In Good Taste: Best Restaurant Interior Design in Melbourne

It’s no secret that we’re a generation of Insta-addicts – we love scoping out new cafes, 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 its weight knows that offering a feast for the lens is mandatory. Here are our pick of venues with the best restaurant interior design in Melbourne – get the camera ready.

Neighbourhood Wine

Neighbourhood Wine is one of those wine bars in Melbourne that has a way of making you feel like you’ve stumbled into something truly special. Warm, polished, and effortlessly cool, it draws you in with its vibe and dreamy interiors. The wine list is stacked, of course, but it’s the retro atmosphere that steals the show.

Picture rustic floorboards creaking underfoot, dimly lit rooms humming with energy, ceiling fans lazily spinning overhead, and candle-lit tables perfect for a quiet date or a night out with stories to share. Behind the bar, a long wood counter welcomes you, while the air crackles with ’50s and ’60s jazz and blues records on high rotation.

1 Reid Street, Fitzroy North

Maison Batard

Maison Batard is Melbourne’s lavish new love letter to French indulgence, a four-storey jewel of opulence crafted by hospitality maestro Chris Lucas. Beneath soaring ceilings and gilded chandeliers, Restaurant Batard seduces with an oyster bar, rotisserie delights, and elegantly reimagined French classics. Ascend to Le Terrace, a rooftop sanctuary where atrium views meet DJ-spun energy. Bathed in soft golden light and framed by art-lined walls, this is a space where 2600 exquisite wines and effortless glamour reign supreme. This is restaurant interior design in Melbourne dialled up to eleven—10 years in the making.

23 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Gigi

Discreetly tucked away opposite its brasserie big brother, Gigi by Entrecôte is a seductive escape into 1930s Parisian glamour. Hidden down a cobbled laneway in Prahran, this sultry speakeasy oozes allure with its moody lighting, plush velvet banquettes, gilded mirrors, and art-adorned walls. The Eurocentric salon, galerie, and terrace create an intoxicating blend of old-world opulence and contemporary edge. Here, absinthe flows, caviar is savoured with Champagne, and whispered secrets linger late into the night. Gigi is indulgence, reimagined.

level 1/143 Greville Street, Prahran

Marmelo & Mr Mills

Sophisticated, expansive, and utterly stunning, Marmelo is a masterclass in refined dining, where wood and charcoal meet the coastal flavours of Portugal and Spain under the vision of acclaimed chef Ross Lusted. The interiors exude modern grandeur—soaring ceilings, warm timber, and soft lighting set the scene for an unforgettable feast. Every dish bursts with precision and bold flavour—think pastel de natas crowned with spanner crab, whole charred calamari bathed in buttery perfection, and a refined take on Portuguese roasted cockerel, best paired with fragrant tomato rice and potatoes whipped with garlic.

Afterwards, descend the striking chartreuse staircase into Mr Mills, a moody, late-night basement bar with plush booths, low-lit intimacy, and DJ grooves. The clarified margarita is as polished as the space itself, best enjoyed with a selection of late-night bites. Together, Marmelo and Mr Mills deliver a sleek, immersive experience that seamlessly blends elegance, indulgence, and atmosphere.

Ground Floor/130 Russell Street, Melbourne 

Mid Air

Floating high above the city, Mid Air is where Melbourne’s skyline meets sun-drenched Mediterranean charm. Designed by Kennedy Nolan, this rooftop sanctuary is all sleek lines, warm timbers, signature rooftop windows, and soft golden light—like a scene from a European summer dream. The menu? A love letter to Greece, Turkey, Spain, and Italy, with each dish crafted from the freshest local produce. Add in a killer cocktail lineup and uninterrupted city views, and you’ve got Melbourne’s most photogenic dining destination right now.

130 Russell Street, Melbourne 

Hotel Nacional

Perched above the iconic Campari House on Melbourne’s lively Hardware Lane, Hotel Nacional unveils a new era of dining with its chic five-level rooftop bar and restaurant. This stunning venue marries modern minimalist design with warm terracotta tones and textured accents, and white pebble flooring underfoot.

The elegant interiors create a vibrant backdrop for a 100% gluten-free menu inspired by authentic Mexican cuisine. With its stylish décor and breathtaking city views, Hotel Nacional offers an immersive dining experience where the sophisticated setting is as memorable as the culinary delights.

Be sure to add this visual and gastronomic feast to your diaries!

