The food news has been coming in thick and fast in Melbourne, and to make sure that you're across all of the food and bev movements, we've wrapped up everything that you need to know in a handful of digestible servings.
And if you're chasing Melbourne's best cheap eats right now, best restaurants, best cafes, best bars or basically anything else you need a rec for, we've got you covered.
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Keep up to date with all of Melbourne's food and drink news right here, hot and fresh out the kitchen as of August, 2025:
Sip Into Spring With A Whole Month Of Teeny Tiny Tinis At Apollo Inn
Image: Apollo Inn | Supplied
Martinis from three of Australia’s best bars in one go? Don’t mind if we do! For a limited time, indulge in a flight of Grey Goose Vodka mini martinis at Apollo Inn (one of Melbourne's best bars) for just $45. This teeny trio features sips from Apollo Inn, Sydney’s Maybe Sammy and Brisbane’s SK Steak & Oyster at The Calile. They’ve all put their unique spin on the vodka martini, from savoury to citrusy to herbaceous.
“At Apollo Inn, we take inspiration from the season's best produce,” bar manager Lachlan Bentley says. “With mandarins at their peak right now, this martini makes the most of the fruit's full flavour, paired with the complexity of vermouth and the silkiness of Grey Goose vodka. Half the size means the martinis can be twice as cold.”
If you find a favourite, they’re also serving full-size pours. Stop by from 3 September until 5 October for an ice-cold cocktail delight. For more of the city's best martinis, head this-a-way.
Enjoy $30 Lunch Menus To Celebrate 30 Years Lucas Restaurants
Image: Lucas Restaurants | Supplied
For those unfamiliar, Chris Lucas is the brains behind some of Melbourne's most-loved dining experiences: think Chin Chin, Yakimono, Grill Americano, and most recently, Masion Bâtard. Lucas made his mark on the hospitality world back in 1995 , and this August they are celebrating 30 years of his time in the industry—and they are not holding back.
From 5 August to 4 September, all of the Lucas restaurants are joining in on the celebrations, with specials, daily offers, giveaways and more—some would say they are celebrating like it’s 1995. With a nod to the year it all started, every Lucas venue will offer a selection of cocktails, including a Negroni, Spicy Margarita and Dirty Martini, for just $19.95, available all day, every day. But the specials don’t just stop there!
Each restaurant will be offering its own signature two-course lunch menu for $30, showcasing some of Lucas’s most iconic dishes. Our fave offers include the Kingfish Sashimi followed by the Butter Chicken Curry at Chin Chin, and the Grill Americano’s Wagyu and Porcini Pappardelle, with their mouth-watering tiramisu to finish the meal off. And the gifts just keep giving, with every customer walking home with a 19.95%-off voucher to use for your next visit!
Lucas shared that “as we celebrate 30 years, we’re honouring not just our venues and our team, but every guest who has ever pulled up a chair at one of our tables”.
And the best part of the deal? There are 10 different places you can use this deal at, so you can use the deal again and again with different experiences each time. This offer only comes once every 30 years, so make sure you join in on the month-long celebrations.
For more on Melbourne’s best restaurants, head over here.
Tiramisu, But Make It A Cocktail: Siora’s Creamy, Boozy Baby Guinness Dessert
Image credit: Siora Tiramisu | Supplied
Melbourne’s beloved dessert spot Siora Tiramisu is shaking up the classic Italian treat with bold, boozy and downright sinful flavours—and the proof is in the Baby Guinness Tiramisu (literally).
Inspired by the iconic after-dinner shot, this monthly special layers Baileys-infused mascarpone cream with coffee-soaked savoiardi biscuits, then takes it next-level with a housemade Baileys caramel drizzle. The result is a rich, velvety smooth dessert that tastes just like your favourite liquid indulgence, but in spoonable form.
Siora’s playful twist is a must-try for stout lovers. After all, why choose between a drink and dessert when you can have both in one bite? August-only alert! Siora's bittersweet Baby Guinness tiramisu won't last forever...
This Riff On A Fillet-O-Fish Just Won Australia's Best Burger
Image: CBCo | Supplied
That's right, in what might be one of the biggest upset wins in history, a fish burger has been awarded Australia's best burger for 2025.
Jonathon Donovan from CBCo Brewing in Port Melbourne won the highly coveted Best National Burger award dished out by Foodservice Australia.
Chef Donovan was applaued for his unique twist on the Macca's classic Fillet-o-Fish burger featuring shrimp, panko crumb with a ranch and Japanese mayo sauce.
The inaugural Australia’s Best Burger and Best Pizza Awards formed part of Australia’s most anticipated foodservice trade show: Food & Hospitality Week, which took place at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 18-20 May 2025.
For more of Melbourne's best burgers, head this-a-way.
Keen to check out more of Melbourne?
After Months Of Waiting This Bougie Gold Coast-Based Bathhouse Has Launched In Melbourne
Get ready to relax and unwind as this bougie spa institution, originally hailing from the Gold Coast, swings open its steamy doors to its first Melbourne outpost in South Yarra.
These Are The 10 Best Restaurants In Melbourne Right Now
Our editor reckons these 10 restaurants, from casual to fine dining are the best restaurants in Melbourne as of September, 2025. How many have you been to?
10 Awesome Things To Do In Melbourne This Weekend
Whether it's Dolly Parton hitting the Comedy Theatre stage bootstraps and rhinestones in tow, or the awaited return of Lightscape’s epic winter trail, Melbourne’s serving up another weekend of top-tier happenings.
Image credit: Visit Victoria | Emily Godfree