One of 100 great things to do in Melbourne for under $10
the White Hat guide

Melbourne has the usual array of transnational fast food outlets, but why not try something different next time you are peckish.

The Bratwurst Shop at the Vic Market is a Melbourne institution. There is always fish & chips or a burger or steak sandwich. If you get off on rich cakes and chocolate, you must visit the cake shops in Ackland Street.  Or, for the best value of all - a Vietnamese pork roll.

Some people claim the dim sims at the South Melbourne Market are the best in the world. I must admit they're not to our taste, but they certainly are great value. As dim sims go, they are large, meaty and somewhat salty. There are times when this formula hits the spot, and judging by the queues, Saturday mornings is one of those times. The stall was set up by Mr Kuen (Ken) Cheng in the 1950s after establishing a taste for his product by selling them at Caulfield Racecourse and various pubs, and over time became a firm favourite with Melbournians. Mr Cheng died in September 2006 but the stall using his secret recipe is continued by his family.

And because you are in Australia, there is always a meat pie with sauce ("dog's eye with dead horse" to use the local rhyming slang). They are not a gourmet treat, and the word 'meat' is somewhat loosely applied, but in the outer at the footy in the rain they sure are comforting. You might even try the Adelaide specialty - pie floater. This is a pie floating in pea soup - what else would you expect from people known as "Crow Eaters".

• Gourmet activities in Australia