What a fun event to try out so many amazing Asian flavors of Melbourne, Australia! If this is open during your visit make sure to make a visit! read more

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What a difference a year and a change of venue makes! Now spread across 3 levels at Birrarung Marr, 2014's good food month night noodle markets are definitely the place to be in Melbourne in November. 50 eateries have set up shop with the beautiful background that is the Melbourne skyline, giving you plenty of choice to try Melbourne's best Asian with a few others thrown in for good measure (Gelato Messina I'm looking at you), albeit at inflated prices. From your well known Chin Chin & Wonderbao, to your not so standard Burmese & Laos options, Melbourne you do not disappoint! Plenty of seating, quick moving lines (although getting much longer that later it gets) & drink table service shows the organisers have learnt from what was a bit of a schemozzle last year. The only downside is typical of outdoor events - a severe lack of toilets! At one stage I was almost going to walk the 5 mins home instead of waiting in one of the lines (good food month - you have till next year to fix this and gain that extra star) If you haven't been, get on down for a fun night of music, entertainment, and of course food. All the food! I've already been 3 times, and will go at least another 3 before it finishes on Nov 30. Fun Fact: Citibank card holders have access to the Citi VIP area on the 2nd level. Bring in you plus one for more tables, a small bar & table service for your food from Hammer & Tong, Burwood Teppanyaki & a couple of others (on Monday night these were the choices, it may change) read more

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This is basically like a bigger version of Sydney's spice alley! There are three levels to this place and we came in on the lower level near the river. Entry is FREE. There is a korean potato stick on this level, but if you go to the second level, the line is shorter! On this level there is also a fab filipino booth, a creme brulee stand, a vietnamese bao stand, and even a taiwanese booth! And there's also a few booths for alcohol too ;) From this level I tried the taiwanese noodle soup and it was good! Couldve been a touch more flavorful, but they did a great job piling on the veggies and the beef brisket came apart easily because it was so tender. We went up the next level and immediately got the korean potato stick. Oh man were they efficient in taking your order, tendering the transaction, and giving you your stick. The line goes fast. We also got the okonomiyaki noodles at the japanese booth nearby and that was fantastic too. We also went to the other side and got a variety of eggrolls from the chinese booth near the alcohol. While we were on this level, they had a lion dance going on! Top level had more of the same, but there was seating on the grass that overlooked the whole thing. They also had live music on this level, located in the booth set up as a bar. I would definitely come back again! It's a fun spring/summer time thing to do as a family, as a couple, or just with friends! And there's something for everyone to eat. read more

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When you add food, booze and music and give it the name of festival or market, Melbourne will turn out in droves. And that they have - the night noodle markets are an excellent place to turn up to on a spring (questionable at the time of review) night and hang out with friends devouring some tasty food. My recommends: - get there early Be prepared - plot your food hits early and line up quickly. As the lines were getting ridiculous. Share - that way everybody gets a little bit of everything Take sunglasses and sunscreen - the sun will set right in your eyes Get dessert first on the way in - because the line at Messina was at least an hour long. Hopefully it's back next year. read more

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I absolutely adored these noodle markets! With the Melbourne city skyline serving as a beautiful backdrop, we wandered through the market as the sun was setting; casting absolutely stunning glowing light through the red Chinese lanterns that hung from every available lamp post. It was chaotic and crowded, yes. But this only added to the Malaysian-street-market-vibes that the noodle market was aiming for! We ate bao from Chin Chin (fantastic flavour combinations and spot-on texture choices), Korean Popcorn Chicken, vegetarian pan-fried "sticks" (surprisingly delicious!), curried beef roti rolls, a chicken noodle dish whose name escapes me, and finished off with mind-blowingly, hair-flippingly, mouth-wateringly delicious gelato from Gelato Messina (lime and chocolate brownie with peanut gelato, caramel and coconut jam, fortune cookie clusters and a peanut butter cookie?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!). Perhaps I'm becoming accustomed to inflation, but I didn't find these prices outrageous. We payed $15 for the (presumably Sri Lankan?) chicken, beef roti, and pan-fried veg sticks, and were very satisfied! The $9 charged for a huge cup of wonderment from Messina's was ridiculously generous; I couldn't even finish my serve! And hey, perhaps I'm used to sub-par events, but the facilities were great at this event - free water fountains, ample portable toilets, and rubbish/recycling bins at every turn. RECYCLING! I wouldn't go here for a quiet chat with friends over a glass of wine, but I could not recommend the Noodle Night Markets more highly. Thank you so much, Melbourne Good Food Week; you put on a freaking fantastic event. read more

