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LOTI is the latest restaurant gracing St Kilda’s shores. Bringing a strong Mediterranean summer vibe to Melbourne, diners will enter through the Saint Moritz’s sand beige marble archway just off the Esplanade and onto off-cut, stone flooring. The venue gives a relaxed luxury aesthetic, with a curvaceous theme that carries from the leather couches to the banquet seating and bar. LOTI’s namesake, Lady of the Ice, pays homage to the St Mortiz ice rink that once donned St Kilda’s banks—a nostalgic homage to the history and heritage of the precinct.

Down on the bottom of Exhibition Street, a stone's throw from the start of Federation Square is Robata. Taking up residence in the former lodgings of Gazi, this new Japanese-inspired diner comes from the team behind long-running CBD restaurants San Telmo, Asado, and Pastuso, and has just opened its doors last Friday. 

Spice up your life. Or, you know, just your bread. SpitJack has landed in Northcote and they’re serving up house made sourdough flatbreads that bring the heat. Using a variety of ancient, fire-based cooking tools such as the South American Parilla grill, the French Flambadou and the Hot Brulee Iron, you can choose from a range of flatbreads topped with fresh and unique flavours. 

BAM, (Bread And Milk) is Essondon’s local corner store. A one-stop shop for specialty coffee, gourmet sandwiches, baked goods and artisanal pantry staples; meeting the needs of any modern Melburnian. 

The 'Home To Australia's Best Pies' Motto is hard to argue at Country Cob Bakery, especially when they're raking in gold medals year after year. The outer-Melbourne bakeries have taken out many an accolade at the national pie and sausage awards held around the country and even recently featured on Masterchef sharing their pie-making secrets. 

Just off Essendon’s main drag lies the precinct’s new wine bar, Primrose & Vine. Redefining the traditional bottle shop, the space is fitted out with sleek black finishings, hardwood floors and ambient lighting. The walls are lined top to bottom with wine racks, stuffed with a range of local and international drops that are all on offer. 

Bringing a more refined approach to the fish and chip world is Essendon's newest resident, Scalable Fish-Op. Led by Joe Farrah and the team behind Northcote's 300 Grams, the venture is a refreshing take on the quintessential Australian food group.

As you stroll down Brunswick Street keep your eyes peeled for Magnum Pi’s shopfront. Despite being relative newcomers, The Magnum Pi team have already cemented their status in Melbourne, stocking pastry cases all around the city. Locals know their flaky, meaty parcels from Saturdays at The Fitzroy Mills Market but now they’ve taken their stall and set up shop in Fitzroy.

Set out in the winding roads and hills of Ferntree Gully, Lorna is that reliable favourite. A popular option for those who’ve braved the nearby 1000 steps track, the white-washed venue has a breezy and spacious feel, large-shaped booth tables with olive green cushioned backs and long wooden bench seating that runs towards the back of the space. 

A favourite of the region, Mr Joe on Burnley Street in Richmond has been a go-to for elevated European cuisine since opening a few years ago. 

Shake off the sand and saunter into St Kilda’s newest bottle shop on Fitzroy Street, Tom’s Liquor Merchant. Only a couple blocks back from Melbourne’s iconic St Kilda Beach, the all-new destination is perfect for a couple cold ones to refresh yourself after a swim or great addition to pick up a pet nat for an evening picnic by the water.

City favourite, Lane’s Edge, has just got a sleek new look. Favoured as a regular haunt for a drink or late-night catch-up, the bar positioned up on the top end of Bourke Street has a storied legacy and now with a fresh lick of paint, it's set to usher in new memories. Headed up by Ian Hicks alongside venue manager, Will Crennan the pair has set to craft an approachable feel to the bar. 

Teo’s quaint space on Malvern Road is quite the charmer, serving up a reliable array of hearty pasta and pizza dishes it has created a new standard for the area. Formerly under the Matteo’s moniker, the Trattoria-style venture comes from owners Matt Vero and Matt Ward, who both served time working at the ever-popular Armadale cafe, Coin Laundry just around the corner. 

