Our AO Hacks series returns in the build-up to Australian Open 2026, offering handy tips and tricks to help you elevate your experience at Melbourne Park.
While enjoying your time at the tennis, the thought of a tasty bite and a refreshing drink will no doubt enter your mind.
At Australian Open 2026, fans have an excitingly bold and diverse offering at their fingertips – including many things that can only be found at Melbourne Park in January.
You could stroll around and discover drinking and dining options all over the precinct, taking you to every corner of the globe and satisfying every food mood.
But if you’re the kind of fan who wants to maximise tennis-watching time, or worried you won’t get the chance to try it all, we’ve curated a list of the food & drink highlights to help you on your way at AO 2026.
And so we count down, in alphabetical order:
10. AO Shakes
Brought to you by Shake Shack, making its highly-anticipated Australian debut at Melbourne Park in January, there are two shakes – the Honey Macadamia, and Choc Fudge Cookies and Cream – exclusive to the Australian Open and available at TOPCOURT, the AO’s vibrant precinct at Birrarung Marr. Shake Shack, which began as a hotdog cart in New York City and has since evolved to become a global burger brand, will also serve up signature items at AO 2026 like its Shack Burger, Shroom Burger and Cheese Fries.
9. AO Frappe – Served up by a2 Milk
Perfect for a hot summer day at the tennis, the refreshing AO Frappe quickly became popular with fans when it was introduced to the food and drink offering at Australian Open 2025. It will return at AO 2026 – this time elevated thanks to a new formula created in collaboration with a2 Milk, a new tournament partner. Pick one up at the front of John Cain Arena.
8. Butcher’s Banger
In collaboration with Vic’s, The Chefs Butcher, the AO has co-curated what could become the event’s next iconic food offering: the Butcher’s Banga. It’s the tournament’s answer to a premium Australian sausage in bread – think a seasoned beef sausage in a hoagie roll, with onion, mustard and tomato sauce. Grab one from Garden Square at Australian Open 2026.
7. First Nations popcorn
Award-winning First Nations chef Mindy Woods is returning to the Australian Open in 2026 and sharing a signature First Nations-inspired offering. Woods, celebrated for her unique approach to cooking with its emphasis on seasonal, locally-sourced Indigenous ingredients, will be popping up across Garden Square with the new ‘AO on the Go’ popcorn cart. A proud Bundjalung woman, Woods will delight fans with flavours of Bundjalung Country, served on Wurundjeri Country.
6. Grey Goose Lemon Ace
The vodka-infused cocktail – featuring Grey Goose original vodka, passionfruit syrup and sparkling lemonade, served over ice and garnished with a lemon ball and fresh mint – was created exclusively for the Australian Open and debuted at AO 2025, where it quickly became one of the must-have drinks of the summer. What’s especially great is the fact you can enjoy one at the reimagined Courtside Bar by Grey Goose; in 2026 this features grandstand seating and connects with the new shaded ‘Highline’ offering elevated views of the action on the Western Courts.
5. Peach Melbourne
Named with a nod to the ‘Peach Melba’ dessert, the Peach Melbourne – a peach and vanilla soft serve, topped with raspberry dust – has over the past three years become an AO staple that hits the spot during the summer of tennis. Peach Melbourne’s popularity meant more than 112,000 of them were served up during AO 2025, and Pat the Peach – its beloved mascot – will form part of a limited-edition retail range in January. You can grab a Peach Melbourne from Kia Arena, Show Court 3 or Topcourt during Australian Open 2026.
4. Petit Potato & Co
In celebration of a quintessentially Aussie beachside favourite bite, the Australian Open is taking potato cakes to the next level in collaboration with Ross Howse, of Bangin Sangas fame. Fans can check out a curated menu of loaded potato cakes – offering a mix of savoury and sweet options – at Garden Square during AO 2026, where flavours such as truffle & parmesan and zaatar & labneh are sure to be a hit.
3. Season – Vietnamese fried chicken
Last year, the Season Chicken team delivered Good Days at Melbourne Park’s Western Courts, and at Australian Open 2026 they’re moving to Grand Slam Oval with their exciting new offering – Vietnamese fried chicken. Owner Nam Nguyen encourages fans to think of it as a local charcoal chicken shop with a Vietnamese flavour and modern twist; menu highlights include crispy tenders (both original and spicy), a fried chicken sandwich (complete with pickled daikon and kimchi mayo) and a green papaya salad.
2. Stalactites x Taverna
Lovers of Greek food should head immediately to Grand Slam Oval to check out a collaboration unique to AO 2026. Returning favourite Stalactites, a Melbourne institution famous for its late-night dining, will bring a new flavour to the event in January thanks to a collab with Taverna. This sees Nicole Konstandakopoulos and Angie Giannakodakis – two female icons of both the industry and the Melbourne Greek dining scene – joining forces and offering up signature souvlaki and spanikopitas, among other menu highlights.
1. Wonder Pies
Wonder Pies, the creation of renowned Melbourne chef Ray Capaldi, has been going strong since 2018, and at AO 2026 they’ll be serving up two offerings at the AO Ballpark. You can enjoy savoury favourites through their Tuck Shop, while it’s coffee & sweets at the other, where you can pair, for example, a delicious brew with the signature AO Shortbread Cookie. It’s all designed to make a family day out that much smoother while keeping fans of all ages fuelled for a day of summer fun at the tennis.