There is no doubt that Melbourne is home to some of the best restaurants in Australia. These dining establishments cater to all kinds of tastes, from the traditional to the contemporary. Some of these restaurants are open only for lunch, while others offer a full evening’s meal. Regardless of which one you choose, you’re sure to leave with a smile on your face. Here is a list of the top dining spots in the city.
Il Bacaro
Il Bacaro is one of the finest Italian restaurants in Melbourne. With its dazzling decor, professional service and delicious food, this upscale dining establishment will leave a lasting impression.
Located on Little Collins Street, this eatery has been serving exemplary Italian cuisine for more than two decades. Its menu features classic Venetian pairings and contemporary dishes.
The wine list is impressive, too. The restaurant boasts a 400-strong wine list. There is also a well-trained staff that ensures a comfortable and pleasant dining experience.
Il Bacaro is a great choice for a date night. Its menu focuses on regional Venetian food. Guests can enjoy baked duck leg with coco beans and blueberry. Other menu items include suckling pig and blood orange and ricotta semifreddo.
The menu has been curated by Chef David Dellai. He has created an interesting combination of traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist.
Aside from its innovative menu, the restaurant has an excellent wine list. The wine list boasts a variety of Italian-speaking wines.
Florentino
Florentino is a classic Italian restaurant in Melbourne’s CBD. This establishment was established in 1928 and was formerly known as Cafe Florentino. It now belongs to the Grossi family.
The Florentino dinner is an excellent way to experience high quality Italian cuisine. The meal includes a variety of traditional dishes. These include pastas, meats, and fish. There are also athleisure wear, ornate light fixtures, and plenty of other touches.
Another cool thing about the Florentino meal is that you get a stool to sit on, which is a nice touch. You may also want to look out for the baroque sardine & truffle combination, which is a first for this part of town.
One of the highlights of a Florentino dinner is the impressive mural room. A series of large Italian style murals adorn the walls. Some of the more elaborate paintings feature the suckling pig, spanner crab, and other classically Italian subjects.
HER
Her Melbourne Victoria is a multi-level dining experience with a diverse menu and a cocktail bar. With a focus on quality ingredients, sustainable production and a casual atmosphere, the restaurant is perfect for any occasion.
Chef Andrew McConnell is one of Melbourne’s top restaurateurs. His renowned flagship restaurant, Gimlet, has won multiple awards and was named the best restaurant in Australia by the World’s 50 Best awards.
Located in a landmark 1920s building on Russell Street in the heart of the CBD, Gimlet is ideal for a romantic date night. Guests can choose between a three-course set menu, or a four-course tasting menu. The menu features sustainable produce and wood-fired meats.
Gimlet’s sister restaurant, Fed Square, is preparing to open a new location. As well as offering a more meat-leaning menu, Farmer’s Daughters features generous share-style dishes, focusing on pasture-raised Summerfield lamb from Pyrenees.
Another popular destination for HER Melbourne is Chin Chin, which is a Thai-inspired, contemporary dining experience. Chin Chin’s menu has a modern and fun vibe, with upbeat music playing and customers waiting their table.
ARU
Aru Melbourne is a new restaurant with an open kitchen and a huge wood-fire hearth. It’s a casual dining spot featuring a menu of Southeast-Asian flavours with Australian ingredients. This modern Indonesian restaurant is owned by Khanh Nguyen, formerly of Sunda in Sydney.
Aru is located on Little Collins Street in the CBD. Chef Nguyen, whose Vietnamese heritage has helped bring a touch of cultural correctness to his food, is now working with a team of chefs on the kitchen.
The menu features a large number of small plates and snacks designed for sharing. There are also a variety of dishes, including babi guling, a Balinese-style suckling roast pork, as well as a dry-aged duck.
One of the best parts of the menu is the wine list. They have a very good selection of aromatic wines. Also on the menu is a charcuterie section.
Another big hit was the house cocktail. There were a few variations, but this one was a crowd pleaser.
LOTI
If you’re looking for an upscale restaurant in Melbourne’s St Kilda, look no further than LOTI. This Mediterranean-inspired eatery opens on Wednesday, June 22. The name is a nod to the area’s old skating rink, and the interior is a homage to its former life. It’s the perfect place for a quiet cocktail overlooking the waves.