We went on Sunday night - sunny and perfect weather-wise for food. This year, thank goodness they made the change to the other side of the Yarra to Birrarung Marr. I don't think Alexandra Gardens was a bad location (even though most did find lines long and square location didn't lead for spread out of event), it was just made better by the different areas available in 2014. There are 3 sections (I've nicknamed) in the Night Noodle Markets in Birrarung Marr: Grassy Hill (Upper Terrace), Lower Gravel Food Area (Lower Terrace) and Higher Gravel Area (Middle Terrace). It's so easy to know that the Grassy Hill and Lower Gravel Area are there and easy to miss the Higher Gravel Area. It's not visible from the main path from Federation Square entrance. Each area has it's pros and a purpose. We spent time in the smoothfm area on the Grassy Hill. This was so beautiful with plenty of tables that people weren't hawking on or trying to grab, because there was the grassy hill to sit on too. We were able to sit and enjoy. Every 5-10 there were people coming around to grab rubbish and other servers from Thatchers Cider to get table orders (payment by cash: with soft drink, cider, wine and beer available). I wasn't expecting this and thought it was a classy addition. PROS of Grassy Hill Area: -Tables from smoothfm -Lots of grass areas to sit down with big groups -Table Service from Thatchers -High end Hawker food from Kong, Chin Chin and Gelato Messina The Lower Gravel Food Area is where you find most of the food stalls at the Night Noodle Markets. This is the area I think of when I naturally think of Birrarung Marr - the sandy light gravel. You can't sit in this area, though there is a VIP wine area. Everyone seemed to be lining up for 'MFC' fried chicken by Mr Miyagi and chicken at Hoy Pinoy. I must add too, out the front of the Tanqueray gin area in the Upper Gravel Area, they had a giant moon you could sit in. IT MADE MY ENTIRE NIGHT to be propped up on the moon and oversee the festival... delightful. Yes, there were lines. Yes, there were lots of people. So guess what? You choose a line that's shorter and get their food - or you wait and don't complain. That's what us Melburnians should be like - because we are the food capital of AUSTRALIA. And we will like up for 45 minutes for the exclusive flavour of gelato at Gelato Messina. YES... YES WE WILL!! Next year, it will be interesting to see the new wave of Melbourne street/hawker food come through with their vans... BRING IT ON! read more

Night Noodle Markets are just full of fun, Lots of people, great atmosphere. And this year its back better than ever. At the new location and well designed and displayed event. Lots and lots of food stalls, Bar locations, entertainment and seating. I have already been a couple times and have had a great time. I suggest going at night if your going to go as the lighting and effects look awesome :) I tired a few things when I've been here, Roti, prawn wonton's, kim-chi rice (kong), and many many other things. Well priced (still expensive on what you would expect) but reasonable enough. Worth a check out while its around. read more

I love food markets, like really really love them that i try to fly to asia just to eat at the hawker stalls. I have been previous years just to experience it and also went last saturday with some friends for a quick browse. We walked around but most of the store that i wanted to eat at either had massive lines or i've already eaten there at their actual restaurant. Love the atmosphere and how chilled it is. Awesome vibes! Definitely recommend people coming here just to hang out and try different foods. read more

Night Noodle Markets - Restaurants Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

If 2014 night noodle market was Drab, then the2015 night noodle market is definitely Fab!!!! Following on the footsteps of Sydney, our first year noodle market was unfortunately a big let down and was a flop for many. Limited stalls, lack of design and unattractive set up. But hey, even the popular Sydney night noodle market actually debuted on the bottom of the opera house footsteps with no more than 10 stalls! This year is a big come back and dare i say, it's better than Sydney's! It's wide spread, it's filled with exciting stalls and delicious variety, many seating options and set ups. Don't forget the eftpos facilities ! There's even Bar staff wandering around taking drink orders. Don't be a tightarse and tip them. It's a hard gig. Also don't forget the Fare Share volunteers selling fortune cookies. The only downside is that it gets super dusty sometimes. Other than that it's a great set up and design and better crowd flow. It definitely helps to space out the stalls. I can't wait for next year and see what's on offer! read more

