Dine Out: The Best New Restaurants in Melbourne in 2025

Melbourne’s dining scene never sleeps — it reinvents, surprises, and keeps raising the bar. In 2025, a new wave of restaurants is reshaping how the city eats, marrying global flavour with local produce, and pairing boundary-pushing creativity with the kind of comfort that keeps you coming back. From moody laneway bistros plating up precision to bold, culture-blurring kitchens rewriting the culinary script, this year’s newcomers are already defining what’s next. Menus challenge and charm in equal measure, chefs cook with fire and intent, and every dining room tells its own story.

These are the best new restaurants in Melbourne — all worth booking now.

Yiaga

After years of quiet anticipation, Hugh Allen — one of Australia’s brightest culinary minds — finally lifts the curtain on Yiaga, his ambitious first restaurant, opening today amid the elm-lined serenity of Fitzroy Gardens. Designed in poetic tandem with architect John Wardle, the intimate 44-seat pavilion is a study in Australian craft — 13,000 handmade tiles, terracotta walls, and timber that glows like honey in the afternoon light.

The menu is audacious yet deeply grounded: retired David Blackmore Wagyu, dive-foraged wakame in dessert, Gippsland dairy, and coral trout from Queensland’s warm waters. Every element hums with intention — from Dorian Guillon’s bespoke pairings to Studio Ongarato’s botanical branding. For Allen, it’s the culmination of a lifelong dream — a restaurant that celebrates place, craft, and the slow art of mastery.

Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne

Aegli

South Melbourne’s Aegli is where Greek sunshine meets Melbourne polish — all warmth, soul and a touch of drama. From the Sowl team, chef Ioannis Kasidokostas delivers a menu that glows with intent: smoky Metsovo saganaki crowned with tomato marmalade, lobster hilopites humming with island richness, and a 72-hour lamb shoulder so tender it could start a religion. Set within the former Lûmé space, Aegli is all terracotta tones, clinking glasses and golden light — a dining experience that feels as radiant as its name.

226 Coventry Street, South Melbourne

Bar Carolina

South Yarra’s beloved Italian institution turns the page as Karen Martini takes ownership — her first independent venture since 2020 — bringing a confident, cucina-led refresh without losing the room’s timeless poise. The menu moves with Italian rhythm: cicchetti (stuffed olives; pizza fritta with vinegar salt and whipped cod roe), Harry’s Bar–style eye fillet carpaccio, housemade pastas like tagliarini with blue swimmer crab, then larger plates from the Josper, including bone-on veal costoletta. A robust, regionally focused Italian wine list (with a soft spot for Barolo) underpins it all.

The best part? Rooftop sibling Tetto di Carolina will be returning in time for summer.

44 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Cantina Moro

Fitzroy’s Cantina Moro is southern Italy turned up to eleven — a sun-soaked Sicilian revival on Brunswick Street from the team behind Alta. Chef Matteo Tine channels his nonna’s kitchen with smoky tuna pastrami, pork-and-ragu pasta, and roasted chicken stuffed with lemony rice and draped in gravy made from house-made cheese whey. The terracotta walls, Moor’s head vases and volcanic wines add theatrical flair, while the mood is pure warmth. Rustic, soulful and a little wild — this is Sicily, rewritten for Melbourne nights.

274 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Yang Thai

In St Kilda, Yang Thai rewrites the neighbourhood chook shop with charcoal and Thai soul. Smoke curls over birds with glassy, burnished skin; you tear in, wrap a piece in warm sticky rice, and chase it with papaya salad that crackles with lime and chilli. Chips meet a cheeky tamarind ketchup — sweet, sour, a little bit dangerous. Lunch packs keep it easy, but a late-night snack feel inevitable. There’s room for veg lovers, heat seekers and anyone who knows flavour when it taps them on the shoulder. Melbourne classic, recoded: bright, smoky, utterly alive.

49 Blessington Street, St Kilda

The Pontian Club

The Pontian Club has dropped into Collingwood with quiet confidence and all the flavour you didn’t realise you were missing. Chef Oscar Tan (ex-Gimlet) cooks like someone who loves fire and texture — thick bread still warm from the grill, lamb chops slicked with lemon and tzatziki, a moussaka layered with intent, greens that actually taste of something. Brick walls, timber tones, and a hum that builds as plates disappear — it’s a new version of a long Sunday lunch in Melbourne, distilled into pure pleasure.

