friendly.
Okay so it’s technically a brewery but this place is too good to leave off the list. The atmosphere is really casual, the staff are super charming and you can while away hours in their slumber inducing couches, hours. They also do their own pizzas out front to soak up the inevitably large number of beers you will find yourself consuming. These guys are inventive so think Chocolate Rogue Stout or Passionfruit and Mango Wild Ale. The free popcorn is a winner too.
5. Seoul Soul
323 Victoria Street, Richmond.
Open for lunch from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and for dinner from 5:30pm to 9:00pm.
Good to know: Won’t break the bank. Quite small so make a reservation or get there early. Good vege options.
Seoul Soul are probably best known for their dosirak or meal buckets which arrive containing rice, salad, a tiny spring roll, some side dishes and your chosen protein- think spicy tofu or beef bulgogi. Personally, we come for Seoul Soul’s bibimbap. A bowl of warm rice is adorned with shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts, spicy pork, thinly sliced pickled cucumber, carrot and a fried egg. Sesame oil and gochujang sauce are squirted over the lot. The result is fresh, extraordinarily tasty, soul food. At lunch, dosirak, bibimbap and noodles are on offer whilst the menu expands at dinner to include stews and BBQ (served on a hotplate, no DIY here). Although Seoul Soul is small, the food coming out of this kitchen is big on flavour.
6. Pacific Seafood BBQ House
240 Victoria Street, Richmond.
Open from 11:00am to 10:30pm.
Good to know: Won’t break the bank if you order Hong Kong style one dish wonders (e.g. BBQ meats on rice, fried rice) but exy if you’re going for the full Cantonese banquet. Cash only. BYO.
Pacific Seafood BBQ House does the best roast meats in Richmond and they’re always busy. It’s your typical fast, fresh, Cantonese joint where the service may be slightly brusque but the food more than makes up for it. Their crispy skinned roast duck is meltingly tender, their Asian greens are vivid and fresh and the seafood is not half bad either. This place is our go to for BBQ meats on rice. Satisfaction every time.
7. Jinda Thai
1-7 Ferguson Street, Richmond/Abbotsford.
Open 7 days, 11:00am to 11:00pm.
Good to know: Won’t break the bank (mains are around $15-$25). BYO. Book ahead. Great for big groups.
It hasn’t taken long for Jinda to firmly plant itself in the hearts of Melburnian Thai food lovers. The food here is consistently fresh and delicious. Our favourites include their pork mince pad kra pao, the soft shell crab papaya salad and their boat noodles, which are under a tenner (a bargain!) Service is friendly and the food authentic. Really, what more could you wish for?
8. Top Paddock
658 Church Street, Richmond.
Open Monday to Friday 7:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Good to know: Won’t break the bank (the most expensive breakfast dish is $21). Be prepared to wait.
Top Paddock churns out memorable, satisfying brunch dishes like no other cafe in Richmond. We’re suckers for the Mexican inspired pan fried snapper and the white anchovy, jamon serrano with fried eggs, pardon peppers and manchego on toast will knock your socks off. The coffee is good, the breakfasts inventive and interesting and it’s a reasonable price point. We take a lot of our Melbourne first-timers here, because their breakfasts are a sterling example of what Melbourne cafes are all about.
9. Kong BBQ
599 Church Street, Cremorne/Richmond.
Open 7 days, 11:00am until late.
Good to know: The bill can creep up on you. They do takeaway. Be prepared to wait if you’re eating in, walk ins only.
The Lucas Group got it right again with Kong BBQ a Korean/Japanese inspired eatery which is loud, fun and does finger licking good food. Share plates are the way to go here so opt to share a roti roll (the salmon is very good), get a bun each, and dive into the ribs and wings. The ssam jang coleslaw is tasty and if you want to pick at a variety of their pit fired meats, the bossam BBQ tray is the way to go. You can wash it all down with one (or a few) of their cocktails or a carafe of house wine. Get here early or be prepared to pop somewhere for a drink whilst you wait for the call.
10. Mister Jennings
142 Bridge Road, Richmond
Open for lunch Friday to Sunday and dinner Tuesday to Saturday.
Good to know: Whip out that gold card. They take reservations.
Eating at Mister Jennings is exciting and inspirational. It’s a neighbourhood restaurant that combines a simple, modern dining room with brilliant service and food that makes you go ‘wow’ with each mouthful. From frozen kangaroo carpaccio to the whimsical Dagwood dog, you’ll have a lot of fun eating here. Diners can choose to go a la carte, have a small nibble at the bar or go the whole hog with the tasting menu. If you’re looking for somewhere a wee bit special in Richmond, Mister Jennings will deliver.
Found this post useful? Check out our Top 10 Must Eats in Fitzroy/Collingwood
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