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Restaurant Interior Design: Melbourne’s Most Instagrammable Venues

Serving up tasty treats and fabulous fit-outs, these are the masters of restaurant interior design across Melbourne.

Entrecote. Image credit: Lillie Thompson

It’s no secret that we’re a generation of Insta-addicts – we love scoping out new cafés, restaurants and bars based purely on the optics they deliver to our feed. Whether it’s stylised dishes, beautiful interiors or stunning skyline views, any venue worth their weight knows that offering a feast for the lens is mandatory. Here’s our pick of Melbourne’s best restaurant interior design venues.

Poodle Bar & Bistro

Poodle Bar & Bistro

A double storey haunt filled to brim with style and cosy nooks, come to Poodle Bar & Bistro to get your fill on great food, top notch drinks and divine looks. It's an art deco dreamscape, with moody dark wood panelling, cosy leather banquettes, checkered floors and glamorous appeal that's bound to impress your very best dinner guests and have you sidling up to each other for a tête-à-tête supper, unless you choose to park out on the vibey courtyard on balmy evenings. Poodle's fresh take on Euro bistro food and perennial good times atmosphere will have you both not wanting to leave.

81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 

Music Room. Image credit: Earl Carter

The Music Room at HER

Sweet sounds and sweeter interiors await in the strikingly designed Music Room at HER. Uniquely Melbourne in character, it's unlike anything else you'll find in Australia, nay the world! Immersive and compelling, it's a transformative listening room accessed through a sound-locked room, where patrons can lounge, drink fine spirits and cocktails and listen to premier DJS journey through a curated vinyl collection. It's a small and intimate space, designed to feel like you're inside a speaker box, with heavenly acoustics and awesome lighting combined with beautiful detailing. Timber, leather, brass accents and amber glass predominate, with the perforated, backlit timber selected for its acoustic properties - it just so happens to also be exceptionally aesthetic. 

Level 1, 270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 

Rocco's Bologna Discoteca

Rocco's Bologna Discoteca 

A new old-world trattoria of designer dreams, Rocco's Bologna Discoteca is like your Nonna's house decked out in a moody, modern mid-century fit that's as snazzy and as fun as it gets. Designed by Studio Co & Co, it's also been inspired by the Italian trattorias of Melbourne's past. The attention to detail and level of nostalgia ensures you'll want to visit the Rocco's party time and time again, to share a glass of vino and bowl of pasta and appreciate all the colours, youthfulness, and happy atmosphere. It's refreshingly unserious - and that's what makes this beautiful Italian restaurant one of Melbourne's most Instagrammable venues. 

15 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 

Untitled

Untitled 

No name required, this new neighbourhood institution in Richmond is Flack Studio designed - and feels like a place you could settle in for afternoon drinks, host a big dinnertime gathering, or wind down at midnight. That level of seamlessness continues into Untitled's striking interiors. The restaurant is truly an artistic endeavour, sitting naturally at a crossroads between art, design and food. Curves and organic forms create a fluidity to the space, while noble materials and a European sensibility add gravitas and sophistication to proceedings. Confident, textural and vibrant, it's one of the most beautiful restaurants in Melbourne to book a seat at right now. 

236 Swan Street, Cremorne 

Firebird

Firebird 

Firebird is bold yet approachable, evocative in celebrating the theatre of Vietnamese BBQ grilling, while adding some retro elements and pop art throwbacks. It's also an eclectic mix of finishes, textures, patterns and colours that help create its warm and inviting atmosphere, all burnished tiles and a coloured glass canopy, brickwork dividers, pendant lights and projections. Settle in and be captivated by the activity of the grill, framed by glass louvres in a subtle nod to the streetscapes of Vietnam. It's a captivating restaurant set to overload all your senses, in the best way!

223 High Street, Prahran

Sebastian 

Want to visit the sunny shores of San Sebastian? Sebastian Beach Bar has a gorgeously revamped outdoor deck, and it's the ideal location to soak up the upcoming summer sun. During the warmer months, DJs oft play sunset sessions; keep up the Spanish holiday vibe with outdoor tables, sangria, croquetas, calamari and Basque cheesecakes, of course. 

26 Esplanade, Williamstown Beach 

Luci at Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

Luci

The Hilton Little Queen Street is home to Luci, a delectable dining destination that is just begging to be snapped. A nod to Melbourne’s proud, Italian-influenced dining heritage, Luci’s refined brand of old-world elegance is as photogenic as it gets - think crisp white linens, plush velvet seating and a striking wooden staircase that will shine on your feed. 

