No matter where you find yourself in Melbourne, a world-class meal is waiting for you in one of the city’s many fine dining restaurants or tucked down a hidden laneway; you just need to know where to look.
The best restaurants in Melbourne demonstrate a keen understanding of one thing: all you really need to satisfy customers is good local produce, solid technique and some restraint. Letting Victoria’s best ingredients speak for themselves is a big part of dining out in Melbourne and helps explain why the city continues to lead the loosely drawn concept of modern Australian cuisine.
Consider this your ultimate Melbourne dining to-do list. Work through it from top to bottom or skip ahead to your preferred corner of the city below.
In short
Picking just one Melbourne restaurant to send you to may be the most difficult choice in Australia. The city’s culinary scene is unquestionably one of the world’s finest, with a wide-ranging appetite that takes in, refines and interprets food from many different cultures. But it’s Italian that often reigns supreme here. Our top pick would be Florentino for its old-world atmosphere and simple, rich flavours. Now under the Edition Group banner, the Bourke Street staple – the oldest restaurant in Melbourne – has maintained the elegant experience. Grab the caramelle with ricotta, roasted onion, pine nuts and currants, and you’ll surely agree.
Melbourne CBD and surrounds
Fine dining powerhouses driven by purpose and designed to impress can be found all over Melbourne’s CBD, with plenty more sitting just outside the Free Tram Zone.
1. Vue de Monde
The sky-high Vue De Monde restaurant is situated on the 55th floor of the Rialto. (Credit: Supplied)
Try their signature oyster. (Credit: Supplied)
Remarkable city views stretch towards the Dandenong Ranges from the 55th floor of the Rialto. Vue de Monde has been Victoria’s signature fine diner for decades, and a meal here is still one of the biggest culinary splurges you can make in Melbourne.
The format has become simpler over the years, with chef Hugh Allen showing tremendous restraint. He wouldn’t dare switch up long-loved signatures like the grilled Western Australian marron with fried native herb paste and marron roe custard, or the chocolate soufflé with billy tea ice cream.
There’s now one Signature Chef’s Tasting Menu, priced at $380 per person, with the kitchen changing things as the seasons move. Give yourself the entire evening and don’t make plans afterwards. You’ll want to savour the best dining experience in Melbourne.
Florentino has been a Bourke Street staple since 1928. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Classic hospitality has always been the star behind Florentino; that hasn’t changed despite Guy Grossi selling his flagship to Edition Group in 2025. The small, elegant dining room has been a Bourke Street staple since 1928, and its seamless transition into a new era hasn’t compromised on consistency.
Chef Brendan Katich clearly values what the Grossi family has established over the years, only slightly shifting the menu with exciting new dishes like a duck-filled cappelletti and the brilliant caramelle with ricotta, roasted onion, pine nuts and currants. Dishes are harmonious and gentle, which aligns well with the atmosphere, where the light is carefully designed for mood rather than social media.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Energetic and sociable
Location: 80 Bourke St, Melbourne
3. Soi 38
The beef-filled boat noodles is a must-try. (Credit: Soi 38)
Yum Mama Kor Moo Thod noodles topped with deep-fried pork jowl in spicy home-made sauce. (Credit: Soi 38)
Soi 38 would be one of our first suggestions for an out-of-towner asking where to find great Thai food in Melbourne. It’s a cliché at this point, but Soi 38 is still banging on the gold standard with high-energy lunch service brimming with simmering vats of broth and hand-cut boat noodles.
Things become louder and more exciting after nightfall, when the kitchen fires up gas burners at each table, and the space fills with smoke. The traditional Thai BBQ menu evokes the backstreets of Bangkok, lifting simple street food with local produce; the flavours are so punchy and authentic, always reminding me of the many times we’ve spent driving around the world’s most visited city seeking those hidden gems locals can’t get enough of.
Cuisine: Thai
Price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual and busy
Location: 38 McIlwraith Pl, Melbourne
4. French Saloon
Indulge in French fare in a cosy, loft-like space. (Credit: French Saloon)
Following a long stint as a function space shooting off Melbourne’s famous Hardware Lane, Con Christopoulos’ crowd-pleasing French Saloon is still a sure-shot favourite for locals heading into the city for fine French food.
Head chef Luke Fraser proves his worth on this corner of Little Bourke Street with a stellar menu concerned with very little but perfecting classic French fare and matching that with an extensive wine list. While weekends are still reserved for events, this loft-like space is the perfect mid-week date night spot with a cosy, romantic ambience that’s classy but completely unpretentious. Best French restaurant in Melbourne? Competition is fierce but this kitchen is certainly up there.
Cuisine: French
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Busy and sociable
Location: 46 Hardware Ln, Melbourne
5. Flower Drum
Pearl meat sautéed with spring onion, garlic chives and asparagus. (Credit: Flower Drum)
Jade Tiger Abalone with Crystal Noodles. (Credit: Flower Drum)
Enter through the red door in Market Lane and you’re stepping into one of Australia’s great dining institutions. Flower Drum has been setting the benchmark for polished Cantonese hospitality since 1975.
Victorian produce has given the kitchen simple ways to elevate standards like succulent Peking duck and mud crab. But it’s the entire experience that ensures the space is always flooded with regulars, from the gold-standard service and old-school hospitality to the simple, moody lighting. It still feels like a hidden gem, despite being the most famous Chinese restaurant in Melbourne.
Cuisine: Cantonese
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Energetic and sophisticated
Location: 17 Market Ln, Melbourne
6. Gimlet at Cavendish House
The Chicago-style Gimlet at Cavendish House evokes old-world glamour. (Credit: Visit Victoria/Trader House)
Traditional caviar service served in antique silverware with classic accompaniments. (Credit: Visit Victoria/Trader House)
Tuck into juicy prawns. (Credit: Visit Victoria/Trader House)
Few Melbourne restaurants have represented a seismic shift in the city’s dining scene as well as Gimlet at Cavendish House. Stalwart restaurateur Andrew McConnell is at the top of his game with this well-dressed restaurant and bar, which has turned a 1920s building in the CBD into a grand and glitzy powerhouse of hospitality.
This Acme & Co-designed venue is popular for Martini-fuelled long lunches and swanky client dinners, but it’s just as viable to pull up a seat at the black-and-gold marble bar and dine alone. I’ve always rolled solo at Gimlet, but the bar staff are so exceptionally well-versed in conversation that I’ve never really felt like I’m dining alone.
