The Best Dining Deals in Melbourne This Week

Cozzie livs (aka cost of living) has been hitting a little hard as of late but that’s not to say you can’t pop out for a bite to eat every now and then with the help of a sneaky dining deal. In fact, some of these deals are so good that it’s cheaper to duck out for a quick bite than pop something together at home. From $10 curry nights to $5 tacos, exceptional steak and frites specials to $1 wings, there’s a bite for every mood.

Keen to save a buck? Read on for the best dining deals in Melbourne this week.  

Wednesday Night is Laksa Night at Etta

Wintery Wednesdays just got a whole lot warmer at Brunswick East’s cosy neighbourhood restaurant, Etta. Head Chef Lorcán Kan is dishing up his ultimate comfort food: a soul-hugging coconut curry laksa that’s been a staff fave for years. Served in the front bar, this fragrant $30 bowl is packed with rice and egg noodles, golden tofu, cucumber, fresh herbs, and a flavour-packed broth, alongside crispy school prawns for dipping, inspired by the street food vendors of Malaysia.

Hungry for more? Treat yourself to extra skewers of grilled lok-lok, think snapper fish balls, satay grilled chicken and sambal squid, for only $8 each. With only 20 bowls of curry laksa goodness served each Wednesday, you’ll need to get in quick and book ahead before it’s slurped away!

Wednesday from 5pm

60 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Maha’s $15 Bowls of Goodness Return for Winter Lunches

Shane Delia’s iconic Maha is back with its much-loved $15 Bowls of Goodness — a deliciously affordable way to power through winter lunches. Running seven days a week from 10 June to 31 August, these rotating bowls showcase bold, Middle Eastern-inspired flavours like Malaysian coconut curry laksa, burnt tomato wagyu, and Jimbaran grilled chicken. Now available for dine-in or quick takeaway, Maha’s nourishing bowls make weekday lunches effortless and utterly crave-worthy. Perfect for city workers craving big flavour without breaking the bank.

What’s on the menu:

30th June to 6th July: Tomato and green olive orzo with grilled adana, accompanied by a fresh oregano, rosemary, parsley, and red onion salad.

7th to 13th July: Liempo — a Filipino favourite of grilled BBQ pork belly served with garlic fried rice and green papaya atchara.

14th to 20th July: Glazed lemongrass chicken paired with coconut rice, pickled carrot, coriander, and crispy fried shallots.

21st to 27th July: Mexican pork carnitas with spiced red rice, salsa verde, and crunchy fried pork crackling.

28th July to 3rd August: Five-spice soy-braised chicken leg served alongside daikon, ginger rice, and mizuna.

4th to 10th August: Hearty smoked Victorian snapper and king salmon ‘cullen skink’ topped with crispy leeks.

11th to 17th August: Lamb and kimchi stew served with butternut mash and grilled Swiss chard.

18th to 24th August: Roast chicken bowl featuring country potatoes and rich sauce abufrea.

25th to 31st August: Stuffat tal-Fenek — Maltese braised chicken with olive oil-poached potatoes and fresh herbs.

21 Bond Street, Melbourne

Oppen by Night’s Thursday $25 Steak on Carbonara

Windsor’s beloved Scandi cafe flips the lights low and the flavour high on Thursday evenings, transforming into Oppen by Night, a moody wine bar with an irresistibly cosy cult special. For just $25, tuck into their now-famous steak on carbonara, a luscious, silky pasta laced with smoky bacon, topped with a perfectly cooked steak. A local secret worth savouring.

Thursdays from 5pm

20/2 Maddock Street, Windsor

Johnny’s Green Room Unveils Irresistible Puccia Lunch Special

Melbourne’s rooftop legend, Johnny’s Green Room, is back with its lunchtime puccia special — and it’s tastier than ever!