If you want a good night out, come down to the Noodle Markets. Free entry & a wide range of vendors to tickle your taste buds. Some vendors were a bit on the pricey side, however the food quality was great. This was our first time here going with friends that had been previously. We would have no hesitation in coming back down in years to come (or maybe if we are in the area again this year). Do yourself a favour & have a taste of Asia in Melbourne. read more

Was looking forward to some decent food and a night out. Instead I had to battle with huge crowds and long lines. Don't bother. You're much better off finding a nice Asian place in the city and having a normal meal. read more

Have to say this years noodle markets was so much better then last year. There is not just one section there is three sections allowing you to venture through each one whilst enjoying entertainment such as Chinese traditional dragons, singers, dancing and all the food! As to expect crowed but it helped to build the atmosphere and culture of the event. They also have sectioned of some of the market to enjoy a cheeky bevy! While I was there I got to try traditional pad thai it was reasonably priced and a decent amount of food and was delicious! You make ask How does one choose a dish? Yes there is that many choices! I recommend doing a cheeky lap around the markets to make sure you make that right choice. If you've never gone before I recommend next year you check out! read more

I loved the fabulous views from the night market into the city.The atmosphere was buzzing and the smell of food in the air was intoxicating. We went on a weeknight and it was pretty crowded but lines for food moved fairly quickly. This is a great place to hang out with friends and grab a variety of food. read more

This was the place to be on a Friday night. Absolutely gorgeous location, alongside the Yarra river and just down from the cricket stadium. The atmosphere was like a music festival with the best and largest food choices you could imagine. This only happens for two weeks a year. If you're around - this is a must see event. DJ's all over the three levels, beer, hundreds of affordable food choices (not just noodles) and smiling Aussies enjoying the scene. What's not to like?! M-S starts at 4 on weekends and 5 during weekday. GO!! The pork belly buns were amazing, as were the shrimp buns!! read more

Night Noodle Markets - Big crowd but very easy to navigate around. - Restaurants Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Lots food - no many Nodle! Bring crutches and get to the front of the longest cues fast! No shelter for rain either =\ read more

I love street fairs and outdoor takeaway stalls. Who doesn't like eating out in the fresh air, in a festive setting, on a fine spring evening? The Night Noodle Market was something I was really looking forward to. Alas, it's a great concept gone awry.... The whole experience (for me) was unpleasant, and definitely not conducive to a relaxing evening of conversation and smart street food with friends. To start, this is a free event, so what's the purpose of cordoning off the area to stuff the hoards of people into such tight confines??? It makes no sense whatsoever!!! (And this was a Tuesday evening! I can't even imagine what a weekend would be like.... Yikes!!!) The masses get funneled through a small entryway, with so-called security officers pretending like they're doing something, having quick, uninterested glances into bags and purses, while keeping the throngs moving into a space that was already jam-packed by 6:30p. Crowd control was nil. I swear it was like going to a rock concert or major sports event -- without the organization! One could barely move about the place, it was so tightly packed. And the lines at the food stalls were sadly disarrayed, with people bumping into each other, not knowing where to stand in some places, like some make-shift pop-up event. Egads! Tables and seats were at a premium, so standing and eating was pretty much requisite for the event for a good three-quarters of the attendees. For an event promoting noodles, there was nary a noodle to be found along the first batch of food stalls. That's not to say that there weren't some tempting looking food out there, as there were some seriously fine food smells wafting through the air. I checked out a stall called "Seafood World," where I ordered the grilled octopus tentacles ($10). For 10-bucks, and for the amount of octopus that came in the dish, it was probably one of the best deals of the evening. However, it would have been a much better meal had the tentacles been sliced, as they were served whole and was very difficult to eat while standing. And, too, the tentacles could've (in my opinion) been grilled a bit longer, as they had a slightly undercooked texture. (To be honest, after eating two-third's of my dish, I had to throw it out because the texture began to gross me out. A pity that I didn't have a doggy-bag to take the rest home and throw it on the grill.) After that, we all headed over to a dumpling stand, where I ordered a couple of veggie dumplings (2 for $5), mince dumplings (2 for $5), and barbecue pork buns (2 for $5, as well). The dumplings were all very good, although slightly too soft; the BBQ pork buns fell apart and didn't hold-up well. (Definitely not like the sturdy Chinese pork buns that I grew up with in Hawaii.) Again, we were relegated into standing up to eat, while oblivious masses encroached upon us like something out of "Day of the Locust" or some Hieronymus Bosch nightmare! It was an awful, haphazard and make-shift setting, bar none.... Once the plates were trashed, we made a fast beeline out of that messy affair. And, what was even more frightening, once we got out and began our trek back to St. Kilda Road, was the horrible reality that there were literally hundreds more droids heading for the Night Noodle Market...! This annual, month-long, Melbourne event is something I can say that I've been-there-done-that. Once was MORE than enough for me...! :P [NOTE: Upon exiting, we noticed a map directory of the event that we missed upon entering. As it turned out, there were two other areas beyond the ATM kiosks that we had no clue about. It appears that those stalls might've been where all the noodles were located. Such is life in the big city....] read more

