Best Restaurants in Melbourne: Where to Eat in 2024
Melbourne is the undisputed food capital of Australia. The city’s dining scene is built on waves of migration, resulting in world-class Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, and Chinese precincts. Unlike other global cities, Melbourne doesn’t rely on tourist traps. The best food is often hidden in graffiti-covered laneways, industrial warehouses, or unassuming suburban strips. The competition is fierce, meaning even a casual cafe serves coffee and brunch that would be considered fine dining elsewhere. Whether you want a 20-course tasting menu or a $15 bowl of laksa, the quality remains high across the board.
Must-try dishes in Melbourne
Before scouting the best restaurants in Melbourne, look for these iconic local staples:
- The Halal Snack Pack (HSP): A heavy layer of hot chips topped with kebab meat, melted cheese, and the "holy trinity" of sauces (garlic, chili, and BBQ).
- Chicken Parma: A pub classic consisting of breaded chicken schnitzel topped with tomato sauce, ham, and melted mozzarella, always served with chips and salad.
- Xiao Long Bao: Delicate soup dumplings that are a Chinatown staple; look for thin skins and rich, hot broth inside.
- Smashed Avocado on Toast: Melbourne invented this global brunch trend; expect it served with feta, dukkah, and heirloom tomatoes.
- Vietnamese Phở: Head to Richmond or Footscray for deeply aromatic beef noodle soup perfected by the city’s large Vietnamese community.
- Greek Souvlaki: Thanks to the largest Greek population outside of Greece, Melbourne’s pita-wrapped lamb and chicken are elite.
Best restaurants for a splurge
If you are looking for the absolute best restaurants in Melbourne and have the budget to match, these three spots define the city’s high-end dining.
Gimlet at Cavendish House (CBD)
Located in a restored 1920s landmark, Gimlet feels like a grand European bistro. The menu centers on wood-fired meats and premium seafood. Order the whole rock lobster if you really want to celebrate. It is sophisticated, fast-paced, and consistently ranked among the world’s best. The cocktail program is just as impressive as the food.
Attica (Ripponlea)
Ben Shewry’s Attica is more than a meal; it is an exploration of Australian ingredients. You will find native flavors like bunya nuts, finger lime, and kangaroo on a creative tasting menu. It is experimental but grounded in storytelling. Located in a quiet suburb, it remains one of the hardest tables to book in the country.
Flower Drum (CBD)
Flower Drum has set the standard for fine-dining Cantonese food in Australia for decades. The service is white-glove, and the decor is classic red-and-gold elegance. Their Peking duck is carved tableside and remains a city rite of passage. It is the pinnacle of Chinese culinary technique and a permanent fixture in Melbourne’s food history.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
Knowing where to eat in Melbourne often means following the locals to these dependable, mid-range spots that prioritize flavor over white tablecloths.
Supernormal (CBD)
This Japanese-inspired canteen by Andrew McConnell is famous for its New England lobster rolls and twice-cooked duck. The space is sleek, neon-lit, and always loud. It captures the energy of North Asia while utilizing fresh Victorian produce. It’s perfect for a shared lunch or a solo seat at the long marble bar.
Chin Chin (CBD)
Chin Chin is a Melbourne institution known for Thai-inspired food and a "no-bookings" policy that often results in long queues. The "Feed Me" menu is the way to go; the chefs will bring a constant stream of their best dishes until you are full. The kingfish sashimi and jungle curry are perennial favorites in this high-energy basement.
Tip00 (CBD)
Named after the flour used to make pasta, this laneway restaurant is a shrine to Italian carbohydrates. The menu is small and changes frequently based on seasonal availability. Their pappardelle with rabbit ragu is legendary. It is intimate, cramped in a charming way, and offers some of the best handmade pasta outside of Italy.
Marion (Fitzroy)
Marion is a sophisticated wine bar on Gertrude Street that serves as the neighborhood’s living room. The food is simple but executed perfectly—think fresh oysters, artisanal charcuterie, and seasonal vegetables. It’s the ideal spot for a long, lazy afternoon that turns into dinner. The wine list features rare finds from around the globe.
