If you've heard whispers that Hawthorn's culinary scene is heating up, you've heard right. This leafy eastern suburb is home to some seriously superb restaurants just waiting to impress you.
From bistros crafting traditional French fare to eateries serving up sizzling South American and Indian fusion, there’s something for everyone at these Hawthorn restaurants.
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We’ve done the hard work and narrowed it down to the top ones demanding your patronage. Here’s where to find the best restaurants Hawthorn has to offer in 2025, according to Urban List:
Ninis
302 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Image: Ninis | Supplied
Run by Persian-Australian, Bita Lowry, Ninis is a place where you feel like part of the family from the moment you walk through the door. With Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, you can expect dishes like filo wrapped feta, lamb kofta skewers, Moroccan lamb pide, and crispy skin zaatar barramundi. Sharing is the way to go, so order a little of everything and enjoy. The rooftop bar terrace is the perfect hangout, or enjoy the stylish decor inside. This underrated eatery is one of the best restaurants in Hawthorn.
INSIDER INTEL
- Get the ‘feed me’ menu for $69 per person.
- Bita knows how to throw a party, bookmark this one for your next event.
- The Turkish Delight cocktail is delish.
Mister Sandrino
219-221 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn
Mister Sandrino is your cosy neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant. The walls are adorned with a rotating variety of wines for purchase by the bottle, a great place to find tipples you may not have found or heard of otherwise. The food is European-leaning with Australian influences, and it's sure to impress. Expect whipped cod roe with finger lime, brioche with parmesan custard and anchovies, and lemon curd tart with meringue.
INSIDER INTEL
- With this much cosiness comes limited seating, so make sure you book ahead.
- The prices on the wine bottles are for takeaway, add $20 to enjoy in-store.
- The chef’s menu offers a great selection of their best dishes.
Tinto
555 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Image: Tinto Hawthorn | Supplied
You might just feel like you’re in Spain at this vibey little tapas and wine bar in Hawthorn. Tinto is run by friends-turned-business partners German Rincon, Giuseppe Lantano and Luca Balbo who have recently given the joint a new look and menu. The dishes are full of all the authentic Spanish flavours you’re dreaming of. You can’t go wrong but favourites include the house-made pork belly ham with crackling and Granny Smith dijon cream, Hokkaido scallop with pickled kohlrabi, and the Australian prawns with confit garlic.
INSIDER INTEL
- Paella and sangria every Tuesday for $30.
- Can’t decide what to order? Get the chef’s menu for $85 per person.
- The drinks list features Spanish wines, spirits and a handful of cocktails.
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Santoni Pizza Bar
634 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Santoni is Hawthorn’s three-storey local pizzeria, serving up modern-Italian cooking for the community. You are spoiled for choice here with a selection of share plates, pasta, and of course pizza. If you've got a pizza craving, Santoni has you sorted. There are 17 pizza options to choose from, including the Greek Boy with lamb and mint yoghurt or the Salumi with sopressa, prosciutto, and mozzarella.
INSIDER INTEL
- Be sure to round out your visit with dessert, the dolce menu is compact but loaded with classics like tiramisu and chocolate tartufo.
- Plenty of aperivo spritzes on offer, best enjoyed on the rooftop at sunset.
- Vegetarian options are plentiful, and gluten free is on the menu as well.
Vaporetto Bar & Eatery
7/681 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Image: Vaporetto Bar & Eatery | Supplied
With its washed-out pastel timber, old-school lettering and masquerade masks on the wall, Vaporetto has an excellent vibe: somehow chilled and bustling at the same time. It’s a little slice of Venice, right here in Melbourne. There’s an open kitchen, almost teppanyaki style, where you can eat within a few feet of flaming pans and slicing knives. Smooth jazz oozes out of the walls and the buzz of conversation is everywhere. The menu ranges from small antipasti bar plates to full a la carte. It might just be the best Italian restaurant Hawthorn has on offer.
INSIDER INTEL
- BYO is available from Sunday to Thursday.
- There’s an absolutely banging squid-ink linguine or a decadent saffron ravioli with blue swimmer crab.
- Get the express lunch with a starter and main for $49 per person.
St-Germain Wine Bar
838 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Image: St-Germain Wine Bar | Supplied
Immediately recognisable by the black and white striped umbrellas shading the sun soaked terrace, St-Germain is a French bistro that packs a punch. On the menu you’ll find French classics along with some delightful additions. The traditional French onion soup, escargot de Bourgogne, and duck foie gras are all spectacular. Whether you’re out on the terrace or enjoying the polished interior, this is the type of place you could easily while away a few hours without even realising.
INSIDER INTEL
- The mid-week two course lunch will brighten up your week for $49.
- Happy hour runs Tuesday to Friday from 3pm to 5pm.
- For dessert, we can’t go past the tarte tatin.
Lulo Spice & Bar
798 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Lulo is the fusion of South American and Indian flavours we didn’t know we needed. This Hawthorn restaurant recently re-opened with an alluring new menu, and it’s bang on. Think tapas, tandoori, Latin mains, Indian mains, and fusion tacos — there’s something for everyone. You can bet their drinks list is stacked for a good time too with choices of cocktails, sangrias and an extensive wine collection.
INSIDER INTEL
- Feast on fresh Tasmanian mussels every Thursday (and get 25% off wine by the glass).
- You’ve got to try the paneer tikka taco.
- Follow their Instagram for updates and events, like salsa cabaret nights.
Ocha
3 Church Street, Hawthorn
Image: Ocha Hawthorn | Supplied
Ocha began in a tiny butcher’s shop in Kew, but much to the enjoyment of Hawthorn locals, moved to a larger venue in this locale. It’s focused on the domestic theatre of great food that can be enjoyed with friends and family. Their menu is designed to tempt Melburnians into a feast of contemporary Japanese flavours, making it a hot contender for the best Japanese restaurant Hawthorn has to offer. If you want to get menu specific, you can't go wrong with the crunchy spicy calamari legs and the konbu beef eye fillet steak. Whether you’re vegetarian or not, make sure you try the eggplant Dengaku as well.
INSIDER INTEL
- BYO wine for lunch any day, and Tuesday to Thursday for dinner.
- Keep an eye out for their specials, like the wagyu yakiniku or the Hokkaido sea urchin sushi.
- Try one of their inventive cocktail creations like the matchatini.
Amazon State
329 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Located in a heritage listed building built in 1903, Amazon State is a refined and ambient Hawthorn restaurant set across multiple levels. Pasta and steak are the focus here, with dishes like rock lobster spaghetti and porterhouse steak dominating the menu. The chef’s menu is a great option for those who want to remove the decision making, starting at $80 per person plus $35 for the classic wine pairing. With epic weeknight offerings, it’s one of the best Hawthorn restaurants to put some pizzazz into your mid-week.
INSIDER INTEL
- Every Wednesday is pasta night, with focaccia, pasta, salad, and dessert for $55.
- Steak night on Thursday starts at $35.
- They do great lunchtime menus as well.
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