Made with the same slow-fermented dough that powers their famous pizzas, these southern Italian sandwiches are a midday game-changer. Whether you’re after a quick takeaway or a relaxed rooftop lunch with friends, these puccias deliver serious flavour. Choose from crispy fried calamari with zingy tartare, creamy mortadella and pistachio pesto, a classic Caprese, or hearty meatballs oozing with mozzarella, with prices ranging from $18 to $22 each.

Lunchtime just got a major upgrade — swing by Monday to Friday and treat yourself.

Monday to Friday

Level 2/293-297 Lygon Street, Carlton

Ophelia After Dark: Pasta Nights, Vinyl Spins & Euro Sips in Westgarth

Westgarth’s golden girl is stepping into her nighttime era. From June 17th, Ophelia is staying up late every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Tuesdays bring $20 house-made pasta (think rich beef cheek ragu or prawn bisque trottole), while weekends serve up Pour & Play sessions: local DJs spinning vinyl, natural wines flowing, and a tight edit of Euro-leaning snacks (pickled mussel toast, nduja-stuffed dates, hot-smoked trout rillette). Aperitivo kicks off at 4pm, with cocktail specials and rotating bites to ease you in.

Tuesday $20 pasta night, from 6pm

Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays aperitivo hour, from 4pm to 6pm

115 High Street, Northcote

The Daughters Arms $25 Bottomless Curry & Rice

The Daughters Arms is bringing the heat (and the value) to Little Bourke Street this winter with $25 bottomless curry and rice every day, plus $5 pots and $10 pints from 3–5pm. No bookings, no fuss — just big flavours, warm vibes, and unauthentic Indian eats in a retro-Aussie pub setting.

Expect rotating curries like Chana Masala and Chicken Tikka Masala, cold beers, and a whole lot of spice. Come hungry, leave toasty. This is the CBD’s hottest winter steal, and one of the best dining deals in Melbourne right now.

Open Wednesdays through Sundays, 3pm to 11pm, with happy hour from 3pm to 5pm

19 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Grossi Grill: Fall in Love with Italy at Lunchtime

Take your tastebuds on a regional romp through Italy with Grossi Grill’s Love Italy lunch menu, an ode to the country’s rich culinary heritage. Starting in Lazio, you’ll savour bold Roman flavours and timeless classics, all served with signature Grossi flair. Choose from two ($45) or three ($55) courses, and let each plate whisk you away.

Available Monday to Saturday from 12pm

$45 or $55 per person

80 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Pie Floater Tuesdays at North Fitzroy Arms

If you haven’t tried the Pie Floater at North Fitzroy Arms yet… what are you even doing? A Victorian twist on South Australia’s most iconic dish, this winter warmer features a Guinness-braised O’Connor’s beef cheek pie floating in vivid green pea soup (thanks to a Paco Jet), with silky mash and house tomato sauce. It’s hearty, nostalgic, and absolutely one of our favourite dishes in Melbourne right now. Tuesdays from 5pm. $25. Go.

Tuesdays, 5pm onwards

296 Rae Street, Fitzroy North

$1.50 Oysters, $3 Tacos $13 Burgers & More at Il Mercato Centrale

Il Mercato Centrale is transforming your lunch break into something worth savouring with some of the best dining deals in the Melbourne CBD. Whether you’ve got a hankering for savoury or would prefer to nibble on something sweet, there’s a special deal on for almost every day of the week. Here’s what you need to pencil in your calendar:

• $3 Taco Tuesdays
• $49 Wine Down Wednesdays — A guided tasting of 4 incredible wines plus a curated pizza board.
• $1.50 Oyster Fridays
• $13 Smash Burger Saturdays (complete with fries!)
• $15 Crepes & Waffle Saturdays

546 Collins Street, Melbourne

$35 Steak & Margarita Night at Duke Lane

What’s arguably better than steak and wine? Margaritas and wine! Duke Lane is helping you celebrate the end of the week the right way, with their brand new steak night deal — and boy is it good. Grilled porterhouse steak perfection meets crispy golden fries, your choice of creamy pepper sauce or zesty chimichurri plus a signature margarita, including classic, coconut, or spicy! And for $35, it’s an absolute steal. We’ll cheers to that!

