Overlooking the Yarra River waterfront, Melbourne’s Southbank is a stylish urban and cultural centre and a hotspot for amazing places to eat out. Exploring the area, you’ll find no end of high-end eateries and fashionable cocktail bars where you can grab a light snack or enjoy a fine dining experience. From traditional Italian restaurants with warm, welcoming service and hearty Mediterranean menus to stunning Asian cuisine, the best restaurants in Southbank Melbourne boast everything from international cuisine and hyperlocal seasonal produce.
Dine out on market-fresh shellfish platters at some of Melbourne’s best seafood restaurants in Southbank. Juicy steaks and ribs off the grill are charred to perfection at a contemporary American restaurant. Meanwhile, sensational cocktails at a historic riverside bar make for a perfect weekend out or a relaxing pit stop after a night at the theatre. These are 10 of the best restaurants in Southbank, Melbourne, that you don’t want to miss.
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Read on for a rundown of the best restaurants in Southbank Melbourne
For some of the best pizza in town – head to DOC Pizza and Mozzarella Bar in Southbank
Premium Italian produce and crispy, mouthwatering pizzas are the order of the day at DOC Pizza and Mozzarella Bar in Southbank. The wide selection of Italian meats and cheeses, including the famed mozzarella bar, make this Italian eatery one of the best restaurants in Southbank, Melbourne to try right now. Diners can curate their own antipasto appetizer or try the mozzarella degustation plate, which features top-end Australian and Italian cheeses. Pizzas at DOC are topped with Italian cured meats, such as the pizza speck topped with wild mushrooms and thyme or the pizza capricciosa nuova topped with leg ham, artichokes, and olives. The popular creamy Italian pizza quattro formaggi – four cheese pizza – is not to be missed. Splash out with some fizz and enjoy prosecco or a fruity cocktail with your pizza. The light, airy decor and outdoor seating make this a fun, lively spot to visit with friends.
For one of the best restaurants in Southbank Melbourne for gorgeous riverfront views – try Waterfront Southgate
Serving upmarket fresh fish in a gorgeous location on the Yarra River, Waterfront Southgate is one of the best restaurants in Southbank Melbourne for a relaxed evening out. Outdoor seating allows you to soak up the city skyline views, while the refined and welcoming service makes for a warm, intimate atmosphere. Start your meal off with a selection of market fresh oysters or a creamy prawn and scallop chowder. Indulge with something from the raw bar, such as waterfront market sashimi or kingfish carpaccio. If you’re dining with a group, you can share one of the restaurant’s iconic seafood platters. Meanwhile, the whole fish menu features delicacies like a 700gm baby snapper or a Queensland whole steamed barramundi. The cocktail menu lists a variety of sweet and unique drinks, while the wine selection showcases both Australian and European vintages.
For alfresco dining and a Greek feast – don’t miss YASSAS The Greek Way in Southbank
Outdoor dining and spectacular food help give diners at YASSAS The Greek Way in Southbank a traditional Mediterranean experience. Meat and seafood platters for two diners or more are ideal for sharing with a group. You can find well-known Greek specialities like freshly grilled lamb and chicken gyros, meat skewers and chargrilled shellfish. Hearty souvlaki wraps filled with chicken, pork or lamb skewers and fries are perfect if you want a satisfying main. You can also sample fresh Greek salads and classic desserts, like baklava or deep-fried sugared pitas known as glyka bites. Sip on ouzo after your meal or enjoy a European-style espresso coffee. YASSAS The Greek Way is also a popular brunch spot and offers bottomless brunch with a choice of accompanying cocktails, beers or wine. The energetic vibe makes this an ideal spot for a fun group catch-up or a family meal.
For one of the best seafood restaurants near the Crown Casino in Melbourne – visit The Atlantic Restaurant in Southbank
Located in the stylish waterfront Crown Casino, The Atlantic Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Southbank, Melbourne for fresh seafood. The menu revolves around locally caught fish, for premium freshness and flavour. Open your meal with oysters on ice from the raw bar or a half WA crayfish in sesame dressing. A whole flounder cooked in brown butter is a mouthwatering main, while the Queensland coral trout is lightly pan-fried and served with potatoes and sprouts. If you’re enjoying a romantic evening, the Atlantic seafood platters serve two and offer a choice of hot or cold fish. For a smart business lunch, you can opt for the Captain’s Lunch Menu which offers a sophisticated two or three-course meal for $55-$65 per head. A crisp glass of white wine is perfect with fish and the organic decor and modern garden feel give off a relaxing vibe.
For one of the best steak restaurants in Southbank Melbourne – head to The Breslin Bar and Grill
Serving regionally sourced premium meat, The Breslin Bar and Grill is one of the best restaurants in Melbourne Southbank for succulent steaks and contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant sources meat from local farms just outside the city limits and the in-house dry aging and masterful butchery mean that the whole animal is used. Make your experience memorable with a full rack of Tasmanian pork ribs or a 1.5kg tomahawk black angus steak. Seafood fans are also catered to with popular dishes like prawn, clam and mussel linguine or chargrilled Atlantic salmon fillet. Spectacular desserts are a great way to end your meal. Try the Basque honey glaze cheesecake or the sticky date pudding. The drinks list includes a selection of draught and bottled beers and a classic cocktail list. Rustic steakhouse decor and an outdoor terrace give this restaurant a classic, spacious feel.
