Gelato Messina Has Unveiled Its Extravagant Melbourne Night Noodle Markets Menu

This November, the bustling Night Noodle Markets will return to Birrarung Marr for 18 nights of tasty things on sticks, bowls of noodles, bao and extravagant frozen desserts.

Taking over the riverside inner city park from November 7–24, the latest iteration of the fairy light-lit markets will see over 20 of Australia's favourite food stalls set up shop — serving humans and dogs alike. Wait up — dogs? Yep, this year, the NNM have launched the aptly named Night Poodle Markets.

On Saturday, November 9 from 4–7pm, the NNM will be filled with floofs galore, a roaming dog photographer and dog treats. Tickets to the one-off event are just $5 — which include a doggy portrait and treat — with 100 percent of proceeds going to RSPCA Victoria. You can sign-up for this very exciting event over here.

In terms of food for humans, the NNM has just unveiled its full menu. And Gelato Messina is preparing to wow Melburnians once more with a brand new menu. While last year's frozen treats were inspired by the Philippines, this year, they're an ode to Thai sweets. Choose from the Bangkok Banana, a Thai milk tea cheesecake sandwich with sponge and meringue; the Phuket Bucket, banana fritters served with caramelised banana gelato and peanut crumble; the Coco Phangan, mango sorbet with coconut sticky rice; or the Eye of the Thai-ger, a multi-layered dessert of condensed milk pudding, condensed milk crumble, shaved ice, lychee gelato and jellies. Or don't choose and eat them all — you can spread them out over 18 nights, after all.

Eye of the Thai-ger

Elsewhere on the NNM menu, you'll find Bangkok street food snacks, foot-long potato fries, bao, spicy Dainty Sichuan noodles and Drumplings' unconventional dumplings (including cheeseburger, mac and cheese, and pizza numbers). Japanese soufflé pancakes, 'flying' noodles, lobster rolls and puffles (extremely cheesy waffles) will all make an appearance, too.

Naturally, there will be plenty of booze stations as well, including a Jacobs Creek tipi wine bar, a beer garden and a 20s-inspired diner serving beer floats and spiders.

So start scheduling your visits the market — and cross your fingers for good weather.

The Night Noodle Markets run from November 7–24 at Birrarung Marr, Melbourne. They'll be open from Monday and Tuesday 5–9pm, Wednesday and Thursday 5–10pm, Friday 5–11pm, Saturday 4–10pm and Sunday 4–9pm. 

Image: Kimberley May Moore.