alexsfoodieadventures

alexsfoodieadventures Melbourne Food Blog- showcasing all the best places to eat in Melbourne including honest reviews of everywhere I visit �

14/09/2026

SMITHBURG | Burgers, Lobster Rolls, Pancakes | South Melbourne , South Melbourne

Smithburg is an American style all day diner just outside of South Melbourne Market , serving market fresh burgers, lobster rolls, fried chicken, pancakes and margaritas.

The restaurant was created by Denhe, who has spent almost two decades working across the food industry, including with A&W Canada, Grill’d and Belles Hot Chicken. His time travelling throughout North America heavily influenced the style of food he wanted to bring to Melbourne.

The menu is centred around fresh ingredients, with pasture raised beef used in their burgers and plenty of produce sourced from the market including their delicious lobster!
Every Wednesday, they host Boozy Bingo, with $12 margaritas all night and over $200 worth of prizes to be won, including a $100 Smithburg voucher.

Here’s what we tried:
🍔 The Smithburg Burger: amazing. I completely understand why it was a finalist in Australia’s Best Burger competition.
🍗 Nashville spiced fried chicken burger: a standout, with Nashville spiced fried chicken, American cheese, pickles, onions and their house made special sauce.
🦞 Garlic lobster roll: loaded with fresh lobster from the market, with claw and tail meat, garlic crumb, lemon and mayo, all doused in garlic butter.
🍗 Buffalo strips: so juicy, tossed in Buffalo sauce with ranch, pickles and celery.
🌽 Corn ribs: crisp, sweet and a great side to round everything out.

Overall, I was genuinely shocked by how good the food was. The Smithburg Burger, Nashville chicken burger and garlic lobster roll were all standouts.
And Boozy Bingo was so much fun. Definitely one of the best Wednesday nights I’ve had in ages and I’d genuinely come back for the food alone.

paid invite |

, North MelbourneCentral Club Hotel is a historic pub in North Melbourne, located directly opposite Queen Victoria Mark...
13/09/2026

, North Melbourne

Central Club Hotel is a historic pub in North Melbourne, located directly opposite Queen Victoria Market. The pub dates back to 1869 and has recently had a major renovation, bringing the old pub back to life while keeping plenty of its original character.

For the whole month of September, they’re doing Steak Night every day of the week and honestly, it’s absolutely unreal.

For just $27, you get their porterhouse with rosti chips, cos salad and your choice of sauce. I opted for the mushroom sauce and also tried the peppercorn and jus, with the mushroom definitely being my favourite. There is also an optional upgrade to an eye fillet but the porterhouse was that good that I don’t even think it’s super necessary.

Here’s what we tried:
🥩 Porterhouse steak with rosti chips, cos salad & sauce: seriously good value at $27 and the steak was delicious. The mushroom sauce was the standout for me.
🍅 Burrata with pesto focaccia: creamy burrata with soft, flavourful focaccia. Simple but really lovely.
🍗 Fried chicken bites: tasty and a nice addition to the table, although not necessarily the dish I’d be raving about.

Overall, the September Steak Night is the real winner. $27 for a porterhouse, rosti chips, salad and sauce is such a good deal and I’d absolutely go back for it.

Came as customers

02/09/2026

ATSU , Carlton

Atsu is a Japanese restaurant in Carlton centred around katsu, kushikatsu and highballs, opened by chef Reki Reinantha, formerly of Kisumé and behind 海の•幸 & Common Cuts . The name means “heat”, fitting for a menu focused on crispy, golden fried dishes and Japanese comfort food.

The menu features a mix of katsu donburi, teishoku and Osaka-style kushikatsu skewers. There’s also a selection of lighter dishes like kingfish tataki and cabbage salad to balance out the richer fried dishes.

The drinks are a big part of the experience, particularly the highballs, with options ranging from classic lemon to more unique flavours like strawberry cheesecake and a dirty martini style which I absolutely adored. The space is light, modern and casual, with booth seating and a chef’s counter where you can watch the skewers being prepared.

Here’s an overview of what we tried:
🐟 Salmon Sashimi: fresh & light starter
🍄 Mushroom & cauliflower salad with kosho butter: delicious
🍢Tsukune skewer (chicken meatball) with schichimi (Japanese seven-spice blend): perfectly spiced & juicy
🍚 Donburis:
❤️‍🔥 Signature Menchi with pork and wagyu mince cats with melted cheese inside: so flavoursome, rich & more fatty. Really delicious
👌🏼 Pork: perfect crisp exterior, moist, juicy, the dash egg & caramelised onions were delicious.
🐠 Salmon: light & fresh, loved the contrast with the katsu, a definite reorder
🦐 Prawn Katsu with black garlic & sesame curry sauce (special)*: a very prominent sesame flavour which was incredible. I preferred the OG bowls but this was moreish and the prawns were perfectly coated in a fine crumb, it was delicious

If you are after a good katsu spot in Melbourne, you really need to visit Atsu, it is absolutely worth it. I cannot wait to come back to try more of their kushikatsu too!

(came as customers) 💌

melbournerestaurant

My top three Melbourne restaurants I ate at in August! Can’t believe I actually have this together and posted on the las...
31/08/2026

My top three Melbourne restaurants I ate at in August!

Can’t believe I actually have this together and posted on the last day of August, for once in my life 😂👌🏼

30/08/2026

Hareruya Pantry , Melbourne CBD & Carlton

Hareruya Pantry is a Japanese-inspired pantry, cafe and dessert spot with locations in Carlton and Melbourne CBD, bringing together Japanese flavours, seasonal ingredients and sweet and savoury offerings.

The original Carlton store opened in 2022, right opposite Lincoln Square, inspired by the idea of a Japanese neighbourhood pantry. The name Hareruya translates to “sunny shop”, fitting perfectly with its bright location overlooking the park.
They’ve since opened a second CBD location in Somerset Place, serving everything from mochi and gelato to bento, onigiri, sandos, pastries and Japanese-inspired drinks.

There’s a big focus on seasonal flavours, particularly with their sweets, so the menu is always changing.

We tried:
🌰 Chestnut burnt butter with crispy crepes: phenomenal, rich, nutty and buttery with the perfect crunch from the crepes.
🍑 Ruby peach: fruity, delicate and so delicious, with a beautiful fresh peach flavour.

Both had the most delicate mochi skin which was thin, soft and perfectly chewy. The texture was incredible and let the fillings really shine.

We loved these so much we’ve already been back again!
If you love Japanese flavours and mochi, definitely add Hareruya Pantry to your list.

Address

Beechworth, VIC

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