Cheap Places to Eat in Dandenong

"The retro-glam decor recalls Flower Drum Restaurant’s pinnacle when expense-account lunches were OTT and posh restaurants were few in Melbourne. Yet this Cantonese restaurant is still among the city’s finest, scoring two hats in the 2020 Good Food Guide. From Peking duck to roast suckling pig, delicate flavours and seasonal produce combine to create a decadent menu that will not disappoint."

"With its perfectly unreconstructed décor and a cohort of staff as polished as the lustrous timber-work, the Drum could be mistaken for something frozen in time. But don’t be fooled. You can set your watch by the quality of its Cantonese classics – superb crisp-skinned chicken, Peking duck served with care and outstanding crab."

"Apart from their amazing take on Cantonese cuisine, flower drum is known for their impeccable cuisine. You won’t find moody or arrogant workers here. Believe me, the incredible service itself qualifies the restaurant’s place on this list."

"ToorakThe gist: Imagine sexy French waiters in white waistcoats, that passionately open Chenin Blanc while rolling their eyes at you as if you ask for anything but medium-rare. Their wine list is a bound folder, and their menu is A3 and laminated, but underneath the novelty of it all is just good old-fashioned French comfort food, cooked to perfection with many dollops of butter. The food: French bistro comfort food.The cost: You can spend as little or as much as you’d like to at France-Soir."

"When it comes to searching for a juicy Melbourne steak, France Soir should be one of the first names that spring to mind. This South Yarra favourite is the burly elder statesman for Melbourne’s meat lovers – dependable, powerful, and truly a master of the game. There’s plenty to chew on at this eternally busy French institution, from the $22 snails served swimming in garlic butter, to the $26 calamari with chorizo and jalapenos."

"Bars Pubs Carlton. The Green Man’s Arms is an Israeli-influenced and 100 per cent vegan and vegetarian pub on the corner of Lygon and Elgin streets. Food at the Arms comes courtesy of Israeli head chef David Raziel who uses serves up an ethical and seasonal selection of dishes."

"This gaucho steakhouse run by a bunch of Melbourne hospo gringos lays its carnivorous scene at the entrance, where some impressive bits of cow sit dry ageing behind glass. The people have spoken, and the people want meat. They want meat in a lair that’s just like being transported to Buenos Aires, where cowhide in its various forms covers the menus and every other available surface."

"San Telmo’s meat is truly authentic, imported from Argentina and barbecued on site. Also on the menu are South American dishes such as ceviche, empanadas and dulce de leche creme caramel. Menu highlights include a broad range of Argentinian wines."

"Simple Argentine cooking at San Telmo keeps the restaurant bustling. Follow the neon sign to find a vibrant menu filled with share-style dishes."

"Emporium’s lofty third-floor food court is the home of many fashionable food establishments, and New Shanghai is no exception. Hit the slippery, pork-filled ‘shepherd’s purse’ wontons with chilli oil and a dribble of peanut butter for a modern spin on classic flavours."

"National Lasagna Day at RococoLasagne & Wine SpecialEnjoy a complimentary glass of house wine and 2 pieces of crunchy garlic and herb bread with each Lasagna ordered on Wednesday July 29th. Choose from our Traditional Beef Lasagna, our Vegetarian or o..."

"Situated within Storey Hall, the RMIT Gallery is the main art gallery and premier exhibition space of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. The gallery focuses on public art and design, with exhibition programs showcasing not only visual art, but also new media, sonic art, pop culture, technology and multidisciplinary artistic practice, all across five museum-standard galleries. Additionally, the RMIT Gallery runs a number of programmes and publications alongside its exhibitions, all in the name of strengthening interactions between RMIT and the public."

"RMIT’s premier gallery is for more than just university students. The exhibition space features a year-round program of distinctive visual art plus new media, design, technology and multidisciplinary practices. Being a university offshoot, you’ll see a lot of innovative work from the emerging artists of tomorrow."

"Easily Melbourne's largest and most popular beach, a day out at St. Kilda beach is always a mixed bag in terms of what to expect. Popular with people from all walks of life (especially during the summer months) including those with kids, it is always a major drawcard for a ton of tourists, especially in comparison with some of the other beaches listed here, and is basically Melbourne's equivalent to a Manly or Bondi of Sydney beach fame. While St. Kilda beach has a fairly "seedy" reputation, many steps have been taken over the past decade or so to clean up its image and improve on the public perception, especially in terms of catering to families with kids, with the beachfront having been recently redeveloped."

"From here it’s a 15 minute cab ride (or 30 minutes by tram) to St Kilda beach, where you can stroll along the esplanade and historic St Kilda Pier, and enjoy a cake at one of Acland Street's famous patisseries. AfternoonFrom St Kilda it's a half hour tram ride back to the city centre. Visit Australia's oldest gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), which hosts a wide range of local and international artists, exhibitions and events. Or you may like to see Melbourne from a new perspective aboard a cruise along the Yarra River."

"Not the world’s most beautiful beach, but great for getting to quickly from town. There are also plenty of other attractions close by and delightful cafes and restaurants all along the promenade. Getting there: Trams Route 16, 96 and 12 stop at St Kilda and the beach is just a short walk away."

"The calm waters of Elwood Beach make it great for swimming, and sometimes there’s enough surf for some boogie boarding. There’s the Bayside Trail bike and running track if you fancy a walk or cycle, plus cafes a’plenty. Getting there: Elwood Beach is 9km from the city centre."

"A little bit further south, Elwood Beach comes with plenty of parking and is less crowded than its famous neighbour St Kilda. Elwood has a great beachside vibe with quaint little shops and cute cafes. The promenade is great for prams and scooters."

"Another easily accessible from Melbourne CBD via their light rail system within around fifteen minutes, Port Melbourne Beach is an easily-reachable relaxed experience for a lazy day outdoors. With many narrow grass lawns that are dotted with lovely green palm trees, wide plains of sand and shallow temperature waters sum up what this beach is all about. Low sand dunes for lazing on offer a great level of wind protection, and the beach's pedestrian path is popular with cyclists and rollerbladers alike."

"Thanks to its close proximity to the city centre of Melbourne, Port Phillip Beach is the easiest to access for short-term visitors and families that don’t have their own transport while in Melbourne. It is actually hard to believe that a beach as pretty as this would be so close to a major city. Port Melbourne beach offers the full package of sand dunes, historic buildings such as the Princess Pier, restored workers’ cottages and the beachside rotunda."