Ah, Melbourne! It’s my home town and one of the world’s most liveable cities. It’s also a coffee and foodie haven, and happens to be the birth-place of the low FODMAP diet.
The low FODMAP phenomenon is now making waves (and changing the lives of IBS sufferers) all around the world. So we thought it was about time to share the love and showcase some of our best picks for low FODMAP dining in Melbourne.
New FODMAP-friendly ventures are springing up everywhere these days, which makes it hard to pick favourites. For this post, we’ve chosen a few front runners from both the dining out and take home categories. Follow our blog, and you’re sure to see more on this topic in the future!!
1. Foddies Café
Foddies – set in the idyllic surrounds of Albert Park – is a fairly new kid on the block, boasting an entirely gluten free menu which is 100% low FODMAP! Can you believe it?!
With breakfast tempters such as pumpkin & zucchini fritters, French toast and Foddies pancakes (lamington or jam donut flavours), your tastebuds will start the day with a smile! Lunch options include moussaka, chicken parmigiana, lamb koftas, quinoa vegie bowl, pizzas (margherita, herbivore, omnivore) and lovely grazing and kids options too. Dinner also packs a punch with flavourful options including fish & chips, a pulled beef burger, pesto chicken, saffron risotto, souvlaki, lasagne and a mouth-watering range of desserts.
Awesome work, Luke & Chrissy (owners and FODMAPers)!
2. The Script Bar and Bistro
This gorgeous Italian wine bar and restaurant is located within the Melbourne Recital Centre on Southbank Boulevard, Southbank. The food here is A-MAZING. I found Script when I stopped in for dinner before a concert, and was truly blown away. The lovely staff at Script catered expertly for my gluten free needs. And get this: the gluten free pasta is at no extra charge. Yippeee!
At Script they don’t shout out that the items are low FODMAP (and I don’t blame them really – FODMAP is an awkward word if you’re not acquainted!), but their staff can easily identify items that are onion and garlic free. You can enjoy scrumptious low FODMAP options like Bocconcini e speck, Tagliere di’antipasti (antipasto platter), Calamari, Beef Tagliata, and so many more!
Script truly is a gem, nestled in Melbourne’s beautiful Southbank.
3. The Eltham Hotel
This is one of the best destinations in Melbourne to dine if you can’t eat wheat, and a must for foodie FODMAPers.
Their clever chef, Craig, is the man behind the broad menu offering a huge range of low FODMAP options. The menu identifies gluten free items (you’ll notice around 90% of the menu is suitable), and the staff and chef are highly aware of the low FODMAP diet in order to cater for their patron’s needs.
Enjoy hot crusty homemade bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper squid, vegetable salad, chicken schnitzel, fish and chips, stuffed chicken breast, mixed berry crepes, crumble of the day and many more. Yummo!
4. Wattle Park Green Grocer
Lovely mum, owner and manager of Wattle Park Green Grocer – Sonia Martinez – is passionate about her store being a one-stop hub for “good for you” food. Sonia makes delicious and nutritious low FODMAP meals herself on the premises. You can stop in, take a look at the healthy, beautiful produce, and take her cooking home to enjoy.
Some of the wonderful dishes on offer here include beef slow cook stew, chicken slow cook stew, vegetarian lasagne, meat lasagne, pumpkin & zucchini risotto, low FODMAP seasonal frittata, chicken quinoa salad, coleslaw, pasta salad and potato salad.
Myself, I can’t get enough of her low FODMAP, gluten free pumpkin & zucchini risotto. Mmmmm. Keep up the great work, Sonia!
5. Dineamic
The team at Dineamic make “Fructose Friendly” wholesome meals as good (or even better) than those you make at home yourself! I’ve met the team behind this fantastic business and trust that the meals are made by chefs with a conscience, using the freshest ingredients!
Indulge your senses with scrumptious meals, salads and healthy snacks available at their Kitchen & Foodstore in Camberwell. You can dine in or take home, or even arrange home delivery!
Their offerings include korma lamb curry, Moroccan lamb, Indian chicken curry, chicken cacciatore, slow cooked Mediterranean beef, beef bolognaise, beef lasagne and chicken & vegetable risotto.
Take my word for it: the Moroccan lamb is absolutely divine!
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NB. Please note: The menu items listed in this blog are to be used as a guide only – please check with chef at the time of ordering to confirm suitability for your individual dietary needs.