Where Should I Eat Dinner In Melbourne?

Top Restaurants and Bars in Melbourne

If you're looking for a place to eat in Melbourne, you might not think to head near the city centre. If you reside in the modern world, you're probably within walking distance of a few excellent neighbourhood eateries.

Central Business District remains the city's epicentre for dining. Some of these restaurants have become household names due to their consistently high quality and long history of catering to important business lunches and evenings. Some are more recent openings, with meals created by promising young cooks just starting out.

Each of the restaurants included here has established itself as a standard-bearer for dining in Melbourne. Because of the ridiculously high level of competition, several of these locations offer shockingly low prices.

Cutler & Co.

We recommend Cutler & Co. as a typical Melbourne restaurant. Serves superb cuisine in a casual, comfortable atmosphere, with menu items like roasted flounder and a big rib eye for sharing that are reminiscent of a French bistro.

One of the many excellent restaurants in town that shares the same chef's talents is highly recommended before you leave: The tastiest tuna tartare in town can be found at Cumulus Inc., a no-reservations, small-plates restaurant open 24 hours a day.

Although they are only available for lunch and dinner, Supernormal can be thought of as the Asian Cumulus. The meal at Ricky & Pinky is traditional Australian-Chinese fare, but with a bit of a fancy twist—perfect for a night out at the local watering hole. When it comes to decent wine bars, nothing beats Marion. You must visit at least one of these restaurants before you leave town.

Cookie

Cookies are like a forgotten garment at the back of your closet; once you eat one, you can't stop thinking about it. It's not that Cookie is ever quiet or empty, but because of its longevity and reliability, locals in Melbourne tend to take it for granted. One of our favourite spots to dine in the city is this enormous room that serves as both a bar and a restaurant, and is home to some of the best Thai food in the area.

Caprica

A pizza shop that could easily be in Rome is located on a quiet road in Carlton, close to Melbourne University. Wine is served in tumblers, the tables are so close together that you can hear the relationship debrief taking place at the next table, and the menus are photocopies scribbled in red wine.

Chin Chin

To visit Chin Chin, you will inevitably have to wait in line. Fun can be had at any time of day or night at this no-reservations, trendy South-East Asian restaurant on Flinders Lane in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. They've been swamped with customers ever since they opened in 2011, and a latest growth hasn't helped.

Get here on a weeknight long before 7 o'clock to place your name on the list and then head to GoGo Bar around the corner and behind the restaurant for a drink. It may feel strange to tell your waiter to "feed me" when you've finally been seated, but if you do, they'll bring out dish after dish.

Minamishima

There is no doubt that Melbourne has excellent Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai restaurants, but Japanese cuisine has never been one of the city's strong suits. Way too many cheap ($3) hand rolls use canned tuna as filling. However, Minamishima stands out from the crowd by providing one of the few omakase meals in the area and sourcing its ingredients from the freshest local seafood and fish as well as the Tokyo fish market. Make sure you reserve a seat at the sushi place in advance, as the locals are obviously fans.

Tonka

With a sizable and expanding Indian community, Melbourne is home to many excellent, affordable Indian restaurants. Nonetheless, what about the newer, fancier Indian eateries? That's about all there is; Tonka is it. There are numerous twists on traditional dishes, in addition to the more standard fare . So, yeah, it's cool if it's only Tonka here.

Also, you'll spend a lot of time eating and drinking in Melbourne's laneways, which are actually called laneways by the locals and are much less sinister than the name alley suggests. This one can be found in a back alley off of a main street.

Cafe Di Stasio

One of Melbourne's best restaurants, Cafe Di Stasio is mostly unknown to visitors. To be invited to supper at Di Stasio by a local is a sure sign that somebody is head over heels in love with you. The white-jacketed waiters here will greet you like kings while serving you the finest Italian cuisine in town.

The younger, more relaxed bar next door is popular with St. Kilda locals for after-work cocktails and easygoing dinners.

Pacific Seafood BBQ House

Australia's Chinese restaurants don't serve chicken chow mein or any dish with General Tso's sauce. The Chinese cuisine in this region differs significantly from that seen in other parts of the world; specifically, it is significantly less sweet and, perhaps, more similar to the Chinese cuisine consumed in China.

In spite of its Victoria Street location in Richmond, among pho shops and Vietnamese restaurants, Pacific Seafood BBQ House is a top choice for Chinese cuisine. Specials are printed in Chinese on colourful paper and pinned to the walls, and the tables are notoriously sticky.

Pellegrini’s

Pellegrini's is the quintessential example of a Melbourne landmark. Serving out bowls of bolognese and glasses of watermelon sorbet all day, this unpretentious Italian restaurant treats its customers as if it were doing them a favour. And they are, as this time capsule (open since the 1950s) serves as the ideal pit stop for weary sightseers in between the city's many attractions.

