Melbourne Food & Drink News for the Foodies

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.

Sip & Bite: Ruben’s Mango Matcha Duo Lands This Weekend

Ruben’s Deli is levelling up its cult Strawberry Iced Matcha with a tropical spring twist. Enter the Mango Iced Matcha — HIKUU matcha swirled with mango purée in a refreshing two-tone pour. To mark the launch, they’re serving a limited-edition mango matcha doughnut filled with mango cream and gel, finished with glossy matcha icing.

One weekend, two treats, just $14. The dreamy duo disappears Sunday, but the mango matcha is sticking around.

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, from 10am

Ruben’s Deli, 978 High Street, Armadale

Baker Bleu Brings Its Buttery Magic to South Yarra This September

Melbourne’s carb crush, Baker Bleu, adds another notch to its breadboard with a brand-new spot on Domain Road this September. Smaller in footprint but big on charm, the takeaway-only store will dish up its award-winning sourdough, hand-rolled bagels, flaky pastries, pantry staples and sandwiches — all steps from the Royal Botanic Gardens. The clincher? Their debut soft serve: Backyard Honey, laced with olive oil, croissant crumbs and sea salt. Picnic fuel, sorted.

Opening late September; keep your eyes peeled for updates here

183 Domain Road, South Yarra 

Anita Gelato’s First Melbourne Scoop

Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra have already fallen hard — and now Melbourne is about to get its taste. Beloved for its creamy, decadent flavours, Anita Gelato is finally making its Victorian debut, opening on one of the city’s most iconic CBD streets. Think 150 flavours swirling with wild imagination: from tart fruit sorbets and velvety vegan options to chocolate creations studded with surprises.

The exact date is still under wraps (they’re teasing it on socials), but one thing’s certain: Melbourne’s gelato game is about to hit dizzying new heights.

Opens this weekend, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September

273 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Pepe’s Parlour Opens in Melbourne’s CBD

The team behind Pepe’s Italian & Liquor have unveiled Pepe’s Parlour, a playful new glasshouse concept next door that’s already shaping up to be the city’s freshest lunch-to-cocktails destination. By day, expect six-plate lunch combos like cured Aperol salmon with green beans and goddess cos; by night, the lights dim, martinis flow, and the whole space transforms into a refined-yet-fun evening haunt.

With Head Chef Antonio Loffredo behind the pass and a mural by Jordy Van Den Nieuwendijk bringing the energy, Pepe’s Parlour is your new go-to for elevated Italian eats and seriously stylish sipping.

275-285 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

SHOP225 Crowned Australia’s Best Pizza at Global Awards

Global accolades, local heart — Pascoe Vale’s humble SHOP225 has just been crowned the best pizzeria in Australia at the prestigious 50 Top Pizza World Awards in Naples, securing its place among the world’s greats. Yet behind the headlines, it remains the same neighbourhood hole-in-the-wall where locals gather, families squeeze into booths, and gluten-free and vegan diners break bread alongside traditionalists. Founder Lorenzo Tron’s ethos is simple but powerful: everyone deserves a seat at the table, whatever their dietary needs. Right now, he’s en route to Naples to accept the award for Australia’s best pizza — and to discover the restaurant’s global ranking.

With a loyal following and sister venue Il Caminetto in Moonee Ponds, SHOP225 proves that authenticity, inclusivity, and a wood-fired crust can win over judges in Italy — and keep Melbourne locals coming back week after week.

225 Melville Road, Pascoe Vale South

When Birkenstock Met Tarts Anon: Melbourne’s Sweetest Crossover

Comfort meets cult pastry in a three-day collab between Birkenstock Australia and Melbourne bakery darling Tarts Anon. From 12–14 September, Richmond’s tart temple will dish up an exclusive creation — a Thyme, Chocolate and Verjus Tart dreamed up by Head Chef Gareth Whitton, inspired by the Birkenstock Professional range. Each $12 slice comes with more than flavour: hidden beneath three lucky servings lies a Golden Ticket worth a $250 Birkenstock voucher. Consider it the most stylish tart you’ll ever eat.

12th to 14th September

Friday, 8am to 2:30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 3:30pm

10/658 Church Street, Richmond

Opening Update: Hannah Green to Open Daphne, Brunswick East’s Next Neighbourhood Darling

Come November, Brunswick East’s dining scene will gain a dazzling new chapter as Hannah Green (of Etta acclaim) prepares to open Daphne in the storied Bar Romantica site. Expect a venue that wears its neighbourhood heart proudly: woodfired flatbreads, handmade pastas, late-night burgers, and Martini Mondays designed to become local ritual. Chef Diana Desensi will lead the kitchen with produce-driven flair, while a razor-sharp wine list and DJ JNETT’s curated soundtrack will keep nights rolling.

With terrazzo floors underfoot, walnut and marble finishes, and Green’s signature warmth, Daphne is poised to become the suburb’s most talked-about new arrival.

Opens November 2025

52-54 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Ligurian Nights at Bar Bianco with Guy Grossi

Southside favourite Bar Bianco has joined forces with culinary heavyweight Guy Grossi for a menu that transports Hawksburn Village to the sun-drenched coast of Liguria. This takeover is Grossi’s first project south of the river in over two decades, and it’s one that feels both celebratory and deeply personal.

