All the New Melbourne Restaurant and Bar Openings to Try This Winter 2026
Melbourne’s newest restaurants and bars are setting the tone for wnter 2026 — from cosy cafes to refurbished pubs, romantic wine bars to intimate omakase counters, here’s where to eat and drink next.
New Melbourne restaurants and bars continue to open at a staggering rate. The fact that people are still pouring time, money and energy into launching new hospo offerings, despite tough economic conditions, is telling of Melbourne's deep-rooted commitment to eating and drinking out and about and having a good time while doing it.
While earlier in the year we witnessed the reveal of new coastal spots, refreshing rooftops, many hotel restaurants, and design-forward cocktail bars, as the weather has cooled, we've seen a shift in the types of openings. Come winter, we've been blessed with heritage pub refurbishments, new cosy cafes, the launch of several comforting cookie specialty stores, new premium pasta and pizza purveyors, romantic wine bars, vibrant vegan venues, intimate omakase counters, and even reimagined bottle shops.
Melbourne's new wave of restaurants and bars is as diverse as the city itself, capturing everything Melburnians love about eating and drinking out on the town. But with new spots arriving almost weekly, staying on top of them can be like a full-time job. Luckily, we've done the hard work for you, with our running guide covering all the new Melbourne restaurants and bars worth visiting in 2026 — whether you're booking ahead for a special weekend celebration, or looking for somewhere to wander into tonight.
Recommended reads:
The Best Restaurants in Melbourne
The Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne
The 15 Best Bathhouses in Melbourne
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RestaurantLittle House Wine Bar
98 Smith Street, Collingwood
The kitchen has a produce-first, minimal-waste, strongly-seasonal philosophy, all grounded in technique and restraint.
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RestaurantLuke's Bánh Mì Lonsdale Street
19-21 Lonsdale Street , CBD
To celebrate the launch of its sixth store, the Lonsdale Street location will be serving Australia's first coloured bánh mì baguettes
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RestaurantBang Bang Frankston
24 Playne Street, Frankston
The venue will transform into a late-night social hub on Friday and Saturday evenings with DJs playing tunes late into the night.
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RestaurantSmith & Deli CBD
16 Degraves Street, Melbourne
As the sun goes down, the cafeteria counter will transform into a tapas bar, with cold brews replaced by espresso martinis.
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RestaurantKIRISHIMA
622 Camberwell Road, Camberwell
The omakase menu evolves each day, based on sourcing the finest seasonal ingredients available each morning.
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RestaurantSunnyside Sliced - Docklands
685 La Trobe Street, Docklands
Sunnyside Sliced brings New York-style pizza to an overlooked part of the inner-city.
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CafeBakeStand Cookies - Hyde Melbourne Place
130 Russell Street, Melbourne
To celebrate its newest location, BakeStand will introduce a new flavour: the OG milk chocolate cookie.
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PubGood Nature Hotel
Flinders Street, Melbourne
The easy-going, year-round outdoor venue provides city-goers and CBD workers with a place to pause, and have a break in the middle of a busy day.
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CafeThe Cookie Box
Shop E1A 111 Bourke St, Melbourne
These coveted cookies, which are loaded with add-ins and often stuffed with a gooey, decadent surprise, will now be available on Bourke Street.
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RestaurantAllegria Pasta Malvern
110-122 Wattletree Road, Armadale
Allegria has landed in Armadale, filling a gap in high-quality Italian take-home meals.
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CafeCedar Street Cafe
756 Glen Huntly Road, Caulfield South
Cedar Street Cafe epitomises the ideal suburban cafe. Nothing too fancy or complicated, and a barista who knows each local's coffee order.
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CafeDreamer Cafe Balnarring
3050 Frankston - Flinders Road, Balnarring
Seasonal specials will grace the menu, with many gluten-free and vegan options creating an inclusive atmosphere.
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BarThe Florence
133 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
The cocktail list features five variations of the Negroni, along with Tuscan wines and creative house signatures.
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CafeUpper Middle
34 Eastern Rd , South Melbourne
Taking its lead from European bakery culture, Upper Middle is set to become a local fixture, an everyday spot built into a daily ritual.
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RestaurantJulietta
220 Toorak Road, South Yarra
With Italian-style wines, pasta at its core, and a focused selection of classic desserts, Julietta keeps things approachable, comfortable and familiar.
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PubThe Angel of Malvern
641 Dandenong Road, Malvern
The reimagined pub is designed to be a neighbourhood-driven venue that is lively, yet easy-going, contemporary yet grounded in legacy
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RestaurantCommon Cuts | Dining and Bar
380 Russell Street, Melbourne
There is a hefty selection of steak frites varieties available, ranging from $28.50, to $395.
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CafeCobb Lane CBD
17-23 Bennetts Lane, Melbourne
With breads and pastries baked on site, it'll be one of the few spots in the city where you can pick up a loaf straight from the oven
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RestaurantYamagen Melbourne
6 Portland Lane, Melbourne
From impeccable sashimi to an enviable rare whisky collection, Yamagen is taking Japanese dining to new heights within the popular Russell Street Hotel.
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RestaurantGarfield Pizzeria
297 Lygon Street, Carlton
The counter-service pizzeria, named for an orange cat who visited the building site, reimagines the traditional Italian restaurant experience.
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RestaurantCoupette
90 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank
As a hotel venue, it moves seamlessly from morning coffee to late-night cocktails, and is well-suited to everything from a quick snack to a celebratory meal.
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BarMoondrop Bar
150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Guests will be greeted with touches of Chan's Chinese heritage on all fronts: from Mahjong tables serving as furniture, to Chinese hip hop and R'n'B playing through the speakers.
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BarBar Local Drop
116 Rokeby Street, Collingwood
There are over 500 bottles to choose from that can be enjoyed at the bar or in the comfort of your own home.
Top image: Ariana Leggerio.