Attica

Attica, a dim, world-famous restaurant in Ripponlea, a Melbourne suburb better recognised for its old houses and families than for anything cool, is the best spot to enjoy food made with Australian ingredients. Vegemite pie, wallaby blood pikelet, enormous emu eggs, and kangaroo are just some of the delicacies that could appear on a twenty-course tasting menu. Though a sense of adventure would be helpful, Attica is never too stuffy or overbearing.

Charcoal Grill on the Hill

Charcoal Grill is not the type of restaurant a tourist would stumble across, and it's not the hippest spot in town, but it's one of our absolute favourites. Upon entering this suburban establishment, you will be welcomed by a massive case of raw meat.

While there are some appetisers and non-beef items on the menu, you're coming for the main attraction: a flawlessly cooked steak of your choosing, served with a heaping helping of French fries and a side salad. While the red decor (including the carpet), mature clientele, and extensive wine selection may give the impression that Charcoal Grill is a stuffy establishment, the opposite is true. This is a supper you shouldn't miss if you're staying in town for a while.

Vue De Monde

Vue du Monde, located on the 55th story of the Rialto building, is one of the few restaurants in Melbourne that offers a great view of the city. Vue is an upscale restaurant where the only option is a tasting plate, but the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable.

The food is serious , the atmosphere is modern and dark, but the service is casual and there are no whispers. Put away some substantial cash; this is going to be expensive. Have a drink and a meal at Lui Bar, right next door, for a cheaper alternative with a view.

Huxtaburger

In contrast to American burgers, when you order an Australian burger with "the lot," you'll get less cheese, more bacon, a fried egg, and slices of beetroot. The likelihood of dozing off after eating one is low, with the exception of Huxtaburger, whose burgers are more reminiscent of those found at In-N-Out than those sold at the local chip and fish joints.

What began as one shop in Fitzroy with a persistently long wait has expanded into a small network without lowering standards in any way. Put aside the Cosby Show decor that wasn't so out of place when they first launched and imagine it as Melbourne's version of Shake Shack.

Flower Drum

Dumplings, yum cha , trendy twists, and classic spins on Chinese food can all be found in Melbourne. However, Flower Drum is the place to go for exquisite traditional Cantonese.

In addition to their famed Peking duck, regulars always seem to request a plate of abalone as well. They've been at it for 41 years, and we're not sure anything has changed in that time, but that's fine by us.

Hutong Dumpling Bar

The xiaolongbao craze in Melbourne began at Hutong, and it is still the greatest place to get soup dumplings in the city.

Both the downtown and Prahran sites are great for large groups and romantic outings, however the Prahran one is a tad more upscale. You might have to wait at peak periods, but these dumpling are worth it.

Melbourne Restaurants Pricing Guide

This cost estimate is based solely on the main course (no drinks, dessert, or appetisers are included). For example, if a snack bar is included, the total cost is based on the number of tapas dishes necessary to satisfy a diner's appetite rather than the price of a single tapas dish. This should serve as a rough estimate; remember to add on more to cover drinks and side dishes.

Northern Suburbs

If you explore Melbourne further north, you'll find a number of neighbourhoods that are just as hip as Fitzroy and Collingwood.

• Poke the Bear : The cutest tiny café serving all-day breakfast and delicious smoothies and juices
• Moon Dog World : Ignore the warehouse district outside and enter this brewery to find a completely different atmosphere. It's a huge space with a pool and many bars, as at a tiki bar
• A1 Bakery: Come here for delicious bread, pizzas and baklava $
• Neruda’s : In the mood for some Chilean sopaipillas, Argentine empanadas, or Colombian arepas? Come on in to our cosy little café and have your needs met.
• Northcote Social Club : The kitchen not only produces some of Melbourne's best pub grub but also hosts some of the city's best live music.
• Estelle : The dishes are just as refined as the rest of the setting. Beautiful setting for a quiet celebration or date.
• Wesley Anne: It's a lot of fun to grab a pint and settle into one of the cosy nooks fashioned from repurposed church pews at this bar. In the colder months, when the atmosphere is warm and the food is hearty, this is a fantastic place to spend time.
• Pizza Meine Liebe : It was our go-to pizza place when we lived in Northcote; the crust is crisp and chewy and the toppings are fresh and flavorful.

Eastern Suburbs

Although it lacks the must-try eateries found in the city centre and the northern neighbourhoods, it is the best bet for those craving Asian cuisine.