8 Smith Street, Collingwood

Zareh

Collingwood’s newest crush is all smoke, spice and sentiment — and Tom Sarafian, back doing what he does best. At Zareh, he cooks from the heart and the hearth: bastourma on toast, kafta nayyeh glossed and glinting, chicken kebab singing with toum and pickled green chilli, lamb cutlets blushing under harissa, trout crisped by charcoal. The air carries warmth; vinyl drifts softly; service feels familial without the fuss. Order generously, mop every last smear with bread, and close with arak or something brandy-leaning from the bar. Melbourne, meet your Middle-Eastern moment.

368 Smith Street, Collingwood

Boonchoou

Boonchoou is a new Melbourne restaurant squeezing big Thai character into a Chinatown laneway, serving a refined, regionally minded menu that spans Thailand’s four corners. Plates arrive with precision — fiery stir-fries, slurpable noodles, and small dishes that feel like culinary postcards from Bangkok to Isan. The low-lit, convivial fit-out suits both late-night crowds and focused lunches, while attentive service keeps things effortlessly smooth. Moderately priced and already a favourite among CBD workers and food lovers, Boonchoou delivers a no-fuss, high-flavour dining experience with heart.

11 Heffernan Lane, Melbourne

Shunde

Hidden above Little Bourke Street, Shunde Cuisine delivers Cantonese excellence with quiet confidence. The team behind Hakka Cuisine and Jade Village have turned a three-storey space into a celebration of texture, freshness and craft. Coral trout arrives steamed three ways — black bean, green peppercorn and Hainan chilli — while lime-cured crab and silky dim sum keep things bright and clever. Still, the finale steals the show: a double-skinned milk pudding so delicate it barely holds its shape. Melbourne’s seafood standards have just been raised.

Midcity Centre, shop 201, 200 Bourke Street, Floor 2, Little Bourke Street entrance

La Bohemia

La Bohemia brings bold, brash and unapologetically Chilean flavours to Fitzroy’s Smith Street, with boisterous energy to spare. The family-run eatery slings a riot of Chilean street-food classics – think golden empanadas and chargrilled anticuchos – alongside top-notch steaks and ocean-fresh seafood. Even vegans get their due, with hearty plant-based spins on Chilean favourites. The welcome is as warm as an Andes sunrise, and the whole place buzzes with an infectious neighbourhood energy – a full-on fiesta that’s already a Fitzroy favourite.

129 Smith Street, Fitzroy

Atsu

Atsu has turned Carlton’s former Leonie Upstairs into a temple of crisp perfection and cool highballs. Helmed by Reki Reinantha (ex-Kisumé, Sachi), the kitchen obsesses over texture and balance — from wagyu and Otway pork katsu donburi to refined kushikatsu skewers like tsukune with shiso and wagyu crowned with fresh wasabi. Each bite sings of precision, not excess.

Pair it with a strawberry or tomato-miso highball, slide into a booth, and settle into the gentle haze of warmth, chatter and beautifully fried dreams.

Level 1/15-17 Lincoln Square South, Carlton

Saadi

Saadi brings Indian cuisine into a new era — elegant, inventive, and deeply personal. Led by Saavni Krishnan and Sriram Aditya, this Punch Lane restaurant reinterprets heritage dishes through modern technique and fire-led precision. Lamb brisket kebabs arrive smoky and tender, barbecue flathead glows with tamarind, and fermented, pickled sides add brightness and bite. Once home to Sunda, the space has been renewed with warmth and a modern edge.

18 Punch Lane, Melbourne

Harriot

Harriot has landed in the CBD with the kind of quiet confidence that makes it an instant contender for Melbourne’s dining spotlight. Led by Head Chef James Kelly (ex-Lyle’s London, Embla), the menu is a study in precision — seasonal produce treated with reverence rather than fuss. Think snack-sized baby cos dressed in herby sauces, rainbow trout with sugarloaf cabbage, duck liver parfait with prune and chestnut, a Sher Wagyu rump built for sharing, and a decadent chocolate sabayon tart for dessert. A cellar brimming with bold Australian labels and rare European finds completes the picture. With polished service, low-key swagger, and flavours that speak for themselves, Harriot is Melbourne’s most compelling new arrival.

555 Collins Street, Melbourne

Ministry of Crab

Melbourne’s seafood scene just got a serious glow-up. The globally renowned Ministry of Crab has opened its ninth outpost on Flinders Lane, bringing its signature Sri Lankan flair to town. Expect towering “Crabzillas” (up to two kilos), glossy garlic-chilli and black pepper crabs, and a crab liver pâté so rich it’s practically sinful.

Sitchu Tip: Don’t skip the coconut sambol or the iconic crème brûlée served in a coconut shell. It’s a luxe, hands-on feast that’s equal parts spice, spectacle, and seafood worship. Bib up and dive in.

