AFL grand final 2021: Melbourne finish-at-home menus, barbecue boxes and more

Diehard Doggies fan? Demons supporter since day one? Or just a footy fan that's swept up in the excitement? Wherever you fit into this year's AFL grand final, there's one thing every Melburnian has in common this year: our living rooms. Watching at home is definitely not the same as being at the MCG on game day but the football food our restaurants are cooking up is a smart play if you want to create some of that finals fever at home.

Stay tuned for our guide to what Melbourne's pubs are cooking up for the big day.

Estelle

Game day grilling is as easy as a 2021 preliminary final win when you're armed with Estelle's BBQ Box ($120, serves 2). Scott Pickett and his team have done the shopping for you, selecting a 500-gram dry-aged rib-eye for the main event, plus sausages, two side salads and sauces. Snacks include sausage rolls, while it's an all-Australian affair for dessert with – you guessed it – pavlova. Oysters, booze and other treats can be added on. Don't live within 10 kilometres of the restaurant? There's a similar pack on Providoor , which offers state-wide delivery.

Online orders open until Saturday unless sold out prior. Local pick-up from Northcote on Friday or Saturday.

Fancy Hank's

Send those hot Dogs a good omen from afar, with the Fancy Hank's Sausage Party. For $40 you get eight smoked pork sausages, Martin's potato rolls, American cheese, pickles and coleslaw to create your own idea of hotdog heaven (food comes ready to heat). For another 40 clams you can add a bottle of wine, two tinnies and two soft drinks. Those in the west who want a piece of the action can collect their order from Two Birds Brewing in Spotswood on grand final day, where the Hank's crew will be popping up.

Order online before 9am Friday for local pick-up from Melbourne CBD (Friday and Saturday) or Spotswood (Saturday), or delivery within 10km (Friday).

Ryne

This might be one for Demons fans: a feast of refined European fare, moving from trout rillettes to mushroom veloute with truffle cream and cod brandade ravioli. For mains, it's your choice whether to add on a beef Wellington ($220, seven courses, serves 2) or settle for roasted lamb loin ($180, six courses, serves 2). But everyone gets a cheese platter (don't laugh) and cheesecake with berry compote. It's not called the Corporate Box for nothing, friends.

Order online before Friday for pick-up from Fitzroy North or delivery within 25km on Saturday.

The Prince Dining Room

Get ready for the first bounce with tiny prawn cocktail rolls, spiced meatballs in sugo and, of course, sausage rolls with The Prince Dining Room's lounge room-ready snacks (from $130, serves two). The pub's adjoining wine bar, Little Prince, is on charcuterie and dip duty, and there are bottles of bubbles to add on if you're feeling lucky.

Order via Providoor before Friday for delivery across Melbourne and select regional postcodes on Saturday.

Friday Pie Day

Good Food's Dani Valent has teamed up with bakeries all over Victoria to bring finals fever home. How? With pies, of course. For the big match, it's a pastry bonanza, with Cobb Lane's beef and ale number, Pie Thief's lasagne pie, vegan pies from Smith & Daughters and more. Don't miss the surf and turf pie from Rolling Pin in Ocean Grove. Involving beef, prawn and garlic butter, it won Pie of the Year in a competition judged by the Australian Baking Association, beating 2031 other pies. That's champion fare right there.

Order online before 6pm Tuesday for delivery within 25km of Melbourne CBD or pick-up from seven pick-up points around Melbourne on Friday.

Rocco's Delicatessen

Rocco's is the destination in the west for Italian cured meats, cheese and pantry specialties. And that means it's your go-to for grand final snacking. Get a grazing box of antipasti, manchego, prosciutto and other goodies for four people ($65), six ($95) or eight ($125). Looking for sweet relief post-match? Add cannoli or doughnuts, made by nonna herself.

Order before 5pm Wednesday for local pick-up from Yarraville or limited delivery across Melbourne plus Mornington and the Surf Coast. Order by phone: 03 9314 6078.

Meatsmith

Spicy sausage coils. Asado-style short-ribs. Lamb chops. Burgers. Condiments. Meatsmith's barbecue box ($70, serves 3-4, $105 serves 6-7) leaves absolutely nothing to chance, containing everything you need to feed your household pre- and post-game, and maybe even the next day as well. Just add your favourite salad, some good bread and something slurpable, then fire up the grill.

