The culinary scene in Melbourne echoes the vibrant and culturally diverse population of the city. Every palate is catered for with an eclectic mixture of cuisines from around the world. The central business district is renowned for offering one of the widest selections of restaurants in the city, each with something more enticing to offer than the next. The best restaurants in Melbourne CBD include Asian eateries, with Chinese, Malaysian and Vietnamese venues throughout Chinatown, as well as cool hangout spots, family-friendly destinations and romantic getaways for stellar date nights.
Head to an Italian institution, serving classic family fare in a warm and inviting venue or try outstanding Nordic cuisine led by a MICHELIN-starred chef for a transportative meal out. If meat is your main go-to, then you’ll definitely want to experience some of the best BBQ in town. Alternatively, tickle those tastebuds with a true taste of Mexico – if you can handle the heat.
The best restaurants in Melbourne CBD await, get ready for a meal to remember and book your spot on OpenTable today.
The best restaurants in Melbourne CBD – read on for a guide
For cool vibes and innovative Vietnamese fusion dishes – visit Hochi Mama in Melbourne CBD
Hochi Mama in the CBD, sister restaurant to Hochi Mama Richmond, bring you Vietnamese Fusion food in a vibrant, warm, and always entertaining environment. Named for the nineties godmother of rappers and street art, this restaurant always buzzing, whether you’re looking for a quick bite or an all-evening event. The pre-theatre menu is designed specifically for those heading off to a show, featuring some of the best dishes that can be prepared quickly. For large group bookings, the banquet menu showcases the best of the best. Highlights include the Hochi chicken bao with fermented chilli beans and the massaman curry with tender lamb shank, roasted cashews and juicy pineapple. No meal is complete without a drink to accompany it, and you’ll be sure to find something to your taste. Choose from the original cocktail list – perhaps start with the Up in Smoke with coconut rum, white chocolate and lime, and finish with an indulgent Vietnamese espresso martini.
For a BBQ feast with a group – book a table at Meatmaiden in Melbourne CBD
Unpretentious yet with imaginative twists on classic dishes, Meatmaiden is a meat-lover’s paradise. It’s one of the best restaurants in Melbourne’s CBD, serving up wood-smoked meats and quality cuts of steak cooked to perfection. Combine this with an illustrious list of specialty wines and beers and an innovative cocktail menu and you won’t want to leave for the rest of the evening. Located in the historic Georges Building but nestled in the basement, this is something of a hidden gem. Warm and cosy yet always bustling, Meatmaiden does exactly what the name suggests – serves some of the best meat in town. Try the chopped wagyu tartare with xo sauce or roast bone marrow with raclette custard to start. For the main course, a list of prime cuts awaits – from O’Connor porterhouse steaks to Westholme wagyu New York strip, each steak comes cooked how you like it with your choice of house sauce and sides.
For a true taste of Mexico without leaving Melbourne – head to Bodega Underground in Melbourne CBD
Bodega Underground brings the soul of Mexico into the heart of Melbourne. Traditional Mexican food and drinks are served Latin-style, with a moody bar and a larger dining area where you can celebrate any occasion. Pre-theatre menus are available daily, giving you the chance to enjoy some Mexican classics for the table – plus a guava mimosa for each guest on arrival – and still make it to the show on time. Or from Thursday to Sunday, treat yourself to a bottomless brunch which includes five dishes and unlimited Mexican cocktails for 90 minutes. Let the chipotle-fired chicken or sweet potato tacos with jalapeno crema fire you up, then cool down with an Aperol spritz (or five). Vegetarian and vegan options are available across all menus, and all food is 100% gluten-free.
For one of the best Asian restaurants in Melbourne CBD – have a night out at Secret Kitchen in Chinatown
Secret Kitchen and its sister restaurant, Secret Kitchen Doncaster bring you Yum Cha – Chinese team and dim sum – the perfect combination for banishing the blues. One of Chinatown’s stand-out gems, Secret Kitchen is unlike anywhere you’ve ever been before. Whether you fancy a quick bite before the theatre, nibbles and wine with a friend, or a big group celebration, you’ll find something to suit. Traditional flavours are brought to you using innovative cooking techniques. From the steamed rice roll with black truffles and scallops to the sauteed duck san choi bao served in a lettuce cup, each menu item has been carefully created by top chefs. For group bookings, the banquet menu lets you sample the best of the best, from tender beef fillet with teriyaki to classic Peking duck.
For Australian dining with a Nordic twist – book a table at Freyja in Melbourne CBD
MICHELIN-starred executive chef Jae Bang heads up Freyja, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne CBD for special occasions or romantic dates. Effortlessly combining the best of Australian ingredients with contemporary New Nordic cooking techniques to bring you unique dishes that will leave you wanting more – even if you’re too full to accept. Soaring columns and picture windows in the dining room make for an elegant ambience. The menu changes seasonally so you’ll never know quite what to expect. Perhaps you’ll start with freshly shucked oysters with jalapeno and blackcurrant leaf, followed by a Freyja’s butter burger made from the juiciest Wagyu brisket. Or try flaky rainbow trout with chicory and black garlic, and then finish with a passionfruit and mascarpone dessert with bee pollen and jasmine rice. All ingredients are sourced from specialist local suppliers, listed on the menu.