For pre-theatre dining at one of the best restaurants in Southbank Melbourne – try The Barre in Southbank
Situated within the Arts Centre Melbourne, The Barre in Southbank offers a sophisticated dining spot where you can enjoy dinner before the theatre or sip some post-show cocktails. The seasonal menu is great for light bites or an indulgent main meal. Small plates, like oysters with mignonette or Kingfish with red chilli, are perfect if you just want a quick bite before heading into the auditorium. For larger meals and sharing plates, popular dishes include the sweet and sour barramundi served with lychee sauce and the brisket kare kare served with snake beans and peanut sauce.
Cocktails are a specialty at The Barre with signature recipes like the Strawberry Fields Forever vodka, vermouth and citrus mixer or the botanical gin and thyme gimlet. You can also enjoy classic cocktails and Australian beers on tap. The chic, lively vibe makes this a great spot for a fancy evening out.
For stellar pizza and pasta near Southbank, Melbourne waterfront – don’t miss Teatro
With a seasonal menu based around traditional Italian cuisine, Teatro – Southbank is one of the best restaurants in Southbank, Melbourne for fresh pizza, pasta and cocktails. The restaurant is located near the Arts Centre Melbourne, making it a great spot for pre-theatre dining, and has stunning waterfront views over the River Yarra. Monday night is pizza night when diners can tuck into freshly wood-fired pies, like the puttanesca pizza with anchovies, olives and capers or the prosciutto pizza with tomato and rocket. Every other night, you can dine a la carte and enjoy sumptuous pasta dishes, like pappardelle lamb ragu or seafood linguine, and seasonal mains, like the wood fire roasted whole fish or the Spencer Gulf prawns. If you fancy a drink, Teatro runs an Aperitif Afternoon Friday-Sunday from 11.30 am to 5 pm, meaning diners can sip on a $10 Aperol Spritz.
For one of the best Asian restaurants in Southbank Melbourne – visit Miss Pearl Bar and Dining
With a relaxed, upmarket vibe and stylish, modern decor, Miss Pearl Bar and Dining is one of the best restaurants in Southbank for delicious Asian food. Located in the trendy Southbank arts district, Miss Pearl Bar and Dining is situated close to great theatres and galleries. It’s also just a short walk from the Southbank waterfront. Traditional Asian small plates, like beef brisket xian bing buns and salt and chilli squid, are perfect if you want something light. On the other hand, large plates of twice-cooked tamarind pork ribs and lemongrass and coconut fish curry, are bursting with flavour. Refreshing desserts, like the pineapple and kaffir lime granita, are a sweet tropical treat. If you’re dining with a group, you can order from a selection of banquet menus, including a pre-theatre option. Asian-inspired cocktails, like a salty samurai creation made from gin, sake and cherry liqueur, are a unique accompaniment.
For terrace dining at one of the best Italian restaurants in Southbank, Melbourne – head to La Camera Southgate
With traditional Roman cuisine and beautiful riverfront views, La Camera Southgate is one of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne. The double terrace with two balconies gives diners plenty of space for eating outdoors, while high-quality produce enhances the simple, rustic menu. Antipasti platters made up of Italian cured meats and vegetables are perfect to nibble while you enjoy a glass of wine. Meanwhile, fresh pizzas with a variety of toppings are ideal for a relaxed lunch, Roman-style. Fresh pasta dishes are also a menu highlight. Dine out on traditional carbonara, made with bacon, parmesan and lots of black pepper, or treat yourself with the linguine alla pescatora made with mussels, calamari and diced fish. Enjoy a cold beer with your pizza or try an Italian wine. The casual elegant vibe makes this a great spot for date night.
For creative cocktails and a fun night out – visit Waterslide Bar in Southbank
With an experienced bar team of seasoned mixologists, Waterslide Bar in Southbank is one of the best places in Melbourne to try unique, creative cocktails or enjoy a bite to eat. The bar takes its name from a historical waterslide into the River Yarra that used to be a source of entertainment for Melbourne’s locals. Enjoy stunning riverfront views while you sip on a Prima Donna cocktail – a tasty blend of amaretto, cognac and cherry liqueur. Daredevils will love the punchy flavours of a rye and cinnamon liqueur Sucker Punch. Classic cocktails are also available on request. Snack on hearty bar plates, like Waterslide fried chicken with house hot sauce and Korean-style pork sliders. You can also share some slices with a spicy sausage or classic margarita pizza. Stunning riverfront views and sleek, sultry decor give the bar a fashionable, late-night vibe.
With its scenic riverfront views, thriving cultural arts district and international food community, Southbank, Melbourne is not to be missed when you’re looking for places to eat. These Southbank, Melbourne restaurants showcase some of the very best the city has to offer, from bustling bars to fine dining eateries.
