What Is The Best Restaurant In Melbourne?

Longrain

Since taking over in the middle of the year 2020, chef and restauranteur Scott Pickett (famous for his work at Estelle, Matilda, and Pastore) has ensured that this Melbourne institution continues to thrive. Longrain is a restaurant in a rustic setting that specialises in contemporary Thai cuisine. The restaurant offers both a banquet and an à la carte menu, allowing customers to fully explore and appreciate the exceptional Thai-inspired dishes that are available. You can look forwards to scrumptious dishes such as a scallop that has been seared in betel leaf, red kangaroo curry with wild ginger and macadamia, and Panang curry of chargrilled lamb, coriander, and candlenut.

Minamishima

The highest-rated Japanese dining experience in Australia. A very cosy restaurant with only forty seats that is run by the renowned sushi chef Koichi Minamishima from Japan. The Omakase menu, also known as the chef's choice, is a crash course in tranquilly, tradition, and concentration, as well as simplicity, humility, and respect. Make reservations at the chef's counter as soon as possible because there are only 12 seats available so that you can observe the apprentice in action. It has a hypnotic effect.

Contemporary

Half Acre

Adam Wright-Smith, formerly of The Fat Radish in New York City, has a new venture in South Melbourne called 'Half Acre,' which the average person walking by is likely to miss. The restaurant is somewhat hidden in the backstreets of South Melbourne. Half Acre is not your typical dining establishment because it is housed in a converted mill that has been transformed into a multipurpose space with a bar, a restaurant, and an event hall. A true "home away from home," Wright-Smith has imitated a true "home away from home" with communal dining tables, rich lighting, and hearty cuisine while serving seasonal modern Australian cuisine in an open flamed charcoal fireplace.

Etta

Rosheen Kaul, who is only 28 years old and heads the kitchen at this popular establishment in Brunswick East, is a chef that we would confidently back in a competition against any of the country's best chefs. This is due to the fact that her menu is not in the least bit pretentious, despite its thoughtfulness and ingenuity; whether it's a plate of woodfired oyster mushrooms with lap Cheong, a cured egg yolk, and panko for crispness (flame cooking is Kaul's shtick), or her famous pork belly (served with oysters, no less), every single item on the menu is prepared, cooked, and plated to achieve its fullest, most flavour

Naturally, it's getting a lot of praise from people. Even though the food is difficult to top, the laid-back atmosphere and knowledgeable staff at Etta's should not be overlooked.

Hazel

You are immediately transported into a space that feels close to a European-style cocktail bar the moment you enter the gorgeous facade of the historic Richard Allen & Son building on Flinders Lane. However, the atmosphere is not pretentious in any way; rather, it is still cleverly Melbourne. The team that brought you Melbourne's steadfast breakfast favourites Higher Ground, Top Paddock, and the Kettle Black has started a new venture in which they will explore fine dining without the fuss. Hazel is their latest endeavour. Therefore, allow your eyes to naturally gravitate to the section of the menu labelled "On Toast." There, bread lovers can rejoice in house-made sourdough bread that has been charred over woodfired grills and is served with anchovy and kefir butter.

The Chef's Menu does a good job of providing you with a taste with a range of Hazel's offerings, such as house-made fromage frais (fresh cheese), house-made capocollo with grilled peach, and juicy scotch fillet with wild garlic butter for mains, among other options.

Marano

When you dine at Marameo, you should think of cheeky Italian in the best possible way; it is Melbourne's newest hotspot for authentic Italian cuisine with a modern spin. The people who brought you Il Bacaro, Bar Carolina, and Sarti are at work here, putting the finishing touches on an Italian restaurant that serves food all day long and will leave you wanting more. The previously gloomy space has been transformed by Chris Connell Design to reflect a new diner that is light-hearted, laid-back, and playful. The light and airy restaurant also has a chic outdoor terrace that is ideal for spending warm summer evenings on while sipping an Aperol Spritz.

Salumi and cheese, fresh pasta made in-house every day, and a selection of meats cooked over Marameo's grill are some of the Italian classics that Head Chef Geoff Martin incorporates into his menu offerings.

Marion

In its most basic form, Marion is a wine bar. But good luck to you if you intend to leave this posh establishment on Gertrude Street without ordering at least one morsel from the menu of available food items. Its menu is driven by the changing of the seasons, and unlike many other restaurants in the city that serve "bar food," it doesn't skimp on the portions. The dish with Jerusalem artichokes, golden raisins, feta, and sunflower seeds is one of my personal favourites, but the cheeses are delicious as well, especially when paired with a King Valley Gewürztraminer.

