Fuel Up Like an Aussie: Your Culinary Guide to the Australian GP
The words every Formula 1 fan has been wanting to hear for months now… IT’S RAWE CEEK! I bet you’re all as excited as I am for the start of the 2025 season. For several reasons, and not just because it’s Lewis’ first as a Ferrari driver. Anyway, I digress.
For the first GP of 2025, we’re heading to the lovely city of Melbourne in Australia. Capital of the Australian state of Victoria and second-largest city in the country, Melbourne is a pretty interesting place in many aspects. It was ranked as the world’s most livable city for several years. With over 40% of its population being foreign-born, it’s one of the most diverse urban areas on the planet. And of course, it’s home to the Albert Park Circuit, where the Australian Grand Prix is held.
As you’d expect, Melbourne’s culinary scene is just as diverse. You’ll find everything from proper Aussie classics like meat pies and chicken parmas at cozy pubs, to incredible international eateries scattered across the city.
Aussie Classics
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Melbourne’s got plenty of iconic dishes, but first things first: brunch. Here, brunch is practically a religion. You’ll find people lining up at cafés for poached eggs on sourdough, topped with smashed avocado, feta, and a generous sprinkle of dukkah or chili flakes. Pair it with a flat white (Melbourne’s unofficial beverage) and you're basically an honorary Melburnian. Melbourne locals take coffee as seriously as Max Verstappen takes winning (okay, maybe not quite that seriously, but close enough).
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Next up is the Aussie staple, the humble meat pie. Crispy, golden pastry wrapped around hot minced beef and gravy… what’s not to love? You’ll find locals grabbing these at bakeries, footy matches, and the famous South Melbourne Market.
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Finally, when you need something sweet, Melbourne delivers with jam doughnuts from the iconic Queen Victoria Market. Hot, sugar-coated, fluffy doughnuts filled with sweet raspberry jam… these treats are simple but addictive. They're best eaten fresh from the stall, with powdered sugar everywhere.
A culinary tour around the world, but in Melbourne
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Melbourne’s international food scene is seriously impressive… it's like taking a global food tour without leaving the city.
If you’re craving authentic Asian eats, start at Little Bourke Street in Chinatown, right in the heart of the CBD. You'll find bustling dumpling spots like Shanghai Street or HuTong, where Xiao Long Bao (steamed soup dumplings) are practically an art form. Just down the road, you can dive into hearty bowls of ramen at places like Hakata Gensuke or tuck into sizzling Korean barbecue along Swanston Street.
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European flavours calling your name? Wander over to Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne's own Little Italy. The street is lined with family-run trattorias and pizzerias serving fresh pasta and wood-fired pizzas. Spots like DOC Pizza & Mozzarella Bar or Tiamo are local legends, perfect for lazy lunches or lively dinners. For dessert, grab creamy gelato at Pidapipó; it’s practically mandatory.
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For Middle Eastern and Mediterranean vibes, Sydney Road in Brunswick is the place to go. Lebanese bakeries, Turkish restaurants, and Persian eateries line the streets. Visit A1 Bakery for freshly baked mana’eesh: soft flatbreads topped with za’atar, cheese, or minced lamb. You could also drop by Tiba’s Lebanese Restaurant for generous platters of grilled meat, hummus, and falafel.
And if Mexican or Latin American cuisine is your jam…or your mermelada, head to Johnston Street in Fitzroy, where you'll find lively taquerias and buzzing cantinas. Hotel Jesus and Mamasita serve mouth-watering tacos and margaritas that’ll transport you straight to Mexico City (at least in spirit).
Eat like an Aussie F1 Star
As for what Australia’s homegrown F1 talents munch on, Melbourne born and bred driver, Oscar Piastri has previously tweeted about his love for chicken parmigiana, or 'parma,' as the Aussies affectionately call it. This hearty dish features breaded chicken topped generously with tomato sauce, ham, and melted cheese, usually accompanied by a portion of crispy chips; comfort food at its finest. Exactly what you'd want after wrestling an F1 car around Albert Park all afternoon… or, you know, watching intensely from the couch.
When quizzed, Jack Doohan, the latest Australian driver to join the grid, mentioned he’d rather eat a penne pomodoro every day for a year than give it up altogether. We completely understand you, Jack. After all, what’s not to love about al dente pasta tossed in a delicious tomato sauce, sprinkled with fresh basil and plenty of Parmesan cheese? It’s classic, comforting, and the kind of dish that somehow never gets old.
And of course, we can’t talk about Aussie drivers without mentioning Daniel Ricciardo. The Honey Badger’s culinary tastes are as iconic as his grin. His go-to? A good old-fashioned barbecue, complete with sizzling sausages and steaks. But his real kryptonite is sweets, especially Tim Tams. If you’ve never done a Tim Tam Slam (Google it—trust me), now’s your chance.