Best cheap eats and street food
You don't need a massive budget to find the best restaurants in Melbourne. Some of the most satisfying meals cost less than $20.
Shanghai Street (Multiple Locations)
For the best value dumplings in the city, Shanghai Street is the top choice. Their xiao long bao and pan-fried pork buns are consistently excellent. Be prepared to wait in line during the lunch rush, especially at the Little Bourke Street location. The service is fast, and the prices are remarkably low for the quality.
Miznon (CBD)
Miznon brings Israeli street food to Hardware Lane with a chaotic, high-energy atmosphere. Their pita pockets are stuffed with everything from slow-cooked lamb to roasted cauliflower. The "Original World Famous Baby Cauliflower" is a must-order. It’s loud, messy, and one of the most fun dining experiences in the central city.
Laksa King (Flemington)
Located just a short train ride from the CBD, Laksa King is a pilgrimage site for fans of Malaysian soup. The signature curry laksa is rich, creamy, and packed with noodles and protein. It is a massive operation that moves through hundreds of bowls a night. It remains one of the city's most reliable cheap eats.
Butcher’s Diner (CBD)
Butcher’s Diner is a 24-hour spot that caters to the late-night crowd and early-morning workers. They specialize in high-quality meat, from smash burgers to rotisserie chicken. The retro, wood-paneled interior feels like a classic American diner with a Melbourne twist. It’s the best place for a high-quality meal after midnight.
Best breakfast and brunch
Melbourne’s cafe culture is world-renowned. If you are wondering where to eat in Melbourne for breakfast, start at these three icons.
Higher Ground (CBD)
Higher Ground is housed in a converted power station with soaring ceilings and industrial aesthetics. The menu blurs the line between a cafe and a restaurant. Their blueberry & ricotta hotcake is a work of art, topped with seeds, grains, and edible flowers. It is the ultimate "destination" brunch spot in the city center.
Seven Seeds (Carlton)
A pioneer in Melbourne’s specialty coffee movement, Seven Seeds is located in a former warehouse near the University of Melbourne. While the coffee is the main draw, the food menu is equally impressive. Expect elevated takes on classic breakfast items like eggs benedict and house-made granola. The atmosphere is academic, industrial, and very Melbourne.
Proud Mary (Collingwood)
Proud Mary is an essential stop for any coffee enthusiast. This Collingwood corner cafe serves incredible single-origin brews alongside a inventive food menu. Their potato hash with bags of flavor and perfectly poached eggs is a local favorite. It’s small and busy, embodying the gritty, cool vibe of the northern suburbs.
Best rooftop or view dining
Melbourne's skyline provides a dramatic backdrop for a meal, especially during sunset.
Naked for Satan (Fitzroy)
This multi-story venue in Fitzroy offers some of the best views of the city skyline from its rooftop terrace. While primarily known for its infused vodkas and pintxos (small Basque-style snacks), the rooftop kitchen serves a full menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. It’s one of the best places to see the sun set over the city.
Siglo (CBD)
Siglo is an upscale rooftop terrace overlooking Parliament House and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The atmosphere is classic and refined, with white linen tablecloths and an extensive cigar and wine list. It feels more like a private European club than a standard bar. It’s the perfect spot for a late-night snack or a celebratory drink with a view.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
If you haven't made a reservation, head to one of these neighborhoods and walk until you find something that smells good:
- Fitzroy (Gertrude and Smith Streets): The epicenter of cool. You’ll find everything from high-end wine bars to vegan pizza and hidden cocktail dens.
- Richmond (Victoria Street): Melbourne’s "Little Saigon." This is the place for cheap, authentic Vietnamese food and some of the best phở in the country.
- Carlton (Lygon Street): The historic heart of the Italian community. Come here for traditional wood-fired pizza, pasta, and the city’s best gelato shops.
- Footscray: A diverse hub in the west where you can find incredible Ethiopian injera, Vietnamese bánh mì, and traditional Italian bakeries all on one block.
- South Yarra (Chapel Street): A mix of high-end dining, trendy cafes, and the South Melbourne Market, which is famous for its fresh oysters and dim sims.
Check official websites for the most up-to-date hours and reservation policies as they frequently change.