Stalactites Restaurant

Overview

Stalactites is a late-night Melbourne institution that's been owned and operated by the same Greek family since 1978. It is, by legend, the occasional sight of a physical brawl over tables (chairs were thrown in 2014 during an altercation). This, we think, must mean that people over there are serious about their food and where they sit at Stalactites — indeed, 2am gyros is something to be serious about.

And while we almost always go for the lamb gyros when visiting, this Melbourne Greek restaurant has stacks more to offer diners in the CBD. For one, there's an extensive menu of dips and breads, meat platters, seafood and specials like moussaka and cabbage rolls to tuck into. Be sure to also order some saganaki while you're at it — you don't need to be drunk to enjoy this huge fried wedge of cheese.

And while Stalactites might have a reputation for late-night eats, that's not the only reason why diners head here. The generous portions, kid-friendly meals and proximity to the theatre district also make it a fine spot to drop by for a pre-theatre meal. And come game day, you'll likely see the place flooded with footy fans before and after the match.

To top that off, Stalactites also recently introduced an extensive range of gluten-free options — and new cooking and serving processes — that have been certified by Coeliac Australia. That means that everything from the pita bread and souvas to the chips and grilled meats can be done gluten-free. Whatever reason you're heading to Stalactites, everyone in your party is going to find something they'll love on the menu.