Melbourne's Most Popular Restaurants of 2021 So Far
How many have you tried?
Some days, only a paddock-to-plate feed beside a surf pool will do. On other days, you find yourself craving nothing but a hearty hot pot feast with mates. Thankfully, whatever food mood you're in — bagels, Basque-inspired fare or bottomless brunch, too — Melbourne has something to keep your stomach satisfied.
Of course, you're already down with all that, since you've treated your tastebuds to all of these offerings so far in 2021. You've constantly searched for new and exciting places to try this year, and these are the results.
Our most-viewed restaurants and cafes of 2021 so far provide a snapshot of the city's favourite recent food finds, not to mention a peer-approved roadmap of spots to visit (either for the first time or the fifth). Use this list to reminisce on some of your best recent eats or as a guide to plotting that next great meal of 2021.
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CafeThe Commons at Ormond Collective
Corner Moubray Street And St Kilda Road, Melbourne
This four-in-one St Kilda Road venue has a huge beer garden.
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RestaurantThree Blue Ducks Melbourne
309 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine
Eat vibrant farm-to-table dishes and sip sustainably focused drinks overlooking a two-hectare surf lagoon.
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RestaurantMr Brownie
343 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne
A multi-level pub, Punjabi-style deli and rooftop bar run by chef-restaurateur Jessi Singh.
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RestaurantGimlet at Cavendish House
33 Russell Street, Melbourne
Andrew McConnell's elegant cocktail bar and European bistro serves up caviar, champagne and truffles aplenty.
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RestaurantVesper - CLOSED
23-25 Toorak Road, South Yarra
You'll find a secret bar, a courtyard and an ex-Vue de Monde chef at this Mediterranean bistro.
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RestaurantMejico
Pink Alley, Melbourne
It's serving up breakfast through to late-night snacks, alongside over 260 varieties of mezcal and tequila.
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CafePelikan Societe
2 Marine Parade, Hastings
One of the best spots on the Mornington Peninsula for brunch or lunch with a view.
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CafeHigher Ground
650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
The mammoth CBD cafe was an instant classic and remains a beauty.
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RestaurantSebastian Beach Grill & Bar
26 Esplanade, Williamstown
This Basque-inspired waterfront bistro grills seafood and pours sangria on a sprawling shaded deck right on the sand.
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CafeThe Grain Store
517 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A little slice of comfort with damn fine food on Flinders Lane.
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RestaurantPanda Hot Pot
100 Victoria Street, Carlton
The former Dracula's site is now home to an international sichuan hot pot chain.
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RestaurantJamu - CLOSED
1 Palmer Street, Richmond
Helmed by two AFL players and a hospitality veteran, this Richmond spot is serving up pork belly bao and $5 Aperol spritzes (during happy hour).
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RestaurantBio by DOC - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
312 Drummond Street, Carlton
The DOC team's latest opening is serving up creative pasta dishes, spuntini and even a tiramisu — all of it done without meat or gluten.
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RestaurantFirebird
223 High Street, Prahran
Prahran's flame-driven Vietnamese restaurant from the Hanoi Hannah team offers smoke aplenty, across both the food menu and cocktail list.
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RestaurantJiyu Thai Hotpot
208 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
A lush two-storey hot pot joint serving up Thai-style soups.
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RestaurantTokyo Tina
66A Chapel Street, Windsor
The third sister has been born, and she brings a Japanese edge to the family.
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RestaurantMarameo
6 Russell Place, Melbourne
A CBD Italian diner with a laneway terrace, house-made pasta and many spritzes.
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CafeKeki Milk Bar
190 Queen Street, Melbourne
This CBD cafe is dedicated to fluffy soufflé pancakes and creative sodas.
