“Glen Waverley has a little bit of everything,” says Garen Maskal, who owns two restaurants on Kingsway, the pumping heart of the suburb, where almost every tenancy is occupied by a restaurant, bubble tea shop, dessert bar or cafe.

“If you want Asian, Sri Lankan, coffee, steak, desserts or Mexican, we’ve got it and it’s all good quality. You don’t get too many misses, because people around here understand food,” he says.

Maskal grew up nearby and hung out in Glen Waverley as a teenager in the early 2000s. “It was already a hotspot but Kingsway still had a lot of retail then,” he says. “As I got older, it started to be more and more about dining.”

At the end of a train line and near the M1, Glen Waverley is 20 kilometres south-east of the city. It’s one of Melbourne’s most immigrant-rich suburbs: 38 per cent of residents were born in Australia compared with the Victorian average of 65 per cent. Almost 40 per cent of people in the postcode have Chinese ancestry, compared with about 7 per cent statewide. That’s reflected in menus throughout the suburb: everything from Cantonese favourites to northern Chinese noodles and multiple styles of hot pot are there, as well as a broader spread of mostly Asian dining, snacks and street food.

Five minutes’ walk north of Kingsway, The Glen shopping centre’s main entrance is via an attractive modern plaza lined with restaurants, many with al fresco dining. They sit within easy reach of residential towers.

“There are lots of new apartment buildings, so we have more and more customers,” says Trang Luu, who opened Cafe Trinity with her sister Oanh halfway between The Glen and Kingsway. “The action used to be just along Kingsway but now it’s expanded to The Glen. We see lots of university students and other young people who love to try the kind of cakes and trendy drinks we do.”

Apart from insider tips on the best dumplings or roast duck, there are two huge topics of conversation in Glen Waverley. The first one is parking: there’s never enough. The other is the Suburban Rail Loop: road closures and disruptions until the projected 2035 completion date are not ideal for business.

“The best we can say is that it will be good in the end,” says Maskal. “Getting there is going to be hard.”

Meanwhile, get the train if you can or use our parking hack: the Bogong Carpark on Bogong Avenue at the southern end of Kingsway has expanded and parking is free, but it seems hardly anyone has noticed.

This guide starts at The Glen and sweeps south, going down the eastern side of Kingsway, then back up the western side. Arrive hungry!

Haidilao Hotpot

You’d never know there’s a 300-seat restaurant inside The Glen: the venue’s upstairs entrance gives nothing away. With more than a thousand restaurants in China and outlets in 14 countries, Haidilao is a hot pot phenomenon. The brand is famous for its friendly service and extra perks like free manicures and noodle dances. It’s great with groups (up to 12) and welcoming for kids, too.

Level 1, The Glen, 235 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley, haidilaoau.org

QQ Chicky Pot

Most people are here for chicken hot pot, but that’s not the only drawcard “chicky” at this easygoing eatery with comfy booths and friendly staff. The QQ Chicken Chop on the snack menu is a boneless crumbed chicken thigh, served golden and so delicious. If you go for a pot, it’s eaten in two stages: enjoy it dry first, ask staff to add broth when you are ready, then cook your choice of extra ingredients, everything from quail eggs to noodles to yam.

The Glen, 6/235 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley, instagram.com/qqchickypot

DooBoo

Tofu – “dubu” in Korean – is the specialty here, best experienced in sundubu-jjigae, a dish of soft tofu bobbing in spicy soup. The burbling pot comes with rice in an iron pot. Eat the rice with your soup, then add hot water from the provided kettle to ease the remaining rice from the sides of the pot and make “scorched rice tea”. It’s nourishing, comforting and fun. Key snacks include oozy corn cheese and fried chicken.

The Glen, 4/235 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley, dooboo.com.au

Marble Yakiniku

Serene, beautiful and perfect for special occasions, this is the place for tabletop grilling. Others order from a broad swath of sushi, Japanese soups and fried dishes. Wagyu is the focus, with dozens of producers, cuts and preparations showcased, from raw meat that you cook communally to deluxe wagyu nigiri.

