Popular eateries and restaurants in Melbourne Australia

Here’s a curated guide to popular restaurants and eateries in Melbourne, Australia—from iconic institutions to the hottest new openings redefining the city's dining landscape:

🌟 Melbourne’s Culinary Icons

Attica

Helmed by Chef Ben Shewry in Ripponlea, Attica consistently ranks among the world’s most celebrated restaurants. It presents multi-course menus featuring uniquely Australian ingredients—think marron, finger limes, bunya nuts and murrnong—in theatrical, nature-inspired dishes. Booking in advance is essential Australian Traveller+11Financial Times+11australia.com+11australia.com.

Vue de Monde

Perched atop Rialto Tower, Vue de Monde offers refined tasting menus showcasing native ingredients with stunning city views. A hallmark of Melbourne fine dining that delivers unforgettable experiences Plunge Pools Melbourne+3Discover Melbourne+3australia.com+3.

Gimlet at Cavendish House

Elegant, European-style dining in a beautifully heritage-listed building. Gimlet’s Mediterranean-influenced menu and cocktail bar are perfect for special occasion dining BroadsheetGourmet Traveller.

Grossi Florentino

A Melbourne legacy since 1928, Grossi Florentino brings traditional Italian fine dining with deep ties to culinary heritage and celebrated service. A cultural and gastronomic icon .

Flower Drum

A stalwart in Melbourne’s Chinatown, Flower Drum offers high‑end Cantonese cuisine with polished service and classic dishes. A booking often requires months in advance Broadsheet+7Australian Traveller+7Wikipedia+7.

Tipo 00

This Little Bourke Street pasta bar remains a fan favourite: fresh, house‑made pasta served simply yet thoughtfully. Expect queues unless you arrive early—or have a reservation australia.com.

Supernormal

A popular pan‑Asian eatery inspired by Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong. From ramen and dumplings to bao and creative desserts, Supernormal delivers polished, accessible dining in the CBD australia.com+1Courier Mail+1.

Embla

A stylish wine bar and restaurant on Russell Street, known for its wood‑fired plates and produce‑led simplicity. Local and less‑known wines pair beautifully with roasted and seasonal dishes WikipediaBroadsheet.

Stalactites

An iconic Greek‑Australian institution on Lonsdale Street, popular for late‑night souvlaki and familiar comfort in the Greek Precinct. One of Melbourne’s most enduring casual spots Alamy+11Wikipedia+11australia.com+11.

Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar

Established in 1954, this heritage café on Bourke Street serves authentic Italian coffee and classic fare. Recognised as one of Melbourne’s most beloved old-school cafés Wikipedia.

🔥 New & Noteworthy Openings (2025 Highlights)

Melbourne’s dining scene remains dynamic—these are standout newcomers making waves:

• Harriot: Launched by the team behind Tipo 00 and Figlia—offers elevated fare in a stylish CBD setting SitchuPlunge Pools Melbourne+4Gourmet Traveller+4Sitchu+4.

• LEXY: Opening on Flinders Lane with luxe pan‑Asian small plates and inventive cocktails in a moody, atmospheric space Sitchu+1australia.com+1.

• From Here by Mike: Located at 1 Hotel Melbourne, this seasonal, produce‑led restaurant blends natural beauty with refined menus centered around Victorian produce Sitchu.

• II.II.VI (Two‑Two‑Six): A sultry subterranean grill house showcasing fire‑driven cuisine beneath heritage architecture on Flinders Lane Sitchu.

• Kolkata Cricket Club: Set inside Crown Melbourne, offering standout Indian dishes like butter chicken and saag paneer in a fun, sports‑club environment Broadsheet+2Qantas+2The Australian+2.

• Barragunda Dining, Maison Batard, Marmelo, Morena, R. Harn, Gigi, and more—regions offering globally inspired menus in unique, elevated settings The Australian+1Broadsheet+1.

🍴 Local Hidden Gems & Casual Picks

• B.East: A gritty Brunswick East burger bar with a fun, live‑music leaning vibe. Hosts spice competitions and street‑style burgers nightly Psoriasis Guru+15Wikipedia+15Sitchu+15.

• The Toddy Shop & Saint George / Bistra / Reed House / Papelon / Maven / Circl: These eateries offer standout signature dishes like goat curry, burnt pavlova, ramen scotch egg and halloumi doughnuts that have locals and food editors buzzing in 2025 heraldsun.com.au+1Qantas+1.

🧭 Quick Picks by Dining Occasion

Melbourne is not just a great "foodies" destination. Melbourne's Nightlife: A Vibrant and Diverse Scene

Melbourne has long been celebrated for its dynamic and diverse nightlife, offering something for every taste, from intimate jazz clubs to bustling nightclubs and unique immersive experiences.

One of the city's key attractions for music lovers is The Jazz Corner Hotel. This hotel is renowned for its unique music offering, featuring both international and domestic live performances almost every night at its world-famous Bird's Basement live jazz venue. Guests at The Jazz Corner Hotel can mingle with the musicians who perform on stage, creating a truly unparalleled experience.

Beyond live music, Melbourne's bar scene has also gained significant accolades. Boilermaker House, a venue that closed its doors on December 30, 2024, after nearly a decade, was a cornerstone of Melbourne's craft beer and whisky scene. It received numerous awards, including "Best New Bar" in 2015 from both the Australian Bar Awards and Time Out, "Whisky Bar of the Year" in 2016, "Best Specialty Beer Venue" in 2017, and "Best Victorian Bar" in 2018, all from the Australian Bar Awards.

The city also embraces unique and immersive experiences, such as MAHO MAGIC BAR. This Japanese-inspired magic bar arrived in Melbourne in September. Located in Chinatown, MAHO MAGIC BAR offers a neon-lit Tokyo night out complete with mischief, mayhem, cocktails, and laughter. Guests can enjoy drinks from a bespoke bar menu and witness exclusive magic shows performed at their tables by Japanese sleight-of-hand specialists. This initiative is part of the City of Melbourne's "Dusk till Dawn" program and is supported by the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund.

Even new business clubs are contributing to the evolving social landscape. The Club of United Business (CUB) moved to Collins Street, becoming neighbors with traditional men's-only clubs. CUB prides itself on being an inclusive club, actively encouraging women to join, a stark contrast to some of its more exclusive neighbors. Holly Wilson, Head of CUB Melbourne, notes that excluding women doesn't make business sense, as they bring significant knowledge, expertise, and value to the community.

Melbourne's commitment to creating varied and high-quality experiences ensures its continued reputation as a vibrant city for nightlife.

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