The culinary culture in Melbourne is diverse, vibrant and exciting. As the food capital of Australia, Melbourne boasts a vast array of restaurants and eateries offering almost every style of food you can think of from spectacular outdoor dining to cosy, intimate venues perfect for date night. Whatever atmosphere and cuisine you fancy, you’re sure to find the perfect restaurants in Melbourne.
There’s a venue in St. Kilda offering delicious Mediterranean classics with views over the ocean. Or head to South Yarra for European bistro fare with contemporary jazz to accompany your meal. In Fitzroy, go for the authentic Japanese omakase experience and watch the chefs prepare your meal in front of your eyes. Or perhaps head to Glen Iris, where a quaint trattoria will transport you to the heart of Italy.
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Read on to discover 11 of the best restaurants in Melbourne
For bold Vietnamese flavours and a cool hip-hop vibe – make your next night out at Straight Outta Saigon in Melbourne CBD
Sample Vietnamese street food to a backdrop of classic nineties hip-hop mixtapes when you eat at Straight Outta Saigon, one of the best restaurants in Melbourne CBD. The vibe is unfailingly cool, mixing vibrant Vietnam with urban Australia. Enjoy classic Vietnamese flavours with a contemporary twist, from tropical elixir cocktails to a menu showcasing the best from the Land of the Blue Dragon. Try the Saigon social menu for group bookings and pre-theatre eats. The main menu features delights such as Saigon shaking beef stir-fried with crispy kale and black pepper sauce, scallops baked in the shell with pickled ginger, and spicy Vietnamese red curry with your choice of chicken or tofu and crispy eggplant. Start your night with a land of the rising sun lychee cocktail with yuzu sake, and end with a decadent Saigon espresso martini.
For one of the best bistro restaurants in Melbourne with live jazz – book at Omnia Bistro and Bar in South Yarra
Bringing you a modern take on classic Australian cuisine with the energy of a European bistro, Omnia Bistro and Bar has a strong reputation as one of Melbourne’s best restaurants for a reason. Named a two-hat restaurant in 2023 and 2024, enjoy fine dining at its best in the heart of South Yarra. With a buzzing main bar, a cosy and intimate Barrel Room and a light and airy Conservatory Room, Omnia is a venue for every occasion. Wednesday nights are jazz nights. Step back to the roaring twenties with food and cocktails served to a backdrop of live contemporary jazz. The menu changes seasonally, showcasing the best local produce. Showstoppers could include Omnia house caviar with fromage blanc bavarois, juicy lamb rump with Jerusalem artichoke and black walnuts, or grilled hapuka with chorizo and green apple.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne – head to Gilson in South Yarra
Neighbourhood favourite Gilson in South Yarra brings you the best of the best of Italian cuisine, using local, seasonal produce. The relaxed setting and warm, welcoming vibe are part of what makes locals return again and again. Take a seat in the intimate dining room or enjoy spectacular views over the Royal Botanic Gardens when you dine out of doors. Wood-fired pizza is a lunchtime specialty at Gilson, with innovative topping combos ranging from vodka sauce and fior di latte to pepperoni, chilli and honey. The caserecce pasta with stracciatella cheese and sun-dried tomatoes is divine, as are the crispy calamari fritti and juicy porterhouse steaks. Or for something a little different for brunch, try chilli scrambled eggs with bacon, ricotta and spring onions. The drinks list includes Italian-inspired cocktails – try the refreshing mandarin gimlet or the Amalfi sunset with Passoa and lime.
For Melbourne’s premier Japanese omakase dining experience – pull up a stool at the counter at Shusai Mijo in Fitzroy
The chefs at Shusai Mijo use only the freshest of Australian ingredients to bring you an innovative twist on Japanese kappo cooking, omakase style. Each chef is an expert in their craft, with a library of knowledge about flavour and presentation. Best of all, you get to watch them perform their magic while you dine – that’s the beauty of omakase. The tasting menus are designed to showcase the best of Japanese food and drink, with sake-driven beverage pairings for each course. Wine and non-alcoholic pairings are also available. Sample dishes could include NZ bluefin Amaki sashimi, Yamagata wagyu with hoba miso or snow crab with Kristal caviar. The ethos focuses on harmonising each expertly prepared course with a complementary sake, for a unique gastronomic experience directly from Japan. Alongside 14 different types of sake, you’ll find creative cocktails and mocktails, Japanese imported beers and more.
For one of the best pub restaurants in Melbourne – take a seat at Mount Erica Hotel in Prahran
Don’t allow the relaxed corner pub setting of Mount Erica Hotel fool you into thinking this is a place for bar snacks and egg and chips. The food at Mount Erica is one of the biggest draws, taking traditional pub grub to a new level. While you can still grab a cheeseburger or battered fish and chips, you could just as easily choose octopus escabeche with saffron aioli, roasted duck leg with fennel and radicchio, or crab linguine with garlic, chilli and gremolata. This is corner pub with a designer edge. Families are welcome, including your furry friends, until 8 pm. Daily deals mean you can enjoy the best pub food in town at an affordable price. Try oysters and fizz weekdays from 4 pm until 6 pm, pop in on a Tuesday for steak day, or head over for Sunday roast, served all day (until sold out).
For seasonal fine dining with a theatrical flair – take a trip to Vue de monde in Melbourne CBD
For over 20 years, Vue de monde has been a staple of the Melbourne dining scene. Starting out in a quirky terrace building in Carlton, today, Vue de monde is located on the 55th floor of the Rialto building, offering panoramic views across the cityscape while you dine. Award-winning and internationally recognised, this is clearly one of the best restaurants in Melbourne for a reason. Home-grown produce and the best of native Australian ingredients form the backbone of the menu, with dishes crafted to perfection by executive chef Hugh Allen. While the menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons, you could encounter dishes such as Tasmanian oysters with wasabi and avocado, red kangaroo served with pan-fried mushrooms, or a palate-cleansing cantaloupe with lemon verbena. All food is served as part of the signature chef’s tasting menu, with over 10 dishes to try each time you visit.