Rosheen Kaul, who is only 28 years old and heads the kitchen at this popular establishment in Brunswick East, is a chef that we would confidently back in a competition against any of the country's best chefs. This is due to the fact that her menu is not in the least bit pretentious, despite its thoughtfulness and ingenuity; whether it's a plate of woodfired oyster mushrooms with lap Cheong, a cured egg yolk, and panko for crispness (flame cooking is Kaul's shtick), or her famous pork belly (served with oysters, no less), every single item on the menu is prepared, cooked, and plated to achieve its fullest, most flavour Naturally, it's getting a lot of praise from people. Even though the food is difficult to top, the laid-back atmosphere and knowledgeable staff at Etta's should not be overlooked.

Bar Lourinhã

The flavours of the Mediterranean, combined with wine, equals cherished memories. It is a philosophy that is difficult to argue against, and the charming Bar Lourinha does an excellent job of proving just how precious food that has been cooked with soul and wine that has been made with passion can be.

Try as you might, you won't be able to get past the sweetbread and morcilla pintxo with wild mushroom because it's one of the most scrumptious savoury treats that our taste glands have ever come into contact with. The Ginjinha de Obidos and a chocolate cup are served as a dessert course. Are you curious about what that is? Even more of a justification to make a reservation and place your order.

Supernormal

Another business on McConnell Street has been added to our list, and this one has been satisfying customers' cravings for delicious food since 2014. Supernormal is a local and tourist favourite in equal measure due to the level of cool it exudes, the ambience it creates, and, of course, the exceptional quality of its food.

You can't go to the renowned restaurant and not order the New England lobster rolls; they are the restaurant's signature dish and one that will stay with you long after you've left the establishment. The prawn and chicken dumplings in a chilli and vinegar sauce are among the most delicious dishes available in the city. The Xinjiang lamb that has been slow-cooked with sesame bread and coriander paste is a dish not to be missed. It is essential to finish on a high note with the peanut butter parfait, salted caramel, and soft chocolate.

Taquito

In the charming suburb of Carlton, you'll find Taquito, a bar and restaurant with a Mexican theme that serves some of the finest tacos and margaritas in the city, and we don't say that boastingly. All tacos are offered in four-person flights, and the tortillas used to make them are made in-house from gluten-free corn that has been stone-ground. Larger share plates such as the barbeque pork cutlet with aji Amarillo mole, fennel and celery are hearty and delicious, and desserts include staples such as churros with dulce de leche atole.

Anchovy

The Anchovy team describes their food as being "a little bit in between" Asian and Australian styles of cooking. However, we believe that characteriszation does an inadequate job of conveying the originality of the dishes that are being served up in this modest eatery in Richmond.

Everything that owner Jia-Yen Lee and chef Thi Le put together is like comfort food with a curveball. The curveball is a fancy, unexpected little touch that sears each dish into your memory bank as one of your "most epic meals." This includes everything from the chilli crab with corn to the pigs head banh mi with crispy chilli oil.

Trattoria Emilia

Like Trattoria Emilia, it is one of those hidden eateries that you can only find out about or stumble onto by chance. Hearty Northern Italian fare such as Tortelloni Modenese, a speciality of the Emilia-Romagna area; fresh pasta tossed in an aged balsamic vinegar from Modena, topped with cured meats and cheese.; and Vitello tonnato, a dish made with  tuna mayo, poached veal, veal jus and capers. The restaurant has all the hallmarks of a genuine Italian establishment. If you're lucky, they'll let you take a fresh loaf of ciabatta bread to go as a token of their appreciation for your visit.

Tipo 00

It's hard to beat the comfort of a good bowl of pasta. And even more so when the kitchen that makes that pasta is called Tipo 00. The restaurant is run by Andreas Papadakis, a former chef at Vue de Monde. The menu pays homage to Papadakis' roots in fine dining while simultaneously removing the pomp and circumstance that is typically associated with eating at a fine establishment.

When you walk into Tipo, you can smell the passata that is simmering on the stove as waiters glide by balancing plates of locally sourced braised duck and homemade gnocchi. The gnocchi is so airy and pillowy that eating it feels like a sin. Until it doesn't.

