Restaurant
Ling Nan Chinese Restaurant
207 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Ling Nan Chinese Restaurant
207 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Plan your visitAbout Ling Nan Chinese Restaurant
Late-night Melbourne hospitality crews head straight to Lonsdale Street for midnight Cantonese suppers that run well past 2 AM. The dining room stays lively and fast-moving, packed with tables sharing bottles of BYO wine alongside hefty platters straight from the kitchen. Everyone orders the signature pipis in savory XO sauce—mandatory eating alongside warm, crisp Chinese donuts to soak up the bowl. Plates of salt-and-pepper chicken ribs hit the tables alongside live fish steamed straight from the holding tanks, carrying unmistakable wok hei. The room gets loud and bills stay undivided, ending on shared plates of steaming beef hor fun.
- Late-Night Cantonese Suppers: Keeps kitchen burners firing past 2 AM in the CBD, serving cooked-to-order Cantonese plates to off-shift hospitality crews and late crowds.
- Signature XO Pipis & Donuts: Plump pipis swimming in house-made XO sauce paired with warm, crisp Chinese donuts for dipping.
- Live Seafood & BYO Wine: Offers live fish, lobster, and crab pulled straight from holding tanks alongside BYO-friendly group dining.
What's On at Ling Nan Chinese Restaurant
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Ling Nan
Why diners choose Ling Nan for late-night Cantonese feasts and fresh live seafood
Signature XO Pipis & Fresh Seafood
Prepared fresh to order with house-made XO sauce and served alongside warm Chinese donuts for dipping.
Pipis were plump and fresh with perfectly matched sauce.
Eric K Tanks of Live Lobsters, Crabs & Fish
Featuring live prawns, lobster, crab, and whole fish directly from holding tanks, cooked to traditional Cantonese standards.
Especially the seafood, with seasonal, fresh, live offerings that change throughout the year.
Moses Berewulf Post-Midnight Supper Service
Serving full hot meals and wok-cooked dishes well into the early morning hours in Melbourne's CBD.
One of the best hospo late night eats serving the crews past 2am.
Q Barbeque The After-Shift Hospitality Go-To
A reliable late-night fixture for shift workers, hospitality crews, and night owls needing hearty nourishment.
Back in my chef days would always come here after work and always hits the spot.
Andrew Niedzwiecki Accommodating Communal Feasts
Generous share plates and swift table service designed to comfortably feed large gatherings and group dinners.
A group of 14 of us happened upon this restaurant as we were looking for food. They did amazing to accomodate us last minute.
Tash BYO Wine for Casual Group Nights
A relaxed, high-energy dining room welcoming guests to bring their own wine bottles for evening meals and celebrations.
Buzzing, busy atmosphere which was perfect for drinking a few byo bottles of wine with friends before a late comedy show.
Tessa Gould
Most popular items
Signature live seafood dishes and supper classics favoured by Melbourne diners and late-night hospitality crews
Pipis in XO Sauce with Chinese Donuts
U have to start off with the xo pipis with Chinese doughnuts
Andrew Niedzwiecki Salt and Pepper Chicken Ribs
the salt-and-pepper chicken ribs — consistently delicious every time!
Connie Lim Steamed Fish
We love the steamed fish with ginger and scallions (have had coral trout and barramundi on different occasions) both excellent and steamed to actual perfection.
Melanie Thompson Lobster with Egg Noodles
lobster egg noodles
Connie Lim
Frequently Asked Questions
What signature dishes should you order on a first visit?
The standout specialty is the pipis (clams) in XO sauce served alongside crisp Chinese donuts (youtiao) for dipping into the sauce. Other frequently recommended favorites include salt and pepper chicken ribs, congee, and fresh live seafood.
Is the restaurant open late for supper?
Yes, Ling Nan operates well into the night, making it a popular destination for late-night supper and dining after shifts or evenings out. Opening hours run daily from 5:00 PM until 1:30 AM.
Can you bring your own wine (BYO)?
Guests report that bringing your own wine (BYO) is welcomed, though reviews note a small glassware charge (such as $5 per wine glass).
What should large groups know before visiting?
While large parties can be accommodated and reservations can be arranged, diners note that bills cannot be split, so groups should plan payment in advance. Note that during busy periods, seating limits may be enforced.
Explore more places in Melbourne
Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.
Similar places
More places for the flavours and food you enjoy.
- Chaozhou Malaya Bistro CafeBalwyn North · Chinese, Vegetarian, Restaurant, Takeaway
- Bowl Bowl SichuanCollingwood · Chinese, Restaurant
- Tao Dumplings NorthcoteNorthcote · Chinese, Restaurant, Takeaway
- 茶王冰廳 Hong Kong Best Food Box HillBox Hill · Hong Kong, Chinese, Restaurant, Cafe
- Chine On Paramount Chinese RestaurantMelbourne · Chinese, Restaurant, Takeaway
- BOWLTIFUL Halal Lanzhou Handmade Noodles Glen WaverleyGlen Waverley · Noodle, Chinese, Restaurant
Discover more in Melbourne
Explore another side of the city's food and drink.
- Nonna Rosa Cafe and RestaurantGlenroy · Italian, Restaurant
- Pizza E VinoNorthcote · Pizza, Italian, Restaurant, Takeaway
- North x NorthwestMoonee Ponds · Coffee, Cafe
- House of DelightGlen Waverley · Chinese, Restaurant
- The Meat & Wine Co ChadstoneChadstone · Australian, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar
- Corner ToppingCheltenham · Pizza, Italian, Restaurant, Takeaway
- Fourth ChapterPrahran · Coffee, Brunch, Cafe, Restaurant
- Mentone Kebab HouseMentone · Fast Food, Kebab, Takeaway, Restaurant
- Maria's TrattoriaNorth Melbourne · Italian, Restaurant
- Cargo Bar & EateryDocklands · Pizza, Mexican, Restaurant, Bar, Cocktail Bar
- 2 fat ducks Vietnamese CuisinePakenham · Vietnamese, Restaurant
- Miss Gunn's Basement BarMelbourne · Cocktail, Cocktail Bar
