Express Yourself at these 5 Quick Lunch Spots

You know the feeling…you need to get out of the office during your break but don’t have enough time for a long lunch.

Never fear, there are many venues around the country that offer express lunch options for those time-poor and hungry – here are five to check out next time your lunch needs to be on express:

Lola at The Provincial Hotel on Lydiard Street North in Ballarat offers stylish European-inspired dining, beautifully shaped each season by the region’s best locally sourced produce. Settle into a relaxed and elegant dining room, beautifully styled in the signature hotel design, with blue leather banquette seating, fresh flowers and intimate tables ideal for a romantic rendezvous.

 

From the two-course express lunch menu, order King Ora salmon brandade to start, served with horseradish crème fraiche, Yarra Valley caviar and crostini; while mains present like chicken cordon bleu with shaved wood-smoked ham, aged Comte cheese, creamy polenta, peppercorn jus and Dutch carrots, along with linguine with chilli garlic prawns and whipped Romesco sauce.

Named after a neighbourhood in Seoul, HongDae Korean Restaurant and Bar on Little Lonsdale Street in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD delivers big servings, quality ingredients and great customer service. Step into an appealing vibe of recycled timber, vibrant wall murals and authentic accents to peruse a menu sure to tempt all palates.

 

Choose from the special lunch menu available from Monday to Sunday and delve into miso soup before beef, chicken or pork bulgogi with condiments and a side salad; perhaps a spicy kimchi tuna soup set hits the mark, or chicken katsu with a soft-boiled egg. Vegetarians opt for teriyaki tofu or curry and karaage, with all lunches starting from $18.90 per person.

Authentic Filipino dishes are what you’ll find on the menu at Barkada Pinoy Streetfood on Sutherland Street in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. This hidden laneway eatery is sleek and minimalistic with white subway tiles, black chairs and cartoon-style murals setting the mood for adventurous dining from a menu covering everything from brunch to BBQ grill options.

 

Diners looking for a quick and satisfying lunch can opt for pork or chicken BBQ skewers, while those with more adventurous tastes devour pork ear or chicken feet skewers; perhaps glazed pork belly hits the market, served with steamed rice, lettuce, tomato and cucumber, or succulent, tender chicken inasal, with rice, lettuce, sawsawan and chicken oil.

Located on Chapel Street in Prahran, Eight. Restaurant & Bar delivers a contemporary Asian dining experience showcasing authentic flavours to discerning Melbourne foodies. A moody ambience of black walls adorned with monochromatic photography, seductive lighting and blond wood table settings sets the ideal vibe for a romantic rendezvous or after-work catch-up over hand-crafted cocktails and a carefully curated menu.

 

For a quick bite with big flavour, try the $18.80 express lunch deal available weekdays between 12 pm-3 pm and enjoy dishes such as gochujang pork belly, sweet and sour fish, truffle beef fried rice, Malaysian chicken curry and Singapore seafood noodles, washed down with a complimentary soft drink; or indulge in unlimited yum cha for just $48 per person and chow down on dumplings, prawn toast, noodles and much more.

Located in the bustling neighbourhood of Chatswood, An Viet restaurant on Victoria Avenue offers an authentic taste of Vietnamese cuisine. Take a break from retail therapy at Westfield Chatswood to refuel and recharge in stylish surrounds of exposed brick, recycled timber, banquette and cosy table seatings to enjoy a steaming bowl of signature rare beef pho in aromatic broth with flat rice noodles, bean sprouts and herbs.

 

With An Viet’s express, you can always bring along the best Vietnamese cuisine with you to anywhere you would like with express delivery also available; order dishes like lemongrass chicken, avocado and vermicelli noodle salad with lettuce, cucumber, pickled carrots, fresh herbs, fried shallots, crushed peanuts and fish sauce, or a grilled pork chop with steamed rice, pickled red cabbage, cucumber, pickled carrot and nuoc mam garlic fish sauce.