It's the holy grail of a post-clubbing feed, yes, but it's also one of the most satisfying one-hander meals known to man
In Australia, kebabs are often associated with a late-night ritual of shaved meat or falafel wrapped in some sort of flatbread. The meat in question is most commonly sliced off a vertical rotisserie commonly known here as a döner, the Turkish word for rotating spit.
But these are just one type of kebab. Across the Middle East and parts of Europe, you’ll find countless variations based on the same concept, from the Greek gyro to the Arabic shawarma and even the Mexican al-pastor, a shaved meat taco introduced to the country by Lebanese immigrants.
The term kebab can also refer to Middle Eastern and South Asian-style skewered and chargrilled meats, from the Turkish adana kebab (made from minced, spiced lamb) to the Indian seekh kebab (a similar style made with ground beef or lamb).
For all intents and purposes, when we mention a kebab here, we’re primarily referring to shaved or skewered proteins wrapped in flatbread. But we've taken some liberty to also honour the countless iterations of kebabs that exist across Melbourne, because let's face it – all of these are just too damn tasty to ignore...
So without further ado, here are our top picks for the best kebabs in Melbourne.
This northside food truck specialises in Turkish-style adana kebabs made from marinated-and-chargrilled lamb skewers. The rich meat is contrasted with a pile of fresh red onion, parsley and sumac then wrapped in a sheath of thin, pliable lavosh. If lamb’s not your thing, there’s also a meat-free version with chargrilled eggplant, garlic sauce and hummus.
What to order: Chilli habits wrap (chargrilled adana, lettuce, red onion, parsley, sumac, pickled chilli and chilli dip)
Locals know that this hidden gem of Campbellfield is one of the best kebab spots going. Their pillowy flatbread, baked fresh in-house each day, is the perfect vessel for skewered or shaved lamb or chicken. These wraps are easily big enough to feed two so if you’re after a lighter meal, you can get yours in a half-size.
What to order: Doner wrap
Chef Ismail Tosun, co-owner of now-closed Carlton favourite Babajan, launched this food truck operation in 2019. It’s since become a permanent fixture in Campbellfield, serving a unique take on Turkish kebabs served in crusty, banh mi-style bread rolls. Fillings range from classic grilled adana to halloumi to salt-crusted, tahini-drizzled snapper, inspired by the seaside culture of Istanbul.
What to order: Adana kebab (spiced grilled lamb kebab, smashed red peppers, barbecued tomato, sumac, onion and parsley)
There are many places to get a good vegan kebab but few places to get a great one. Kebabs is the city’s top contender, with an all-vegan offering that stands up to the big guys. Their signature champions their housemade mock meat, made from pea protein and fried until crisp. For another plant-based take on a kebab shop classic, try the meat-free HSP.
What to order: Kevab (housemade mock meat, lettuce, tomato, onion)
Docklands doesn’t have a strong reputation as a dining destination but this Turkish-Persian kebab spot is worth visiting for. Choose from pita or a thick slab of Turkish bread and your choice of lamb, chicken, adana or falafel. If you like a kick, go for the acil, a spicy tomato, onion and pepper relish.
What to order: Mix kebab (sliced chicken and lamb, lettuce, onion, tomato & choice of sauce)
Fattie Prince has an extensive and varied menu, but kabab koobideh, an Iranian-style beef and lamb shoulder skewer, is their specialty. It’s wrapped in a leopard-spotted flatbread with sumac-seasoned onion and grilled tomato, hitting all the savoury, sweet and sour notes you want from a good kebab.
What to order: The classic (beef and lamb shoulder minced kebab, sumac onion, grilled tomato, basil & saffron)
This westside eatery fuses Afghani and East African dishes that you can mix and match as you please. From Ethiopian stews with spongy injera to charcoal chicken platters, there’s plenty to choose from but the donar kebab, a tightly-rolled masterpiece made with lamb, chicken and thick Afghani bread, is a standout.
What to order: Mixed donar (lamb, chicken, salad)
With over 300 5-star reviews, Golden Bridge may just be Melbourne’s most popular kebab shop. It’s praised for its stellar service but the kebabs, made with your choice of lamb, chicken or vego alternatives like falafel or zucchini fritters, are the real MVP. And if you go on a good day, you may just get a piece of Turkish delight thrown in for free.
What to order: Golden kebab (lettuce, tomato, onion and your choice of protein and three sauces)
We’re not sure what’s New York about avocado, chips and cheese on a kebab but it’s a wonderful combo. Izmir also offers a handful of other “gourmet” kebabs including an Aussie number with beetroot, BBQ sauce and fried eggs and a Mexican kebab with grilled capsicum, olives and corn, plus more traditional options served with salad and your choice of sauce.
What to order: New York kebab (your choice of shaved meat, avocado, chips, cheese, mayonnaise)
While not fully vegetarian, this Kensington kebab shop is well known for their meat-free dishes and Turkish desserts. There are several plant-based kebabs to choose from, stuffed with a daily selection of fresh salads plus falafel, seasonal vegetables or lentil kofte. Alternatively, go for the original kofte kebab, made with ground lamb patties and your choice of housemade dips.
What to order: Falafel kebab (falafel, tabouli, onion salad, hummus)
This Lebanese wine bar’s bite-sized sondwishe are not kebabs, per se, but you can think of them as a pint-sized cousin. Stuffed with shredded chicken and basturma; falafel and tahini; kafta arayes (spiced ground beef) or batata (fried potato), pickles and toum, they’ll satisfy your cravings without needing to down a kilo of food in one sitting.
What to order: Cedar 1 (batata, toum, pickles)
Located in a tiny shop on Degraves Street, Meso Bites is an unassuming spot for Iraqi-style street food. Rice-stuffed lavosh parcels and dense bulgur-wheat dumplings are a must if dining in but if you’re after something quicker, grab a lamb, chicken or kofta wrap. They pack a punch with a trio of hummus, garlic and tahini sauce plus fresh lettuce and tomato.
What to order: Kofta skewer wrap (mixed lamb and beef kofta, tomato, lettuce, hummus, garlic & tahini sauce)
This Lebanese wine bar and cafe is not the place for a grab-and-go, late-night meal. But if you have time to spare, settle in for their elevated take on a lamb shawarma. Served on a base of grilled housemade pita and finished with onion, parsley, tahini and pomegranate arils, it’s got all the elements of your favourite kebab with a twist.
What to order: Lamb shawarma (pulled lamb, onion, parsley, tahini)
Melbourne has long been revered as one of Asia Pacific's most exciting food cities, but that status isn't just attributed to our fancy restaurants – special as many of those upper crust institutions may be. Our laneaways and hidden alcoves are brimming with cheap street eats, smashable pub deals and dinner options you can enjoy under $25 (or even under $10 in some cases), so you can stop counting your hard-earned pennies and start eating instead.
Discover Time Out original video