The new menu pays homage to the produce-driven traditions of Liguria — a region famed for pesto Genovese, fresh seafood and olive oil–kissed breads. Think half-shell scallops in an almond crust, cured kingfish lifted with bay leaf oil and pine nuts, slow-cooked lamb ragu tangled through rigatoni, and a Ligurian-style cannoli threaded with amaretti, ricotta and olive oil. A sharp wine list and Bar Bianco’s signature cocktails complete the experience.

Designed to feel like a true neighbourhood haunt, the collaboration strikes a balance between refined and familiar — equally suited to a quick glass of wine midweek or a long Saturday lunch with friends.

Bar Bianco, 523 Malvern Road, Toorak

An Athenian Fever Dream: The Team Behind Marameo to Open Bar Sophia in Glen Iris

Come November 2025, Melbourne’s leafy Central Park village will welcome Bar Sophia — a sultry, Athens-inspired wine bar from the team behind Marameo. Designed for easy drop-ins and long, lingering evenings, it will pair walnut and velvet interiors with a produce-forward menu by Nicholas Deligiannis (Audrey’s, Mid Air), cooked over a glowing woodfire hearth. Expect flatbreads torn through whipped cod roe, orzo jewelled with Moreton Bay bugs, and Cretan-style lamb.

With Steve Kimonides curating a 100-bottle Greek-led wine list — Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, ouzo cocktails — Bar Sophia is set to bring the spirit of modern Athens to Glen Iris.

Opens this November

Central Park Village, 161 Burke Road, Glen Iris

Cannoleria’s Sicilian Hot Chocolate Ritual You Need Right Now

Winter has officially met its match. Cannoleria is currently serving cioccolata calda – a thick, velvety Sicilian hot chocolate that’s every bit as decadent as it sounds. Choose from Pistachio & White Chocolate or Dark ($8.50), or lean into their signature ricotta creations ($10.50), where cups are hand-lined with house-made ricotta and crowned with crushed pistachios, candied orange peel and cannoli shell shards.

Cannoleria Lygon Street, 334 Lygon Street, Carlton 

Melbourne Crowned Australia’s Most Food-Curious City in 2025 Forks & Searches Report

Melbourne has officially claimed the title of Australia’s most food-curious city, according to CupoNation’s inaugural Forks & Searches report. Drawing on over 9,400 Google search terms and 23,706 TripAdvisor restaurant listings across six major cities, the study uncovers how Australians are navigating a year marked by rising living costs with curiosity, appetite, and flair. Melbourne clocks 26.3 cuisine-related searches per 1,000 residents each month, narrowly beating Adelaide, which takes second place, with Sydney a close third.

Korean cuisine dominates Melbourne’s searches, while Hunan and Xiang dishes are surging—up 238% YoY—revealing a city eager to explore heat, texture, and regional nuance. Nationally, Ethiopian cuisine has skyrocketed 2,767%, proving Australians are increasingly seeking communal, spice-forward dining adventures. Japanese cuisine remains the most searched for but underrepresented in actual venue availability, highlighting a delicious gap between desire and supply.

The study also uncovers quirky insights: cafes now outnumber pizza joints and bars, chicken tops menus as the most served dish, and salads even outpace beef, pork, and desserts. South Australia surprises with North Indian food leading searches, and Mediterranean cuisine surging 878% YoY.

Melbourne, it seems, isn’t just eating — it’s exploring.

See the report here

Baker Mornington: Your New Coastal Pastry Fix This Spring & Summer

Mornington’s food scene just raised the bar with the arrival of Baker Mornington on Main Street — a pastry-led playground where loaves and viennoiserie vanish as quickly as they land on the shelves. More than a bakery, this sleek newcomer feels like a curated larder, blending Melbourne’s cult creations (Dröm’s croissants among them) with produce from Peninsula artisans like The Butcher’s Daughter’s cakes. Each morning brings fresh breads, cakes and savouries until sold out — convenience wrapped in uncompromising quality. One day it’s a Golden Gaytime pastry and homemade Tim Tam bar, the next a strawberry Fraisier Danish and oversized choc-chip cookie. Open seven days, it’s the Peninsula’s new daily ritual — and a very good reason to make Mornington your weekend pilgrimage.

The best part? They bake and deliver fresh daily until sold out.

Follow their socials to stay up-to-date with more information

Vanilla Dessert Bar – Do It Your Way

Oakleigh’s new Vanilla Dessert Bar takes indulgence to lavish new heights. A Mediterranean-inspired sweet haven from the team behind the iconic Vanilla Lounge, it’s part bakery, part custom-cake atelier, and entirely devoted to the art of the DIY dessert. Here, you can build your own creation from buttery gnocchi or flaky croissants, swirl it with soft serve, then crown it from a line-up of over 60 toppings — think sauce fountains, shards of chocolate, jewel-bright fruit, and layers of cream. Architect Rodney Eggleston has wrapped it all in a sleek, sunlit space that feels like summer in full swing.

For celebrations, late-night sugar cravings or just the joy of creating something that’s entirely yours, Vanilla Dessert Bar is the sweetest new arrival.

17–21 Eaton Mall, Oakleigh

Tom Sarafian’s ZAREH Opens Next Week

Hummus legend Tom Sarafian opens ZAREH, his first solo restaurant, next Wednesday. It is a bold tribute to his grandfather’s self-taught French-Armenian kitchen and the vibrant overlap of Lebanese and Armenian flavours. Central to the space is an open charcoal barbecue and wood-fired oven, where seasonal Victorian produce is kissed by ancient spices — sumac, za’atar, pomegranate molasses — that carry stories through every bite.