Bar Bombay Yacht Club is the latest masterpiece from renowned Indian chef, Jessi Singh. The vibrant bar and restaurant is serving exotic cuisine from the far east and was inspired by Singhi’s newfound love for sailing. It’s all about fun food and cocktails, and after the last two years of lockdowns, it’s a welcomed change. 

Tipico is Windsor’s slick Italian eatery, but not your red-checked tablecloth variety. Think further north. Milan. Fashion week. Sleek black monochrome and designers whose legacy exceeds a few decades, (the design in here comes courtesy of Samantha Eades from Mitchell & Eades). There’s a Picasso-esque neon sculpture in the front window, courtesy of London-based artist Meg Abbott (she also supplied the original artwork for the walls). 

Straight out of the swinging light, rock n roll halls of Heartbreaker, in-house pizza bar, Connie’s, has made it big time, securing a trattoria-style diner for its mega slices and Italia-styled dining just up the stairs from the bar.  

Executive Chef Manpreet Sekhon is taking over the former Press Club location to provide Melbourne with timeless Indian Cuisine. She is the mastermind and skilled hands behind Geelong’s Eastern Spice and Fitzroy’s Masti. Her new restaurant Elchi is set to showcase the acclaimed Curry Queen’s master technique and proud heritage.

There’s a new pizza joint that’s cracked the code of the Melbourne foodie scene. A local favourite, The Code opened up during lockdown in Collingwood, under the guidance of founder Alessio Albano. 

It may be sandwiched amongst one of the busiest stretches of the CBD, but stepping into the light-filled space of Hikari on Swanston Street is an instant reprieve from the city bustle.

Fusing two of Melbourne’s truest loves, the unexpectedly brilliant Yum Sing House seems to have been purpose-designed for scratching that much-needed venn diagram of Cantonese cuisine and Karaoke. Situated down on Sutherland Street in the city, the 1960’s Hong Kong-Inspired venue has taken over the former late-night stomping grounds of Hugs&Kisses.

Jon-won Paik, A Korean rockstar chef is bringing the heat to Melbourne with his famed noodles.

Melbourne has for many years had a love affair with Italian food. More recently, we’ve developed a reputation for loving vegan food, too. So when you combine the two, it’s gotta be good, right? 

If you’re a fan of burgs so big you can hardly wrap your lips around them, we’ve got good news. Burger Plus Geelong is serving up some of the most impressive burger towers we’ve seen in a long, long time. Think slices of chorizo, beef, cheese, and salad stacked so high, it practically defies gravity. All that on a plump, toasted bun, with a few fries thrown in to truly set the standard for the Melbourne burger scene. It’s no wonder the burger joint scored the award of ‘Best Burger in Geelong’ in 2019, and came back to reclaim the title in 2020. 

Craving a cheeseburger, but wanting a meat-free alternative? Hotel Collingwood has got you covered. The stunning, minimalist venue has set foodies abuzz by serving plant-based patties alongside dairy-free cheese. And boy, are those burgs delicious—trust us, you’ll savour every bite. 

We know, we know—we’re suckers for pastry, but after a visit to Beechworth Bakeries, can you blame us? With eight locations across Victoria, the shop fronts have well and truly earned their reputation as one of the best bakeries in Australia. Founded way back in 1974, the chain has grown rapidly over the years, earning a loyal following of dedicated customers in the process. And it’s easy to see why—one bite of these pies, and you’ll be addicted for life. 

If it wasn’t obvious from the name, let us spell it out for you—Heal.Thy Self Co is dedicated to serving clean, drool-worthy eats that are good for your body, and great for the planet. Their creative use of natural, seasonal ingredients has earned the venue a cult following amongst the plant-based community, but their gorgeous tropical decor certainly doesn’t hurt, either. 

The Section 8 and Ferydurke crew are bringing burgers, booze and bands till late 7 nights a week to B.East Burgers. Strap yourself in for some of Melbourne’s most authentic American-style burgers of all varieties—beef, chicken and meat-free. They even have a few international options, like the Daikatsu burger, served with a chicken katsu fillet, tonkatsu BBQ sauce, pickles, and plenty of slaw. Wash it all down with a Cherry Smash (smashed maraschino cherries, coconut flakes, chocolate syrup and whipped cream) and you’re in for one heck of a meal.

