All the New Melbourne Restaurant and Bar Openings to Try This Autumn 2026
Melbourne’s newest restaurants and bars are setting the tone for Autumn 2026 — from cosy Italian spots to revamped pubs and whimsical bars, 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 the summer saw new coastal spots, rooftop openings, and laneway joints arriving, Autumn has brought a series of new cosy, warm and inviting restaurants and bars, beckoning us in from the changing weather outside. Whether you're chasing a new neighbourhood Italian, design-forward cocktail bars, casual eateries boasting baguette bars, or restaurants specialising in steak, these new openings capture everything Melburnians love about eating and drinking out on the town.
Melbourne's new wave of restaurants and bars is as diverse as the city itself. And with openings arriving almost weekly, staying on top of them is a full-time job (luckily, we've done it for you). From Fitzroy to Southbank, Richmond to South Melbourne, this running list covers all the new Melbourne restaurants and bars worth visiting in 2026 — whether you're booking ahead for a long weekend, 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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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.