If you are travelling to Melbourne, you may have already considered the possibility of visiting some of the top restaurants in the city. However, you may not know where to start. Below are a few suggestions of some of the best places to have a bite to eat.
Tonka
If you’re hungry, you’re in luck – Melbourne’s food scene is abundant and diverse. From Chinese and Japanese restaurants to French and Vietnamese places, you’re sure to find something tasty. Whether you’re looking for a casual brunch or a high-class degustation, you’ll find plenty to tickle your taste buds in Melbourne’s city center.
The Tonka Cafe is a modern Indian eatery that combines traditional recipes with modern techniques. Their menu offers both a la carte and a banquet option.
Aangan is a multi-regional Indian restaurant in Melbourne. The dishes feature bold flavors and interesting wines from small producers. They’re a popular choice with locals and tourists.
In addition to its wine bar, Bar Liberty is a wine and bourbon bar, and they serve food too. You can also order their ‘Okar’, a locally-distilled aperitif.
If you’re looking for a great meal, Vue de Monde is a dramatic dining room that offers one of the best views in the city. The kitchen serves dishes that use indigenous ingredients.
Gimlet at Cavendish House
Located in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district, Gimlet at Cavendish House is a restaurant and bar by Andrew McConnell. It is part French brasserie and part showpiece bar. The menu is focused on classic European cuisine and a modern approach to cookery.
Cavendish House is a landmark 1920s building on leafy Russell Street. It was once a house of the upper class. Today, it is a chic, glamorous Art Deco beauty. This historic building has undergone a dramatic makeover by Andrew McConnell and Acme & Co.
Cavendish House features a luxurious dining room with a mezzanine and a cocktail bar. A full-service bar offers a range of classic cocktails, along with world-class wines. There is also a menu of shared mains of premium seafood and meats.
Gimlet is set to open in mid-July. In the meantime, there is a preview dining experience until July 12.
Gimlet is part of Trader House. It has a homey ambiance, but it’s not pretentious. Instead, it is all about a classic European charm.
Florentino’s
Florentino’s is one of Melbourne’s iconic dining destinations. It has a Tuscan menu that pays homage to Italian food, but with a strong focus on local produce and simple Tuscan cooking methods.
Aside from the food, Florentino’s beverage program is also impressive. Their beverage list features a variety of modern classics as well as a few smaller producers that might not be otherwise seen.
They also have an impressive wine list and a coffee shop that serves up single-origin espressos and super-smooth cold brew on tap. They even host free community cupping events every week.
There are several notable wine bars in Melbourne. These are particularly popular for a variety of reasons. For example, the Winebar at the Crossroads is both a restaurant and a wine bar. And, it’s located in a historic 1920s building on Russell Street in the CBD. This makes it the perfect place to have a pre-dinner drink or to have a spontaneous nightcap.
Manze
Melbourne has a unique food culture influenced by a variety of different cultural backgrounds. From French, Vietnamese, Chinese, and British to Aboriginal and Indian, you can find a wide variety of different tastes in the city. And Melbourne is known for its vibrant laneways.
One of the most prominent noodle bars in Melbourne is Pho Victoria, which serves aromatic bowls of pho all week. The restaurant’s owner brews his own stock for ten hours, creating a rich and flavorful broth. It’s worth a trip to the foot of Victoria Bridge to get your fill of Pho.
Another local favourite is Ca Com, which is billed as a “banh mi bar.” The restaurant is located near Citizen Park. Despite its name, Ca Com serves five-spice pork belly and turmeric-coconut chicken. They also offer an a la carte menu.
If you’re looking for a little more variety, consider the menu at Lee Ho Fook, a swish Chinese eatery in the suburb of Duckboard Place. Chef Nagesh Seethiah has crafted a menu that combines modern techniques with traditional recipes. He also explores Creole and French influences.
Pellegrini’s
Pellegrini’s is one of the oldest cafes in Melbourne, and it’s a great place to stop for lunch on your trip to Victoria. It’s been around since 1954, and it’s known for its classic Italian dishes.
The counter is considered the birthplace of Australian cafe culture, and it’s a great place for a bite of old school pasta. The food is reliably good, and the waiters are dressed in white uniforms.
Another place to try is Lee Ho Fook, a swish Chinese restaurant. Their menu is a blend of traditional and modern recipes. They also offer tasting menus, with a focus on seafood.
One of the city’s more popular wine bars, Bar Liberty is a lively hangout with a diverse drink list. The bar is also home to a small restaurant, Falco, where you can order the delicious breads and pastries. Aside from wine, the owners also serve bourbons and sour beers.
Gimlet at North Melbourne 24-seater
Cavendish House is a Chicago style 1920s building in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Andrew McConnell has transformed the venue into an intimate and elegant dining experience. Guests can enjoy a menu inspired by European and European-inspired flavors, as well as a wine bar that fuses modern Australian with European influences.
Neptune Private is one of the most contemporary and luxurious dining experiences in Sydney. This private dining room can seat up to 40 people for a cocktail reception, and can accommodate up to 60 for a meal. It’s a fully self-contained space with a full bar, sound system and bathroom facilities. The Neptune Private’s dishes are inspired by the experiences of Executive Chef Jacquiline Chalinor while she traveled throughout Spain.
Chin Chin, also located in Chinatown, is a South-East Asian classic. This establishment offers pork roll-ups, crispy skin duck, and other traditional dishes. A favourite of locals, the restaurant boasts a stellar service and elegant interior.
Flower Drum
If you’re searching for the best lunch in Melbourne Victoria, then you’re in luck. With a plethora of great cafes and restaurants, this city has plenty to keep you occupied.
While there are some stalwarts that have been around for decades, there are plenty of new and upcoming restaurants. One of the biggest trends in the Australian dining scene is the use of native and wild ingredients. The chefs at these venues have found a way to make the most of these local products.
One of the best all-day restaurants in Melbourne is Cumulus Inc. Owned by Andrew McConnell, this restaurant serves up well-balanced dishes, and has a stellar wine list.
Another fine dining option is Farmer’s Daughters. This multi-level venue features a colour palette inspired by gumtrees. Each level represents a different region, and the executive chef spent years bringing the vision to life.
If you’re looking for something with a more modern twist, Moonhouse is an excellent choice. This two-storey Chinese-inspired bistro offers up modern takes on classic dishes. They’ve got a menu full of the good stuff, from XO sauce pippies to Hainanese chicken club sandwiches.
Vue de Monde
Vue de Monde is a fine dining restaurant in Melbourne, Australia. This unique dining experience is situated 55 floors above the city in the iconic Rialto building.
During your visit, you will enjoy sweeping views of the Melbourne skyline. In addition to a stunning view, you will be served with impeccable service.
The menu at Vue de Monde features dishes that celebrate native Australian ingredients. They also use French techniques and traditional flavours. These include sea urchin with caviar, and avocado and kingfish sandwiched in a wasabi leaf.
In addition to traditional French and French-inspired dishes, Vue de monde also offers a selection of tasty desserts. There are plenty of wines to choose from. You can even order a vintage Dom Perignon.
It’s no secret that Chef Bennett is a master of classical French cooking. He has worked under Michelin-starred chefs such as Albert Roux and Roger Lienhard. After gaining a reputation for his creativity, he opened his own restaurant in 2000.
