Collingwood is historically home to some of Melbourne's best restaurants, bars, shopping, street-art, and well ... just about everything else.
The inner-city (hipster, shh) suburb is truly a cultural melting pot, simmering from the north and south end of the suburb. But if you want a local tip, cut through the main drag on Smith Street and you'll see what's on offer is proper fire.
Best Restaurants In Collingwood At A Glance
- Jump To The Best Fine Dining Restaurants In Collingwood
- Jump To The Best Cheap Eats In Collingwood
- Jump To The Best International Cuisine (French, Italian, Greek & More) In Collingwood
- Jump To The Best Casual Restaurants In Collingwood
It’s not just high-end dining in Collingwood either. That melting pot means there’s plenty of international cuisine, as well as some of that tip-top fare you would expect from any Melbourne destination.
With so much to choose from, however, it can be a task to pinpoint the best restaurants Collingwood. Good thing we’ve made it easy for you with our top 20 picks.
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From old faithfuls to moody and high end all the way to spicy and South American, scroll on for the best restaurants Collingwood has to offer in 2025.
The Best Fine Dining Restaurants In Collingwood
These are the spots for when you’re feeling flush and fancy and looking to have a solid night out while you’re in Collingwood. From the infinitely moody (and reminiscent of a top-tier New York brasserie) IDES, to the rollicking good time inspired by Paris, Smith St Bistrot, there’s plenty on offer in the way of fine dining. Here’s our faves:
Pincho Disco
59 Cambridge Street, Collingwood
This Latin-American staple has been bringing its own flare and zingy takes on South American cuisine to Collingwood since 2023, making it a relative new-comer. But that doesn’t mean it packs any less of a punch than its compadres around the traps. Head chef Diego Cardenas, who has earned his chops at the two Michelin-starred Casa Marcial, Spain has balanced a menu that’s sweet, spicy, tangy and all around unreal—as well as a complete cook’s tour of the world’s fourth largest continent.
Their tasting menu is the way to go, unless you’ve got a mess of mates and want to order a la carte, Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrell says. The Disco Tasting Menu starts at $79 and features their rockstar dishes like a whopping steak with chimichurri, a beef empanada that you cannot miss (and will probably have to order more of to be fair) as well as their snapper ceviche, passionfruit and orange tiger’s milk. They’ve even got a little grilled spatchcock that’s basically like a mini and very cheffy Nando’s.
“The drinks menu here is bangin’ as well, they’ve got some spicy marg situations that need to be investigated,” Farrell adds.
IDES
92 Smith Street
Since opening in 2016, Peter Gunn’s IDES has sat in the upper echelon of Melbourne’s fine dining scene, serving up a degustation menu that’s at least several years ahead of its time with every update. Gunn has worked at some of Victoria’s finest restaurants, including Attica and Wickens (at the Royal Mail Hotel, read more about that over here) so you know you’re in good hands. There’s a three, six or a la carte option when you’re there that are a tour de force of the seasons, with some technique heavy cheffing on top. The degustation starts at $108 and bumps up to $175 for the six—worth every penny for one of Melbourne’s finest restaurants.
“My pick is The Six, of course, I’m always hungry and Pete’s menu is unreal. Make sure you match your meal with the bevvie pairing for an extra $155, it really seals the deal. If you’re living on the wild side, you can also check out their One Day Sunday where you get to taste some of the kitchen’s dishes that are still in R&D, I highly recommend,” Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrell says.
Maha North
86 Smith Street
Shane Delia knows a thing or two about feeding the people. The legendary chef and restaurateur is on to his third iteration of Maha now (there’s the OG, East and North by the way) and the Collingwood outpost stands up as easily one of the neighbourhood’s best restaurants. If you’ve been to the original you know the drill, if not, listen up: The focus is on a Middle Eastern, meze-style menu and cocktails, along with a considered wine list complementing what's on the table in front of you. That means you can be globe-trotting while enjoying that very earthy and warming Lebanese-influenced cooking. The Harissa grilled octopus is truly something to behold, as are the cumin lamb roast ribs; vegans are also catered to with plenty of hero dishes that size up against those protein-heavy numbers.
Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrell says, “If you’re after that same bangin’ feed you can get at the original, but in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, this is the ticket.” Oh yeah, did we mention the OG Maha is one of the best CBD restaurants? 'Cos it is.
Smith St Bistrot
300 Smith Street
One of the best restaurants Collingwood has to offer, Scott Pickett’s dedicated-French diner, Smith St Bistrot harkens back to the 20th-century brasseries and speakeasies of Paris. Perched right in the thick of it of Collingwood, the 70-seat space is adorned with rich marble tables, chandelier lighting, a mezzanine level, and a private dining area, aptly named ‘La Vie En Rose’.
The menu unsurprisingly is a celebration of French cuisine, with several contemporary twists straight from the mind of Pickett, start with a selection of different origin caviar, then move onto the Vol-au-vent D’Escargot, and tackle the timeless, dry-aged eye fillet with a rich peppercorn jus. Dessert is suitably decadent and includes several staples of the cuisine, including a raspberry souffle and a timeless creme caramel.
