What's Melbourne's best new restaurant is something we're forever being asked here at Urban List. The thing is, what's best and what's new is always changing, like every day because the restaurant, bar and cafe scene is ever-evolving.
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All the new openings for January 2025 are all right here:
- CBD: Hungry for more? These American burger legends have opened a second CBD outlet.
- East: This new cafe next to the iconic Brighton beach boxes promises to be selfie heaven and get your burger on on Church Street at a revamped diner.
- South: The Top Paddock team are opening another southside cafe, and Richmond scored a new family-run Italian diner.
- West: Local favourite the Anglers Tavern has reopened after two years with a banging kids area and a tasty as menu.
Taste The South As New Orleans-Themed Bar Complete With Burlesque Hits Melbourne
Image: Voodoo Bar & Grill | Supplied
Feeling swampy? Us too. Voodoo Bar & Grill is going to cure those blues though, with its southern-style American dishes against the backdrop of blues and jazz, live entertainment—including burlesque and Creole-inspired design.
Dive into the obligatory spicy slew of snacks, American style like popcorn shrimp, Voodoo wings, a bunch of low and slow meats (pork ribs, slow smoked brisket, Cajun rubbed chicken and blackened cauliflower) with all the accoutrements.
For a real taste of the south try the shrimp étouffée—a Cajun style vegetable, spice, and rice stew—or lobster tails drenched in Confit garlic butter.
Drinks-wise we’re keen on some good old fashioned sazeracs, boulevardiers and hurricanes, as well as hard iced tea and shareable Voodoo teapots.
Frankie’s Pie Shop
75 Rose Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: Frankie’s Pie Shop | Supplied
Words by: Mika Gerrish
Say hello to Frankie’s Pie Shop—bringing the fluffy, crispy pastry bite to the Fitzroy Mills Market in a not-so-normal kinda way. What we mean is, you won’t see your classic pie flavours in this joint. Brought to life by an ex-Farmer’s Daughters and Marion chef Francesca Giorgi Monfort, think subbing out your typical meat pie for a kangaroo bourguignon coated in a pepperberry puff pastry. Each flaky bad boy is the result of whole lot of love and labour, typically taking three days to make them with hand scoring and all.
Casa Mariotti
258 Swan Street, Richmond
Image credit: Casa Mariotti | Jack Carlin
Words by: Molly Frew
Among the bustling food scene of Swan Street is a new kid on the block, Casa Mariotti. Two brothers have brought this new Italian joint to life, infusing the menu with recipes straight from the family cookbook. If there’s one dish to try, it’s the Roman rice balls (a Nonna Mariotti special), and leave room for the loaded cream buns.
Inuman
167 Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Inuman | Pauline De Leon
Words by: Mika Gerrish
Melbourne has a stack of bars, but none are quite like this, blending Filipino culture and contemporary cocktails into a delicious drinkable treat—say hello to Inuman. Championed by the Askal team, you know what they deliver will be impeccable, with a cocktail menu to match. Some signatures sips include Paeroa Hard, a refreshing citrus, honeycomb whiskey, Filipino tapuy rice wine and lemon. On the food front, expect delights like duck liver parfait with feijoa preserve and toasted Binondo doughnut.
Out Of The Ashes Raises Mr. Vincenzo’s, Mornington’s Retro-Vibe Italian-Leaning Diner
Image credit: Mr. Vincenzo's | Supplied
Marking one year since Colt Dining was razed by an electrical fire, chef Matti Fallon’s newest Morinington-based venture, Mr. Vincenzo's, has risen from the ashes of its predecessor to bring Euro summer down under.
This playfully elegant restaurant is providing locally-sourced Italian-inspired eats with a modern twist, all tucked into a groovy 70s coastal-style diner.
Alongside a 100 per cent natural wine list and fresh house-made pasta, Mr. Vincenzo's is slinging specialties such as slipper lobster spaghetti in a seafood bisque and eight-hour slow braised lamb ribs dressed in a vincotto gastrique caramel.
Whether you’re a Morinington local or blow-in, this soon-to-be hotspot will leave you living la dolce vita regardless of if you’re there for a quick drink or settling in for a full dinner.
Greetings From Glenferrie Road’s Newest Resident, The Gardiner Hotel
Image credit: Gardiner Hotel | Supplied
Words by: Zoe McCarthy
Out with the old and in with the new, this ex-bank has been transformed from a historic space into a much-needed local watering hole.
