Cool Restaurants

What Are The Cool Restaurants In Melbourne?

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    The city of Melbourne continues to uphold its status as the gastronomic epicentre of Australia thanks to the presence of numerous chefs with international reputations, a diverse range of flavours, and a region rich in excellent ingredients.

    The city's best restaurants are known for their inspired and innovative edge, coupled with a passion for local landscapes and seasons. These restaurants range from time-honored institutions to contemporary fine dining establishments that offer a contemporary spin.

    A trip to Melbourne for a food lover would be lacking without a meal at one of the city's renowned restaurants; therefore, here is a list of just ten of the best restaurants in the city that are certain to satisfy the most discerning foodie.

    Restaurants that are both entertaining and delicious can be found in abundance in Melbourne. If you are looking for hip restaurants, Melbourne is basically a concentration of hip establishments that offer something for everyone's eye and palate.

    You've got your high tea hotspots and your steak sensations, but sometimes you just want a venue that's straight up cool, where you can enjoy a delectable meal and a refreshing beverage while taking in the unique atmosphere.

    There is an incredible variety of fun restaurants in Melbourne, ranging from those with novel, daily-changing menus to those with Australian-themed degustations to those with exquisite Japanese meals accompanied by a knife show. These restaurants are perfect for adding some pizazz to date night or catch-ups with the boys.

    Cool Melbourne Restaurants To Dine The Night Away

    In the event that you are the kind of person who looks for one-of-a-kind dining experiences, Melbourne has you covered. The following list of trendy restaurants in Melbourne is sure to reawaken your passion for the city's renowned dining scene.

    Firebird

    The Commune Group's establishment of Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina, Neptune, and now Firebird has had a significant impact on the Melbourne dining scene.

    Prahran's High Street is home to this flame-driven restaurant, which specialises in Southeast Asian cuisine. It was designed by Ewert Leaf, a well-known architecture firm, who created a contemporary space based on the smoky Vietnamese street food stalls. This eatery has room for 110 people.

    It's a good idea to make a reservation at this trending restaurant in Melbourne as soon as possible; it's known to fill up quickly.

    Future Future

    Future Future's take on traditional Japanese cuisine is pure elegance and simplicity. A former art gallery in Melbourne, Australia, has been transformed into a trendy restaurant that pays homage to Japanese street culture and fashion.

    A unique dining experience begins the moment you take your seat in Future's elegant dining room.

    Start off your meal with some sweet potato crisps, a cup of green, mandarin rind or camomile tea and a taste of what you'll be eating later.

    Farmer’s Daughters

    One of Australia's most well-known restaurants, Famer's Daughters in Melbourne, is dedicated to celebrating the bounty of Gippsland, an area of Victoria. In keeping with its "From the Paddock to Plate" motto, the restaurant serves food that has been grown in the fields and then transported to the table.

    Founder of Famer's Daughters, Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia, first visited Gippsland in 2016 on a food tour and was blown away by the region's food quality and biodiversity. This prompted him to form Famer's Daughters, which he later sold.

    It was because of this that Farmer's Daughters was born earlier this year, and we are grateful to him for doing so.

    Society

    Chris Lucas, a well-known chef in Melbourne, has created a one-of-a-kind establishment that reflects modern Australian society.

    This stylish dining room is an excellent example of contemporary Australian design. It is located on Collins Street in the center of Melbourne, with crystal chandeliers, plush circular booths, and gray-toned curtains.

    For those interested in fine dining, Society is a must-visit establishment.

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    Hawker Hall

    This upscale food and drink hall is one of Chris Lucas's most successful endeavours, according to the restaurateur.

    One of Melbourne's best restaurants is Hawker Hall, which serves some of the best Asian fusion cuisine in the city, so it should come as no surprise. The hawker centres of Singapore and Malaysia served as inspiration for the restaurant's layout and design.

    The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was just as good, with lots of people having a good time. At this point, is there anything else I can do to assist you?

