The 25 Best Restaurants in Melbourne for 2025
From high-flying fine-diners in the CBD to tried-and-true neighbourhood haunts — these are the Melbourne restaurants we'd recommend to a friend (you, dear reader).
The 25 Best Restaurants in Melbourne for 2025
From high-flying fine-diners in the CBD to tried-and-true neighbourhood haunts — these are the Melbourne restaurants we'd recommend to a friend (you, dear reader).
When it comes to the best restaurants in Melbourne, top-tier talent abounds. This famously food-obsessed city of ours has a swag of standout offerings to suit whatever niche cravings you've got going on. However, certain Melbourne restaurants simply reign supreme; places where the food packs a punch, the vibe is never not on point, and you fall in love a little more with each visit.
Here, we've rounded up the all-time greats — the absolute best restaurants in Melbourne. From special occasion fine-diners from acclaimed chefs, to decades-old dining institutions with never-changing menus, intimate venues with impossible-to-book tables, and exciting new restaurants making their mark on the hospitality scene. These are the city's must-visit venues for any discerning food aficionado.
Recommended reads:
The Best Restaurants in Melbourne's CBD
The Best New Melbourne Restaurants and Bars
The Best Cafes in Melbourne
The Best Bars in Melbourne
The Best Pubs in Melbourne
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25
Melbourne may not be well known for its seaside dining; however, there are a few notable exceptions. Set on the St Kilda foreshore, Donovans, an enduring Melbourne icon, is one of those beachside venues that dispel the myth that you can’t have good food alongside a good view. Donovans, as you’d hope and expect from a restaurant that has stood the test of time (it’s been serving Melburnians since 1995), is one of those restaurants with certain signature menu items whose reputation precedes them.
Nick Parkhouse, who leads the charge here, says, “Our menu has long been celebrated with favourites that remain and will never be removed for fear of a revolt.” With the golden sun reflecting off the ocean at sunset, many diners are drawn to the high-quality seafood dishes that feature prominently on the menu. Speaking of the signature menu items, there are several Donovans’ dishes that are legendary around town. The old fashioned chicken pie, with a crispy pastry lid, has kept regulars coming back for decades. As has the crunchy classic beer-battered fish and chips, the in-house smoked salmon with blinis and creme fraiche and the charcoal-cooked 500 gram t-bone steak. Donovans is a dining experience to remember. Whether you want a change from the hustle and bustle of the city, want to feel part of Melbourne’s hospitality history, or have something to celebrate, head to this beachside venue that’s like a home away from home. And speaking of celebrating, of course, no occasion would be complete without the inimitable Bombe Alaska for two with chocolate hazelnut ice cream and toasted meringue.
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24
When Marion emerged in the space that housed Supernormal back in its pop-up days, Melbourne could not have anticipated the impact the restaurant would have on its hospitality scene. Well, perhaps we should have expected it, knowing that it stems from one of Melbourne’s most acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs, Andrew McConnell.
The drinks list is a stunner — an exhaustive compilation with something for every palate and budget. You can drop by for an aperitif, unwind over a couple of glasses of local wine, or really settle in and share your way through a bottle of something foreign. A succinct, rotating food menu hangs on one wall, with dishes ranging from elegant snacks to more generous belly-fillers. Whatever you do, don’t miss the flatbread. Chances are you’ll order a second one too.
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23
The Carlton Wine Room had quite the shake-up when it reopened in 2018 — even if it did keep the same name — with new owners, a new look and a revamped offering. Wine is certainly still the star of the show here, but the food is anything but a mere second thought.
The menu is designed to complement the 100-strong, ever-changing wine list and leans into European bistro territory. Small bite-sized snacks kick things off, with favourites such as the stracciatella with pickled mushrooms and potato focaccia, but unlike some Melbourne wine bars, the larger plates hold their own too. The market fish with red pepper and vermouth or the lamb rump with sheep’s milk yoghurt and jus are excellent choices. It can be tough to choose from all the dining options, which is why we opt for the $95 set menu every time we visit. Like with the wines, we let the team guide us on what to eat.
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22
Internationally recognised for authentic Cantonese cuisine and exceptional service, Flower Drum’s menu emphasises fresh seafood and meats with a creative modern twist. You’ll find all the Cantonese classics at this lavish restaurant, from silky duck wontons and steamed tofu to delicate pieces of crab and tender Peking duck.
