The Best Asian Fusion Restaurants in Melbourne
Whenever you’re feeling like a mix of Asian flavours and cuisines, these are the best fusion restaurants to beeline for.
The Asian cuisine scene dominates in Melbourne, with an endless variety of delicious dining out options that you can choose from. But sometimes, it's hard to place a finger on which cuisine will hit the spot. Are you in the mood for Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, or something entirely different?
Luckily, Asian fusion exists - and we've got a long list of incredibly delicious spots across the city and into the suburbs. Sit tight and get a notepad ready as we run you through the best Asian fusion restaurants in Melbourne.
TaiThai
Nestled in the heart of North Melbourne's bustling Ezistreat, TaiThai is a hidden gem where Taiwan meets Thailand on the plate. A trailblazer in fusing these two beloved Asian cuisines, TaiThai delivers a unique dining experience that is both familiar and exciting.
From their signature Tai Thai Pad Krapraw, bursting with the fragrant heat of Thai basil and chilli, to the crispy stinky tofu paired with their homemade pickles, each dish tells a story of bold flavours and authenticity. The braised delights, like the Tainan duck rice and stewed pork belly, capture the comforting essence of traditional Taiwanese flavours, while the Tai Thai fried chicken, with its aromatic peppercorn crunch, adds a modern twist.
275 Macaulay Road, North Melbourne
Sleepy's
Sleepy's Cafe & Wine Bar is a Chinese-Australian wine bar that's delivering some of the most unique and delicious Asian fusion in Melbourne. Cafe by day, wine bar by night, this Carlton North hotspot is loved by locals for a reason: no matter the time of day, there's good vibes all around.
With a long wine list and a cute list of both small and larger share plates alike, you'll be able to sip and swill while catching up with friends for hours. Enjoy dishes including O'Connor's Rump Cap steak with Mongolian gravy, Asian greens and rice, mushroom wontons in broth, and a delicious twist on anchovy toast: anchovies on You Tiao (Chinese donuts).
787 Nicholson Street, Carlton North
Mongkok Tea House
Mongkok Tea House brings together Chinese and Western cuisine in a contemporary way that makes it one of the best Asian fusion restaurants in Melbourne. Step into this neon-light filled, retro-inspired room that is an ode to Hong Kong's golden years of the 1970s before sitting down and selecting a cocktail from their expansive menu of unique, never-seen-before concoctions.
As for food, start off with buttermilk pineapple buns and truffle arancini before heading into larger sharing dishes including brown butter curry chicken and jasmine soy barramundi.
734 Burke Road, Camberwell
ARU
ARU is the sister restaurant to much-loved Sunda, integrating modern Australian and Asian flavours into an elevated dining experience. Named after the islands in which seafarers passed through as part of the Sino-Indonesian-Australian route, Aru focuses on and follows tradiitonal techniques of fermenting, smoking, curing, preserving and fire-licking their dishes, resulting in an incredible symphony of flavours that are designed for sharing with your loved ones,
268 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Casa Chino
Chinese cuisine meets Peruvian in this Brunswick restaurant. Casa Chino has a unique combination of Asian and Latin American flavours, but trust us when we say it works. Cocktails and share plates aplenty, this open-style bar and leafy alfresco diner is perfect for a fun group experience or romantic date night thanks to it's moody atmosphere.
212-214 Albion Street, Brunswick
Dessous
Moody and oozing old-money charm, Dessous is a subterranean restaurant and wine bar serving some of the best Asian fusion in Melbourne. Warm and dimly lit, with a colour scheme of marble, velvet, green and grey, here you'll find an extensive list of cocktails and wines to sip on all evening. As for food, you'll find elevated Modern Australian meets Asian cuisine, with dishes like baked vermicelli noodles with king prawns and pork belly or char-grilled squid with sambal, salted egg aioli and potato bread.
164 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Yan
Smokey flavours are taken to a new level at Yan. This East Asian fusion restaurant in Melbourne is directly applying smoke to food, rather than softly integrating it, resulting in a new culinary experience that's both unique and delicious. Start off with the grilled corn with teriyaki butter and nichifuri, which is perfect for munching on alongside your cocktail of choice, before diving into mains like the steamed bass grouper with spring onion relish and Cantonese sauce or chicken katsu with house BBQ sauce and pepper mayo.
While not everything on the menu is smoked, all the dishes are designed to pair well with smoky flavours. So, if that's your vibe, you'll love Yan.
Sitchu Tip: The moody interiors are also perfect for date night.
22 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Yoi Indonesian Fusion
When we think of Asian fusion, our minds often go to popular choices like Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese or Thai. However, Yoi is focussing on Indonesian fusion, and let us tell you, it's one of the best Asian fusion restaurants in Melbourne.
'Yoi' means 'yes' in Indonesian, and founders Dion and Michael are saying yes to cooking traditional Indonesian dishes with unique twists, turning them into modern adaptations that Melbournians can't get enough of.
One of the goals for Dion and Michael is to make Indonesian cuisine an unforgettable experience, and they're certainly achieving that!
1/155 Franklin Street, Melbourne
Bobbi Pearl
This hidden gem is a local favourite for baysiders, and for good reason. Bobbi Pearl is taking Southeast Asian fusion cuisine to the next level, blending the flavours of Hanoi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpar together in true harmony. They have a large menu that'll satisfy even the hungriest of bellies, and one that is a natural fit for sharing amongst a larger group of friends.
They also have a variety of set menu and degustation options, so whether you're coming in for a casual catch up with friends or celebrating something special, there is a dining option that'll work for every occasion.
131 Church Street, Brighton
Supernormal
One of the hippest eateries in a city brimming with hip eateries – it may have been on the scene for quite a few years now, but everyone’s still raving about Supernormal. This is one of the best Asian fusion restaurants in Melbourne, featuring sleek, Japanese inspired décor that pairs with a menu equal parts adventurous and moreish. From crispy suckling pig to delicate yuzu tuna, this spot demands repeat visits—because one trip won’t be enough to explore the full range of its mouthwatering menu.
Sitchu Tip: You haven't been to Supernormal if you haven't indulged in their iconic lobster roll. Run, don't walk!
180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Loved reading all about the best Asian fusion restaurants in Melbourne and want to hear about more hidden gems? Take a look at the latest food and drink news in Melbourne, or hop on over to the European side with these incredible French restaurants.