Why Locals Love Hot Star Elizabeth Street
Located in the bustling heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Hot Star Elizabeth Street is a must-visit destination for fried chicken enthusiasts seeking bold, flavour-packed fast food. Specialising in Taiwanese-style fried chicken, this restaurant takes the humble chicken cutlet to a whole new level, delivering oversized, crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside fried delights that are both satisfying and crave-worthy.
The menu at Hot Star Elizabeth Street is crafted around their signature large fried chicken pieces, available boneless or with bone, and seasoned to perfection with options like salt & pepper, chilli, and cheese. Popular combos such as Crispy Wings (6pcs) + Fries and Chicken Pop + Fries cater perfectly to varying appetites, while inventive sides like King Oyster Mushroom and Crispy Chicken Skin add exciting textures and flavours to the mix. The snacks and sides, including their beloved Sweet Potato and classic Fries, round out the meal with comforting familiarity.
What truly sets Hot Star apart is the extraordinary size and crunch of their fried chicken – a crowd favourite being the "Large Hot Star Chicken," famously enormous and bursting with juicy goodness. Customers rave about the seasoning balance and the crispy breading, which crackles delightfully with each bite, leaving you finger-licking up till the last crumb. Even newcomers find themselves enchanted by unexpected items like the fried mushroom, which has quickly become a new favourite for many.
The atmosphere here is casual and vibrant, designed primarily for takeaway but pulsing with the energy of diners and passersby drawn to the unmistakable aroma of deep-fried chicken. Given its popularity as a late-night snack stop, especially around midnight, expect a lively crowd and occasional lines, a testament to its status as a local favourite.
While some guests note the pricing as slightly on the higher side for takeaway food, the overwhelming consensus highlights the generous portion sizes and the unbeatable flavour and freshness that justify the spend. Attentive staff and an efficient self-order kiosk make for a smooth and friendly ordering experience, even during peak hours.
In summary, Hot Star Elizabeth Street is a brilliant spot for anyone hunting for bold, crispy fried chicken with an exciting Taiwanese twist in Melbourne. Its unique flavor profile, sizeable servings, and dynamic street-food vibe make it a compelling choice for both casual snackers and serious food lovers alike.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Assistive hearing loop
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Halal food
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Table service
- Toilet
- Casual
- Family friendly
- Tourists
- University students
- Usually a wait
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Good for kids
- Paid street parking
Real Reviews from the Community
- Feb 1, 2026
It was good overall! Just takeaway only shop! Find it too expensive for the price! But it was flavourful! You would be fingerlicking up till the last crumb!first time having fried mushroom and it’s my new fave now! Added to one of my craving list! Must try! No photos added as I’ve finished it before I could even think of taking a photo hahaha
- Feb 1, 2026
This is fried chicken done right. Having seen a lot of people eating from a blue paper bag made me wonder what this was, and once I came across this place, I was glad. I ordered the Large Hot Star Chicken with Chilli, Pepper Salt and Chhese at $11.90, which seemed a pretty decent price for the quantity and quality of chicken. You've to order from the self-check kiosk located on the side of the store. The place was busu, evident from the orders being prepared and the people eagerly waiting for theirs. I jad to wait for about 7-8 minutes as the chicken was freshly fried, seasoned, and served in their trademark blue paper bag which I took away to my room to eat in peace. The chicken was excellent. Juicy, not overly crispy, aptly spiced and seasoned, it indeed was a big piece that took a while to eat completely. There were bones towards yhe end, but those were soft and didn't hamper the overall experience. This tiny place shouldn't be missed by fried chicken lovers, and I think I'll get another one now!
- Jan 16, 2026
Everyone’s go-to late night snacks in Elizabeth St lmao it gets busier at midnight and prepare to wait for more than 20 mins. The hotstar chicken is HUGE. For the seasonings I usually do salt & pepper and chicken salt.
- Jan 14, 2026
This is a very cool looking restaurant and the concept is great for the fried chicken. It's a thin breaded piece of chicken that is pretty large and a good value for the price. However I found it too chewy.
- Jan 11, 2026
Hot Star never disappoints. The large fried chicken is exactly what it promises — huge, golden, crispy on the outside, and incredibly juicy inside. It’s seasoned perfectly with just the right amount of spice and crunch, and always freshly made to order. The staff are quick and efficient, even during busy periods, and the service is consistently friendly. It’s the perfect spot for a satisfying street food-style snack or a quick, indulgent meal. If you’re in the CBD and craving something bold, hot, and utterly satisfying, Hot Star is a must-visit. The portions are generous, the flavours are spot-on, and the chicken always hits the spot. 10/10 would return!
- Dec 12, 2025
uhmmm first bite with these? furthermore its curly...
- Dec 10, 2025
Hot Star has always been my favorite place to go to for Taiwanese style fried chicken. The battered coating is just so delicious and the seasoning selection is super tasty. It's my late night go-to fried chicken place whenever I crave for food at midnight . Always get the Hot Star Chicken (the menu name lol), such a gigantic piece of chicken for $9 only. Need to look out for bones though. This store always has a lot of people but the ordering system is super efficient (use the touch screen in front), then you just stand there for around 5 minutes for your order to be prepared and your number to be called.
- Dec 3, 2025
great place for cheap chicken and fries! the giant chicken slabs are as they say, as big as your head and are very juicy and tasty! the fries are yummy and plentiful too, the food was amazing only complain was how long it took to get the food, maybe 15 minutes or so but its def worth the way will go again