Fridays, from 5pm

2 Duke Street, Windsor

$29 Bottomless Dimmies & Dumplings at Welcome to Brunswick

The Hall at Welcome to Brunswick is serving up serious midweek joy with bottomless dumplings from the legends at Dimmy Su. For just $29, you get 90 glorious minutes of roving dumplings, steamed buns, and street snacks from Tuesday to Friday. Think punchy Sichuan spice meets fresh Yunnan flair—sweet, spicy, savoury, and downright addictive. From classic pork to dreamy shiitake mushroom, it’s dumpling heaven, and honestly, we’re already planning our next round.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm or 8pm

Book in here

400 Sydney Road, Brunswick 

Wednesday Steak Night at Three Blue Ducks

Steak your claim: Three Blue Ducks just launched a sizzling Steak Night every Wednesday, and it’s serving big winter energy. Choose from three premium Josdale Farm cuts—250g rump ($25), 200g porterhouse ($35), or go all in with the 800g tomahawk ($89)—all 100% grass-fed and cooked to juicy perfection. Each comes with chips and their housemade beer mustard (yes, please), plus you can tack on snacks like bao buns and pork belly spring rolls. It’s giving comfort, it’s giving value, it’s giving midweek plans sorted. Affordable, indulgent, and a little bit bougie—just how we like our Wednesdays.

Every Wednesday, from 5pm

309 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine

$2 Oysters at Stokehouse Pasta & Bar

Stokehouse Pasta and Bar is making your afternoons a little bit sweeter with their dreamy $2 oysters. Available daily until sold out, these fresh Pacific oysters are shucked to order and best enjoyed with a glass of champagne as the sunset paints St Kilda Beach. The perfect excuse for a quick snack or a laid-back afternoon by the water. Don’t miss this beachside ritual.

Daily, 3pm to 6pm

30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

Lucia’s Lunch Break

Lucia’s Lunch Break is where midday cravings meet a satisfying escape. For $40, indulge in gnocchi with osso buco tomato ragu, fresh fish of the day with Sicilian caponata, or char-grilled flank steak with salsa verde—all paired with a glass of wine or beer. It’s a stylish, delicious retreat to fuel your day. Head to South Melbourne for a lunchtime experience you’ll savour.

Tuesday to Friday, 12pm to 3pm

11 Eastern Road, South Melbourne

Wednesday Lasagna Night at Nostra x The Gem Bar

Every Wednesday, Nostra Kitchen takes over The Gem Bar with a lasagna that’s so good, you’ll be dreaming about it till next week. From 5pm ‘til late, dive into a classic $20 OG lasagna or indulge in the mushroom version with smoked garlic cream. Need variety? Their rotating pasta specials at $25 bring something fresh every week. Add in a side of house-made garlic sourdough focaccia for just $5, and wash it all down with $9 pints or $8 wines. Midweek never looked so delicious. Make it a date or an excuse to treat yourself—either way, it’s a win.

Sitchu Tip: Nostra’s not just a Wednesday treat—they’re a permanent fixture at The Gem Bar right now. So, if you can’t make it midweek, don’t sweat it. There are six other days to indulge in their next-level Italian comfort food.

Wednesdays, from 5pm

289 Wellington Street, Collingwood 

$15 Sandwich Special at Marameo

Marameo heard Melburnian’s cries of anguish and have brought back their beloved $15 chicken cotoletta vodka sandwich. Available during lunchtime, you’ll bite into the crunchiest cotoletta doused in rich vodka sauce, and creamy stracciatella with chilli salsa verde. Bring a bib, because this is a messy one—but it’s worth it every time.