G02-G03/52-54 O’Sullivan Road, Glen Waverley, marbleyakiniku.com.au

Shira Nui

Long before Japan’s set menu dining format, omakase, sprouted in Fitzroy, Footscray and everywhere in between, Melbourne had sushi destination Shira Nui. Founded in 2003 by Hiro and Suzy Nishikura, it’s been handed over to Yuki Ueno, one of chef Hiro’s original apprentices. An a la carte menu is offered at lunch, but dinner is an omakase experience where you’re in the chef’s hands.

247 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley, shiranui.com.au

Cafe Trinity

This newcomer lets its owners’ Vietnamese heritage shine through in traditional phin filter coffee, which is made with a steel drip. Let the coffee seep onto a base of condensed milk before removing the filter basket, stirring the liquid and pouring the brew over ice. There’s also salted coffee and avocado coffee. Mini banh mi (what an excellent idea!) are just $4.50 and cakes are house-made − the mango chiffon is deservedly popular for its light, fruity layers.

265A Springvale Road, Glen Waverley, instagram.com/cafetrinity.glen

Ymone Haejanggook

Did you go too hard last night? Maybe you need to visit this new Korean restaurant for haejanggook, or “hangover soup”. A hearty pork base brims with bone-in meat, cabbage and chilli, and all soups are served with rice for mixing in. After this bolstering combo of bone broth, carbs and spice, surely you’re feeling better? Seal the deal with bossam’s lettuce-wrapped bites of pork belly and perhaps a seafood-and-chive pancake.

185 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley, instagram.com/ymone.melbourne

Elephant Corridor

Glen Waverley has seen countless changes over the past 15 years but this friendly, cosy Sri Lankan and Indian restaurant has been consistently roasting and grinding spices, frying hoppers, stirring curries and mixing cocktails. If you’ve never tried kotthu, this is a good place to order the chopped and stir-fried dish of roti, egg, spices and a meat of your choice (or a veg option). Of the curries, the Sri Lankan black pork is beautifully spiced with lingering flavours.

179 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley, elephantcorridor.com.au

Foodie Fair

When you want lip-tingling Chongqing noodles but he wants skewers and she wants drunken chicken, this casual food hall could be the go, with a dozen vendors selling dishes from China’s many regional cuisines. It’s usually busy, not necessarily completely tidy, but always a vibe. The tongguan roujiamo from Liangpi, the second stall on the right, is a satisfyingly flaky pork-stuffed pastry.

74-76 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, no phone or website

O’Town

Whether it’s house-made jiggly tofu, pungent Assam laksa, juicy Hainanese chicken rice, or smoky char kwai teow, O’Town keeps the Malaysian classics coming in a busy restaurant popular with multigenerational family groups. Sit down to browse the large menu – and all the extra menus with specials too good to retire (hello, oyster omelette) – then order at the counter. It’s never expensive but there are extra keen deals at lunchtime.

92 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, otown-online.com.au

Kajiken

Walk past tea shop Mixue to the back of a sleek little food hall and you’ll find Kajiken, which serves aburasoba, often described as “soupless ramen”. Same slurpable noodles and punchy toppings, but no broth. Kajiken’s a low-fi haven, with chic furniture made from oil barrels. Get an imported Japanese beer with your (very affordable) noodles, and settle into this tucked-away find.

3/96 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, instagram.com/kajiken_melbourne

Le Charme

There are a few Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng cafes in Glen Waverley but it’s hard to go past Le Charme – I reckon it’s among the best places in the suburb, full stop. Roll in for HK east-meets-west classics like crumble-topped pineapple bun with a thick slab of butter, pork chop over rice, and yeunyeung, a blend of coffee and tea that’s available iced or hot. There’s a branch of ubiquitous Hong Kong bakery Maxim’s Cakes in here, too. The sponge rolls are always fresh and the egg tarts are reliably jiggly.

