The Best Asian Fusion Restaurants in Melbourne for Bold Dining

Melbourne’s Asian dining scene is a beast—deep, diverse, and utterly relentless, with everything from Vietnamese to Japanese, Thai to Chinese. From hole-in-the-wall dumpling joints to high-end omakase counters, the options are endless. But sometimes, you don’t want to be boxed in by just one cuisine. That’s where Asian fusion steps in—not as a gimmick, but as a playground for chefs who know the rules well enough to break them.

Think fire, funk, umami, and heat colliding in ways that just make sense. From bold cross-cultural mashups to dishes that rewrite the script entirely, these are the best Asian fusion spots in Melbourne right now.

JUNI

At JUNI, fusion dining becomes an art form. This exciting Melbourne restaurant, led by the talented Michael Lambie, expertly marries vibrant Southeast Asian flavours with sophisticated European influences. The result? Dishes that are as captivating as they are unexpected. Take the handmade fresh burrata, drizzled in chilli oil and paired with grilled Chinese donuts, or the sizzling half-shell scallops in spicy tom yum brown butter—perfect unions of European richness and Asian zest. Each bite is a thrilling journey where cultures collide and complement in beautiful harmony. Bold, creative, and endlessly exciting, Juni redefines fusion dining.

Sitchu Tip: The crispy tapioca Moreton Bay Bug tails with betel leaves, nori dust, and citrus ponzu are dangerously good. Order them, or you’ll regret it.

136 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 

The Clarendon Restaurant

Step into The Clarendon Restaurant, where Melbourne’s fusion dining scene gets a Michelin-calibre makeover. Here, East meets West in a symphony of bold flavours and inventive techniques. Think miso-glazed aubergine with velvety silken tofu, or banh mi éclairs and buckwheat crumpets with kombu butter that defy expectations. Every dish is a masterclass in balance, where pickled vegetables and delicate textures collide to excite your palate. This is dining elevated—refined yet playful, sophisticated yet accessible.

Sitchu Tip: Kick off your evening with a pre-dinner cocktail at Mirror Mirror Rooftop Bar, just upstairs, where the Melbourne skyline sets the perfect backdrop before your meal.

Ground Floor/209 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

Kushiro

Kushiro isn’t your average Japanese spot—it’s an all-out fusion experience. Here, delicate scampi tartare flirts with rich lobster bisque panna cotta, while slow-roasted short rib gets a whisky rosemary glaze that hits you like a punch to the gut, in the best way. Chef Jan Chung reimagines every dish with the finesse of a Michelin-starred genius, all in a heritage space brimming with character. If you’re looking for culinary magic that defies convention, Kushiro is the Melbourne fusion restaurant to seek out.

175 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 

Mr. Tam

Mr. Tam in South Yarra is where the lines between cultures blur, and dining becomes an adventure. It’s a fusion of modern Australian and Japanese influences, but don’t expect anything typical. We’re talking delicate sushi rolls with a twist, smoky yakitori with unexpected sides, and an atmosphere that’s as chic as the flavours are bold. A perfect spot to eat like you’re in Melbourne’s culinary heartbeat.

306 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Hochi Mama

Hochi Mama is a Melbourne favourite for good reason. It’s where the city’s fusion scene gets a proper shake-up. This isn’t just about blending cuisines—it’s a full-on flavour collision. Picture smoky, tender meats wrapped in punchy Vietnamese herbs, or a banh mi that leaves the classic in the dust. The restaurant doesn’t shy away from bold, unexpected pairings—each dish a modern nod to tradition, wrapped in cheeky charisma. If you’re after an authentic thrill for your taste buds, Hochi Mama is the only stop you need.

35 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

65 Swan Street, Richmond 

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.