We are new to Melbourne, and enjoying all of the community events. Lots of good food. We enjoyed the wine and beer, and some very unique creations with creme brûlée and ramen noodles! The creme brûlée had popcorn on top. Fun times, plenty of nice spaces to set, and great decorations. The dancing dragon also came through. read more

Visited on a rainy, miserable Melbourne night - and still enjoyed it (just wished I'd worn gumboots instead of open toed shoes!) Enjoyed a beautiful beef massaman curry and a pork slider from Chin Chin, tasty chicken skewers, and various rounds of dumplings. Shame it was raining, as I can imagine the set up would be lovely on a warm evening. I'll go back next year... will just pick a night when it isn't raining! read more

Get there early, get into line, find a table. Easy ingredients. Now just need the various food merchants to speed up - service was very slow and given that a crowd was anticipated, it would should have been easy to cook loads and have staff on the ball. Crowd was good, good live music and a good event for a November evening. read more

Night Noodle Mosh is what I dubbed the opening night of this food festival favourite. Don't get me wrong, the atmosphere was electric, the night a warm Melbourne stunner and all the warm weather attire on show was a sight for sore eyes but if you went there planning to leave with a tummy full of satisfying asian fare you were in for a shock. At least the line for the bar was fairly quick ad Tanqueray and tonic in the sun mixed with friends is always a good option. In the end we gave up after sharing some Yakitori and commuted en mass by bike, foot and tram, reconvening in china town to hungrily slurp down a bowl of late night noodles. read more

The change in scenery (location) for the night noodle market was a good move. It's new location on top of the Birrarung-Mar hill and Yarra banks is spectacular (make sure you're there for the sunset). In addition to this the mini sub-locations for drinking also add to the festive atmosphere. There is a host of fantastic Melbourne restaurants showcasing their wares and mercifully I found that the lines were a little shorter this year! This is of course with the exception of Messina at ~7:30pm :) read more

Good food but not great. Queues were 3-4 min but we were there at 5pm and it rained on and off (so that helped w crowd control). Getting table is priority #1 so go with mates and take turns checking out tents while someone guards the table! read more

the noodle night market is way better in 2014 than last year! spanning a much greater area and with fabulous views of the city from the second and third levels. the crowd are super friendly and the stall workers are all eager for your business! pro tip - come for the last 2 hours and the lines are short and the food often discounted. this is also a great place to bump into old friends and bring visitors to Melbourne! read more

Great concept - hopeless execution. The event was obviously totally unprepared for the numbers of people who showed up. Maybe you should have to buy 'timed tickets', (like the recent food event at Albert Park). This prevents vendors and facilities being overwhelmed. Nowhere to sit, ridiculously long queues and very ordinary food made for a horrible evening. Will not bother next year. read more