What to eat at the Australian Open

Arguably the most popular thing to eat at the AO in both 2023 and 2024, the tennis tournament's signature Peach Melbourne soft serve will be returning again in 2025 – back by popular demand. Orchard-fresh peaches, raspberries and melt-in-your-mouth vanilla soft serve ice cream combine to make this exclusive dessert the ultimate summer treat. Fun fact: the Peach Melbourne was inspired by the Peach Melba dessert created in the 1890s by French chef Auguste Escoffier to honour iconic Aussie opera singer Nellie Melba. What a lovely way to cool down.

Where to find it: Rod Laver Arena

Entrecôte, known for its classic French fare, will be making a first-time-ever appearance at the AO yet – brilliant news for fans of the restaurant's frites and epic cheeseburgers! Along with the aforementioned delights, the Gallic purveyors will also be offering its delicious maitrillette baguette (essentially steak frites in epic sanga form). Yum!

Where to find it: Garden Square

After a healthy option at the tennis? Fan-favourite Fishbowl offers meals on gluten-free carbs such as glass noodles or brown rice and tops them with the Japanese-inspired flavours of salmon sashimi, tamari almonds, nori flakes and wasabi mayo. Luckily for tennis lovers, Fishbowl is coming to the AO in 2025.

Where to find it: Grand Slam Oval

Sometimes, you're in the mood for something on the heartier side. If that's the case, check out Stalactites, which have also set up shop at the Grand Slam Oval this year. The legendary Greek restaurant and late-night kebab purveyor will be serving up its iconic souvas and fries throughout the entire tournament. 

Where to find it: Grand Slam Oval

One of AO's favourite star chefs, the award-winning Charlie Carrington brought Cuban sangas to the courts last year. This year, his offering will be Nashville-inspired instead with his latest project Tennesee Wingboys. Think juicy fried hot chicken, burgers and fries.  

Where to find it: Western Courts

Want to eat but don't want to miss out on all the action? AO Courtside Bar is where fans can enjoy the tennis from open-air front-row seats with some snacks and drinks, or swill a cocktail atop the stylish rooftop.

Where to find it: Overlooking Court 6

At a prestigious event like the AO, it's only suiting that restaurant royalty Rockpool swoops in to make an appearance. It's the eighth year that the AO has booked in the Crown fine diner for a residency, with visitors once more being treated to a luxe signature menu and premium paired wines. For more info, plus details on other prestigious AO Reserve packages you can book this year, check out the website.

Where to find it: Centrepiece – Level One

National award-winner Easey's is one of Melbourne's best loved American diner-style joints. Where else can you dine from a train car perched five storeys above the ground? Though the view rocks, it's their burger menu that's the real drawcard here, designed by James Hurlston (aka Jimmy's Burgers). Which is why we couldn't be more stoked these multi-stacked stunners will be making an appearance at the oval this year.

Where to find it: Grand Slam Oval

Nick & Nora’s returns to the Australian Open in 2025, bringing all the glitz and glam of its Melbourne cocktail institution with a dash of speakeasy flair. Settle in to your private bar suite for famously sophisticated signature libations and a grazing-style dining menu – ideal accompaniments to tennis, with great Centre Court views of the game to match. 

Where to find it: Rod Laver Arena

A1 Bakery is a northside institution, famous for its authentic (and wonderfully affordable) wraps, Lebanese pizzas, pies and falafel platters. Opening its doors in 1992 as a humble family business, the hybrid Lebanese bakery, eatery and Middle Eastern grocer has since become a beloved local gem. And now, for the first time ever, it's coming to the AO in 2025! We can't think of a tastier post-match refuel.

Where to find it: Garden Square

Melbourne's respected DOC Gastronomia crew are known for their Lygon Street venue (which recently transformed into a northern Italy-inspired osteria), their Carlton pizza restaurant and a brand new St Kilda restaurant. The exciting expansion continues with a pop-up presence at the AO this year, which will be offering pizza al taglio by the slice and a dedicated espresso bar.

Where to find it: Grand Slam Oval

Making another AO debut this year is the Filipino Project, a small catering, events and live fire cooking business aiming to bring authentic Filipino street eats to Aussie shores. Check it out for barbecue chicken skewers, empanadas and zingy green papaya salad.

Where to find it: Grand Slam Oval

When the first El Jannah opened shop in Sydney in the late '90s, word of its delicious Lebanese charcoal chicken spread like wildfire and a cult-like following followed suit. Over the next two decades, the franchise grew to more than a dozen locations across NSW, but it took until 2022 for the first Melbourne shop to open its doors in Preston. This year, it'll be bringing its tasty delights to the AO for the first time ever. 

Where to find it: Grand Slam Oval

When news broke last year that top chef Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook) had brought a silk road-inspired canteen to Melbourne's CBD, we couldn't wait to go and check it out. If you haven't had tried Liong's Silk Spoon yet, the AO in 2025 is the place to go and have a taste. With eats inspired from all across Asia and the Middle East, it's a global fusion of flavours you won't want to miss throughout the tournament.

Where to find it: Grand Slam Oval

The CDMX team are bring sunny service and authentic Mexican street flavours to the AO this year. Our verdict’s in: these are some of the greatest tacos in Melbourne, and we know exactly where to get our fill this tennis season.

Where to find it: Grand Slam Oval

Wandering by the Western Courts but don't want to undo your New Year's resolutions with a greasy chicken feast? Try Good Days instead, which is also located in this part of Melbourne Park. The vegan-friendly Vietnamese diner is known for its healthy snacks and salads and will be serving these up fresh across the entire tournament. 

Where to find it: Western Courts

Piccolo Panini Bar is a place whose reputation precedes it, its strong social media presence and blocks-long queues garnering a lot of hype. Keen to try one of its hearty panini sangas? Then head to Garden Square, where the carb kings will also be serving up an assortment of delectable dolce.

Where to find it: Garden Square

Acclaimed food writer and longtime tennis fan Julia Bussutil Nishimura will be serving up an AO menu described as 'Maltese meets Mediterranean.' Devoted fans of Julia and her online space for recipes and storytelling (Ostro) will want to make a beeline for the Garden Square precinct to taste what's on offer.

Where to find it: Garden Square

Legendary chef Alejandro Saravia (Farmer's Daughters, Victoria, Morena) is a man who needs no introduction in Melbourne's dining scene. For something a bit more elevated at the AO this year, make a package booking at the Lounge where you can enjoy prime Rod Laver arena access and a dedicated hosting area. The bespoke dining experience here will be curated by Saravia and complemented with premium beverages. 

Where to find it: The Lounge

Chef Brigitte Hafner from Red Hill's highly lauded Tedesca Osteria will be landing at the Glasshouse in the final week of the AO. Expect Hafner's renowned seasonal menu and a swanky setting to match – but reserve now if you're interested. The star-studded lineup of chefs taking part in the AO Reserve program this year is likely to attract a lot of bookings.

Where to find it: the Glasshouse

Additional to the exceptional local chef-led dining adventures already mentioned in this list, the AO Premium Reserve suite of experiences is bringing interstate – and even international – talent to our fair city this January. Look out for Shimpei Raikuni (from Brisbane's Sushi Room), Martin Benn and Vicki Wild (the award-winning duo, previously of Sepia) and Blake Shailes (from the Aussie-owned L.A. hotspot Grandmaster Records). Learn more about these offerings and book your spot now.

Where to find it: check the website