This bad boy is one of Melbourne's best restaurants, and hands down one of Collingwood's best as well.
Orlo
44 Oxford Street, Collingwood
Image: Orlo | Supplied
Orlo is the new kid on the block in Collingwood and we’re into it. Part Mediterranean diner, part underground cocktail bar (that’s The Cordial Club) the restaurant is housed in the former Dyson Cordial factory. Or what’s left of it. The historic building has had a pretty clever reno giving it a huge outdoor terrace with some gorgeous Greek-feeling stonework, while inside there’s plenty of moody nooks, perfect for enjoying a bangin’ selection of small plates.
Yep, it’s all about the snacks here at Orlo, leaning into that Med vibe there’s a lot of very Spanish feeling cured meats, pickled bits and then bigger plates which take their queues from Italy, like milk-fed capretto (that’s goat, yum) or a half-porchetta. Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrell recommends doing a full-service evening out here. “Start downstairs at The Cordial Club before it gets a bit boisterous, enjoy an Estrella or two—or a bangin’ negroni, then head upstairs and work your way through that menu. Take mates, so much is meant for sharing and it’s a gorgeous venue,” he says. The wine list is no slacker as well with a stack of European varietals that make the menu sing.
Cheap & Cheerful Restaurants In Collingwood
Sometimes the wallet and the belly don't necessarily agree, it's something we've all had to deal with, right? Good thing Collingwood has plenty of options when it comes to affordable restaurants that aren't just limited to a bangin' banh mi (more of Melbourne's best banh mis over here). If you're after cheap eats city-wide, check out our piece here, otherwise read on for our picks for Collingwood:
Hotel Jesus
174 Smith Street
Just a few clicks down the road from its sister venue Mamasita in the CBD, Hotel Jesus is the more down-tempo counterpart on Smith Street in Collingwood. I
mbued with the same artful craft of Mexican-influenced dining, the gorgeous shopfront facade of the heritage post office leads you into a light-filled space with a real laid-back communal vibe.
The self-described 'No Frills' approach to Mexcian cuisine takes shape in small plates of tostadas and tacos with a variety of more experimental options be it the snapper ceviche tostada to the fried jalapeno to the spicy chicken skin tacos. T
here's also a bottomless lunch option and a huge range of whistle-wetters, including tequila, mezcal, cocktails and sangria on tap. More on Melbourne's best Mexican over here.
Shop Ramen
329 Smith Street
The ramen Melbournians often favours in the inner-north can be found at Shop Ramen. While the chicken miso ramen is a favourite, and it's hard to go past the gooey soft-boiled egg and luscious pork in the classic ramen, it's the clever vegetarian version that's become a cult favourite.
The cashew milk broth is as tasty as its porky counterpart; broccoli and zucchini add crunch and flavour, along with the handful of nuts and seeds adding textural interest. Whether it be Fitzroy or Preston, Shop Ramen is a red hot contender for the best ramen in Melbourne.
Easey’s
3/48 Easey Street
Everyone knows Easey's, it's the burger joint in Collingwood with three retired Melbourne trains on the roof, pretty iconic really. Their inventive and testing nature has led to some of the best burgers Melbourne has seen, whilst their main menu features a line of burgers, sides, hot dogs, and desserts.
On the meat and bun front you'll find American burgers Melbourne style, and you’re going to want to order something along the lines of the Double Bacon BBQ Cheeseburger.
The Best International Cuisine In Collingwood
Fancy a trip around the world but can't get to the airport? Collingwood has got you. We can go to Japan, France, Italy, Africa, Vietnam, just about anywhere you actually want to go on holiday, you can get a bite from in the inner-north. Here's some of our fave spots that are dealing out some dope international cuisine in Collingwood:
Chotto Motto
287 Wellington Street, Collingwood
It’s no surprise Chotto Motto has blown up the way it has since opening several years back. Not only does it have enough quirk and personality that would put a Fitzroy vintage store to shame, but it also is in the very capable culinary hands of Tomoya Kawasaki (Neko Neko, Wabi Sabi) and designer Dylan Jones. So while you might pop into Chotto Motto for the funky atmosphere or to see what all the fuss is about, you’ll stay for the Hamamatsu gyozas.
There’s classic pork, spicy kimchi miso pork, chicken and coriander, prawn and ginger, and for those meat-impaired of us out there, chickpea and quinoa or eggplant with red miso. And while Chotto Motto’s gyozas are not life-changing by any means, they totally hit the spot and pair very nicely with a good beer. More Japanese restaurants this-a-way.
Jim’s Greek Tavern
32 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Generations of Melbourne diners have spent a night at Jim’s Greek Tavern—it’s like a rite of passage we all must go through when exploring the best restaurants Collingwood has to offer. But once you’ve been, you’ll understand why.
Jim’s is one of the most authentic Greek taverns in Melbourne, known for their traditional service with no menu, no prices, and generous serves. It’s bustling and noisy and a bit confusing at times, but the food has kept people coming back for decades. Add it to your to-do list if you haven’t already made the trip.
Main image credit: Collingwood | Visit Victoria
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