What is the best restaurant in Melbourne? Our fair city has hundreds of spots that could be considered the best. Good thing I've got my 20 favourite spots for you right here, with something for everyone.
Melbourne's Best Restaurants At A Glance
- Jump To The Best New Restaurants In Melbourne
- Jump To The Best Casual Dining In Melbourne
- Jump To Our Fave Classic Melbourne Restaurants
- Jump To The Best Fine Dining In Melbourne
Are you after fine dining, somewhere new or something in the suburbs? What about sky-high views, a degustation that just doesn’t end, or a bunch of tiny plates and fun wines?
Here I’ve whipped up a stack of options for you, a solid mix of new spots, casual fun and funky themed restaurants, classic spots you need to hit, and fine diners for when you're feeling flush.
And each time you check back, there’s going to be something new for you, promise.
There’s plenty of cuisines on offer in Melbourne, check out our best Italian restaurants, best Indian restaurants, best Japanese restaurants, best Chinese restaurants and best cheap restaurants if you’re after those cuisines.
For the best restaurants in Melbourne CBD, head over here for our comprehensive list of must-visit old faves and bumpin’ new spots.
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Here's what I reckon are Melbourne’s best restaurants as of May, 2025:
The Best New Restaurants In Melbourne
What’s good and new is the question people ask me most often. Getting to the new hot spot is a rite of passage for most of us—you know we all do it, use going to that fresh spot that the street signage just went up for, and then use it as social currency, bragging rights if you will, about having the best time. Or at least … I hope that’s not just me. But, these are my fave new restaurants at the moment and must visits for your cred:
Molli
20 Mollison Street, Abbotsford
Image: Molli | Supplied
Molli has made this list before, and you know, it’s back again for a good reason. The funky diner, heavy on the smoky grill and local produce has flipped their own script after feedback from locals that it wasn’t quite what they were after.
Headed up by international darling chef Caitlin Koether who has worked at Bar Tartine in San Francisco and Relæ in Copenhagen (they’re a big deal, if you haven’t heard of them) her ethos on colour, texture and flavour has given the venue the overhaul it (apparently) needed.
The venue is now noticeably more relaxed, but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost anything in the process, in fact, quite the opposite. The addition of ferments and pluck—that’s a nice way of saying hearts, livers and all sorts of wonderful other things—on the menu make Molli the kind of fun place you want to come back to and check in on to see what’s new.
Dishes like the Hazeldene’s chicken served with sweetbreads, or the fried bread and mussel dip, lacto-fermented pickles and beef heart pastrami show a dedication to sustainable dining. “The menu is nourishing, colourful and sometimes a little bit thought-provoking. Our food is ever-changing, a bit unexpected and genuinely informed by seasonality,” Koether says.
Our pick for what to do when you’re there? Grab a pal, perch up at the bar and indulge in a full girl dinner (they actually do what’s called a girl lunch as well, FYI) with all their pick plates and work your way through Kayla Saito’s incredible cocktail list.
Barragunda Dining
13 Cape Schanck Road, Cape Schanck
Image: Barragunda Dining | Arianna Leggario
Nestled within the rugged beauty of Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula, Barragunda Dining is a next-level destination restaurant about 90 minutes from Melbourne. This intimate 40-seater, housed in a converted farmhouse on the 1000-acre Barragunda Estate, celebrates hyperlocal seasonality and sustainable farming. Executive chef Simone Watts, a now-Peninsula local with stints at Melbourne’s Coda and Pearl, crafts a menu that heroines the estate’s bounty—think organic vegetables, orchard fruits, and nose-to-tail meats. Dishes like brined almonds in pastries or hibachi-charred silverside with preserved fennel reflect the land’s cycles.
But the vision goes beyond food; Watts is reimagining food systems by supporting young farmers and fostering a deep connection to the land. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking native grasses and out onto the kitchen garden itself, dining here is an immersive experience. When you go to Barragunda, expect to eat with the seasons; what is beautiful and what is ripe at that time.
“That might be from the market gardens, that might be from the orchards, or that might be what is flowering in season in our coastal native borough. So to eat something means that you are immediately connected to the natural world,” Watts says.
Open Friday to Monday, Barragunda offers a $145 degustation that’s as much about the landscape as it is about the plate.