• The Hills Wine Bar : This intimate bar is the liquid embodiment of all the things a wine aficionado could possibly desire, and it also happens to be our favourite local watering hole. Several pizzas and appetisers are available to complement the wine.
• Piccino : Adorable cafe that puts a new spin on breakfast classics like fried eggs and avocado. A beautiful dog-friendly outdoor space is available.
• BurgerBurger : Huge variety of burgers, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and gluten-filled options. The burgers' names are puns on the names of nearby communities.
• Miss Frank Café : Miss Frank is just one more reason why breakfast in Melbourne is unparalleled. In this way, they ta
• Indochine : Vietnamese food that is both quick and fresh, despite the often sloppy service. Vietnamese crepes (Banh Xeo) are excellent, and the bn bowls are hard to put down

Conclusion

Melbourne is a must-visit for foodies. Multiple waves of immigrants have left their mark on every facet of city life, from the longstanding love of coffee to the abundance of Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants. Some of these restaurants have become household names due to their consistently high quality and long history of catering to important business lunches and evenings. No-reservations, small-plates. restaurants are open 24 hours a day at Cumulus Inc., and Supernormal can be thought of as the Asian Cumulus.

Cutler & Co. serves superb cuisine in a casual, comfortable atmosphere, with menu items like roasted flounder and rib eye reminiscent of a French bistro. One of our favourite spots to dine in Melbourne is this enormous room that serves as both a bar and restaurant, and is home to some of the best Thai food in Melbourne.

Content Summary:

• Despite its location at the end of the world, the food in Melbourne can compete with that of major cities like New York and London.
• While Sydney attracts the majority of tourists, Melbourne is the better choice if you're planning a trip around food.
• Multiple waves of immigrants have left their mark on every facet of city life, from the longstanding love of coffee to the European drinking culture to the abundance of Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants.
• There is a restaurant for every taste in Melbourne.
• The Central Business District, or "the city" as the locals call it, is home to a wide variety of restaurants, and so are neighbourhoods including Fitzroy, Carlton, and Richmond.
• And while you can always go all out on fine dining, many of the most exciting restaurants right now are more laid back and focused on family-style menus, small plates, and sharing.
• There are also cafes to consider.
• While "coffee shops" do not exist in Melbourne, cafes are typically full-service restaurants serving a wide variety of delicious dishes.
• Due to intense competition, several of the hipper cafes now offer ham hock benedict and full Indonesian breakfasts in addition to the standard American morning fare.
• The Melbourne dining scene is intriguing, incredibly diverse, and, yes, somewhat pricey.
• On the other hand, Melbourne is a must-visit for foodies.
• You should probably eat more than three times a day if you want to get everything done.
• If you're looking for a place to eat in Melbourne, you might not think to head near the city centre.
• If you reside in the modern world, you're probably within walking distance of a few excellent neighbourhood eateries.
• District remains the city's epicentre for dining.
• Some of these restaurants have become household names due to their consistently high quality and long history of catering to important business lunches and evenings.
• Some are more recent openings, with meals created by promising young cooks just starting out.
• Each of the restaurants included here has established itself as a standard-bearer for dining in Melbourne.
• Because of the ridiculously high level of competition, several of these locations offer shockingly low prices.
• We recommend Cutler & Co. as a typical Melbourne restaurant.
• Serves superb cuisine in a casual, comfortable atmosphere, with menu items like roasted flounder and a big rib eye for sharing that are reminiscent of a French bistro.
• One of the many excellent restaurants in town that shares the same chef's talents is highly recommended before you leave: The tastiest tuna tartare in town can be found at Cumulus Inc., a no-reservations, small-plates restaurant open 24 hours a day.
• Although they are only available for lunch and dinner, Supernormal can be thought of as the Asian Cumulus.
• The meal at Ricky & Pinky is traditional Australian-Chinese fare, but with a bit of a fancy twist—perfect for a night out at the local watering hole.
• When it comes to decent wine bars, nothing beats Marion.
• You must visit at least one of these restaurants before you leave town.
• Cookie Cookies are like a forgotten garment at the back of your closet; once you eat one, you can't stop thinking about it.
• It's not that Cookie is ever quiet or empty, but because of its longevity and reliability, locals in Melbourne tend to take it for granted.
• One of our favourite spots to dine in the city is this enormous room that serves as both a bar and a restaurant, and is home to some of the best Thai food in the area.
• A pizza shop that could easily be in Rome is located on a quiet road in Carlton, close to Melbourne University.
• Wine is served in tumblers, the tables are so close together that you can hear the relationship debrief taking place at the next table, and the menus are photocopies scribbled in red wine.
• To visit Chin Chin, you will inevitably have to wait in line.
• Fun can be had at any time of day or night at this no-reservations, trendy South-East Asian restaurant on Flinders Lane in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.
• They've been swamped with customers ever since they opened in 2011, and a latest growth hasn't helped.