The Indulgent Index: Your Guide To Melbourne’s Most Decadent Dishes And Drinks Right Now

Indulgent. Rich. Decadent. For some people, those words are all that’s needed to draw you into the closest restaurant, knife and fork at the ready. For others, they come with the stomach scaries that may keep you within the confines of your own pantry. More often than not, when it comes to living the good life, it’s found in moments with great mates and dirty martinis, at the bottom of a creamy gelato sundae, the first mouthful of a spicy curry or even just the thought of making a reservation at the hot new spot in town. The good life isn't typically found in the stress of finding a dish that isn’t served with a side of heartburn, and it’s certainly not found in missing out on the experience altogether.

Enter Rennie*, a handy little dining companion that doesn’t let heartburn get in the way of living the good life. It neutralises 99% of stomach acid in less than 60 seconds, which basically means if you’re in for a whole lot of spice, a moment of indulgence or a sweet treat, you can leave the heartburn worry at home.

Which brings us to The Indulgent Index—your guide to Melbourne’s most decadent eats and sips right now. Consider this your excuse to order the really good stuff.

Gelato Sundae

Delmonte | 293 Lygon Street, Carlton

Image credit: Delmonte | Instagram

When Delmonte opened its doors in July earlier this year, it came with handmade pasta, fluffy focaccia and pork cotoletta stuffed with fam and fontina. The new Italian wine room also came with one very impressive sundae. We’re talking a generous scoop of Pidapipo gelato topped with toasted meringue and an Amarena cherry. Grab a spoon and take your time—it’s one to savour.

Wagyu Beef Tenderloin

Yamagen | 6 Portland Lane, Melbourne CBD

Tucked down Portland Lane just off Russell Street is Yamagen—Melbourne’s newest Japanese restaurant doing a knock-out omakase experience. That said, you can absolutely go à la carte if that’s your style. Either way, you can get a plate of the melt-in-your-mouth Pure Black wagyu beef tenderloin served with wasabi butter and charred baby gem. 

Lao Pork Sausage Bánh Mì

Ca Com | 336 Bridge Road, Richmond

Image credit: Ca Com | Instagram

Melbourne is brimming with stellar bành mí joints, and in the running for one of the best is the bangers coming out of Ca Com in Richmond. Brought to life by JY Lee and Thi Le of Anchovy fame, the Lao pork sausage bánh mì is equal parts smoky and spicy. And in a world with Rennie*, your days of nasty heartburn in the past are well and truly behind you.

Basque Cheesecake

Betterburnt | 817 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Not all Basque cheesecakes are made equal, but all Basque cheesecakes coming out of Hawthorn’s Betterburnt are ultra-creamy and entirely delicious. The numbers speak for themselves. In the first year of gracing Melbourne, the dessert destination sold over 30,000 slices of this beauty. Better still, there are over 15 flavours to work through. Think Earl Grey, matcha, Nutella, pandan and more.

Moreton Bay Bug Spaghetti

Tipo 00 | 361 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD

When your city is blessed with pasta gods like Tipo 00, one must make a booking, and one must order their Moreton Bay Bug spaghetti with broad beans, yellow tomato and chilli. The key here is planning ahead, because bookings are snapped up faster than you can say, “pasta”.

Butter Chicken

Kolkata Cricket Club | Crown Melbourne

Image credit: Kolkata Cricket Club | Instagram

In Mischa Tropp, we trust. When the doors of Toddy Shop closed, it was a sombre day for the foodies of Melbourne. And just when we feared we might never get our hands on one of his exquisite dishes, Kolkata Cricket Club entered the chat, and so too did his now-famous butter chicken. A tomato-based curry married with flame-licked tandoori chicken and plated with burnt fenugreek and doused in melted butter. It's one of Melbourne's most talked-about dishes.

Three Martini Lunch

Cleo | Level 12/130 Russell Street, Melbourne CBD

It could be considered cheating to recommend the entire three Martini lunch menu at Cleo’s as an indulgent dish, but with a menu this good, exceptions can be made. Two courses, three mini Martinis and sides to share. Oyster mushroom skewers, tender lamb shoulder, roasted cauliflower—this can do no wrong.

Oyster Pâté

The Walrus | 9 Interman Street, St Kilda

If you haven’t yet made it to The Walrus in St Kilda, or you have but didn’t try the oyster pâté, do yourself a favour and clear your Friday night dinner plans. It's not as fishy as it sounds. It's everything rich as it is tasty, and goes down far too well with a dirty martini and a couple of freshly shucked oysters in tow.

Live more of the good life with Rennie* in hand. Learn more about your new dining companion over here. 

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Rennie* and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

*Always read the label and follow directions for use.

Leading image credit: Betterbunt | Supplied