226 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Kan Eang Thai Bistro

Forget the white tablecloths. Kan Eang Thai Bistro is where Thai tradition collides with Melbourne’s bistro pulse — bold, generous, and made to share. The Pongvattanaporn siblings (of Thai Culinary Group fame) serve unapologetically punchy plates: green curry spaghetti tangled with chicken katsu, fall-apart Massaman lamb shank, and roti pizzas with a wink. Cocktails are just as cheeky — lavender negronis, cheesy Thai tea, banana coladas. It’s fragrant, fiery, and full of soul.

Shops 1 & 2, 518 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

YX Hot Pot

Hot pot meets high drama on Bourke Street: YX Hot Pot has officially opened, delivering a multi-sensory dining experience that fuses authentic Sichuan flavours with cyberpunk opulence. From the team behind Sydney’s Oborozuki and 678 Korean BBQ, this Melbourne flagship seats 125, with a private room for ten and a menu stacked with over 100 premium dishes — M9 wagyu, standout seafood, and ten house-made broths infused with secret spice blends. The neon-drenched fit-out nods to Chongqing’s street markets while speaking Melbourne’s language of luxury.

The best part? Another new venue will soon follow, under one extravagant roof at Chadstone Shopping Centre.

Level G/384-386 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Nights at Stefanino Panino

Your fave sandwich spot just went full glow-up. By night, it’s all about antipasto with fried ciabatta, rare roast beef (basically vitello tonnato but with horseradish that slaps), chicken cotoletta, roast pork, and seasonal dishes that walk the line between nonna-approved and new-school Melbourne. It’s walk-ins only (for now), fully licensed, and very, very delicious. Happy hour runs 5pm to 6pm, then it’s forks up from 6pm. The cannoli? Just say yes. Dinner, done differently.

Collingwood Yards, Unit 4/30 Perry Street, Collingwood

LEXY

At LEXY, every detail is crafted for theatre — beginning with the smoked balloon cracker, a shimmering, cinnamon sugar–dusted orb that arrives in a swirl of smoke before being cracked open and paired with black garlic honey butter. It’s playful, unexpected, and sets the scene for what follows: wagyu tartare tartlets, X.O. rock lobster, and cocktails so theatrical the whole room pauses to watch them arrive. Each pour is smoky, sculptural and meticulously composed, illuminated by mirrored ceilings and cinematic light. Bold, sensual and unapologetically high-gloss, LEXY isn’t just dinner — it’s a performance, choreographed to perfection.

377 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Otakoi

There’s a new arrival on Chapel Street, and it comes wrapped in embroidered linen and heartfelt hospitality. Open now in Windsor, Otakoi is Melbourne’s very first Ukrainian restaurant — a deeply personal project founded by Ukrainian refugee Hanna and her partner, local chef Micheal. Together, they’re weaving a love story into every pierogi, borscht, and honey cake, honouring Hanna’s roots and Micheal’s culinary finesse.

Expect comfort, soul and celebration on every plate — an edible ode to resilience, connection, and homecoming.

34 Chapel Street, Windsor

Cordelia

Melbourne’s newest seafood haven, Cordelia, redefines ocean-friendly dining with quiet confidence and effortless style. Created by the team behind Don’s wine bar, this sleek sanctuary pairs sustainable seafood and seasonal Australian produce with minimalist Scandinavian design. Polished concrete and warm timber set the scene for a hidden subterranean cocktail bar — a moody refuge for late-night gatherings. Under the direction of head chef Josh Norris, the menu champions bold flavours, showcasing lesser-known fish and pristine local ingredients, all matched with a beautifully curated selection of wines and cocktails. Conscious dining has never looked this refined.

180 Rathdowne Street, Carlton

Kikanbo

Melbourne’s ramen scene just got a whole lot spicier. Tokyo’s iconic Kikanbo has opened its first Australian outpost on La Trobe Street, delivering fiery miso ramen that packs a punch — and a whole lot of theatre. Expect soul-warming bowls brimming with umami-rich pork-and-chicken broth, house-made noodles, and customisable levels of kara (chili heat) and shibi (numbing pepper). The vibe? Demon masks, taiko drum beats, and a queue of spice-lovers chasing the legendary “oni” level.

Trained by founder Masa Miura himself, the Melbourne team brings the whole experience to life. This is ramen with real firepower, and some of the best you’ll find outside of Japan.

5/260 La Trobe Street, Melbourne (closed indefinitely)

Alpha Ouzeri

Melbourne’s ouzo-loving crowd, rejoice — Alpha Ouzeri is back, and it’s better than ever. Chef Harry Tsiukardanis has returned to the spotlight with a warm and convivial new Brunswick outpost that fuses Kastorian soul with bold Mediterranean flair. Set across four unique spaces, including a moody courtyard perfect for long, ouzo-fuelled nights, Alpha serves up triple-cooked pork belly with Iranian figs, krasomezze, and loukoumades that melt in your mouth.

