In-depth discussion of the best restaurants in Melbourne can be found here.
With its large and varied population, Melbourne boasts an unrivalled culinary heritage. The majority of Melbourne residents (around 50%) are of non-Australian ancestry. Melbourne's cuisine has been influenced by a wide variety of civilisations, including the Chinese, the Italians, and the Greeks.
Many Aussies argue that Melbourne, not Sydney, is the best place to eat in the country. The magnificent Australian city of Melbourne hosted the inaugural World's 50 Best Restaurants awards in 2017, drawing attention from all across the globe.
Let's not waste any more time and get down to the business of finding you a great Melbourne eatery. That's why we've put together this list of the best eateries in the city, according to us. This collection of documents is provided for your review.
FAQs About Melbourne
The Iconic Dishes of Melbourne
- Lamb Roast. There's nothing more Aussie than a Sunday roast.
- Banh mi. Thousands of refugees settled in Melbourne after the Vietnam War, and with them came a wave of incredible Vietnamese bakeries.
- Meat pie.
- Gozleme.
- Hot jam doughnut.
- Pippies in XO.
- The magic.
- Capricciosa pizza.
The Most Popular Restaurants In Melbourne, Australia
- Red Spice Road, Melbourne CBD. Restaurant, Asian, Thai, Vegetarian, $$$
- Lake House, Daylesford.
- David's, Prahran.
- Chin Chin, Melbourne CBD.
- The Grand Hotel, Richmond.
- Vivace, Brighton.
- Rice Paper Scissors, Melbourne CBD.
- Rockpool Bar & Grill, Melbourne CBD.
Locals' Favourite Restaurants in Melbourne
- Fat Jak's. A St Kilda HotSpot With Amazing Food.
- Moroccan Soup Bar. Dinner in the Park.
- Melbourne's laneways. Get lost in Melbourne's laneways.
- Mamasita. Visit Mexico in Melbourne's CBD.
- Abbotsford Convent. by Leah.
- Federation Square.
- Chadstone Shopping Centre.
It's Smith Street, Collingwood. This may be news to some but, with its vast range of food and dining options, funky bars, artisan outlets and vintage shops, it's easy to see why this once 'working class' area has become the number one must-see street on Time Out magazine's world hotlist.
Restaurants and cafés (including bars and pubs) are open for dine-in outdoors and for seated service only indoors if everyone present (including staff) is fully vaccinated, is under 16 or has a valid medical exemption.
The Restaurants In Melbourne You Have To Try
Cutler & Co.
To fully grasp Cutler & Co., one must first grasp its founder and CEO, Andrew McConnell. For Andrew, Cutler & Co., his flagship eatery, is the pinnacle of his quest. Having spent his formative years in Europe, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, Andrew brought those experiences back with him to Melbourne and infused them into this masterwork.
The building that now houses the restaurant was once a metal works plant, giving it a very Australian feel (a blend of grit with a touch of class). The cuisine itself is a combination of European and Asian influences, a great reflection of his education.
- The King George Whiting at this restaurant comes highly recommended from us. The wine list is excellent as well.
Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia; 55/57 Gertrude Street
For Florentino Grossi.
Grossi Florentino, which first opened in the early twentieth century, is one of the oldest fine dining restaurants in Melbourne's Central Business District. The meal is excellent, but that's not all Grossi has to offer. This will earn you the admiration and praise of a culture that values responsibility and deference. Grossi is your best bet for genuine Italian food.
While the restaurant has changed to keep up with the times, its dedication to excellence has remained. We put a lot of thought into picking the right components and perfecting the flavours.
- We highly recommend their gnocchi because of the charm of its simplicity.
- Postal Address: 80 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Vue de Monde
Grossi Florentino, which first opened in the early twentieth century, is one of the oldest fine dining restaurants in Melbourne's Central Business District. The meal is excellent, but that's not all Grossi has to offer. This will earn you the admiration and praise of a culture that values responsibility and deference. Grossi is your best bet for genuine Italian food.
