They See Me Rolling: Roll’d Hardware Lane, Melbourne, Australia

I was devastated when my buddy Tung from the office resigned, explaining that he was starting a family business.

He then said “We’re opening up a Vietnamese street food restaurant in the city.” I looked up from drying my tears, my attention and appetite piqued.

Fast-forward a few months down the line and his restaurant, Roll’d on trendy Hardware Lane, is a famous hub of delicious Vietnamese food. Surrounded by bars and cafes, the atmosphere is to die for. The restaurant itself has fast become a staple lunch spot for city workers and a fabulous place to eat before hitting the clubs on a Friday or Saturday night. The queue sometimes stretches out the door, but due to the lightning-quick staff you’ll never wait longer than 10 minutes to get your chops round some goodies.

The décor is fresh and funky, with a mural designed by Tung’s hip aunt and a vintage bicycle hanging from a wall. Small cafeteria-style tables add to the casual vibe.

The food is swoon-worthy to say the least. The rice paper rolls or “soldiers” are bursting with fresh flavours. Personal favourite has to be the soft-shell crab and avocado roll, closely followed by the fragrant Uncle Pho which comes in chicken or beef. And you simply cannot go past the pork roll, complete with gorgeous salty crackling.

So- cheap and cheerful Vietnamese street food in one of Melbourne’s coolest laneways. What’s not to love?

View: www.rolld.com.au; Visit: 15 Hardware Lane, Melbourne CBD, 3000; Open: Mon-Wed 8am-9pm/ Thurs & Fri 8am till late/ Sat &Sun 10am-5pm Wallet: Rice paper rolls from $3.50, Pho from $6.50