Affordable, generous, and joyfully communal, this is a meze-style dining experience made for the senses. Bring your appetite, bring your people — then raise a glass, break a plate, and let Alpha do the rest.

281 Victoria Street, Brunswick

Yamamoto Udon

Melbourne’s udon game just levelled up with Yamamoto Udon, the newest venture from the Wagyu Ya and Yakikami team. On Bourke Street, this bustling spot serves handcrafted Sanuki and Himokawa noodles aged for two days for perfect chew and silk-smooth texture. Choose from 18 bold variations — from umami-rich dashi to a silky carbonara twist — then top it with golden tempura or crisp karaage. The standout? Duck broth with Sanuki udon: rich, restorative, and deeply satisfying, served with lightning-fast ease and warmth.

Shop 12/108 Bourke Street, Melbourne

From Here by Mike at 1 Hotel Melbourne

Set within the lush surrounds of 1 Hotel Melbourne, From Here by Mike embodies the meeting point of nature and refinement. Chef Mike McEnearney leads a menu grounded in Victoria’s produce — dishes like twice-baked goat’s cheese soufflé, capretto with saltbush verde, and wood-fired flatbread with shiitake XO deliver both comfort and clarity. The space, all reclaimed timber and raw texture, feels tactile and grounded, while the wine list showcases over 40 Victorian makers. With its warmth, precision and a Sunday roast worth rearranging plans for, this is sustainable dining with soul.

9 Maritime Place, Docklands

Cherrywood at The Residence

Beneath the brutalist beauty of the revived Potter Museum, Cherrywood at Residence turns memory into magic. Led by Robbie Noble (Vue de Monde, Clamato Paris), this is cooking with heart and precision — roast chicken tea poured tableside over tarragon oil and black garlic, oysters with rarebit, and Lion’s Mane carpaccio that could stop conversation. Co-founders Nathen Doyle and Cameron Earl have built something quietly spectacular: food that feels familiar yet entirely new.

Sitchu Tip: By day, Residence serves some of Carlton’s best coffee and offers daily baked treats to Uni locals and passersby alike. But come nightfall (Wednesday to Saturday), it transforms into Cherrywood. Lunch sittings also run on Mondays and Tuesdays for a more laid-back taste of the magic.

Potter Museum of Art, 815 Swanston Street, Parkville

II.II.VI

Melbourne’s dining scene is about to get a whole lot hotter — literally. Enter II.II.VI (Two-Two-Six): a sultry, subterranean grill house tucked beneath the heritage bones of Invicta House on Flinders Lane. From the crew behind Ministry of Crab, this 115-seat newcomer is part fever dream, part fire-lit theatre, led by Executive Chef Kerry Lam and Head Chef Haitham Richani.

Guests slip beneath a sculpted bull into a moody cavern of oxblood, stone, and smoke, where custom-built grills crackle with intent. Think robata precision, South American soul, and Basque bravado — reimagined for modern Australia. Wagyu. Caviar. Spiced rum baba. Need we go on?

Basement 226 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD

81 Bay

Brighton’s dining scene just scored a serious upgrade, courtesy of Ian Curley (French Saloon, Kirk’s Wine Bar). His latest venture, 81 Bay, is part bistro, part wine bar, and entirely irresistible — bone marrow toast, anchovy Gildas, hot-honey cheddar puffs and steak frites that flirt with perfection. Sophisticated yet effortlessly easy-going, it marks Curley’s first move beyond the CBD and a masterclass in flavour and atmosphere. And just wait — the adjoining bistro Baix is shaping up to be another brilliant reason to head bayside.

81 Bay Street, Brighton

98 Lygon Street Bar & Bistro

98 Lygon doesn’t shout; it simply settles in and owns the silence. In this Brunswick East bistro, finesse wears its work boots — manchego gougères that vanish too quickly, a barley risotto that feels like autumn in a bowl, and steak frites so precise they could be studied. The crème brûlée arrives last, cracking like vinyl under a needle. Wines lean European and unpretentious, the room blushes pink and brick, and the courtyard hums with calm. It’s not chasing trends — it’s already timeless.

98 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Decca

From award-winning chef Adam D’Sylva (Tonka, Coda), this all-day bistro and wine bar is giving modern Australian dining a glam-meets-grounded glow-up. Think house-extruded pasta, smoky dishes straight from the Parrilla, and signature spice-driven plates that nod to D’Sylva’s Indian-Italian roots. The room? Sleek timber, warm lighting, and easy elegance. The energy? Effortless cool with serious flavour cred. If Alphington didn’t already feel like a vibe, it does now.

