Melbourne Food & Drink News for the Foodies
Here's everything you need to know that's happening across the Melbourne food scene.
Melbourne is the king of the foodie scene. Every week there's a cool new restaurant, bar or hidden gem popping up around the city just waiting to be discovered. And while it's great for our taste buds (our wallets not so much), it can be hard to keep up with everything that's brand-spanking-new, or all of the events that roll around quicker than the blink of an eye.
Need a hub to find all your Melbourne food news? That's exactly what this is! Keep reading to find out the latest on our city's food and drink scene.
Grant Smilie Marmont at The Crown
This is set to be one of the hottest new food and drink destinations in Melbourne, and we can't wait for it to open just in time for the summer buzz!
Melbourne is set to welcome a new hotspot, Marmont, thanks to a collaboration between Crown and acclaimed hospitality figure Grant Smillie. Opening this summer, Marmont will be a vibrant, day-to-night venue offering Californian-inspired small plates and a stylish beverage selection.
Located on the Riverwalk, it will boast stunning views of the Yarra River and Melbourne skyline, with seamless transitions from alfresco dining to sunset drinks, and DJ-spun tunes.
After 12 years in LA, Smillie returns to his hometown, bringing his signature LA energy, food favourites, and music curation to this chic new venue.
Lucas Restaurants Launch 'Good for Yuzu' Cocktail in Alignment With Olivia Rodrigo Tour
Olivia Rodrigo is coming to Melbourne this week, bringing her 'Sour' World Tour down under. To celebrate, Baby and Yakimono from Lucas Restaurants will be shaking up a Olivia Rodrigo-inspired cocktail: Good for Yuzu. Featuring a refreshing blend of vodka, lychee, limoncello, yuzu, hibiscus and butterfly pea flower - it's a harmonious balance of sour and sweet - just like Olivia Rodrigo. You can almost taste the teenage angst, too...
$24 (ticket holders show ticket to get discounted price of $16)
Available at Baby and Yakimono from 7th October to 15th October
Gássy by Bahama Gold Launches
Bahama Gold, Brunswick's beloved bar and wine shop, has released its very own house Prosecco: Gássy. Lightweight, refreshing and perfectly bubbly, this wine has come just in time for Melbourne's warmer weather.
This new wine is 100% King Valley Glera and has been carefully created by co-owner of Neighbourhood Group (Neighbourhood Wine, Old Palm Liquor and Bahama Gold), Simon Denman and Beverage Manager, Gus Gluck.
Studio Amaro Turns One
Windsor's favourite all-day Italian restaurant, Studio Amaro, is celebrating its first birthday this month. And to celebrate, the restaurant is giving back to all of its customers who have dined there within the first year. If you've been a Studio Amaro customer, you'll get a complimentary glass of Prosecco or a crisp Peroni on arrival. It's a party for everyone!
168 Chapel Street, Windsor
Nation's Most In-Demand Find Wines are on Pour at LANGTONS Tasting Event
Wine lovers, this one's for you! You'll be able to try some of the finest wine available in the country that has been featured in the latest edition of LANGTONS Classification of Australian Wine at an event called ‘LANGTONS Classified.' Last held in 2018, the return of this event is highly anticipated, featuring lauded fine wines that will be available for tasting - plus, the opportunity to meet the producers. Held at Marvel Stadium, there are currently general admission tickets available for purchase, as well as 1st Classified tickets, allowing you to taste the full 100-bottle line up.
11th October
Secure your tickets here
740 Bourke Street, Docklands
Oktoberfest Celebrations at Hofbräuhaus Kick Off
Don your dirndls and lederhosen, because Hofbräuhaus' Oktoberfest celebrations kick off this weekend.
Running from 21st September for five weeks, the festivities coincide with the official Oktoberfest launch in Germany and are set to welcome over 15,000 revelers. Expect yodelling, polka dancing, stein-sinking, bratwurst-eating, live music from the Haus Band, and traditional German bands. Plus, 100 lucky guests will win free beer for a year!
From 21st September
18-28 Market Lane, Melbourne
Mill Place Merchants Launch Piccolo Menu
Mill Place Merchants has launched a new piccolo cocktail menu, serving up your favourite drinks in a smaller sized. Sip and savour one of our many original creations such as Pink Lady, Juschu or Cardinale.
