Melbourne, Australia + Add a trip

The key to understanding Melbourne is it's all about the laneways (alleyways) and NOT the main roads. It's a city where the best bars and coolest restaurants are found hidden in small laneways and not on strip.

If you're in Melbourne on a week day, then one of the best places for Lunch is anywhere on DeGraves St or Centre Place. You'll experience the real buzz of the city at lunch time and be spoilt for choice with good, quick food.

Degraves St runs between Flinders St and Little Flinders St, halfway between Elizabeth Street and Swanston Streets. It's basically opposite Flinders street station.

Centre Place is the very small laneway that is the continuation of Degraves Street. Don't forget to lookup as well! The Majorca Building on the corner of Centre Place and Little Flinders is stunning.

Again Tim's suggestions are all good and in the CBD i would add in China Town for noodles and then there are the Bratwurst sausages in the delicatessen area of Vic Market...

321 Swanston Street has DonDon Japanese restaurant (near the corner of Lonsdale and opposite the (new'ish) QV). Only open at lunch and early afternoon, difficult to get a table inside unless you're early, take-away is as good an option. The food is fast, healthy and tasty to boot. Oh, and did I mention cheap? I think everything is between $5 and $7.50. Both, the curry and the chicken teriyaki are my favourite orders.

best place is Lord of The Fries. There are 2 outlets in the Melbourne CBD. One on Elizabeth and Flinders Street and the second one at Flinders Street Station (across from Federation Square)

N Tran bakery on Smith St for a Pork roll (mmm pork roll), that or a spanakopita from Melissa's just up from there.

Some of my lunch time faves up the north end of town; Victoria Market, have to agree, can't go past the cheese and spinach borek and a couple of dolmades for under $5. Stax (16 Little Latrobe St) has great soups, salads, and toasted Turkish bread rolls. Soul Soup (55 Cardigan St) also has great soups and fresh baked spanakopita (gluten free food too if that's a concern).

If you're on a really tight budget, try Crossways. It's run by the Hare Krishnas at 123 Swanston Street in the CBD. All you can eat for $6.50 or $5.00 with a concession card.