We also highly recommend you try the Flower Drum lunch banquet, with delicate seafood rice paper rolls, sang choi bao, Peking duck pancakes, wok-fried barramundi fillet and stir-fried eye fillet with mushrooms and soy. It’s a no-brainer for those wanting classic Chinese fare in old-school fine-dining surrounds.
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21
A pop-up turned perennial favourite, Supernormal first opened the doors to its current Flinders Lane digs in early 2014 and has been earning fans ever since for its crafty fusion fare — including the famous signature New England lobster roll. The menu has retained a few other crowd favourites, but continues to evolve over time. Supernormal is truly Melbourne at its best.
It’s also where you can have one of the most fun private dining experiences in Melbourne. Kick it off with a long lunch or dinner for up to 40 guests and follow it up with karaoke in the very same room. The team has a huge screen and all the gear required to keep the dancing and singing going til late. Otherwise, the main dining room is always busy with people taking over seats at the bar and down in the booths. A vibe.
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20
We’re calling it: you’ll struggle to find a Melbourne lunch spot with a better view. This relaxed fine-dining destination is set right on St Kilda Beach, with the option to sit inside at the restaurant (and marvel at the view through floor-to-ceiling windows) or in one of the private dining rooms.
Wherever you sit, locally sourced seafood is the name of the game, turned into a huge range of creative and highly contemporary eats thanks to executive chef Jason Staudt (Aria, Bea Restaurant). But if you’re in the mood for carbs over seafood, head downstairs to the Stokehouse Pasta & Bar for some of the best pasta in Melbourne.
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19
This standout Melbourne wine bar and restaurant is a destination for flavour lovers who aren’t afraid to try a few new things. Sure, you could stick with your favourite rosé and a spread of charcuterie and leave (very) happy, but creativity reigns supreme on both the menu and drinks list, so it’s well worth digging a little deeper.
The sommelier will wheel around an old-school globe bar trolley to tempt you with the evening’s pouring wines — that change on the daily. The food is a must here, too. Order some of the inventive sharing plates that might include the likes of grilled lamb tongue skewers drenched in a sweet and sour apple and garum glaze and the cured venison with beets and bone marrow. Expect the wonderfully unexpected at Bar Liberty, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne.
Image: Brook James
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18
Lygon Street and its surrounds might once have been wall-to-wall, old-school Melbourne Italian joints — and famously so. But a new wave of residents is slowly but surely shaking up the demographic, one of these being Lagoon Dining.
The menu is grounded in traditional Chinese sensibilities, though you’ll also spy plenty of other Asian influences, as well as a few clever riffs on Chinese food concepts plucked from further abroad. Pull up a seat at the bar and snack your way through the regularly changing menu while sipping on a truly stellar drinks lineup. Expect a broad-ranging rotation of craft beers, a globally-inspired wine list and cocktails, aperitifs and spirits for days.
Image: Nikki To.
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17
Freyja provides Melbourne with a sophisticated taste of contemporary Nordic cuisine thanks to executive chef Jae Bang, who’s worked at several global award-winning restaurants — most notably, Norway’s Michelin-starred Re-naa.
Food-wise, traditional practices like pickling, smoking and curing are given a reawakening, heroed alongside native ingredients and a touch of contemporary flair. Meanwhile, the Melbourne restaurant boasts an impressive global wine program that’s heavy on organic and biodynamic drops. Top craft brews and a steady rotation of inventive cocktails also make a prominent feature. Freyja makes sure to tick all the boxes.
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16
The Mulberry Group’s Hazel graces two levels of the 1920s T&G Building, where the team is cooking with a woodfired grill and oven fuelled by Aussie ironbark. At Hazel, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne, there are a myriad of things to tempt snackers and feasters alike, from crafty small plates to larger gems such as the wood-grilled seafood stew and a wood-roasted pork belly with charred leaks and wild garlic.
The generous wine selection has broad appeal, as do the simple, yet snappy cocktails. Meanwhile, the light-filled space is primed for lingering, with its restrained mix of elegant curves and natural linens. And for post-dinner nightcaps, see downstairs sibling bar Dessous.
Image: Kate Shanasy.
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15
Kenzan is a proper Melbourne dining institution. For over 35 years, it has led the Japanese restaurant scene in Melbourne, training up some of the best Japanese chefs in the country — who have gone on to work at spots like Usami and Minamishima.
