Prices of food range from $18 – $25 mark, and is pretty standard pub fare. I had the beef burger which was tasty. Sweet Chilly Philly had the steak sandwich was OK too. Apparently, although we didn’t see it, there is an express menu for lunch with prices from $14. Enquire at the Bar.

If you can manage to sneak away from the office, the best proposition would be to have a late lunch and carry on through for a couple drinks when the after work crowd arrive on Friday night.

Unlike it’s namesake, this is a pretty straight forward sandwich bakery. They had fresh ingredients, and a pretty realistic price for this end of town. My sandwich was quite tasty, although I would have liked a little more. They also have a range of fried foods, sweets and coffee, if you are feeling like something a little less healthy.

Seating is limited and there always seems to be plenty of people sitting down, so I’d recommend grabbing a sandwich, water and finding somewhere nice to sit in the Treasury Gardens. Perfect mid-week lunch.

Prices are anything between $15-$30 and beers are pretty cheap too. Ring up early and book if you’ve got a large work crew as they can accommodate quite easily if you get in early. The Duke is a pretty standard pub for work lunch, and is definitely worth checking out.

Everything is pretty cheap and there is about 6-7 menu options to choose from. Our favourite is the Teriyaki Chicken (pictured left) which has a great sauce and the chicken always tastes good. The $8.50 large size is very filling, if you’re not a big eater than you can always get the cheaper $6.50 regular size which is also a decent serving size.

Don’t expect the fanciest Japanese dishes you’ve ever had, but head to Hanaichi for great service, a simple menu, and phenomenal prices. It’s pretty much the McDonald’s of Japanese food.

Tomodachi have over 40 varieties of sushi to choose from (although all 40 aren’t usually available at once) which means you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you don’t see anything you like going round on the train, you can also order special dishes from the kitchen. Fried Prawns, Calamari, Dumplings, and a simple Miso soup are a few of the dishes that are available on request.

Come to think of it though, the price isn’t too bad if you’re keen on the lunch specials. They do a really awesome $20 Banquet plate which includes a mix of Pitta, Gyro, Dips, & Haloumi. You can also get Lamb, Chicken, or Calamari Salad for $15 which is a great deal. Also on the lunch special menu is a simple Casserole with Rice, Fish and Chips, or the standard Spaghetti Bolognese.

What I can’t go past (ever) is the Chargrilled Menu. It’s more on the pricey side, but god damn it’s decent. The Piatela Kreatika (Mixed Grill) is easily the highlight of the menu and can be ordered for one or up to four people, great if you’re with a big crew. The Mixed Grill (pictured left) includes a range of Chicken, Gyro, Lamb Sausage, Lamb Koftas, and tradtional Greek Salad. All of which is amazing.

It’s pretty easy to get a table as they have heaps of space upstairs, so don’t worry about the size of your crew. Head there ASAP and do yourself a favour…Order the Mixed Grill!

Service is pretty prompt and the menu is massive. There isn’t much going on in the window which makes it look pretty average when you’re walking past on the street, but don’t write it off too soon. It’s easy to get a table, it’s cheap, and the service is good – what more could you want?

Don Don service is crazy fast and the food is nice and cheap. Lunch time it’s always packed, but because the staff can serve so quickly, it’s not an issue. The Don Don box of teriyaki chicken, sukiyaki, rice and salad is my favourite but the beef curry don and the chicken curry don are also stand outs if teriyaki isn’t your thing.

The State Libaray Lawn on a sunny day is a great place to eat and get away from the corporate jungle for lunch. There’s always plenty of people (and birds) around and you can catch up with as many of your colleagues, or just relax on your own. So next time it’s a sunny day, go grab a meal from Don Don and enjoy it on the State Library Lawn, you won’t regret it!

• - Eat at the Pacific for kickarse BBQ Pork
• - Eat at the Pacific for kickarse Roast Duck
• - Go to the Pacific for crazy Fruit salad/crushed-ice drinks

The Pacific crew know their pork/duck is good. That’s why they hang the glistening meat in the window by the entrance where we could see them being masterfully chopped up, plated and served to lucky diners.

The menu is extensive and always in site under the glass on top of your table. Service is quick and they can accommodate plenty of people. I had the Roast Duck/BBQ Pork & Rice meal (pictured left) and it was fantastic. Also ordered was a Pineapple bun (sweet bread with melted butter) and a “Crushed ice mango fruit salad drink”, which both tasted amazing.

I couldn’t recommend the Pacific more, it’s quick, cheap, and tasty – perfect for a work lunch!

All that has been solved now with the help from the crew at Beatbox Kitchen, who, up until now, only served up burgers and fries from their van in locations trackable via Twitter. Now, tucked smartly into the corner of the bigger section of Rooftop Bar is a wooden kitchen with bright sign writing, pumping out the best burgers, wraps, fries, and dessert on offer in the immediate area.

The menu is simple. You can choose from the beefy Raph Burger (named after Beatbox’s founder), vege Shroom Burger, or the Chicken Schnitzel wrap. Chuck fries on the side and maybe some dessert later and you’ve got all the ingredients for a great work lunch. Prices may be a little on the expensive side for some, with the wrap and Raph burger costing $11 and the Shroom burger coming in at $10, but it’s totally worth it. The Fries taste great and are served with a choice of home made or spicy relish, or Tangy or regular mayo.

Some have claimed that the Raph Burger with stereo sauce (tangy mayo) is the best burger in Melbourne, and I’m inclined to agree. The best thing about Beatbox being up at Rooftop Bar is you can get a nice cold pint to wash it down with. Burp!

In terms of seating your work lunch crew, Rooftop Bar has plenty of space for a crowd of any size, unless it’s a Friday and 35 degrees – then I’d make sure you’re there as close to 12noon as possible. Also, everyone pays for their food seperately, removing the awkward “lets get the bill” situation that can happen at other venues. Beatbox Kitchen is open 12noon until late, daily – get amongst it!