THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN MELBOURNE
Melbourne’s food scene is second to none in Australia, boasting an abundance of venues that are the envy of the nation. Whatever you’re craving, Melbourne has it. With so much on offer, it can be a little overwhelming choosing where to wine and dine. That’s why we’ve made things easier for you with our expertly curated selection of the best restaurants in Melbourne, from modern Australian fine dining to hearty and comforting Italian kitchens.
What are you waiting for? Dig into our tantalising list and start planning your delectable date night.
ATTICA
CUISINE: Modern Australian fine dining
ADDRESS: 74 Glen Eira Rd, Ripponlea VIC 3185
OPENING HOURS: 6pm – 8pm Tuesday – Saturday
INSTAGRAM: @atticamelbourne
Attica is an unassuming suburban restaurant located in Ripponlea. The venue’s exterior doesn’t scream opulence and glamour, but this humble looking restaurant is anything but. Attica has been awarded one of the world’s best restaurants, featured on Netflix’s episode of Chef’s Table and has been awarded three hats by the Good Food Guide 2020.
Attica’s dining experience is not about the venue or its celebrity status – it’s all about the food. When you walk inside, everything is focused on the table with dramatic moody light shining on your food. It’s pure theatre and a total seduction through courses after courses of beautifully balanced and modern cuisines from Attica’s owner and chef Ben Shrewry. With a cooking style that is deeply narrative and honest to his own personal experiences, the menu is witty and playful focussing on native ingredients that are mostly unfamiliar to the general public. Yet through thoughtful and innovative cooking as well as an incredible attention to detail, every course appeals to the senses and is truly a gastronomic culinary experience.
You can make a reservation at Attica, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

MR MIYAGI
CUISINE: Japanese
ADDRESS: 99 Chapel St, Windsor VIC 3181
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Thursday 5pm – late, Friday – Sunday 12 noon – late
INSTAGRAM: @mrmiyagimelbourne
Located in the heart of Chapel Street, Mr Miyagi is definitely one of the go to places when in Melbourne. Being one of the most innovative restaurants in the food scene, Mr Miyagi offers a casual but fancy Japanese restaurant, serving up traditional dishes with a funky, modern twist. The menu is a concise offering of fun plates designed around sharing. The Salmon Nori tacos are a must! The dining room feels a bit like a club, with its dim lighting, loud beats and long bar, it’s more than a meal; it’s a cool and funky dining experience. With its sexy and hip decor, funky vibes, stunning drinks menu and its delicious modern take on traditional Japanese Asian Fusion cuisine, Mr Miyagi is a true all-rounder.
You can make a reservation at Mr Miyagi, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

FLOWER DRUM
CUISINE: Cantonese
ADDRESS: 17 Market Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Saturday: Lunch 12 noon – 3pm, Dinner: 6pm – 11pm, Sunday 6pm – 10:30pm
INSTAGRAM: @flower_drum
To keep a restaurant at the top of its game for a better part of four decades in Melbourne is quite an extraordinary achievement and there are no signs that Flower drum is planning on slowing down any time soon. It takes considerable effort to maintain this level of standard for such an extended period of time with unfaltering consistency to impeccable service day after day and extraordinary skills in the kitchen.
In China, “Flower Drum” is known as a traditional dance famous for its beauty and elegance. Their art of cooking is based on the authentic Asian philosophy of using the best seasonal ingredients to produce the most delicate of flavours by showcasing a variety of high quality local ingredients through the skilful execution of Asian cooking to delight the palate. Flower Drum continues to shine as one of the finest restaurants in Melbourne. Although a visit here can give your wallet a bit of a work out, with sophisticated and refined oriental style delicacies, impeccable food and service that has stood the test of time, it is definitely worth visiting.
You can make a reservation at Flower Drum, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