6 Russell Place, Melbourne

$1 Dumpling Happy Hour at BANG

Happy hour is a whole lot better when food is added into the equation, and BANG is pulling out all the stops with its dollar dumplings. Available Monday to Friday from 4pm to 6pm, you can load up on freshly steamed dumplings for just a buck each—perfect for post-work catchups and a pre-dinner snack. Pair it with one of their spicy cocktails or two-for-one long necks, and you’ve got yourself a very happy hour indeed.

Monday to Friday, 4pm to 6pm

62 Rose Street Fitzroy, Melbourne

Parmigiana Night at Greta

Nothing beats a mid-week parma (or parmi, whatever you fancy). And Greta’s parmigiana night on Wednesdays does not disappoint. Settle in with a crisp glass of vino and choose from their elevated takes on clssic meat and vegetarian options—all served with golden fries and a fresh side salad. Cosy, comforting and oh-so satisfying, it’s the kind of mid-week ritual we can get behind.

Wednesday nights

450 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Reef & Beef by the Beach at Stokehouse Pasta & Bar

Stokehouse Pasta & Bar is serving up the midweek indulgence you didn’t know you needed. Every Tuesday from 5pm, Reef & Beef by the Beach delivers the ultimate surf ‘n’ turf for just $32—think perfectly grilled steak over redgum coals, a juicy king prawn, spiced garlic herb butter, hand-cut chips, and crispy onion rings. All this, with one of Melbourne’s most iconic ocean views. Say less!

$32 per person

Tuesdays, from 5pm

30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

$25 Steak Night at HER Bar

Steak frites is the go-to meal when you’re planning a fancy dinner out. However, if you’re running on a tight budget, Her Bar has your stomachs and your wallets sorted. Running every Tuesday, Her does a steak and frites night, charging only $25 for their premium, mouthwatering steak. Enjoy O’Connor Beef Sirloin with your choice of pepper or béarnaise sauce, served with fries and a cos lettuce salad. Be sure to book two to three weeks in advance, because slots fill up quickly.

Tuesdays, from 5pm

270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

‘Pierogi Infiniti’ at Eat Pierogi Make Love 

Mondays have never looked better! From 5pm onwards, you can enjoy as many pierogi as you can possibly eat for only $39 per person at Eat Pierogi Make Love. The pierogis hate to see us coming every week, because no flavour combination is safe. That’s right, you can pick any of the pierogi from their menu to feast on—none are off limits!

Feast until you feel as though your stomach is about to burst, and come back to do it all over again the following week.

Mondays, from 5pm

161 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Winner Winner, Mid-Week Chicken Dinner: Firebird’s $25 Chicken Night

Say hello to your new mid-week pick-me-up! Prahran’s flame-kissed Vietnamese hotspot, Firebird, is spicing up Wednesdays with its irresistible ‘Chicken Night’ special. For just $25, diners can indulge in their signature free-range chicken paired with burnt chilli nuoc mam and two delicious sides, including options like wok-tossed greens, papaya salad, or grilled corn with salted duck egg.

To top it off, the team uncorks a perfectly paired wine each week, available by the glass or bottle. Mid-week plans sorted!

Wednesdays

223 High Street, Prahran

Cam’s Kiosk $20 Pasta Mondays

Monday-itis doesn’t stand a chance at Cam’s Kiosk! They’re turning the start of the week into something to look forward to with their weekly $20 pasta special. Each Monday, you’ll find a fresh dish waiting to impress—think Rigatoni with chilli Sugo, Guanciale, basil, and lemon, or rich Fazzoletti Bolognese. With new pasta creations every week, you’ll have a delicious reason to kick off your week right. Say goodbye to Monday blues and hello to pasta perfection!

Mondays

1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

Neighbourhood Nights at Waygood

Tuesdays at Waygood in Richmond are all about community, good vibes, and incredible food! Their ‘Neighbourhood Nights’ serve up a $45pp Mediterranean-inspired banquet featuring Ottolenghi-style veggie dishes like spaghetti with heirloom zucchini, lemon, and cavolo nero, plus spiced carrots with almond hummus. Fresh, zesty, and absolutely mouthwatering. Not a veggie lover? No problem! Add some protein to make it your own. It’s the perfect way to unwind and connect over food that’s full of flavour and heart.

