Start your 2024 off with a bang with the most exciting new restaurants in Melbourne. The city continues to dazzle when it comes to its culinary scene and this year is no exception, with several foodie hotspots opening up all over the city that are guaranteed to take you on a culinary journey around the globe.
In Fitzroy, a brand-new Japanese restaurant will offer an unforgettable omakase experience, while out in Ripponlea, a food and wine bar gets a menu makeover. 2024 brings French and Vietnamese fusion cuisine to the CBD, a fun and funky new restaurant rises from the ashes in Mornington, and a popular community hotspot gets a new leader in Balaclava. Finally, pre-theatre dining is back on the menu with one of the city’s best hotels reopening its treetop restaurant.
With creative cocktail menus and wine lists celebrating local growers, these restaurants are a haven for foodies and wine connoisseurs alike. From hotspots in the heart of the CBD to gems down the coast, the best new restaurants in Melbourne are ready to seat you at tables.
Be one of the first through the door – book your spot on OpenTable today.
Read on for the best new restaurants in Melbourne for 2024
For one of the best new restaurants in Melbourne for an omakase experience – visit Shusai Mijo in Fitzroy
A brand new omakase experience comes to Melbourne with Shusai Mijo. Opened in late January, choose between a private table or counter seating and book your spot at Fitzroy’s latest hotspot. Let the chefs take you on a seafood journey using fresh Australian and Japanese ingredients. At the counter, you’ll get to watch the chefs work their magic up close before biting into perfectly prepared sushi. Peruse their list of Japanese sakes and Australian and European wines and choose a bottle to suit your tastes. Alternatively, for the most premium experience, ask the staff to match your sushi bites with the best wine, sake or non-alcoholic pairings available.
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For a bold new menu at one of Melbourne’s best restaurants – book at Ripponlea Food & Wine in Ripponlea
Unveiling new food and drinks menus at the end of 2023, this popular restaurant is set to make a statement in 2024. Ripponlea Food & Wine serves its signature European flavours to diners nestled in its iconic velvet-green booths. The new menu includes hand-rolled cigars of smoked chicken, gruyére and pancetta served with a dill pickle sauce and grilled prawns served with prawn mousse atop sesame toast. For something heartier, try tender duck breast with pistachio butter and porterhouse steak cooked to your liking on the grill. It all goes great with a side of crispy fries topped with pecorino and truffle mayo. Enjoy fun cocktails like the tequila-based blood orange margarita or try Ripponlea Food & Wine’s take on a classic gimlet. Victorian, South Australian and international wines stock the cellar, and an array of Italian digestives is the perfect way to end your meal.
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For one of the best new restaurants in Melbourne for adventurous Filipino flavours – try Askal in the CBD
Opening in February 2024, Askal is bringing remarkable Filipino flavours to Melbourne’s CBD. Dig into bowls of fresh ocean trout kinilaw topped with crispy taro and smoked roe. Pair it with one of the creative cocktails on the menu like the ‘Purple Slurple’, where the nutty flavours of ube and hazelnut meet the sharpness of vodka and vermouth. A wine list packed with medium-bodied reds and floral whites – sourced from local and international vineyards – makes it easy to find something you’ll love. You’ll find the exposed brick walls and fragrant flavours on Exhibition Street, just a few minutes walk from Parliament Station. Located right at the entrance to the CBD, make Askal your next meetup spot for great nights out on the town.
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For a Vietnamese-French dining celebration – head to Hoiana in the CBD
Celebrating the fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine, Hoiana’s casual fine dining experience opened its doors in December 2023. Delicately plated spring rolls stuffed with fresh prawn or avocado and wagyu pho with grilled bone marrow are some of the most loved items on the menu. Other signature items include the lamb medley with lemongrass and charred rice crackers, soft house bread, and the fresh lotus root and mushroom salad. For an extra-special evening, start with a plate of caviar offered in 10- or 30-gram servings, and don’t leave without ordering the stellar crème brûlée with a soft and crispy macaron. On the drinks menu, diners can enjoy signature cocktails (try the simple yet impressive De Hoi A’ with coconut tequila, lime and egg white) or Vietnamese coffee, along with wines and spirits from across the globe. Bold greenery blends with brown seating to create a forest-like atmosphere that’s easy to kick back and relax in.