Beyond the kitchen, Matt Linklater’s bar pours standout cocktails like a properly dirty martini and an Arak Negroni, alongside a handpicked selection of Armenian brandies. The dining room channels Beirut’s warmth with pink-hued limestone, soft green banquettes, and vinyl spinning rich, soulful tunes.

ZAREH is where heritage meets heat — an intimate celebration of family, flavour, and fire that stays with you. Melbourne, brace yourself—this one’s destined to be unforgettable.

Opens Wednesday 20th August

368 Smith Street, Collingwood

Ghanem Group’s Blackbird Flies Into Melbourne

Melbourne’s dining landscape readies for an elegant new chapter as Brisbane’s acclaimed Blackbird lands in the city’s buzzing heart. Guided by Executive Chef Jake Nicolson — a Victorian native steeped in world-class kitchens — the three-level venue at Collins Place promises a striking blend of moody sophistication and urban edge. Rich in Victorian and Queensland produce, Blackbird Melbourne marries Josper-grilled meats and seasonal seafood with artful design and an intimate, layered atmosphere.

This bold arrival, under the visionary Ghanem Group, honours a decade of award-winning hospitality, inviting Melburnians to experience Blackbird’s celebrated legacy — reimagined with a local heartbeat.

66 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Raw Elegance: Yugen’s New Sushi Offering

Sashimi, but elevated. South Yarra’s subterranean stunner Yugen Dining has unveiled a new sushi menu, where precision meets decadence across a curated line-up of nigiri, gunkan and sashimi platters. Expect Manjimup truffle draped over tuna with egg yolk, black garlic-kissed kingfish, and deluxe spreads of scampi, sea urchin and Osciétra caviar — a glossy crescendo of 38 pieces for those who don’t do things by halves.

Wednesday to Sunday, from 6pm

605 Chapel Street, South Yarra

This Dubai Chocolate Thickshake is Your Next Foodie Obsession

The Dubai chocolate craze is making its way through Australia and the latest dessert to be given a pistachio makeover is Ribs & Burgers’ thickshake. Top off your meal with this decadent dessert or swing by for an afternoon pick-me-up.

What can you expect? Lashings of pistachio paste and chocolate sauce topped with generous sprinklings of pistachio crush and crispy kataifi pastry. It’s here for a good time, not a long time so be sure to pop it on your must-eat list.

Locations across Melbourne, find your closest here

Chris Lucas Goes Big to Celebrate 30 Years of Hospitality -— And He’s Basically Shouting the Cocktails!

Three decades after opening One Fitzroy Street, Chris Lucas — the godfather of high-gloss, high-energy Australian dining — is celebrating 30 years in hospitality the only way he knows how: generously and with style. From August 5th to September 4th, every Lucas Restaurants venue, including Chin Chin, Grill Americano, Society, Baby Pizza, Yakimono, Kisumé and Maison Bâtard, will join the party with $19.95 cocktails flowing daily, a $30 two-course lunch menu showcasing greatest hits, and a 19.95% rebate on your lunch bill to use next time. There’s even a daily prize wheel with up to $1000 vouchers up for grabs.

Go for the tiramisù, stay for the rewards!

From August 5th to September 4th

All Lucas venues

A City Icon: No Flying Eggs, Just 50 Years of Flawless Teppan at Teppanyaki Inn

Melbourne’s original teppanyaki institution is turning 50 this year — and if that’s not worth celebrating, we don’t know what is. Since 1975, Teppanyaki Inn has stood apart for its quiet mastery of the craft — no juggling prawns, no eggs in your lap, just pristine produce seared to perfection on Japanese-imported iron plates. Now led by long-time head chef Looi and GM Michael Lee, the Collins Street favourite honours its half-century with the same grace, warmth, and sizzling finesse that’s kept loyal diners coming back for decades.

If you haven’t yet sat at one of its storied teppan tables, make this the month you finally do — before Chef Chiba hangs up his knives for good. This is how you do teppanyaki, properly.

182 Collins Street, Melbourne

Yiaga: Hugh Allen’s Visionary First Restaurant Blooms in Fitzroy Gardens

A fever dream of native flavour, hyper-local provenance and architectural poetry, Yiaga is the long-awaited debut from culinary wunderkind Hugh Allen, opening spring 2025 in the heart of Fitzroy Gardens. Years in the making, the restaurant promises a beautiful homage to the Australian landscape in all its wild, delicious glory.

Set within a heritage pavilion on Wurundjeri country — reimagined with warmth and restraint by architect John Wardle — Yiaga carries the quiet confidence of a future icon. Clay tiles the colour of scorched earth, tables carved from Victorian timber, and hand-thrown ceramics: every detail hums with reverence for place and story.

The menu is a refined symphony of native flora, pristine seafood, and wild game, all presented through Allen’s fearless lens. Yiaga goes beyond the traditional dining experience, doubling as a cultural catalyst with a calendar of workshops, talks, and immersive sessions set to shape the next chapter of Australian gastronomy.

“Melbourne is home, and this is the restaurant I’ve always dreamed of,” says Allen.

