While in 2023 South Yarra might have a polished reputation, you might be surprised by the multitude of cuisines, dining styles and settings—from intimate to hawker-style eateries—in and around the divisive strip that is Chapel Street.
Just a stone's throw from the CBD, South Yarra provides a starting point for many to kick off an evening (that might finish at K-Fry or Maccas hours later) while you duck in and out of the suburb's many watering holes. So take a stroll in, out and around this top selection of South Yarra restaurants in 2023:
Lona Misa
234 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Image credit: Lona Misa | supplied
You can’t say that South Yarra doesn’t have it all—you’re completely covered with nearly every type of cuisine at your fingertips. The long walk down Chapel Street is filled with gems of all kinds, both hidden and established, and don’t forget to duck into the little side streets too. From fine dining to humble bistros, South Yarra dining has it all under the sun, so keep reading for the best restaurants in South Yarra for 2024.
Yakikami
150 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Image credit: Yakikami | supplied
Yakikami is the pinnacle of Japanese restaurants in South Yarra. This 70-seat diner, focusing on Japanese BBQ, is spread out across 350sqm of sleek marble flooring and features a dedicated Yakitori bar with charcoal Josper (Hibachi) grills that churn out skewers of chicken, seafood and vegetables.
A25
720 Chapel Street, South Yarra
If you’re looking for the top-tier Italian restaurant South Yarra has to offer, you can’t go wrong with A25. Verona-born chef Bryan Spijkers uses old-school techniques to create a dough that’s rested for 48 hours before being stretched out, topped with fresh ingredients and fired — making a pizza that’s light and fluffy with a crispy crust.
They also serve delicious pasta, including handmade gnocchi in a pesto sauce and pappardelle with a slow-cooked beef wagyu ragu. If you can’t make it to Italy in 2024, this is the next best thing.
Misschu
276 Toorak Road, South Yarra
South Yarra staple Misschu in true hawker form is always bursting at the seams of patrons patiently waiting to enjoy the delicious Vietnamese.
With its relaxed style of food, funky interiors and approachable attitude towards dining, Misschu is without a doubt one of the best restaurants South Yarra has to offer.
Leonard’s House of Love
3 Wilson Street, South Yarra
Image credit: Leonard's House of Love
Leonard’s celebrates all things simple and tasty—bourbon, charcoal chicken and open fires—all set within a 70s lounge-style log cabin venue. It's seriously a vibe.
Whether you’re in for a laid-back beer with friends or ready to chow down on some delicious no-frills food (burgers, fried chicken and loaded fries, as well as salad and mash combos) it’s the spot for you. It also serves hands-down the best cheeseburger in Melbourne.
Thirty-Eight Chairs
4 Bond Street, South Yarra
No South Yarra restaurants list would be complete without Thirty-Eight Chairs, Building on recipes passed down from his nonna, owner Gino Forlano has beautifully curated a menu that is elegantly classic Italian.
A beautifully intimate setting boasts a sophisticated interior with tables spaced just as they are in Italy, who knows who might go home with a full belly and some new friends?
Gilson
171 Domain Rd, South Yarra
Domain Road may be home to The Tan track but it’s also home to Gilson, an all-day dining hotspot that transforms into a beautiful dinner haven.
With Jason McBride at the helm (Mammoth, Touchwood and Barry) you know this place is good. A sophisticated and delicious cocktail menu adds to the wonderfully somewhat Italian food on offer.
Beverly
level 24/627 Chapel St, South Yarra
image credit: Beverly | supplied
Perched atop the Goldfields building, this brand-new venue is bringing a refreshing breezy vibe back to the southside metropolis. The menu at Beverly is contemporary, centred around the more playful sharing-style ideal for long boozy catch-ups from prawn ceviche with a jalapeno cream to spanner crab pasta, pulled pork belly ragu and more.
Atlas Dining
133 Commercial Rd, South Yarra
Now talking about a culinary cruise, this place is unreal. Atlas’ cuisine changes with the seasons and the menu is changing weekly. A pillar of South Yarra restaurant, it's hard to make recommendations for dining at Atlas because they'd be irrelevant the next week; however, to say the least, the food is amazing. Whether it’s a date night or a catch-up with old friends, Atlas is perfect for any dining occasion.
Abacus Bar & Kitchen
383 Chapel Street, South Yarra
If you're looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, look no further than Abacus Bar & Kitchen in 2023. It's pretty hard to go past the speck croquettes, featuring speck, gruyere, chorizo, and spiced plum on the small shares section of the menu, or for something bigger try the slipper lobster, with home-made crumpets, finger-lime caviar, and dill creme fraiche.
France-Soir
11 Toorak Rd, South Yarra
Image credit: France Soir | supplied
A true Melbourne institution, France Soir has been packing Melburnians in every night for more than 30 years. It’s no wonder it’s one of the top South Yarra restaurants.