    Tres a Cinco 

    Known for his acclaimed MoVida restaurant, Frank Camorra has just opened a new venture in Hosier Lane called Hosier Lane. This brand-new restaurant features a contemporary Mexican cantina design. As a result of the high demand, what began as a small business selling takeout food packs quickly transformed into a full-fledged Mexican restaurant.

    As the name suggests, Tresa Cinco serves up Mexican-inspired dishes like tamales, taco salad, and more that are sure to satisfy your cravings. On the other hand, Tres a Cinco's carefully selected drinks menu offers up to 20 tequila or mezcal-based cocktails, including eight different kinds of Margaritas, if you're looking for a great beverage to go with your meal.

    Transformer 

    Those of you looking for a plant-based cuisine, pay attention: Transform offers a diverse menu that includes some of the most inventive vegetarian and vegan options around.

    Vegetarian restaurant Transformer, run by Laki and Mark Papadopoulos, is widely recognised as the best example of Melbourne's seasonally-driven cuisine. Due to the fact that the restaurant frequently purchases produce from small-scale growers in order to ensure that its customers get the most flavorful and flavorful meals possible, this is the reason

    After you've finished your main course, be sure to save room for their delicious pumpkin mousse or blueberry compote desserts.

    Kappaya

    If you've been looking for a place where soul food, beer, sake, and coffee all come together, Kappaya is your answer.

    Unassuming eatery in Abbotsford Convent provides an excellent bento box that includes grilled salmon, glazed tofu, marinated eggplant and mincemeat additions.

    You can also find a wide variety of traditional Japanese beers at the nearby brewery of Sapporo, which is perfect for washing down your meal.

    Gimlet

    Gimlet, which Andrew McConnell (of Cutler & Co.) recently introduced to Melbourne's fine dining scene, was one of the most eagerly awaited restaurants to open in 2020.

    Gimlet's head bartender, Cameron Paris, also came up with the restaurant's name. If you're looking for an excellent selection of fresh local seafood, a hearty wood-fired main dish, and an extensive cocktail menu to go with your meal, the Cavendish House restaurant is the place to go.

    Embla

    One of the more unusual restaurants in Melbourne, Embla is the place to go if you're in the mood for small plates and live music in an industrial-chic wine bar. With the help of Executive Chef Dave Verheul and Wine Expert Christian McCabe, they've created one of the best wine bars around. A Wine Bar That Feels Like an Extension of Your Living Room Has Been Created.

    Do they not appear to be in need of a snack? Whether you're serving burrata with spring vegetables or one of the restaurant's delicious French wines, your meal is sure to be a hit.

    Despite its urban wine bar exterior, the restaurant offers a unique dining experience complete with mouthwatering dishes, a lively atmosphere, and an unrivalled wine selection.

    Embla describes their wine as "slightly weird" because they don't focus on the name of the wine, but rather the taste and origin of the wine. It's okay to let the staff at one of Melbourne's best restaurants lead you through an evening of exciting experimentation because they are extremely knowledgeable.

    Attica

    Attica is the go-to spot in Melbourne for adventurous Australian cuisine. The twenty-course tasting menu at this trendy restaurant includes vegemite pie, wallaby blood pikelet, giant emu eggs, and kangaroo.

    Attica consistently ranks among the world's top 50 restaurants, so you can be confident that the food and service here will be of the highest quality. They only use the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, all of which are sourced and appreciated right here in the community.

    Kisumé

    In Melbourne, Kisumé isn't exactly a hip spot. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Melbourne restaurant Flinders Lane has three floors dedicated to art and design as well as a dining area.

    Enjoy the restaurant's bespoke menu, some of the world's best sushi, and other Japanese delicacies while admiring the jobs of renowned photographers Polly Borland and Nobuyoshi Araki.

    Longsong

    Longsong's historic ambience is subtly infused with modern design cues and cuisine. Only a wood-fired grill can be found in the 118-year-old warehouse, which houses kegs of locally distilled spirits, for cooking (currently vermouth, gin, vodka, and moonshine).

    The menu at this Melbourne hotspot changes frequently, but it always includes skewers of meats and seafood, as well as other new pan-Asian dishes.

