Grains

If there's one place on this list that you need to visit for a grain bowl experience, let it be Grain Traders. Wherever it opens, the space is perpetually abuzz with excitement come lunch time despite the heftier price tag. The menu is straightforward — pick from any six of the aforethought Hero bowls ($16), like our favourite El Hibaro, which sees a combination of warm striploin steak, lightly charred vegetables, wafu tomatoes and salsa verde on a bed of sushi rice. Alternatively, customise your own bowl and choose from char-grilled salmon, tuna or the flavour-packed pulled pork for protein. Do include the wild mushrooms from the hot veg section and as for their sauces, both the miso caramel and beetroot feta yoghurt are great. Unless you intend to fight off a food coma back in the office, go easy on the grains here as portions are generous. Alternatively, be like Burppler Faith K and have half an Avocado ($1.50) in place of the grains. Like all lunch hotspots in the CBD, it's best you come with a buddy and split up — one to snag a seat and one to order.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Faith K