Jardin Tan

One would not normally associate a Vietnamese restaurant with Shannon Bennett’s brand of fine dining, so this establishment is quite a pleasant surprise. Located within Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the impressive facade and floor-to-ceiling glass exterior are stunning. The airy interior is a mix of contemporary design and Vietnamese influences, making it the perfect place for a casual lunch.

The menu boasts a diverse range of Vietnamese signature dishes, such as pho. Banh mi is a Vietnamese roll bursting with deep-fried soft-shell crabmeat. A huge portion of slaw on the side adds some necessary tartness to the dish. Banh cuon features steaming hot rice noodles lavishly coated in a minced pork sauce complete with dried shrimp and spring onion. Topped with nuoc cham and an abundance of fresh Vietnamese mint spears, this is a very satisfying option for lunch.

PSST! Unfortunately, Jardin Tan is not open for dinner – but it does offer breakfast, snacks and lunch seven days a week.