Where to eat in Melbourne right now

Afloat is a seasonal open-air bar and eatery on the Yarra River in Melbourne, offering themed menus, rooftop views, DJ sets and a lively atmosphere in warmer months.

Alta Trattoria in Fitzroy channels Piemonte with handmade pasta, refined northern Italian flavours and a wine list built around nebbiolo.

A low-lit cocktail bar behind Gimlet in Melbourne's CBD, Apollo Inn offers classic drinks, sharp snacks and a refined, compact space with old-world touches and contemporary polish.

Aru in Melbourne is a wood-fired restaurant from chef Khanh Nguyen, offering a Southeast Asian-inspired menu shaped by native ingredients and modern Australian techniques.

Attica in Ripponlea, Melbourne, offers a deeply local tasting menu by Ben Shewry, where native Australian ingredients and thoughtful service create a singular fine dining experience.

BKK in Melbourne's CBD serves Bangkok-style grilled Thai dishes from an open charcoal kitchen. Set inside the Her building, it offers bold, shareable plates and cocktails with Thai flavour notes.

The Builders Arms Hotel in Fitzroy combines historic pub charm with produce-driven European cooking, a wine-focused dining room, craft drinks and distinct spaces including a back garden and an art-filled front bar.

Chin Chin in Melbourne delivers bold Southeast Asian flavours in a high-energy, art-filled space, with punchy shared plates, tropical cocktails and a buzzing, fast-moving vibe.

Cumulus Inc. on Flinders Lane is a Melbourne dining icon — share plates, excellent wine and a lively atmosphere in one of the city’s most stylish spaces.

Cutler & Co. in Fitzroy offers a seasonal prix-fixe menu by chef Andrew McConnell in a sleek space with industrial roots, guided wine service and a focus on modern Australian cooking.

Di Stasio Città is a boldly designed Italian restaurant in central Melbourne, serving classic pasta and cocktails in a dramatic space with a terrace for relaxed outdoor dining.

A bright Fitzroy spot with Spanish and Latin American inspiration, offering a rotating menu of snacks and cocktails. Open from 10:00am on weekends, it's ideal for brunch, dinner or late drinks.

Embla in Melbourne is a wood-fired wine bar serving minimalist plates and natural wines in a moody, timber-clad room with a relaxed, design-conscious atmosphere.

Future Future is a modern Japanese izakaya in Richmond offering yakitori, wagyu sandos and prawn toast in a minimalist setting, with a drinks list built around sake and Japanese whisky.

Gimlet in Melbourne offers a refined European-style dining experience in a 1920s heritage building, with wood-fired dishes, handmade pasta and a standout cocktail list.

Grossi Florentino in Melbourne offers Italian fine dining with seasonal Australian produce, an extensive wine list and three distinct spaces, including the mural-lined dining room and casual Cellar Bar.

Hector’s Deli has built a cult following for sandwiches that take comfort food to the next level, with lines out the door at every location.

Higher Ground is a daytime café in central Melbourne set within a vast former power station, serving refined brunch dishes and specialty coffee in a striking, plant-filled industrial space.

Il Bacaro brings refined Italian dining to Little Collins Street, with elegant plates, handmade pasta and a sophisticated wine list.

Il Solito Posto is a beloved Melbourne institution — a cosy basement trattoria serving classic Italian favourites with effortless charm.

Industry Beans is a Melbourne café group known for precision coffee, minimalist design and transparent roasting operations, with standout brews like bubble coffee and a light, modern food menu.

Inspired by Japanese izakayas, Juni in Melbourne’s CBD serves precise small plates and curated drinks until midnight every night, all in a sleek, minimalist setting.

LadyBoy Dining + Bar in Richmond delivers modern Thai flavours, bold cocktails and a high-energy atmosphere with neon-lit interiors and late-night vibes.

Leonard’s House of Love in South Yarra channels 1970s American dive bar style, serving craft beer, classic bar food and hosting DJs in a log cabin setting with a leafy beer garden.

Lune Croissanterie has a cult following for a reason — precision-baked croissants and pastries that have made it one of Melbourne’s most iconic food destinations.

Set in a former 1930s bank in Balaclava, Moonhouse serves updated Cantonese dishes like yuzu lemon chicken and wagyu spring rolls in a bold, modern space. Bookings advised for dinner.

Tucked down a laneway in Melbourne’s CBD, Mr Mills pairs sharp cocktails and small plates with a late-night shift in energy, moving from after-work drinks to DJ-led sessions by the weekend.

New Quarter in Richmond serves modern Vietnamese food in a sleek, low-lit space, with bold flavours, inventive cocktails and a menu that rethinks classic dishes through a contemporary lens.

Nobody’s Baby is a South Yarra bar from the Bar Liberty and Capitano team, offering spirit-forward cocktails, considered snacks and a plush, velvet-heavy setting built for long evenings.

Orlo in Collingwood occupies a historic bluestone building and serves elegant, produce-led Australian fare with European touches, complemented by low-intervention wines and savoury-leaning cocktails.

Patricia Coffee Brewers is a no-seats espresso bar near Little Bourke Street in Melbourne, known for its sharp coffee, in-house roasting and guest beans from top local and international roasters.

Pipi’s Kiosk in Albert Park is a relaxed seaside diner offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes, seafood, and natural wines, with an all-day menu and takeaway coffees by the beach.

Publique Bakery in Melbourne applies French baking techniques to Australian produce, with standout croissants, bold sourdoughs and quality coffee served in a sleek, minimal space.

Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne combines produce stalls, coffee counters and global street food vendors, plus seasonal night markets with live music and craft beer. Walk-in only and ideal for grazing.

Siglo is a rooftop bar above Melbourne’s Spring Street offering European-style light food, classic cocktails, cigars and views of Parliament House. It stays open late and attracts a well-dressed, post-show crowd.

Smith & Daughters in Collingwood is a plant-based Melbourne restaurant with a bold, chef-led menu inspired by Mediterranean and Latin flavours. Bookings are recommended for dinner on busy weekend nights.

This South Melbourne café helped define Melbourne’s specialty coffee scene. With on-site roasting, an inventive menu and a casual warehouse fitout, it remains a favourite for locals and visitors alike.

Long-running Greek diner on Lonsdale Street serving souvlaki, spanakopita and loukoumades late into the night. Stalactites offers a casual, fast-paced setting with classic dishes and big portions.

Supernormal on Flinders Lane delivers high-energy dining with Asian-inspired plates, cult lobster rolls and a slick, Tokyo-style atmosphere.

Tipo 00 is Melbourne’s beloved pasta bar, serving handmade pasta and Italian wines in a buzzing Little Bourke Street setting.

Tonka in Melbourne offers modern Indian cuisine in a sleek space behind a city laneway, with standout dishes like soft-shell crab and slow-cooked lamb curry alongside spice-friendly wines and cocktails.

Trattoria Emilia offers authentic northern Italian dining in the CBD, with handmade pasta and seasonal dishes inspired by Modena.

Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters in Melbourne’s Fed Square offers a seasonal tasting menu rooted in Victorian produce, with all-local wines and a strong focus on regional sourcing.

Inside Melbourne’s W Hotel, Warabi offers a ten-seat omakase menu inspired by Japan’s 24 micro-seasons, paired with sake, whisky and seasonal precision.