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Game, Set, Feast: The Australian Open 2026 Food & Drink Line-Up Is the Real Grand Slam
Come for the tennis, stay for the food.
If there’s one thing the Australian Open has mastered beyond world-class tennis, it’s feeding Melbourne well. For 2026, the AO food and drink line-up is bigger, smarter and more exciting than ever, bringing together cult favourites, chef-led heavyweights and genuinely good grab-and-go eats across the precinct.
From Shake Shack’s Australian debut to premium dining experiences that rival the city’s best restaurants, Melbourne Park is once again serving ace after ace between matches.
Here’s how — and where — to eat your way through the Australian Open 2026.
AO By The Numbers: The First Few Days in Food & Drink
A few early stats from Melbourne Park that prove the AO appetite is alive and thriving:
• 44,300 Peach Melbourne’s sold (officially the tournament sweetheart).
• 43,300 coffees poured across the precinct — caffeine remains the real MVP.
• 1,800 fresh coconuts downed by players in Players’ Dining.
• 16,000 ShackBurgers sold at Shake Shack (20,000 burgers total so far).
• 8,000 AO Frappes already claimed — a 31% YoY surge.
• 67,500 serves of hot chips produced on-site and counting.
Topcourt: Big Names, Big Appetite
The headline act for AO26 is impossible to miss.
Shake Shack makes its long-awaited Australian debut at the Australian Open, bringing its New York cult status to Melbourne Park. What began as a humble hot dog cart in Madison Square Park has grown into one of the world’s most recognisable burger brands, and AO fans are first in line.
Menu highlights include the iconic ShackBurger, Shroom Burger, Crinkle Cut Fries and Signature Cheese Fries, alongside two AO-exclusive shakes: Honey Macadamia and Choc Fudge Cookies & Cream. Expect queues. They’ll be worth it.
Garden Square: Elevated Casual, Crowd-Pleasers Included
Garden Square remains one of the AO’s most dynamic dining hubs, blending relaxed feasting with serious culinary credentials.
Hector’s Deli returns as one of Melbourne’s most beloved sandwich institutions. Fresh sandwiches lead the charge, alongside the Beef & Pickle Deluxe Toastie, Fried Chicken Sandwich, chicken salads and the cult-favourite Hector’s Doughnut, available in limited daily quantities.
Next door, Layla brings a refined, wine-friendly menu to the precinct. From acclaimed chef Shane Delia, Layla offers an unrestricted spice journey, with highlights including the signature Habibi Butter Chicken, ideal for slowing the pace between matches.
French classicism gets a modern revival with Entrecôte, returning with favourites like the Steak Mitraillette and Cheeseburger, plus a new sweet hit, the Grande Macaron filled with vanilla buttercream and strawberries.
New to Garden Square is Vic’s Meat, co-curating what may become the next AO icon, a premium Aussie sausage in bread. Try The Butcher’s Banga, a seasoned beef sausage in a hoagie roll with onion, mustard and tomato sauce, or the cult-favourite Cheeseburger Spring Rolls.
Joining the line-up is a playful collaboration between Petit Potato & Co and Ross Howse of Bangin’ Sangas fame, serving loaded potato cakes with both savoury and sweet toppings, including truffle and parmesan or za’atar and labneh. A nostalgic, grab-and-go hit made for eating between matches.
Grand Slam Oval: Multicultural, Fast, Fan-Favourite
Grand Slam Oval continues to celebrate Melbourne’s love of global flavours.
Season moves from Western Courts to GSO, delivering Vietnamese-inspired fried chicken with a modern twist. Crispy tenders (original or spicy), a fried chicken sandwich with pickled daikon and kimchi mayo, and green papaya salad keep things fresh and punchy.
From chef Junda Khoo, Ho Jiak arrives as Junda’s Playground, serving a greatest-hits menu: prawn toast with molten salted duck egg, lohbak, satay chicken and Tom Yum Bombs — a summer spin on their famous dumplings.
JollyGood brings polished diner energy with smashable burgers and sandwiches, including the JollyGood Cheeseburger, Fried Fish Sandwich and a Meat-Free Cheeseburger.
A returning crowd-pleaser, Stalactites teams up with Taverna for AO26, serving Greek classics including souvlaki and spanakopitas.
Italian street food gets its moment with D.O.C, dishing out pizza by the slice (Margherita, Salama, San Daniele) plus a daily-changing Porchetta Roll during O-Week only.
Fan favourite Fishbowl also returns with fresh bowls and street food boxes — refuel with Lemon Chicken, Five Spice Beef, or classic salmon and chicken bowls.
Western Courts & AO Ballpark: Fast, Fun, Family-Friendly
New for AO26, Match Ready Food & Drinks debuts at Western Courts, curated with Japanese eatery Suupaa. Expect sandos, noodle bowls and fried chicken designed for speed, quality and convenience — konbini energy, Melbourne style.
At AO Ballpark, Wonder Pies serves up savoury and sweet bakery classics, including pies, coffee and a signature AO Shortbread Cookie — perfect for families and long days courtside.
AO Reserve: Premium Dining, Grand Slam Style
For those taking their AO experience to the next level, AO Reserve delivers some of the most impressive premium dining experiences in Australia.
Club 1905 welcomes award-winning British chef Simon Rogan, pairing Michelin-level dining with premium wines, exceptional Rod Laver Arena seats and access to Bar 1905 by Grey Goose.
Champions Rooftop by Peter Gilmore returns from semifinals onwards, offering live-fire al fresco dining, standout Australian produce and sweeping views across the AO precinct.
Making its debut, AO Glasshouse by The Agrarian Kitchen brings Rodney Dunn and Séverine Demanet’s celebrated Tasmanian ethos to Melbourne Park, with a three-course seasonal menu paired with premium beverages.
Also new, The Bistro by SK Steak & Oyster delivers refined steak and seafood dining with premium drinks, terrace access and Rod Laver Arena seats included.
Suites offer an elevated grazing-style dining experience curated by celebrated chef Alejandro Saravia, pairing premium dishes and beverages with private Rod Laver Arena viewing and dedicated in-suite service from first serve to match point.
For a different kind of luxury, the Caretaker’s Cottage Bar Suite brings the charm of the world-renowned Melbourne cocktail bar (ranked #1 in Australasia and #21 globally) directly to Rod Laver Arena. Expect impeccable drinks, canapé-style dining, and vibing tunes, all from your own private suite for up to 16 guests.
For the ultimate VIP experience, On-Court presented by Piper-Heidsieck offers private omakase by Shimpei Raikuni, champagne, chauffeur service and on-court seating, placing guests as close to the action as it gets.
See and book in the full AO Reserve line-up here
Sweet Finishes & Signature Sips
Back by popular demand, Peach Melbourne returns — the peach and raspberry soft-serve that’s become a Happy Slam staple.
The AO Frappe®, served by a2 Milk, is elevated for 2026 with a new collaborative formula, cementing its status as the AO’s must-sip summer refresher. Trust us, this one’s a must.
From fast-service heroes to once-in-a-lifetime dining experiences, the Australian Open 2026 proves once again that Melbourne Park is one of the country’s most exciting places to eat each summer. Tennis may be the main event, but the food is reason enough to stay all day. For more summer inspiration in Melbourne, check out our Summer with Sitchu page or take a look at what’s on in and around the AO action this month.