Traditional Japanese cooking skills are on full show here, used to create both simple and inventive dishes. It serves up a whole host of Japanese eats, but it is really well known for being one of the best sushi spots in Melbourne. Great attention is given to preparing the seafood and getting the rice just right — one of the most important components of sushi is the rice. The menu of sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri is extensive, with a huge variety of platters up for grabs during lunch and dinner service. You’re truly spoilt for choice at Kenzan, one of the very best restaurants in Melbourne.
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14
Opening in 2017, Brunswick East’s Etta was an instant hit among both local food and wine lovers. Hannah Green (Rosetta) runs the show and is now supported by Lorcán Kan in the kitchen (following Rosheen Kaul’s departure in April 2024) and Ashley Boburka in the wine cellar. The trio champions all things local, fresh and seasonal (with a strong focus on small producers), meaning change is a big part of everything here.
Kan is building on the work Kaul did to make the food lineup so phenomenal, while Boburka has curated a lengthy wine list that champions Victorian and Australian winemakers alongside plenty of European drops — focussing on producers that approach intervention with light hands.
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13
Soaring 55 storeys above Melbourne’s CBD in the Rialto building, Vue de Monde offers world-class food, and sky-high views. Vue de Monde has held its place as one of the top restaurants in the country for many years now, known for its theatrical approach to fine dining and creative degustation menus.
The Australiana theme is carried through to the food and fit-out, with its Chef’s Tasting Menu featuring native Australian ingredients. The menu changes regularly but, to give you an idea, you could be sitting down to dishes like oysters with native citrus, Western Australian marron curry, and cantaloupe and green ants. If you’re keen to hit up the famed fine diner but without the commitment to the pricey degustation, head to Lui Bar. The Lui Bar menu takes the concept of drinking snacks to new heights, showcasing clever technique as it reimagines classic Aussie flavours.
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12
From the minds behind Sunda, this top Melbourne restaurant draws culinary inspiration from those early days of trade between Indonesian seafarers and northern Australia, championing the flavours of Southeast Asia, Japan and China, alongside our own native ingredients. The kitchen is guided by ancient techniques like curing and smoking, with a woodfired hearth and an on-site dry-ageing room that turns out the likes of cured pork and Viet-style duck sausage.
A creatively-charged menu pushes familiar flavours into innovative new directions — an Aussie barbecue staple might be reborn as a duck snag sanga with leatherwood honey and peanut hoi sin, while classic banh mi ingredients become the filling of a house-made pate en croute, and wagyu tongue is done sate-style. It’s easily one of Melbourne’s best restaurants.
Image: Ari Hatzis.
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11
The brainchild of New Zealand chef Ben Shewry, Attica lays claim to being one of Melbourne’s best-known and most celebrated fine diners. And the buzz is certainly not unwarranted. Located behind an unassuming shopfront on Glen Eira Road, the restaurant has been a regular among the annual World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, taking out the 33rd position in 2016, landing 32 in 2017 and named 20th in 2018.
The food lineup changes regularly, though what remains firm is Shewry and his team’s commitment to celebrating unique native ingredients wherever possible. Shewry has proved time and time again that he is adaptable and flexible, and always committed to innovating, improving, and changing the way we think about food and ingredients.
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10
A true legend of the game, France-Soir has been dishing up French-accented goodness from its charming Toorak brasserie since 1986. It’s considered a go-to for timeless, expertly executed French classics; from escargots and white wine mussels, to steak frites and duck a l’orange. A study in essential Euro flavours, done well but without unnecessary fanfare.
But it’s about more than just the food — France-Soir’s intimate, understatedly elegant atmosphere is nearly impossible to replicate, and its old-school sense of hospitality is hard to resist. Add an extensive, internationally recognised wine list featuring thousands of French labels, et voila — it’s easy to see why the loyal regulars keep coming back to this Melbourne dining destination again and again. Whether its a Saturday night or a Tuesday lunch time, the dining room at France-Soir is always energetic, always vibing, and always a good time.
Image: Brook James.
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9
When Minamishima first opened in 2016, it didn’t take long for people to notice. After 15 years at the CBD’s Kenzan, sushi master Koichi Minamishima decided to go out on his own, and he almost immediately started making waves in the world of sushi.
Let’s be clear — this Melbourne omakase experience is not cheap. The two dining options (they differ if you sit at the bar or in the dining room) cost $295 each, with matching sake or wine for another bump of cash. But it is sushi as you rarely experience it outside Japan. At Minamishima, standards are high, and perfection is desired — it is Melbourne’s greatest showcase of Japanese cuisine and one of the very best restaurants in Melbourne.
