5 Exotic Cuisines You Haven't Tried Yet

Melbourne’s restaurant scene breeds a rich cultural diversity that simply can’t be topped.

With a unique cuisine available on every street, graphited laneway or shopping strip, the options can prove to be overwhelming.

Hidden City Secrets has discovered some exotic cuisines that might not be your typical picks, but are authentic, colourful and delicious.

Denmark House
428 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Located on the top level of an office building on Little Bourke Street, Denmark House offers a true Danish dining experience in the heart of Melbourne.

Their specialty lunch dish is the traditional smørrebrød (open-faced sandwich), with 25 unique variations that will assure you the word ‘sandwich’ is an understatement.

Dinner comes in the form of a 3 or 5-course Nordic tasting menu, drawing on historical Danish culture that has been recreated into a contemporary culinary delight.

[More info + Gallery] | [Contact Venue]

Moroccan Soup Bar
183 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North VIC 3068

Enlighten your taste buds to the flavours of the North African cuisine.

This popular restaurant is known to be busy, with the unique spoken menu having a focus on generosity and abundance.

The famous Chickpea Bake draws a regular crowd and the strictly vegetarian menu uses traditional ingredients with an air of mystery, as the menu is verbally delivered to you upon arrival.

[More info + Gallery] | [Contact Venue]

Borsch, Vodka and Tears
173 Chapel St, Windsor VIC 3181

Ornate decorations and earthy bohemian vibes deck out this Polish hub at the colourful end of Chapel Street.

Open day and night, this cafe/restaurant/bar specialises in Polish vodka (with over 100 to choose from!), Eastern European beers and hearty food to line your stomach.

By day, the menu offers breakfast specials and their infamous Bloody Mary, while dinner infuses seasonal Polish ingredients to bring you the true taste of the culture.

[More info + Gallery] | [Contact Venue]

Falafel Omisi
359 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield VIC 3162

A secret family recipe originating in Yemen lies at the crux of this falafel restaurant.

Inspiring Middle Eastern flavours and colourful spices, this restaurant offers a kosher, vegetarian and gluten-free menu that could be your new lunch favourite.

[More info + Gallery] | [Contact Venue]

Nyala African Restaurant
1/356 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065

Positioned on Brunswick Street, Nyala African Restaurant has built itself an unwavering spot in central Fitzroy over the past 16 years. Specialising in Ethiopian cuisine, Nyala prepares a range of African tastes ranging from chicken and coconut curry to desserts such as the baked banana dish.

Adorned with tribal-printed walls and decorations in traditional patterns, Nyala will transport you to the African motherland as you step inside the door.

[More info + Gallery] | [Contact Venue]

By Valentina Griesheimer