And come spring, it’s ours too.

See updates via their Instagram here

Opens spring 2025

Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne

Ballarat Has Crowned Its Best Pie — And It’s a Raspberry Cookie Dream

The pie to beat in 2025? Mrs Browne Bakes’ raspberry goldfields cookie pie, served at the ever-charming Naomi & i, has officially taken top honours at Ballarat’s Best Pie Awards. Judged by a heavyweight panel including Tim Bone, Richard Cornish, Kara Monssen and Alejandro Saravia, this year’s event dished out accolades to both sweet and savoury stunners. Our advice? Bring your appetite and try them all.

Here are the winners worth chasing down:
Ballarat’s Best Pie (Grand Prize): Raspberry goldfields cookie pie – Mrs Browne Bakes at Naomi & i
2nd Place: Peach and Portuguese custard pie – Lydiard General
3rd Place: Apple sty pie – Mondegreen Cafe
Best Savoury Pie: Lechon paksiw pie – Stables Cafe & Bar at Hotel Canberra
Best Sweet Pie: Raspberry goldfields cookie pie – Mrs Browne Bakes at Naomi & i
Best Bakery Pie: Beef rendang pie – Turret Bakehouse
Brilliantly Unexpected Pie: Lechon paksiw pie – Stables Cafe & Bar at Hotel Canberra
Pie with Purpose: Feral Pie – The Shared Table

Throughout August, you can sample the winning pies — and all 36 entries — at bakeries, cafes, restaurants and bars across Ballarat. Your winter pie crawl awaits.

Afloat Turns 10 — and This Season, She’s Serving Rio Realness

Melbourne’s favourite floating bar is back — and this year, she’s bringing the rhythm, colour and chaos of Rio de Janeiro. Launching Friday 29th August, Afloat returns to the Yarra for its tenth season with samba-sized swagger: new interiors soaked in tropical hues, a fruit-forward cocktail list (Mango Batidas, yes please), and a menu bursting with Brazilian flavour: chargrilled meats, salty snacks and beachside classics with flair.

You can look forward to weeknight salsa, late-night dancing, and summer parties worthy of Copacabana. From Carnival vibes to açai daiquiris, this season’s shaping up to be a full-blown Brazilian affair.

Tables, banquets and beach club packages are now live — book here to get in early

Launches Friday 29th August

2 Flinders Walk, Melbourne

These Chic Mini Duos at Cordelia Might Just Be Perfect

From Wednesdays to Fridays, 2pm to 5pm, Carlton’s newest neighbourhood spot is serving Little Hours — mini cocktails paired with snackable bites for just $20. Pick a Negroni or a martini with buttery fries or a slick mini wine and shellfish combo (oyster or scallop). It’s perfectly pitched: chic enough to feel special, casual enough to swing by solo or with friends. The ultimate happy hour in Melbourne. Tiny drinks, bold bites, and no fuss. Walk-ins welcome — this might just become your new mid-afternoon ritual.

180 Rathdowne Street, Carlton

Tokyo Nights, Melbourne Heights: MAMAS Dining Group to Open Disco-Soaked Rooftop Izakaya

There’s a new Tokyo-style rooftop landing soon, and she’s swapping G&Ts for sake, oysters for chargrilled yakitori, and daylight for a moody disco glow. MAMAS Dining Group — the minds behind Hochi Mama, Kiss & Tell and Suzie Q — are reviving the iconic Madame Brussels site with their most electric venue yet: a 150-seat izakaya dream pulsing with 1980s Tokyo energy. Expect skyline views, spinning vinyl, low lighting and master Japanese chefs serving smoky, share-style plates alongside craft beer, sake and theatrical cocktails.

With a retro-modern fit-out by Directitude and the promise of late-night revelry under the city lights, this is shaping up to be spring’s most exciting opening.

Opens spring 2025

Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD

Curious Matter is the New Menu to Know

Beneath W Melbourne, down the hush of descending stairs, where soft light pools around velvet booths and the bass trembles just so, something strange and sensual is happening. Curious Matter, the new menu from award-winning bartender Matt Whiley, is not simply cocktails: it’s chemistry, memory, sensation. There’s a fizz of peach blossoms as the helium balloon lifts the Wizz Fizz skyward. A lime leaf crackles on the tongue before Quantum Silk unspools into bok choy-lime syrup and coriander oil. Fog drifts over Surface Tension like mist after rain, each sip sharp with nostalgia. You don’t drink the On Cloud Nine, you spoon it across your tongue. Here, beneath the city, matter becomes memory and flavour becomes story.

Book here

408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

North vs South: How Melbourne Really Dines Now

Melbourne’s north/south divide just got a whole new flavour, thanks to fresh data from Aussie fintech Zeller. Their latest hospitality report dishes up some spicy intel on how — and where — Melburnians are dining out.

Southsiders? They’re Melbourne’s undisputed breakfast royalty, dropping 30% more per morning meal and ordering like it’s a sport. They’re also spending more across bars, cafes and takeaway — suggesting a taste for elevated, on-the-go luxury (think: oat flat white with a side of designer croissant).

Northsiders, on the other hand, own dinner. They’re filling more tables at night and spending the big bucks when it comes to sit-down, restaurant dining — averaging over $100 per meal. Plus, they’re tipping more often and more generously (+60% by dollar value), reinforcing their reputation as Melbourne’s laidback-but-loyal locals.