All types of guests walk through those doors, from corporate closers to celebratory couples, impatiently waiting to clamp their teeth down on juicy southern rock lobsters, seafood salads and coal-roasted meats.
Cuisine: Modern European
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Elegant and vibrant
Location: 33 Russell St, Melbourne
7. Reine & La Rue
Step into a cathedral-esque space. (Credit: Visit Victoria/Reine & La Rue)
Nomad Group’s Jacqui Challinor and ex-Nomad chef Brendan Katich are the masterminds behind the transformation of the cathedral-esque Melbourne Stock Exchange building into Reine and La Rue.
Much like Andrew McConnell’s Gimlet, the grand 140-seat Reine makes a strong case for ambitious adaptive reuse projects being the way forward for Melbourne’s dining scene. A stunner like this could never be a new build, wearing its age proudly with vaulted ceilings, dual bars and solid granite columns.
Food is expensive but generously plated, with a focus on marrying old-world French flair with top-shelf Australian produce. Flirt through the 40-seat courtyard, and you’ll find yourself at the exclusive eight-seat La Rue, a wine bar with the same menu and, unsurprisingly, faster service.
Cuisine: French
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Grand and lived-in
Location: 380 Collins St, Melbourne
8. Kenzan
As one of the original Japanese restaurants in Melbourne, Kenzan is still a shining example of how simplicity, consistency and great service are sometimes all you need. Since 1981, this Collins Place fixture has been perfecting traditional Japanese food, betraying its rather drab location on the lower level of a food court with outstanding quality.
Co-owners Kazu Murayama, Yuki Munehiro and Boeing Cho haven’t splashed on any expensive interiors. Kenzan doesn’t look like it should be as good as it is, but between that melt-in-your-mouth tuna belly and grilled eel with sweet soy sauce, there’s no mistaking this for anything but one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city. Our best tip is to head along for lunch instead of dinner, where the same menu is offered at a slightly lower price.
The space exudes an irrepressible energy that elevates classic steaks. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
A decadent dessert spread, featuring the signature Tiramisu at Grill Americano. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Chris Lucas’ large-format Italian steakhouse, Grill Americano, is always a big night out. Warm, classic hospitality is all crisp white jackets and cinematic tableside cooking, relying as much on character as on exceptional food and an impressive 2,000-bottle wine cellar.
The signature Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a whopping 1.2-kilogram T-bone, can usually be found on every table, flanked by essential sides like potato focaccia and mac ’n’ cheese with prosciutto. And there’s something about the venue’s irrepressible energy that elevates the food. Sinking into those plush banquettes immediately evokes the vintage grills and brasseries that once defined Melbourne, reaffirming Lucas as a towering figure of this city’s imposing dining scene.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Upscale and friendly
Location: 112 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
10. Mamasita
Tuck into Mexican favourites, alongside cocktails. (Credit: Mamasita)
Widely considered the best Mexican restaurant in Melbourne, Mamasita relies on much more than just tacos and tostadas (although they are a cut above average as well). Chef Martin Zozaya changes the menu to reflect the seasonal shifts of Mexico; fresh dishes inspired by Mexico’s Pacific coast define the menu in the summer months, while winter is all about meatier, heavier plates like overnight black beer brisket with mustard crema and salsa.
Seasons are distinctive here, which speaks highly of the diversity of Mexico’s historic cuisine. Take the highlights alongside hand-pressed tacos and an extensive list of mezcals and tequilas. Cocktails are big business at Mamasita, so make sure at least two of those brilliant smoky margaritas end up on your table.
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Fun and sociable
Location: 11 Collins St, Melbourne
11. Atria
The elegant Atria restaurant is located on the 80th floor of the iconic Ritz-Carlton Melbourne. (Credit: Visit Victoria/The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne)
This sky-high fine diner delivers meticulously prepared dishes. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
In 2023, one of the hottest new restaurants in Melbourne was Atria. Posh, dramatic and appropriately dressed, this polished fine diner is perfect for those looking for rooftop restaurants with city views in Melbourne.
After all, it’s located on the 80th floor of the snazzy Ritz-Carlton Melbourne. Years later, it’s become part of the furniture for Melbourne’s well-heeled crowd, considered as highly prized as dinner at the city’s other sky-high experience, Vue de Monde.
Dramatic sky dining wouldn’t be nearly as appealing if the food wasn’t half as impressive as the view. Thankfully, the kitchen raises the bar with uncomplicated dishes leaning heavily on Victoria’s best produce seared by a powerhouse wood-fired grill. Don’t forget to browse the globe-trotting wine list. The book of varietals is more like an encyclopedia, with both classic back vintages and modern drops sharing the spotlight.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Ritzy and cinematic
Location: 650 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
12. Freyja
The beautiful space features striking Gothic-style cathedral windows. (Credit: Freyja)
Freyja occupies two floors of the 1880s Olderfleet building on Collins Street, proudly showcasing its heritage guts with original details like a spiral staircase, restored brick and vintage blue leather banquettes. Named for a Norse goddess, this dramatic dining room expertly blends Scandinavia’s love of pickling, smoking and preserving ingredients with modern Australian cuisine.
And the results are fantastic, from the lunch-only traditional Smørrebrød with rainbow trout, potato and seasonal herbs, to dinner service classics like duck served with daikon, mustard leaf, black currant and coriander seed.
Chef Jae Bang has Michelin stars under his belt, and the pedigree shows in his delicate, open-minded dishes that are always serving up something new. For the best experience, fork out for the six-course, $99 Taste of Freyja menu, which comes with optional beverage pairings favouring natural, harder-to-find wines.
Cuisine: Scandinavian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Clean and calm
Location: 477 Collins St, Melbourne
13. Warabi
Wagyu beef and salmon sashimi handcrafted to perfection. (Credit: Warabi Melbourne)
Firefly squid in a claypot. (Credit: Warabi Melbourne)
Warabi has evolved. The intimate Japanese restaurant inside W Melbourne now puts omakase at the centre of the experience, with seasonal Australian ingredients worked through Japanese technique under Chef Hajime.
