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 August, 2025 are all right here:
Step Into The Ultimate Dessert Playground Where Your Stomach’s Capacity Is The Only Boundary
Image: Vanilla Dessert Bar | Pablo Diaz | Words: Sophie Orgill
Stop what you are doing, hop in the car and tell Google Maps to head to Oakleigh, because a new dessert bar has just opened up and this is one you have to see to believe.
It does, however, feel wrong to use the term ‘dessert bar’, because it truly doesn’t give this place enough credit—perhaps a dessert wonderland is a better fit. Directly across the road from Oakleigh's beloved Vanilla Lounge, the Vanilla Dessert Bar has just opened and is promised to add a sweeter side to the much-loved establishment.
But we aren’t just talking about a few toppings to add to a frozen yoghurt (not that we don’t love that, but let's get creative). At Vanilla, you are able to create a personal masterpiece, essentially a pile of goodness in other words.
Start with a flaky croissant, cronut or just the good-old fashioned waffle cone, then get creative with your choice of soft serve or frozen yoghurt, rotating through eight flavours that span from sweet to rich and everything in between. And to finish off: toppings galore.
With more than 60 flavours, ranging from streams of sauce to gnocchi doughnuts to chocolate-coated Smith’s chips, this is not your average dessert bar. And the best part—you can keep coming back time and time again, because Vanilla offers no two desserts the same.
Find Vanilla Dessert Bar at 17-21 Eaton Mall, Oakleigh. They’re open 7am-11pm every day.
Glen Iris Neighbourhood Fave Grazia Opens A Takeaway Branch For Those Cosy Nights In
Image: Grazia D'Asporto | Supplied Words: Olivia Tiralosi
Grazia D’Asporto, Grazia Restaurant’s newest addition has officially opened on 157 Burke Road in Glen Iris, serving up some of the neighbourhood fave’s top dishes and more.
Open right next door to Grazia Restaurant (we know, super convenient), the takeaway-dedicated little sister houses all their Italian classics from coffee and dolci—that’s dessert if you can’t speak italiano—to pizza a taglio by day and Roman-style pizzas by night.
Pastries, pizzas, and paninis are made daily in-house by Head Chef, Emiliano Gandolfi, who bakes his signature creations fresh daily in a pizza oven, specially imported from Rome.
Their iconic panini menu features six Italian-style sandwiches served on house made schiacciata alongside 11 whole Roman-style pizzas for the more ravenous appetites.
And vegetarians worry not, as the menu also has options catering to the meat-free-feeders.
By very popular demand, their takeaway menu will be available all day, and operating seven days a week from 7.30am until 9pm, it’s simply too good an opportunity to pass up.
Head this way for more of Melbourne's best pizza and best Italian.
Artisanal Cheese Joint With International Creds Ups Camberwell's Culture Clout
Cheese-lovers, heaven is a place in Camberwell. Pasture + Vine has opened in Camberwell Fresh Food Market, with rows of the finest imported and Australian cheeses from small, artisan producers.
Cheesemonger Blake Sebastian has serious curd cred, with ten years spanning Maker & Monger, Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder and London's legendary Neal’s Yard Dairy.
In his seasonal selection you can find everything from Loire Valley goats’ cheeses to fresh buffalo mozzarella from NSW, Spanish manchego, aged French comté, calvados-washed camembert and rich blues from Castlemaine to Great Britain.
Alongside this cheese dream is a dizzying array of accompaniments, like pickled figs, olives, Sarafian hummus, tinned fish, crackers and local terrines with charcuterie sliced to order.
“It’s what I eat with my cheese and what I think you should eat with yours,” Sebastian says.
And of course you can’t have the pasture without vine: Sebastian has a continually rotating selection of his favourite wines to take away.
Find Pasture + Vine at Shop 23, Camberwell Fresh Food Market. They're open Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday from 7am-5pm (breakfast cheese anyone?) and Sunday, 10am-3pm.
This Gelato Juggernaut Is Making Its Way Down South To Melbourne
Image: Anita Gelato | Supplied
Despite the chilly weather Melburnians are known to queue for gelato and we’re going to have a new reason to rug up for a scoop: Anita Gelato is heading to the city and we are trying to contain our excitement. This has been a fave up in Brisbane and Sydney for a while—now we’re officially able to join in on the fun.
Founded two decades ago by a dedicated mother and son team, Anita Gelato offers homemade artisanal gelato with the freshest ingredients. And we aren’t just talking vanilla and strawberry—Anita Gelato has over 150 rotating gelato options, with toppings galore.
Anita Gelato has been very secretive about their new Melbourne development, so we don’t have the exact location or the opening date yet—but rest assured, the second we know, you will know too!
Sit tight for an opening date and exact address.
Disco Down At This 1980s Tokyo-Inspired Rooftop Izakaya Taking Over Former Madame Brussels Digs
Image: MAMAS Dining Group | Supplied
We shed a tear when Madame Brussels called it a day, but we’re even more excited about what’s coming next: a bangin’ rooftop izakaya inspired by the heady 80s in Tokyo.
MAMAS Dining Group will be helming the venture, who you’ll know from Suzie Q, Straight Outta Saigon and Hochi Mama.
On the menu we’re hearing sushi from master Japanese chefs and smoky chargrilled izakaya-style dishes, with an extensive sake list, Japanese-inspired cocktails and Japan’s finest craft beers.
The venue will seat 150, meaning there’s plenty of room to party with sweeping views of the city skyline to the soundtrack of smooth disco and rhythmic hip-hop.