While the restaurant has changed to keep up with the times, its dedication to excellence has remained. We put a lot of thought into picking the right components and perfecting the flavours.
- We highly recommend their gnocchi because of the charm of its simplicity.
- Postal Address: 80 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Tipo 00
Tipo 00, a modest Italian restaurant in Melbourne's central business district's laneway setting, is a perfect example of my ideal restaurant. The restaurant has a low profile and does not try to make an impression. You could be wondering, "What do I mean by this?"
If you took an Italian kitchen and turned it into a restaurant, you'd end up with Tipo 00. The open kitchen and cosy dining area greet you as you enter. Not only does it show the chef has confidence in his or her abilities, but it also creates an inviting atmosphere.
Indeed, their exclusive focus is on Italian food, and more specifically pasta. The term "Italian 00 flour" refers to the special type of flour used to make the pasta. Tipo 00 isn't as humble as it seems on the surface. That's the case! From Time Out's finest casual dining restaurant to Australia's best new restaurant, they've won it all.
Pasta is a staple in the diets of many Melburnians, and the folks at Tipo 00 know this. You'll find a hidden gem on Little Bourke Street where they've perfected the art of handmade pasta. The gnocchi and the rabbit tagliatelle are just two examples of the dishes that have been meticulously crafted and decorated with care. Keep in mind that you will want to order a few of their traditional Italian sweets.
- In particular, the Riso Carnanoli is to die for. Vegans can rejoice, since there are vegan choices available.
- Mailing Address: 361 Little Bourke St., Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Attica
Attica redefines the concept of great dining with its distinctively Australian twist. They value an approachable, conversational ambience at a restaurant more than fancy tableware. For them, a superb meal is more about the imaginative use of inexpensive, locally sourced ingredients than about using the finest ingredients possible.
Your food won't be plated with gold. Even so, you can expect to taste truly unique Australian foods like the lobster-like crayfish called Marron, which is indigenous to Australia.
- Ripponlea, Victoria 3185, Australia Address: 74 Glen Eira Road
Cumulus Inc.
Flinders Lane is home to another another Andrew McConnell Cumulus Inc. invention. Any one of Andrew McConnell's establishments will not deviate from the high quality you've come to expect.
You'll find one of the few restaurants on this list that serves all four meals.
- This is our suggestion: Taster menu prepared by the chef
- Melbourne, Australia Location: 45 Flinders Lane, VIC 3000
Flower Drum
Flower Drum is well-known not only for its innovative spin on traditional Cantonese fare, but also for its delicious food. A negative work environment is not tolerated here. The exceptional customer service alone justifies the restaurant's inclusion on this list.
- This is our suggestion: Quail Sang Choi Bao, 17 Market Lane, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Anchovy
- This is our suggestion: Their address is 338 Bridge Rd., Richmond VIC 3121, Australia, and they serve Vietnamese Pâté Chaud (dumplings stuffed with pork).
Chin Chin
Chin Chin, found on Flinders Lane in Melbourne's central business district, is a Thai-inspired restaurant that fuses flavours from across Southeast Asia. It adopts a communal dining style, with tables set up like those in Asian hawker centres.
Chin Chin's sauces, pastes, and relishes are all prepared in-house with only the finest ingredients. The Chowzter Asia Awards 2015 named their distinctive caramelised sticky pork dish the Tastiest Pork Dish in Asia.
Shrimp wrapped in banana leaf with coconut, red curry, lime, and Thai basil are just two of the restaurant's speciality dishes. There is also a "feed me" option, wherein customers are presented with a menu comprised of Chin Chin's recommended items.
The Chin Chin restaurant is also a pop-up exhibition featuring huge paintings and bizarre cartoons from Asia.