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8
As the sun sets, the orange glow emanating from the unassuming facade of Carnation Canteen on a tucked-away corner in Fitzroy draws you in like a moth to a lantern. It’s enticing and warm, and feels like an intimate and chic dinner party you’re so grateful to have been invited to. The loosely Mediterranean menu is strictly seasonal and changes weekly. The alluring handwritten menus deliver a selection of ever-changing snacky nibbles, food that mandates another glass of wine.
You’ll find something intriguing sitting atop charry toast, whether it’s braised leeks with pistachios, tuna crudo with prosciutto butter, or olive tapenade crostini primed for scooping fresh buffalo ricotta. There will likely be thinly sliced meats such as San Danielle Prosciutto with pear, veal girello with tuna sauce, or Jamon Iberico with hazelnuts and dates. More substantial dishes may be along the lines of pork and fennel sausages atop braised lentils with parsley and mustard sauce, charcoal grilled chicken with yoghurt and pepperonata, or roast pork with prunes and pistachio. The warm welcome Carnation Canteen received from the very beginning is the result of hands-on hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering dedication to quality — both in terms of food and service. The chef’s confidence in her produce and skills in creating considered dishes make this the kind of restaurant you’d feel smug showing off to an out-of-towner. Carnation Canteen exudes the essence of unpretentious yet exceptional dining, reminding Melburnians how lucky we are to have restaurants like this at our fingertips.
Images: Coco and Maximillion.
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7
Yet another hit from legendary chef Andrew McConnell (Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Marion) Gimlet is a suave Melbourne restaurant and cocktail bar located in the 1920s-built Cavendish House. A dapper fitout by Acme features soaring ceilings, geometric tiles and honeycomb chandeliers, while the food and drink offering is that of a very chic French bistro.
The menu boasts European influence, evident in dishes like wood-roasted rock lobster with bisque sauce and a gnocco fritto featuring bresaola and parmesan, deftly blending old-world elements with a touch of modern flair. Like the space, the menu is also incredibly indulgent — expect caviar bumps, champagne and truffles aplenty. Gimlet has even scored international acclaim, taking out the number 84 spot in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards longlist for 2022.
Image: Earl Carter
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6
A small, but mighty production, chef Julian Hills’ sleek 25-seat dining room has been impressing Melburnians since 2018. Here, at one of Melbourne’s best restaurants, a passion for top local produce, creative techniques, and inventive flavour pairings is showcased through a multi-course tasting menu ($195), featuring an ever-changing lineup of small plates, with the option of paired wines.
Navi’s never afraid to push the envelope, so expect dishes like a black garlic and salmon roe macaron; rabbit teamed with truffle and jerusalem artichoke; and southern rock lobster served with celeriac and burnt butter. A more recent addition is the sibling lounge bar next door — a dapper space for crafty bar snacks and native-forward cocktails.
Image: Ed Sloane
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5
Portuguese-inspired restaurant Marmelo, along with late-night basement bar Mr Mills, are the beating heart of ultra-cool, HYDE Melbourne Place hotel. Marmelo’s open kitchen is centered around a custom-built charcoal grill and woodfired oven, with a menu inspired by the kind of Portuguese food the chef grew up with in South Africa. All of this results in mains such as wood-roasted cockerel with African spices, chilli and fried potatoes; Otway pork with rhubarb, red elk and burnt orange; and arroz de marisco (similar to a paella) with grilled, poached, and cured seafood.
The menu also features snacks such as cod and potato croquettes with hot mustard sauce, oysters warmed over fire with charcuterie dressing, tuna with botarga cream and vegetable escabeche, and a savoury take on the much-loved pastel de nata, with celeriac and pickled crab. The dessert menu is refreshingly interesting, think a 19th century steamed pork and egg pudding, a woodfired olive oil cheesecake, and perfumed fruits with feijoa skin syrup, guava sorbet and coconut milk clouds. Sunny Lusted says, “Ross and I feel a real synergy with the vibrancy of Melbourne and all of its culinary offerings, so it is an honour to be welcomed so warmly into the local dining community; Ross and I can’t wait to share our take on the food and hospitality of the Iberian peninsula, here in this beautiful city.”
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4
From the moment it opened its doors in early 2024, Bistra became a Carlton classic. A white-tablecloth affair with a decidedly Australian flair, an evening at Bistra is always sophisticated, never stuffy.