Order by midday for next-day delivery across Melbourne and select areas of Victoria. Delivery days vary by region. View website for details.

Zymurgy

This West Footscray favourite is getting into football's biggest day with two packs that are fit for a hungry footballer. Smaller appetites can dive into eight dishes that start with mussel escabeche and focaccia and ramp up to braised pork, grilled asparagus and duck fat potatoes ($130, serves 4). Up for more? The 10-dish feast is anchored by stuffed chicken wings and a 500-gram porterhouse, with chorizo sausage rolls, duck liver parfait and more on either side of that ($200, serves 4). Each pack includes a selection of Hop Nation beers.

Order online before noon on Thursday for local pick-up from West Footscray or delivery to select suburbs on Friday.

Rochford Wines

Planning a marathon session of viewing from pre-game right through to post-game analysis? A hamper from Yarra Valley winery Rochford will keep you fed and watered right through. Lunch might be the family-sized beef Bourguignon pie and a couple of arancini, while dinner looks like a smoky, meaty affair of beef ribs, pork and fennel sausages and corn on the cob ($188, serves 4, includes wine).

Order online before Wednesday for delivery to a wide range of Melbourne suburbs and the Yarra Valley on Friday.

The Recreation

The thoughtful folks at this Fitzroy North establishment have plotted out four quarters of food and drink that are worthy of their own best-on-ground award. Kick off with chicken liver parfait and crisps, stracciatella cheese with broad beans and other snacks, paired with a Tom Collins, then enjoy the classic trio of prawns, chilli and garlic. During half-time, you'll be putting the finishing touches on slow-cooked lamb with salsa verde, flatbread and cucumber salad, just in time for third quarter. The home stretch features Okar's Australian Amaro along with a chocolate pot and dulce de leche ($90 per person). A copy of the Grand Final Record is also included.

Order online before Friday for local pick-up from Fitzroy North or delivery across Melbourne on Saturday.

Chin Chin

Pies and sausage rolls get the Chin Chin treatment (right) with the likes of beef rendang, butter chicken and a vego-friendly yellow curry encased in puff pastry. Choose your favourite (or a Thai-style pork sausage roll) and make it the star of your Footy Fever Pack, which also comes with a chocolate brownie and a four-pack of Coopers beers ($55, serves 4). Want the Chin Chin classics? Opt for the 10-dish feast ($150, serves 2).

Order online before Wednesday for local pick-up from Melbourne CBD or Windsor, or delivery across Melbourne and select regional postcodes on Friday and Saturday.

The Graham

If more refined half-time fare is your thing, all roads lead to The Graham, offering sustenance in the form of sardine and mussel escabeche on sourdough before moving on to gnocchi with duck, olive and caper ragu. Depending on your team, you can commiserate or celebrate over lemon curd, raspberries, meringue and sable crumble. Be sure to make the most of the wine list and add a bottle for just $35 (food only, $65 per person).

Order via email by 5pm Thursday for local pick-up from Port Melbourne or delivery within 10km on Friday or Saturday.

Lagoon

The crew at Lagoon have put their signature mod-Asian twist on all the finger food you could want while you're glued to the TV. Think fried chicken wings tossed through house-made hot sauce, sticky pork skewers, curried Japanese potato salad, kimchi and rich, sticky lamb ribs ($70, serves 2). Sounds like perfect fodder for a beer or two.

Order via Providoor before Friday for delivery across Melbourne and select regional postcodes on Saturday.

Attica

The MVP of last year's finals season was undoubtedly the Nacho Loaf that the Attica team unveiled in all its messy, bready glory. And it's back. If you need a refresher, a crusty loaf of sourdough is hollowed-out and filled to the brim with beef and black bean chilli, pickled onions, cheddar, jalapenos, guacamole and sour cream ($85, serves 2). Basically it's all your teenage food dreams packaged into a very adult format. What's not to love about that? And there's more: on Friday before the grand final, the team are delivering to postcodes in the west.

Order online at least 12 hours before for pick-up from Ripponlea or delivery to select suburbs between Thursday and Saturday (loaf comes cold).