With plenty of chefs turning towards butchery, it looks like butchers are the new rockstars of the culinary world. From organic to hormone-free, minimal to old school, there are many in Melbourne looking to make the trade a whole lot more progressive and ethical. They know their way around a cleaver and can make a whole ham for you. If that isn't impressive, we don't know what is.
Here's a list of some of Melbourne's best butchers for you to order high-quality meats that can be delivered or picked up in-store.
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The Hagen family behind Hagen’s Organics take pride in selling a range of ethical, chemical-free and free-range meats. There’s a dedicated section on its site offering up meticulously scored ham on the bone, porchetta, whole turkeys, Milking Yard Farm chooks, duck breasts and more. There are also small goods and other grocery items online.
Shop via the website and pick yours up at one of Hagen's Organics stores or have it delivered for a fee.
This family-run butchery bring style and class to the world of specialty meats. It’s based in Prahran Market and is hard to simply walk past. Butchers are dressed in classic brown leather aprons and grey newsboy caps, meats are beautifully arranged in a glass display fridge and contrast against a wall of white brick-look tiles. But it’s the meat you come here for. The butchers focus on the process of dry-ageing and offer most meats except for poultry.
Order via the website if you can't make it to South Yarra, and they'll deliver.
Andrew McConnell’s specialty butcher and wine store brings a modern approach to an old trade. Aside from selling a range of ethical and sustainable beef, poultry, lamb, pork and sausages, it also offers ready-made meals like red duck curry and coq au vin.
Order here or pick up your order from its Fitzroy, St Kilda or Brighton stores.
Butchers are increasingly taking the ethical route, and Cannings is no exception. The produce you get here is guaranteed to be free-range, hormone and antibiotic-free. Some of the most popular offerings include the bacon, the eye fillet and the Ora King salmon.
Place your order online and pick it up in-store or have it delivered.
Renowned purveyor of meats Peter Bouchier has a few shopfronts in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs and sells its products in independent grocers too. Peter Bouchier is known for its high quality, free-range and grass-fed meats. Try the lamb, honey and rosemary sausages or, if you want a little bit of everything, grab one of their boxes filled with carefully selected meat products and recipes.
Order via the website or call one of the stores directly.
The Ralph's Meats team can whip up anything you need from its own hams to porchetta, but there’s no poultry. The beef and lamb sold at Ralph’s is halal-certified, and there’s something for everyone.
You can place an order for delivery through YourGrocer.
Bertie’s Butcher is a ‘paddock to plate’ butcher stocking organic, free-range, pasture-fed meat, and the folks at Bertie's do not mess around when it comes to meat. If you don't feel like cooking, they also offer tasty ready meals and sauces.
Pick up in Cremorne or place an order for delivery through the website.
Donati’s is a Carlton institution. It’s equal parts quirky and old school, and its lack of online presence only adds to its charm. Owner Leo Donati knows the butcher scene in Melbourne like the back of his hand, having worked as a butcher in Carlton since the early 1960s, and what this means for his customers is that they’re bound to receive high-quality fresh and cured meats. Fresh hams or porchetta can be rolled up for you on-site with some notice, and they even offer whole turkeys or turkey rolls.
If you'd like the products to be delivered, some of their selection is available through Alimentari.
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