Kolkata Cricket Club
8 Whiteman Street, Level 1 Casino, Crown Melbourne, Southbank
Image: Kolkata Cricket Club | Chege Mbuthi
Kolkata Cricket Club, the new venue by Toddy Shop’s Mischa Tropp is serving up what we’re calling the best butter chicken in Melbourne, alongside a stack of spicy cocktails and vibes for days.
The flow of the menu is similar to your local Indian spot, but elevated: the feast begins with puchka, a regional version of the Indian street food snack pani puri. Moving on from the tiny snacks there’s a stack of things grilled on the tandoor like the Seekh Kebab and a series of stuffed breads for medium sized plates which are perfect for whetting your appetite.
The curries though—the curries are what you came for. We can’t give away too much but the butter chicken has to be one of the best in Melbourne, delicately smoky and not too heavy, it’s perfect to mop up with some charred garlic naan. The okra, toothsome and topped with crunchy peanuts is an incredible contrast to the creaminess of the butter chicken.
Urban List Melbourne editor Navarone Farrell says, “Hot tip, drinks wise jag yourself a Kolkata Colada, the pineapple and creaminess is perfect for the spicy curries. And perch up in one of those gorgeous red velour booths with a bunch of mates so you can try everything, including that okra, it’s so good.”
Marmelo
Ground Floor/130 Russell Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Marmelo | Supplied
Us Melburnians don’t really get around a hotel restaurant. Why? We really should, especially when they’re as good as Marmelo.
This wonderfully open and airy restaurant is on the ground floor of the Melbourne Place complex and besides a bangin’ Portuguese-influenced menu. Let’s start with the table-side anchovy service picked delicately from a dish and placed on your plate for you to enjoy with cultured butter and toothbreakingly-excellent sourdough.
Help yourself to the hollandaise soaked cod croquettes (sauced tableside—there’s a lot of that going on) and savoury takes on the Portuguese sweet classic pastel de nata, with cauliflower puree and sliced radish on top. To fill up? The roasted cockerel with a side of tomato rice.
Urban List Melbourne editor Navarone Farrell says, “Treat yourself to a before or after bevvie at their sister venue Mr Mills, they do the best twist on a gimlet I've had in ages. Plus, it's nice and moody and there's snacks if you still fancy a bite."
Malin
687 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
Image credit: Malin | Tash Sorensen
Malin, Carlton North’s new mini fine diner taking over the former La Tonada spot is serving up eye-popping deliciousness and a decor that would be at home in an expat French chef’s petit resto in a souk in Marrakech.
Think technically complex dishes like chicken ballotine (a must order—this isn’t the boring choice, trust us), beef and oyster tartare topped with sabayon; a white wine custard, and hibachi kissed octopus and tender Western Plains lamb rump.
And if you're after a more casual vibe, owner Tash Sorensen says you have to sit up at their bar for a cocktail, namely a martini. “If we’re going to serve a martini, it should be to the standard that you would expect from any of the best cocktail bars in the city–it’s the attention to detail,” she says.
The Best Casual Dining When You’re Feelin’ Fun & Funky
Want to have dinner without having to think too much about it? These spots are perfect, they’ve got awesome ‘Feed Me’ or degustation options, taking all the brain power out of it and they’re guaranteed to be a good time. Get your hands dirty at Hopper Joint or prepare to snatch your fave sush off the table at Tombo Den:
Tombo Den
100a Chapel Street, Windsor
Image credit: Tombo Den | Supplied
You'll need chopstick skills, but don't be afraid to use your fingers as well at Tombo Den, the funky fresh new Japanese diner by Chris Lucas, the genius behind Chin Chin and the Lucas Restaurants empire. The restaurant itself is wild: upstairs there's kooky AI-generated art, moody (and fluffy!) bench seating and bangin’ cocktails like spicy strawberry margaritas. The menu is super sharable with little sushi bites, sticky soy ribs done on the hibachi and served with lettuce and shiso leaves to wrap up and chomp on.
"Take the brain power of it, honestly just order the feed me, go for the top end option so you get to try the duck hambuga and the top tier sushi and just tuck in, the only time you'll need to flag someone is when you need more cocktails," Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrel says.
If you're after more top Japanese nosh, head this way.
