Melbourne’s best chefs are bringing restaurant-quality food to your home. With Melbourne going back into lockdown, it’s natural to miss eating out, especially in a city that is usually filled with great dining options on every corner. But, just because you’re stuck as home doesn’t mean you have to miss out on delicious food and wine.
It looks like the restrictions are here to stay, for the near future anyway. But, isolation doesn’t have to be so bad as long as you can still access great food.
We’ve rounded up the best options to get your eating-out fix while staying in, whether your dining alone or planning a date. From heat at home dinners, to ready to eat set menus, let some of Melbourne’s best chefs cook your dinner tonight. Why do the hard work yourself when you can call on the experts?
San Telmo are famous for bringing their South American flair to the laneways of Melbourne. Located in the CBD, San Telmo is a steak restaurant that takes its inspiration from the streets of Argentina. It has a bohemian vibe that’s warm and welcoming and, thanks to their custom made parrilla charcoal grill, the food is as top quality as you can get. Their takeaway menu offers the very best of their usual food offering, but they take it even one step further with Dinner Boxes that feed two and can be picked up or delivered. Think hearty foods like steak, chorizo and ribs, with a selection of sides including their famous chimichurri. You’ll also be able to wash down your meal with some of San Telmo’s finest wines, a healthy selection of which is now available for takeaway.
New Shanghai serves arguably Melbourne’s best dumplings and their Xiao Long Bao fly out the door at the best of times. You can still get your fix from home by ordering takeaway either directly from the restaurant or through an ordering app. Located in Emporium, Melbourne, New Shanghai is a convenient place to get your dumpling fix. Plus, there’s a limited edition truffle menu on offer for winter which means you can dig into Truffle Xiao Long Bao, Fried Rice with Shaved Truffle and Truffle Pot Stickers up until the end of August.
Your love life doesn’t have to suffer now that you’re stuck indoors. Asado has come up with an idea to rescue the date night with their Noche Romantica meal boxes available to takeaway. The meal for two features all the Asado favourites including Galician baked scallops, beef tartare with pickled mushroom, dry aged rib eye and more. Also on the menu is a Liquor 43 chocolate ganache served with berry compote and chocolate crumble. Nothing says romance like chocolate!
Abbotsford local gem, Aviary Hotel, was quick to respond to requests from locals for good pub grub at home. From crispy skin pork belly, to a porterhouse steak sandwich and a classic chicken parmy, you can’t go wrong when you Netflix and chill with a degustation of pub foods in front of you. Plus, get even more value with thoughtful bundle packs for two or four people to share, including a bottle of wine.
Once Melburnians got a taste of Peruvian food at Pastuso, they couldn’t go back. Luckily they won’t have to with all of Pastuso’s best dishes now available for takeaway. The South American flavours infused with Japanese ingredients have proved a winning combo. Standouts on the to-go menu include an Ora King Salmon bowl filled with quinoa, brown rice, avocado and potato. Other popular items are the Peruvian style fried chicken and the smoked beef brisket bowls.
Sebastian is known for its Basque-inspired menu and picturesque beach-side location. Take those beach vibes back to your place with Sebastian At Home. Opt for the set menu to get the best value. Start with our famous croquetas, and then choose from our smoked chicken, slow roasted Victorian lamb shoulder or charcoal roasted whole flathead for main with a selection of sides. If you have a sweet tooth choose to add on an indulgent Basque cheesecake, and don’t forget that oh so essential bottle of wine.
Plus, You can choose to order your meal ready to eat or as a dining kit which can be easily stored in the fridge and reheated when you’re ready to tuck in!
Palermo perfectly combines the cuisines of Italy and Argentina in a way that remains authentic to both countries. If you haven’t tried Palermo’s empanadas yet, you’re missing out. These traditional Argentinian fried pastries are filled with corn, mozzarella, olive and basil, and they make the perfect snack or entree. The menu also features Italian comfort foods that are perfect for those cooler nights, such as lasagne, pochetta (slow cooked pork) and eggplant parmigiana. Ordering from Palermo is the perfect way to improve your family dinner situation.
Wine Delivery
Being stuck at home doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on great wine. There are plenty of alcohol delivery companies that will bring the goods to you, including Booze Bud and Jimmy Brings.
Cocktails at Home
When it comes to cocktails, you can use this time inside to perfect your mixology skills. Find the best cocktail recipes, get yourself some cocktail making kit and practice on your housemates (or just for yourself – we won’t tell anyone!)
Tunes
The final piece of the puzzle to create the ultimate foodie night in is getting the playlist right. The best dinner playlists are a combination of soothing sounds and mellow tracks that will keep you in a good mood but not make you want to get up and shake a tail feather. We recommend saving the dancing for post-digestion!
Just like that, you have the ultimate night in.
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Disclaimer: This article is a guest post – it is a private opinion and does not constitute advice or any suggestion. We encourage you to seek your own professional advice to find out which businesses, products, services, websites or places are the best for you.