27 Mills Boulevard, Alphington

Pizzateca Lupa

On a buzzing South Melbourne Market corner, Pizzateca Lupa channels the heart of Rome in every slice and spoonful. Founded by brothers Lino and Gabriele Torre, this Roman-style pizzeria and caffè blends tradition with neighbourhood soul. Expect blistered pizzas like the Prosciutto or the Norma with fried eggplant, and standout pastas made with premium Pastificio Liguori — from amatriciana fusilli to carbonara tubettone and cacio e pepe spaghetti. Start with fried artichokes and artisanal antipasti, sip a spritz, and settle in.

Sitchu Tip: For lunch on the go, grab pizza in teglia by the slice or a classic tonda made fresh to order.

South Melbourne Market, 116 Cecil Street, South Melbourne

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Sogumm

On a quiet strip of Church Street, SOGUMM is a new addition to Melbourne’s dining scene, quietly simmering with confidence. Open for lunch only, Monday to Saturday, it offers a small but thoughtful menu that evolves regularly to showcase seasonal flavours. Highlights include the rich gang-doen-jang with five simply prepared vegetables, wagyu bibimbap, and delicious potato kimchi jeon.

There are also standout vegan offerings inspired by Korean temple cuisine. SOGUMM brings Korean soul food to life, balancing deep tradition with a modern, restrained touch — salt isn’t just seasoning here; it’s the story.

466 Church Street, Cremorne 

Bar Taralli

Bar Taralli is North Melbourne’s newest Italian heartthrob, serving up serious southern charm and smoky, soul-warming plates. This warm setting takes inspiration from the four regions of Southern Italy, with a menu that’s bold, nostalgic, and utterly divine. Start with the Polpo alla Luciana — chargrilled octopus tangled in tomato, capers, olives and a fiery chilli-garlic salsa. Then dive into the Bombette Pugliesi — juicy pork parcels with a herby, decadent centre. All in all, Bar Taralli is pure joy on a plate.

12 Errol Street, North Melbourne

Loku

Loku invites diners into the heart of Sri Lanka through the dishes of Lanka Imiyaarachchige, whose childhood memories shape the menu. Serving Sri Lankan classics like lamprais, pot biryani, and roast paan with turmeric butter, this new Melbourne restaurant offers an authentic taste of the island.

Imiyaarachchige’s creative touch shines in dishes like her Sinhalese curry-inspired betel leaf “taco,” and indulgent desserts like watalappam and falooda. With a seasonal menu and a curated selection of Yarra Valley wines, Loku is an authentic, comforting homage to Sri Lankan flavours and family.

298 High Street, Northcote

Henrys

Henrys feels like the Riviera wandered into ’70s Los Angeles and decided to stay. It’s sun-soaked sophistication with an edge — handmade pasta, charcoal-grilled seafood, and a two-level space that shifts from golden-hour glow to late-night allure. Behind it, a powerhouse trio of Melbourne hospitality veterans delivers food that nods to nostalgia while staying firmly in the now. The wine list roams widely, the desserts flirt with old-school glamour, and the whole experience carries that rare energy — confident, effortless, and irresistibly alive.

3 Well Street, Brighton

Crab 89

A new heavy-hitter in Melbourne’s luxe dining scene, Crab 89 is a crustacean-lover’s dream. This opulent Japanese-style buffet is dedicated to the ocean’s finest, from freshly shucked oysters and mango sashimi to towering crab legs, scallops, mussels, and southern rock lobster. It’s a celebration of abundance and precision, with premium seafood plated like art and flavour turned up to eleven.

Pile your plate high with spicy chilli crab, delicate sashimi, or giant prawns so sweet they barely need sauce. Melbourne hasn’t seen a seafood spread this lavish — until now.

Level 1/139 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Nora Thai CBD

Nora Thai has landed in the CBD, and it’s bringing the heat — literally. This fiery newcomer (with original outpost still in South Yarra) is all about the bold, herbaceous flavours of Southern Thailand, with punchy dishes like creamy crab curry, caramelised pork belly, and stir-fries starring “stink beans” (they’re better than they sound). The mango sticky rice cocktail alone is worth a visit.

111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Holy Guacamole

Holy Guacamole is more than a Mexican cantina — it’s a vibrant love story to Latin flavour and community. Founded by cousins Laurent Linares and Leidy Avila, this Collingwood restaurant bridges Mexico and Colombia with tacos, arepa nachos and slow-cooked birria that burst with warmth and spice. Beyond the kitchen, the El Mercadito grocer shelves imported Latin treasures, while the bar shakes Palomas you’ll want to order more of. Order churros with dulce de leche and let the evening unfold.