    Tonka

    Some of the more popular dishes on Tonka's menu, such as lamb curry with roasted coconut and vindaloo steak tartare, may be able to entice your taste buds if you're not already salivating. They have a Tandoor oven and Tandoor-trained chefs, so Tonka is one of the hippest restaurants in Melbourne.

    An extensive list of Indian spice-inspired wines and cocktails will make it impossible for your taste buds to resist the temptation.

    Juliet Melbourne

    One of Melbourne's best restaurants, this dark and moody wine cellar is the perfect place to enjoy a few daring drinks and delectable nibbles. The ambience is eerie and spooky.

    At Juliet's every night, she serves only four different types of drinks: one made with tequila, one with cider sangria, and one that includes both.

    There will be a slew of other surprises, such as spiced mince stuffed into olives, normal raclette and jazz evening, and other events that will overwhelm your senses.

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    Atlas Dining

    On a number of lists of Melbourne's most exciting and innovative new restaurants in 2017, we made the cut. It had already achieved the status of a Melbourne institution by the end of the year in 2018.

    An unforgettable dining experience can be had if the proprietor and chef of an Australian restaurant is willing to experiment with the cuisine of another country every four months for the duration of the year. Incorporating fresh, ingredients sourced locally and cooking them over an open flame will accomplish this.

    Mamasita

    Mamasita assures to be one of the better food in Melbourne to dine at based on the way its name rolls off of the tongue.

    It is Mamasita's responsibility for the Mexican food craze that has swept the country, they admit. This authentic Mexican restaurant is known for its long wait times, so it's possible they're on to something.

    Drinks are made with care and attention to detail, and the menu changes frequently to reflect the freshest ingredients.

    Minamishima

    One of the rarest forms of cuisine, omakase, delights the eyes and the stomach at the same time. In addition to your meal, you can expect a show from sushi master Koichi Minamishima, who has 25 years of experience performing this mesmerising display of knife skills.

    Only a handful of restaurants in Melbourne can match that for originality when it comes to hip restaurants.

    IDES

    When a pop-up diner becomes a permanent establishment, you can be sure that it is doing something right. In our opinion, Peter Gunn's restaurant, which is owned and operated by the chef, is one of the city's best dining establishments.

    Just looking at their cucumber boat, salmon caviar, and mandarin, honeycomb and clove black box makes salivary glands work overtime. Take care of your whole body. Try this mouthwatering piece of food for yourself.

    Florentino

    When it comes to creating a memorable evening (or daytime) meal, Florentino combines genuine hospitality with the highest-quality raw ingredients and lesser-known Italian wine varietals. A list of the best restaurants in Melbourne would not be complete if it didn't include this one.

    To say that Florentino is a modern and environmentally conscious business is an understatement, since it has been serving up authentic Italian cuisine to Melbourne residents for almost a century in a luxurious setting.

    Matilda 159 Domain

    Matilda 159 Domain, one of Melbourne's newest restaurants, is located here, and it's a hot spot. At this smoke-themed diner in Melbourne, diners can expect a visual and sensory treat. With an open fire as well as hot coals as the kitchen's heating source, the food is delicious, the design is sturdy and the feeling of cosiness and warmth is created.

    Chef Scott Pickett has put a lot of time and effort into it, and he's named it after his daughter. This restaurant's laid-back ambience allows diners to frequently get a piece of locally sourced meat cooked over open flames.

    Epocha

    Epocha is Melbourne's answer to modern Greek food that combines fresh produce from Australia and is housed in a picturesque building dating back to the 19th century. It offers a breathtaking view of the Carlton Gardens.

    Angie Giannakodakis, co-owner of Hellenic Republic, and Guy Holder, co-owner of The Press Club and Rockpool, have joined forces to offer a dining experience from a Victorian-era terrace that has been restored but retains some of its original features. The terrace is two stories tall and features remnants of the Victorian era.

    Epocha is known not only for its delectable cuisine but also for its extensive wine list, which highlights the diverse natural environments of Australia.

