Lunch at Henry and the Fox: Cosy Comfort Food in the Heart of the CBD
If you’re wandering through Melbourne’s west end and craving a warm, satisfying meal, Henry and the Fox is well worth a detour. Tucked away at 525 Little Collins Street, this surprisingly spacious venue offers a relaxed escape from the city bustle, with a huge menu, hearty lunch specials, and an inviting atmosphere that’s both stylish and down-to-earth.
We drop in for lunch and leave happily full, thoroughly warmed up, and just a little bit smug about our choice.
Our Review of Henry and the Fox
What We Ate
Between us, we manage to sample a generous cross-section of the menu:
- Beef cheek pie (a weekly special) – rich, tender, and deeply comforting, just the thing for a chilly afternoon.
- Prawn and charred cauliflower risotto – fresh and full of flavour, this gluten-free dish was beautifully balanced with a smoky depth from the cauliflower.
- Chickpea and mint falafel – house-made, crunchy on the outside, soft inside, and downright delicious.
Servings are generous without going overboard, and the presentation is lovely. There’s a definite attention to detail here, even with the more casual dishes.
Drinks to Warm Your Cockles
This time of year, we can’t resist sampling their winter warmer drink specials—and we’re glad we do.
- Toffee Apple Mulled Cider ($15): A slow-simmered blend of apple cider, Butterscotch Schnapps, Calvados, and warming spices. Sweet, spiced, and utterly nostalgic.
- Milo Noir ($15): Hot Milo, spiked with Baileys and a touch of Kraken coffee-spiced rum, topped with whipped cream and Milo dust. Like your childhood Milo, but for grown-ups—and much more fun.
If you’re not up for alcohol, there’s also a solid selection of teas, coffees, juice and soft drinks.
Weekly Lunch & Afternoon Specials
There’s always something tempting on offer, making it worth planning your visit to match the day:
Steak Frites Mondays – 220g Flinder’s Island Striploin with French fries and Café de Paris butter for $25. Add a glass of Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet for $7.
Pizza Arvos – 12” hand-stretched pizzas from $25, available daily from 3–6pm. Flavours include Margherita, Salami, Patatas and rotating premium specials.
Sizzle Plate Tuesdays – $15 sizzle plates all day, including Garlic Prawns, Grilled Chorizo, Baked Halloumi and more, served with toasted flatbread.
Steak & Wine Wednesdays – 220g grain-fed Porterhouse with French fries, Café de Paris butter, plus a glass of wine or feature beer for $36.
Gnocchi Al Forno Fridays – Three indulgent oven-baked gnocchi dishes for $25 each, available Fridays only.
Space, Service and Accessibility
The restaurant is bigger than it looks from the street. There’s plenty of indoor seating with comfortable back support and a lovely covered courtyard area out the front that’s both heated and sheltered.
The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, and the staff are welcoming and helpful.
Henry and the Fox is fully wheelchair accessible.
Terrie’s review
Three of us ladies had lunch at Henry and the Fox, 525 Little Collins St. What a find! The meals were so delicious.
Mains were priced between $20 – $30 but there was also lots of specials. Different deals on different days. The serving sizes were generous. I chose Chickpea and mint Falafels, the best I’ve ever eaten. Served with pumpkin hummus and a very tasty salad. Delicious. Diane’s risotto looked amazing, and Amy had a mouth-watering looking beef pie with vegies.
I also lashed out and had a winter warmer, which was Toffee Apple Mulled Cider, a spiced, slow-simmered blend of apple cider, Butterscoth Schnapps, Calvados and warming spices. $15. This was so good. A little sweet but the citrus ans spices came through to balance it beautifully.
The room was spacious. Comfortable chairs. This venue is wheelchair friendly. A lot of space between tables. Wonderful service. Will definitely come back here again.
Side Trip
If you’re making a day of it, there’s plenty to explore nearby:
- Collins Street shopping – From designer boutiques to interesting arcades, there’s no shortage of browsing opportunities.
- ANZ Gothic Bank & 333 Collins – If you’re into architecture, don’t miss these two stunning heritage buildings just around the corner (they are free to enter).
- Immigration Museum – A short distance away on Flinders Street, this museum offers fascinating exhibitions that dive into Australia’s multicultural history.
- SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium – This popular attraction is home to penguins, sharks, stingrays and more. It’s indoors, accessible, and great for all ages.
Or simply take a wander down to Southbank or along the Yarra, both just a 10-minute walk away.
Handy Tidbits
- Daily and weekly specials are worth checking out in advance – view the menu online before you go.
- Gluten-free and allergy-friendly options available – they use the trusted Foodini app to help with dietary needs.
- Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – whether you’re after coffee and eggs or a hearty evening meal.
- Wheelchair accessible with both indoor and outdoor (covered and heated) seating.
- Licensed with a great drinks list and seasonal specials – try the winter warmers while they’re on!
Whether you’re after a long lunch, a cheeky mulled cider, or just somewhere welcoming to rest your feet, Henry and the Fox ticks all the boxes. We’ll definitely be back—and next time, we’ve got our eye on the bread and butter pudding.
Open from 7.30 am for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Monday to Friday. Closed on weekends.
Henry and the Fox
525 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
reservations@henryandthefox.com.au
(03) 9614 3277
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The Seniors in Melbourne team were hosted as guests of Henry and the Fox. All opinions are the writers’ own.
