Where to eat
From barista-made coffee to fresh local meals and sweet treats, our food outlets across the Zoo offer something for everyone. All venues are cashless, so please bring your card or digital payment method.
Open daily
Please note outlet trading hours are subject to change.
Feel free to talk to our friendly catering staff about any food allergies or dietary requirements you have, and they'll be happy to guide you on suitable options.
Lakeside Café
Opening hours: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Welcome to Lakeside Café, where our menu captures the vibrant and diverse spirit of Melbourne Zoo.
Inspired by the environment and gardens around us, our dishes celebrate Melbourne’s food culture, blending local flavours with global influences. Start your day or take a break with our Coffee for Wildlife, a brew that not only reflects Melbourne’s renowned coffee scene but also supports vital wildlife conservation.
Enjoy a variety of bakery items, breakfast and lunch options, kids’ meals, and lighter choices — all crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. With sustainability at our core, up to 80% of our menu is prepared on-site, reducing food miles and ensuring quality, delicious meals made with care.
Whether you’re after something hearty, a fresh salad, or a kid-friendly meal, Lakeside Café has something for everyone.
This summer, Lakeside Café is undergoing a delicious transformation with an exclusive 400 Gradi pop-up! Starting December 17th, enjoy a specially curated menu featuring 400 Gradi's signature pizzas and pasta specials. Experience the renowned flavours of one of Melbourne's most beloved Italian brands, crafted to bring an elevated dining experience to the heart of Melbourne Zoo.
Macaw Takeaway
Opening hours: 11.00am - 3.00pm
Grab a quick, tasty bite from Macaw Takeaway — serving hot food, house-made salads, sandwiches, baguettes, fruit salad, yoghurt pots, and sweet treats.
Menu highlights include:
- Hot chips
- Southern Fried Chicken Burger with lettuce, tomato, pickled onion & cucumber, ranch dressing on a soft milk bun
- Mini BBQ Beef Slider with slow-cooked beef brisket, melted cheese & chips
- Summer BBQ Family Box — perfect for sharing on a warm zoo day
- Fisherman’s Catch — calamari and chips, ask at the counter for our house made tartare sauce
- Kids’ nuggets & chips
- Hot Kids’ Munch Box $13.50 (with a Fruit Box)
Vegan and low-gluten options available.
Coca-Cola, soft drinks, water, juices, and Streets ice creams are also available.
Accepts Cash and cards.
Sushi Sushi
Opening hours: 11.00am - 2.30pm
Australia’s favourite sushi retailer brings you freshly made, premium Japanese-inspired meals crafted daily with authentic ingredients and local produce.
Choose from classic hand rolls, snack pack salads, chicken sliders, and poke bowls. Pair your meal with Coca-Cola drinks, juice, water, or our new inhouse Bubble Teas.
Vegan options available.
Cashless transactions only.
Ben & Jerry's
Open limited hours: 11.00am - 4.00pm (weather depending)
Cool off with Ben & Jerry’s iconic ice cream, featuring up to 12+ exciting scoop flavours like Chunky Monkey, Phish Food, Marshmallow Sky, and Lemonade Sorbet — plus sundaes and shakes.
Vegan and gluten-free options available.
Cashless transactions only.
Meerkat Café
Opening hours: 8.45am - 5.00pm
Stop by Meerkat Café for lighter, fresh, and wholesome grab-and-go options. Enjoy freshly made salads, sandwiches, hot bakery items, and our signature Coffee for Wildlife espresso.
Coca-Cola, soft drinks, water, juices, and Streets ice creams are also available.
Vegan and low-gluten options available.
Cashless café.
Giraffe Lookout Café (Daniel's Donuts)
Opening hours: 9.15am - 3.30pm (open during peak periods, public & school holidays)
Enjoy a sweet stop with Daniel’s Donuts, proudly serving exceptional donuts since 2016 with over 10 flavours — including gluten-free and vegan options.
From 9:15am to 12:00pm, enjoy our gourmet jaffles:
- Triple Cheese
- Reuben with Pastrami
- Chicken & Gruyère
After 12:00pm, we serve Daniel’s pies and sausage rolls. Relax with a view of the giraffes while you enjoy Coffee for Wildlife, Coca-Cola, soft drinks, water, juices, and Streets ice creams are also available.
Special low-gluten pies and donuts available.
Accepts Cash and cards.
Open during peak periods
Including public holidays and school holidays.
Kiosk (Forest of Wonder)
Opening hours: 10.00am - 3.30pm
Perfect for a casual lunch stop, this classic Milk Bar & Fish and Chips kiosk offers a variety of quick and comforting bites:
- Fish and chips
- Healthy grilled seasonal fish
- Potato cakes
- Dim sims
- Hot Kids’ Munch Box $13.50 (with a Fruit Box)
- Fresh fruit salad
Pair your meal with Coffee for Wildlife, Coca-Cola, soft drinks, water, juices, and Streets ice creams are also available.
Vegan and low-gluten options available.
Accepts Cash and cards.
Rail Café
Opening hours: 9.00am- 4.30pm
Just for Summer, try Cookie Box cookies — crispy on the outside and gooey inside — the perfect treat to share, celebrate, or simply indulge in. Don't miss our special sundae featuring Ben & Jerry's vanilla ice cream topped with a fresh cookie! Cookie Box believes food has the power to spark joy and create lasting memories.
Also serving Coffee for Wildlife, Coca-Cola beverages, and Streets ice creams.
Cashless café.