Keen to wrap your mouth around some of the best burgs in Melbourne? Follow the neon lights down to Boss Burger Co., now with three storefronts spread across Victoria. The venue’s decor is an ode to Hollywood’s A-List, so expect to see a few familiar faces scattered across the walls. We’re talking Beyonce, Schwarzenegger, Heath Ledger—you name it. 

Rocco's Bologna Discoteca, everyone's favourite Ital-inspired takeaway sandwich pop-up has just announced they'll be becoming a permanent fixture with a new location on Gertrude Street Fitzroy. 

Melbourne’s Northsiders have just copped a new sambo haven with Derby Hot Sandwiches opening up. With an emphasis on free-range meats, ethically sourced ingredients and locally made products, Derby is ready to show you what a seriously upstanding sandwich tastes like. 

Tucked away down Fulton Lane, Morpha has taken up residency in the CBD to breathe new life into Melbourne’s breakfast scene; dishing up a menu stacked with Asian Fusion brunch options.

Taking its name from French author Jean Savarin, known as the godfather of modern gastronomy; Bar Savarin is the latest diner and wine bar to hit the southeastern suburbs.

With a cult-like following in New South Wales, you’ll find Chargrill Charlie's all over Sydney and beyond. The family-run charcoal chicken specialists have just opened the doors to their second Melbourne-based operation on Glenferrie Road, Malvern. Whilst it’s not the first Victorian store, the all-new Malvern chicken HQ will likely follow suit to its Camberwell counterpart building a devoted fan base to the surrounding area.

Few grocery shopping experiences stack up to the sense-filled journey of selecting meats from Victor Churchill. The famed Sydney butcher has finally opened up its Melbourne store; situated on High Street Armadale its elegant and high-end offering is right at home.

Globally renowned fried chicken specialists, Bonchon, have just landed in Melbourne.

Port Melbourne’s Yaki Tori Bar is a modern-casual eatery established by Motomu Kumano. Head here for smoky, juicy yakitori skewers straight from their Binchōtan grill—we recommend their dry-aged squid and miso black cod. 

The Verdict

A standout on St. Kilda, Machi serves Japanese fare with a modern twist that is not to be missed. Head here for crunchy wagyu croquettes with yuzu ricotta, tempura prawn sushi tacos drizzled in jalapeño mayo and ballin’ chirashizushi bento boxes. With top-notch presentation and boasting impressive sake offering, you’re going to want to book a table at Machi, stat. 

The Verdict 

Bringing authentic Japanese Omakase experience direct to your doorstep, AOI. TSUKI is a must on your next night in. In meticulously presented black boxes, you’ll find expertly chosen pieces of Sashimi, Nigiri, Maki, Chirashi and even desserts to end your feasting on a sweet note. Whether you’re after a sprawling spread or just dinner for two, be sure to place your orders of their exquisite offering by 9:30 pm the day prior. 

The Verdict

Chiba, a Japanese restaurant in Moonee Ponds, is always ready to serve the hungriest stomachs. With a menu divided into entrees, mains, sushi, rice and noodle dishes, sides and desserts, Chiba also has options for the vegetarian and gluten free humans among us. The star of the show has to be the jam-packed sushi boat platters filled to the brim with sashimi, nigiri and nori rolls, perfect for sharing.

The Verdict

Sable is tucked away in Cremorne just a few steps away from Swan Street, it’s a long shop front that looks out onto the railway and is easily missed unless you know where to find it. With a completely plant-based menu, Sable is setting a new standard for vegan cafes in Melbourne—specialising in the core food groups of bagels, cookies, and cake. 

Some cuisines in Melbourne have been known to fluctuate in popularity, others hold their position in the culinary pecking order year in year out, and that can certainly be said for warm and rich flavours of Indonesian. One family-run restaurant that’s nailing the formula is Yoi, nestled in the top-end of the CBD.

