The coolest places in Melbourne CBD, Melbourne

Il Solito Posto

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

Tipo00

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

Cumulus

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.

Hector’s Deli

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.

Trattoria Emilia

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

Supernormal

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

Il Bacaro

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

Adelphi Hotel

Adelphi Hotel in Melbourne combines boutique accommodation with a rooftop bar and inventive Australian dining, all framed by strong design and seasonal Victorian produce.

Afloat

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.

Aru

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.

Chin Chin

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.

Di Stasio Città

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.

Embla

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.

Gimlet

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.

Higher Ground

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.

Juni

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.

Mr Mills

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.

Patricia Coffee Brewers

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.

Publique Bakery

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

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.

Quincy Hotel Melbourne

Quincy Hotel Melbourne brings South-East Asian influences to its central dining and bar venues, with Thai-inspired dishes at Salted Egg and tropical cocktails at sky-high Q Bar.

Siglo

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.

Stalactites

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.

Tonka

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.

Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters

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.