You can count on these butchers of distinction to deliver a roasted bird with impeccable credentials. The secret card up their sleeve is the first Josper rotisserie in Australia, which magics brined Milawa chickens into golden-skinned gorgeousness. Grab a whole or half bird to take home, or sample the goods in a hot chook roll with house-made gravy. Chicken lovers will also appreciate the premium free-range birds for sale, including the heritage Somerlad chickens from Grassland Poultry. 953 High St, Armadale. victorchurchill.com.

Like the label on the tin says, this humble Fitzroy North stalwart is one tasty chicken HQ. That’s largely thanks to the marinade (it’s a closely guarded secret, but they will reveal it takes a number of days) and a breadcrumb stuffing that’s almost as good as the bird itself. Beyond the chunky chips, there’s roast potatoes and eight different salads (including a healthy beetroot, quinoa and bean option) so you can easily turn a takeaway feed into a dinner table-ready meal. 123 Scotchmer St, Fitzroy North. facebook.com/supertastyroosternf

After treading the boards at Melbourne luminaries Vue d monde and Bar Lourinha, chef Will Tang set out to deliver Melbourne the perfect roast chicken. An east- meets-west recipe sees the South Gippsland free-range chicken brined, spiced, dry-aged and slow roasted. The sides are equally impressive, from creamy mash with the house chicken jus to a cult-worthy crusty garlic bread. Skip the usual Pepsi for a cool crisp glass of Petaluma chardonnay from the bar. 92B Acland St, St Kilda. korrjeechicken.com.au.

Seasoned in a secret spice mix for 24 hours before being slow roasted over charcoal, the free-range bird from this Richmond favourite is a winner, winner chicken dinner. The salty, rosemary-dusted skin is another highlight, while the ridiculously crunchy chips – cooked to order each time – also deserve their name in lights. The menu celebrates the humble chook in all its forms from the barbecued bird to chicken burgers, rolls, nuggets and dim sim. 312 Bridge Rd, Richmond. smokeychooks.com.au.

Since this Sydney import opened in Preston in April, Melbourne has been quick to catch on to the beauty of its crunchy-skinned, smoke-perfumed charcoal chickens (you can also get it fried, but the rotisserie rules). As well as the chicken salted chips, you’ll want to be chasing that chook with a host of Lebanese sides, from a silken hummus to a tangy garlic sauce and zippingly fresh tabouli – don’t forget a little pot of the purple pickled radish. Spread it out into the fluffy flatbreads and you’re ready to roll. Choose from a quarter or half chicken or go all out with a family pack. And just when we thought we couldn’t love it more, there’s also a drive-through option. 600 High St, Preston. eljannah.com.au.