Australian Open 2023: Best places to eat within a tram ride of the tennis

Where to go before the tennis, for late-night eats, to re-live each point over drinks and more.

NEW PLACES THAT MAY NOT BE ON YOUR RADAR

Waygood

Best for: Small groups on a budget.

Why: Chic Parisian looking wine bar made more relaxed and lively by offering bottles you can browse and buy, adding $25 corkage. The 30-Love menu ($30) during the tennis includes a mini Davo Plum Sour cocktail followed by a savoury dish of oxheart tomato, grilled peach and stracciatella, and a petite dessert of blackberry sorbet, prosecco and Cointreau.

Time, please: 14-minute tram ride (route 70) from Melbourne Park or 25-minute walk.

213 Swan Street, Richmond, waygood.com.au

Untitled

Best for: Those who love having their finger on the pulse.

Why: New-ish, multi-level, Flack Studio-designed restaurant has just scored a new chef in Matt Woodhouse (ex Comma Food and Wine), who has refined the modern Aussie bistro brief. Get an entree, main course and glass of wine for $75 before 7pm during the tournament.

Time, please: 14-minute tram ride (route 70) or 21-minute walk.

236 Swan Street, Cremorne, untitledrichmond.com.au

Tartine

Best for: Grazing and glasses of champagne.

Why: It's named for the French open-faced sandwich, so you're guaranteed easy snacking at any time of day. Toppings include tomatoes with fresh cheese, pear and roquefort, or the luxe crab with apple and chervil. The room is a pure slice of Paris.

Time, please: 13-minute tram ride (route 70) or 18-minute walk.

105 Swan Street, Richmond, tartine.com.au

THE TENNIS HAS GONE INTO FIVE SETS AND IT'S 11PM

Gimlet

Best for: Big city atmosphere.

Why: It feels like fate that Gimlet has a supper menu on offer until late on Friday and Saturday nights. Think steak, a luxe cheeseburger, cheese and nightcap cocktails. But walk-ins are welcome at all hours at this big, brassy urban restaurant. Can't get a seat? Try nearby sister restaurants Cumulus Inc. or Supernormal.

Time, please: 11-minute tram ride (route 70) or 18-minute walk.

33 Russell Street, Melbourne, gimlet.melbourne

Embla

Best for: Authentic Melbourne wine bar experience.

Why: It might be built for walk-ins, but dark and moody Embla is no less serious a dining destination, no matter the time of day or night. Come for inventive small plates that go down a treat with something from the eclectic Euro-leaning wine list. Confit peppers with sourdough, perhaps, whole fish or original pasta dishes.

Time, please: 14-minute tram ride (route 70) or 22-minute walk.

122 Russell Street, Melbourne, embla.com.au

City Wine Shop

Best for: Soaking up summer nights at a table outside.

Why: This Spring Street stalwart doesn't bat an eyelid at ferrying steak tartare, polenta chips, pastas and larger dishes to tables from noon well into the night. It has one of Melbourne's largest cellars, and affordable choices along with bottles built for celebrations.

Time, please: 23-minute walk.

159 Spring Street, Melbourne, citywineshop.net.au

Seafood Street

Best for: Group feasts.

Why: Open until 2am for Cantonese standards and bottles of Tsingtao. Order plates of XO pipis with youtiao, steamed fish or, if you're with a big group, choose crab or rock lobster from the tanks in the window for a memorable spread.

Time, please: 12-minute tram ride or 25-minute walk.

167 Russell Street, Melbourne

CASUAL EATS WITH THE WHOLE CREW

Baby Pizza

Best for: Glamour fans.

Why: This fun-loving Italian address is leaning into tennis fever. Games are on the big screen in its alfresco area and there's a pizza special of cheese, leeks and lardons, a nod to the popular Swiss dish of tarte flambee, a favourite of player Stan Wawrinka. Glasses of Piper-Heidsieck for $19.50 and other drink specials each afternoon equal a dining grand slam.

Time, please: 24-minute tram ride (one change) or 30-minute walk.

631 Church Street, Richmond, babypizza.com.au

Fancy Hank's

Best for: Big groups with big energy.

Why: It's all about doubles at this barbecue joint. Flash your AO tickets and get two Mountain Goat lagers for the price of one. They'll go down nicely with a platter of smoked meats or some quick-fire snacks: corn dogs, fried chicken or devilled eggs. Just after drinks? Head upstairs to Good Heavens for the same deal on Spritzes. Both are open late.

Time, please: 22-minute walk.

1/79 Bourke Street, Melbourne, fancyhanks.com

MORNING FUEL

Hugo's Deli

Best for: Hefty pre-match sangas.

Why: A pitstop here will keep you going all day. The petite corner shop makes whopping sandwiches, from fried chicken on shokupan to stringy four-cheese toasties with dark crusts. Coffee is from Odyssey and is joined by specials like an espresso yuzu spritz.

Time, please: 14-minute tram ride (route 70) or 19-minute walk.

119 Swan Street, Richmond, hugosdeli.com.au

Pope Joan

Best for: The quintessential Melbourne breakfast.

Why: Morning classics, like eggs and soldiers, use excellent eggs and bacon, while more outre items, like chilli scramble streaked with 'nduja, never stray too far. If you miss breakfast, there's a $75 lunch deal with one main course (prawn fettuccine, perhaps?) and free-flowing prosecco. Or stop by in the afternoon for jugs of Pimms peach iced tea ($50).

Time, please: 11-minute tram ride (route 70) or 21-minute walk.

Shop 16, 45 Collins Street, Melbourne, popejoancity.com

DRINKS AND A DEBRIEF

Arbory Bar and Eatery

Best for: Drinks that turn into dinner.

Why: It boasts hundreds of seats, a picturesque spot by the Yarra and a generous canopy of plane trees for hot days. A late-night menu of burgers, charcuterie and fried snacky things kicks in at 10pm.

Time, please: 12-minute tram ride (route 70) or 16-minute walk.

1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne, arbory.com.au

The Duke of Wellington

Best for: Not missing a single moment of action.

Why: It's a stone's throw from the action at Melbourne Park and it's a reliable sports pub with the tennis showing on its screens, 20-plus beer taps and a menu that ticks loads of boxes.

Time, please: Four-minute tram ride (route 70) or 18-minute walk.

146 Flinders Street, Melbourne, dukeofwellington.com.au

Crown complex

Best for: Super fans.

Why: Crown is a long-standing favourite with players and their entourages. Do some celeb spotting over rounds of Aperol Spritzes at Atrium Bar or Mr Hive, both offering two-for-one spritzes if you show your AO tickets.

Time, please: 21-minute tram ride (route 70) or 30-minute walk.

8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, crownmelbourne.com.au