Chin Chin is another fantastic Asian fusion restaurant specialising on Malay food from the same individuals that brought you Kisumé. Thus, you can anticipate a menu that draws inspiration from all throughout Asia, including Thai and Vietnamese dishes.
Those who can handle a bit of heat in their food will really enjoy what they provide.
It's important to keep in mind that there is a strict no booking policy in force, so you'll have to wait your turn. Long waits are definitely worthwhile.
- This is our suggestion: Absolutely delicious Pad Thai
- Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; Address: 125 Flinders Lane
Supernormal
The third eatery on this list from chef Andre Mcconnell. Supernormal approaches Japanese fusion with the sort of assurance usually reserved for experienced chefs like Mcconnell. This is the full-fledged restaurant, not to be confused with its smaller sibling in St.Kilda (called Supernormal canteen).
Supernormal, the brainchild of Andrew McConnell, is an Asian hotspot not far from Chin Chin. The dishes on the ever-changing menu are all meant to be shared. If you're feeling fancy, order the banquet, but if you're not, the options are a la carte.
Supernormal can serve as the centrepiece of a memorable meal with loved ones or a group of foodies. You can find them for the ultimate Friday night in with takeout on Providore.
- This is our suggestion: Fantastic Dumplings, Both Prawn and Chicken
- 180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia
Dinner by Heston Melbourne
Some of the classic dishes of British cuisine date back to the 12th century.
- Their spiced duck is to die for, so go there if you get the chance.
- Location: Suite 300, Crown Towers, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank, Victoria 3006, Australia
Kisumé
Many Asian eateries suffer from a lack of authenticity, which is a major concern. A true Asian restaurant, with real Japanese and Korean chefs, is a must-try.
- To get the most out of your sushi experience, we suggest ordering from the chef's tasting menu.
- Postal code: 3000; city: Melbourne; street address: 175 Flinders Lane
The Most Popular Restaurants In Melbourne, Australia
The Age Good Food Guide 2016 is the result of a public vote on the best restaurants, cafes, and pubs in Victoria. The People's Choice Poll highlighted the variety of cuisines and atmospheres available in Victoria.
The top-rated restaurants in Victoria, Australia, including five Asian restaurants, a vegan bar, two Italian restaurants, a North-inspired steakhouse, and a nice diner. Here's the skinny on everything.
Red Spice Road, Melbourne CBD
Vegetarian, Thai, Asian
Red Spice Road, in the middle of Melbourne, is well-known for its Asian-inspired menu, which features flavours from Thailand, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam. Red Spice Road was named Victoria's favourite and most favoured restaurant as part of the first-ever The Age Good Food Guide People's Choice award.
Lake House, Daylesford
The Australian Restaurant
The seasonal dishes created by the chefs of Daylesford's Lake House are presented with a cutting-edge, even revolutionary, style. The menu changes with the seasons, and the ingredients are usually gathered that morning. Lake House serves up a menu that leans towards the rural, with items like grass-fed beef and fish caught in freshwater.
The smoked Skipton eel with pancetta, shallot confit, beetroot remoulade, and mustard crème fraîche is the restaurant's hallmark dish, and it's both visually stunning and deliciously sophisticated.
David’s, Prahran
Asian Cuisine Restaurant
David's in Prahran, which has won multiple awards, serves contemporary takes on comfort food classics. The Zhouzhuang, a rural village on the rivers of Shanghai, is a major culinary influence, and the restaurant seeks to serve food that is both authentic and delicious.
Soy, honey, ginger, and even whole chillies and cloves of garlic are common seasonings in its recipes. In keeping with the Shanghai river house motif, David's eatery is warm and inviting.
The Grand Hotel, Richmond
Authentic Australian Cuisine in a Hotel Restaurant
In addition to its excellent Italian cuisine, the Grand Hotel in Richmond has a luxurious atmosphere. It has amazing taste and provides excellent value. The Grand Dining Room has received nine consecutive "Age Good Food Guide Chef's Hat" awards. Its bustling yet refined ambience makes it ideal for both business lunches and romantic dinners.
