Bars and restaurants
Gimlet, CBD
Chef Andrew McConnell’s contributions to Melbourne’s dining landscape are innumerable. Each of his restaurants and bars, including Supernormal, Cutler, Marion and Apollo Inn, are vital to the city’s culinary scene. But if you only have time to visit one, it would have to be Gimlet – the grandest articulation of his vision yet. Take a seat on one of the leather booths and enjoy a menu that features wood-fired meats, seafood and Prohibition-era-inspired cocktails.
Yiaga, East Melbourne
Noma-trained Hugh Allen served as Vue de Monde’s executive chef before opening this highly anticipated restaurant in 2025, which became an instant classic. No expense has been spared to apply Allen’s philosophy of what Australian fine dining should be – a celebration of the nation’s farmers, growers and makers.
Tipo 00, CBD
Melbourne maintains a vast Italian diaspora and there are plenty of great restaurants as a result. Among them is Tipo 00, one of the city’s finest pasta spots, with dishes such as braised-duck pappardelle and squid-ink tagliolini.
Embla, CBD
There are many good wine bars in Melbourne but Embla has always managed to distinguish itself from the crowd. That’s thanks in large part to co-owner and chef Dave Verheul’s open-fire cooking.
Hector’s Deli, Richmond
In the mid-2010s, Melbourne became inundated with sandwich shops opened by various ex-restaurant chefs seeking to put their best ideas between two slices of bread. Hector’s Deli arguably inaugurated that trend and it is still setting the city’s standard. Its Richmond flagship is the best of the bunch.
Caretaker’s Cottage, CBD
This bolthole in the CBD is regularly voted the best bar in Australia. It combines warm service with an immaculate atmosphere and expertly mixed cocktails, such as the martinez, which is made from gin, sweet vermouth and bitters. If you can’t find a table, visit its newer and larger counterpart, Three Horses, which is just a short trot away.
Zareh, Collingwood
Fans of Zareh’s owner, Tom Sarafian, waited years for the wayfaring chef to finally open his debut restaurant. And it was well worth the wait. Dine here for a Middle Eastern menu fuelled by Sarafian’s mastery of wood-fire and charcoal, along with a drinks list powered by Lebanese arak.
Anchovy and Ca Com, Richmond
The banh mi is the sandwich of choice for workers throughout Melbourne, courtesy of the city’s large Vietnamese population. The best rendition can be found at Richmond’s Ca Com. It’s the daytime counterpart to chef Thi Le’s Anchovy, one of the finest spots to eat in town, where you can order zucchini-flower pork and goat curry.
MAP | WEBSITE (ANCHOVY) | WEBSITE (CA COM)
Napier Quarter, Fitzroy
Napier Quarter’s genius lies in its simplicity. You can start your day at this European-inspired diner with strong coffee and breakfast plates and end with local wines and standout bites (the anchovy toast is an iconic Melbourne dish).
Attica, Ripponlea
Attica opened in 2003 and became one of Australia’s culinary prides when Ben Shewry ascended to the head chef position in 2005. Shewry took sole ownership of the restaurant in 2015 and it continues to be one of the best places to eat in the country, with a multi-course menu that includes ingredients such as crocodile, marron and wax flower.
Market Lane, Prahran
There are many great cafés in Melbourne, such is the strength and sheer ubiquity of excellent coffee. But you will be in safe hands at any Market Lane outpost throughout town. If you find yourself exploring Prahran Market – from which the shop derives its name – it’s worth visiting the original location.
Kafeneion, CBD
Every venue in restaurateur Con Christopoulos’s stable, from City Wine Bar to Butcher’s Diner, is excellent. But Kafeneion is his most personal. It serves classic taverna-style Greek comfort fare in a space shared by Melbourne Supper Club. Visit Siglo upstairs for a post-prandial cocktail.