320 Smith Street, Collingwood

Nuzza

Just an hour from Melbourne, Nuzza Wine & Pasta Bar is the kind of find that makes you feel smug for discovering it first. Sitting quietly on Kilmore’s main street, it trades noise for nuance — handmade pasta so silky it could star in its own slow-motion reel, and local wines that make perfect sense in the glass. The room glows with timber and candlelight, the pace slows to country time, and the Negroni practically pours itself. Order the calamari fritti, stay for the pasta — you’ll already be plotting your return.

36 Sydney Street, Kilmore 

Tiny Bar

Tiny Bar in Brunswick East is a hidden dreamboat of a restaurant, where big flavours come in small doses. With just 12 seats, it’s cosy and effortlessly cool. The menu features delicate dishes like raw scallops paired with fresh tomato, and abalone slow-cooked in the shell, finished with butter and white soy. Sip on house Martinis or the signature Pippo, an Italian twist on Scotch and cola. Longnecks of VB’s come served in an ice bucket, too.

221D Blyth Street, Brunswick East 

Anelli

There’s an easy allure to Anelli, St Kilda’s new all-day Italian that feels like it’s always been there. Soft light, warm timber and the gentle clink of glassware create a rhythm all its own. The martini lands sharp, the rosé chilled to perfection, and the menu leans into simplicity — tuna crudo, pappardelle with ragu, a flawless margherita. It’s relaxed, elegant, and quietly self-assured — the sort of spot that turns breakfast or dinner into something quietly memorable.

1 Wellington Street, St Kilda

Malin

Malin in Carlton North has swiftly claimed its place among Melbourne’s finest new restaurants. Housed in a beautifully restored 1880s building, this European-inspired spot brings French sophistication to Rathdowne Village without an ounce of pretence. White tablecloths, bistro curtains and soft light set the mood, while head chef Clément Pilâtre crafts refined dishes like chicken ballotine and bluefin tuna with mustard ice cream and strawberry. Paired with a sharp wine list and timeless cocktails, Malin delivers modern French dining with quiet confidence and unmistakable charm.

687 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

Ramen Ako’s

Ramen Ako’s in Fitzroy is a sleek, minimalist ramen haven where quality triumphs over quantity. With just 31 seats and three thoughtfully curated ramen options each day, this spot is made for purists. Choose from delicate chintan or rich paitan broths, each crowned with torched pork chashu, seasoned egg, bamboo shoots, and fragrant chicken oil. A shiitake-laced vegan ramen ensures everyone’s included. Pair it with crisp karaage or prawn gyoza, but be quick — quantities are limited, and the love for AKO is anything but. A must for ramen aficionados.

368 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Love Letter

Love Letter wears its heart on its sleeve — a restaurant that feels like it was written just for you. Behind the heavy door lies a room glowing with warmth and nostalgia: dim light, vintage details and a menu that speaks in gestures rather than grand statements. The rotating chef’s butter is divine, scallops with roasted lemon and curry are quietly brilliant, and the Scotch fillet with mushroom sauce borders on poetic. Every dish feels personal, every moment sincere — a true declaration of culinary affection.

144 Bridge Road, Richmond

Bang Bang St Kilda

Bang Bang has stormed into St Kilda, bringing bold Pan-Asian flavours, knockout cocktails, and a vibe that doesn’t quit. Already a cult favourite in Mordialloc and Hampton, this Fitzroy Street outpost dials up the energy with punchy Feed Me menus, weekend Yum Cha, and dangerously good weekly specials. Designed for long, boozy sessions that stretch from day to night, it’s just steps from the sand and across from Albert Park — prime territory for a flavour-packed feast. St Kilda, you’ve been warned. Bang Bang has arrived, and it’s bringing the heat.

2/157 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Barragunda Estate

On a thousand windswept acres between Bushrangers Bay and Green’s Bush, Barragunda Estate is an incredible ode to the land. Helmed by Simone Watts (ex-Momo), this 40-seat farm-to-table experience is as intimate as it gets. The daily changing set menu pulls straight from the estate’s market garden, paired with wines and produce from like-minded local growers. With Wiltipoll sheep and Black Angus cattle roaming the fields, the philosophy here is simple: food should be honest, bold, and unforgettable. A meal at Barragunda isn’t just dinner — it’s a pilgrimage.

2185 Boneo Road, Cape Schanck

Lulu

In Malvern’s quiet backstreets, Lulu is an Italian bolthole that glows like candlelight on a cold night. Burgundy walls, soft light and low chatter set the tempo for food that’s equal parts heart and finesse — stracciatella with burnt fig and hazelnut, spanner crab linguine slicked with prawn bisque, and comté croquettes that melt on impact. The pizzas arrive blistered and beautiful, the wine list balancing Italian classics with local flair. Take a stool at the steel bar, pour a Fiano, and stay longer than you meant to.