The chef’s counter is still where I’d want to sit. Watching the preparation is half the reason to spend this much on dinner. There’s also an à la carte service now, plus a weekday lunch offering from Tuesday to Friday, making Warabi much easier to experience without committing to the full evening.
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Lively and intimate
Location: 408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
14. Maha
Complement your visit with a Middle-Eastern meal. (Credit: Maha)
Shane Delia’s pride and joy remains one of Melbourne’s essential Middle Eastern restaurants. Maha has been around long enough to qualify as an institution now, although dinner still feels much more exuberant than that word suggests.
Come with people who like sharing. That’s really the point. Mezze lands around the table before larger dishes arrive, and the kitchen has never been shy with flavour. The generous set menus make sense on a first visit because choosing conservatively at Maha feels like missing half the experience.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Energetic and sociable
Location: 21 Bond St, Melbourne
15. Ishizuka
You don’t often find genuine kaiseki cooking in Australia. Ishizuka makes a convincing case for the form from a tiny basement dining room on Bourke Street, serving only a small number of guests at a time.
This is quiet, precise cooking where the sequence matters as much as any individual dish. The menu changes with the seasons, and that’s how it should be. Ishizuka is expensive enough to keep firmly in special-occasion territory, so I’d avoid studying photographs of every course beforehand. A little surprise is worth preserving.
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Elegant and peaceful
Location: 139 Bourke St, Melbourne
16. ARU
Pâté en croûte served with pickled vegetables at ARU. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
ARU takes the wood-fired instincts of the Sunda team and gives them more room to move. The open kitchen is dominated by the hearth, with smoke appearing throughout a menu that draws broadly from Asian cuisines without being particularly interested in borders.
We like ARU most with a group because the dishes tend to reward sharing. Order something substantial from the fire and build around it. The cocktails deserve more attention than they sometimes get too, especially if dinner is the start of the night rather than the end.
Cuisine: Modern Asian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Stylish and sociable
Location: 268 Little Collins St, Melbourne
17. Supernormal
Dine on inventive modern Asian cuisine at Supernormal. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Supernormal has survived long enough to prove it was much more than the restaurant of the moment. Andrew McConnell’s Flinders Lane favourite still draws heavily from Japan and China, while the basement dining room remains one of Melbourne’s most reliable choices for a lively date.
You’ll spot Japanese flavours spliced with Chinese and Korean when looking through the ever-changing menu. You’ll need at least one of those New England lobster rolls on the table, best taken with potsticker dumplings and that enormous koji-marinated Ravens Creek pork tomahawk served with ginger soy. Flavour combinations at Supernormal are clever, satisfying and creative.
Cuisine: Modern Asian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Fun and eclectic
Location: 180 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
18. Lee Ho Fook
Victor Liong’s Lee Ho Fook has occupied its Duckboard Place home since 2015, quietly turning out some of Melbourne’s most thoughtful modern Chinese food.
The menu is currently described as multi-regional rather than strictly Cantonese, with premium Australian ingredients doing much of the work. Tea pairing remains available if you want to lean into the full experience. There’s also a very useful current perk: Monday through Wednesday is free BYO wine, which gives us an excellent excuse to open something good from home.
Cuisine: Modern Chinese
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Moody and elegant
Location: 11-15 Duckboard Pl, Melbourne
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19. Nomad
Sink into the comfortable brown banquettes. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
This creamy burrata cheese over fennel jam is a popular menu staple at Nomad. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Nomad’s Melbourne outpost sits beneath the Adelphi Hotel, bringing the Sydney restaurant’s fire-driven approach to Flinders Lane. The menu pulls inspiration from Spain and the Middle East while leaning heavily on Victorian produce.
Wood-fired flatbread is the obvious place to begin. After that, I’d look at whatever has been near the grill. Nomad is also particularly handy before the theatre, given its location and knack for getting a table fed without making dinner feel rushed.
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Open and energetic
Location: 187 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
20. Tipo 00
Tipo 00 whips up excellent Italian dishes. (Credit: Tipo 00)
Many consider Tipo 00 the best Italian restaurant in Melbourne. Some would even say it’s the best in the country. Either way, the tiny Little Bourke Street dining room remains one of the hardest places in town to fault.
Pasta is obviously why you’re here. The exact menu changes, so I wouldn’t get attached to something you saw six months ago, although the kitchen’s famous tiramisu isn’t going anywhere without a riot. We still prefer Tipo 00 at lunch, before the after-work crowd turns this little room into a very busy one.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Casual and friendly
Location: 361 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
21. Osteria Ilaria
Peruse the Italian-inflected menu at Osteria Ilaria. (Credit: Kristoffer Paulsen)
Osteria Ilaria comes from the same team behind Tipo 00. And the endearing focus on high-quality, handmade pasta and modern Italian dishes is just as effective in this modern kitchen. A simple chef’s menu (or the $65 two-course business lunch menu) is usually the way to go if you want to experience the kitchen’s greatest hits.
You might start with a fresh bluefin tuna crudo, then you’ll move on to fresh starters like grilled calamari with parsnip and rhubarb before rich, hearty pasta like tagliolini with king prawns and saffron. Or you could ditch pasta altogether and go for something like the simple snapper with fennel, bergamot and kale.
The menu is so wide-ranging and creative that just one visit won’t quite cut it for this Little Bourke Street favourite.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Warm and friendly
Location: 367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
22. Hardware Club
Tuck into classic Italian recipes at this contemporary trattoria.
Located on the first floor of the heritage-listed Hardware House on Hardware Lane, this 65-seater is serving up some of the best pizza in Melbourne. Co-owner Nicola Dusi commands the most out of that small wood-fired oven behind the bar, offering simple, delicious pizza and house-baked bread along with a menu of pasta and mostly coastal dishes.
The approach at Hardware Club is very much aligned with classic Italian recipes, but there are also a few surprises like roasted bone marrow toast with salsa verde and fried capers, burrata with spicy nduja jam and gremolata, and a hearty pork and fennel sausage wheel with silverbeet and shallots.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Relaxed and communal
Location: 43 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
23. Embla
Sip on the delicious vinos on offer at this French wine bar. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
A well-curated schedule of live music, a homely, approachable atmosphere where everyone feels completely at ease, and some of the best food in Melbourne (no joke). Embla has been leading Melbourne’s wine bar scene for years, banking heavily on balance, with its exploratory wine list only half of the story.