The Grand Hotel is the only venue in town to regularly host stand-up comedy shows. The Grand Hotel is perfect for any occasion, from intimate gatherings to elaborate banquets.
Vivace, Brighton
A Restaurant, Cafe, or Italian Restaurant
At Vivace in Brighton, even the pickiest eaters may enjoy an updated take on traditional Italian fare that features locally sourced ingredients like fresh Australian seafood, Black Angus beef, homemade pasta, and decadent desserts.
The intimate setting and refined lighting at Vivace provide for a luxurious dining experience. The dishes are artfully plated and perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion. Fresh and seasonal ingredients are used in the kitchen, and there is currently a tempting and excellent winter breakfast, lunch, and supper menu available to guests, along with a wine selection.
Rice Paper Scissors, Melbourne CBD
Asian, Australian, Thai, and Vietnamese Cuisine, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant
The chefs at Rice Paper Scissors source the best produce and meats, and pair them with homemade sauces, patés, and relishes to create a menu that is influenced by Southeast Asia. They are dedicated to using and promoting local food and hospitality suppliers, and their tables are set up to look like those in Asian hawker centres.
Its food is designed around the idea of communal dining, and the restaurant's rustic decor further contributes to the feeling of belonging and camaraderie it fosters.
Rockpool Bar & Grill, Melbourne CBD
Australian Bar and Restaurant Serving Pub Food
Melbourne's Rockpool Bar and Grill is committed to serving only the finest Australian-sourced ingredients in a dynamic setting reminiscent of the best-known American steakhouses. It boasts a polished and uncomplicated menu to go along with the laid-back atmosphere it claims to create for diners.
All of the beef served at Rockpool Bar and Grill is dry-aged on the premises to improve its flavour and texture, ensuring that customers always receive the highest quality. It's unusually free of vitamins and growth hormones in Australia these days.
Rockpool handles its ingredients with reverence and delivers on taste, quality, and excellence. They provide three of the top types of Australian beef, including Blackmore's Wagyu, Cape Grim, and Minderoo.
Smith & Daughters, Fitzroy
Vegan Eatery
Seafood, chorizo, and konjac root are staples in the cuisine, which takes its inspiration from Spanish and Mexican cuisines. Its fare is modern, colourful, and bursting with flavour.
Longrain, Melbourne CBD
Restaurant, Bar, Dessert, Asian, Thai, Vegetarian, Dessert, and Cocktails
At Longrain, you may sample a fusion of authentic Southeast Asian flavours and high-quality Victorian ingredients. They serve out heaping portions meant to be shared, as Longrain is renowned for its culture of communal dining.
All of the dishes, from the crispy entire fillets to the spicy peanut papaya salads, have uncommon but refined flavour combinations that put a contemporary spin on classic Thai cuisine. Ping Pong, Longrain's signature cocktail, combines the flavours of lychee, passionfruit, and vodka in a refreshing and delicious way.
Conclusion
The best restaurants in Melbourne are those that have been influenced by a wide variety of civilisations, including the Chinese, the Italians, and the Greeks. Cutler & Co. is the flagship eatery of Andrew McConnell, who has spent his formative years in Europe, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Grossi Florentino is one of the oldest fine dining restaurants in Melbourne's Central Business District, and its dedication to excellence has remained. The King George Whiting is highly recommended from us, and the wine list is excellent. Grossi Florentino is one of the oldest fine dining restaurants in Melbourne's Central Business District.
It has changed to keep up with the times, but its dedication to excellence has remained. Tipo 00, a modest Italian restaurant in Melbourne's central business district's laneway setting, is a perfect example of an ideal restaurant. Pasta is a staple in the diets of many Melburnians, and Tipo 00 has perfected the art of handmade pasta. Attica redefines the concept of Italian food with its traditional Italian sweets.