Lunch? A city-wide afterthought. But if you’re grabbing a midday bite, the data shows you’re more likely to do it — and spend more — north of the Yarra.

It’s a tale of two cities on one map, and whether you’re splashing out in South Yarra or tipping big in Thornbury, one thing is clear: Melbourne’s hospitality game is thriving, no matter the postcode.

Shannon Bennett Returns with a Star-Studded Bistro Pop-Up at The StandardX

Shannon Bennett is back on the pass, baby — and he’s brought the dream team with him. For three glorious months, the legendary Vue de Monde chef will take over The StandardX Melbourne in Fitzroy, slinging modern bistro fare alongside heavy-hitters Cory Campbell, Ryan Henley and Master Sommelier Carlos Simoes Santos. Think handmade pasta, weekly rotating steaks, and wines poured with swagger. It’s elevated, yes — but also vibey, hyper-local and built for repeat visits. Expect warmth, flair and serious chef energy. Starts 23rd July. Go now, brag later.

Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm to 10pm

From 23rd July to 15th October

The StandardX, 127 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Crown’s Croissanteria Launches ‘By Night’ with Lobster Croissant Rolls and More

This flaky pastry haven has just upped the ante, extending the good times into the evening with the launch of Croissanteria By Night. Once the coffee rush is over and the city descends into dusk, expect a change of pace with mood lighting, European small plates, and delicious cocktails. There’s even a decadent lobster roll croissant on the menu. Wash it down with a rhubarb fizz, peach and tea Bellini, or Grey Goose elderflower mist. Sounds like there’s nowhere we’d rather be!

Crown Melbourne

Poodle Bar & Bistro’s Guinness on Tap

The Guinness gods have smiled upon Fitzroy, and Poodle now pours the good stuff. Rich, creamy and fresh from the tap, it brings a whiff of Irish pub romance to Poodle’s moody, marbled dining room. It’s the ideal midwinter pour: big jumper, big stool, big sip. Best paired with a candlelit booth, a whisper of beef tartare, and just enough existential dread to warrant a second round.

81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 

Aegli Opens in South Melbourne with a Radiant Greek Revival

Named after the Greek word for “radiance,” Aegli officially opens its doors today in South Melbourne—and it doesn’t just arrive, it enters with feeling. From the talented team behind Sowl in Carnegie, this new venue is Chef Ioannis Kasidokostas’ ode to the soulful flavours of regional Greece. Set within the once-hushed home of Lûmé, the space has been transformed into a warm, elegant sanctuary that invites long lunches and luminous evenings.

On the menu? Think smoky saganaki from Metsovo draped in tomato marmalade, lobster hilopites rich with island flavour, and a 72-hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder so tender and mythic, it’s been crowned the Lamb of the Gods. With wines to match and atmosphere to savour, this one’s destined to be a standout in Melbourne’s dining scene.

Opens 18th July, 2025

226 Coventry Street, South Melbourne

Victoria Cleans Up at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Spirits Awards

Victoria’s distilling scene is on fire — and the proof is in the (award-winning) pour. At this year’s Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards, local legends walked away with some of the night’s top honours. Bright’s trailblazing Reed & Co Distillery took home a double win: Champion Victorian Gin for their NEO New World Dry Gin, and Best Ready to Serve Cocktail for their citrusy Yuzu Chu-Hai — a nod to both precision and play. If you visit, you must dine at their onsite restaurant, it’s one of the best meals you’ll have all year.

Meanwhile, Top Shelf International was named Champion Victorian Distiller, while Snowgum Distillery charmed the judges with their Williams Pear Schnapps, earning Best Alternative Spirit. And whisky lovers, rejoice: Backwoods Distilling Co, the Yackandah-based distillery, snagged Best Australian Single Malt Whisky with a standout chardonnay barrel-aged release — further proof that Victoria’s High Country is fast becoming one to watch for distilling the goods. Cheers to that.

Tarts Anon 2.0: Richmond’s Sweetest New Era Has Arrived

Melbourne’s cult-favourite dessert slinger Tarts Anon is back — and she’s glowing. After the unexpected loss of their Cremorne HQ, pastry power couple Gareth Whitton and Catherine Way have launched a luminous new flagship in Richmond, complete with open kitchen, dine-in space, and the same unapologetic obsession with tarts. You’ll find signature flavours like chocolate caramel and smoked pecan, rotating specials, and an exclusive new pistachio Saint Honoré tart for launch week.

Designed with Melbourne hospitality icon Nathan Toleman, the space brings fine-dining finesse to your local bakery run. Launch week perks include scratch cards with guaranteed prizes, from free slices to limited-edition merch. Consider this your official excuse to dessert first… and second.

10/658 Church Street, Richmond

Toní Brings Bold Pasta and Italo-Disco Vibes to Moonee Ponds

Toní is the latest buzz-worthy arrival in Moonee Ponds, bringing bold, handmade pasta, Italo-disco energy, and a fresh dose of inner-city attitude. From Chris Sdregas (Naga Moon) and chef Matteo Florez (Pentolina, Cecconi’s), this intimate, vibey spot blends nostalgic hospitality with modern European flair. Expect lively banter, dishes full of soul, and a dining room that feels like the party’s just getting started. It’s Moonee Ponds’ moment — and Toní is leading the charge.

