The Age Good Food Under $30 is coming out this Saturday and last night the 2014 award winners were announced. Here is a list of the 3 star places that scored 18-20 out of a possible 20 points. Places marked * have been reviewed previously on the blog as HOT!
MELBOURNE
– Spanish tapas bringing life to Docklands.
Bomba* – Spanish tapas with awesome rooftop bar. Also winner of best bar menu of the year.
Chin Chin – Super funky Asian. So hyped and over-blogged I haven’t ever bothered writing a review, even though it’s excellent. Let’s just say it’s HOT.
Fomo Thai – fun and modern Thai.
The Grain Store* – beautifully made sandwiches, salads and meals.
Mamak – Sydney-imported Malaysian with some of the best roti in town.
– The queues say it all. Another excellent restaurant that I’ve never blogged about because it’s been written up so much and terrible lighting for photography.
Nama Nama* – Gorgeous Japanese restaurant specialising in udon.
Ombra* – Salumi and other great Italian eats.
INNER SOUTH & BAYSIDE
Chez Dre* – Pastries and other delicious baked goods near South Melbourne Market.
The Petty Officer – Speciality coffee cafe in heart of Albert Park.
Salford Lads Club* – Bike-friendly cafe near Fisherman’s Bend in Port Melbourne.
– Port Melbourne cafe from the team behind Coin Laundry.
ST KILDA
INNER SOUTH-EAST
B’Stilla – Moroccan restaurant in South Yarra, also winner of best restaurant in 2014.
Colonel Tan’s – Cool Asian on top of Revolver nightclub from head chef of Cookie and The Toff In Town.
Hobba* – Warehouse cafe in Prahran.
Mr Miyagi – Fun Japanese at the Windsor end of Chapel Street.
Two Birds One Stone – South Yarra cafe from the team behind Top Paddock, winner of best new cafe in The Age Cafe Guide 2013.
INNER EAST
Demitri’s Feast* – Greek cafe in Richmond.
Three Bags Full* – Abbotsford warehouse cafe.
INNER NORTH & WEST
Auction Rooms* – North Melbourne cafe, winner of best cafe in The Age Cafe Guide 2013.
Bistro K* – Inventive, modern Korean in Collingwood.
Carlton Espresso* – Super slick Italian cafe in Little Italy, Lygon Street Carlton.
Hammer & Tong* – Cool Fitzroy cafe and winner of best breakfast spot of the year.
Horn Please – Cheap and cheerful North Fitzroy Indian.
Jimmy Grants* – Those souvas are addictive! I’m there almost once a week.
Rockwell & Sons* – American diner in Collingwood with Wednesday fried chicken nights.
Small Victories* – Rathdowne St cafe and 2013 winner of best breakfast spot of the year.
Smith Street Alimentari* – Beautiful Collingwood foodstore with amazing take home pork and fennel lasagna.
Yong Green Food* – Raw, vegetarian and vegan food from quirky Fitzroy cafe. Also winner of vegetarian of the year.
Young Bloods Diner* – One of my Fitzroy favourites. I can never go past their kedgeree.
SOUTH-EAST
– Japanese fusion in Elsternwick.
Bombay by Night – Indian stalwart in Caulfield South.
– Cafe in Bentleigh East.
True South – Restaurant and micro-brewery in Black Rock.
EAST
– The Box Hill restaurant wins best new restaurant this year.
Hawthorn Common* – Hawthorn bakery and cafe and winner of sustainable practice champ.
Izakaya Jiro – Japanese DIY charcoal grill in Hawthorn.
Life on Mars – Brunch spot with gourmet takeaway in Hawthorn.
Ora Specialty Coffee* – Inventive Kew cafe.
NORTH
Bar Idda – Home style Sicilian in Brunswick East.
Lolo & Wren* – Brunswick West cafe with Spanish influences.
The Moor’s Head – ‘Inauthentic pizza’ in Thornbury.
Pope Joan* – Excellent Brunswick East cafe with adjoining food store.
Wide Open Road* – Coffee roastery and cafe in Brunswick.
WEST
The Premises* – Kensington coffee specialists with standout menu.
OUTER SOUTH-EAST
Fat Bob’s Bar & Grill – Gourmet burgers in Moorabbin.
HILLS & YARRA VALLEY
A Boy Named Sue – Pizza and slow food in St Andrews.
– Yarra Junction cafe.
The General Food Store – Emerald cafe and foodstore.
GEELONG & BELLARINE PENINSULA
Elk Horn Road House – Wallington cafe.
Piknik – Cafe and store in a converted roadhouse in Swan Bay.
Warren & Hutch – Geelong west cafe.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Wye River General Store* – More than your average seaside general store.
CENTRAL VICTORIA
Apple Annie’s* – Austrian bakery/cafe in Castlemaine.
Breakfast & Beer – European bier cafe in Daylesford.
Dhaba at the Mill – Indian food in Kyneton.
Du Fermier – French farmhouse style kitchen created by chef Annie Smithers in Trentham.
The Forge Pizzeria – Family-friendly pizzeria in Ballarat and winner of Traveller Country Champ.
Lucky Strike – Restaurant and wine lounge in Clunes.
Naam Pla Thai Kitchen – Authentic Thai in Castlemaine.
Taste of the Orient – Chinese yum cha in Castlemaine.
Wombat Hill House – Historic gardens, house and restaurant in Daylesford.
The Age Good Food Under $30 will be available for $5 with The Saturday Age on March 1 from participating newsagents, in selected bookshops and online at theageshop.com.au for $9.99.