Sounds Tasty

Leaps & Bounds Festival is taking over Melbourne for the fourth time this July, bigger and better than ever. The festival boasts the best in music, art, and culture, and with more than 300 events taking place at over 50 venues in seven suburbs, you'd better get to know the local eats if you want to get the most out of the 17 days. Here are a few of our faves.

Sparrow's Philly Cheesesteaks — Catfish, 30 Gertrude St, Fitzroy

One of the official venues for Leaps & Bounds, Catfish itself is home to Sparrow's Philly Cheesesteaks, the purveyors Melbourne's most comprehensive Philly cheesesteak menu. Boasting nine styles of American sub, full of perfectly grilled beef (or smoked tofu), that come with onions, cheese in a specially made bun unique to Sparrow's. Along with chilli cheese fries, chicken wings and desert pretzels, it's the perfect way to fuel up during the festival.

Rita's Cafeteria — 239 Johnston St, Abbotsford

While Abbotsford's Shadow Electric plays host to a sea of food trucks during the festival, escape the lines and crowds at the secluded Rita's Kitchen on Johnston Street. A classic Italian affair, Rita's is pizza and pasta all the way. With authentic flavours, surprising twists on old favourites and all-round deliciousness, it'll satisfy those mid-fest hunger pains. Check out the prawn linguini and the Spinner pizza for some classy eats at fair prices.

I Love Pho 264 — 264 Victoria St, Richmond

If you want quality, quantity and dirt-cheap prices, I Love Pho 264 is the way to go. A five-minute walk from Corner Hotel and Great Britain Hotel, I Love Pho 264 offers an affordable and atmospheric meal out for anyone looking to take in the Richmond side of Leaps & Bounds. Plenty of Vietnamese favourites are on the menu, but it's the classic soup of rare beef and delicious noodles that keeps the locals coming back.

Easey's — 3/48 Easey St, Collingwood

Anywhere that boasts a rooftop bar inside a retired train definitely warrants a look in, but Easey's is so much more. Hop on board the Collingwood hotspot and make a V-Line straight for zone 3, where Easey's Burgers will get the hunger train moving. Check out the stacked Melbourne Madness and the succulent Changz Chicken Sanga, or customize your order with heaps of additions including mac and cheese, chilli con carne and beer-battered dim sims. That's not sides either — dimmies in the burger!