    Radio Mexico

    Since it opened in 2012, this iconic restaurant in Melbourne's St. Kilda neighbourhood has been known for producing some of the city's finest tacos, margaritas, and beer. It is located on Carlisle Street. Radio Mexico offers authentic Mexican cuisine with a spicy kick that is guaranteed to give you a kick in the pants and keep you on your toes. When it comes to the preparation of their food, Radio Mexico is very attentive to the tiniest of details.

    This restaurant sets the standard for Mexican cuisine in every way, from the salsa that is made from scratch on the premises to the three-cheese nachos that include pumpkin that has been roasted and pepitas that have been toasted.

    Al Dente Enoteca

    Andrea Vignali, an Italian pasta chef, opened her restaurant, Al Dente Enoteca, in April 2020, in the midst of a pandemic that was sweeping the world.

    This eatery was originally conceived as a delivery service that offered only pasta dishes to residents of Melbourne who were confined inside; however, due to the overwhelming demand, proprietor Vignail decided to transform his side project into a full-fledged restaurant called Al Dente Enoteca.

    You absolutely must not leave without having tried either the artichoke-filled tortellini or the crab ravioli on the menu here. Simply thinking about it makes our stomachs growl with hunger.

    HERO

    Hero is a gathering place for creative minds that can be found tucked away inside ACMI. It is a place where the concepts of film, food, music, and art are combined to create a buzzing atmosphere.

    This understated yet refined cafe and bar in Melbourne has a menu that changes with the seasons and is made with local produce. The menu is curated by the well-known chef Karen Martini. While you're here, don't leave without sampling some of the inventive and flavorful cocktails they have to offer.

    Vesper Bistro and Bar

    Vesper Bistro and Bar is a new dining destination in South Yarra that focuses on European cuisine. The name of this establishment was inspired by Vesper Lynd, a well-known Bond girl from the James Bond film series.

    The contemporary approach to fine dining at Vesper Bistro and Bar will give you the impression that you have been transported to the islands of Greece, Spain, Italy, and France. The restaurant's dishes are bursting with flavour and vibrant colour, and they are inspired by the cuisine of these countries' islands.

    Their à la carte menu can accommodate reservations for up to 6 people, so make sure you get in touch with them as soon as possible.

    Etta

    The cuisine at Etta is considered to be Australian, but it also draws inspiration from Greek, Italian, Middle Eastern, and Asian cooking styles.

    It is sufficient to know that it is flavorful and comes in a variety of forms. It is a cosy neighbourhood restaurant in East Brunswick that has a warm and welcoming ambience, and the people who work there are eager to provide you with the most enjoyable and memorable dining experience possible at one of the most hip and trendy restaurants in Melbourne.

    Osteria Ilaria

    When you visit the Osteria Ilaria restaurant in Melbourne, you will be served a wide variety of delectable dishes, including succulent seafood, mouthwatering gnocchi, perfectly grilled zucchini, and smoked beetroot, to name just a few.

    Choose the chef's selection if narrowing down the options on this Italian menu and the international wine list is not one of your strong points. You will get the best of what the restaurant has to offer.

    Conclusion

    Melbourne's reputation as Australia's culinary capital is firmly entrenched. Restaurants in the city's top tier are known for their creative and avant-garde approaches to cuisine, as well as a love of the region's food and seasons. Restaurants with a traditional feel as well as those with a more modern take on fine dining can be found on this list. There is a trendy restaurant in Melbourne that was once an art gallery. A nod to Japanese street style and fashion is evident in the menu at Future.

    Hawker Hall, a Melbourne institution serving some of the city's best Asian fusion cuisine, is one of the city's best restaurants. Tamales, taco salad, and other Mexican-inspired dishes can be found at Tresa Cinco. The seasonal menu at Transformer is widely regarded as one of the best examples of Melbourne's cuisine. Embla is an industrial-chic wine bar serving small plates and live music. There is a new hotspot for wine and food in Melbourne called Embla.

