Food

Melbourne's breakfast scene is unmatched—often imitated in cities around the world but never replicated. With so many stunners out there, some truly iconic brekkies have emerged. We gotchu covered with the best breakfast Melbourne has to offer for 2026.

On the hunt for the best cafe in Melbourne? It's a tough one, simply due to the sheer volume of options. The standard the city has set has been replicated all over the world, and it's no surprise as the quality of our coffee is world-class and our brunch is unbeatable.

Our editor reckons these 10 restaurants, from casual to fine dining are the best restaurants in Melbourne as of 2026. How many have you been to?

From cult-favourite hawker gems to splashy chef-driven hotspots turning out plates almost too pretty to touch, this tiny island punches seriously above its weight in the flavour department.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to indulge in epic food to ring in the New Year, Melbourne/Naarm has you covered. It’s a foodie hotspot, after all! These are the best spots to eat and drink (and party) your way into 2026. 

​Wine tours in Victoria are fun, but they’re less fun for the designated driver, right? Which is why booking the best winery stay is a win.

Our guide to all the best Christmas-themed markets in Melbourne you need to stroll through this December.

Northcote’s landed a fresh bar and eatery that feels like home turf already. Donny’s is now open at 61 High Street in Northcote's beloved Westgarth pocket, brought to you by hospo pros Xavier Byrne and Kris Miles, whose resumes span Australian cities and beyond.​

From cooking utensils and cookbooks to dinnerware and glassware, we've rounded up some of the best gift ideas for food-loving folks. Bon appétit, baby!

The food news has been coming in thick and fast in Melbourne, and to make sure that you're across Melbourne's food and bev movements, we've wrapped up everything that you need to know in a handful of digestible servings.

Whether you're yet to try the viral food trend or hankering for a new way to get your Dubai choc fix, this new pistachio range is a must-try.

From moody rooftops where you'll drink by candlelight to iconic venues serving up the city's best views, we've sussed out the Melbourne rooftop bars that are on another level. These are the best rooftop bars calling Melbourne home in 2025.

Melbourne has countless bakeries and patisseries crafting these golden-kissed baked goods each day, but hunting down an incredible croissant is another thing entirely. That’s why we’ve searched high and low to find the absolute best croissant Melbourne has to offer. 

The heart of Melbourne, the CBD. We've got heaps of good restaurants here in Melbourne and Victoria as a whole. Whether you're looking for Flinders Lane restaurants or you're just looking to tuck into some affordable fare, we've nailed down the best.

Coffee for less than $2? In this economy? Sign us up.

Ready for a blast from the past? Combining the nostalgia of the Australian classic chicken shop with punchy, contemporary Athenian wine bar vibes, Kokoras is bringing woodfired, Greek style chicken to the inner west. 

Hotdogs. No mere sausage-and-bun, but an American icon synonymous with baseball, the Fourth of July, Manhattan street-vendors and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. And a strong contingent have sprouted up in Melbourne.

Calling all seasoned beer appreciators, sippers and clinkers. Here are the best breweries on the Sunshine Coast worthy of your next sip.

Looking for the best cheap eats in Melbourne? We've got you covered with a curated list of delicious, budget-friendly spots around the city. Dive into our picks for the top cheap eats Melbourne has to offer and discover how to satisfy your cravings without splurging.

Not to get you stressed but Father’s Day is fast approaching… it’s September 7th for those who are freaking out thinking it was 3 months away—don’t worry that was us this morning. Forgot to pick up something for Dad? Not sure where to spend the big day to celebrate? We have got you covered with everything you need to know before the day of all things Dad arrives. 

Finding the perfect venue for your Christmas soiree isn’t the easiest job (I mean, no one wants to have drinks at the office…) Luckily, we’re here to help speed you along your way and make sure you pick the perfect place.

It's no secret that you can find some of the best ramen in Melbourne/Naarm. The list of ramen joints in this city is long. That's why we've done the broth-sipping, noodle-slurping hard work and found the most deliciously soul-warming bowls out there.

