MELBOURNE IS LACKING A LATE NIGHT EATING CULTURE

Travelling abroad has opened my eyes to something Melbourne is missing— a thriving late-night eating culture. After a long day of work, I found myself craving something satisfying, yet all I could find were the usual suspects: burgers, kebabs, or fast food chains. It was frustrating, especially since I had just come from places where food options were abundant well into the early hours of the morning. All I wanted was to sit down with my partner, relax and enjoy a nice meal. 

Overseas, it’s a completely different story. Whether it’s bustling hawker halls in Singapore, late-night ramen spots in Japan, or vibrant street markets in Thailand, there’s always somewhere to eat no matter the time. Even at midnight and beyond, these places are packed with people sharing a meal, socialising, and enjoying the night no matter what day of the week. It made me wonder—why isn’t Melbourne like this?

The reality is that Australia, and Melbourne in particular, doesn’t have the same ingrained culture of late-night dining that many other cities do. A big factor is how our society operates—our work schedules, nightlife, and city planning all contribute to businesses closing early. Even though Melbourne is known for its vibrant coffee culture and world-class food scene, when the sun sets, our dining options become incredibly limited past 9.30pm.

Another issue is demand. While plenty of people love the idea of having more late-night food options, the overall population of night owls might not be big enough to make it sustainable for many businesses. Running a restaurant or café into the late hours comes with increased labour costs, staffing challenges, and lower foot traffic during weekdays, which makes many owners hesitant to stay open past the usual dinner rush.

However, what I’ve noticed at Drizzl’d is that people are eager for more late-night options. Looking at our own customer statistics, we see a lot of people coming in right up until closing time, sometimes even waiting until the last minute to grab a dessert. This tells me that while late-night eating may not be the norm in Melbourne, there are definitely people who crave it.

That’s exactly why Drizzl’d is open late, seven days a week. We understand that sometimes, a sweet craving doesn’t hit until after dinner, or maybe you just want to catch up with friends over a warm churro or doughnut balls after a movie or late-night drive. We’ve made it our mission to bring a taste of that overseas late-night food culture right here in Melbourne—because dessert shouldn’t have a bedtime.

While Melbourne may not yet have a fully developed late-night dining scene, the demand is growing. More people are looking for places to eat, hang out, and enjoy good food after hours. At Drizzl’d, we’re proud to be one of the few places catering to that need, offering delicious desserts in a welcoming space long after most spots have shut their doors.

So the next time you find yourself craving something sweet at 10 PM until close to midnight, know that Drizzl’d has got you covered. Come in, indulge, and let’s keep Melbourne’s night-time food culture alive—one dessert at a time. 🍩🍫✨