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For one of the best new restaurants in Melbourne for a pre or post-theatre dinner – book at Allegro Restaurant in Melbourne’s CBD
Recently reopened, Allegro Restaurant serves up modern Australian cuisine from the second floor of The Westin. With views out over Collins Street, this restaurant’s seasonal menu uses local produce to craft unforgettable international flavours. The open kitchen gives diners a glimpse into the action as the culinary team whips up tender confit duck, creamy carrot risotto and smooth chocolate fondant. Right next door to Regent Theatre, Allegro also offers a pre-theatre menu that includes a glass of the house wine and your choice from a selection of mains and sides. If you’re ordering from the à la carte menu, you’ll find a wide range of local and international wines to choose from. If you’re unsure what will suit your meal, don’t worry, Allegro’s sommeliers are ready to find your perfect pairing. The spacious and comfortable dining space with a shaded balcony area puts you right among the CBD treetops. With theatres steps away and designer shopping downstairs, Allegro puts Melbourne’s luxuries right at your fingertips.
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For Australian delights at a restaurant that refuses to stay knocked down – visit Colt Dining in Mornington
A devastating fire in 2023 forced Colt Dining to close its doors just weeks after its first opening. With a new location and the same passion for ‘casual excellence’, Colt Dining makes a triumphant return in 2024. Expect local Aussie delicacies like fresh yabbies on toast and sticky lamb ribs made with Gippsland lamb. Creative cocktails are the backbone of Colt Dining’s drinks menu, with dry martinis served alongside roe-topped profiteroles. The old Colt Dining emphasised a relaxed atmosphere backed by funky tunes and friendly service. The new outpost is sure to bring the same vibes with the same fresh, seasonal produce. Be one of the first through the new doors and book your spot on OpenTable today.
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For one of the best new restaurants in Melbourne for wine and cheese – head to With Gusto Regional Store in the CBD
Opened in September 2023, With Gusto Regional Store brings regional Victoria’s best to the heart of the CBD. Wine is the focus here, and bottles lining shelves and filling boxes on tables will surround you the moment you step through the doors. But that glass of wine will taste all the better paired with some local artisanal cheese or gourmet chocolates. Other charcuterie, snack and artisanal boards are available, including olives, pickles and onion jam. House-made paté is the cherry on top. The restaurant offers fresh oysters and bubbling prosecco every Thursday and Friday afternoon, so you can cheer the end of the week in style. Of course, once you’ve sampled the stock you can fill your bag with regional treats to take home. Plus, you can wander the shelves with a glass in hand. The staff make all the difference at With Gusto. Friendly and extremely knowledgeable about each item and its background, they make it easy to discover something special. If you’re not sure about a particular bottle, they’re happy to offer you a taste before you order.
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For a fun communal dining experience – try Pretty Little in Balaclava
Mike founded Pretty Little to create a unique party-style dinner restaurant, and at the end of 2023, he handed the reins over to head chef and now owner, Mikey. The Good Food Guide 2024 awarded Pretty Little one Chef Hat, setting the tone for a great year ahead as new changes come to this Balaclava hotspot. 2024 is bringing some unique new experiences, including one-night-only collaborations with other exceptional Melbourne-based chefs. Take a seat at the communal table (and with just one table, bookings are required) under the warm lights and settle in for an unforgettable meal. Pretty Little’s atmosphere is one of the best in Melbourne, with a unique dining space and engaging staff. The perfect spot to catch up with old friends – or make some new ones – the open-plan kitchen serves up a seasonal set menu with a focus on fresh seafood. The restaurant pairs a selection of local wines precisely with each dish, creating a curated experience from start to finish.
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The best new restaurants in Melbourne in 2024 showcase the variety on offer in Melbourne’s food scene. From omakase in Fitzroy to communal dining in Balaclava, they offer unique experiences, fresh menus, local wines and much more. Whether you’re after fine dining, a relaxed atmosphere or something in between, you can find the right ambience and menu to suit your next night out. Whether they’re opening their doors for the first time or bringing something new to an old favourite, these restaurants represent the bold creativity that keeps Melbourne’s restaurants running.