You don't need to travel to Europe to get the full tapas experience. Here are the most charmingly authentic restaurants serving up the best tapas Melbourne has to offer in 2025. 

As soon as the temperature begins heating up after a frosty winter, there's one thing on our mind: Melbourne's best beer gardens. You know the ones, leafy and sun-drenched oases where all your worries dissipate and there’s only one task at hand — having a grand old time alongside a cold pint. 

Finding the best oyster bar in Melbourne is no easy task, that’s why we're shelling out the details on the city’s best.

Spanning across 2km and three suburbs, there are more Chapel Street restaurants than you could poke a stick at. From late night ramen joints complete with live DJs to time-tested Italian trattorias that have called this bustling precinct home since the 80s, here are our favourites. 

If you've heard whispers that Hawthorn's culinary scene is heating up, you've heard right. This leafy eastern suburb is home to some seriously superb restaurants just waiting to impress you. Here are the best Hawthorn restaurants in 2025, according to Urban List. 

Footscray might be considered out of the way to some, but it’s home to many of the city’s best kept food secrets. Whether you live in the area, are travelling through, or nowhere near, it’s full of authentic cuisines and under-the-radar menus that you’ll want to add to your must-eat list. 

Sushi no doubt holds a special spot in Melbourne’s heart, which is why eating via train makes it all the better. With plenty of spots that specialise in the much slower-paced ritual of 'Kaiten-sushi', sit back, relax and let the food come to you. 

Global celebrations dedicated to a classic pasta dish? Sure, we’re in.

Whether you’ve been out at one of Melbourne’s best restaurants and require an equally excellent dessert or just have a craving for sugary goodness that warrants an excursion, Melbourne is home to plenty of dessert bars, patisseries and other sweet offerings that are sure to tickle your fancy. 

Melbourne is mad for ice cream and gelato. Rain, hail or shine you’ll find a line of people at these joints serving up the best gelato and ice cream Melbourne has to offer. 

Malvern is a bustling Melbourne suburb with leafy streets, an abundance of parks (and adorable cavoodles), and a vibrant High Street adorned with shops. But that's not all. With plenty of Malvern restaurants on offer, the suburb is also home to a hefty selection of spots to add to your must-try list.

Brunswick East has well and truly bloomed, and now you can hardly walk a few metres down Lygon Street without encountering another restaurant you want to try. From hatted Thai fusion to iconic Middle Eastern, these are the best of the best East Brunswick restaurants in 2025. 

Whether you're a self-proclaimed bread enthusiast or a total croissant fiend after a fix you'll find something that’ll have your tastebuds doing a happy dance at Melbourne's best bakeries for 2025.

Discover Melbourne’s best cookies—from gooey chocolate chip to vegan delights. We’ve crumb-scoured the city to find top spots for cookie lovers.

If you're a hungry herbivore, look no further than our guide to Melbourne's best spots for vegan eats, from burgs to fine dining, it's all here.

The Melbourne CBD is a labyrinth for hidden bars, whether they be upstairs, underground or tucked away at the end of a laneway. You don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to suss them all out though—we’ve done the detective work for you, and found the best hidden bars Melbourne has to offer. 

The sun is shining, the beach is beckoning, and you’ve got that hunger that only fish and chips can satiate. Thankfully we have no shortage of seriously good fish and chips in Melbourne and surrounds.

This winter night market is the snow-dusted winter wonderland that Melbournians usually only dream about (or fly to Europe for). Here are all the reasons Queen Victoria Market's Winter Market is worth rugging up for. 

From slow-cooked beef rendang to perfectly peanuty gado-gado with a side of fiery sambal, this is our roundup of each belly-filling, heart-warmingly good Indonesian restaurant Melbourne locals and visitors alike need to try. 

We’ve got the largest Greek population outside of Athens, so it’s no surprise the city is brimming with Greek taverns and family-owned restaurants to suit all occasions and budgets. It’s a tough task, but we’ve pulled together the best Greek restaurants Melbourne has to offer, with plenty of options for the souv-fans, seafood lovers, dairy queens and vegetarians out there. 