21/31 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds

Malibu Barbie Cafe Makes Its International Debut in Melbourne

Get your pink fits pressed and your sunnies ready — Malibu Barbie Cafe is officially making waves in Australia. The first of its kind outside of the USA, this dreamy, nostalgia-drenched pop-up is pure Barbiecore brilliance, serving up sun-soaked vibes, all-day brunch, and photo ops so iconic even Ken would lose his cool. Expect retro glam, California dreamin’ flavours, and a menu curated by MasterChef semi-finalist Becky Brown (because Barbie doesn’t half-bake anything). Think: brunch classics with a West Coast twist, playful cocktails, dessert boats, and picture-perfect plating made for the ’Gram.

Brought to life by Mushroom Group’s MG Live in partnership with Mattel, Bucket Listers and Chadstone, the cafe will take over two glittering storeys at Chadstone’s Social Quarter from June 27th, with its world dipped in pink set to stay through Summer 2026.

There’s a roller rink. There’s exclusive merch. There’s a “History of Beach” installation and more selfie moments than your camera roll can handle. It’s giving glitter. It’s giving groove. It’s giving Malibu Barbie IRL.

Big hair, bold attitude — this is a Barbie world, and we’re just living in it.

From June 27th until Summer 2026

The Social Quarter, Chadstone

Greek Renaissance: The Pontian Club Finds a Brick & Mortar Home

A beloved pop-up turned permanent, The Pontian Club has landed on Smith Street with ex-Gimlet chef Oscar Tan at the helm and a laid-back Greek spirit at its core. What began as Sunday lunches of grilled meats and moussaka in a Brunswick East hall is now a charming, chalkboard-menu eatery serving protein-packed classics and olive oil cake in a patchwork space of repurposed furniture, brick walls, and football memorabilia.

With a liquor licence on the way, expect ouzo, under-$10 Greek beers, and late-night feeds that feel more like a warm hug than a restaurant.

Friday to Sunday, 12.30pm to 5pm

8 Smith Street, Collingwood

The Alps is Back – With Even More Cosy Energy and Combined Talent

Tucked along Commercial Road, The Alps has emerged from its cocoon — still your laid-back neighbourhood wine bar, but now with a sultrier sparkle. The team behind hatted gem Clover has brought in Head Chef Miller “Mimmo” Cowie, joining forces with Charley Snadden-Wilson to dish up Romana-style pizzas and thoughtful comfort fare that pairs effortlessly with the venue’s stellar wine list. The reimagined courtyard is a vibe in every season, thanks to heaters, a retractable awning and lush greenery. Inside, the fire crackles, the mood’s mellow, and the wine? Always pouring. Think of it as Prahran’s very own alpine rifugio.

64 Commercial Road, Prahran

New Thai BBQ Pop-Up at Shop Bao Ngoc

Yang Thai, Melbourne’s soon-to-be go-to Thai barbecue spot, is opening in Melbourne later this year. And while the shop is being built, owner Narit Kimsat is giving us all a teaser of what’s to come by hosting a suite of pop-ups across Melbourne. First up? Shop Bao Ngoc on the 15th June. Word is spreading that this is going to be some of the best charcoal chicken in Melbourne, so it’s best to line up early. We know we will be!

15th June, from 12pm until sold out

387 Victoria Street, Brunswick

Junda Khoo Kicks Off Trio of Melbourne Restaurants With Ho Liao

Junda Khoo’s introduction to the hospitality world wasn’t traditional. The former investment banker didn’t undergo culinary training; instead, he opened his first Sydney restaurant, Ho Jiak, with the vision of sharing the dishes from Penang he enjoyed throughout his childhood with Sydneysiders. Eleven years later, and Junda has opened a series of restaurants in the state, and is finally making his way to Melbourne. Ho Liao is the first of a trio of Melbourne venues from Junda Khoo, bringing his signature modern Malaysian flavours to Victoria. And the best part? The prices are capped at $15.

Designed to be approachable yet bold, Ho Liao channels the vibrant street food energy of Penang while introducing a fresh, elevated dining experience. The space itself is lively, with an exposed brick wall proudly showing off Ho Liao signage, and a casual, comfy atmosphere.

Ho Liao marks the start of a trio of new venues Junda Khoo will be opening in Melbourne, with a ground floor takeaway spot with a heavy focus on street food, Da Bao, and Junda Khoo’s famous Ho Jiak, which will be a formal dining venue slinging contemporary Malaysian delights.

Da Bao and Ho Jiak to open by the end of June

235 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Slowpoke’s New Kitchen Serves Up Nostalgic Flavours with a Twist

Collingwood’s whimsical rooftop lounge, Slowpoke, just got even better with the launch of its kitchen on Wednesday, 28th May. Helmed by Head Chef Felix Joseph Gailey, the menu reimagines classic American diner favourites through a nostalgic yet inventive lens. Think slowed-down cheeseburgers so delicious and nostalgic they’re unmissable, hash brown fries with a cheeky twist (no really, these are another must), and a savoury churro pancake paired with Slowpoke’s secret sauce. This isn’t your typical small-plate scene — it’s a playful, indulgent nod to childhood comfort food elevated with flair. Perfect for sharing, sipping, and soaking up those panoramic Collingwood views.