You'll find traditional French fare on the menu, including the likes of escargot (snails), Andouilette (house-made pork sausage), Moules mariniére (mussels in white wine), and much more. As you'd expect in a French restaurant there is also a great selection of steak, chicken, and lamb dishes.
Yūgen Dining
605 Chapel St, South Yarra
Image credit: Yugen | supplied
Resting right above speciality tea destination Yugen Tea Bar, Yugen Dining is a two-level eatery with three unique spaces, each one evoking a sense of intimacy mixed with innovation and newness. The menu features modern interpretations of Asian dishes, be it Jamon and snapper sashimi to a Wagyu beef hotpot with mushroom and spicy Sichuan butter.
Matilda
159 Domain Rd, South Yarra
Image credit: Matilda | supplied
Matilda's big draw is the cooking method, there’s no gas here: the team are using big hunks of Ironbark, Cherry, Applewood and even Pinot grapevines to smoke the hell out of pretty much everything.
The menu is built around meaty mains like whole John Dory topped with finger limes, saltbush and native Grenobloise, ‘Salt & pepper’ Blackmore Wagyu bavette, and fired-up Macedon duck, with leatherwood honey and figs. Kangaroo tartare with fermented red peppers is so smooth you’d like it was A-Grade Tasmanian beef.
Shadowboxer
302 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Shadowboxer is a bar and bistro from foodie triumvirate Michael Thom, Luke Thompson and Nick Aitken, a team that honed their skills at Naked For Satan, Borsch Vodka & Tears and Lucky Coq, before opening their place.
This place is set up for long lunches, but it’d make one hell of a date night venue. The cuisine is modern Australian, and some of the highlights include the Lakes Entrance Dory, as well as the Wattle Grove organic flat iron steak.
Omnia Bistro
625 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Image credit: Omnia | supplied
If you’re looking for a European-style bistro bar, you won’t be disappointed with Omnia. Their menu changes seasonally, led by award-winning chef, Stephen Nairn, they’re all about supporting Aussie farmers and producers.
The brasserie-style menu features plenty of the favourites from whole flounder with beurre noisette (brown butter sauce) to a variety of cuts served as steak frites with bearnaise sauce.
Cucinetta
Unit 4/3 Murphy St, South Yarra
Cucinetta translates to “little kitchen”, and that’s exactly what this local favourite is. This is Italian the way Nonna used to make it: fresh, simple and cooked with love. The menu is seasonal and the restaurant also has an award-winning wine list.
Bar Carolina
44 Toorak Rd, South Yarra
image credit: Bar Carolina | supplied
Tucked away alongside the French bistros of Toorak Road is Venetian bistro, Bar Carolina. It serves contemporary Italian dishes in a chic atmosphere - perfect for that area of South Yarra. While you’re there you can check out their swanky rooftop terrace bar, Tetto di Carolina, for a hand-crafted cocktail.
The Botanical
169 Domain Road, South Yarra
With an impressive list of weeknight specials, The Botanical has a steady stream of regulars in 2023. The main bar is one of the big draw cards for The Botanical: With an exceptional bar selection, ample seating, a fire in winter, and courtyard space, it’s not hard to see why this South Yarra stunner is one of the best restaurants South Yarra has.
Stella
427 Chapel St, South Yarra
image credit: Stella | supplied
It's a hot contender for the best view on Chapel, nestled right on the corner of a sleepier stretch of the busy strip in South Yarra, Stella's fourth-storey rooftop is the cherry on top of the Italian bar and diner. Boasting a cocktail list littered with prime aperitivo hour classics, a rotating selection of live musical acts and colourful sunsets over the city.
Spoonbill
637/641 Chapel St, South Yarra
Located inside South Yarra’s Art Series Hotel, The Olsen, Spoonbill is all about celebrating Australia’s finest produce. It offers paddock-to-plate dining, so you can expect fresh, high-quality ingredients cooked with meticulous attention. If anyone ever asks you what “Australian food” is, this is the place to take them.
48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar
373 Malvern Rd, South Yarra
Image credit: 48h Pizze e Gnocchi Bar
There is a lot to love about this place - not only were they the first official gnocchi bar in Australia, but these guys also have a solid appreciation for quality ingredients. Exactly like how it's done in Italy, 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar let their dough rise for a minimum of 48 hours, which makes for a crust that's light, fragrant and aromatic.
Oriental Teahouse
455 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Image credit: Oriental Tea House | supplied
Oriental Teahouse has been a South Yarra staple for well over a decade. As much a part of the furniture as The Jam Factory’s familiar red brick facade or a late-night Lamb On Chapel garlic kebab. The corner-resting diner has styled itself as a premier Shanghai-style dumpling and teahouse, an old dog with a few new tricks—including a banquet menu that quite honestly never misses.
Check out more of Melbourne's best:
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Image credit: Backroom (supplied)