Music, food and wine come together with warm, personable service to frame one of the single best dining experiences you can have when visiting Melbourne. The simple, uncomplicated approach to the food definitely helps, putting complete faith in ingredients to do the heavy lifting while sommeliers are pros at picking the right pairing. This French wine bar is an icon.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Homely and welcoming
Location: 122 Russell St, Melbourne
24. Marmelo
Pull up a chair at the Portuguese-influenced Marmelo restaurant. (Credit: Supplied)
Salted Murray cod and potato croquette, served hot with whipped potato and mustard sauce. (Credit: Marmelo)
Marmelo opened in early 2025 with Ross and Sunny Lusted attempting to mirror much of the success they found at Crown Sydney with Woodcut. It’s a woodfired restaurant focused on making the most of Australian produce and bringing out unexpected flavours from some of the country’s finest.
While it’s not daring to be different, the kitchen has nailed the kind of simplicity that the city pays big bucks for. It’s a nice, classy place to get a steak or some Portuguese chicken and a glass of wine, which in the age of the concept restaurant, is rather refreshing.
Cuisine: Portuguese-inspired
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Stylish and friendly
Location: 130 Russell St, Melbourne
25. Bar Lourinhã
The signature Spanish sardines at Bar Lourinhã. (Credit: Bar Lourinhã)
Bar Lourinhã has been doing its thing on Little Collins Street since 2006, and we wouldn’t change much about it. The room is small, service is quick-witted, and the food arrives with the kind of strong flavours that make another glass of wine seem sensible.
Sit at the bar if you can. Spanish and Portuguese influences run through the menu, but I rarely arrive with a particular dish in mind. Ask what’s on special and order that. After two decades, Lourinhã has earned a bit of trust.
Cuisine: Spanish and Portuguese
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Intimate and lively
Location: 37 Little Collins St, Melbourne
26. Common Cuts
Common Cuts is a funky little modern steakhouse opposite the Old Melbourne Gaol, right next to the budget-friendly Space Hotel. The room feels younger than your standard city grill, with a vinyl collection at the back and a small DJ alcove that gets used later in the week.
The $28.50 steak frites is the reason we’d send someone here first. For such a great price, you get a perfectly cooked, full-flavoured steak with just as much focus on the frites. You can spend substantially more on Wagyu if that’s the mood, though the entry-level version already makes a strong argument for the place. Get the signature and let the DJ worry about what comes next.
Denmark House is very easy to miss. Head upstairs from Little Bourke Street and you’ll find one of the CBD’s rarer propositions: a Danish restaurant with a genuine connection to New Nordic cooking.
Smørrebrød is the thing to order. These open-faced rye sandwiches come with traditional toppings that change across the menu, and they’re considerably more substantial than their neat appearance suggests. You don’t need to fly all the way to Copenhagen for a good smørrebrød after all.
Cuisine: Danish
Price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed and understated
Location: Level 3, 428 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
Northern suburbs
A strong sense of community sits at the heart of Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs, and restaurants here reflect that strong desire to build up a sense of belonging with highly sociable, welcoming atmospheres that prefer intimacy over theatre.
28. Restaurant Gaea
Dine at the degustation-only Restaurant Gaea for an electrifying experience. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Pine mushrooms, mussels and confit egg yolk topped with blue flowers. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Since 2019, this petite, degustation-only restaurant has been shouldering Fitzroy’s increasingly high standards with nothing but swagger – to just 16 diners per night. Restaurant Gaea is dynamic and feels electric each time you step through the doors, where owner-chef Mo Zhou’s attentive, delicate flavours really have room to breathe for each diner.
The quickened pace isn’t in the service, which is wonderfully relaxed and attentive. It’s in the food. These are precise, beautiful flavours that have helped build Gaea a following of loyalists all over the country. An extensive set menu is well-priced under $200 and typically traces some distinctive Australian flavours like mud crab, crocodile and Murray cod.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Communal and cosy
Location: 166 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
29. Enter Via Laundry
Enter Via Laundry transforms centuries-old recipes into creative Indian dishes. (Credit: Supplied)
Dig into regional recipes. (Credit: Enter Via Laundry)
Enter Via Laundry began as a ten-person degustation run from chef Helly Raichura’s Box Hill home. Its permanent Carlton North restaurant gives her more room without losing the intimacy that made the original concept so compelling.
Raichura looks beyond the Indian dishes that dominate Australian restaurant menus, digging into regional recipes and food histories that may be completely unfamiliar even to experienced diners. You don’t need prior knowledge. In fact, knowing less can make the meal considerably more interesting.
Cuisine: Indian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Homely and communal
Location: 507 Nicholson St, Carlton North
30. Carlton Wine Room
Sit down for a glass of vino at Carlton Wine Room. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Carlton Wine Room occupies a gorgeous 19th-century building, working those heritage bones with a sharp sense of style. A marble bar looks over a communal table for the main show, although there are five levels in total, including a bluestone cellar that can be booked for private dining.
The wine list of around 100 bottles gives the expert team a nice scope for regulars looking for some new favourites, while the food leans towards Modern Australian with ideas borrowed from across Europe.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Fashionable and communal
Location: 172-174 Faraday St, Carlton
31. Kazuki’s
Miso-marinated hāpuku at Kazuki’s. (Credit: Kazuki’s)
Saori and Kazuki Tsuya moved their popular fine diner from Daylesford to Carlton in 2018. And the increased visibility has paid off, positioning Kazuki’s as one of the most popular restaurants on Lygon Street right now. Moreton Bay bugs, ocean trout, lamb, snapper.
This is a masterclass in fine Australian produce flicked through the wide-ranging filter of a European-meets-Japanese hybrid cuisine. The results are endlessly satisfying, usually delivered with a seven-course set menu and either a “classic wine" or “fancy wine" pairing. The soft, zen-like interior reflects the minimalism of the food. Each dish demonstrates incredible restraint, favouring simplicity like all the best restaurants in Melbourne do.