SUNDA
CUISINE: Modern South East Asian / Modern Australian
ADDRESS: 18 Punch Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: 5.30pm – late (Wednesday to Saturday), 12pm – 3pm (Saturday)
INSTAGRAM: @sunda_dining
When it comes to delicious curries, you seldom think of Vegemite being in it. Actually that is probably the last thing you might want. Who would do that, right? Well, when it comes to modern Asian flair, Chef Khanh Nguyen pushes the boundaries of with his bold menu inspired by the flavours of the region it is named after and combining it with native Australian ingredients in a menu designed to be shared. What could be a chaotic mess turns out to be a triumph of imagination with rich and bold flavours that has you mesmerised as it plays tricks on your palate in the nicest possible way.
Designed by award-winning architects, Kerstin Thompson and Figure Ground, the tiny site has been transformed into something tastefully minimalistic and bold, allowing the focus to fall on its boundary-blurring and progressive dishes. With the myriad of awards won including two hats from The Australian Good Food Guide 2020 and The Australian’s hot 50 Restaurants 2019, Sunda is definitely one of the hottest places to eat right now.
You can make a reservation at Sunda, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

VUE DE MONDE
CUISINE: Modern Australian fine dining
ADDRESS: Rialto Towers, 525 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: Wednesday – Saturday: 6pm – late, Friday – Saturday: Lunch from 12pm
INSTAGRAM: @vuedemonde
Perched on the sky-shattering Level 55 of the Rialto Tower, Celebrity Chef Shannon Bennet’s Vue de Monde is one of Melbourne’s premiere dining establishments boasting an impressive 360 view of the city with a focus on the theatrical and the dedication to dining as an experience. Vue de Monde is a testament to the belief that dining can be a wondrous and unforgettable experience. With an ever-changing chef’s menu that pays homage to classical fine dining in a modern context by exploring the beauty of native Australian ingredients with executive chef Hugh Allen steering the reigns, the focus has been to present an exciting and dynamic experience with progression of flavours and sense of curiosity.
Sheer opulence is what comes straight to mind when you enter the premises. The restaurant employs a noir colour scheme with dark facades, dark tables and dark chairs. The tables themselves are covered with refined but weathered kangaroo pelt adorned only with river stones and gnarled vines. With the beautiful Melbourne city as the backdrop, it’s truly a majestic setting. Theatrical courses, unparalleled beautiful views and seamless service make it truly an unforgettable experience. It is definitely on the pricey end of the scale, but there is something about drinking Dom Perignon above the clouds with course after courses of some of the most creative meals make it rather quite priceless.
You can make a reservation at Vue De Monde, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

CODA
CUISINE: French Vietnamese
ADDRESS: 141 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 6pm – 10pm
INSTAGRAM: @codamelbourne
Located in one of Melbourne’s most iconic laneways, Coda is nestled in the heart of the city’s most dynamic culinary precinct. Coda has assembled a dedicated team with highly sought-after experience from many international and Melbourne restaurants, and since 2009 they are thrilled to have maintained One Hat in The Age Good Food Guide’s ‘Hat Awards’. The menu includes a diverse range of Euro-Vietnamese and modern-Australian influences offering a relaxed dining experience in a converted warehouse space.
You can make a reservation at Coda, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

CHIN CHIN
CUISINE: Australian meets South East Asian
ADDRESS: 125 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Sunday 11am – 10pm
INSTAGRAM: @chinchin
Located at the intersection of two of the cities most iconic laneways, Chin Chin is a quintessentially Australian restaurant with a South East Asian injection. Chin Chin was one of the first restaurants to purposely cultivate a dim, lively ambience. Arguably, it’s still one of the best at it. The Chin Chin experience is based on more than just food with curated playlists by one of Australia’s most respected DJs, art exhibited on the walls by both established and emerging artists and an eclectic group of passionate wait staff who love what they do. Chin Chin has become as much a tourist destination as a local staple.
You can make a reservation at Chin Chin, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

TIPO 00
CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: 361 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Saturday 11:30am – 10pm
INSTAGRAM: @tipo_00
Tiny place with a big heart, Tipo 00 is a pasta bar that is the pure essence of everything that we love about Italian dining. With a tight menu focussed on excellent house-made pasta crafted by talented chefs that holds affordability and interest in equally high esteem. This tiny outfit that only holds around 40 souls in the CBD has become an instant hit thanks to chefs Andrea Papadakis and Alberto Fava’s straightforward offering of hearty and exquisite meals that feeds not only your belly, but also your soul.
You can make a reservation at Tipo 00, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

