Melbourne is often hailed as the dining capital of Australia, so it tracks that 2023 has brought some of the most exciting restaurant debuts to the city with it.
In North Melbourne, a popular pub has been revived by the team behind Naughton’s. A beloved Hardware Lane French restaurant has reopened in Melbourne CBD. And in Balwyn, the family behind Boccaccio Cellars has been collecting wine for 25 years to showcase at a new wine bar.
Read on for 6 hot new Melbourne restaurants to book a table at right now.
Enoteca Boccaccio (Balwyn)
For 50 years, the D’Anna family has drawn people to Balwyn gourmet grocer and bottle shop. Now diners can climb a flight of stairs and stay for dinner at Enoteca Boccaccio, a sophisticated Italian wine bar. Behind a marble counter, the team shucks oysters, slices imported cured meats, and prepares dry-aged cheese to pair with the wines. Head chef Andrew Beddoes focuses on more substantial Italian-leaning plates such as jerusalem artichoke with stracciatella and black truffle, veal agnolotti in brodo, and bistecca alla fiorentina (dry aged t-bone) with lemon and salsa verde–His efforts have earned the restaurant a hat (Good Food Guide 2023) just 5 weeks after opening. Enoteca Boccaccio is tight, cosy, and has terracotta tiles, hitting the spot on all things Italiano.
Yakamoz Mediterranean (Brunswick)
Yakamoz, the second restaurant of father-and-son duo Ali and Olgucan Atay, is turning up the heat in Brunswick with traditional Turkish food that has contemporary flair. The bar’s where the action is at: Puffy bread and pide (traditional flatbread) with toppings such as cheese and sumac, minced beef, and peppers and herbs are prepared in a wood-fired oven just behind it. Heartier dishes including vine leaves stuffed with sour cherries; crispy manti (spiced mince & herb dumplings) with yoghurt, chilli oil, and walnuts; and whole roasted fish are all ideal for sharing with family and friends. The emphasis on the Mediterranean is woven through the drink list too—Consider choosing from ayran (yoghurt drink), turkish soft drinks, or a glass of wine.
Grazia Restaurant (Glen Iris)
In May, Glen Iris residents warmly welcomed Grazia, an elevated 100-seat Italian restaurant from local restaurateur Joe Di Cintio (Bello Setto, Sapore). The menu pays homage to Di Cintio’s Sicilian heritage with a focus on recipes passed through generations of his family. The imported Castelli pizza oven (there are only two of its kind in Australia) is the focal point of the bright, open kitchen. Chefs sling Roman-style pizzas and highlights include the Gamberoni Grazia with king prawns, rocket pesto, and chilli crisp. Plus, shared plates such as battered zucchini flower with four cheese filling go best with a barrel-aged negroni or a glass of Italian or local wine for a well-rounded mid-week dinner.
French Saloon (Melbourne CBD)
Veteran restaurateur Con Christopoulos has reopened his beloved European bistro and bar on Hardware Lane after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus. Diners can once again ascend the narrow staircase for the bustling ambience, the relaxed dining room, and the restaurant’s classic French fare. Chef Luke Fraser turns out oysters, caviar, and comté gougères alongside meatier dishes such as steak tartare and whole-roasted fish with puy lentils. The wine list is buoyed by French aperitifs and a selection of local and French wines by the glass. Salute to the return of a Melburnian gem.
North & Common (Coburg)
North & Common is the latest addition to the redeveloped Pentridge Prison precinct, situated in the original mess hall. Bluestone walls and a fireplace on the outdoor terrace create a cosy setting for this 180-seat establishment. Chef Mark Glen (Cumulus, Dinner by Heston) leads an ever-changing menu that garnered a Good Food Guide award in 2023. Highlights include Jerusalem artichoke with Abrolhos Island scallop and spanner crab risoni with a crustacean emulsion. Since this is a sibling to wine bar Olivine, expect 150-plus bottles in the line up curated by star sommelier Liinaa Berry, alongside reimagined cocktail classics.
The Courthouse Hotel (North Melbourne)
Ryan Moses and Rusty Sturrock (Naughton’s Parkville Hotel) have lovingly restored the Courthouse Hotel to its former glory. A popular culinary destination in the early 2000s, the hotel revisits these roots, whilst showcasing Sturrock’s experience working in London gastropubs. Think grilled steaks, pork cutlet with rhubarb ketchup, and a classic lamb pie with mash. The original character of the hotel has been preserved through earthy red and green tones, spotted gum furnishings, and Art Deco accents. It’s the kind of place for a hand-cranked ale at the bar or a cosy meal by the fireplace.
Catherine Fallon is a passionate food writer in Melbourne enjoying all the eats and drinks this wonderful city has to offer. Follow her on instagram @forkingoutagain.