    Locally distilled spirits are kept in a 118-year-old warehouse at Longsong for cooking purposes. There is no other place like Kisumé where you can dine with world-renowned photographers and have your photo taken as you eat. Atlas Dining is one of Melbourne's newest and most exciting restaurants. Florentino uses only the best ingredients and obscure Italian wine varietals to create a unique dining experience. Koichi Minamishima, a sushi master with more than 25 years of experience, puts on a mesmerising show of knife skills.

    Epocha, Melbourne's newest restaurant, is housed in a 19th-century building. Radio Mexico serves up authentic Mexican fare with plenty of heat to keep you on the edge of your seat. Pasta delivery was the original idea behind Al Dente Enoteca. At Vesper Bistro and Bar in South Yarra, diners can expect to find a menu specialising in European fare. ACMI's Herohero is a haven for creative thinkers, tucked away inside. Seafood, gnocchi, and perfectly grilled zucchini are all highlights of the menu at Osteria Ilaria.

    Content Summary

    • A trip to Melbourne for a food lover would be lacking without a meal at one of the city's renowned restaurants; therefore, here is a list of just ten of the best restaurants in the city that are certain to satisfy the most discerning foodie.
    • The following list of trendy restaurants in Melbourne is sure to reawaken your passion for the city's renowned dining scene.
    • Future Future's take on traditional Japanese cuisine is pure elegance and simplicity.
    • A former art gallery in Melbourne, Australia, has been transformed into a trendy restaurant that pays homage to Japanese street culture and fashion.
    • One of Australia's most well-known restaurants, Famer's Daughters in Melbourne, is dedicated to celebrating the bounty of Gippsland, an area of Victoria.
    • If you're looking for an excellent selection of fresh local seafood, a hearty wood-fired main dish, and an extensive cocktail menu to go with your meal, the Cavendish House restaurant is the place to go.
    • Attica is the go-to spot in Melbourne for adventurous Australian cuisine.
    • In Melbourne, Kisumé isn't exactly a hip spot.
    • Melbourne restaurant Flinders Lane has three floors dedicated to art and design as well as a dining area.
    • On a number of lists of Melbourne's most exciting and innovative new restaurants in 2017, we made the cut.
    • Only a handful of restaurants in Melbourne can match that for originality when it comes to hip restaurants.
    • Matilda 159 Domain, one of Melbourne's newest restaurants, is located here, and it's a hot spot.
    • Radio Mexico offers authentic Mexican cuisine with a spicy kick that is guaranteed to give you a kick in the pants and keep you on your toes.
    • esper Bistro and Bar is a new dining destination in South Yarra that focuses on European cuisine.

    FAQs About Melbourne Restaurants

    Attica frequently appears in lists of the world’s 50 best restaurants, so you know you’ll get world-class cuisine and service with the top locally sourced and appreciated fodder.

    Embla describes their wine as ‘slightly weird’ as they focus more on what the wine tastes like and where it’s from rather than the name, which is a good thing if you're into 'Natural Wine'. You'll find some of the rarest drops from the likes of Frank Cornelissen.

    The best new restaurants in Melbourne

    • Old Beijing. Traditional interiors, a modern menu and world-famous Peking duck. ...
    • Society. Whether it's your first date or 10th anniversary, Society promises a night to remember. 
    • Tres a Cinco. 
    • Aru. 
    • Gimlet at Cavendish House. 
    • Chef David. 
    • Farmer's Daughters. 
    • Scott Pickett's Chancery Lane.

    The Iconic Dishes of Melbourne

    • Lamb Roast. There's nothing more Aussie than a Sunday roast. 
    • Banh mi. Thousands of refugees settled in Melbourne after the Vietnam War, and with them came a wave of incredible Vietnamese bakeries.
    • Meat pie. 
    • Gozleme. 
    • Hot jam doughnut. 
    • Pippies in XO. 
    • The magic. 
    • Capricciosa pizza.

    Many restaurants put money into the local economy. From paying rent or property taxes to utilities, restaurants pump a lot of cash into the local economy. More and more, restaurants are taking advantage of local suppliers to create farm-to-table menus, and this is more cash that flows into the local community.

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