18 Little Queen Street, Melbourne 

Society Dining Room

Society

One of Melbourne's most anticipated restaurant openings in recent times has been Society. Here, guests are being treated to lavish, experimental dishes that nod to Japanese cuisine and celebrate local produce, while world champion bartender Orlando Marzo has designed a cocktail list that includes vintage spirits sourced from collectors. The space itself is a sight to behold – infused with art deco, art nouveau and brutalist features, it includes a jaw dropping bar carved from a single piece of marble.

Sitchu Tip: Don't miss out on their new lunchtime dessert trolley - it's tiered Instagrammable confectionary perfection! 

80 Collins Street, Melbourne

Pinchy's

Pinchy’s

After a bunch of successful pop-ups, the lobster roll hawking Pinchy’s found a permanent home in Bourke Street’s Mid City arcade. The awe-inspiring space is awash in neon and pink, with velvet-clad booths and disco ball-like lights, while two separate bars beckon - one serves cocktails and craft brews, and the other is devoted to bubbly be it Champagne, prosecco or local sparkling.

Level 1/200 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Entrecote. Image credit: Lillie Thompson

Entrecote 

This aesthetically pleasing French bistro is made for all day dining, be it in their provincial garden-inspired courtyard, relaxed brasserie or lavish main dining room. Kick off proceedings in style with an ice cold martini or champagne and caviar bumps, before moving onto their menu of fine French classics. all remaining captivated by the quixotic scenes around you. French romance is alive and well in Melbourne with this dreamboat. 

142-144 Greville Street, Prahran 

Farmer's Daughters

Farmer's Daughters

Respected Melbourne chef Alejandro Saravia has brought his vision to establish an embassy for Gippsland in the heart of the CBD. All areas of Farmer's Daughters striking three-level concept champion the true essence of Gippsland, celebrating the diversity and richness of produce from the region. Perched high on the third floor, the Rooftop at Farmer’s Daughters has been designed to bring a little piece of the oasis that is regional Victoria to the city. The rooftop bar offers house-made cocktails, curated beers including the Stringer’s Creek Pilsner; a collaboration between Farmer’s Daughters and Stomping Ground, as well as Gippsland brewer Sailor’s Grave and select wines by the glass.

6/80 Collins Street, Melbourne

Via Porta

Via Porta

Part eatery, part wine bar, part deli and provedore, Via Porta is very much a family affair. While going into business with siblings is not always the easiest, when you have two chefs, an experienced host and an interior designer on the team - the outcome is inspired interiors and a menu that Nonna would be proud of. It's not every day a humble deli makes it into a design publication, but with such meticulous attention to detail and refined finishes, it's easy to see why this one did. 

677 Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert 

The Kettle Black

The Kettle Black

Few cafés can lay claim to being featured in Vogue Living, but The Kettle Black can. The space is a designer’s dream – sophisticated, light-filled and warm, soft oak furniture is contrasted with brass accents and a stunning marble bar. Their famed ricotta hotcake, scattered with a rainbow of berries, petals, seeds and nuts, is one of Melbourne’s most Instagrammed dishes.

50 Albert Road, South Melbourne

Di Stasio Citta. Image credit: Peter Bennett

Di Stasio Citta 

If there’s anyone that knows how to take style to the next level, it’s the Italians. Di Stasio’s no-expense-spared CBD outpost offers not only impeccable food but a big hitting wine list, personality-driven service and high art meets brutalist décor. Twirl your fork around slippery prawn linguine and pillowy four cheese gnocchi, and before you know it you’ll be saying “why not, let’s go for a whole bottle”. Proprio bello!

45 Spring Street, Melbourne

Juno Eatery

Juno Eatery

Not just an iconic movie figure played by Elliot Page (or an ancient Roman goddess and symbol for youthfulness), Juno can now add impressive brunch spot to its name. Come for the vibrant farm-to-table approach, stay for the sleek yet fun interiors at Juno Eatery, which is all about incorporating organic and seasonal produce into a menu that is anything but ordinary. Interior wise, the light-filled, concrete-filled venue is taken to charming new heights with a series of childlike chalk illustrations by artist Bobby Clark that adorn the walls.  

