The Duke and Duchess of Sussex got a taste of Australia as chargrilled kangaroo was on the menu for lunch.

Foodie Meghan and Harry dined at Charcoal Lane after a morning spent meeting crowds, leaders and community groups in Melbourne.

The restaurant, in the hip Fitzroy area of the city, served up an entree of mushroom and quinoa nest and chargrilled kangaroo and main courses of wild boar, saffron risotto and barramundi.

It was prepared by chefs who were trained by the Mission Australia programme, which assists young indigenous Australians into employment.

Before the meal, the duke and duchess visited the kitchen, where executive chef Greg Hampton told the couple: “Welcome, we are so happy to have you here.”

Gesturing at the sparkling surfaces, Harry said: “You’ve got a very clean kitchen – is it always this clean? Especially clean today?”

Mr Hampton then talked through a range of unusual herbs and spices, urging the royals to smell and taste them.

“A lot of these ingredients have been here for thousands of years. Our fruits are the same as fruits thousands of years ago,” he said

He warned the couple that the Tasmanian Pepper came with a kick, adding: “I don’t want to freak you out!”

Speaking ahead of their arrival, he said: “I would hesitate to offer her (the pregnant duchess) the pepper, because they are quite hot.

“The first time I tasted one I thought I was having an allergic reaction because the heat creeps up on you. I don’t want to freak her out.”

Charcoal Lane currently employs 23 young people for 15 hours a week as they work towards a Certificate 2 in hospitality.

“A lot of them come from backgrounds where nobody has worked, so this is very important for them,” said Mr Hampton.