Hyping up the Toorak area, Dan’s Deli has recently opened and is bringing locals together to celebrate good, tasty sangas. Inspired by New York-style eateries— Dan’s Deli is focused on creating an environment that provides the highest quality sandwiches and a sense of community. “We are spicing up the area and both the young and old are loving it,” owner Daniel Espinosa explains. 

If you’re a Melbourne foodie, chances are you have heard of Brunetti’s. Known for their authentic gelato, espresso and decadent cakes, the original Lygon Street store first opened in 1974 by Pierro Brunetti. It didn’t take long for Melburnians to grow attached to the sweet delicacies, which saw the business outgrowing their original store. So, in 1985 Brunetti’s moved to Lygon street where in 1991 it was purchased by the Angelé family.

Making noise from their Footscray stronghold, Ollie's Deli is bringing a bite of Melbourne's heaving deli-sandwich scene to the Western suburbs. Pronounced 'Foot-A-Scraaay' by local legend and furniture kingpin, Franco Cozzo, Ollie's Deli calls the suburb home with a laid backspace on Barkly street. 

 Launching Woods Yard back in 2020—owners and brothers Kris and Aaron Woods have recently re-opened the doors open to their swanky pizza bar in South Melbourne. 

By now you’ll be aware that we’ve always got a soft spot for a good sandwich. The newly minted Milhouse Canteen in the backstreets of Mordialloc ticks plenty of the boxes—a mouth-watering menu of sangas, pies, tasty coffee, and most importantly good vibes. 

Recently opening just off Greville Street in Prahran, Uminono is a boutique six-seat diner specialising in Japanese-style sushi and Omakase (chef’s selection). The new concept sushi operation comes from the mind of French-trained chef Arnaud Laidebeur, who has worked alongside Japanese and speciality sushi for several years. After two years of private dinners, Arnaud's inspiration for a permanent Ominono fixture was to share his focus on high quality and fresh ocean ingredients. 

You may already be familiar with the aesthetic leading BENCH COFFEE CO. or perhaps their equally elegant sister store Saint Dreux. The CBD based cafes are focused on speciality coffee, which they roast themselves off-premises. Just like Saint Dreux, Bench is adorned in the collective’s now-signature colour palette of white, black, and metallics and ‘Guided By Design’ philosophy. 

Inspired by the bakeries of Japan and Korea, Bakemono’s magical wooden storefront on Drewery Lane in the city is a refuge for quality bread and pastries. Alongside its sister store and cafe, Little Rogue, the pair offer the lane some serious charm.

Housed in the former State Savings Bank of Victoria which dates back to 1918, Teller, on Lygon Street in Brunswick East has been beautifully transformed into a sleek new all-day bar and dining spot. This stunning old building with plenty of history has been fitted with an upstairs function room, an airy beer garden, an open-design dining layout and a seriously impressive bar stocking 11 independently brewed beers on tap. 

Taking over the space from beloved wine bar Saint.Urban, this laidback Cave à Manger in Richmond combines the best of both worlds, a relaxed dining experience paired with a seasonal menu, along with a cellar wall filled with 80-changing wines that you’re free to select a bottle from. 

What can you expect at Bissel B? You guessed it, bagels. Sitting right on on the cusp of Punt Road in Richmond this quaint little shopfront has rafts of local devotees lining up daily to get their fill of the spherical handheld wonders. 

When Johnny Di Francesco decided to drop out of university and pursue his passion for pizza and Italian food, he probably didn’t think he would own one of the greatest Pizzerias in the world—let alone several. Johnny’s ambition has led him to open eleven Gradi locations around Australia and abroad, making him a household name and scoring him multiple award-winning moments on the global stage. 

The Saul’s family continues to grow, after the opening of their Hawthorn operation owners Leor Haimes and Elliot Koren have turned their hands to their cafe Time & Place, re-branding the former brunch spot into a dedicated Saul’s sandwich space.

Operating out of a former garage—or glorified storage shed—is the very recently opened Bala Sanga, and it's an absolute blessing to the Balaclava region. They're providing top-notch sandwiches from their small brick shop front on a laneway just off the back of Carlisle Street. 

Just 15-minutes east of the CBD you’ll find one of the city’s most mouth-watering newcomers—Butcher & Vine in Hawthorn.