270c McKinnon Road, McKinnon

Hope Street Radio. Image credit: Peter Frederick Cole/Yellowtrace

Hope St Radio

At Hope St Radio, you can enjoy a view of the leafy green courtyard while dining on delish pasta and vinos, as you settle into a dreamily-hued wonderland of style. It's a welcoming retreat, and a celebration of good food and good music with charming retro vibes to match. The generous, light-filled space has been beautifully designed by Peter Frederick Cole. The colour palette is filled with warm browns and plays with the existing structure of the space. There's a refreshing, whimsical charm too, thanks to the series of bespoke, almost crayon-like murals by local Melbourne artist Alice McIntosh that adorn the walls. Blue decorative lattice framework, retro school chairs (it was formerly known as the Collingwood Technical School after all) and blue edge stripping on the custom resin benchtops complete the pretty picture. Shouting mod-retro in all the right places, there's a reason why Hope St is such a popular destination.

35 Johnston Street, Collingwood 

Higher Ground

Higher Ground

With three levels of dining space, 15-metre high ceilings, and a one-of-a-kind location in the CBD, Higher Ground remains at the top of restaurant interior design in Melbourne. The former power station balances rich, tactile finishes of terrazzo, steel, stone and timber with touches of greenery, creating a light-filled space that is as warm as it is grand. Inspired by New York's all-day dining spots, the award-winning menu is as impressive as the fit-out. Start your day with the heavenly Spanner Crab benedict or end it on a high with the 12-hour cooked lamb for two. 

650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Lune Croissanterie

Lune Croissanterie

Lune’s own account has nearly 300,000 followers, and it’s easy to see why. Their croissants and cruffins are delicious works of art, with posts showing off glossy shells, mesmerising layers and creative garnishes. Plus, given they’re one of the hottest foodie tickets in town, it’s a case of “if you didn’t ‘gram it, did you really get one”? Their OG Fitzroy store is equally as mesmerising, with moody, industrial vibes aplenty. 

119 Rose Street, Fitzroy

Naked For Satan

Naked for Satan

After you finish snacking on pintxos, take the lift to Naked for Satan’s rooftop terrace for some prime Insty material. From up there, you’ll get stunning vistas of the city skyline – the perfect backdrop for photos – and if you pick your timing wisely, you’ll catch the sun setting as they switch on their fairy globes.

285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

LeTAO

LeTAO

There's a new jewel of Swanston Street; LeTao is a sight for sore eyes! This tiny cheesecake and soft serve parlour is easily swirling up the most photogenic desserts in town. These Western-inspired but undeniably Japanese treats are further reflected in the atmospheric, minimalist design of the space, which has leaned into the spirit of Japanese design to extract the essence of what Australians recognise as Japanese. Dramatic, sleek and charcoal tinted, with boulder-like benches that hold up LeTao's expertly crafted cheesecakes to the light treating them like precious jewels, you'll be enchanted as soon as you step inside. Your tastebuds? Guaranteed to be equally as enticed! 

238 Swanston Street, Melbourne 

Lui Bar

Lui Bar

With ambient lighting, dark seductive interiors and sky-high views that stretch out all over Melbourne, Lui Bar is an Instagrammer’s dream. Sip Champagne underneath their dreamlike ‘cloud’ chandelier – the bar’s crowning glory – and work your way through a decadent bar menu of spiced chicken wings, fresh oysters and Wagyu brisket sliders. This has date night written all over it. 

Rialto Towers, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne

Abacus Bar + Kitchen

Abacus Bar + Kitchen

It feels like an urban jungle inside Abacus, where you’ll eat among verdant subtropical plants and a large fig tree rising out from polished concrete and marbled tables. All the greenery, matched with smooth wooden benches, glowing spherical lights and brown leather banquettes make for a beautiful, zen-filled backdrop for your #instaeats.

383 Chapel Street, South Yarra

The Everleigh

The Everleigh deals in picture perfection, from the elegant cocktails to the lush, inviting interior. Every corner has photo potential – there’s the long marble bar, the vintage piano, a glittering backlit liquor cabinet, chandeliers and even curious taxidermy that’ll take your feed to a bygone era.

150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

There is nothing better than enjoying a fabulous meal in an equally fabulous setting and luckily, Melbourne has them in abundance. Grab a coffee or a snack and get your Insta feed thriving with our line-up of Melbourne's best restaurant interior design venues. Looking for other cool places to explore? Round up the crew for a boozy brunch, explore CBD cafes or try a new bar.

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