Hopper Joint
157 Greville Street, Prahran
Image: Hopper Joint | Supplied
From the team behind Entrecôte (and just across the road), Hopper Joint is an 80-seat eatery in the heart of Prahran’s iconic Greville Street serving elevated Sri Lankan fare — with a focus on hoppers, obviously. The open kitchen is tailored for theatrical hopper-making views, while the atmosphere is vibrant with the scent of incense permeating throughout. The traditional hopper set is a crowd favourite at just $50 per person inclusive of one crispy egg hopper (same as a traditional hopper but with a gooey egg fried into the base), and unlimited plain hoppers, plus your choice of two curries, and sides of seeni sambol (spicy, jammy caramelised onion), and pol sambol (tangy ground coconut with lime juice, chilli and salt). A classic Sri Lankan feast that’s sure to leave your mouth tingling.
Psst, head here for more Sri Lankan restaurants.
Suzie Q
247 Chapel Street, Prahran
Image: Suzie Q | Supplied
Poodle Bar & Bistro
81–83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: Poodle Bar & Bistro | Supplied
Poodle Bar & Bistro stepped into Melbourne’s dining scene in 2020 in all its swanky art-deco glory and hasn't looked back since. The modern Euro-leaning menu brings a hint of nostalgia with dishes like zucchini and ricotta bake, or the prawn scotch egg. For something more substantial, opt for the charcoal-grilled 500g steak, with Poodle’s signature butter and fries. If you happen to dining on a Sunday, check out Poodle's new prix fixe menu. You're up for a premium selection of sharable snacks, mains and desserts for a pretty reasonable $60 per person. The menu changes on the weekly, so be sure to check out their Instagram to find out what's on offer.
Maison Bâtard
23 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Image: Maison Bâtard | Supplied
Everything restaurateur Chris Lucas touches turns to gold, but none more-so than this four-storey homage to all that is the French joie de vivre.
Working our way from the top down, upstairs and half inside, half outside like only Melbourne knows how La Terrasse is serving up cheeseburgers and steak tartare (plus the signature Dirty Bâtard martini which is a must).
Coming back down the grand staircase are two floors of restaurant which just bump with 20s Parisian style—along with a huge oyster bar and flaming grill.
Executive chef Adam Sanderson says while simplicity is key on the menu, there's often a lot more to the food here than meets the eye, just like that cheeseburger up on the terrace which is technique-driven, choc-full of remoulade and a signature bend of beef and fat, cooked just right.
“That’s my kind of vibe with food. The dish looks very simplistic but you get a bit of a surprise—and full flavour and produce driven," he says.
And more good French restaurants here if that's what you're after.
Our Fave Melbourne Classic, Must-Eat Spots
This is where we dig into what is Melbourne’s best restaurant. Those classics that people travel from far and wide to go to, soaking up the hidden laneway, line vibe of Chin Chin, or the old school carry-on at France-soir. Play bingo, if you haven’t ticked any of these off, you better get along:
Lagoon Dining
263 Lygon Street, Carlton
Image credit: Lagoon | Supplied
Lagoon Dining is a hidden gem in Melbourne. This moody little Lygon Street spot serves up a modern twist on Chinese food with a few Thai and Malay influences. Chef Keat Lee's sticky lamb ribs on garlic butter bread and the stir-fried rice drop noodles with Xinjiang spiced beef are both incredible. And don’t forget to try one of their signature cocktails. Last time I was there it was the sherry martini and it was awesome. They also do a steak tartare with szechuan peppercorns and chinese donut to dip and that's the biz, a must-order if it's on.
Chin Chin
125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Chin Chin | Supplied
You can’t talk about Melbourne restaurants without mentioning neon-lit institution Chin Chin. It's been around for more than a decade and you still see punters lining up for those signature cocktails, punchy South-East Asian flavours and upbeat vibes. Like all of Chris Lucas’ restaurants, this locale adapts to the times without forgetting its heritage—like the jungle chicken curry with eggplant, tomato and peanuts which has been on the menu forever.
Supernormal
180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Supernormal | Supplied
Nestled in with several of Melbourne’s culinary elite is Supernormal—another gem from restaurateur Andrew McConnell (who appears in our top restaurant list more than once). The menu is often evolving, however, you can expect flavours and techniques from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and China. One dish that won’t be leaving the menu anytime soon is the New England Lobster roll—a Supernormal icon that’s worth wrapping your hands around. Head in weekdays at lunch for Supernormal's limited specials (noodles, ramen, you name it), it never disappoints.