23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

Julie

Housed within the iconic Abbotsford Convent, Julie is a masterclass in effortlessly cool interiors. Butter-yellow tiles meet mint-green walls, while speckled peachy-orange floors ground the airy space. Expansive windows flood the dining room with light, bouncing off linen-draped tables and rustic timber accents. The vibe? Vintage charm with a modern edge. Step onto the sun-drenched terrace, where the lush gardens set the scene for long, lazy lunches. It’s a design-lover’s dream—elegant, eclectic, and seriously photogenic.

1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

Reine & La Rue

Tucked behind the iconic ANZ banking chamber at the corner of Queen and Collins, Reine & La Rue stands as a jewel in Melbourne’s dining scene. Set within the historic walls of Melbourne’s original stock exchange, this heritage-listed gem has been artfully transformed into a breathtaking restaurant and cocktail bar. Guests are invited to savour refined French fare, celebrating the finest Victorian produce, in a setting where timeless elegance meets contemporary design.

With its sumptuous interiors, from the grand dining area to the charming 8-seater wine bar La Rue, Reine & La Rue offers an enchanting experience steeped in history and style, complemented by a distinguished global wine list. 

380 Collins Street, Melbourne

Purple Pit 

Purple Pit is a Melbourne sensation, offering a cocktail and small plate experience with a moody, Berlin-inspired flair. This hotspot has been brought to life by Joe Jones and Maurice Terzini, and stands out for its captivating interiors evoking a dramatic 90’s Berlin nightlife vibe.

The entrance, discreetly marked by white lettering and a velvet rope, opens into a space where brutalist elements meet opulent textures. The dark, theatrical atmosphere is enhanced by dramatic curtains, black ceilings, and striking contemporary artworks.

Here, inventive cocktails like the Peach Negroni with smoked vinegar and a late-night menu—including a gourmet twist on the classic Filet-o-Fish—create a unique, atmospheric retreat that’s open until 3am on weekends.

376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne

Poodle Bar & Bistro

A double-storey haunt filled to the brim with style and cosy nooks, Poodle Bar & Bistro is filled with 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. Poodle’s fresh take on Euro bistro food and perennial good times atmosphere will make it hard to leave.

81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 

Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca 

A new old-world trattoria of designer dreams, Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca is like Nonna’s house decked out in a modern mid-century fit that’s as fun as it gets.

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 a bowl of pasta while you take in the colours 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 

Firebird 

Firebird is bold yet approachable, evocative in celebrating the theatre of Vietnamese BBQ while adding some retro elements and pop art throwbacks.

It’s an eclectic mix of finishes, textures, patterns and colours that create a warm and inviting atmosphere, all burnished tiles and a coloured glass canopy, brickwork dividers, pendant lights and projections. 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 sun and snap for socials.

During the warmer months, DJs often 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

The Hilton 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 

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 

French romance is alive and well in Melbourne within this dreamboat venue. This aesthetically pleasing Entrecote 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 while being captivated by the quixotic scenes around you. 

142-144 Greville Street, Prahran 

Hopper Joint

From the creative dream team of restaurateur Jason Jones and interior designer Braham Perera (who together own French favourite, Entrecote, just across the street), it’s all in the name at this lively, bustling, and oh so beautiful new restaurant. Hoppers take centre stage alongside traditional snacks like freshly shucked oysters, pan rolls (Sri Lanka’s answer to the Chiko roll), and spanner crab paddu. 

Perera’s luxe and thoughtful interiors encourage diners to embrace the tactile experience of eating with their hands, fostering a communal atmosphere with low-lying fans, greenery, and personal touches that evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia.

It’s a bold statement of cultural pride and an invitation for one and all to partake in the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan life through its flavours, sounds, and stories. All paired perfectly with Pimm’s jugs aplenty and a lush array of refreshing cocktails, this is truly the dining experience on everyone’s lips right now.

It’s a sparkling new jewel on Greville Street’s crown – and you need to pay it a visit ASAP.

Sitchu Tip: We recommend going at sunset hour, when the sun dapples across the golden and brown hues of the dining room. 

157 Greville Street, Prahran

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 killer menu.

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

Few cafes 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 

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

Hope St Radio

At Hope St Radio, you can enjoy a view of the leafy green courtyard while dining on pasta and vinos. It’s a welcoming retreat and a celebration of good food and great music with charming retro vibes to match.

The generous, light-filled space has been beautifully designed by Peter Frederick Cole design services. 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.

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

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 for best 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. 

650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Lune Croissanterie

Lune has over 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 even get one”? Their stores is equally as mesmerising, with moody, industrial vibes aplenty. 

Fitzroy, Melbourne CBD & Armadale

Grab a coffee or a bite and get your Insta feed thriving with our line-up of the best restaurant interior design venues in Melbourne. Looking for other cool places to explore? Round up the crew for a boozy brunch, or explore these CBD cafes.