For one of the best hidden bars in Melbourne – discover Yugen Dining in South Yarra
If dining after dark and stretching the evening out into the wee small hours is your thing, then Yugen Dining is the place for you. This subterranean venue is one of Melbourne’s best restaurants, with a dark and intimate atmosphere perfect for all you night owls. Take your evening underground to the lower dining room, where you can enjoy the chef’s tasting experience menu, featuring highlights such as flaky red snapper with jamon and shiso soy, or smoked eel chawanmushi with brown butter and chives. Or pull up a stool at the omakase bar on the mezzanine floor for freshly prepared sushi created in front of your eyes. For a lighter experience, discover exquisite infusions and tea blends Japanese-style at Yugen Tea Bar, paired with delicacies from a world-class team of expert pastry chefs.
For a cuisine masterclass at one of Melbourne’s best Italian restaurants – drop into Grazia Restaurant in Glen Iris
Traditional, seasonal and flavoursome are the watchwords at Grazia Restaurant, one of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne. With recipes handed down through the generations, this is Italian cuisine at its very best – just like Nonna used to make. Each classic dish has been honed and enhanced to suit the tastes of today’s discerning diner. A casual vibe with friendly and welcoming service make a visit to Grazia a memorable experience. Start your meal with fluffy hand-made focaccia with chef Joey D’s signature chilli crisp – a must-try. Roman-style pizza is a house specialty, cooked in the custom-built Castelli oven until light and crunchy. Seafood lovers will want to sample the artisan-made pappardelle pasta, served with lobster bisque and king prawns. Or try the medium roasted rump of lamb with pearl couscous and Persian fetta. The drinks menu focuses on Italian and Australian wines, beers and cocktails, with a few European gems thrown in for good measure.
For wood-fired Filipino cooking and an all-natural wine list – head on over to Serai Kitchen in Melbourne CBD
The vision behind Serai Kitchen was the creation of a Filipino “home from home”, ideated by Ross Magnaye and Shane Stafford. While located in the heart of Melbourne, diners at Serai Kitchen experience the passion and vitality of The Philippines, along with a great sense of fun. The bar and restaurant area has a relaxed atmosphere, while the open kitchen serves food omakase-style with flair. Enjoy a signature cocktail or glass of hand-picked vin naturel while you peruse the menu. The menu, which changes frequently, is divided into snacks, crispy things, wood-fired dishes, large plates and sides. Sample dishes include Gippsland lamb ribs cooked over flame with sticky adobo sauce, kare kare hash browns with salted duck egg and peanut sauce, and seared kangaroo kilawin with toast and wood-roast bone marrow.
For beachfront Mediterranean-style dining with water views – book at Donovans in St. Kilda
Soak up the stunning views over the bay when you dine at Donovans, one of Melbourne’s best restaurants for Mediterranean fare. Whether you dine indoors around the fire, or outdoors overlooking the beach, you’ll feel right at home at Donovans. Although, that’s a home where you don’t have to lift a finger to enjoy a delicious meal. Private and semi-private dining areas are also available for group bookings, making this the ideal venue for your next celebration or event. Peruse the menu while absorbing the tranquil atmosphere – perhaps order the house smoked salmon with blini and crème fraiche to nibble on while you decide. For the main, you’ll be hard-pressed to choose between Queensland leader prawns or whole baby snapper, each cooked over charcoal and served with house chips and salad leaves. Or opt for a whole roast duck for two, with wholegrain mustard salad and spiced jus.
For dynamic dining at one of Melbourne’s best restaurants – take a seat at Di Stasio Citta in Melbourne CBD
Di Stasio Citta in Melbourne’s central business district and Di Stasio Carlton bring together the cultural and artistic heritage of Australia and Italy. Designed to inspire ideas as well as fill your belly, Di Stasio has a dynamic electric vibe that will keep you buzzing all night. Sister venue Café di Stasio in St. Kilda brings the same ideas to a more intimate venue. The menu brings you the best of Australian produce cooked Italian-style – think baked scallops with a herb crust, handmade pasta with crab deluxe and veal with prosciutto in a sage and white wine sauce. Or try the set menu – start with cocktail canapes, then sample smoked kingfish, tagliatelle with mushrooms and swordfish with saffron sauce, finished with Italian apple pie with Calvados cream and a signature cocktail – divine.
📍 Citta — Check availability
📍 Carlton — Check availability
There’s so much to choose from when you dine out in Melbourne that half the battle is narrowing down what you might like. From classic Italian and modern European to the best of Asia and home-grown Australian goodness. Some of the best restaurants in Melbourne are centrally located, but there are also plenty of hidden gems to discover on the outskirts.
Book a table for yourself and friends at one of the best restaurants in Melbourne right now on OpenTable.
If you fancy something specific, have a read of these guides to discover where to find exactly what you want at some of the best Melbourne restaurants:
- 10 of the best restaurants to try in Southbank
- The best family restaurants in Melbourne to book for the whole gang
- 10 of Melbourne’s best Asian restaurants to book right now
- The 10 best steak restaurants in Melbourne
- The top 10 best Indian restaurants in Melbourne
- 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
- The best winery restaurants in Victoria for a culinary getaway
- 8 of the best Thai restaurants in Melbourne to book today
