22 awesome places to eat in Melbourne

Aug 16 2018, 5:44 am

Melbournians are not playing around when it comes to their food scene. Whether you’re seeking modern, traditional, exotic, or homegrown flavours, Melbourne’s dining scene will offer you a startling variety of the world’s best cuisines.

Not only is the coffee culture in this city next level but the cafes you will find scattered around the city are a testament to the importance of brunch to locals. And with fun, flavorful, and creative eateries all over Melbourne, you’ll want to squeeze more than three meals in a day.

So where are some of the top spots to indulge in Melbourne? Scroll down and find out!

Drool-worthy Italian: D.O.C. Pizza & Mozzarella Bar

Little Italy in Melbourne’s neighbourhood of Carlton presents a variety of authentic Italian dishes, and D.O.C. is one of our favourites. The D.O.C. restaurant group has several different posts serving up Italian goodness including a delicatessan, espresso bar, and produce store, but we are all about the pizza in the Carlton location. We’re still dreaming of that crust.

Address: 295 Drummond Street
Neighbourhood: Carlton
Phone: +61-3-9347-2998
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Best burger you’ll ever eat: Grill’d

 

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Ask any Aussie what their go-to burger joint is, and we guarantee you they’ll say Grill’d. A staple in any local who loves burgers’ diet, they have a huge variety of choices, even vegetarian and vegan options for those who don’t eat meat. We also have to take a moment and give a special shout-out to the cheese and bacon burger — best burger you will ever eat! Do not sleep on Grill’d.

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Dumplings for days: Shanghai Street Dumplings

 

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You honestly can’t go wrong with dumplings. Featuring a variety of Jiangnan-style dumplings and noodles, as well as other home-cooked Chinese dishes, Shanghai Street aims to bring the Melbourne community a unique taste of traditional Chinese food, in a modern setting. There are also multiple locations around town, making it a convenient stop for dumplings, anytime.

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Treat yourself to a steak: French Saloon

 

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If you are craving a steak and don’t mind paying a bit more for quality, head over to the French Saloon Bar & Bistro. The French-style eatery has an approachable menu and does modern takes on classic combinations — think duck with cherries, beef with onions, and oysters with caviar.

Address: Level 1, 46 Hardware Lane
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +61-3-9600-2142
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Aussie-Thai fusion: Chin Chin

 

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A favourite amongst Melbournians and visitors, there will always be a line-up for Chin Chin — but trust us, it’s definitely worth the wait. A lively upbeat atmosphere paired with mouthwatering Asian-fusion dishes such as their Kingfish Sashimi and their scallops makes Chin Chin a must-try. After your meal, be sure to head downstairs and check out GoGo Bar and spend the evening exploring their exotic cocktail list and wine menu.

Address: 125 Flinders Lane
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +61-3-8663-2000
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Best chicken parma in the city: La Roche

 

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Located on the St Kilda strip, many locals will agree that La Roche serves up the best plate of chicken parma (the Aussie way of referring to a chicken parmigiana) in the city. Comprised of a bed of fries with a big slab of roasted chicken topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella, it is a staple in Melbourne, so you have to try the best!

Address: 185 Acland Street
Neighbourhood: St Kilda
Phone: +61-3-9534-1472
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Trendy Japanese eats: Mr Miyagi

 

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This spot consistently comes in as one of the top spots for casual eats around Melbourne. Located along the trendy Chapel Street, Mr Miyagi, aptly named after the sensei in The Karate Kid, has nailed the food and drinks, service, and atmosphere. If you’re after modern Japanese bites, this is your spot. They do take bookings for six or more people, but if you have smaller groups, expect a wait.

Address: 99 Chapel Sreet
Neighbourhood: Prahran
Phone: +61-3-9529-5999
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Classy fine-dining: Vue de monde

 

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Located at Level 55 of Melbourne’s iconic Rialto Building, Vue de monde is where you go for a night of elegant fine dining. If you’re willing to spend more for the experience and can appreciate fine dining, this is a place you have to go. Chef Shannon Bennett has created a truly unique culinary experience, and the atmosphere is equally as mesmerizing, suspended above the Melbourne CBD.

Address: 525 Collins Street
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +62-3-9691-3888
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Casual street-food made modern: Hawker Hall

 

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From the group behind the famous Chin Chin, Hawker Hall takes inspiration from the vibrant hawker centres of Singapore and Malaysia. With potent curries, fresh noodles, crazy stir-fries, and lots of spice, Hawker Hall delivers all the fun and variety of dining in a real hawker market, right in the heart of the bustling Chapel Street.

Address: 98 Chapel Street
Neighbourhood: Prahran
Phone: +61-3-8560-0090
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Organic and seasonal brunch: A Thousand Blessings

Cheese-baked sourdough bread. Smashed avo with ricotta and feta. Maple glazed bacon. Have we got your attention yet? A Thousand Blessings wins our vote for the best brunch spot in Melbourne. Honestly, we can’t even talk about it because our mouth is watering. Just go try it for yourself, okay?

Address: 251 Highett Street
Neighbourhood: Richmond
Phone: +61-3-9421-4087
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Small bar-bites: Romeo Lane

 

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A hidden gem for cocktails and small bar-bites, Romeo Lane is the perfect intimate night-out with a bunch of your girlfriends. Our favourite thing to do? Grab a couple of glasses of wine and enjoy it over a cheese or charcuterie board. The cozy fireplace and old-fashioned vibe make this a favourite amongst locals in Melbourne.