Andrew McConnell Cumulus Inc. is an Australian restaurant that specializes in inexpensive, locally sourced ingredients. Flower Drum is well-known for its innovative spin on traditional Cantonese fare, while Chin Chin is a Thai-inspired restaurant that fuses flavours from across Southeast Asia. Anchovy is a Vietnamese restaurant that serves Vietnamese Pâté Chaud and is also home to a pop-up exhibition featuring huge paintings and bizarre cartoons from Asia. The Age Good Food Guide 2016 is the result of a public vote on the best restaurants, cafes, and pubs in Victoria. The top-rated restaurants in Victoria include five Asian restaurants, a vegan bar, two Italian restaurants, a North-inspired steakhouse, and a nice diner.
The most popular dishes include Pad Thai, Fantastic Dumplings, Both Prawn and Chicken, Dinner by Heston Melbourne, Kisumé, and Red Spice Road. Lake House serves up a menu that leans towards the rural, with items like grass-fed beef and fish caught in freshwater. David's in Prahran serves contemporary takes on comfort food classics, and the Grand Hotel in Richmond has a luxurious atmosphere. Vivace in Brighton offers an updated take on traditional Italian fare, with locally sourced ingredients like fresh Australian seafood, Black Angus beef, homemade pasta, and decadent desserts. Rice Paper Scissors in Melbourne CBD offers Asian, Australian, Thai, and Vietnamese Cuisine, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant.
Rockpool Bar & Grill, Melbourne CBD, is an Australian Bar and Restaurant serving Pub Food with a polished and uncomplicated menu. It is dry-aged on the premises to improve its flavour and texture, and provides three of the top types of Australian beef. Smith & Daughters, Fitzroy, is a vegan Eatery with seafood, chorizo, and konjac root. Longrain is a fusion of authentic Southeast Asian flavours and high-quality Victorian ingredients. Ping Pong, Longrain's signature cocktail, combines lychee, passionfruit, and vodka in a refreshing and delicious way.
Content Summary
- In-depth discussion of the best restaurants in Melbourne can be found here.
- With its large and varied population, Melbourne boasts an unrivalled culinary heritage.
- The majority of Melbourne residents (around 50%) are of non-Australian ancestry.
- Melbourne's cuisine has been influenced by a wide variety of civilisations, including the Chinese, the Italians, and the Greeks.
- Many Aussies argue that Melbourne, not Sydney, is the best place to eat in the country.
- The magnificent Australian city of Melbourne hosted the inaugural World's 50 Best Restaurants awards in 2017, drawing attention from all across the globe.
- That's why we've put together this list of the best eateries in the city, according to us.
- This collection of documents is provided for your review.
- The Restaurants In Melbourne You Have To TryCutler & Co. To fully grasp Cutler & Co., one must first grasp its founder and CEO, Andrew McConnell.
- For Andrew, Cutler & Co., his flagship eatery, is the pinnacle of his quest.
- Grossi Florentino, which first opened in the early twentieth century, is one of the oldest fine dining restaurants in Melbourne's Central Business District.
- Grossi is your best bet for genuine Italian food.
- Postal Address: 80 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia Tipo 00 Tipo 00, a modest Italian restaurant in Melbourne's central business district's laneway setting, is a perfect example of my ideal restaurant.
- Indeed, their exclusive focus is on Italian food, and more specifically pasta.
- The term "Italian 00 flour" refers to the special type of flour used to make the pasta.
- Tipo 00 isn't as humble as it seems on the surface.
- From Time Out's finest casual dining restaurant to Australia's best new restaurant, they've won it all.
- Pasta is a staple in the diets of many Melburnians, and the folks at Tipo 00 know this.
- You'll find a hidden gem on Little Bourke Street where they've perfected the art of handmade pasta.
- The gnocchi and the rabbit tagliatelle are just two examples of the dishes that have been meticulously crafted and decorated with care.
