Melbourne’s neighbourhoods are microcosms of the cosmopolitan coastal city, bursting with unique green grocers, bottle shops, butchers, bars, and, of course, beloved restaurants.
In Collingwood, a Japanese gyoza joint draws crowds for freshly made dumplings. Jerusalem-style street food steals the scene at a laidback Israeli spot in South Melbourne. A family-friendly Huntingdale favourite fires up classic and avant-garde pizzas in a renovated warehouse.
Here are 12 Melbourne restaurants that locals return to time and again.
Cam’s Kiosk (Abbotsford)
Cam’s Kiosk is housed in the former Abbotsford Convent where high ceilings add grandeur to an otherwise relaxed space. In the summer, crowds fill the grassy courtyard to sip on classic cocktails, local beers, and minimal intervention wines. To eat, there are ever-changing, Italian-inspired shared plates such as Jerusalem artichokes with buttermilk and caper leaf and risotto with parmesan, broad beans, and bottarga (salted and cured fish roe). Cam’s also hosts year-round events, including life drawing classes, live music performances, and DJ showcases, cinching its status as a versatile local gem.
Spensley’s (Clifton Hill)
Perched on the corner roundabout in the quainter part of Clifton Hill, Spensley’s was instantly loved by locals when it opened in 2019. Pop in for a quick beer and chat with co-owner Willow Humphreys at the bar. Or linger and browse through the aromatic natural wine list. Standouts include Tasmanian and South Australian Riesling and local Pinot Noir or Gamay. The welcoming timber- and brass-clad space features wraparound glass windows from floor to ceiling, bringing in plenty of natural light. Stellar seasonal plates such as soft-shelled crab and housemade kimchi on a milk bun keep the regulars flocking.
Clover (Richmond)
Clover, a charming, 48-seat modern bistro and wine bar, had Richmond residents abuzz long before its November 2022 opening. Chef Charley Snadden-Wilson, formerly at the Brunswick East wine bar Etta, brings his creative muscles to the seasonally driven, share-style menu. All the dishes here are cooked over a fire, such as snacks including smoked hapuka and pickled fennel on sourdough, and larger dishes including calamari with pepper and burnt oregano. The extensive wine list, teeming with rare local and global options, is another feature that consistently draws locals.
Chotto Motto (Collingwood)
Chotto Motto is impossible to miss, with its eclectic black-and-white mural-covered exterior on the corner of two back streets in Collingwood. The menu is brief, with a firm focus on gyozas (pan-fried Japanese dumplings), made fresh daily. You can also sample a range of dishes to share, including king prawn tempura and agedashi tofu, eggplant, and shiitake mushroom. Wash it all down with a range of beers, wine (including plum, shochu, and sake) or housemade yuzu soda. In-the-know locals don’t leave without a stop at the onsite grocer, ChottoMart, to purchase much-loved condiments such as yuzu hot sauce and crispy chile oil to stock up the home pantry.
One Trick Pony (Fitzroy North)
One Trick Pony stands in a leafy back street of Fitzroy North, occupying an address that was home to the 140-year-old Star Pub (in which chef and owner, Chris Terlikar’s first restaurant, Bluebonnet, once stood). Spot the neon ‘wine’ and ‘OTP’ lightbox, enter through the blue door and find yourself in a quirky bottle shop. You can purchase a bottle to take away or opt to sip upstairs in the cosy, open-kitchen-clad dining space. Lights and blue accents help the space evoke a modern French bistro. The menu is seasonally focused, with dishes such as cured trout, horseradish, and kataifi pastry and caviar. If you don’t fancy a bottle to drink, you can choose from by-the-glass wines and classic cocktails.
The Left Handed Chef (South Melbourne)
Traditional Israeli food is hard to come by in Melbourne. So it’s easy to see why locals were excited when The Left Handed Chef redirected its focus away from breakfast to lunch and dinner in 2019. A steady stream of South Melbournians return for the hospitable vibes and top-notch Jerusalem-style street food such as whole-charred eggplant topped with yoghurt, cranberries, mint, and schug (housemade green chile sauce), and pita pockets filled with falafel, chicken, or sabich. Don’t miss the limonana, an Israeli-style lemonade blitzed with ice and mint. On a balmy night, you can dine outdoors with family, friends, or neighbours.
Amarillo (Fitzroy)
Amarillo brings a slice of the Mediterranean to Fitzroy. The quintessential neighbourhood bar is adored for its sunny sidewalk seating and seasonal tapas, though many opt to dine indoors, lured by light-filled interiors and high ceilings. To all that, add a menu filled with oysters (with a daily changing accompaniment), negroni-cured hamachi, and an extensive wine list featuring both European and Australian bottles. The result is a winning and timeless formula that keeps the crowds coming.
Agostino (Carlton)
This refined Italian restaurant in an iconic heritage building has cemented its place as a neighbourhood gem. The cosy space, ideal for a relaxed midweek lunch or dinner, is awash in neutral, earthy tones and decked with leather banquettes and marble tabletops. Returnees know to purchase wine at the attached bottleshop, then enjoy it alongside a generous antipasti spread, followed by zucchini and prawn pasta before finishing with a coffee panna cotta.
Mammoth Cafe (Armadale)
Mammoth Cafe, known for its solid all-day breakfast and lunch menu, is the pick of the bunch for Armadale residents. Locals often pop in for morning coffee, paired with a pastry baked by the renowned Cobb Lane bakery on the way to work. On weekends, they post up at an outdoor table for a leisurely brunch. Here, the star players include an apple crumble porridge with cinnamon spiced apples, pecan crumble, and yoghurt or a Saigon noodle bowl, topped with your choice of crumbed tofu or grilled chicken and chilli lime dressing.
KAIJU! Cantina (Hungtingdale)
KAIJU! Cantina is in a mid-century converted warehouse space with large, colourful murals. It’s a local family favourite, thanks to a selection of woodfired pizzas that range from the classic Margherita to the more adventurous “cheeseburger” pie, topped with American cheese, beef, red onion, pickles, mustard, and ketchup (there are also gluten-free and vegan options). Don’t miss the full range of KAIJU! Beers, including a few limited releases from the restaurant’s 16 taps. Bonus points for the dog-friendly seating area outside.
Peachy Keen (Williamstown)
This open-air container bar from the team behind Lay Low Bar in Seddon is a popular spot for post-work drinks and weekend catch-ups. Fittingly, the peach exterior sets the tone for a relaxed hang, as do summery drinks, such as the peachy iced tea and Mellow Yellow cocktail, a pineapple-forward take on the mojito. To fuel the neighbourhood cred, Peach Keen partners with 3 Grains, a local Roman pizzeria, to serve antipasti, pizzas, and Italian desserts galore.
Good Nights (Windsor)
Good Nights dishes up Vietnamese soul food made with sustainably sourced ingredients in a dimly lit, bustling space. The menu is simple, with spring rolls, lamb on betel leaf, soupy pho, and rice dishes that change with the seasons. Pop in for weekday happy hour to enjoy beer, wine, or a cocktail—don’t miss a boozy riff on Vietnamese iced coffee, crafted with cold brew from local cafe Franklin Windsor. Then stay for a “Family Style” spread at this kitschy but cool local star.
