Though Alicia Keys touts that New York’s “big lights will inspire you” in Empire State of Mind, which has since become the unofficial NYC anthem, when it comes to Melbourne, we hum to a more subtle tune. I mean, we may not have the endless New York skyline or the glitter of Times Square, but our unique food culture, our street art and in particular, our walls filled with astounding graffiti art WILL inspire you. It inspired me to write this post and share it with you. And I’m not talking about pointless scribbles or ‘tags’, I’m talking about intricately crafted and unbelievably detailed murals of delicious food from stacked up burgers to dancing cupcakes.
As I wander the streets of Melbourne, I’m reminded of the many reasons why I love this city. My city. I was raised here and like a fine wine, I’ve come to appreciate it even more in my adult years.
Above: The good old lamington and humble meat pie with sauce outside Waldies Bakery Map and directions click here
Whilst gnawing on a deliciously sinful hot waffle from the friendly Frenchmen of Waffle On within the laneways of Melbourne’s CBD and venturing out to the suburbs10 km short of the city, I came across a few graffiti-ed gems that made me stop and say “DAY.EM, that should be in an art gallery homeboy!” And when it came to the food graffiti, my friends, my eyeballs stood still. Like time didn’t exist. So focused, so beady eyed and fixated. Then it hit me. I was as addicted to food art, as I was with actual food and I guess it makes sense since they’re so intrinsically linked.
There are so many talented street artists that have managed to turn a dodgy looking laneway into a whimsical entrance into a restaurant. Take Movida’s Hosier Lane for example, that tempts you with impressive array of sprayed on fish, rabbit and squid to whet the appetite.
Above and below: Hosier lane, CBD leading to Movida Map and Directions here
The rabbit has H & L tattooed on his back. I could hear it saying ” YO, this is my hood..” Although, I have my suspicions about those magic mushrooms. *cough*
Above and Below: outside Waldies Bakery in Seddon Map and directions click here
I came across this mural in the back streets of Seddon. The burger has it goin on with those olive eyes and the happy toastie seems to be checking out the burger’s rear end. 🙂
Above and below: cupcakes being served at Waldies Bakery Map and directions click here
This is quite the saucy cupcake lady! I can so hear her saying “Hello boys, I just made you a batch of my special cupcakes.” LOL
Talk about representing our addiction to junk food. The cola can and the burger seems to be looking down on the poor little old coffee saying ” Hey, you with all that steam coming out, get the hell out of our town. You don’t go well with meat!”
Mr Skinny Cap stands his ground.
Above and Below: giant sea lurkers decorate the wall of the seafood market in Footscray
Below: a chirpy feline representing the Asian culinary delights that make up Footscray outside the railway station
If you have a spare few hours next weekend, like any fine art, I would definitely recommend seeing the above artworks in person. They’ll blow your taste buds away! Now, I’ve since seen a few other gems around town during my many train rides to work but am way to lazy to jump off the train to take a photo…
p.s. don’t forget your camera and a waffle from Waffle On OR if you’re in the west, grab a hot jam doughnut at the iconic Olympic Doughnuts van located next to Footscray station.
This goes out to all the incredibly talented Melbourne street artists out there. Thank you for letting our eyes feast on your rockin artwork.
So um, have you seen some tasty food graffiti in your hood? Where?
If you’re not already signed up for updates from Food Rehab, get on the list and I’ll do my best to keep us learning about none-other than glorious, GLORIOUS food! Also, follow me on Facebook (NEW!) or Twitter if you have either of those addictive things.
Keep eating,
Adrian
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This is awesome! I’ve never seen any of these, let alone any food-inspired graffiti. Will keep my eye out in the future 🙂
It took a while to spot them all. Let’s just say my eyes are also gluts.
I eat at Waffle On all the time and have never really studied the graffiti anywhere around (too busy studying my gut clearly) 🙂 Oh but this is a beautiful post! I particularly like the bunny near Movida 😉 Now let’s cook it mua ha ha
Yea, I just started taking random shots and noticed how many food gems there are on our walls
Haha, what a creative, distantly food-related post!
aaaw thanks!
I think there’s a mural on hellenic republic…
Ooh! Thanks for the tip!
Adrian, trust you to spot all the food graffiti! Hahaha.
haha! ….*guilty face*
mate, excellent article. If you’re in the Burnley area, I’ve spotted some foodie type graffiti near the station
Oooh, thanks- will check that out
Oh I love these 🙂 next time I’m in Melbourne I’ll be sure to keep an eye out. They’re making me hungry just looking at them ahah
Who would’ve known that spray paint can make you salivate
I love the Melbourne street art, and the food ones are tops. Adriano Zumbo has a version at his Rozelle cafe here in Sydney.
