The 51 Best Restaurants in the Melbourne CBD for 2025

Food

The 51 Best Restaurants in the Melbourne CBD for 2025

Whether you're after fine-diners or cheap eats, you're truly spoilt for choice when looking for places to eat in Melbourne's CBD.

Morena Melbourne

Alejandro Saravia is totally in his element with Morena Melbourne, masterfully executing his own take on contemporary Latin American fine-dining.

Longrain Melbourne

Dine on modern Thai dishes within an impeccably restored horse stable.

Bar Lourinha

Packed to the brim, this little gem offers a trip to Spain sans the passport.

MoVida

Tucked away in stencil-drenched Hosier Lane, MoVida offers a grazing extravaganza in an enchanting room akin to what you'd actually get in downtown Barcelona.

David's Hot Pot

This Chengu-born hot pot brand has locals flocking for its bold Sichuan soup bases and vast menu of add-ins.

Tonka

Accessible Indian-inspired cuisine with a fine dining twist.

Mamasita

There’s a fiesta in Melbourne and everyone wants to be invited.

Kan Eang

A Thai restaurant in Melbourne's CBD, from the family who previously ran Thai Culinary and Raan Kan Eang.

Quando Quando Cucina & Bar

It's a relatively new addition to the Melbourne Italian restaurant scene but is already one of its finest.

Ishizuka

This hidden CBD restaurant specialises in kaiseki — effortlessly serving up decadent (but seemingly simple) 11-course feeds to those looking to truly treat themselves.

Aru Restaurant

This considered offering heroes cooking techniques from eras past and a surprising fusion of flavours.

Supernormal

Lobster rolls and karaoke, together at last.

Dodee Paidang Equitable Place

Let little robots with digital cat faces deliver your Thai street food eats directly to the table.

Pinchy's

A neon-pink temple of lobster rolls and champagne in the CBD.

Kisumé

Chris Lucas's three storeys of Japanese grandeur in the heart of Melbourne.

Lee Ho Fook

An easy dinner choice that won't disappoint.

Kenzan

Several of Melbourne's best Japanese chefs owe a debt of a gratitude to Kenzan.

Gimlet at Cavendish House

Andrew McConnell's elegant cocktail bar and European bistro serves up caviar, champagne and truffles aplenty.

Yulongfu Steamed Buns Restaurant

Xiao long bao steals the show at this Shanghainese dumpling restaurant — especially the luxe black truffle variety.

Reine & La Rue

The NOMAD team has taken French fine-dining to the next level in Melbourne.

Victoria by Farmer's Daughters

A love letter to the people and produce of Victoria's diverse regions, featuring a 3000-bottle wine library and a rotating 'region in residence' menu.

Di Stasio Citta

Part art gallery, part Italian restaurant, this CBD is the second outpost of St Kilda's Cafe Di Stasio.

Ronin

Like an ancient ronin samurai, Chef Patrick Kwong has no master. He's breaking the rules and doing omakase his own way.

Hazel

From the minds behind Liminal and Common Ground Project comes this after-work go-to for cocktails and clever contemporary bites.

Atria

Be sure to take your time when visiting Atria, not just to admire the city skyline, but to fully appreciate all the skill and passion that's gone into the food and drink offerings.

HuTong Dumpling Bar

This long-running CBD spot dishes up fuss-free, Shanghainese food.

Embla

Raise a glass to Melbourne’s wine bar renaissance.

Bistrot Bisou

Luke Mangan is serving up classic French fare in the CBD's Hotel Indigo.

The Waiters Restaurant

Despite missing out on the neighbouring Meyers Place revolution, the Waiter's Club remains a city stalwart.

Akaiito Restaurant

Home to excellent a la carte Japanese eats, omakase experiences and a private dining room with immersive visual projections.

Soi 38

With an atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the vibrant hustle and bustle of a Bangkok market.

Warabi

Tradition meets innovation at W Melbourne's omakase diner, now under the expert guidance of Head Chef Hajime Horiguchi.

Chancery Lane

Roll in for caviar, dry-aged duck burgers and a decadent lemon and rum baba.

Delhi Streets

Indian street food for fly-by snacking or full-on feasting.

Tipo 00

A long-standing legend you can always rely on when Italian comfort food and big, buttery bowls of pasta are the go.

BKK

HER's smoky Thai barbecue canteen is heating things up with its flame-cooked skewers, punchy laab variations and tropical cocktails.

Nomad

'Nomad' appears to be a misnomer: this is one place we'd be very content to set down some roots.

Mamak Melbourne

This cosy CBD spot is a go-to for exceptional (and budget-friendly) Malaysian hawker food.

Bar Margaux

A CBD basement bar serving up French bistro food and cocktails until 5am.

Flower Drum

Elegance and attention to detail at one of Melbourne's oldest Chinese restaurants.

Bodega Underground

This CBD taqueria is completely gluten-free, very vegan and open till 3am every night.

Il Mercato Centrale Melbourne

Melbourne's Il Mercato Centrale is serving up pizza, pasta, calamari fritti, gelato, cannoli, cocktails, wine and so much more — to have in or take away.

Robata

The San Telmo Group's playful take on modern Japanese barbecue heroes skewers cooked over charcoal and cleverly reworked classic cocktails.

Grossi Florentino

Littered with Italian murals and quintessentially traditional food, this Italian institution has been pumping since '28.

Supper Inn

A long-standing Chinatown institution, where the frills are minimal, the Cantonese eats are generous and the dinner service kicks on till the wee hours.

Mesa Verde

Offering a wide selection of tequila to relieve you after that climb at Curtin House.

Freyja

A sophisticated exploration of 'new Nordic' cuisine boasting Michelin cred, where traditional techniques are cleverly fused with modern Scandi flair.

Cecconi's

Top-notch Italian food. Essential Melbourne dining.

Chef David

Expect live bands, DJs and nine different different soup bases — including one with 130 different herbs and spices.

Society

This dramatic venue from Chris Lucas features two restaurants and a glam cocktail lounge.

Daughter In Law

Jessi Singh's rule-breaking Indian restaurant has naan pizza and 70s Bollywood tunes.

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