Perfect for tasting and sharing, our Piccolo cocktails let you enjoy the creativity of our bartenders without committing to a full-sized drink. It's an ideal way to try even more flavours!
Offer: Piccolo Cocktail – $14, Piccolo Aperitivo - cocktail & snack – $18, Tray of 3 different piccolo cocktails – $38
Tuesday to Thursday, 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Ground Floor/2 Mill Place, Melbourne
Celebrate French Rosé With a Long Lunch at Entrecôte
Beloved French restaurant Entrecôte is launching a $90 long lunch including four glasses of rosé and a special four course set menu to celebrate French rosé. The long lunch will be offered in the newly launched Conservatoire, which is a tribute to the great courtyards and indoor gardens of Paris - the perfect setting for a long lunch this Spring! The set menu is expertly curated by Head Chef, Timothy Menger, showcasing the finest in French gastronomy and cuisine. Grab your girlfriends and head on over to yap the day away over some rosé!
Half pour $90 per person, full pour $110 per person
142 Greville Street, Prahan
The Piccolina Gelato Project Returns
Piccolina is back with season four of its much loved Piccolina Project. Across eight weeks, Piccolina will see eight chefs come in and create limited-edition flavours that will be rotating weekly. It's the perfect excuse to indulge in a scoop (or three) on a regular basis. What's good for the heart is good for the soul!
From 2nd October
Available at Piccolina stores across Melbourne, see website for location details
il Mercato Centrale to Open in Melbourne
Much-loved il Mercato Centrale is opening its very first location in Melbourne on the 19th of September. This will be a food haven in Melbourne's CBD from Thursday to Sunday, and involve 23 artisans who will form a collaborative ecosystem, supplying ingredients and produce to one another. Originally founded in Florence, Italy, it's incredibly exciting to have this market that's done so well in numerous Italian states come to Melbourne - the first il Mercato Centrale outside of Italy.
Open from 19th September, 4.00pm
Hello Kitty Pop-Up Cafe Arriving in Chadstone
Starting 20th September, Chadstone will host a charming pop-up Hello Kitty Cafe to celebrate Sanrio’s iconic character’s 50th anniversary. Nestled within The Social Quarter, this sweet cafe promises a delightful experience for fans, foodies, and pop culture lovers alike. Expect Hello Kitty-inspired treats like strawberry sandos, themed bento boxes, iced matcha lattes, cakes, and cookies.
The celebration also features an eye-catching installation by renowned street artist Sofles, limited-edition merchandise, and a vibrant school holiday program.
Visit Chadstone for a fun-filled, nostalgia-rich celebration and indulge in a taste of Hello Kitty’s world with delicious bites and playful vibes!
From 20th September
1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone
New Acai Bowl & Smoothie Store Opens in Montmorency
North-siders have a new acai bowl, smoothie and wellness store to enjoy after their weekend workouts and for a healthy lunchtime treat! Halo Bowls is blending up delicious, healthy acai bowls that are filled to the brim with extra yummy treats like shredded coconut, granola, chia seeds, peanut butter, Nutella and more. There are so many combinations to choose from, all equally delicious and bound to leave you wanting more. Halo's smoothies are equally as mouth-watering, packed with all the vitamins and goodness you need to fuel you throughout the day.
4 Were Street, Montmorency
Innocent Bystander Releases New Watermelon Spritz for Spring
Award-winning Yarra Valley winery, Innocent Bystander, have created a new, unique wine that we'll be sipping on all spring and summer long: a Watermelon Spritz. Fruity, fresh and ready to drink, all you need to do is get your cutest wine glasses ready to go and gather your friends so you can pop it open in style. Light, bright and perfect for the warmer days ahead, enjoy this Watermelon Spritz chilled, or served over ice with a sprig of mint.
$25
Maha East Launches 'ARAB'iata $15 Weekly Pastas
We all love a good bowl of pasta, but the experience becomes even better when the bowl is only $15. Maha East is collaborating with several of Melbourne's best chefs including Ben Cooper (seen above), Scott Pickett and Moscha Tropp to bring a $15 weekly rotating pasta series to Melbourne: 'ARAB'iata. Kicking off on the 16th of September, thi8s series will see eight chefs grace the Maha East kitchen with their unique spins on classic Italian dishes, adding in their own personal flair.