Tipo 00
361 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Tip00 | Supplied
Named for the type of flour, double zero flour, typically used in pasta-making, Tipo 00 is amongst the most sought after Melbourne CBD dining experiences. And by sought-after, we mean you need to be on it to get a dinner reservation, but the wait is worth it. Menu-wise, think squid ink tagliolini, squid and bottarga, or braised duck, mushroom and pecorino pappardelle. There’s also a handful of secondi; wagyu cap and market fish to fill the bellies of the hungriest of diners.
France-Soir
11 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Image credit: France-Soir | Supplied
This authentic French brasserie is not for the faint-hearted. It’s busy and noisy and chaotic, but that’s all part of the charm. The food in this South Yarra establishment screams classic French sophistication and the wine list reads like a book. Don’t stress if you don’t know your French wines though, the waiters at France-Soir are there to point you in the right direction.
The Best Fine Dining Restaurants In Melbourne
These are the cream of the crop—and arguably some of the best restaurants in the world, let alone Melbourne. We’re lucky to have such incredibly talented chefs and service staff in our fair city. It’s incredible that we wear these restaurants as a point of pride. Here’s five you have to check out:
Ishizuka
Basement, 139 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Ishizuka | Supplied
Melbourne’s finest Japanese diner, Ishizuka is an intimate spectacle, serving up elaborate, thoughtful and tantalising banquets, tucked away on a basement level down a lane off Bourke Street. The tremendous sense of theatre and elaborate, yet satisfying fare makes Ishizuka perfect for special occasions and wow dinners, and with their seasonal menu there’s always a reason to head back—which is always important. Their kaiseki starts at $315 with matched alcoholic beverages for $250, while a non-alc pairing runs only $80, fair play for a restaurant that’s earned itself two hats in 2025. For more of Melbourne's best Japanese restaurants, head over here.
Vue de Monde
55 Rialto Towers, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Vue de Monde | Jason Loucas
Vue de Monde has long been considered one of Melbourne’s best restaurants with an international reputation. Hold your breath as you catch the lift up to the 55th floor of the Rialto building where the city skyline views are just the beginning the theatrical dining experience. The venue has recently been refreshed fit for the reinterpreted menu, led by award-winning executive chef Hugh Allen, taking the helm from Shannon Bennett who is now creative director. Expect the likes of macadamia purée accompanied by caviar to start, before moving into hero dishes like the two-part marron serving: marron tail grilled with a fried native herbs paste, followed by warm marron head custard. It's one of Melbourne's top dining experiences, and for that reason, bookings are in demand.
Reine & La Rue
380 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Reine & La Rue | Supplied
Reine & La Rue, hailed as one of Melbourne’s finest dining spots, is set in a heritage-listed stock exchange building on Collins Street. This grand French diner features an elite menu, including rich bone marrow with mash, queen scallops from the seafood bar, and a premium steak selection. For a lavish end, try the cheese trolley curated by Maker & Monger. The bar is also a standout, offering some of the best snacks and drinks in Melbourne.
Gimlet
33 Russell Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Gimlet | Jo McGann
Channelling the charm of early 20th-century eateries of New York and Paris, restaurateur Andrew McConnell’s Gimlet is hands down one of the best restaurants in Melbourne CBD. Fair to say you can’t visit Gimlet without ordering the signature 1/2 southern rock lobster with saffron rice and rouille sauce. To add to the glitz, Gimlet is now pouring an untouched century-old Campari Seltz recipe. It’s a thing in Milan and Berlin only, but Melbourne’s Gimlet has managed to get their hands on the extra-spesh machine.
Society
80 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Society | Supplied
Feeling fancy? Head to Society for a night of glitz and glam. This upscale bistro from Chris Lucas (the powerhouse behind Lucas Restaurants) is a feast for the senses. Imagine crystal chandeliers, a massive wine cellar, and a menu packed with top-notch Aussie produce. Start with a caviar and crème fraîche roll, and then dive into the showstopping smoked wagyu or salmon en croûte. It's a night out you won't forget. Lillian Brasserie, Society's sibling diner in the same building, is great for a more casual dining experience. Alternatively, go all out in the Society Dining Room and order the boeuf en croute served tableside.
Main image: Marmelo | Supplied
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