Gone are the days when a night out for dinner meant travelling into the CBD. Nowadays, you don’t have to travel far to find some of Melbourne’s best-kept culinary secrets. Some of Melbourne’s best restaurants could be just around the corner from you, offering authentic cuisines from around the world. With such a strong migrant culture and ever-expanding suburban sprawl, Melbourne’s best suburban restaurants are popping up on the reg, from Reservoir to Moonee Ponds and Carnegie. Dig in Melbourne, these are the cream of the crop.
La Pinta
Reservoir
Spanish, Italian and French flavours come together in this northside melting pot. Inspired by the combined heritage of the owners, La Pinta is your go-to diner and bar for relaxed, Mediterranean—save room for their seriously good house-made sourdough.
Holmes Hall
Moonee Ponds
This mega 400-seat mess hall and craft beer lounge is the latest hangout to open in the west. With 25 beers on tap and a hearty menu from Head Chef James Curby (ex-Beach Cafe Seaford), Holmes Hall is cementing itself on our list of Melbourne’s best suburban eateries.
Marble Yakiniku
Glen Waverley
Say goodbye to the humble bento box and hello to Japanese gourmet heaven. Marble Yakiniku takes inspiration from traditional Japanese tea houses, with its stunning timber fit-out and beautifully presented dishes, complete with an impressive sake and wine list.
Lulo
Hawthorn
Set on the bustling Glenferrie Road shopping strip, Lulo is bringing the best of South American flavours to Hawthorn. With a menu designed to be shared and plenty of drinks to keep you going all night, this is an ideal restaurant for dinner dates or catch-ups with old pals.
Mrs Kim’s Grill
Carnegie
Carnegie is a developing hub for foodie culture in Melbourne, and Mrs Kim’s Grill is one of the best spots in the area. We’ve dubbed it the best Korean BBQ restaurant in Carnegie for their drool-worthy marinated meats and the All You Can Eat option for just $34 per person.
Northern Git
Thornbury
A favourite for all the brits living in Melbourne, this Yorkshire-inspired restaurant puts English grub on the Melbourne foodie map. Northern Git takes traditional pub food and turns it into a gastronomical delight alongside their rotating offering of beers on tap.
Firehouse Restaurant
Ringwood
True to its name, Firehouse Restaurant cooks up a storm in the heritage listed, 1929 metro fire station. It’s no surprise they specialise in smoky flavours, but the part smokery, part cocktail bar doesn’t shy away from indulgent bevs too.
Piccolino
Mount Waverley
With almost thirty years in the business, Piccolino is a local favourite serving up some of the best pizzas in Melbourne. The award-winning restaurant has earned the Italian charmer a strong following, both for their food and the restaurant design—think cathedral-style ceilings, green walls and a huge pizza oven chimney stretching up through the double height ceiling.
Sebastian
Williamstown
It doesn’t really feel like you’re in the burbs when you visit Sebastian, but this local favourite is one of Melbourne’s best beachside suburban havens. Waterfront dining meets boozy brunches at this bistro, with views for days and event spaces for all your special occasions.
Now that your next local dinner is sorted, click here to see what else is happening this month in Melbourne.
Image credit: Annika Kafcaloudis