Nice, I’d love to see that! Perhaps when I’m down in Sydney next
As if being taunted by your cute title bar is not enough, I imagine it would be absolute (tasty) torture to be wandering along your merry way and being bombarded with graffiti pics of food!
hehe, I drool all over melbourne!
This is what I love most about Melbourne too, seriously… Every wall is so brilliant. Love bringing visiting friends to walk the streets of Flinders to show them what makes Melbourne, Melbourne. Nice one, dude!
Yes, that’s what makes melbourne so unique. Out of town friends love the laneways too
argh i miss melbourne! love the food graffiti!
Food graffiti rocks!
Food and Art – since they are equally pleasing, I think it’s a great idea to incorporate food into modern art.
I agree! I think there should be a food art exhibition.
How fantastic, Adrian! My brother took me around some of Melbourne’s graffiti when I first visited him after his move, but I don’t think I spotted any of the food ones!
They’re actually quite hard to find, so can’t blame ya.
I never really pay attention to graffiti, but I will look more closely next time!
Graffiti gets such a bad rap (when it’s vandalism), but some of them are works of art, like the photos you’ve posted above. The graffiti I see most often is the one outside the milk bar near me. Poor owners clean it, only to have it re-graffiti-ed on not long after. It’s a never ending cycle for them!
Yes, tagging sorta irritates me. I saw a couple of people tagging outside a local cafe…looked real ugly.
Trust you to have paused long enough to take all the graffiti of food! Well spotted!!
hehe, thanks. Guilty!
Wow!!! Talk about a city obsessed with food, I love it! So clever! The squid is very cute 🙂 I will have to open my eyes a little next time I am in Melbourne.
Yes, loved the squid also. These gems were hard to come by
never knew graffiti tastes so good 🙂
oh, it’s TASTY alright! 😛
Absolutely love this post topic, Adrian… I wrote many a research essay/proposal in grad school about street art + its surrounding culture. Melbourne has such beautiful graffiti and I love that there’s a food niche!
There’s some interesting food graff in Prahran/Windsor end of Chapel St.
Cool- thanks for the tip, will check them out! Yes, there should be more food murals around Melbourne – or perhaps we’re yet to spot them.
Fantastic shots of some amazing street art. One of my favourite things about Melbourne…
Melbourne is very much about art and culture. A great city
Brilliant! I love this post. I have to take some of these graffiti food art. LOVE LOVE this post!
Thanks Pen! Yes, let me know where you spot any new ones.
Fantastic tribute Adrian! Love the graffiti in Melbourne-it’s quite different to other graffiti! 🙂
Thanks Lorraine – yes, I agree. I need to do more droooling an find more food gems.
I’m LOVIN’ that sandwich with the olive eyes! I wish we had that sort of graffiti here. Have you seen the Darling Harbour ads though? Those have pretty good food-themed fashion ideas. =)
I know right!? Did you see the toatie checking his buns out? LOL
Gorgeous post, Adrian. Love it! Makes me want to move to Melbourne… If only it had Sydney’s beaches! 🙂
Thanks Corinne. Yes, our water is pretty damn cold compared to NSW but we do have all this droolworthy grafitti 🙂
Good on you for hunting down all the food graffiti and share with us. Awesome!
Thanks Ellie! Someone had to LOL
That is awesome graffiti! usually I just see those crap tags at the train station. great post!
I know tagging means alot to those who do it, but it’s such an eyesore!
Really a creative art.All the designs look so wonderful.This is a an inspiring article for art lover.If you want to get ideas on foodie designs then this article is really helpful because here all the pictures of junk food look so creative.
Thanks! I was really inspired.
wow this is too cool how did i miss these when we were there Melbourne has its love of food running through its veins
They’re actually quite hard to find. I had to drive around for a while!
All that I knew about Melbourne graffiti was LUSH, who’s pretty righteous if illegal operations are your modus operandi:)
Looks like these shops have figured out a nice, and incredibly tasty, way to keep tags off their walls. Me and my tummy would love to visit someday!
I agree! Tags a a nuisance and would prefer to look at amazing murals like these! I feel sorry for shopkeepers having to paint over crappy graffiti
Great round up of Melbourne street art – had not realised how food inspired it was!
A very belated thanks! Yes, I’ve spotted a few more actually so can’t wait to compile the pics for another post