One of the biggest events on the Melbourne calendar, the Australian Open is here again to take over the airwaves and our fair city!
But it’s not all sweatbands and pleated skirts – this year, the Australian Open Festival offering includes a host of brilliant food and bev venues, incorporating some of Melbourne’s best restaurants. Here’s our top picks to celebrate all things tennis while you enjoy a perfect serve of the delicious food and drink this city has to offer!
CC Racquet Club
Settle in for some relaxing drinks at the Canadian Club Racquet Club. Perched above the Yarra, it’s the ideal place to take a break between tennis matches to relax for a drink, some tunes and good times while still soaking up the Open atmosphere at Birrarung Marr.
When: 18-31 January, 11am-11pm
Where: Birrarung Marr, Upper Terrace
Entry: Free
Gelato Messina’s Deuce Bar
All that hard work sitting in the sun watching Tennis will have you clamouring for some frozen delights. Messina’s Deuce Bar has you covered! With specially created desserts such as the ‘The Andre With Cheese’ – a brioche bun, chocolate gelato pattie, white choc cheese, raspberry ‘ketchup’ and a marshmallow and passionfruit egg – you may need to buy tickets to more matches just so you have an excuse to visit more than once.
When: 18-31 January, 11am-11pm
Where: Birrarung Marr, Lower Terrace
Entry: Free
Mamasita’s Marisqueria Restaurant
All those hours spent watching the tennis are surely going to make you hungry for grilled corn and tostadas. Look no further than Mamasita’s open air restaurant on the Lower Terrace that will satisfy those Mexican cravings.
When: 18-31 January, 11am-11pm
Where: Birrarung Marr, Lower Terrace
Entry: Free
Grab a Souva at Gazi
Calombaris is sprinkling a little bit of his souva magic across the Aus Open Festival grounds at where Gazi has set up shop at Birrarung Marr this year. Expect the classic Gazi souvas with the to die for bread and those oh-so-tempting chips with feta and oregano.
When: 18-31 January, 11am-11pm
Where: Birrarung Marr, Upper Terrace
Entry: Free
Heineken Beer Garden at the Grand Slam Oval
Heineken have a proud history of partnering over 20 years with the Open. With many activations across the Aus Open Festival locations, including partnering with 20 bars across Melbourne, Heineken has got you covered and the Heineken Beer Garden is no exception. So even if you haven’t got tickets to the actual tennis, sit back, relax and enjoy a crisp beer while soaking up the party atmosphere that the Open brings.
When: 18-31 January, 11am-11pm
Where: Grand Slam Oval
Entry: Free
A taste of Asia at Billie Chu
Located within Hisense Arena overlooking Grand Slam Oval, Billie Chu serves up the best Asia has to offer in a casual setting, perfect for a quick bite between matches.
When: 18 to 25 January, 11am-8pm
Where: Melbourne Park, Hisense Arena
Entry: $10 – $30 per dish
Italian home style cooking at Cucina di Casa
Expect the ‘home kitchen’ at this hearty Italian restaurant. Wood fired pizza and pasta even nonna would approve of and plenty more anytime of the day or night throughout tournament.
When: 18 to 31 January, 11am-8pm
Where: Melbourne Park, Rod Laver Arena
Entry: $10 – $40 per dish
The Australian Open Festival runs from 18-11 January. For more info, visit www.ausopen.com