Cuisine: Japanese-European
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Calm and friendly
Location: 121 Lygon St, Carlton
32. Al Dente Enoteca
Egg-yolk pasta is the standout at Al Dente Enoteca. (Credit: Al Dente Enoteca)
What grew from an Italian delivery service during the pandemic is now one of the best restaurants in Carlton. Andrea Vignali and Davide Bonadiman pitch Al Dente Enoteca as a casual wine bar and shop with a stylish restaurant attached. Valued for its approachable fine dining, the kitchen is classic Italian with beautiful handmade pasta and simple, uncomplicated dishes like Victorian dry-aged duck breast served with pickled Kakadu plums.
Most would come here for classic Roman pasta dishes like cacio e pepe and spaghetti alle vongole. Local winemakers are showcased extensively with the wine menu while the bartenders whip up subtle twists on Negronis.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Fun and approachable
Location: 161 Nicholson St, Carlton
33. Flint
Indulge in a perfect savoury companion to a wine. (Credit: Flint)
There are only a small handful of restaurants in Australia that are run almost entirely on fire, smoke and charcoal. Nicki Morrison’s beautiful Flint is one of them, inspired by a traditional Argentinian steakhouse, swapping ovens for natural heat.
The popular Smith Street restaurant is intimate, stylish and relaxed while the kitchen pumps out incredible steaks and roasted vegetables that’ll challenge the way you think about humble carrots and potatoes.
Fan favourites, like smoked venison tartare with fermented beet, buckwheat and pickle, ensure a sizable list of regular clientele, so be sure to book ahead of dinner service. Flint is a top pick when you’re looking for Melbourne restaurants that serve seafood.
Cuisine: Fire-driven modern Australian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Lively and friendly
Location: 199 Smith St, Fitzroy
34. Cutler & Co
The elegant Cutler & Co is a Melbourne favourite. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Andrew McConnell’s handsome fine dining institution is still as sharp as ever. As one of the best restaurants in Fitzroy, this kitchen is classic Melbourne. And if you’ve been paying attention to this list of Melbourne’s best restaurants, you’ll know that this instantly means two things: simplicity and great produce.
Meat, fish and vegetables rule the very uncomplicated menu, best taken either as part of the $180 per person five-course set menu or the high-value Sunday lunch set that’s very light on the wallet. Either way, what you can expect from Cutler & Co. is classic, friendly service, and share-style dishes like the signature hay-baked chicken with herb butter and bread. Timeless, refined and oh-so-satisfying.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Refined and relaxed
Location: 55-57 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
35. Bar Liberty
The casual and laid-back interior fits seamlessly into Fitzroy’s reputation. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
The irresistible Polish food at Bar Liberty makes it a popular hipster hangout. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Although head chef Zackary Furst has since departed the restaurant after six years channelling his Polish heritage, the food at Fitzroy’s irresistible Bar Liberty is as good as ever. Pierogies, which are potato and cheese dumplings, are served with sour cream and caramelised onions alongside various flatbreads and more substantial dishes like pork collar steak.
An approachable wine list helps drive it all home for the popular hipster hangout, displaying a very of-the-moment collection that favours young winemakers and low-intervention wines but still has more than enough room for the recognisable classics. Service is as casual and laid-back as the decor, fitting seamlessly into Fitzroy’s reputation as one of the most welcoming and diverse suburbs in Melbourne.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Casual and communal
Location: 234 Johnston St, Fitzroy
36. Etta
Etta presents an intelligent range of Asian and Middle Eastern flavours. (Credit: Supplied)
This smart, handsome wine bar is as low-key as they come, preferring the humble neighbourhood approach over anything flashy. But Etta is still a big deal, presenting an intelligent range of Asian and Middle Eastern flavours helmed by head chef Lorcan Kan.
The smart, passionate team gifts Brunswick a homely spot to sip natural wines and browse a seriously flavourful menu. Here, the kitchen puts up worldly plates like cumin-spiced lamb and jalapeno sausage with labneh, and rock flathead with kombu Cara Cara butter and charred radicchio. A 250-bottle wine list holds the other end of the experience, representing some of the world’s finest growing regions with a preference towards textural, distinctive wines. You’ll be leaving with a new favourite or two, especially if you’ve left it up to the knowledgeable staff to choose.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Homely and communal
Location: 60 Lygon St, Brunswick East
37. Smith St Bistrot
The dining room channels romantic old-world Parisian interior with its plush burgundy banquettes. (Credit: Smith St Bistrot)
Dine on timeless French classics with a twist. (Credit: Smith St Bistrot)
Scott Pickett’s sense of style has become more sophisticated as the years pass. Smith St Bistrot has to be one of the most attractive dining rooms in Melbourne right now, with its romantic old-world Parisian interior, cobbled with antique mirrors, plush burgundy banquettes and lavish chandeliers. Stepping into Smith St Bistrot is like entering a time capsule set for the glitzy 1920s. Such a swanky setting is filled with dirty Martinis, caviar service and Daniel Southern’s fun twists on timeless French classics.
Grilled scallops with pumpkin and honey are an easy fan favourite, but the real showstoppers are the signature mains. Think seasonal slow-cooked lamb shoulder served during the cold months, and an excellent Humpty Doo barramundi with runner beans, smoked butter sauce and salmon caviar. It’s all-class for what is now one of Pickett’s best restaurants.
Cuisine: French
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Sophisticated and theatrical
Location: 300 Smith St, Collingwood
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38. Smith + Daughters
This vegan-friendly restaurant serves up gluten-free options in Melbourne. (Credit: Smith & Daughters)
If you’re looking for good vegetarian food in Melbourne, the top suggestion is likely Smith and Daughters. This dinner-only destination is leading the charge for the meat-free movement in Melbourne, with most items on the menu completely vegan and absolutely delicious.
With its high-energy atmosphere and quick service, chef Shannon Martinez has very little to worry about as her team serves plates of vine leaf-wrapped ricotta with smoked grapes. There are a few menu items that should satisfy those with a love of meat and seafood, but for the most part, consider this Cambridge Street favourite the best of all the many vegetarian restaurants in Melbourne. For locals wanting vegan-friendly restaurants with gluten-free options in Melbourne, it’s almost become second nature to make a beeline straight for it.
Cuisine: Vegan
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Warm and friendly
Location: 107 Cambridge St, Collingwood
39. Estelle
The elegant yet moody dining atmosphere at Estelle. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Dining at Estelle is consistently fun, social and deeply satisfying. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Melbourne has many notable chefs constantly spiking the city with culinary magic. Yet few are as prolific as Scott Pickett, who has been leading the state’s food conversation for decades via restaurants like Matilda and Saint Crispin. The simple approach of exacting technique married with the state’s finest produce always works. Pickett understands this incredibly well, which is why this head-turning venue, split between a wine bar, a main dining room, and a courtyard, is always going to impress.
