Road Diner

It’s hard to pass up a chicken schnitzel sandwich for lunch, but at Road Diner, it’s near impossible with their impressive and girthy sanga. Hawthorn’s Glenferrie Road can be added to the ‘where to find the best sandwiches in Melbourne’ list, so get bookmarking. Considered the new kid on the block, Road Diner draws a crowd with their mouth-watering lunch options, quality coffee and attentive service.

Opened earlier in 2022, Road Diner is the second culinary venture for husband-and-wife duo Luke and Jen Taylor. Founders of Poolhouse Coffee in the CBD six years ago, their vision for their Hawthorn eatery was simple:  a New York City-style diner that offers classics and Melbourne-centric options. The neutral fittings are unpretentious and sleek, which informs the atmosphere of the venue. 

Much of their menu is made in-house, including all their condiments and roasted coffee. The lunchtime menu features all the usual suspects. There’s the Breakfast Sammy, a beastly roll of sausage and folded egg with cheese; the RD Reuben, pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, pickles and RD sauce; and the Vegan Cheesy Melt, tofu, vegan cheese and pesto. 

The darlings of Road Diner are the Homestyle Fried Chicken and Meatball Sub. The deep-fried chicken sammy contains a generous serving of chicken (which extends beyond the parameters of the brioche bun), a layer of fresh lettuce dripping with house-made herb mayo. Definitely yum, and definitely would have again! The Meatball Sub is a juicy, tasty sanga, prepared with two slow-cooked, homemade pasta sauces, Kewpie mayo, a dousing of Grana Padano parmesan and fresh mozzarella. 

If you are a non-presenting sandwich eater, the American Pancakes will tempt you. Served with maple butter, you can opt for the short stack or the triple stack. Pancakes are a great winter comfort food choice. 

Road Diner is the perfect spot for a post-uni lunch or coffee break, a casual lunch with a group of mates, or a pit stop on the way to work. A no-fuss eatery with satisfying and delicious meals, Road Diner is your Hawthorn coffee and sandwich go-to. 

Road Diner
817 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, 3122
Open 7 days, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 3:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 3 pm
roaddiner.com