Smack-dab in the middle of Glenferrie’s hustle and bustle, The Gardiner Hotel is the most recent addition to Malvern’s (shockingly pub-less) map.
Serving up a fresh batch of swanky mod-cons with a side of that traditional pub vibe you already know and love, this venue will feature the best of both worlds with a ground-floor public bar and leafy roof terrace.
So whether you’re planning on a quick catch-up, leisurely lunch or beers with the boys, The Gardiner Hotel is sure to become your new favourite local.
Kirbie
323 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne
Image credit: Kirbie | Supplied
Forget Fitzroy, stacks of openings across the Yarra are solidifying South Melbourne as the place to be. The cherry on top is Kirbie, taking up the space at 323 Clarendon Street where James used to be, the new Euro-leaning bistro another fine example of 'local done well'.
The bistro is a space focused on the people who fill it, boasting a cosy, neon-lit dining room with a come-as-you-are mentality. Headed by long time restaurateur, Kirbie Tate, this restaurant blends European elegance with classic Melbourne charm to create a no-fuss, casually chic vibe.
In the kitchen they’re cooking up high-quality comfort food like New York strip steaks and offering desserts ranging from sweet to savoury. The drinks menu consists of all your usual suspects, plus a well-curated list of wines, where you’re encouraged to ask “what should I be drinking?” opening the door for the kind of service that will keep you coming back for more.
Beach House Brighton
133 Esplanade, Brighton
Image: Beach House Brighton | Supplied
Catch ya, we’re going to be snacking on octopus and relaxing from sunrise to sunset at the Beach House Brighton.
Perched right next to the iconic Brighton Beach Boxes, the brand new venue is part of a jaw-dropping $13 million-precinct glow-up by Bayside Council to redevelop the Brighton Life Saving Club.
Inside the cafe will be airy and breezy, looking out over Port Phillip Bay, with casual yet chic vibes, very Brighton darling, and serving up dishes like king prawn or octopus rolls, Axil coffee, fresh pressed juices and even soft serves for the little nippers.
From the same team behind the popular newly refurbished North Point Brighton, Beach House is open seven days a week from 7am to 4pm, with extended hours during the summer months to enable guests to dine until sunset.
Five Guys
QV Melbourne, 228 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Five Guys | Austria Graben
Five Guys, the American burger legends hailing from Washington D.C. will be opening their second Melbourne store in the QV on October 14.
You won’t be able to miss it, that eye-poppin’ Five Guys’ red and white aesthetic is only a few minutes walk off Swanston Street and we’re here for it.
The burger scientists over there say there’s a total possible 250,000 ingredient combinations at the cult chain, and more than 100 flavour combos for their milkshakes. Is that too many options? BRB, we'll find out for you.
On the burger front you can pull together creative combos like a tangy bacon cheeseburger with pickles, tomatoes, grilled jalapeños and hot sauce—and there’s even a hot dog on the menu if you’re burgered out.
Milkshake-wise we’re already getting ready to add a few ks to that morning run to slurp back the peanut butter bacon, chocolate and salted caramel combo.
To celebrate the opening in Melbourne, Five Guys is giving away limited-edition merchandise to the first 100 people in line on 14 October.
Anglers Tavern
2 Anglers Way, Maribyrnong
Image credit: Anglers Tavern | Supplied
Almost two years later and Anglers Tavern is back in full-swing with open doors and open arms. Providing a new light, bright and modernised aesthetic with nods to the areas boating history resembled in warm woods and deep blue tones.
The community-focused pub has something for all ages and occasions: fight the Sunday-scaries in the outdoor beer garden whilst taking in the river views. Or off-load the children at the Kids Quarters which has an epic outdoor playground, interactive Scrabble wall and an iPad station—can we play there too?
Of course, like all elite Aussie taverns, Anglers is dishing up some Pub classics alongside a fresh and brand-spankin’ new menu packed with share plates, pizzas, woodfired flatbread and their seafood signatures, like the classic prawn roll and Anglers’ illustrious seafood tower. Get involved in their locals launch weekend kicking off on 2 August.
Check our listings here for Melbourne’s top-rated restaurants, or if you’re looking for some ‘near me’ options close to home, we have you covered with our interactive map.
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