Whether it’s firing up the pit for a Sunday spit in spring or forcing couples to square off over the last bite of grilled quail, dining at Estelle is consistently fun, social and deeply satisfying. A bold, traditional wine list, with mostly big names from Australia and beyond, certainly helps.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Stylish and energetic
Location: 243-245 High St, Northcote
Eastern suburbs
From Box Hill to Richmond, Melbourne’s eastern suburbs host an incredible diversity of cuisines that cater to all budgets. Think cheap and cheerful Vietnamese in one corner, while you can pop over a few suburbs and find some of the most expensive Japanese food in the entire country.
Indulge in home-style classics at Julie. (Credit: Supplied)
This quaint 50-seater, simply named Julie, continues the city’s love affair with small, homely eateries that tourists always, regrettably, seem to brush over.
The rotating menu centres around Julie Blum’s kitchen garden, not only defining the venue’s idyllic, dream-like quality but providing the lion’s share of produce which Blum then whips into home-style classics. European influences are paramount, but Blum’s worldly approach to seasonal cooking always manages some pleasant surprises.
Cuisine: Modern European
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Homely and simple
Location: 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
41. Tien Dat
Box Hill is a smorgasbord of high-quality, affordable Asian restaurants that dance around favourites like Thai and Vietnamese. But it’s the latter that’s best represented in the multicultural suburb, particularly at Tien Dat on Carrington Road.
There’s nothing particularly alluring about the space itself. It’s as plain as they come, largely unchanged since the Pham family first opened doors in 1983. The large menu means plenty of choices and several dishes that skirt the interesting blend of Chinese and Vietnamese flavours, like spicy salt and pepper squid and duck handrolls. Yet, it’s the traditional recipes that hit the hardest. Bowls of exceptional pho and delicious rice paper rolls are a must, as are signatures like banh cuon, which is a fermented rice batter filled with seasoned ground pork, mushrooms and shallots.
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Price: $$
Atmosphere: Homely and approachable
Location: 3 Carrington Rd, Box Hill
42. Minamishima
Minamishima is the benchmark for Japanese food in Australia. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Sushi master Koichi Minamishima dominates the hearts and minds of anyone who has a deep love of fine Japanese cuisine. Reservations are exceedingly difficult to come across for this acclaimed 40-seat restaurant, which is the sushi chef’s first solo outing and is generally considered the benchmark for Japanese food in Australia.
The peak offering, a 15-course sushi omakase, takes place at the long bar, but bigger groups would want to splash out for one of the private dining rooms with their own sushi bar and sushi chef. As expected, the experience at Minamishima changes daily and is strictly driven by the availability of certain delicacies and fresh local seafood.
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Studious and stylish
Location: 4 Lord St, Richmond
43. New Quarter
New Quarter understands Vietnamese fusion without losing sight of the flavours that make the cuisine so compelling in the first place. Servings are generous, which helps when you inevitably order more than you intended.
The banh mi finger is a smart place to start, built with chicken liver pâté. Beef tartare comes with pho jelly, while the chilli tiger prawn noodles have enough punch to stand up as a main event. The porterhouse with lemongrass satay butter is another signature worth knowing about. Come with enough people to share properly because this is a fun, addictive experience that demands repeat visits.
Cuisine: Modern Vietnamese
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Lively and contemporary
Location: 79 Swan St, Richmond
Southern suburbs
South Melbourne’s achingly hip scene is full of trends that have been refined and perfected, presenting new and interesting concepts that dance across the many flavours of multiculturalism.
44. Studio Amaro
Is this Windsor or the Amalfi Coast? This side of Chapel Street may not beg a picture of beachy bliss, but the food and drink here recall days spent treading pebbles in Positano. Studio Amaro is arrestingly casual; one of the most approachable restaurants in the area with a simple concept that revolves around antipasti and some of the best tear-apart bread you’ll find in the city.
With your focaccia at the ready, it’s time to dip, wrap and scoop up the many different flavours of Italy. Grab some octopus, definitely some anchovies, and then twirl your way through that brilliant seafood mafaldine. It’s one of my most visited restaurants in Melbourne for good reason.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Casual and open
Location: 168 Chapel St, Windsor
45. Donovans
Kevin and Gail Donovan have gifted Melbourne something wholly unique with Donovans. This St Kilda classic is a homely fine diner right next to the golden sands of the historic suburb’s iconic beach. And it’s just as relaxed, brimming with personable service and a home-away-from-home ambience.
Family photos and mismatched furniture sit around this little house on the beach, stripping away any air of pretension and welcoming guests to a fine home-cooked meal. Australian and New Zealand produce crawl across the broad menu, which favours simple dishes like spanner crab ravioli and slow-cooked lamb shoulder.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Cosy and homely
Location: 40 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda
46. Yugen Dining
Who knew you could mash a Chinese doughnut with classic prawn toast and make it work?
Creativity is key at Yugen Dining, which has quickly become one of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne. And much like Amaru out in Armadale, an ex-Vue de Monde star is leading the charge. That is, Stephen Nairn, a former tea sommelier who has built two stunning venues stacked on top of one another.
The first, Yugen Tea Bar, gets by with its award-winning angular design and unique offering, while the underground Yugen Dining frames mostly Japanese-adjacent flavours with stone walls and a mesmerising amber glow.
The best way to play is by reserving a spot at the six-seat omakase bar, where chef Samuel Chee’s exacting experiments with Japanese and Australian produce are anchored by decadence, immaculate service, and a desire to be unlike any other restaurant in Melbourne.
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Mysterious and theatrical
Location: 605 Chapel St, South Yarra
47. Cafe Di Stasio
Cafe Di Stasio is another one of St Kilda’s best restaurants and a great pick for lunch or dinner. It’s not far from the sands of St Kilda Beach, is consistently regarded as one of the top Italian restaurants in Melbourne and has been serving locals since 1988 under the steady hand of owner Ronnie Di Stasio. On entry, it’s hard to tell that this restaurant has been around for decades.
