The Best Restaurants in Melbourne Worth Booking Right Now

Melbourne has more restaurants per capita than most cities on earth, which makes choosing one genuinely hard. The hats and stars help but they don’t tell you which places are actually fun to eat at on a Wednesday night, or which $30 lunch is worth crossing the city for.

These are restaurants worth making the effort for.

For a Special Occasion

Attica (Ripponlea) remains one of the most thoughtful dining experiences in the country. Ben Shewry’s tasting menu focuses on native Australian ingredients used in ways that feel genuinely original — not just native herbs sprinkled on otherwise conventional food. Book months in advance. Worth it.

Gimlet at Cavendish House (CBD) is the smarter choice if you want excellent food without the ceremony of a full tasting menu. The bar room is buzzing, the pasta is exceptional, and the wine list is one of Melbourne’s best. Book the dining room for the full experience.

For a Reliably Good Dinner

Embla (CBD) is the wine bar that redefined what Melbourne wine bars could be. The charcoal-grilled dishes are consistently excellent, the natural wine list is deep, and the vibe is right every night of the week.

Tipo 00 (CBD and South Yarra) is still the benchmark for pasta in Melbourne. Simple, precise, and satisfying. The pappardelle with beef cheek ragù is one of the city’s great dishes. Bookings open 30 days ahead — get in early.

Anchovy (Richmond) does Vietnamese cooking with a level of technical skill that most fine-dining restaurants can’t match. Thi Le’s food is smart, punchy, and totally original. The set menu is the move.

For Lunch Under $30

Minamishima Lunch (Richmond) — the counter seats at lunch are significantly more accessible than dinner prices, and you’re getting the same quality.

Pellegrini’s (CBD) — the espresso bar that’s been on Bourke Street since 1954. The pasta is $18 and it’s still the best value lunch in the city. No reservations, cash only.

Hardware Société (CBD) — the weekend brunch queue moves faster than it looks. The egg dishes are precise and the coffee is among Melbourne’s best.

For a Neighbourhood Local

Aru (Fitzroy North) — Middle Eastern-influenced share plates in a relaxed room. The lamb is exceptional. Walk-ins accepted at the bar.

Marion (Fitzroy) — wine bar with a kitchen that takes the food seriously. The charcuterie and small plates work with the wine list rather than sitting beside it.

The Bottom Line

Start with Gimlet or Tipo 00 if you’re visiting — both deliver on a first visit and both are reliable enough to become regulars. For the full Melbourne dining experience, Attica is worth the planning required.