Level 4/50 Gipps Street, Collingwood

Victoria Shines Bright: Four of Top Five Wineries Crowned in 2025 Rankings

Victoria has once again dominated Australia’s wine scene, claiming four of the top five spots in The Real Review’s 2025 Top Wineries rankings. Geelong’s Wine by Farr took the coveted Winery of the Year title, marking a remarkable second win and continuing Victoria’s impressive five-year streak at the top. Close behind are Yarra Valley powerhouses Yarra Yering (#2), Levantine Hill (#3), and Giant Steps (#4), showcasing the region’s exceptional strength in producing world-class wines.

South Australia rounds out the top five with Wynns Coonawarra Estate securing fifth place, highlighting its significant rise this year. This Victorian dominance is echoed across the top 20, with nine Victorian wineries featured, underlining the state’s reputation for premium, cool-climate styles.

From elegant Pinots to bold Chardonnays, Victoria’s winemakers continue to craft wines that captivate critics and enthusiasts alike, reinforcing the region as a cornerstone of Australia’s vibrant and evolving wine industry.

@m.petrakis0

New Local 🌻 Breadcetera📍#fyp #foodtok #melbournefood #bakery #deli #mediterranean

♬ suono originale – giulio

Breadcetera: Malvern East’s New Gourmet Market Hub is Officially Open

Breadcetera is set to redefine Malvern East’s food scene with a fresh, community-focused concept from the team behind Riserva, Baia Di Vino, and Lucia—and it’s officially open for business! This modern market combines premium pantry staples, fresh bread, and exceptional coffee with a carefully curated selection of specialty items and homewares.

Thoughtfully designed for everyday needs, Breadcetera offers everything from pre-mixed aperitifs to boutique liqueurs, creating a space that feels local and sophisticated. A destination for those seeking quality provisions, it’s the perfect place for last-minute gourmet ingredients or a quick, delicious coffee fix. A must-visit for locals.

399 Wattletree Road, Malvern East

MP European to Open in Middle Park

Bistros are booming—and Middle Park is next in line. Middle Park European is opening its doors imminently, promising moody elegance, timeless Euro-inspired flavours, and golden hour vinos in a quietly luxe pocket of Bayside. With a dreamy outdoor space made for lingering lunches and sunset spritzes, this soon-to-be neighbourhood favourite is bringing serious charm to the local dining scene.

Opens June 3rd

20 Armstrong Street, Middle Park

Melbourne’s Longest Sushi Train Just Opened at The Glen

Sushi Jiro has officially opened its 30th and largest store at The Glen Shopping Centre, and it’s set to redefine your sushi experience. The showstopper? Melbourne’s longest sushi train—67 metres of robot-delivered sushi gliding directly to your table. Alongside this, Sushi Jiro introduces its first-ever Japanese soft serve station, offering all-you-can-eat soft serve with rotating flavours (vanilla, matcha) and 30 toppings. The restaurant’s design, inspired by traditional izakayas, seats over 100 guests and serves signature dishes like the Soft Shell Crab Noritaco and Himalaya Signature Roll. Sushi has never been this exciting.

Dining Precinct Entrance, Ground Level, The Glen, Glen Waverley

To Be Frank Comes to East Brunswick

To Be Frank is making your carb-loving dreams even sweeter with a new spot in East Brunswick! The cult bakery, famous for its slow-fermented breads and irresistible laminated pastries, has expanded, and we couldn’t be more excited. It opening in the second week of May on Nicholson Street’s buzzy East Brunswick Village, and the new location features an open kitchen, so you can watch the magic happen. Get ready for another level of bakery brilliance!

East Brunswick Village

Victoria’s Top Wines Steal the Show at Dan Murphy’s Best in Glass Awards 2025…and They’re All Under $50!

Victoria is turning heads at the inaugural Dan Murphy’s Best in Glass Wine Awards, picking up eight prestigious titles across multiple categories and ranking as the second-best performing state overall.

The Yarra Valley emerged as a standout, showcasing its cool-climate finesse. Little Yering Pinot Noir ($21.99) was crowned Best Value Pinot Noir, delivering a bright, fresh expression of the region’s signature style. In the white category, Tahblik Marsanne ($17.29) from Nagambie Lakes took out Best Value Other Varietal White, proving top quality doesn’t have to break the bank. Meanwhile, the Oakridge Valley Series Chardonnay ($29.99) claimed Best Chardonnay, further cementing the Yarra’s rep for elegant whites.

From the King Valley, Pizzini Pietra Rossa Sangiovese ($30.29) was named Best Other Varietal Red, Dal Zotto’s Pucino Prosecco ($22.29) the Best Prosecco, and in the sweet wine stakes, Brown Brothers Moscato Strawberries & Cream Limited Edition ($14.99) from North East Victoria took the top spot. Naturally, everyone’s favourite spritz, Zoncello ($21.95), won Best Sweet Spritz.

To round out Victoria’s impressive run, Dominique Portet Fontaine Rosé ($28.29) was awarded Best Rosé, making it official: Victoria is home to some of the country’s most exciting and accessible wines. Happy sipping!