The dining room looks decidedly modern with its glowing masks and textured walls, full of well-dressed locals stabbing at the popular seasonal set lunch menu and it’s ideal for entertaining clients at night. It’s all tied together by exceptional, straightforward pasta dishes like spaghetti vongole veraci and hearty mains like cotoletta alla bolognese, paired with a wine list that keeps it the old-world classics as a nod to Cafe Di Stasio’s cashed-up regulars.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Classic and friendly
Location: 31 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
48. Yan
Yan celebrates creative Cantonese dishes. (Credit: Billy Masari)
Enjoy East Asian-inspired cocktails in a high-energy atmosphere. (Credit: Jackson Evans)
Narada Kudinar is obsessed with smoky flavours, so consider Yan an easy pick if you’re looking to dial in the distinct flavours of cold smoked king prawns, grilled corn with teriyaki butter, and beef short ribs with sansho pepper.
The brief here is wide-reaching but mostly favours the delicacy of Cantonese cuisine, pairing that with East Asian-inspired cocktails in a high-energy atmosphere that’s best for bigger groups. Kudinar has designed most of the menu to pair well with smoke, although there are just as many star items that aren’t imbued with the distinctive flavour.
Cuisine: Cantonese
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Stylish and energetic
Location: 22 Toorak Rd, South Yarra
49. France-Soir
Considered the best steakhouse in Melbourne, France-Soir is the city’s stately gentleman, a scene of important client dinners, general schmoozing and expensive bottles of wine. Cited as the best restaurant in South Yarra, the doors of this dazzling French steakhouse first flung open in 1986.
Celebrity spotting is a common sport for those seated at the bar, but anyone seated at their tables has their eyes on one thing and one thing only: the food. Expect beautiful, classic, understated French food like classic steak frites, snails in garlic butter, and pork sausage with mustard. It isn’t common knowledge amongst visitors, but you can BYO for lunch between Monday and Thursday. And there’s no corkage charge.
Those heading for dinner, however, will need to contend with the extensive wine list – a compendium of French varietals with over 1,000 bottles listed from the approximately 6,000 bottles in France-Soir’s tightly packed cellar.
Cuisine: French
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Sophisticated and classic
Location: 11 Toorak Rd, South Yarra
50. Stokehouse
Enjoy elevated seafood plates at the stylish and beachy Stokehouse. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Soak up views of Port Phillip Bay. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Wide-ranging views of Port Phillip Bay pull on one of Melbourne’s best perspectives while diners sit under an award-winning installation made of 2,000 glass tubes glowing in bright pink. Stokehouse, which opened in 1989 and has persevered through tragedy (a kitchen fire destroyed the venue in 2014), still presents as one of the most attractive dining rooms in the state. And it’s best experienced at lunchtime, on clear days when those floor-to-ceiling windows prove their worth and St Kilda springs to life.
Reliably fresh seafood is why most walk through the doors, but the kitchen is just as nifty when it comes to land produce. Yet it’s hard to look past signatures like spaghetti with local rock flathead and fish collar nduja. Stick to sand-level for the more approachable Stokehouse Pasta & Bar, keeping things casual but still matching those lofty standards. You’ll get a sense of why Stokehouse is considered one of the top-rated seafood restaurants near the beach.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Stylish and beachy
Location: 30 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda
51. Amaru
Every dish is a work of art. (Credit: Amaru Melbourne)
Clinton McIver’s worldly 34-seat fine diner trumpets the sterling reputation he built as the former sous chef at Vue de Monde. His experience has given him the culinary know-how to pull on so many cuisines and somehow execute it all flawlessly.
There aren’t many restaurants in the country, let alone the world, that can maintain this wide a scope while still coming across as composed and balanced. The fact that Amaru can do it so well is a testament to McIver’s instinct.
The kitchen is thoughtful, endlessly creative, and well-versed in many different regions, pushing an ever-changing menu that in the past has included crowd-pleasers like roasted Flinders Island wallaby tail dumplings with saltbush butter.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Composed and friendly
Location: 1121 High St, Armadale
52. Attica
Attica serves up Australia’s finest flavours.
Ben Shewry has created something genuinely important at Attica. The restaurant helped change the way Australian fine dining thinks about native ingredients and, more importantly, whose stories get told through food.
The set menu remains deeply personal to Shewry and his team, which makes listing individual dishes fairly pointless. Although the underlying curiosity doesn’t change, even when the dishes do. If you’re travelling to Melbourne specifically to eat Australia’s finest flavours, Attica is still one of the reservations worth organising the rest of an evening around.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Classy and friendly
Location: 74 Glen Eira Rd, Ripponlea
53. Entrecôte
Be transported to Paris at the French-inspired Entrecote restaurant. (Credit: Brahman Perera)
The signature Coquilles Saint-Jacques half-shell scallops at Entrecôte. (Credit: Supplied)
Entrecôte began as a pop-up in 2014 and became so popular that disappearing was no longer a realistic option. It eventually moved from South Yarra to a much larger Greville Street home, where the Parisian fantasy has considerably more room to breathe.
Steak frites remains the order. The kitchen has expanded well beyond it, but sometimes longevity is a fairly good indication that you shouldn’t overthink things. Add wine and settle in. We don’t think the signature will ever disappear; if it did, there’d probably be a riot outside.
Cuisine: French
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Classic and elegant
Location: 142 Greville St, Prahran
54. Malèna
Malèna brings southern Italian cooking to Brighton under Michelin-trained chef Domenico Fazzari. The room leans glamorous, taking visual inspiration from Monica Bellucci without letting the design overwhelm what’s happening on the plate.
Handmade pasta is generally where we’d start. Save some room at the end, because the pistachio lava cake has become one of the restaurant’s calling cards. Malèna is a useful reminder that some of Melbourne’s most polished Italian dining sits well beyond Carlton.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Glamorous and intimate
Location: 151 Martin St, Brighton
Western suburbs
Footscray and Yarraville have spent years proving Melbourne’s restaurant conversation doesn’t stop somewhere around Maribyrnong. Navi alone would be enough reason to pay attention.
55. Navi
A comfort food with seasonal greens and mushrooms. (Credit: Restaurant Navi)
Julian Hill’s tiny Yarraville restaurant remains one of Melbourne’s most personal fine-dining experiences. Navi seats only a few dozen people and Hill’s hand is evident well beyond the kitchen. He even makes the ceramics used to serve the food.
