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Melbourne Food Trends 2025: A Delicious Evolution
Melbourne's food scene is better than ever and these are the food trends helping it thrive.
Melbourne’s dining scene is having a moment—one fuelled by nostalgia, indulgence, and a refusal to play it safe. This year, it’s all about the classics reimagined: martinis so crisp they cut through the night, tiramisu so good it demands silence, and Greek feasts that transport you straight to a sun-drenched taverna or Athenian wine bar. Chocolate mousse is king, cocktails in miniature form are making a big impact, and mid-week dinners are no longer an afterthought. It’s a city eating with intention, hunger, and just the right amount of recklessness. Here’s what’s on the menu right now.
Retro Revival: Classic Bites and Sips
A martini, perfectly chilled, slides across the bar. A plate of devilled eggs sits beside it, their rich, creamy centres spiked with just the right amount of tang. Prawn cocktails tempt you over to a 70s sensibility, while Welsh rarebit crumpets arrive with a mini bottle of Worcestershire—because some things are best adjusted to taste. Melbourne’s bar and dining scene is embracing nostalgia with a twist—Midori cocktails aren’t just a punchline from the past, and Brandy Alexanders have returned with a vengeance. The best places know that what’s old is new again, especially when executed with flair. We’re expecting to see so much more of this as the year continues.
Where to Try It: Don’t be surprised if blue curaçao dominates drinks lists this year. Gimlet and Apollo Inn are turning Midori into something slick, crafting house-made syrups that hit like a cantaloupe dream. Winston’s in Black Rock is bringing the Brandy Alexander back, Poodle Bar & Bistro’s devilled eggs remain a cult favourite—Bar Bellamy’s too. Henry Sugar’s latest spin? Pure genius, and best paired with their insanely delicious clarified Pavlova cocktail. And Reed House’s Welsh rarebit crumpet? Try it, or live with the regret.
Greek Revival
Melbourne’s Greek food scene is getting a fresh, contemporary edge, taking cues from Athens’ new wave of chefs and incredible wine bar energy. Forget the old-school souvlaki shop—this is Greek cuisine redefined. Think fire-roasted meats, seafood kissed by charcoal, and nostalgic mezze elevated with modern finesse. From slow-cooked lamb youvetsi to burnt feta cheesecake, the city is embracing its Hellenic roots with a bold, refined touch.
Where to Try It: Kafeneion is cool with a capital K. Olympia is a Melbourne-meets-Santorini hybrid that nails the balance—a little slice of paradise perched above a car park in Oakleigh. Astoria Bar Ke Grill serves slow-cooked lamb shoulder that’s more comforting than any hug your lover could give, while Tzaki’s burnt feta cheesecake? No words.
Chocolate Mousse
The return of chocolate mousse is a love letter to simplicity. It’s all about rich, velvety textures and deep cocoa flavours, a world away from cloying, sugar-heavy iterations. Here, the best versions are made with single-origin chocolate, perhaps a whisper of liqueur, and a respect for technique that borders on reverence.
Where to Try It: Maison Batard’s towering chocolate mousse is the new gold standard—silky, decadent, topped with shards of chocolate and luscious cream. Bistra’s rendition is pure, cherry-layered indulgence, while Cathedral, on the rare occasions it offers mousse, delivers a version so simple, yet so beautifully executed (think sea salt, golden extra virgin olive oil).
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Mid-Week Feasting
Forget waiting for the weekend—some of the best dining deals in town are happening mid-week. Restaurants are wooing diners with prix fixe menus, discounted tasting plates, and limited-edition specials that make a Wednesday night dinner feel like a proper occasion. It’s about making high-end dining more accessible, encouraging spontaneity, and proving that a great meal doesn’t have to be saved for Saturday.
Where to Try It: The mid-week flounder at Old Palm Liquor is so good. Firebird is also spicing up Wednesdays with its irresistible ‘Chicken Night’ special. For just $25, diners can indulge in their signature free-range chicken paired with burnt chilli nuoc mam and two delicious sides.
Deli & Breakfast Plates
Breakfast is no longer just about eggs and toast. Inspired by European-style cafe culture (and a variation on the popular ‘girl dinner’ trend, Melbourne is embracing deli-style breakfast plates loaded with smoked fish, pickles, jammy eggs, olives, radishes, freshly sliced meats, and the kind of cheeses that demand a second coffee. It’s casual but considered, a nod to both nostalgia and new ways of starting the day. Perfect for slow mornings that turn into long lunches, and for when you’re not sure what you fancy!
Where to Try It: Florian wrote the rulebook on this one, setting the standard with its effortlessly curated plates. Nearby Fenton Farmhouse and Westgarth’s latest gem, Ophelia, are keeping the momentum going, serving spreads that balance indulgence with ease. Meanwhile, Lilijana Deli & Eatery—the new Scandi kid on the block—brings Nordic sensibilities to the mix. For a late-afternoon fix, Sunhands in Carlton serves up deli plates that hit just right, best paired with a natty drop.
Bread & Butter
There’s a certain kind of quiet luxury in a perfect slice of bread and a knob of deeply golden, house-churned butter. Melbourne’s best restaurants are elevating the humble pairing, sourcing artisanal loaves with perfect crusts and pairing them with butters infused with everything from seaweed to cultured cream. It’s the kind of indulgence that doesn’t need embellishment—just good technique and better ingredients.
Where to Try It: Lucia’s cubed churn is the stuff of our literal dreams, best paired with excellent, thick-cut sourdough, while the shokupan and curry butter combo at Future Future lights up your palate. And then there’s Henry Sugar’s focaccia, served with a vegemite butter so rich and umami-packed it’ll make you wonder why this isn’t the national standard.
Miniature Cocktails
Less isn’t just more—it’s better. The days of overindulgence are giving way to a sharper, more refined approach, and nowhere is that more evident than in Melbourne’s mini cocktail movement. Precision-crafted, full of character, and just enough to whet the appetite, these tiny libations are perfect for those who want a taste without the commitment. Whether you’re pacing yourself, driving, or just appreciating the art of restraint, these little beauties pack all the punch with none of the excess.
Where to Try It: Head to Mill Place Merchants. They doing Piccolo Curations, where bold flavours meet small servings. A mini cocktail, a curated snack—just enough to tease the palate. Available Tuesday to Thursday, 5pm to 7pm. Also on the menu? Moody, old-world allure. Bring a date.
It’s worth noting that Melbourne’s menus are ever-changing, shaped by seasonality and a chef’s creative whims—so while we may sing the praises of a dish today, it might be gone tomorrow. But that’s the beauty of dining here; there’s always something new, something unexpected, and always, something worth savouring. Melbourne’s food trends are set to shine and continue to evolve over the year, much like our fashion, beauty and lifestyle picks, and these interior design trends.
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