Australian F1 Grand Prix - Restaurants and Cafes close to the track

I'm not the biggest fan of the Formula One Grand Prix, and I don't intend on going to the Albert Park racetrack myself, but since you can't really miss the fact that it is coming up to that time of year again, I thought I'd give some tips to some of our interstate and overseas vistors. So if you are dining on a budget, don't want the marquee food and still want something decent, here are some of my personal tips. Make sure you read the reviews though. Please note that in this article I have included all my reviewed restaurants, but I don't recommend all of them !

Fortunately there is a wide range of restaurants and cafes within short walking distance to the Albert Park track and several tram lines make reaching other restaurants easy.

Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Fitzroy Street is on the south end of the track and Armstrong Street in Middle Park is right next to the west end of the track. It is a really busy street with a huge range of restaurants and cafes.
If you are after something a bit upmarket and like Chinese food, try Mahjong, it is very close to the south end of the Formula 1 and offers a great Yum Cha. Also check out my review of the Banff Cafe if you're after a light meal or pizza. A walk a bit further down Fitzroy Street will take you to a Melbourne institution - Leo's Spaghetti Bar.

St Kilda West
Just a bit further up from Fitzroy Street, there is a small cafe hidden on Cowderoy Street in an old art deco shop. They make some nice foccacias.

Armstrong Street, Middle Park
Armstrong Street is the main light rail station from the city. There is even a great cafe right on the Middle Park light rail station - though whether it will be open during the race I don't know. If you walk along this street, you'll find some upmarket cafes and pubs. Along this quiet street you'll find a scattering of Japanese, Thai and Indian restaurants. Hidden up the street a bit is Koh Samui which I have reviewed.

Albert Park
To the north end, Bridport Street in Albert Park is not too far away. The restaurants here are a bit more upmarket, and not too many ethnic cuisines although Pacific Rim Thai is a real standout and right near both the track and tram route 96. Further down Victoria Street, which you can get to by tram (route 112) from the north end of the track there is a good mix of Indian, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisines. Check out our review of Gharana which has both Indian and Sri-Lankan dishes.

Clarendon Street, South Melbourne
There are a great range of eateries near Clarendon Street, but not all of them are within walking distance of the north end of Albert Park. The closest is probably Spirit of India. A little further is Sakura (Japanese). The 112 tram will take you further up to some fantastic restaurants slightly closer to the city like Sugarcane (Thai) and Garamerica (Indonesian).

Queens Road, Melbourne
Queens Road on the east end of the track doesn't offer much. There are a few cafes and plenty of hotel accomodation, but not much in the way of restaurants. Although further up towards Toorak Road on St Kilda Road, there are a few handy takeout places.

Have fun at the race !

The Bengal Tiger Restaurant Review

520 City Road,
South Melbourne Vic 3205
Phone: 03 9699 4791

Food
Tandoori and Indian Cuisine. They've introduced a few banquets since I last dined here, which is a good improvement. The banquet for 2 included pappadums, entrees, 3 mains, rice, naan bread, dessert and coffee/tea. All dishes were of reasonable quality. Licensed and BYO (wine only).
Service
Top quality service - I was extremely impressed with all aspects of their service. Thoroughly attentive without being intrusive.
Value
Very reasonable. Look out for their specials on different nights of the week, which they display on the board out front.
Decor and Atmosphere
A warm and comfortable atmosphere with a bit of character. An old style building that appears to have originally been built as a hotel. Simple decoration not overdone.

Spirit of India Restaurant Review

401 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne 3205
Phone: 03 9682 6696

Food
Authentic indian dishes. Unfortunately I would have to say that compared with the vast array of quality indian restaurants I have dined at in Melbourne, this just didn't stack up. The meat seemed dry and overcooked. The dishes including the entrees (which are usually my favourite part of indian cuisine) were a bit bland.
Service
Service was pretty slow. There were a lot of people to serve admittedly, but I had to ask 3 different waiters before someone would bring me a drink of water. In fact they brought us empty glasses and just left them there with no drinks. The waiters were seemingly not very enthusiastic.
Value
Value was pretty good. It did meat the goal of a 3 course meal for 2 for under $60.
Decor and Atmosphere
Large rooms, fitting quite a few people, a couple of embroidered tapestries but overall a bit clinical and plain looking inside. Could definitely have done with a few more decorations to create a bit more of an atmosphere.

Sugarcane Restaurant Review

268 Park Street
South Melbourne 3205
Phone (03) 9699 3637

Food
Thai food. No banquets available, but a lovely selection of dishes. The mixed entrees were delicious and the main meals were well portioned. We dined with an extra couple this night and all were very impressed with their meals, most complimentary.
Service
Good service, not too intrusive but there when you need them.
Value
Main meals were around the $20 mark, so with no banquet available this could cost a little extra, but not too expensive overall.
Decor and Atmosphere
A cosy atmosphere, modern music rather than reflective of the cuisine. Some lovely decoration and lighting. Well presented.

Sakura Restaurant Review

329-331 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne 3205
Phone/Fax (03) 9699 4150

Food
Japanese Teppanyaki. Prepared in front of you with flair. The show is just as important as the food in this style of restaurant. The chef did put on a good show with his food, but I think that while the food was decent, I've had better teppanyaki.
Service
Fair service. We were left waiting throughout the whole meal dying of thirst with the salty dishes, and no waitress in sight to ask for drinks.
Value
You will pay a bit more for Teppanyaki which is to be expected. Banquets started from $42 per person.
Decor and Atmosphere
Very well presented, traditional japanese decorations. The atmosphere was very good and the chef put on a good show with egg flying into our mouths and deft catching of the rice into our bowls. It made for some good entertainment.

Garamerica Restaurant Review

230 Dorcas Street
South Melbourne Vic
Phone (03) 9696 2192

The name of this new and already popular restaurant is derived from Gara and Merica which is Salt and Pepper in Indonesian.
Food
Authentic Indonesian Cuisine that was for me, unique and absolutely divine! I loved every delicious course. Don't be confused with the Drinks and Desserts being grouped together on the menu. We ordered 'Es Teler' and found it was a dessert not a drink. So my partner had his dessert before his mains by accident! But wow, you do have to try this unique dessert! It would be very refreshing on a summer night as it is served with a snowy ice mountain and drips of condensed milk on coconut, avocado and jackfruit.
Service
Very prompt. Great service.
Value
This website aims to feature the best value restaurants in Melbourne, and boy does this one qualify! We ordered a 3 course meal for 2 people with extras and got out of there for $35 total!
Decor and Atmosphere
Quite plain. The only let down we had is that we were seated in a small back room instead of the main eating area, which would have had a much nicer atmosphere. Therefore I would say book in advance to be seated out front, as it was all reserved.