The best places to satisfy those late-night munchies

Australia's favourite places for all-hours eats.

Mr Crackles has become Sydney's home of the late-night pork roll Source: Mr Crackles

Where’s the best place to satisfy those late-night munchies?

It's a question that never goes away, so we’ve rounded up some of the other spots that draw the hungry late-night eaters.

Brisbane

Red Hook keeps the New York eats flowing til late. And when we say New York, think New York street eats, with a pile of cuisines in the mix: a "Hawt Dog" that has kim chi along with the cheese kransky and pickles, a burger list that includes a "Shaolin Soul" crumbed chicken burger with miso mayo, served on a black brioche bun.

It's a journey of discovery at Heya, where multiple bars and a mix of Asian-style late-night eats give regulars plenty of reasons to keep coming back.

Harajuku Gyoza brings you their "little Japanese dumplings of happy" (their description for gyoza - and who wouldn't agree?) izakaya-style at four locations in Brisbane, plus branches in Broachbeach, Toowoomba and Sydney's Pott's point, until 10pm (closing times vary between locations). While it's hard to go past the juicy gyoza - which come in everything from duck to a gluten-free lemongrass chicken, and a couple of dessert takes - they also do other izakaya-style dishes and some Instagram-worthy foot-long sweet potato fries. The Japanese souffle pancakes also get a lot of love.

You can't talk late-night eats in Brisbane without mentioning Jimmy's on the Mall, which has been feeding the hordes in the CBD since 1982, or The Pancake Manor, which will rack up 40 years next year, and is open 24 hours, 7 days, with the exception of Christmas Day, at the city branch.

Sydney

Mr Crackles, the self-described kings of the midnight port roast (we’d have to agree) offers crisp-skinned pork belly, cups of crackling, hot dogs, loaded fries and chicken katsu rolls until late. Or depending on the day, early: they’re open til 4am some mornings. And good news for late-munching Melburnians – Mr Crackles is opening a southern outpost.

Golden Century keeps the doors open ‘til 4am, seven days. You’ll spot end-of-shift Sydney chefs there, tucking into the extensive seafood menu in front of the banks of live seafood tanks.

Kebabs are the option of sozzled wanderers right across the globe. Not all late night kebabs are good kebabs, but Fatimas Lebanese Restaurant is a worthy destination for both lovers of meaty wraps and vegetarians.

Saray Turkish Pizza and Kebabs is another reliable choice. You can go for the grills and kebabs, or carb up with the traditional meat or vegetarian pide. And there’s a bonus for locals: Saray’s home delivery service runs until 11.15.  

You can get your dumpling fix – there are 16 different kinds on the menu  - until 3am at Gingko Bar and Dining.

And if you want to end the night with dessert, you can hit RivaRino for late-night gelato scoops until 11pm (midnight Fridays and Saturday).

Adelaide

A Chinatown stalwart for late-night eats, Ying Chow is open til around 1am most nights. It's great value and if you can't decide what to eat, just let them decide for you. 

Parwana stays open until 10.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays so this family-owned Afghan a popular choice for a later bite to eat, although you might need to book ahead.

La Buvette brings the European vibe to your late night. The bar serves up little French bites alongside the extensive drinks offerings - settle in with a shared platter of cheese and charcuterie, a classic croque monsieur, or a big bowl of chips with madie-in-house mayo.

Melbourne

The name says it all for Twenty Pho Seven. It’s ALWAYS open. And not just pho, there’s lots of other Vietnamese classics to get you through, any hour of the day.

It's like the grand-daddy of late night eateries: Stalactites has been feeding Melbourne's hungry hordes souvlaki, giros, dips and home-style Greek dishes since 1978. It, too, is open 24/7.

In authentic Melbourne style Mamasita triumphs over a tucked-away location to deliver its "this is not Tex Mex" Mexican until 10 most nights, and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. There's a good-times vibe and handy mezcal menu too. Try the huitlacoche - a mushroom, cheese and corn quesadilla. 

Late night Asian street food need? Head to Lucy Liu (despite the name, nothing to do with the actress). The menu is mostly Vietnamese meets Thai with a sprinkling of Cantonese, Japanese and Korean notes. Think chilli fried wings with kewpie mayonnaise, Korean pork hock, sashimi and dumplings.

Perth

Open til 10.30pm four nights and 1am Friday and Saturday, Lucky Chan's Laundry and Noodle Bar serves up vibrant Chinese/Asian-fusion food in a setting with a very cool vibe. Sighs of relief echoed around Perth when Lucky Chan's reopened after a fire in the building forced a temporary closure in February.

Live jazz and late night eats draw fans to retro-style diner The Moon, which stays open until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. Fuel up with burgers, rolls, pizza (including a vegan option) and pasta or share some "Moon nugs" - fried buttermilk chicken pieces. 

What's still open at 3am? Billy Lee’s Chinese Resturant. Open until 4am seven days a week, in fact.

Canberra

Late night options recommended by our scouts in the capital include Polit Bar, which serves up a selection of its regular menu til late; Molly; and Bar Rochford.

Hobart

The craft beers get star billing at Jack Greene, but the bar snacks and burgers shouldn't be overlooked. This popular tavern is open as late as 2am some nights.

Darwin

There's a lot happening at The Deck and it keeps happening until late. Chow down on burgers, tacos, Asian-style salads or, instead of a shared plate, a shared crate.