What to eat and drink at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix

Gelato lovers, rejoice! Beloved Melbourne gelateria Pidapipo is churning creamy delights for the very first time with a dedicated dolce bar – and thank the dairy heavens because the weather is forecasting a scorcher of a weekend. If you had to pick between the vanilla bean panna cotta, Nutella-loaded doughnuts, bacio and hazelnut gelato or the Pidamisu (we know, a fairly impossible task), it’s the tiramisu all the way. Done the Pida way, this dessert is a decadent scoop of savoiardi soaked in coffee and sherry syrup, caked in dark chocolate and served sitting atop coffee and mascarpone gelato. Thank us later.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction – Lygon Street Precinct

It’s all about bougie seafood bites at Pinchy’s. Go for the buttery lobster roll with a serving of truffle fries and stay for the crunchy snapper croquettes. The seafood restaurant pop-up is also doing a hefty fish and chips situation served with locally caught fish, zingy citrus mayo and umami herb chippies.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction

If you thought the vendor newcomers couldn’t get any better, then mamma mia, think again! This Lygon Street eatery brought to life by the comedy trio Sooshi Mango is popping up to provide some of the best’a Italian eats the Australian Grand Prix has ever seen. Load up on arancini, tomato sugo gnocchi and hearty pasta bolognese to keep you going all day long, crafted by executive chef Joel Hales. Andiamo, andiamo!

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction – Lygon Street Precinct

Consider your caffeine fix sorted with the good stuff coming straight from St Ali. The roastery and café institution will be pouring high quality brews all weekend long from their two Formula One coffee pit stop pop-ups. But it’s not just their usual stuff on the cards; we’re most excited to try the all-new jaffa-inspired Lights Out concoction. Think chocolate espresso cream layered in with orange juice. It’s giving McLaren orange and we're here for it.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction

This one’s a little more on the fancy side. MoVida is making its debut at Albert Park with a schmick pop-up doubling down on their tapas offering. It’s an à la carte situation with highlights including the deep-fried croquettes, piquillo peppers stuffed with scallop mousse and the Pyrenees-style slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Unlike the rest of the spots in this round-up, you’ll need to book your seat at MoVida ahead of time. 

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction

Is it really a Melbourne event if Lune isn’t present? The famed institution dedicated to croissants is baking a special menu this weekend. We're talking lemon curd cruffins, pain au chocolat, trusty almond croissants and the absolute must-try F1-inspired twice-baked lamington-esque croissant complete with a chequered flag. We don’t know which is faster, a Formula One racing car flying around Albert Park or Lune selling out of pastries – but we can guarantee both will happen at crazy high speeds.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction

One simply cannot go wrong with the bonafide eighth best world pizza chain, 400 Gradi. Coming straight out of the pizza oven, the menu is full of fan favourites including margherita, salami and chilli honey, funghi, capricciosa and one for those with a sweet tooth, a decadent nutella and strawberry number.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction – Lygon Street Precinct

After a roaring success last year, St Kilda’s iconic Hotel Esplanade is popping back up at Albert Park and it’s not without something new. Among the two types of frozen Margs, a Wild Hibiscus Spritz and a tight selection of spirits and wines, the team have made it a true blue drinking experience with the new addition of beer taps. Considering the decor is a near identical replica of the the Espy’s exterior, you could very well just forget you’re at the F1 for a hot second.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction

Race to Melbourne Junction to score some hefty burgs by burger empire, Royal Stacks. All bases are covered with two beef options, two fried chicken numbers and a chickpea patty stunner for the vegos. Do the full Royal Stacks experience and throw in some crispy fried chicken with a chipotle dipping sauce.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction

Considered a F1 mainstay, Mr Miyagi is back gracing the trackside this year, packing a punch with both a handful of loved Japanese fusion dishes from their Windsor restaurant and a spritely new sando exclusive for the adrenaline junkies: the Fockatsu Sando. Think two pieces of housemade focaccia loaded with crispy pork katsu, rich tonkatsu barbecue sauce, creamy Japanese mayo and slaw. If you loved the prawn roll from last year, you’ll want to come back to try this banger.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction

Speaking of sandos, Brunetti Classico is here to personally meet your panino needs. Go for the prosciutto with pesto, provolone and rocket; the porchetta panino with rocket, capsicum and onion; or the chicken pesto with a delightful mayo mix and plenty of rocket. Complete the Italiano experience with a nitro caffe in one hand and a traditional-made cannoli in the other. Buon appetite!

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction – Lygon Street Precinct

While the Perth-born Formula One driver no longer races on the grid, that doesn’t mean he’s not technically at the Australian Grand Prix. Driver-turned-winemaker Daniel Ricciardo has a spot dedicated to his all-new Enchanté Rosé release, a collaboration between his wine label DR3 and the Barossa Valley winery St Hugo. The Enchante Rosé pop-up is tucked among the Melbourne Junction eateries so you can line your stomach with delicious bites before sipping on this fresh and summery drop. Plus, there’s the opportunity to ‘Dial a Dan’ to apparently speak to Danny Ric himself and even score a cute rose temp tatt just like Daniel’s.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction

Hochi Mama is bringing big energy and bold flavours to the F1 this year. They’re doing an extra special katsu sando with either crispy fried chicken, tempura prawn or mushroom depending on what tickles your fancy, but the noodle bowl can do no wrong. Fuel up on the vermicelli noodles with crispy coleslaw, wasabi peas, nuoc mam sauce and veggie springrolls. For the peckish but not starving, go the trio of baos.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction

Praise be, the Stalactites-backed Hella Good is turbo-charging the Formula One weekend with their hella delicious Greek eats. We must admit, it’s a difficult choice if you find yourself standing in front of the stand. Souv, gyros or HSP? Because they’re doing all three – not to mention their signature hot chips with feta and Greek lemon seasoning. If we had to choose just one thing from the menu, we’re going all in on the chicken souvlaki: marinated boneless chicken wrapped in a warm pita and loaded up on lettuce, tomato, onion, and generous lashings of homemade tzatziki.

Where to find it: Melbourne Junction