Tuesdays

213 Swan Street, Richmond

Piatti at Studio Amaro

Craving a weekend Italian feast with all the right vibes? Studio Amaro’s Piatti is your answer. Every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm, indulge in a bottomless feast of fluffy focaccia, rigatoni arrabbiata, and decadent whipped ricotta. For just $76pp, enjoy unlimited drinks for two hours—sip on house wines, Prosecco, or refreshing Bellinis. It’s the perfect mix of classic Italian comfort and weekend indulgence. Book ahead or pop in for a Sunday session—your taste buds will thank you!

$76

Saturdays and Sundays, from 12pm

168 Chapel Street, Windsor

$3 Oyster Happy Hour and $45 Sunday Lunch at Henry Sugar

You won’t be shelling out much for this pearler of a dining deal in Melbourne! That’s right, Henry Sugar’s oyster hour is honestly the dream. From Friday to Monday, 5–6pm, you can knock back $3 oysters—or treat yourself to Sydney rocks with Ho Chi mignonette for just 50 cents extra. And Sundays? Grab your mates, settle in for their $45 set lunch (five seasonal dishes, always with a veggie option), then coast into happy hour. The menu changes every two weeks, so there’s always something new to fall in love with.

Oyster happy hour Fridays to Mondays, 5pm to 6pm

296-298 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North 

$60 Sunday Prix Fixe Menu at Poodle Bar & Bistro

Poodle Bar and Bistro’s Sunday prix fixe might just be our ultimate weekend ritual. For $60, you’ll be treated to three stellar courses that bring the flavour and flair in equal measure. Think devilled eggs, pork neck skewers, Hibachi-grilled steak with all the good stuff (yes, fries are a must), and a dark choc espresso mousse that dreams are made of. It’s a dining deal in Melbourne you’ll rave about all week—and want to repeat next Sunday.

$60 Prix Fixe Menu, every Sunday

81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

The Weekly Specials at Brick Lane Market Upstairs 

Located in the heart of the Queen Victoria Market precinct, Brick Lane Market is the place to be this winter with its cosy atmosphere and unreal deals. From mid-week comfort foods to Sunday roasts, Brick Lane Market offers a culinary haven for city workers, students, and visitors seeking hearty delights.

On Tuesday, there’s a Sher Wagyu burger and chips for just $20. On Wednesday, it’s $1 chicken wings. Thursday has a spectacular $25 plate and pint deal; and Friday a chicken schnitzel will set you back just $22. 

And that Sunday roast special? Why it comes with $2.50 oysters!

456 Queen Street, Melbourne 

$2 Oyster Happy Hour at Pearl Diver Co

We’d be shellfish not to sure this incredible offer! Pearl Diver is a lively yet relaxed cocktail and oyster bar in the heart of the CBD serving up one of the best dining deals in Melbourne right now. Because who doesn’t lust after an affordable oyster…or twelve?! 

Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5-6pm, pop in for $2 oysters, best paired with their chic as hell $12 snack size Sea and Shell Martinis. 

56 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne 

Chapel of Cheese at Maker & Monger 

Melbourne’s renowned Maker & Monger in Prahran Market is a must on any Melbourne foodie hit list—a chapel of cheese now even more alluring thanks to its unique ‘Cheese Your Own Adventure’ experience.

Create your custom cheese board with expert guidance, paired perfectly with biodynamic wines at retail prices. Just choose your cheese weight and add $15 per board for accoutrements like crackers and dried fruit. Ideal for brunch, lunch, or a midday tasting, this is an indulgent little dining deal in Melbourne that won’t break the bank. 

