Nine Signature Dishes to Try at Melbourne's New Shopping and Dining Precinct

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Gone are the days of sad shopping centre food courts and the dubious contents of all-day bains-marie. This is Melbourne, and when it comes to food, we demand the best. In that light, Burwood Brickworks is more than the eastern suburbs' newest (and most environmentally sustainable) retail destination — it's also your brand new flavour hub.

From now until March 28, the new Burwood East destination, located in the heart of the 'hood on Middleborough Road, is showcasing the best of dining hub Eat Street, with a range of unmissable meals at a steal.

Need help narrowing it down? We've done the hard work for you — these are the nine signature dishes you should try first.

Kate Shanasy

HONEY CAKE AT ACRE CAKE AND COUNTER

The journey from farm to table doesn't get much shorter than this: Acre is a functioning, sustainable urban farm — complete with a garden, greenhouse and honeybees — located on the roof of Burwood Brickworks. From the team behind Sydney's two Acre sites, the elegant farmhouse restaurant and plant-filled greenhouse cafe has a seasonal menu, but don't miss the sweet stuff. Head to Cake and Counter for wholesome classics (think toasties and sausage rolls), Proud Mary coffee and indulgent treats like banoffee pie and baked cheesecake. If you're limiting yourself to just one, though, there's no going past the signature house-made honey cream cake, made with honey from the beehive farm.

From now until March 28, enjoy a creamy honey cake and coffee for $10.

Kate Shanasy

CHICKEN BURGER AND CHIPS AT GAMI CHICKEN AND BEER

You probably know this group-friendly dining chain for its famous mounded platters of crispy fried chicken, tossed in spicy, garlicky or sweet soy sauces. But Gami's chicken burger deserves just as much airtime — after all, these guys are the fried chicken masters. Here, a juicy thigh fillet is deep-fried, sandwiched in a toasted bun and finished with Gami cheese sauce and a crunchy, refreshing apple coleslaw. Best eaten with a side of chips and one of those ice-cold beers, of course.

From now until March 28, enjoy an indulgent chicken burger and chips for $10.

Kate Shanasy

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT HOT POT AT HOT HOT POT

You had us at all you can eat. And no, that's not a typo in the name — Hot Hot Pot specialises in the eight-hour, 18-herbs-and-spices flavour bomb that is malatang. Book a slot for your all-you-can-eat hour and load up on all the ingredients you desire: premium meats, seafood, fishballs, tofu, mushrooms and a few greens for good measure. Choose your broth spice level (ranging from 'mild' to 'insane'), prepare your dipping sauces, and settle in for the long haul.

From now until March 28, enjoy spicy, all-you-can-eat hot pot for $10. Bookings are essential. Call 0466 680 081 to make a reservation.

Kate Shanasy

ASSORTED SASHIMI AT ICHIRO IZAKAYA

Can't get to Japan for a while? Let Japan come to you at Ichiro. This casual izakaya, fitted out with sustainable and recycled materials, features classic bar snacks like chicken karaage, okonomiyaki and yakitori, as well as sushi, hot pot and teishoku set meals. The star of the show, however, is the fresh sashimi platter of delicately sliced scallop, salmon and kingfish, perfectly paired with a Japanese beer or sake.

From now until March 28, enjoy a platter of assorted sashimi for $10.

Kate Shanasy

FAJITAS AT ROSA MEXICANO

If you'd like your feast to be more of a fiesta, Rosa Mexicano is the perfect spot to bring your whole crew. In addition to an impressive selection of cocktails, sangria, tequila and beer — as well as house mocktails and Mexican sodas — the sprawling menu showcases some of Mexico's most beloved flavours. The menu includes hefty burritos, loaded nachos, chargrilled corn and smoked jalapeños — but the sizzling fajita platter is the showstopper. Choose steak, chicken, fish or the veggie option, grab some extra sides like pico de gallo or sour cream, and load your tortilla just the way you like it.

From now until March 28, enjoy a plate of sizzling fajitas for $10.

Kate Shanasy

HUNAN-STYLE STIR-FRIED PORK AT TASTE HUNAN

One of the eight culinary cuisines of China, Hunan, or Xiang, is probably lesser known here than its spicy counterpart, Sichuan. Eat Street's Taste Hunan is here to put it firmly on your radar. And there's no better place to start than the chilli-laden stir-fried pork, a classic of the region that sees sliced, tender pork wok-fried with soy, garlic, veggies, and, of course, a generous helping of aromatic chilli. In fact, most of the menu at Taste Hunan promise a spice, chilli or 'special sauce' sensation. The experience is probably best appreciated by sharing a range of dishes, so bring your cadre of spice-seekers and settle in for a feast.

From now until March 28, tuck into a serve of Hunan-style stir-fried pork for $10.

Kate Shanasy

SALAMI PIZZA OR THREE-CHEESE PIZZA AT NEW NORTHCOTE BREWHOUSE

New Northcote Brewhouse pairs unpretentious beer with honest food. The core craft froths are from Diamond Hills' Golden Hills Brewery, with other local brews also available on tap. This ain't your average tavern, though — it's a stylish and airy space, with a very decent wine and cocktail selection to boot. On the menu you'll find refined pub classics, including a range of impressive pizzas. Our favourites are the salami with fior di latte and chilli, and the indulgent three-cheese, featuring mozzarella, ricotta and brie.

From now until March 28, enjoy a salami or three-cheese pizza for $10.

Kate Shanasy

SMASHED AVO AT NORWOOD CAFE

Good, honest food with heart is the Norwood Cafe way, from sustainable ingredients and farming practices to a minimal-waste approach to food prep. The menu here focuses on nourishing, mindful meals and freshly baked goods, cold-pressed juices and in-house roasted coffee from sustainably sourced beans. We're suckers for the classics, and this smashed avo definitely hits the spot. It's served on seeded artisanal sourdough and topped with a poached egg, feta, dukkah and some aesthetically pleasing flashes of colourful beetroot hummus and pickled tomatoes.

From now until March 28, get your smashed avo on for $10.

Kate Shanasy

CHOC-DIPPED CONE AT BEN AND JERRY'S

Stop in at the parlour for a scoop of America's favourite ice cream. Load up your waffle cone with one (or more) of the 24 flavours on offer, or get a freshly filled pint to take home — you can even have it topped with chocolate, sweets or a fudge layer. But there's no going past the most utterly extra cone in town, the Ben and Jerry's choc-dipped variety: your ice cream flavour (or flavours) of choice in a crunchy, chocolate-dipped waffle cone. Simple. Elegant. Glorious.

From now until March 28, crunch into a regular choc-dipped cone (two flavours) for $5.

Find out more about Burwood Brickworks' exclusive March dining offers here. Offers are available daily from 12–2pm and 5–8pm, until March 28. 

Top image: New Northcote Brewhouse