“We’re so excited to open our seventh venue in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, a huge milestone to mark MAMAS 10 years of operation in Australia’s most renowned city for hospitality," Thai Ho, CEO and Director of MAMAS says.
“Moreover, to open in one of the city’s most iconic locations is such a fantastic opportunity, and we can’t wait to bring the soul of Shibuya nights and the heart of Harajuku days to Melbourne’s CBD.”
Sit tight for a name, an opening date and more details, we’ll let you know when we’ve got ‘em.
This Melbourne Thai Spot Has Mastered Killer Chicken Spareribs & Surprising Vegan Tweaks
Image Credit: Kan Eang Thai Bistro | Supplied
If you're in search for Thai food with a modern twist, Kan Eang Thai Bistro should be at the top of your list. This Melbourne hotspot is known for crowd-pleasers like its Signature Fried Lucky Fish (a crispy whole barramundi with tamarind sauce) and the legendary ‘OG’ Fried Chicken Spareribs, but what really stands out is its vegan-friendly approach. A surprising number of dishes can be tweaked to be plant-based, proving that Thai cuisine doesn’t need meat at the forefront.
The Fried Truffle Cauliflower is crispy, aromatic and drenched in truffle seasoning, while the Avocado Green Curry (with seasonal veg) and Pineapple Fried Rice (tofu & veg) deliver rich, fragrant flavours without compromise. Even the Watermelon and Plum Salad (hold the dried fish) is a refreshing vegan option, loaded with toasted coconut and zesty plum dressing. Kan Eang shows that Thai food can be both indulgent and inclusive, for the carnivores and the plant-based.
Spoil Your Dog in Style (And Grab A Latte While You’re At It)
Welcome to Augie’s Place, Brunswick’s newest cafe—where the pooches may just get treated better than their people. Sure, your local cafe may be pup-friendly, but do they roll out the red carpet? At Augie’s Place they spare no cost, with a dedicated section on the menu and their very own spots.
Just a 10 minute walk from Brunswick station at 460 Victoria Street, open Wednesday through Sunday, Augie’s Place serves freshly made goods day in and day out. Every corner of Augie’s Place is meticulously thought out, from the furniture, to the artwork and of course, the legendary ‘Paw-l of Fame wall’.
And if all this furry fun isn’t enough to get you out there, the no extra charge for alternative milks should do the trick! And if you're lucky, you might even spot Augie—the café’s namesake and resident good boy.
Melbourne’s Freshest Hot Pot Spot Is A Feast For The Mouth & The Eyes
Image: Supplied | Words: Olivia Tiralosi
Dining in Melbourne isn’t only about the food anymore–because why would a restaurant be about the food? It’s about the experience, and this new hot pot restaurant, situated in an iconic Bourke Street location is about all the experience you can get.
In the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, this multi-level dining space comes from the TS Group behind some of Sydney’s cult-favourite restaurants such as YX Mini Hotpot and Oborozuki, a Japanese-French fusion style dining spot.
In an other-worldly space, visitors dine surrounded by neon-lit interiors, inspired by cyberpunk aesthetics, being treated to authentic-style Chinese meals and tableside service. Step into the future for the night and gorge on everything YX Hot Pot has to offer over a cold one with a group of mates.
Flame-Kissed Cheeseburgers At The New Burger Spot By The Yakamoz Crew
Image: Charrd | Hayden Dib Words: Kosa Monteith
The team behind Turkish fave Yakamoz in Brunswick East have opened their new takeaway burger joint, Charrd. Yakamoz owner Ogulcan “OJ” Atay says the burger started as a Sunday lunch special from head chef Cagri Ergin, but it became the most asked-about item at the restaurant. “We thought, why not open something ... for the people who love it and keep telling us it’s not fair that they can only get it on a Sunday?” he says. “So we listened, and opened Charrd.”
Just as Yakamoz is about fire-cooking, Charred’s beef burgers are cooked over charcoal. There are only two burgers, both on sesame brioche with melty American cheese: the Charrd with caramelised onion jam, pickles, truffle aioli and chilli jam, and the Classic with house CB sauce, pickles and onions. For sides, chips and spicy chicken wings, with soft drinks like house-made iced tea.
Charrd is open Thursday and Friday, 4pm-11pm and Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-11pm, find them at 74 Lygon Street, Brunswick East.
Watch Out Melbourne—Luxe & Elegance Is Coming Your Way
Image: Lexy | Supplied
Yes, we know—a new restaurant and bar opening in the CBD isn’t the most groundbreaking news to send your way—but what if we told you that it includes extravagant cocktails, refined delicacies AND a shimmery silver ceiling—now we have your attention.
Lexy is not just offering food and drink, but rather theatre, fashion and a promise to surprise. Whether you are in the mood for a glass of wine, or looking to try one of the many high-glam cocktails, Lexy has you covered. And when the drinks arrive, make sure your phones are ready—you don’t want to miss that obligatory Insta pic. The ‘Gram-worthiness doesn’t stop at just the drinks menu either, their asian-fusion menu offers share-style dishes that marks itself as a culinary destination in its own right.
With every detail screaming decadent, intimate and classy, with a hint of retro thrown in there, this is one you have to see for yourself. So whether you are heading there for after-work drinks, or a lunch with a friend, Lexy is your new go-to destination.
Lexy is open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday at 377 Flinders Lane. For more of Melbourne's best cocktail bars, head over here.
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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