Exclusive Late-Night Tiramisu Spot Opens in Glen Iris

The latest addition to the sweet treat world has us drooling. Siora Tiramisu is a brand new late-night dessert cafe serving nothing but a whole lot of rich, creamy, heavenly tiramisu. Co-sharing the space with AM Bakehouse, an equally delicious bakery which runs during the day, once the bakery doors close, the cafe is speedily transformed into a fun hangout spot where you can indulge in classic, pistachio or limoncello tiramisu while sipping on a post-dinner coffee and playing Uno or Briscola. Dessert has never looked so cool.

Thursday to Sunday, 4pm to 11pm

286D Tooronga Road, Glen Iris

CHANDON Unveils a Stunning Events & Tastings Space

CHANDON Australia has unveiled its reimagined Homestead, an intimate, design-led space within its Yarra Valley estate. A century-old farmhouse turned luxurious gathering place, the Homestead blends heritage with modern Australian artistry—think soft pinks, earthy hues, and bespoke works by local designers. Here, guests can savour oyster bars, tableside cooking, and CHANDON’s rare Étoile wines while overlooking rolling vineyards. With curated interiors by Melanie Beynon and a focus on craft and storytelling, the Homestead is an exquisite stage for indulgence—where méthode traditionnelle meets contemporary elegance.

Now open for events, tastings, and private celebrations

Hector’s Bakery Opens in Richmond

Everyone who’s ever fallen hard for a Hector’s Deli sandwich—get ready to fall even harder. Hector’s Bakery is here to steal your mornings, your money, and maybe even your heart. This buzzy new venture serves up freshly baked perfection alongside their cult-favourite sandwiches. Think cinnamon buns, morning buns, pain au chocolat, apple fritters, and a cheese and pepperonata croissant that’s already the stuff of legend.

Designed by Quinten and Josh Powell, the space is sleek, warm, and made for carb-fuelled daydreaming.

Open 7am to 3pm daily—see you in line.

Opens Thursday March 27th

33 Stewart Street, Richmond

Sydney’s Cult-Favourite Molly Tea Brings Jasmine Magic to Melbourne’s CBD

Molly Tea—the viral sensation known for its premium jasmine creations—is making its hotly anticipated Melbourne debut this May, with three new locations and a flagship store landing on Swanston Street.

Kicking things off with a soft opening, early customers who leave a Google review will receive a fragrant tea-scented sachet. Then, stay tuned for the Grand Opening: the first 100 guests to purchase two drinks will score a limited-edition Dupont bag and a rabbit-scented candle; the next 100 get the candle only.

Come sip signature drinks like the cult-fave Snowy Jasmine Milk Tea and dive into a sensory celebration of Chinese tea culture—complete with giveaways, discounts, and dreamy vibes.

222 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Freyja’s Bold New Chapter

Melbourne’s experimental fine diner Freyja is rewriting the rules with a bold new dining experience. Ditching traditional menus, they’re putting the power in diners’ hands—share your preferences, and the kitchen curates a bespoke Chef’s Selection just for your table. Executive Chef Jae Bang, with Michelin-starred pedigree, works magic with fermentation, pickling, and curing, crafting dishes like unripe blueberry ‘capers’ and six-month sourdough miso. Sustainability and hyper-local sourcing drive every plate, with foraged ingredients and seasonal Victorian produce taking centre stage. Housed in the heritage-listed Olderfleet building, Freyja is where innovation meets time-honoured techniques—dining here is anything but predictable.

477 Collins Street, Melbourne 

Melbourne Has Just Been Ranked the #1 Hottest Food Destination in the World for 2025

Melbourne, take a bow—you’ve just been crowned the world’s hottest food destination for 2025. A new study from the British luxury holiday brand Travelbag ranks our fair city as numero uno for food-obsessed travellers, and honestly, was there ever any doubt? With over 100 cuisines, a globally revered dining scene, and millions of food posts lighting up Instagram, Melbourne is a true culinary juggernaut. Beating out heavyweights like Tokyo, New York, and Bangkok, we’ve officially got the world’s best eats—so grab a fork, loosen your belt, and celebrate the only way we know how: by eating. Melbourne, we feast.

Fin Wines Reopens Its Finyard Cellar Door in Dixons Creek

After a year-long hiatus, Fin Wines is back, throwing open the doors to its Finyard—a laid-back, dog-friendly cellar door in Dixons Creek. This isn’t your buttoned-up wine tasting; it’s lo-fi, high-vibes, and all about good wine, good snacks, and good times. Sip through a five-wine flight ($20) featuring their zippy 2023 & 2024 releases, or settle in with a glass, some Chappy’s Chips (made with Fin’s own vinegar), and the occasional chef collab. Expect playful blends, pét-nats, ciders, and piquettes—all made with zero pretension and maximum drinkability.

Open weekends, 11am to 4pm

119 Lorimers Lane, Dixons Creek

Johnny, Vince & Sam’s Expand Restaurant to Include “Nonna’s Good Room”

Eighteen months after opening and giving Melburnians a peek into Nonna’s house, the trio behind Johnny, Vince & Sam’s are unlocking the ultimate prize—the good room. Usually off-limits (unless you were a guest important enough to ignore the kitchen detour), this pristine space is now open, and stepping inside feels almost like a rebellious world-first.

The ‘formal’ room keeps the retro charm of the ristorante but brings in a sleek cocktail bar and a private dining space. Expect new cocktails that taste like tradition with a twist—Nonno’s Garden Martini with EVOO, the Italian-inspired Figroni, and a Gin Basil Smash.

Opens February 28th

306-308 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.