LOTI serves innovative cuisine that embraces the local flora and fauna. For instance, a whole lobster wrapped in kelp is one of the standout dishes. Other popular share plates include artichoke tarte tatin and ice rink ceviche.
The drinks menu also features locally-sourced spirits, wines, and beer. Head mixologist Matt Linklater of Black Pearl has created some fabulous drinks. You can also try a grapefruit and honey house kombucha topped with bubbles.
A lot of the dishes are prepared over open flames. Elijah Holland has a background in fine dining restaurants in Sydney and is inspired by St Kilda’s history. He loves nature, and grew up on a farm in northern beaches. As a child, he saw his mother making her own yoghurt and butter.
Chae
Chae’s Dinner in Melbourne Victoria is one of the most sought-after bookings in Australia. A homestyle degustation that quickly rose to the top of diners’ lists. The experience includes five or so courses accompanied by handmade condiments. This is an experience that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
Melbourne’s food culture is shaped by a history of wave of immigrants from China, Japan, Vietnam and Britain. Today’s restaurant scene focuses on the native ingredients found in Australia.
Korean food is popular in Melbourne. Many of the dishes are based on traditional Korean fermenting techniques. In particular, the dishes feature pickled vegetables. One of the most notable is the kimchi. It’s made from a mix of cabbage and a chilli pepper, seasoned with salt and pepper and fermented.
Chae’s menu has received acclaim from critics. Chief food writer Gemima Cody was drawn to Chae’s dedication and business approach.
Chae’s kitchen is stocked with rows of ferments and vinegars. She also makes homemade dumplings and a range of fermented treats.
Sunda
Sunda is a restaurant with a snazzy fit out. Located on Punch Lane, Melbourne’s Chinatown, it serves South East Asian cuisine. It has received rave reviews from the locals.
Chef Khanh Nguyen’s progressive menu is based on Southeast Asian cooking, but the kitchen also incorporates native Australian ingredients. He’s also developed his menu to be shared at communal tables.
The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday. The chef uses fermentation, smoking, curing and preserving to create the dishes.
Whether you’re a meat or veggie lover, you’ll find something on the menu. You can choose from a nine-course tasting menu or a three-course taster. Alternatively, you can visit the bar for smaller bites and cocktails. There’s also a WET Sunday Sessions. External guests are welcome, but the bar is only for ages 16 and above.
If you want a little more variety, try the Supernormal menu. It includes a whole snapper with burnt butter sauce and wild watercress. Another signature dish is duck bao.
Epocha
If you’re looking for a great meal in Melbourne, you should check out Epocha. It offers a range of delectable dishes, and the restaurant is conveniently located outside Carlton Gardens. You can choose from a three course menu for dinner or a more a la carte lunch.
As well as the delicious food, you can also enjoy a glass or two of wine. The venue boasts a gorgeous Victorian terrace. The restaurant offers a cheese trolley and a selection of wines that are perfect for aperitifs.
The menu is regularly updated to keep things fresh. A lot of the dishes use local and seasonal produce. One thing to mention is that the menu is designed to be shared.
For the true foodies, the menu features a series of share plates. In fact, you’ll find a number of dishes that are influenced by central and south European cuisine. The menu is particularly strong in its vegetarian offerings.
Taxi Kitchen and Transit Rooftop Bar
A visit to Taxi Kitchen and Transit Rooftop Bar is the perfect way to spend a warm night in the city. The bar is the epitome of contemporary dining with an Asian twist. You can enjoy a cocktail in the coolest of surroundings.
The rooftop bar and terrace has killer views of the city. This is a great spot for watching the Yarra river and the surrounding skyline at night. In the summertime, you can sip on a chilled Prosecco al fresco. It’s also a posh place to hold a special event.
The menu is not to be overlooked. Taxi Kitchen offers an impressive collection of local produce and a smart looking bar. They also have a good selection of wines. Their bespoke cocktails are worth a look.
One of the most impressive parts of the Transit Rooftop Bar is the view. You’ll see the best of Melbourne’s city skyline in all its glory.