In 2025, Melbourne high tea is bringing together the best of old-world charm and modern-day fun. Whether you're in the mood to channel some classic 19th-century vibes, complete with dainty finger sandwiches and scones stacked high, or you're looking for something a bit more daring—think themed high teas, live music, and a splash of burlesque—Melbourne’s got you covered.

Some mornings are meant for sleep-ins and some are meant for indulging in the best bottomless brunch in Melbourne. Are you after endless mimosas, too many proseccos, more margaritas than you can poke a stick at? Well, if you've woken up on that side of the bed, get your Sunday (or Saturday) best on, and get ready to party. Check out our list of the best bottomless brunches in Melbourne for 2025.

Ahh, brunch. The glorious meal between breakfast and lunch that turned into the ultimate weekend ritual. Melbourne brunch has taken on a life of its own with some truly show-stopping joints serving up the ultimate brunch experience you’re craving right now. 

Skip the south side/north side arguments this weekend, because Melbourne's city centre is a brunch destination of its own right. Here are the best (neutral ground) spots for brunch in Melbourne CBD. 

One of the most important food groups to Melburnians, pizza is held in a treasured category of its own. Boasting some of the finest pizzerias outside of Italy, the level of craft here is world-class from classic leopard spotted Neapolitan-style to thick-cut deep dish. 

Melbourne has some of the best sushi going around and we’re not talking about a food court hand roll here. The city’s esteemed restaurants and takeaway storefronts are here to remind us that sushi is not only a traditional Japanese cuisine but also an honoured art form.

Fresh local produce, goods crafted by local creatives, and vintage bargains—Melbourne markets are some of the best, and well worth a Sunday morning peruse with coffee in hand.

Camberwell is not just for the avid thrifters who go trawling through the Sunday Market each week — it’s a foodie haven. Consider her the quieter older sister of the neighbouring Hawthorn; a bit less of a nightlife buzz, but a bit more urbanity.

Brunswick, where the vibes are strong and the coffee’s stronger. It’s a suburb forged in history, and now radiates with a diverse cultural energy that's truly one-of-a-kind. This is your express ticket to the best eats, drinks, and good times this legendary 'burb has to offer.

From anti-milk coffee cellar doors (yes, it exists) to Japanese cafes that will send you flying back to Tokyo, there are some true charmers proud to call this humble 'burb home. 

There’s something deeply fulfilling about breaking into a bar of the Viral Dubai chocolate—the crisp snap of a perfectly tempered block, the slow melt of velvety chocolate on your tongue. If you’ve seen Kourtney Kardashian breaking apart her Kit Kats in that oddly satisfying way, you’ll love the Viral Dubai chocolate for the same reason. 

It may be a whole lot colder but the prospect of a three-day weekend is one mighty-fine way to warm the soul. This coming King’s Birthday in Melbourne for 2025, Monday 9 June, a selection of Melbourne’s venues will still be turning it on for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. 

Tiramisu —literally “pick me up” in Italian—more than lives up to its name, with a mood-boosting trifecta of coffee, sugar, and creamy decadence. While its traditional recipe (and origin) are hotly contested we do know one thing, Melbourne has some bangin' iterations.

It's not easy to land on a single choice for the best restaurants in Fitzroy, and that's because there are simply too many. The previously working-class inner-city suburb has blossomed through the renaissance of Melbourne’s cultural boom and is now home to some of the highest-rated diners in the entire city. So, read on, and tick off the best Fitzroy restaurants for 2025.

Collingwood is historically home to some of Melbourne's best restaurants, bars, shopping, street-art, and well ... just about everything else. The inner-city (hipster, shh) suburb is truly a cultural melting pot, simmering from the north and south end of the suburb. But if you want a local tip, cut through the main drag on Smith Street and you'll see what's on offer is proper fire.

A good pub does exactly what it promises on the tin: a spot to catch up with mates, knock back a few pints and naturally, tuck into a parma.