107 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, instagram.com/lecharme_au

Ice Ko-ii

This matcha and ice-cream cafe offers gelato in a cone, cup or folded into mochi – sheets of stretchy Japanese glutinous rice – for lovely chew. Matcha gelato comes in four strengths, which you can try before you buy. My pick is level two for punchy but not overpowering green tea flavour. You’ll find another outlet in The Glen.

105A Kingsway (also at The Glen), Glen Waverley, instagram.com/ice_koii

Rock Kung

Never change, Rock Kung. This Cantonese classic has long-standing waiters, handwritten specials fluttering on the walls, lazy susans, live seafood tanks and roasted meats hanging in the window. It’s worn in the very best way and every dish is made with care. You can’t go wrong with prawn toast, a mixed platter of roast duck and crackling pork, and scallops stir-fried with snow peas.

101 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, 03 9560 9032

Running Pot

Think sushi train but the cargo is hot pot. Choose your broth, then pluck ingredients from a conveyor belt as they come past. Dunk them in your burbling soup, let them cook, then eat as you desire. Meals are timed: you’ve got 90 minutes to fill up, but I’ve always been done in about half an hour. A great spot for solos, duos and hot pot newbies.

99 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, runningpot.com

Bing Chillin

Head up the stairway beside Bon Chicken for meticulously prepared bingsu, Korean shaved ice desserts, in mix-and-match colours and flavours. I’m a fan of the Thai milk tea and black sesame flavours, but the menu item of the moment is tiramisu-flavoured ice.

91A Kingsway, Glen Waverley, bingchillin.com.au

The Black Toro

Chef and co-owner Garen Maskal has been hanging out in the ’hood since he was a teenager, eating pizza and sitting for five hours on one coffee at longstanding cafes such as Mocha Jo’s. Eventually, the chef couldn’t resist bringing his own spin to the suburb, and he’s been here, serving Mexican and Latin American food, since 2012. Overlooked by a huge bull mural, diners converge for a more-than-decent Taco Tuesday with $6 tacos (the grilled mushroom is a generous winner) and $12 frozen margaritas. From the regular menu, the hard-shell taco with crab, cucumber and yuzu mayo speaks to the freewheeling, flavour-forward approach. Steak is taken seriously here, but if you’re raring for red meat, head to nearby Steak Ministry (see below).

79 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, theblacktoro.com.au

Gambino Restaurant and Rooftop

When it opened in 2024, Gambino positioned itself as the restaurant that made it unnecessary to head to the city for a Big Night Out. There’s a rooftop for cocktails, pizza, DJs and sweeping views of the Dandenongs, and a swanky blue velvet dining room below for upscale Italian dining.

If you want a little theatrical flourish, order the “Caprese”, a version of the classic salad made with compressed tomato, and the bistecca al pepe, an eye fillet with a surprise cheese spill (pictured below).

Level 5-6, 73-75 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, gambino.au

BBQ-K

There are six levels of restaurants in this mini tower just off the main strip of Kingsway, most with expansive views to the north. Spacious and well-ventilated, BBQ-K takes Korean barbecue seriously. For an easy way in, the combination set includes scotch fillet, marinated chicken thigh and pork belly. Staff help grill the meat at your table.

Level 3, 52 Montclair Avenue, Glen Waverley, instagram.com/bbqkplus_glenwaverley

Steak Ministry

Grass-fed beef and grain-finished wagyu are grilled with care and served up in easy eats like wagyu tacos and wagyu mac-and-cheese croquettes. There’s also plenty of seafood and a handful of vegetarian dishes. Cocktails are a focus: ask for “the one with the smoke bubble”.

39-51 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, steakministry.com.au

Black Flat Coffee Brewers

You’d think the name of this cafe relates to the heart-starting brews, but Black Flat was actually an early name for the suburb, back when it was mostly market gardens. Right by the train station, Black Flat does a steady trade in commuter coffee; those sitting down might add a bagel. There’s classic smoked salmon, and pastrami with a schmear − but the eggplant with salsa verde and hummus is a sturdy meat-free option.

6/39 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, blackflatcoffee.com.au