The wait is over. These top new venues are open for drinking, dining and all-round good times.

Different smoked and grilled meats on platters

Victoria by Farmer's Daughters

Love the Gippsland-themed fare at Farmer's Daughters? Get a taste of the whole state at the team’s new venue in Fed Square. The sharing menu is a love letter to local farmers and producers, with dishes cooked over woodfire in the open kitchen. Flit across the countryside with cured Bass Strait scallops, dry-aged steak and grilled market fish swimming in celery butter sauce. Stake out a spot on the all-weather terrace to take in the riverside views.

People eating colourful brunch dishes and cocktails at a terrazzo table.

The Terrace

The Royal Botanic Gardens' leafy cafe has had a glow-up. This newly relaunched spot serves refined breakfast dishes, cult-status hotcakes, fresh summer cocktails and top-tier iced coffee. Pull up a seat in the sun-soaked courtyard and enjoy a meal by the stunning Ornamental Lake. And yes – you'll still find those iconic scones with berries and cream on the menu.

The outside of a restaurant in a brick building

Myrtle

Enjoy Australian wines paired with native produce in a warm and inviting space at Myrtle Wine Bar. A newcomer to Warburton Lane, the two-storey space is beautifully rustic. To eat there’s aniseed myrtle and saltbush spiced squid. Sardine fingers with whipped Murray cod. Buttermilk damper. And oh-so nostalgic chip shop potato cakes, elevated to gourmet status with salmon roe and cultured cream.

Plates of pasta and cocktails on a table

Alt Pasta Bar

Silky strands of handmade pasta and creamy risottos take centre stage at this moody late-night pasta bar. Tucked down tiny Niagara Lane, Alt Pasta Bar's chefs create art with simple dishes in an open kitchen. Order a plate of glossy cacio e pepe, or perhaps squid ink fettuccine with spanner crab. Everything is made in-house, from the pasta down to the seasonal gelato, and carefully paired with a curated wine list.

Someone taking a spoonful of roe from an iced dish and a plate of waffles.

Freyja

Located in the historic Olderfleet building, Freyja feels like something truly novel. With a Nordic-approach to Aussie fine-dining, dishes are infused with the complex flavours of our native produce. The restaurant introduces Melburnians to Scandi gastronomy and you can expect unique flavour pairings that are beautifully executed. Think trout roe with waffles, fresh oysters served with rhubarb and fluffy fermented crispy potatoes. All paired with Nordic rum cocktails.

A crispy slice of pork belly topped with pineapple.

Serai

Find a fiery new spot for traditional Filipino food, hidden in a laneway. Grab a seat at the chef’s omakase table to watch your meal cooked over the open fire in front of your eyes. Pair colourful cocktails with dishes like kingfish sinuglaw and pork belly with smoked pineapple palapa.

The inside of a restaurant with light beams and a curved ceiling

Archer's Restaurant

Located in an intimate, futuristic space, Archer's needs to go right to the top of your special occasion dining list. Beautiful beams of light glow warmly against the unique, vault-like interiors. And the menu is an ever-changing celebration of seasonal, local flavours. Don't miss a trip up to the 15th floor for drinks at neighbouring Sunset House.

A burrata dish being cut open.

Nomad

Nomad's food is inspired by travels through Spain, Morocco and the Middle East, but grounded in Australia's fine local produce. Dishes are cooked with fire and smoke, think smoked mussels and wood-roasted eggplant escabeche. Add a side (or three) of burrata and fennel jam and mop it up with wattleseed za'atar flatbread.

More of the best new spots in Melbourne

Tapenade

Tapenade

A southern French-inspired café and restaurant serving authentic family recipes.

Yakimono

Yakimono

Yakimono is a high energy Japanese-inspired eating house.

Di Stasio Pizzeria

Di Stasio Pizzeria

Italian wood-fired pizzas and cocktails in an art-filled space.

Otōto

Otōto

Akaiito's underground casual cocktail bar serving Asian-inspired tapas and sharing plates.

Grill Americano

Grill Americano

Offering Italian classics with signature Chris Lucas spin in sophisticated surrounds.

Elchi

Elchi

Elchi re-imagines the wonders of Indian fare in a sleek and alluring space.

Bobbie Peels

Bobbie Peels

Cosy corner pub featuring a beer garden and rotating craft beers on tap.

Tippy-Tay

Tippy-Tay

A colourful Italian restaurant at the Garden State Hotel.

Miss Mi

Miss Mi

Asia’s diverse flavours and traditional techniques are reinterpreted for modern-day adventurers.

Crossley St Cantina

Crossley St Cantina

Late night Spanish food and booze, located in the CBD's theatre district.

Chancery Lane

Chancery Lane

Reimagining timeless charm this European style bistro is suited for any occasion.

Aru

Aru

Aru is by the acclaimed team behind Sunda.

Robata

Robata

Features Japanese grilled dishes, sashimi, pork katsu and select cuts of premium beef.

Kata Kita

Kata Kita

Bringing a new layer of fresh, flavourful Indonesian dining, with delicious cocktails to match.

Ronnie's

Ronnie's

Head to Ronnie’s in Rialto Piazza to enjoy a menu celebrating the best of New York Italian.

Tres a Cinco

Tres a Cinco

Cantina and bar serving authentic Mexican food and cocktails.

La Madonna Restaurant and Bar

La Madonna Restaurant and Bar

A chic day-to-night restaurant and bar inside Next Hotel Melbourne.

Gimlet at Cavendish House

Gimlet at Cavendish House

An elegant cocktail bar and dining room from renowned chef Andrew McConnell.

Hero at ACMI

Hero at ACMI

A contemporary day-to-night food and wine bar experience with chef Karen Martini at the helm.

Society

Society

A glamourous restaurant and bar with contemporary dining and bespoke cocktails.

Lulu's Char Koay Teow

Lulu's Char Koay Teow

The true taste of authentic Penang flavours from a family of passionate cooks.

Lollo

Lollo

Experience a menu of remixed classics sitting alongside bold innovations.

Chef David

Chef David

Chef David fire up the barbecue with their Sichuan BBQ grill menu.

Hemingway's Wine Room

Hemingway's Wine Room

Brasserie and Wine Bar that is inspired by seasonality, with dishes based on European fundamentals

Last updated on Fri 28 Apr 2023

Melbourne’s most unmissable moments

There’s more to explore, only in the city.

See what’s on
Her Melbourne

Her Melbourne

A four-storey mega venue celebrating modern food, drinks, music and art.

The best hidden restaurants in Melbourne

The best hidden restaurants in Melbourne

Featuring laneway eateries, secret diners and undiscovered spots.

The ultimate guide to bottomless dining in Melbourne

The ultimate guide to bottomless dining in Melbourne

Eat and drink your heart out with unlimited brunches, lunches and cocktails.

Discover more

Iconic eats

Iconic eats

Sample street food at markets, gather over the grill at Korean BBQ and dine at foodie pop-ups.

Melbourne’s best bars behind hidden doors

Melbourne’s best bars behind hidden doors

Find these secret bars hiding in unlikely spaces across the city.

The best new bars in Melbourne

The best new bars in Melbourne

Find the best new spots for nitro cocktails, natural wines and cheeseboards.

The best special occasion restaurants in Melbourne

The best special occasion restaurants in Melbourne

Elevate your evening at these cult-status eateries, degustations and luxe fine-dining spots.