- Keep in mind that you will want to order a few of their traditional Italian sweets.
- Any one of Andrew McConnell's establishments will not deviate from the high quality you've come to expect.
- You'll find one of the few restaurants on this list that serves all four meals.
- The exceptional customer service alone justifies the restaurant's inclusion on this list.
- Chin ChinChin Chin, found on Flinders Lane in Melbourne's central business district, is a Thai-inspired restaurant that fuses flavours from across Southeast Asia.
- Chin Chin's sauces, pastes, and relishes are all prepared in-house with only the finest ingredients.
- The Chowzter Asia Awards 2015 named their distinctive caramelised sticky pork dish the Tastiest Pork Dish in Asia.
- A true Asian restaurant, with real Japanese and Korean chefs, is a must-try.
- To get the most out of your sushi experience, we suggest ordering from the chef's tasting menu.
- Postal code: 3000; city: Melbourne; street address: 175 Flinders Lane The Most Popular Restaurants In Melbourne, Australia The Age Good Food Guide 2016 is the result of a public vote on the best restaurants, cafes, and pubs in Victoria.
- The People's Choice Poll highlighted the variety of cuisines and atmospheres available in Victoria.
- The top-rated restaurants in Victoria, Australia, including five Asian restaurants, a vegan bar, two Italian restaurants, a North-inspired steakhouse, and a nice diner.
- Lake House serves up a menu that leans towards the rural, with items like grass-fed beef and fish caught in freshwater.
- David's, Prahran Asian Cuisine Restaurant David's in Prahran, which has won multiple awards, serves contemporary takes on comfort food classics.
- The Zhouzhuang, a rural village on the rivers of Shanghai, is a major culinary influence, and the restaurant seeks to serve food that is both authentic and delicious.
- In keeping with the Shanghai river house motif, David's eatery is warm and inviting.
- The Grand Hotel, Richmond Authentic Australian Cuisine in a Hotel Restaurant In addition to its excellent Italian cuisine, the Grand Hotel in Richmond has a luxurious atmosphere.
- The Grand Hotel is the only venue in town to regularly host stand-up comedy shows.
- The Grand Hotel is perfect for any occasion, from intimate gatherings to elaborate banquets.
- The intimate setting and refined lighting at Vivace provide for a luxurious dining experience.
- Rice Paper Scissors, Melbourne CBD Asian, Australian, Thai, and Vietnamese Cuisine, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant The chefs at Rice Paper Scissors source the best produce and meats, and pair them with homemade sauces, patés, and relishes to create a menu that is influenced by Southeast Asia.
- Its food is designed around the idea of communal dining, and the restaurant's rustic decor further contributes to the feeling of belonging and camaraderie it fosters.
- Rockpool Bar & Grill, Melbourne CBD Australian Bar and Restaurant Serving Pub Food Melbourne's Rockpool Bar and Grill is committed to serving only the finest Australian-sourced ingredients in a dynamic setting reminiscent of the best-known American steakhouses.
- All of the beef served at Rockpool Bar and Grill is dry-aged on the premises to improve its flavour and texture, ensuring that customers always receive the highest quality.
- Rockpool handles its ingredients with reverence and delivers on taste, quality, and excellence.
- They provide three of the top types of Australian beef, including Blackmore's Wagyu, Cape Grim, and Minderoo.
- Smith & Daughters, Fitzroy Vegan Eatery Seafood, chorizo, and konjac root are staples in the cuisine, which takes its inspiration from Spanish and Mexican cuisines.
- Its fare is modern, colourful, and bursting with flavour.
- Longrain, Melbourne CBD Restaurant, Bar, Dessert, Asian, Thai, Vegetarian, Dessert, and Cocktails At Longrain, you may sample a fusion of authentic Southeast Asian flavours and high-quality Victorian ingredients.
- They serve out heaping portions meant to be shared, as Longrain is renowned for its culture of communal dining.