Prahran Market, Stall 98/163 Commercial Road, South Yarra 

Steak Frites Tuesday at Normandy Wine & Grill

Steak frites for half the price at one of Melbourne’s chicest French spots? Say less. Normandy Wine & Grill’s not-so-secret-anymore Tuesday special is the kind of midweek magic we all need. Think perfectly cooked Cape Grim or Pure Black Angus—choose from five premium cuts—all served with golden fries and your pick of béarnaise or bordelaise. No gimmicks, just really bloody good steak. Sophisticated, satisfying, and seriously worth the hype.

162-164 High Street, Windsor

$10 Curries at Curry Cafe 

Indulge in a culinary delight every Sunday at Northcote’s Curry Cafe.

Gather a crew and head in from 6pm to 7pm, to savour rich, and delicious curries for just $10. Drink specials are also included in the deal. This offer isn’t just about the exceptional flavors; it’s also a fantastic dining deal in Melbourne, allowing you to relish high-quality Indian cuisine that’s both affordable, flavourful and satisfying. The inviting ambiance is just an added bonus. Stay spicy, Melbourne. 

Sundays, 6pm to 7pm

73 High Street, Northcote 

Old Palm Liquor’s Mid-Week Flathead

Tucked away in the buzzy end of Brunswick East, Old Palm Liquor is where cosy vibes meet serious flavour. Their flathead special is the move—$55 per person gets you their famous woodfired flatbread with toum (trust us, you’ll want extra), followed by a whole braai-grilled flathead drenched in garlic butter. Perfect for sharing over wine and long chats in their retro, timber-lined dining rooms. A deliciously low-key way to do date night right.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, lunch and dinner

133B Lygon Street, Brunswick East 

Thursday $1 Wing Night at The Empress Hotel

Their wings are a buck a piece every Thursday from 5pm. Do we need to go on? 

This light-filled corner pub’s buffalo wings are the stuff of legend. The added blue cheese ranch even more so. Trust us, you need to try it for yourself.

714 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North 

Death by Taco Monday

Mondays at Bodriggy Brewing Co. hit different—thanks to their “Death by Taco” nights. We’re talking $5 tacos, $10 margs and palomas, boozy slushies, and $10 pints to ease you into the week the right way. It’s loud, laid-back, and full of flavour—perfect for catching up with mates over tacos and top-tier drinks without blowing the budget. If Mondays are a mood, this is how you fix it.

Mondays, from 12pm

245 Johnston Street, Abbotsford 

Lasagne & Bev Wednesday’s at Railway Hotel 

Every Wednesday from 5pm, indulge in a loaded plate of piping hot lasagne at everyone’s favourite Fitzroy North haunt, Railway Hotel. Topped with oozing cheese, filled with all your favourite ingredients, and served with a side of Tuscan slaw, it’s an absolute steal at $22.

The best part? It includes a glass of house vino, and there are both meat and vegetarian options up for grabs. 

Sitchu Tip: If the weather is just right, make a beeline for their leafy beer garden. 

800 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North

Bangin Curry Tuesday at Bang Bang RC

Spice up your Tuesday night at Bang Bang RC in Elsternwick, where from 4pm to 10pm, you can score a beautifully plated, flavour-packed curry for just $17. Choose from three rotating seasonal options—think rich beef massaman or vibrant veggie blends. Each dish is bold, aromatic, and seriously satisfying. Pair it with their daily happy hour (4pm to 6pm) for $6 beers and $8 spritzes, and you’ve got yourself a top-tier midweek treat that won’t drain your wallet.

Tuesdays, 4pm to 10pm

294 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick

Pasta & Vino Wednesday’s at Central Club Hotel 

Central Club Hotel has an absolute steal of a deal with their choice of pasta and matched wine for a mere $30. Available from 5pm to 9pm every Wednesday, we’re huge fans of this vibey North Melbourne boozer. You should be, too. 

Wednesdays, 5pm to 9pm

240-248 Victoria Street, North Melbourne 

If you’ve loved our guide to the best dining deals in Melbourne, you’ll be sure to enjoy our round-up of the best new cafes and most pastry-filled bakeries in and around the city.