For one of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne CBD – take a seat at Chocolate Buddha in Fed Square
While Chocolate Buddha may sound like a great place for dessert, it’s actually one of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne CBD. The ideal spot for a quick lunch or catch-up with friends it features a sushi train alongside food prepared to order and brought to your table. Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, casual Japanese style. There are multiple vegetarian and vegan options available, and one entire section of the menu is gluten-free friendly. Spice things up with kingfish jalapeno sashimi or tempura pumpkin rolls with pickled radish and sriracha. For a milder palate, opt for the soft-shell crab roll with creamy avocado or the shake ramen with bean shoots and crisp bok choy. Indulge yourself with a glass of warm, chilled or sparkling sake on the side, or add a Japanese beer or cocktail to your order.
For a fiery Filipino dining experience and all-natural wines – visit Serai Kitchen in Melbourne CBD
Serai Kitchen was designed from the start to become a home from home for guests – albeit a home that’s in The Philippines, despite being in the heart of Melbourne. Owners Ross Magnaye and Shane Stafford bring you the vitality and passion of Filipino culture alongside a vibrant menu packed with dishes cooked over open flames. Take a seat at the chef’s omakase table and watch the chefs in the open kitchen as they prepare your food to perfection. Or for a quieter evening, opt for the bar or restaurant area, where you can also sample something from the vin naturel wine list. Stellar menu picks include seared kangaroo kilawin, Abrolhos scallops with pandesal and crab fat sauce, and wood-roasted pig’s head with calamansi and egg butter. Finish with a smoked mango float and a house cocktail (or mocktail) from the ever-changing drinks menu.
For a neighborhood gem loved by locals – try Il Solito Posto in Melbourne CBD
Il Solito Posto is an Italian institution beloved by locals in the heart of Melbourne CBD. With two dining rooms – the Trattoria and the Caffeteria – this is the perfect venue for any occasion, lunch or dinner. The team of passionate chefs working under head chef Nathan Morfett serve up a plethora of delights crafted only from sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy some antipasti and a glass of wine while catching up with a friend in The Bar after work. Enjoy lunch in the Caffeteria, where you can nibble on flash-fried prawns with chilli and aioli or a fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil salad. Or book a table for a romantic evening in The Trattoria, where you can sample house-made gnocchi with walnuts, pears and gorgonzola, or fresh seafood linguine with garlic and chilli. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert – the pannacotta, tiramisu and gelato are all delectable.
For one of the best bistro restaurants in Melbourne CBD – pull up a chair at The European on Spring Street
The European draws inspiration from across old-world Europe. Expect to discover influences from Spain, Greece, France, Austria and more. The menu changes all the time but it always includes creative dishes, expertly prepared from quality ingredients. Try the cured marlin with pickled green tomatoes or the British lamb faggot, cooked traditionally with pease pudding, while you relax on a Bentwood chair in the laid-back dining area. All meats and cheeses are sourced from in-house butchers, and the cheeses come from Spring Street Cheese Cellar, crafted and matured especially for the menu at The European. The hospitality is warm and generous, and the ambience is always welcoming. The knowledgeable waitstaff are on hand to recommend the best wine pairings to complement your meal, and the pre-theatre service is always fast and efficient.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne – check out Di Stasio Citta in Melbourne CBD
Di Stasio Citta in Melbourne is a local favourite, serving classic Italian fare with flair, bringing a small corner of Milan to Australia. Citta is not just about great food, although that’s certainly a part of it. Citta is also about warmth, hospitality, creativity, design and inspiration. Sister restaurants Di Stasio Carlton and Café Di Stasio in St Kilda have the same vibe if you’re travelling a little further afield. Celebrate art, life, love, passion and more in this dynamic space. The bar and kitchen at Citta are open daily from 11:30 am until late, serving up two and three-course menus with signature cocktails alongside. Check out the beef carpaccio, feather-thin and served with parmesan and roquette, the tender Milanese veal or the handmade pasta with fresh crab – you won’t be disappointed. Finish off with a signature Di Stasio affogato – Lavazza with gelato and house blend liqueur.
With so many options to choose from, you’ll be hard-pushed to decide where to go for your next meal out in Melbourne. With some of the best restaurants in Melbourne CBD, at least you know which area to head for. Enjoy a vibrant night out in Chinatown or discover a relaxed local gem.
Tables fill up fast, so book a spot at the best restaurants in Melbourne CBD on OpenTable today.
Looking for more of the best restaurants in Melbourne? Keep on reading:
- The best family restaurants in Melbourne to book for the whole gang
- 12 special occasion restaurants in Melbourne for any celebration
- The most romantic restaurants in Melbourne for an unforgettable date night
- The 10 best French restaurants to book in Melbourne right now
- 8 of the best Thai restaurants in Melbourne to book today
