The best new restaurants and bars in Melbourne

Open until 3am, $10 margarita Mondays and the biggest selection of tequila and mezcal in Melbourne. What can't Mejico do? The new spot for fresh guac has taken over the Collins Quarter courtyard for major Mexican summer vibes. Come for the margs, stay for the authentic tacos and Daylesford beef empanadas.

From the same team behind Gotcha Fresh Bubble Tea, JiYu Thai Hot Pot and Da Long Yi comes Musou, a dry-style hotpot concept known as mala xiang guo. Pick your ultimate mix from a stacked list of ingredients, select a spice level and enjoy. We can't go past the gigantic, juicy deep-fried prawns drenched in Szechuan chilli. Too hot? The sweet, creamy bubble tea from Gotcha is a perfect antidote.

Located in the historic Normanby Chambers Building, the latest from the Pickett hospo dynasty quietly opened just before Christmas. The bistro fitout has a touch of old world opulence while the menu brings classic Euro fine-dining. House dry-aged meats, Hervey bay scallops with finger lime and an exquisite gin-soaked raspberry baba are just a sample of what's on offer.

With limited seating and a strict bookings only set up, Summer's Garden really does make you feel like you're sinking the finest liquid gold in a tiny Tokyo laneway. The team sources 'super rare' whisky (like a 100+ year-old bottle of Nikka), along with a great range of sakes and wine. For a relaxing time, make it a Summer's Garden time.

This cult-fave Korean dessert bar has arrived in Melbourne to bring bingsu to the masses. The towering desserts offer a base of shaved ice-milk (like snowy ice cream) and whipped cream. They're then topped by fruity combos, OTT oreo creations or more adventurous ingredients like matcha and red bean. An unlikely hero on the menu is the tteokbokki pizza - a sizzling skillet of spicy Korean rice cakes, covered with a sheet of melted cheese and crispy pizza dough. Drool.

Euro beach club meets Melb city views at Petanque. This new sunny spot on Crown Riverwalk combines all the best parts of chilled out al fresco fun with food from some seriously luxe operators. Think Gradi, Nobu, Ging Thai and more. The full-service bar, day beds and lounge seating are a sweet cherry on top.

In the former Peaches space, Dom's Pizzeria and Social Club kind of showed up out of nowhere. Follow the neon blue sign poking out onto Swanston Street up a narrow staircase and emerge in a three-level pizza wonderland. And yes, the rooftop bar is back in action.

In the former 8BIT Burger shop on Swanston Street, a new burger legend appears. At time of writing the team is still putting finishing touches on their first city location, but we can't wait to get stuck into their juicy burgs when it opens. Fingers crossed the Southern Fried chicken Clint Beastwood burger makes the trip from Brunswick.