The menu changes too frequently for a list of signature dishes to be particularly useful. That’s fine. Hill’s cooking is restrained enough that individual ingredients still register clearly, even across a long tasting menu. If you’re looking for the more approachable way in, check the current Saturday lunch offering before booking.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Homely and friendly
Location: 83b Gamon St, Yarraville
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Chris Singh is an arts, travel and food journalist with 17 years of experience in digital media and 4 years of experience in SEO writing. He is the former travel editor of premium men's lifestyle title Boss Hunting and currently balances his role as Deputy Editor-At-Large of the AU review with freelance travel writing gigs at Australian Traveller, Luxury Escapes, Cruise & Travel and Sydney Travel Guide. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences (Sociology and Psychology) from the University of Sydney and once worked as a line dancer for steakhouse chain Lone Star (no, seriously). He's always got his finger on the pulse for good live music and delicious new restaurants, has a particular love of historic hotels and is starting to see the restorative value of the ever-present wellness industry. Although he is a born-and-bred Sydneysider, his favourite Australian cities are Hobart and Adelaide. Internationally, he can never get enough of big cities like Tokyo, New York and Chicago. If you're looking for him, he's either at a concert, on a plane or behind a laptop.
There’s no better place to unwind than the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges – a leafy and idyllic region shrouded in mist, fern-filled gullies and a peaceful atmosphere.
Wrapped in the crisp mountain air, ancient ferns and ethereally verdant landscapes of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in another world (or at least another part of the planet).
But this gorgeous pocket is under an hour from Melbourne, a mix of top-notch food and wine, boutique stays and forested scenery that make for an easy weekend away or even a midweek escape. In fact, visiting during the week can offer a deeply relaxing experience, with fewer crowds and more space to linger.
If you’re keen to unwind, here’s how to spend your time in this idyllic neck of the woods.
Where to eat
Treat your taste buds to Yarra Valley Dairy. (Image: Visit Victoria)
From farm gates to cosy eateries, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges house a plethora of places to feast. Start your day with a leisurely brunch and coffee at Ripe. This local hangout combines warm hospitality and hearty cafe fare against a backdrop of the hills’ iconic tree-fern canopies. It’s also nestled in the heart of Sassafras, the quaint village that best captures the Dandenong Ranges’ old-world charm.
Next, take yourself on a gastronomic adventure. Visit Yarra Valley Dairy, a regional favourite doing handmade cheeses, or Cherry Hill Orchards, where in summer you can pick your own cherries and enjoy them in the farm’s picturesque grounds. Treat yourself to a tasting at one of the Yarra Valley’s renowned wineries to finish – Rochford, Re’em and De Bortoli are standout picks for a sample of the region’s signature drops.
By night, book a table at either Citrine in the mountain town of Olinda or restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate in the Yarra Valley. Both do elevated seasonal fare paired with excellent drinks.
And if you’re simply in the mood for a tipple, you’re spoiled for choice. The Alpine Hotel in riverside Warburton is a historic and character-filled spot pouring pints and locally made drinks, while Four Pillars is a must for gin lovers. The distillery’s award-winning spirits are famed nationwide, but here you can try them right from the source.
Things to do outdoors
Wander the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
A motley patchwork of misty rainforest, rugged bushscapes and beautifully tended gardens, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are some of Melbourne’s most scenic pockets. No visit to the region would be complete without a wander through its lush surrounds, either by bike or on foot.
The Ngurrak Barring trail stretches 39 kilometres through the Dandenong Ranges, connecting the towns and fern-filled forests that make the hills so unique. Along the way, be immersed in thought-provoking art installations and cultural stories, sharing a different perspective of this ancient landscape.
While in the area, wander through Cloudehill Garden & Nursery and the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, situated in Olinda. The cooler climate, rich volcanic soil and consistent rainfall offer both gardens ideal conditions for vivid and vibrant flora.
Over in the Yarra Valley, the 40-kilometre Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail is a flat and family-friendly path perfect for leisurely bike rides and longer walks. It takes you through vine-lined scenery and towns like Seville and Wandin. Biking enthusiasts should head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, a network of 160 kilometres of trails that traverse through untamed terrain.
For a more laidback outing, Alowyn Gardens encompasses seven acres of themed gardens perfect for a meandering stroll. The nearly 100-metre-long wisteria archway that connects different garden zones is a highlight – especially in October, when the lilac blossoms are in spectacular bloom.
The arts and culture scene
Take in the displays at TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges are havens for arts and culture thanks to their inspiring landscapes and thriving creative community. Naturally, a slower escape should include a visit to some of the region’s best studios and galleries.
The TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville showcases modern and contemporary Australian art, with both a permanent collection and a rotating display of thoughtful exhibitions. The building and grounds are well worth exploring: a striking architectural landmark amid landscaped lawns and open-air sculptures overlooking the Yarra Valley.
Delve into the area’s rich history at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, a treasure trove of more than 13,000 unique pieces. See everything from Indigenous artefacts to archival photographs and historical objects that tell the region’s story.
On your way back to the city, stop by the leafy enclave of Eltham to discover Montsalvat. This five-acre artistic playground is Australia’s oldest continuous art community, combining galleries, Gothic-style buildings and expansive heritage gardens.
Stay at a local retreat
Re’em is an ideal pick for an indulgent stay.
No matter your style, and no matter your budget, you’ll find a suitable spot in the region to rest your head. If the weather is warm and the sky is clear, set up a tent at BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park or Pine Hill Cabin & Caravan Park. The former has secluded camping spots surrounded by tranquil bushland and local wildlife, along with glamping pods and cabins. The latter has powered and unpowered sites suitable for all kinds of campers, and is pet-friendly if you’re travelling with your four-legged friend.
Or, book yourself into the RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort – a sprawling retreat complete with stylish rooms and luxe amenities that invite you to unwind. Relax at the day spa, tee off at the 18-hole golf course, or recharge with a round of tennis or a few laps in the pool.
And if you’re after something truly indulgent, Re’em is an ideal pick. A boutique collection of just 16, the luxuriously appointed rooms feature plush linens, high-end amenities and oversized baths with panoramic views across the estate. A gourmet breakfast showcasing gorgeous local produce is also included.