From smoky mezcal cocktails to slow-braised birria tacos dripping with consommé, Melbourne's Mexican food scene is hotter than a habanero right now. We've scoured the city to bring you the must-try taquerias, cantinas and modern Mexican kitchens that'll transport your taste buds straight to Mexico City.

Here's your ultimate Eat, Play, Stay guide to the Barossa Valley with Andy Allen.

With another long weekend just around the corner, it’s time to start making your brunch and dinner reservations. Whether you're waking up early Monday 25 April for the ANZAC Day dawn service or having a much-deserved sleep in, Melbourne’s hospitality industry is gearing up to make sure you spend the public holiday the right way. There are plenty of venues still trading and the surcharges are just a small trade-off for a great feed.

The long weekend is just around the corner so it’s time to start planning your social movements for the mini-break. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, we can all agree it’s pretty nice to have a four-day weekend to catch up with friends and family while letting someone else do all the cooking and cleaning—surcharges are totally worth it. Here’s your list of what’s on over the Easter weekend in Melbourne. 

Like the precinct’s spruikers, the choice really is overwhelming when it comes to Lygon Street restaurants. One will tell you they have the freshest carbonara in the southern hemisphere while the other will stake claim to a 400 cheese pizza. Both worthy options, but dig deeper and you’ll find a diverse culinary offering ranging from fiery ramen at one end and modern Australian at the other.

Want to relive that Japanese holiday, or get your eye in before you head overseas? You're in luck, because Melbourne is full of top-tier Japanese restaurants. Whether you’re craving freshly made sushi, bowls of steaming ramen, sizzling teppanyaki, melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, or flavourful donburi, there’s no shortage of authentic Japanese restaurants in Melbourne to dive into. 

Searching for the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne? From hidden trattorias to fine dining, here are Melbourne’s top 25 Italian spots for pasta, pizza and more in 2025.

Gone are the days when vegetarian dining in Melbourne meant cheerless salads and the same old pasta dishes. This city’s plant-based scene has exploded into a vibrant ecosystem of its own, where vegetables aren’t just an afterthought—they’re the headliners.

With Easter around the corner, the sweet smell of hot cross buns is starting to waft out of bakeries across Melbourne. With so many on offer, it’s hard to know who makes the best hot cross buns in Melbourne. Is it the traditional take? Is it a chocolate-filled number? Or is it the undignified 'fruitless'? Luckily, you have Urban List doing the hard yards for you.

Forget diamonds—Melbourne’s real luxury is a perfectly cooked steak. Whether you’re after a melt-in-your-mouth wagyu, a charred, smoky ribeye, or an old-school pub porterhouse with all the trimmings, this city delivers.

Swisse has unveiled its very own ice cream truck, the Swisse Whip, which will be handing out free ice creams around Melbourne.

The southern hemisphere’s largest shopping centre, Chadstone has just dropped the lineup for a massive 26,500sq m foodie precinct. The two areas, The Market Pavilion and Dining Laneway will host some of Melbourne’s tastiest food retailers. 

Melbourne’s bustling dining scene owes a very honest tip of the hat to France. Every suburb has its own cache of bakeries, bistros and patisseries reminiscent of the City of Lights, and if you're like us wondering why you're here rather than there, well, this list might just save you the trip.

There was a time when the best burgers in Melbourne came from your local fish and chip place, usually with a slice of beetroot and a couple of extra dim sims. Actually, now we think about it, those are still pretty bloody good, but we've pulled together our top picks so you can eat easy.

The Melbourne edition of il Mercato Centrale, originally launched in Florence in 2014, offers a dynamic day-to-night dining experience, from light snacks to full restaurant meals. Located in the iconic McPherson building on Collins Street, this 2,500 sqm space has been transformed into a vibrant retail and culinary hub.

Melbourne has one of the most culturally diverse culinary scenes in the world, but you already know that and so do we. What you may not know though, is where to find the cream of the crop when it comes to Indian food—enter Urban List.

