Everyone knows that eating and enjoying good food is an important aspect of travelling. Finding halal food, however, isn't always as easy. Fortunately, it is not as difficult to find halal food in Melbourne as we commonly think. Known for its diverse and multicultural population, Melbourne’s mix of cultures can be seen in its dining scene. Traditional or fusion, you can find almost every type of cuisine over here in Melbourne!
To give you a better idea of what Melbourne has to offer, we've compiled a list of Muslim-friendly eateries for you! Do check it out if you're planning a trip to Melbourne soon (still, read on even if you're not going to Melbourne anytime soon. You might change your mind!)
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1. Pondok Laguna (HALAL)
Credit: Pondok Laguna
Pondok Laguna (HALAL) is an Indonesian restaurant located in the CBD, tucked along the quieter Little Bourke Street. The eatery is named after the same area in Indonesia, and it serves authentic Indonesian dishes that are a treat to eat while you're exploring the city.
Pondok Laguna's speciality is easily its balado dishes. Comprising a fried main (chicken, fish or lamb) covered in spicy red chilli sauce, served alongside rice, it's a flavourful meal for sure! Alternatively, you could also opt for ayam bakar (grilled chicken) that's equally delectable.
Halal Status: Uses halal ingredients, alcohol-free establishment. Please note that this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise our readers to dine at your own discretion.
Address: 644A Swanston St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Opening Hours: 11am - 8pm
Contact No: +61 3 9600 2534
Price: $13 - $15
2. Lord of the Fries
Credit:@lordofthefries1 on Instagram
Lord of the Fries started out as a humble food van, and they travelled around the country to serve some of the best vegan fries and dipping sauces. Since then, they have expanded their menu to include vegan burgers, hotdog buns and other finger food after opening their first physical store in Melbourne. Freshness can be guaranteed as they are known for using freshly grown vegetables in their food. Be sure to try out their fries when you're there! You will be in for a treat?
Halal status: Vegan restaurant, alcohol-free establishment. Please note that this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise our readers to dine at your own discretion.
Opening hours: Check out their branches and opening hours here.
Price: From $15 and above Website
3. Nasi Lemak House
Credit: @fabulousfaris23 on Instagram
One of the most iconic dishes in Malaysia is definitely Nasi Lemak. It's a dish that many Malaysians eat for breakfast and definitely one that many Malaysians have fond memories of. If you're homesick or simply want a taste of home, give Nasi Lemak House a try! To recreate the taste of Nasi Lemak in Malaysia, the store makes its own sambal chilli and curry paste. It's definitely one of the best in Melbourne ☺️ To feel more at home, get the usual Malaysian selection of soft drinks like Kickapoo Joy Juice, ISO 100 and Root Beer!
Halal Status: Uses halal ingredients, alcohol-free establishment. Please note that this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise our readers to dine at your own discretion.
Address: 115 Grattan Street, Carlton, VIC 3053
Directions: Take the tram from University of Melbourne/Swanston station and head toward Lincoln Sq (Stop 3). Head north on Swanston St toward Grattan St. Turn right onto Grattan St. Nasi Lemak House is a 4-minute walk away from the station.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday - 12pm to 10pm
Contact No: +61 3 9348 1572
Price: $20 and below
4. Mama Wong’s Kitchen
Credit: @my_foodtrail on Instagram
There are days when all you want is a simple and hearty meal. On such days, you can head over to Mama Wong, a humble eatery that serves freshly cooked and tasty dishes. Their homemade honey chicken and mee goreng are really amazing! Do give it a try if you're there! If you're looking for Chinese food, this is definitely the place to be!
Halal Status: Uses halal ingredients, alcohol-free establishment. Please note this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise our readers to dine at your own discretion.
Address: 164 Sydney Rd, Coburg 3058
Directions: Take the tram at University of Melbourne/Swanston station via the Upfield line and stop at Sydney Road (Stop 132). Head west on Moreland Rd and Mama Wong’s Kitchen is a 6-minute walk away from the station
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 5 pm to 9:30 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact No: +61 3 9383 4196
Price: $8.50 - 16.50
5. CBD Kebabs
Credit: @gourmanda_me on Instagram
We're always on the lookout for halal snacks and kebab is definitely on the top of our list. The aroma of the beautifully roasted meat is good enough to entice us into buying an entire box of this sinful treat.
#HHWT Tip: It gets pretty crowded as it is a small eatery in a bustling city, so get there as fast as you can before it hits peak hours.
Halal Status: Uses halal ingredients, alcohol-free establishment. Please note this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise our readers to dine at your own discretion.
Address: 2/546 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions: Head south on Elizabeth St toward Bourke St. Turn right onto Flinders St/State Route 30. Your destination will be on the right
Opening Hours: Sunday to Wed - 10am to 4am, Thur - 10am - 5am, Friday and Saturday - 10am to 7am.
Price: Between $10 and $20
6. Nelayan
Credit: @chieko__yamaguchi on Instagram
This Swanston Street eatery serves traditional Indonesian staples, including beef rendang, curry chicken, murtabak, gado gado, and nasi goreng. If you’re looking for a hearty meal, look no further. Nelayan won’t disappoint you with its offerings of authentic Southeast Asian flavours ❤️
Halal Status: Uses halal ingredients, alcohol-free establishment. Please note that this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise our readers to dine at your own discretion. Address: 265 Swanston Street, CBD, Melbourne, VIC
Directions: From CBD, head north on Elizabeth St toward Little Bourke St. Turn right onto Little Bourke St. Turn left onto Swanston St
Opening Hours: 11am - 9pm daily
Contact No: +61 3 9663 5886
Price: $12 and above
7. Dolan Uyghur Food Heaven
Credit:@tyailyana on Instagram
Originating from Central and East Asia, the Uyghurs are a Turkic ethnic group whose cuisine uses primarily lamb meat. This restaurant serves a fusion of Chinese and Turkish cuisine. With Middle Eastern decor, it's a unique dining experience for locals and tourists alike! Serving Halal Chinese food with a Turkish twist, the Uyghur's lamb kebabs, handmade noodle dishes and steamed buns are a must-try!
Halal Status: Uses halal ingredients, alcohol-free establishment. Please note that this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise our readers to dine at your own discretion.
Address: 166 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions: Head east on La Trobe St toward Queen St. Turn onto Queen St and then left onto Little Lonsdale St.
Opening Hours: Daily, 11.30am to 10pm Contact No: +61 39041 8802
Price: $5 - $40.
It is definitely an exciting city to explore for food lovers! As a cosmopolitan city, the search for Muslim-friendly eateries shouldn't pose too much of a problem. If you know of other hidden gems in Melbourne, do let us know in the comment section below! ☺️