Andy Allen first entered the Masterchef kitchen as a 24-year-old electrician with a dream of branching out into the food world. Today, he’s a judge alongside Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin on Masterchef Australia: Back To Win.

Allen is originally from New South Wales but recently moved to Northcote. We caught up with him to find out where (and what) he’s been eating in Melbourne lately.

Fenton Farmhouse in Carlton. Nez [Kagonda] has created a community which goes far beyond hospitality and it’s a lot more than good coffee and sick toasties. They grow some produce in a local garden and my go-to for brekkie is either the farm plate or the garden plate, which is normally a selection of ingredients from the farm cooked simply with pickles, some sort of relish, a soft-boiled egg and some toasted sourdough. They also do a doozy in-house tepache when pineapples are on.

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I’m a big pub guy and Melbourne does them so well. But I think the team at the Royal Oak have got it down. They got the fit-out spot on, although it’s newish, you still feel like you’re walking into a pub that’s been there for 50 years. And the food is always on point. I love that I can get a good skinsy orange while smashing some fish‘n’chips.

And shout out to Goldy’s Tavern for their Chiko Roll. A little life hack is to order the Chiko and a tin of anchovies and wrap the Chiko in the anchovies. You’re welcome.

Reed House. Marky [Hannell] and Bec [Baker] are smashing it. I’d sit at the bar and hoe into a ramen egg and a Welsh rarebit crumpet, with any glass they’re pouring. Marky would chew my ear off while Bec keeps everything moving.

Napier Quarter. Whether you sit inside or outside, you get this feeling where you just slow down, block everything out that’s going on with life.

I smash ice-cream. My go-to is the pistachio at Pidapipo. But if I’m up for an adventure, it’s Fluffy Torpedo.

Vue de Monde. Hugh [Allen], Dorian [Guillon] and the team have got it dialled. The food is flavour first, while being full of technique and creativity, but not overcomplicated. The service is slick and faultless, but not stiff, and it really encourages you to relax and have fun. And I can kick things off with a can of Travla.

I reckon the back room at Capitano. I used to live a couple of streets away, so it was a go-to for big or small groups and takeaway.

Lagoon Dining. I don’t think it’s underrated, but maybe under-visited. The food is spicy and zingy. Every dish on the menu is a banger.

I’m a 6pm booking guy. Not many late-night eats for me.

I’ve got a little trip coming up to Canada and New York City where I’m ticking a few off. Locked in are Joe Beef in Montreal and Paul Carmichael’s new spot in Manhattan: Kabawa. And I can’t wait to see my buddy Kylie Millar do her thing at Blue Hill at Stone Barns.

Andy Allen is a judge on MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, airing Sunday at 7pm and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on 10.