11 Station Street, Malvern

Kolkata Cricket Club

Step into the world of Kolkata Cricket Club, where India’s rich heritage meets bold culinary innovation. Chef-owner Mischa Tropp’s latest venture captures the heart of Bengali and pan-Indian cuisine, served across a sports bar brimming with old-world charm and a refined white-tablecloth dining room. The space is gorgeous, where you can indulge in dishes like marinated lamb tomahawk and the butter chicken Tropp hails as the “best you’ve ever eaten.”

Our money is on the spicy, fragrant goat curry, though. The naan is also unreal. With every bite, you’re transported to a vibrant, flavourful tableau that stays with you long after the last bite.

Casino, Crown Melbourne, Level 1/8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

Marmont

Grant Smilie’s (he brought Ponyfish Island to Melbourne) latest venture brings a touch of Californian glamour to Crown, with an airy, effortlessly cool space and indulgent menu in all the right ways. The must-try pink margarita — a signature from LA’s famed Chateau Marmont — sets the tone, while the food is a tight, confident lineup of bold flavours.

Expect a stellar raw fish selection with crispy capers, zesty scallop tostadas, and ultra-crunchy fried chicken draped in capsicum and coriander sauce. But the real sleeper hit? The cornbread, drenched in peach butter. Pro tip: save it for dessert—you won’t regret it.

Ground Level, River Walk/8 Whiteman Street, Southbank 

Vinesmith

On the corner of Spring Street and Flinders Lane, Vinesmith unites fine wine and French elegance with a Melbourne edge. Overlooking Treasury Gardens, this cellar door, bar and bistro showcases the Vinesmith Wine Group portfolio alongside a menu by executive chef Richard Hayes — Portarlington mussels in vol-au-vent, sirloin with Cafe de Paris butter, and a perfectly burnished Basque cheesecake. With warm timber interiors, soft lighting and polished service, it’s the ideal setting for long lunches, evening tastings, and those late-night moments best shared over a bottle.

1 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Taverna

Step inside Taverna and you’re instantly transported — a soulful tribute to Greece without the gloss. Co-owner Angie Giannakodakis brings the Blue Zone philosophy to life through food that feels heartfelt and timeless. Olive oil bread meets silky fava dip, revithokeftedes crunch to perfection, and her mother’s moussaka tastes like home. For dessert, bougatsa or a slice of watermelon — simple, pure, perfect. A 300-bottle cellar of Greek wines is on the horizon, but the spirit of Taverna already flows beautifully.

434 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Astoria Bar Ke Grill

Astoria Bar Ke Grill brings a touch of the Aegean to South Yarra, its breezy energy and elegant design evoking coastal Greece. The menu blends classic flavour with modern verve — pickled WA octopus, golden zucchini fritters, and flash-fried calamari to start, followed by pan-seared snapper with mussels and avgolemono, vegetarian moussaka, or slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Finish with cinnamon-scented rice pudding, a nostalgic nod to home-style comfort. With a lively spirit and curated wines, Astoria turns every meal into a sun-drenched celebration of Greek hospitality.

302 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Ramen Shouyuya

At Ramen Shouyuya, chef Fujio Tamura distils decades of craft into three immaculate bowls of shoyu ramen — chicken, vegetable, and a slow-cooked duck inspired by kamo nanban. Each begins with a niboshi dashi broth that’s rich yet impossibly clean, layered with quiet intensity. The house-made noodles — crafted on a Yamato machine imported from Japan — strike that rare balance between chew and silk. In true Brunswick fashion, the space is minimalist, and the focus is absolute. Add soy-glazed chicken wings, ganmo nimono, and mitarashi dango for the final flourish. Ramen, reimagined — humble, precise, and quietly transcendent.

692 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Edita’s

Say hello to Edita’s — a love letter to the Pacific, wrapped in golden batter and kissed with sea breeze nostalgia. Siblings Tima and Stan Tausinga turn their Tongan-Samoan roots into culinary poetry: prawn tacos that sing, sapasui spring rolls with attitude, and a Filet-o-Fish tribute that gives the original a complex. Freshly caught, freshly cooked — just like their grandmother Edita’s island kitchen. It’s comfort food with soul, served alongside triple-cooked chips and lashings of heart.

