Melbourne's best late-night dining 2016

Not knocking the halal snack packs and pizze that have served generations of Melburnians well after decent restaurant hours, but there are options beyond something you have to scoff on the street. Take shelter from the storm (or your own making).

Belleville

It's a limited menu after 11pm, but from Thursday through Saturday, you can't really argue with a miso-glazed rotisserie chicken and cheese and gravy-soaked poutine to plug a late-night hole.

Globe Alley, Melbourne, 03 9663 4041, belleville-melbourne.com

The Black Pearl

The bar menu is often overshadowed by the quality of the cocktails, but upstairs at the Attic you can get Melbourne's fanciest nachos until 3am – braised pulled duck, layered between tortilla chips with romesco, sour cream, guacamole and fistfuls of mozzarella.

304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, 03 9417 0455, blackpearlbar.com.au

Entrecote

The whole menu is available up until midnight, so you can battle the traffic leaving the MCG and still sit down to steak-frites, creme brulee and wine. Just as an adult should be able to do.

131–133 Domain Road, South Yarra, 03 9804 5468, entrecote.com.au

Joomak

This basement Korean joint has it all – booths for your group, a call button and a series of infused rice wines to go with the kimchi pancakes and braised trotters you can get up until dawn. Take note – you'll have to search. There's no sign.

407-409 Swanston Street, Melbourne, 03 9663 7123, joomak.com.au

Magic Mountain Saloon

Many an evening and date has been saved by Karen Batson's South-East Asian menu – especially her sticky sour pork ribs, available alongside half a chicken and vegetarian friendly stir-fries until 1am on weekends.

62 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 03 9078 0078, magicmountainsaloon.com.au

Mamasita

"We stay open as advertised no matter what," says Mamasita's crew. And the good news that while they're open you can get a round of pork tacos, queso-frilled corn and margaritas until midnight on weeknights and 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Level 1, 11 Collins Street, Melbourne, 03 9650 3821, mamasita.com.au

Oree

Oree once specialised in duck, and you still can still get it in chilli, soy or smoked flavour, but the late-night joint now covers Korean barbecue classics more broadly, right up until 4am (or 5am, depending how they're feeling).

179 Queen Street, Melbourne, 03 9642 1270, oree.com.au

Shujinko

​It's not only open 24 hours, and specifically providing weary DJs, shift workers and travellers with power points to charge their phones, but their tonkotsu and black ramen is also really good.

225 Russell Street, Melbourne, 03 9654 0989

Supper Inn

'The crime of the renovation is the sudden natural light – it's too much for someone who used to smoke here while eating.' Yep, everyone's reliable, long-serving late-night Chinese has had a touch up (down?) but noodles and Tsingtao are still at your service 'til 2.30am.

15 Celestial Avenue, Melbourne, 03 9663 4759

Stalactites

Depending on who you are and how you order, the city's spackled all-night stalwart will either confirm or abolish your belief that nothing good happens after 2am. Garlicky gyros are the main export, but you can sit in for marinated octopus, T-bones or spaghetti 24 hours a day.

177–183 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 03 9663 3316

The Age Good Food Guide 2017 will be available for purchase for $24.99 (with free access to the new Good Food app) from all newsagents and major bookstores from Tuesday, September 13. Pick up your Age Good Food Guide 2017 for $14.99 with The Age on Saturday, September 17.