Is Melbourne Stealing Sydney’s Food Crown To Become The Foodie Capital?
Sydney has always been seen as Australia’s glamorous foodie capital, with plenty of sun-drenched cafes by the beach, world-class fine dining, and a thriving multicultural food scene to enjoy.
But lately, there’s been a bit of a debate about whether Melbourne is quietly sneaking in and stealing Sydney’s food crown?
Well, it is a fair question because in recent times, Melbourne has been upping the ante with innovative eateries, buzzy food markets, a deep love of good coffee and hidden laneway gems.
Sydney, on the other hand, has had a lot of challenges on their plate, including everything from lockout laws affecting nightlife (and late-night eats) to rising costs pushing some previously well-established hospitality favourites out of the city.
So, which of the two cities deserves the title of the food capital of Australia? This post will explore the question in more detail.
A Taste of Melbourne and Sydney Food
Before we do that, it is worth taking a moment to say that you don’t need to be in either city to sample their exceptional food scenes.
If you check out Sydney or Melbourne Meal Delivery with FoodSt, you can enjoy a wonderful range of home-cooked meals from passionate local cooks that are delivered right to your door.
It’s a tasty little shortcut to get a feel for the culinary vibes both cities offer.
Melbourne v Sydney
Melbourne and Sydney both have outstanding food scenes. But what sets them apart, and which one is better?
Here are some things to bear in mind:
1. Sydney Still Has the Edge in Freshness
When it comes to seafood, fresh produce, and farm-to-plate experiences, Sydney still holds a massive advantage.
The city’s proximity to the Coral Sea means you can tuck into prawns, oysters, and barramundi that were swimming that morning. The Sydney Fish Market, one of the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere, is the best place to get it.
In addition, Sydney’s multiculturalism is on full display in places like Cabramatta (for the best Vietnamese dishes you’ll ever eat!) or Lakemba’s Ramadan markets. Overall, Sydney’s ability to fuse different cuisines into something uniquely their own is arguably the best in the world.
2. But Melbourne Masters Atmosphere and Variety
Where Melbourne often wins is in the atmosphere of its gastronomic venues.
Melbourne’s food scene is cosy, creative, and relentlessly cool. It is known for featuring plenty of hidden bars down alleyways, Italian joints that have been perfecting pasta for 30 years and a raft of trendy pop-ups and food trucks that serve many things you’ve never heard of – but immediately want to eat.
And it’s not just in the CBD where you’ll find them. Suburbs like Fitzroy, Carlton, Richmond, and Footscray each bring their own flavour and are attractive foodie destinations of their own right. It’s fair to say that Melbourne’s food culture feels like it’s built into the soul of the city, and not just sprinkled across tourist hotspots.
Then, of course, there is Melbourne’s love affair with brunch. Yes, Sydney’s Bill Granger invented the avocado smash trend, but Melbourne took brunch to Michelin-star levels. Think slow-cooked pork on miso pancakes, house-fermented chilli butter, and coffee that rivals anything in Italy. (Yes! We can hear your tummy rumbling.)
3. Sydney Has More Scenic Dining
Arguably, where Sydney still reigns supreme is in the way it offers superb dining with a view.
Sydney’s beachside cafes and harbourside restaurants are unbeatable. After all, what could be better than enjoying a latte with a view of the Harbour Bridge, feasting on a gourmet seafood meal in Watson’s Bay, or indulging in a charcuterie board whilst watching the sunset from a rooftop in the city.
While Melbourne’s food scene is intimate and artsy, Sydney’s is more outdoorsy and glamorous.
4. Melbourne Food Trucks Are Catching Up
Sydneysiders have a special place in their hearts for food trucks. But while Sydney’s food truck scene was once miles ahead of Melbourne’s, the quality and range available in The Settlement is definitely catching up.
Indeed, events like Welcome to Thornbury, the massive food truck park in Northcote, have become institutions in the city. Attracting thousands of people every week with their culinary delights that cover many different genres.
Moreover, Melbourne food trucks are getting super experimental too, in the shape of vegan Ethiopian, Korean toasties, and paella cooked over open flames. It’s exciting, and it feels like the people running those trucks are in it for the love of food, not just the business opportunity.
That said, Sydney’s food truck game is still alive and kicking, with new ventures opening up every week. If you head to a festival in Parramatta or a night market in Marrickville, you’ll find an epic feed every time.
5. Melbourne Chefs Are Taking Risks
One thing Melbourne does incredibly well is push culinary boundaries. Restaurants like Attica, Vue de Monde, and Gimlet don’t just serve great food, but also create exquisite experiences that satisfy all your senses.
There’s a boldness to Melbourne’s fine dining that sometimes Sydney’s more conservative (but polished) establishments shy away from. For instance, in Melbourne, you might eat ants on a plate. In Sydney, you’re more likely to get impeccably plated sashimi.
Both are incredible, it just depends on what you’re in the mood for.
So, Is Melbourne Stealing the Crown?
Honestly? It’s too close to call.
Melbourne has definitely surged forward, and its community spirit, creativity, and sheer variety of food offerings are genuinely world-beating.
But Sydney still holds its own. The city still has some of the best seafood in the world, unbeatable harbourside dining, and a constantly evolving food truck and cafe scene. Plus, there’s something about eating in Sydney that makes you feel like you’re on holiday, even when you’re not.
Maybe instead of seeing it as a battle, we should see it as a blessing. Two incredible cities, two amazing food cultures, and thousands of opportunities to eat ourselves silly.
So, at the end of the day, maybe the real winners are us. We do, after all, live in The Lucky Country.’