Address: 1A Crossley Street
Neighbourhood: Victoria
Phone: +61-3-9639-8095
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A foodie’s dream come true: Brae

 

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Consistently named in the Top 50 restaurants in the world, and voted regional restaurant of the year, Brae is located two hours west of Melbourne. Chef and owner Dan Hunter has an appreciation for wild things and unusual plants, letting this passion influence his dishes such as an iced oyster dressed with powdered sea lettuce, or wild mushrooms with milk curd. Serious foodies will not want to miss a chance to check out Brae.

Address: 4285 Cape Otway Road
Neighbourhood: Birregurra
Phone: +61-3-5236-2226
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Country-side dining: Royal Mail Hotel

 

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Located in the Grampians National Park outside of Melbourne, discover amazing food and wine at the Royal Mail Hotel (which also doubles as an accommodation). Be sure to check out the award-winning 28,000 wine cellar, as well as the stunning landscape the eatery is located amongst.

Address: 98 Parker Street
Neighbourhood: Dunkeld
Phone: +61-3-5577-2241
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Australian fine-dining: Attica

 

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Featured in Netflix series Chef’s Table, Attica is one of the few restaurants in Australia that is consistently named in the Top 50 restaurants in the world. Owner and chef Ben Shewry uses and embraces Australian ingredients and cuisines to create a wholly unique and rare menu. Each dish is practically a work of art on a plate.

Address: 74 Glen Eira Road
Neighbourhood: Ripponlea
Phone: +61-3-9530-0111
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Secluded dining: Laura

 

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Located in the Mornington Peninsula, this 40-seat fine-dining establishment is one of the newest additions to Melbourne’s dining scene. Laura brings a new meaning to the phrase ‘locally-sourced’ with just about everything being sourced from the Mornington Peninsula, and each course named after the region that contributed key ingredients. If you’re looking for a uniquely Australian fine-dining experience outside of the busy city, this is where you need to go.

Address: Pt. Leo Estate – 3649 Frankston-Flinders Road
Neighbourhood: Merricks
Phone: +03-5989-9011
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Modern Italian: Bottega

 

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Located in Melbourne’s Little Italy, the cozy, welcoming ambience in Bottega makes it a top spot for those dining in Melbourne’s CBD. With some of the best modern Italian food and a premium selection of wines — there is also the option of getting private dining rooms for groups of eight or more.

Address: 74 Bourke Street
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +613-9654-2252
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Vibrant street-food: Queen Victoria Market

 

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During the summer months, there is a night market every Wednesday at the Queen Victoria Market. With live music and a variety of foods from different cultures, this is one of the best ways to spend a summer night. Grab a pint of sangria, have a bite of every food you can fit in, and enjoy the warm summer air.

Address: Queen Street
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +61-3-9320-5822
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Best pasta in Melbourne: Tipo 00

 

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If you want to go to Tipo 00 on a Friday or Saturday, you’ll need to book eight weeks in advance, which is a testament to the popularity of the pasta at the eatery, which is made with Tipo 00 flour. What could be better than carb-loaded, butter-drenched fresh pasta? Enough said.

Address: 361 Little Bourke Street
Neighbourhood: Hawthorne
Phone: +61-3-9942-3946
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South-East Asian family-dining: Longrain

 

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South-East Asian food balances four essential elements: hot, sour, salty, and sweet. The restaurant’s take on Thai food results in a powerful, fresh menu that ensures the place is always jam-packed full of guests. The food is designed to be shared, family-style, and they also have an extensive cocktail list to complement the flavours of the dishes. Be sure to try their spicy papaya salad and egg-net salad. Delish!

Address: 40-44 Little Bourke Street
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +61-3-9653-1600
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Insta-worthy Vietnamese: St Cloud Eating House

 

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St Cloud Eating House was opened by owner James Klapanis in what was a defunct bedding store. With one of the most well-designed and aesthetic interiors, there is little that suggests they serve Vietnamese cuisine — however, their flavourful dishes including barbecued fish with ginger nuoc mam, or caramel chicken wings with cubes of sticky rice, speak for themselves.

Address: 644 Burwood Road
Neighbourhood: Hawthorne
Phone: +61-3-9882-0146
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Family-style Greek: Bahari

 

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Melbourne has one of the largest Greek populations outside of Greece itself, so it would make sense that the city has tonnes of great options when it comes to Greek food. Bahari specializes in shared plates, so head over there with your family or friends for one of the best family-style dining experience in Melbourne! Opened by past Masterchef Australia contestant Philip Vakos, you can expect a number of delicious classic Greek dishes on the menu.

Address: 179 Swan Street
Neighbourhood: Richmond
Phone: +61-3-9427-7898
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Argentinian steakhouse: San Telmo

 

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Inspired by a love of Argentinian food, wine, and culture, the menu at San Telmo follows the Argentine tradition of sharing food amongst family and friends. The focal point of the dishes at San Telmo is the use of a parrilla (a type of charcoal grill from Argentina) to impart a unique flavour to the food.

Address: 14 Meyers Place
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +61-3-9650-5525
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Audrey LimAudrey Lim

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