382 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

Nora’s Pizza House

At Nora’s, summer doesn’t end — it simply shifts indoors. Gone are the surfboards and beachy clichés; in their place, olive-green walls, terracotta tiles and a low, golden glow that feels like dusk stretched out forever. You sip a spritz — Campari or Aperol, your choice — as the scent of spicy rigatoni and blistered pizza crust curls through the air. The Ode to Roberta’s arrives, honeyed and stracciatella-soft; the Morno Greens, all nduja warmth and fior di latte silk. Then, a spoonful of tiramisu — lush, velvety, creamy. Casual and unapologetically good — Nora’s is the Peninsula’s new love affair.

2113 Point Nepean Road, Rye

Liyin

At Liyin Rice Roll Master, rice isn’t just sustenance — it’s ceremony. This unassuming spot delivers the kind of cheung fun you’d chase down a backstreet in Guangzhou: soft, translucent sheets that glide like silk and vanish on the tongue. Stone-milled in-house and steamed to order, each roll — from smoky char siu to black-truffle prawn — is a small act of devotion. Add a bowl of river-fisherman congee or wok-seared beef hor fun, and you’ve got comfort food with a PhD. Melbourne’s Cantonese scene? Consider it thriving, one steamer basket at a time.

Shop C2/550 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Hotel Paradiso

A little bit Miami, a little bit Melbourne — Hotel Paradiso brings neon-lit, disco-drenched energy to Frankston’s industrial fringe. Hand-stretched pizza dough bubbles in the open kitchen, beer flows freely, and cocktails arrive with a playful glint. As daylight fades, DJs spin vinyl and the air hums with that golden-hour buzz that refuses to end. It’s where long lunches melt into midnight, friends become fixtures, and summer feels infinite. Equal parts retro and radiant, Hotel Paradiso is Melbourne’s new temple of carefree pleasure.

10 Kookaburra Street, Frankston 

ISME 

Found in the heart of Thornbury, Isme 2.0 is where old Beirut’s warmth meets modern Melbourne charm. Sand-hued bricks and a roaring open fire pit set the tone — inviting, elemental, and quietly elegant. The menu glows with flame and nostalgia: warm mountain bread baked to order, fatteh crowned with chargrilled prawns, and tawook-marinated half-chicken that leaves a lasting imprint of spice and smoke. Every plate tells a story — chef Joseph Rahme’s tribute to heritage, family, and the enduring art of generosity. Come hungry; here, hospitality burns bright.

752 High Street, Thornbury

JUNI

JUNI marks the much-anticipated return of acclaimed chef Michael Lambie — a bold new chapter in Melbourne’s CBD dining scene. Inspired by the fiery spices and layered textures of Southeast Asia, the 120-seat restaurant delivers dishes with precision and flair: seared tuna tataki, sizzling tom yum scallops, and dry-aged Chinese duck with all the trimmings.

Designed by Techne, JUNI’s palette of deep reds and maroons wraps guests in modern glamour, while inventive cocktails and curated wines flow from the sleek bar. Named in honour of Lambie’s late mother, JUNI balances heart and heat — the new go-to for pre-theatre bites, intimate dinners, and post-show revelry.

136 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Marmelo & Mr Mills

Sophisticated, expansive and undeniably stunning, Marmelo brings the coastal soul of Portugal and Spain to life under acclaimed chef Ross Lusted. Wood and charcoal shape every dish — from spanner crab pastel de natas to refined Portuguese cockerel with whipped garlic potatoes and fragrant tomato rice. Please don’t skip the croquettes; they’re a moment of their own. Afterwards, descend the chartreuse staircase to Mr Mills, a moody, late-night basement bar pulsing with DJ grooves and polished cocktails. Together, Marmelo and Mr Mills capture the art of dining, sipping and seduction — effortlessly.

130 Russell Street, Melbourne 

Maison Batard 

Maison Batard is Melbourne’s grand new ode to French decadence — an all-consuming experience of art, gastronomy and style from Chris Lucas, the visionary behind Chin Chin and Society. Set across four levels in the heart of the city, it’s where Parisian glamour collides with contemporary Melbourne cool. On the ground and first floors, Restaurant Batard seduces with its oyster bar, wood-fired rotisserie and reimagined French classics — lighter, fresher, yet every bit as indulgent. Above, Le Terrace hums with rooftop allure, atrium views and late-night DJ sets that stretch effortlessly into the evening.

With over 2,600 wines — from rare Burgundies to exclusive French treasures — and interiors worthy of a gallery, Maison Batard is more than a restaurant; it’s a statement. Melbourne dining, redefined — and about to own the summer.

23 Bourke Street, Melbourne 

From boundary-pushing fine dining to neighbourhood gems redefining comfort food, the best new restaurants in Melbourne are setting the pace for 2025. Book a table, bring your appetite, and taste the future of the city’s dining scene. For more essential dining experiences in our city, check out these bayside restaurants and Italian hot spots.

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

18 October 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.