Your Guide to the Best Food and Drink to Try Courtside at the Australian Open
The Australian Open ain't just about the tennis — Melbourne Park's got a slew of top-notch food and drink experiences to sink your teeth into in-between matches.
Grand Slam fever has gripped the city once again as the Australian Open kicks off a blockbuster 2022 edition, running from January 17–30. The world's tennis stars will descend on Melbourne Park over the next two weeks, along with thousands of punters there to watch the on-court action unfold live each day.
While this year's tournament features some density limits and ticket caps as a result of the current COVID-19 situation, nothing can dampen spectator spirit — nor their appetite, it seems.
As always, the AO's off-court happenings are causing a stir of their own, with a bumper program of food and drink pop-ups promising to keep tennis-goers well-fed, quenched and happily entertained in between matches.
Here are our top menu picks to check out at this year's Australian Open:
ATRIUM BAR & EATERY BY BEN SHEWRY
Even the star chef behind renowned fine diner Attica is bringing some of his magic to Melbourne Park in 2022. Ben Shewry's greenhouse-inspired sit-down eatery Atrium is serving a swag of top-shelf fare; think, chicken liver parfait, pepperberry hot chips, a reimagined souva platter featuring wattleseed hummus, and Port Phillip mussels cooked in Mac Forbes riesling. Even afternoon tea is sorted, with house-made treats like buttery croissants and Portuguese tarts.
And there's a menu of crafty cocktails, too, including the Match Point — a caffeinated concoction of Grainshaker vodka, coffee liqueur and wattleseed macadamia orgeat.
HAWKER STALL
A joint effort from favourites Gingerboy, Robata, Longrain and Lucy Liu, this pop-up's set to transport you to the hawker centres of Asia. Chow down on bites like chicken yakitori matched with a cucumber salad, Japanese sweet potato fries dusted with furikake, and a Chiang Mai hot dog finished with lashings of tamarind relish and kewpie mayo.
CITY ITALIA
Three of the city's go-to Italian joints have teamed up to create a nonna-worthy food hideaway at this year's AO. The City Italia pop-up is slinging dishes like house-made lasagne from Pepe's Italian & Liquor, Marameo's fusilli cacio e pepe and even some award-winning pizza from the legends at 400 Gradi.
BIG ESSO BY MABU MABU
The latest venture from Indigenous cafe and food business Mabu Mabu, Big Esso is making a pop-up appearance courtside. Its menu fuses native ingredients and traditional Torres Strait flavours with a twist of modern flair; so expect plates like lemon aspen fries, island-style coconut-cured kingfish served with taro crisps, and a riff on the HSP starring kangaroo tail.
BEACH HOUSE
Embracing the flavours and vibes of a balmy Melbourne summer, pop-up precinct the Beach House is set to be one of Melbourne's Park's breeziest culinary pit-stops. Here among the white sand and striped umbrellas, you can unwind with a variety of summery eats and drinks; from fish burgers with crushed edamame courtesy of Pipi's Kiosk, to loaded acai bowls from Oakberry.
Also here, Aussie distillery Grainshaker has its own bar pouring signature spirits and cocktails, while the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne bar is your go-to for all things fizz.
ROCKPOOL BAR & GRILL
Rockpool Bar & Grill has your courtside fine dining fix sorted, hosting an exclusive restaurant pop-up in collaboration with David Pynt's famed Singapore eatery Burnt Ends. Whether you opt for the set three-course menu or choose an a la carte adventure, you're in for a real treat.
Think, spanner crab tart finished with Yarra Valley salmon roe, beef carpaccio with horseradish and baby beetroot, Pynt's own Jamaican chicken, and a peach melba dessert.
PENFOLDS BISTRO AND PENFOLDS RESTAURANT
Famed winemaker Penfolds is hosting not one, but two dining experiences for this year's Grand Slam-goers. The Bistro is the more casual affair, where a two-course menu offers options like tuna tartare with salmon caviar and nori crackers; hand-rolled macaroni; and dry-aged steak with a bone marrow dressing; all paired with top-notch wine, of course. Otherwise, sit down to an even classier four-course feast in the Restaurant, complete with a choice of two Penfolds vintages to match each dish.
Top Images: Penfolds Bistro, Rockpool, The Atrium Terrace, Beach House
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