There’s a reason Jackalope on the Mornington Peninsula is on everyone’s bucket list: from its stunning grounds to unique architectural design, moody black colour palette or funky bar and restaurant, the hotel is the very definition of a luxury stay.

Geelong’s restaurant scene is thriving, offering a vibrant mix of culinary experiences that firmly establish it as a must-visit destination for food lovers. Once living in Melbourne’s shadow, this seaside gem has emerged with its own bold personality, leaning heavily into its love for fresh, local seafood.

We wanted to really find out what constitutes a good burger, so we asked the masterminds behind some of our faves. It turns out that there’s a bit of a theme—a secret ingredient if you will—to all of the burgers we know and love.

Good things come in small packages, and so do great things, such as Xiao Long Bao. Our city is spoilt for choice when it comes to these often-steamed, sometimes-fried pockets of flavour, so much so that you’ll be left doing laps of Chinatown until everything shuts up shop for the night.

Melbourne. We’re a city of laneway cafes, late-night restaurants and bustling basement bars—and arguably the world’s best food scene. And behind the scenes are some very talented women. But it’s not always roses for them. They’ve breached an industry that has a shockingly low rate of participation from women—in some areas of hospitality under 15 percent of the workforce is female.

It’s hard to name a more iconic pub feed than the chicken parma. These slabs of perfection have found their way into the hearts of Melburnians, and it doesn’t look like the love affair is slowing down anytime soon. Here is Urban List's guide to the best parmas in Melbourne for 2024:

Is Melbourne having a cinnamon scroll redux right now? If we look at the facts, it might appear that the answer to that question is yes.

This one’s dedicated to all the gluten-intolerant bread and pastry lovers. Let’s be honest, the supermarket selection of gluten-free baked goods can be, well, uninspiring. Thankfully, we have a good handful of specialty gluten-free bakeries in Melbourne/Naarm that are reducing celiac’s FOMO when it comes to being able to get their hands on fresh bread, pastries and desserts. 

Navigating Melbourne’s vibrant dining scene while sticking to gluten-free options has never been easier. Think gluten-free pasta dishes, pizzas, and even indulgent desserts—all made with care and quality ingredients. If you’re seeking the best gluten-free restaurants in Melbourne, these spots have you covered.

Sandwiches are the new sexy. There are no two ways about it. Melbourne burgers had their time in the sun, but there’s only so much magic you can make with beef, cheese and brioche. Sandwiches are much more interesting. 

Charcoal chicken is a time-honoured practice, a craft that you'll find in almost every corner of the world. While flavours may vary from region to region, the smoky golden crisped exterior and succulent meat inside that results from spinning across the coals and flamed has established the roast chook as a pinnacle of dining. 

This one's probably going to be controversial given we can't cover every single amazing example of dim sims around Melbourne. But, we've called upon the heavy dim sim hitters at Dim Sims 4 Lyf to help us out here.

It could be a quick refuel, a boozy business meeting, or perhaps sharing a meal to catch up—lunch is a sacred part of the day for many Melburnians. We love lunch here. We're starting to steer clear from the grab and go, a hangover from (we won't say it) the past few years, and taking the time to sit and dine now. These are some of our top picks for Melbourne's best lunch spots for 2025, that are sure to impress your mates, visitors or colleagues. 

Cost of living keeps creeping upwards and onwards, and most of us practically have the words “value for money” tattooed on wallets to stop unnecessary spending. Of course, that’s where the humble buffet comes in, with endless plates and infinite options to make you feel like life isn’t so bad.

Yum Cha, it's the culinary experience that's greater than the sum of its parts, and each part is already pretty delicious. You’ll find dim sum galore, from pan-fried to steamed to boiled, all designed to be washed down with piping-hot tea. Melbourne has got some amazing for all your yum cha needs. So needless to say, we’ve curated a list of the best yum cha in Melbourne for 2025. 

The Lunar New Year is fast approaching and 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake, which symbolises wisdom, transformation, stability and creativity and we're here to learn and grow, and celebrate.