The traditional yet undeniably intelligent menu is the kind that causes diners to consider ordering one of everything. How should we be able to choose between chicken liver pâté with traditional accompaniments, tiger prawns with fermented chilli and parsley, or an asparagus salad with poached egg, parmesan, croutons and tarragon? And you can’t miss the crowd favourites, spinach and ricotta dumplings with butter and sage, and agnolotti with Long Paddock Cheese and pistachio. For mains, many cannot resist the classic cheeseburger, or an eye fillet with peppercorn sauce and fries. However, the Sommerland chicken with Jerusalem artichoke and truffled jus is also a quiet contender for a winner. Whichever you choose, there is sure to be an expertly picked wine to match, with Bistra’s wine list comprising a collection that the owners have been building together for over ten years. You must save room for a dessert, or two (or three). Nostalgic, comforting flavours in the form of apple crumble with créme fraiche, banana cake with chocolate butterscotch and cream, and cream puffs with ice cream and chocolate ganache, will be a sweet end to a wonderful evening.
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3
Pipi’s Kiosk is a hidden gem along Melbourne’s generally underutilised foreshore. The picturesque restaurant, which sits unassumingly on the Albert Park waterfront, is changing the way Melburnians perceive seaside dining — for the better. Self-described as a contemporary Australian Kiosk, this refined beachside diner is named for the pipi shells that crunch beneath your feet as you walk along the white sand below.
For the owners, it’s a dining space “that looks to encapsulate the Melbourne Bistro…while sitting at the bay…A place to rest, reflect and watch the boats go by.” While not strictly a seafood restaurant, given the uninterrupted views of the sparkling sea and the smell of salty ocean wafting by, it’s no surprise that seafood features strongly on the menu. Snack on the likes of Sydney Rock Oysters with rhubarb mignonette, grilled calamari skewers with ink sauce, salted cod croquettes and seaweed sourdough. Pending what’s seasonably available, you might try snapper crudo with Tokyo turnips, octopus with romesco sauce or John Dory, pan-seared and served with grilled sprouts and champagne cream sauce. Sip on a Pipi’s Spritz, with St Felix Bitter Citrus, rhubarb, salted coconut and pét-nat, and you might forget you’re not actually on vacation.
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Self-taught chef Junda Khoo is single-handedly reimagining the place of Malaysian food within Melbourne’s diverse culinary landscape. Junda is ambitious, resilient and forward-thinking, and across his different venues, he manages to achieve the sweet balance of upholding the traditions of homecooking, while also finding ways to make Malaysian food modern and playful. Ho Jiak is where the chef’s creativity and ingenuity are given a place to shine. Junda puts a pleasingly playful twist on many traditional dishes here.
There’s laksa, but not like you know it: find it transformed into Junda’s signature laksa bomb dumplings (which found new fame during the recent Masterchef series), or taste Assam Laksa granita atop raw kingfish with pineapple salsa. There’s also a mud crab Caesar salad with Indomie dressing and smoked eggs, Malaysian curry puffs with Stilton cheese, and short ribs with Vegemite. The joy continues with dessert. There’s a pandan lava cake with whisky crème and dark palm sugar, a calamansi sorbet with watermelon granita and preserved dried plums, and a crepe/crème brûlée/banana roti mash-up, served with miso caramel and coconut sorbet. Junda says, “Malaysian culture is built around sharing. Whether it’s a big family feast or street-side noodles after work, food is what brings us together. That’s the spirit I want people to feel here – warmth, generosity, and belonging.”
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When head chef and co-owner Harry Dhanjal teamed up with business partner Brij Patel to create Atta in Albert Park in 2015, they set out to reframe Indian dining in Melbourne. Now, ten years later, Atta celebrates achieving their goal of being instrumental to redefining Indian cuisine and opening Melburnian’s eyes to the complexities of Indian cuisine. Combining centuries-old recipes from all corners of India, they add subtle yet modern twists that set the place apart from the more traditional Indian restaurants that are common around Australia.
There are the essentials, of course, such as tandoori chicken and pappadums, samosas and korma, but the menu is also dotted with less expected ingredients that elevate the experience. There’s slow-cooked black lentils with cashew gravy and coriander butter, and a smoked tandoori cottage cheese with asparagus, daikon and wild Australian tomato gels. With a creative wine list highlighting local Victorian drops and a fitting selection of beers, a stylish interior, and a classic yet modern menu, Atta is a true highlight among the burgeoning Indian dining scene in Melbourne. “We are all slaves to the clock,” says Harry, “but at Atta, we want people to enjoy the moment — to remove the boundaries and forget about time.” Images: Supplied.
Feature image: Marmelo.
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