Essential Restaurants

A1 Bakery

This family-run Lebanese bakery has been serving the residents of Brunswick, a vast area with a significant Middle Eastern population, for over 25 years. Over the years, this unassuming restaurant has become a favourite of not only the locals but also the university's student body. The price for a freshly baked Za'atar pizza topped with thyme, oregano, sumac, sesame seeds, and olive oil begins at $1.50 AUD (about $1 USD).

A wonderful dish of falafel and chicken stock won't set you back more than ten to fifteen Australian dollars. A thick pie made of halloumi, fresh tabbouleh, and ful medames sits in the centre of the plate. Pick up a bag of the warm, freshly made flatbreads to enjoy later.

Carlton Wine Room

The Carlton Wine Room is among Melbourne's finest establishments in a city where wine bars are enjoying a revival. The former employees of Marion, Cutler & Co. and Coda have joined forces to run this trendy hangout as the new management. A lively bar can be found on the bottom level, while the top level houses a cosy eating area with banquettes. The menu features dishes with a European flair, such as hog and duck croquettes, tripe and cuttlefish gratin, and traditional rum baba. The ever-evolving wine list has something for every type of wine lover, from purists to experimentalists. What's more, if you're looking for the perfect place to spend a romantic evening in Melbourne, the acclaimed arthouse Cinema Nova is only a short walk away.

Very Good Falafel

Very Good Falafel lives up to its name, serving up some of the city's most outstanding examples of the dish, which are bright green on the inside and chunky on the outside, respectively. Friends A few years ago, Shuki Rosenboim and Louisa Allan transitioned their business from a temporary stall at local markets to a permanent shop. During this time, they saw significant growth in their enterprise.

At the University of Melbourne farmers market, however, you can still find people occasionally stuffing pita. The charming storefront in Brunswick appears to be constantly crowded with young people looking for a bite to eat, perhaps a fresh salad, velvety hummus, or sabich bursting with eggplant — and falafel, always. Request an extra zhug, which is homemade and stuffed with cilantro and green chile, if you have a tolerance for spicy food.

All Are Welcome

For a change of pace, Boris Portnoy moved to Australia after acquiring expertise as a pastry chef at the three-Michelin-starred Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley. All Are Welcome is the name of his community bakery, located in the hip Northcote district, in a structure that was originally a Christian Science Reading Room. The term "viennoiseries" is used to describe a wide range of baked delicacies that are conceptually related to French pastries like croissants and pain au chocolat but are not exact replicas of those items. Medovnik, a rich 10-layer Slavic cake made with honey and buttercream, is not to be missed, especially in the winter.

Babajan Eatery

Brunch in Melbourne is just as good, if not better, than dinner, and Babajan is living proof of that. Very little space, yet a lot of punch. Kirsty Chiaplias, the restaurant's chef and owner, creates all of the restaurant's soulful Turkish-inspired brunch dishes from scratch. For example, the menemen is an egg dish cooked in a seasoned tomato sauce with pistachio dukkah; the lahmacun is a flatbread topped with spiced ground lamb, tomato, pickled jalapeño, onions, and parsley; and both are excellent options for breakfast. Late-afternoon hunger can be staved off with foods like fish, vegetables, and hummus. Afterward, during pleasant weather, get a spot at one of the sidewalk tables. Although you may have to wait, the coffee and freshly baked pide or simit will make the wait more tolerable.

Kalimera Souvlaki Art

The lamb souvlaki wrapped in pita with french fries stuffed inside is the most popular late-night snack in Australia. Still, the traditional spit-roasted pork that owners Thomas Deliopoulos and Sylvia Gabriel pack into a chargrilled pita along with onions, tomatoes, tzatziki, paprika, and fries — always fries — is the focus of attention at Oakleigh's Kalimera Souvlaki Art. Ben Shewry, who plays for Attica, is an outspoken supporter of the pork platter offered here.

Napier Quarter

If you're looking for a new place to live and are considering Fitzroy, Napier Quarter is the type of area that could sway your decision. The neighborhood's lovely coffee shop, which serves espresso in the morning, transforms into a wine bar in the afternoon. The restaurant's chef, Eileen Horsnell, uses sustainable and organic foods from the area, such as heirloom carrots and Bass Strait crab, to make creative dishes that pair well with the wine list's primary focus on Australian vintages.

Conclusion:

In addition to being famous for its hip city laneways, graffiti-covered streetscapes, and rooftop bars, Melbourne is also known as a haven for travellers who are obsessed with food. As a result of people of Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and Japanese descent establishing themselves in the city over the course of its history, there is an elaborate sense of hospitality and food culture that has developed here.