OSTERIA ILARIA
CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: 367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Saturday 12 noon – 10:30pm
INSTAGRAM: @osteriailaria
Osteria Ilaria a contemporary CBD bistro with killer cocktails, interesting wines and Mediterranean plates. The decor is semi-industrial with polished concrete, rough and distressed white brick walls. It is pepped up with vibrant leather upholstery and attractive patterned floor tiles. It’s clever, original cooking that’s complemented by a drinks list that adds an impressive collection of beer and creative cocktails.
You can make a reservation at Osteria Ilaria, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

KISUME
CUISINE: Japanese
ADDRESS: 175 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Thursday 5pm – 10pm, Friday – Sunday 5pm – 11pm
INSTAGRAM: @kisume_au
Kisume is a modern Japanese Restaurant from the Lucas Group that exudes, elegance, luxe and grandeur. The restaurant is unmistakeably Melbourne, but with that added New York sass. A three level concept Japanese restaurant, Kisumé includes a Sushi Bar, The Table, Chablis Bar, private dining and events. The restaurant has a mix of incredibly passionate wait staff with impressive knowledge of the menu and Master Chefs that showcase their skill, technique and creative freedom of their Japanese Craftsmanship in each and every dish.
You can make a reservation at Kisume, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

MOVIDA
CUISINE: Spanish
ADDRESS: 1 Hosier Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Sunday 11am – 2am
INSTAGRAM: @movidamelb
A little bar on a graffiti-covered lane, serving Spanish tapas and shared plates. Frank Camorra’s MoVida is the restaurant responsible for setting off Melbourne’s ongoing fixation with modern tapas. MoVida highlights and celebrates the best of Spanish produce, technique and tradition through the lens of modern Australian food culture, highlighting the amazing produce available locally with a Spanish sensibility. With its lavish design and sassy staff, remains one of Melbourne’s best Spanish dining since the early 2000s.
You can make a reservation at Movida, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

MINAMISHIMA
CUISINE: Japanese
ADDRESS: 4 Lord St, Richmond VIC 3121
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 5:30pm – 10pm
INSTAGRAM: @minamishimamelbourne
Minamishima is a Japanese restaurant that serves the omakase of Chef Koichi Minamishima. Tucked down a one-way street in Richmond, it’s the most intimate Japanese dining experience in Melbourne. Minamishima is one of the only omakase menus in town and using both local seafood and fish imported straight from the Tokyo fish market. For a few hours all you think is nice thoughts about the Japanese, their culture and food. Their deep respect for tradition, purity, style, freshness and beauty. Much of what’s great here is the result of good supplier relationships and several years of meticulous planning. It’s all in the details. This is not a cheap night out in Richmond, but it is sushi as you rarely experience it outside Japan.
You can make a reservation at Minamishima, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

GROSSI FLORENTINO
CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: 80 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Friday Lunch: from 12 noon, Monday – Saturday Dinner: 6pm – late
INSTAGRAM: @grossiflorentino
Florentino is one of Melbourne’s most iconic dining venues beginning in 1928 and has influenced the changing hospitality and food culture in Melbourne. Look no further than this fine-dining stalwart in Chinatown for flawlessly executed Italian dishes that toe the line between creative and comforting. Grossi Florentino houses three areas, Cellar Bar, Grill and Florentino. Each venue is unique in style with a separate kitchen and menu but coherent in the values of Italian cooking and genuine hospitality. Through three generations of hard graft and some damned fine cooking they’ve cemented their place in the city’s dining history.
You can make a reservation at Grossi Florentino, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

CUTLER & CO
CUISINE: Modern Australian fine dining
ADDRESS: 55/57 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
OPENING HOURS: Thursday – Saturday 6pm – 10pm, Sunday 12 noon – 10pm
INSTAGRAM: @cutlerandco
A contemporary Australian menu served in a fine dining setting that somehow also feels casual and relaxed, Cutler & Co is the perfect example of the Melbourne style restaurant that we know and love. With service, from a team of well-drilled professionals, and a menu that champions the very best in local produce, it is among the Melbourne’s best restaurants with a clever and considered offering that never forgets flavour. Consistently awarded two hats in the Age Good Food Guide and a collection of accolades that span over a decade, this is definitely a must-visit Melbourne institution.
You can make a reservation at Cutler and Co, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, by clicking this link

We hope you enjoyed our curation of the best restaurants in Melbourne.
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