Every Monday to Wednesday, 16th September to 6th November
Walk-ins welcome, bookings can be made here
36 Chapel Street, Windsor
Mulline Wines Wins Big at the Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Mulline, the acclaimed Geelong winery, has just been honoured as Best Value Winery at the Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2025. Crafted by the talented duo Ben Mullen and Ben Hine, Mulline's portfolio is a treasure trove of exceptional wines, including standout Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and their remarkable cool-climate Syrah.
Even with just five vintages under their belt, their 2023 Syrah and Gris are already crowd favourites, while the 2023 Port Arlington Chardonnay, at $60, is a true revelation of richness, creaminess, and complexity.
Mulline’s dedication to excellence and social responsibility shines through in every bottle, with many wines offering outstanding value under $60.
Discover their exquisite offerings and become a member of their Wine Club, or enjoy their wines at prestigious venues like Longrain, France Soir, or Reine & La Rue.
Whiskey Aged in Old Melbourne Gaol Now Available
Little Lon Distilling Co has released their highly anticipated Little Lon Whiskey. This spirit has quite the story, being aged in Old Melbourne Gaol cell number 13 for the past two years, maturing under optimal conditions and absorbing the essence of its surroundings. The result? A whiskey that's as unique as the city it's made in.
$135
Tombo Den's Opening Weekend is Here
Chris Lucas is opening what is yet to be another hotspot, and this time, it's a multi-level Japanese restaurant and sake bar. Tombo Den will officially open to the public on 7th September, with timeslots available to be booked in advance. Expect to dine on market-fresh sushi and select indulgent drinks from an extensive list of imported sakes curated by Tokyo-born Master Sommelier Yuki Hirose. There is also an intimate private dining space where guests can indulge in karaoke and bespoke cocktail experiences.
Chef Dan Chan has crafted a menu of continuously changing sashimi and nigiri offerings, as well as elevated dishes inspired by the street food of Tokyo.
100 Chapel Street, Windsor
Limited Edition Lamb Shawarma from G. McBean Family Butcher x Shane Delia of Maha East
If you frequent the Prahan Market, make sure to head down the weekend of the 14th and 15th of September to taste a limited edition collaboration between long-time friends and industry veterans, Gary McBean and Shane Delia of Maha East. G. McBean Family Butcher will be serving up a flavour-filled limited-edition Merguez Lamb Shawarma, featuring Gary’s lamb and merguez seasoning, combined with pickled onions, parsley, toum, Lebanese flatbread, and fried chips. It's only available until sold out, so make sure you get in early in you don't want to miss out.
$20
Stall 515/163 Commercial Road, South Yarra
Morena Melbourne Officially Opens
Highly anticipated Latin American restaurant Morena Melbourne is officially open as of Monday 2nd September. Diners have the choice of two unique experiences right next door to each other, Morena Restaurant and Morena Barra. Morena Restaurant is a more formal dining experience, with the option to choose either a tasting menu or enjoy selections from the a la carte menu. Morena Barra, on the other hand, is an all-day dining experience that is more casual, inspired by the cantinas of Latin America.
Book here
71 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
The Crafty Squire Temporarily Closes Its Doors
The Crafty Squire will be closing its doors on 10th September, but don't worry, because it's bye for now, not forever. The microbrewery and pub has major renovation plans, and will be turned into a multi-level food and drink destination that will become a hub for people to gather in the heart of the CBD.
The first stage of the renovation is set to be unveiled to the public this summer, with further details to come.
127 Russell Street, Melbourne
DOC Espresso Undergoes Renovations
After 20 years of trading, DOC Espresso has temporarily closed its doors to undergo renovations. This renovation is set to complement their new concept menus, elevating the dining experience and combining both traditional and contemporary Italian food, atmosphere and style. It plans to reopen its new and improved cafe and restaurant in late October.
In the mean time, you can still get your DOC fix right next door at DOC Delicatessan, located at 330 Lygon Street in Carlton.
326 Lygon Street, Carlton
Can't get enough Melbourne food and drink news and want to be in the know of more delicious restaurants, cafes and bars to book? Be sure to take a look at the best dining deals happening this week, or these fancy degustations if you want to dine out in style.
