Guide to the Best Restaurants in the Melbourne CBD

Melbourne has so many fantastic fine dining restaurants the choice can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, if you are staying in a luxury hotel within the Melbourne CBD, there are a number of excellent establishments you can visit in the immediate vicinity. Below are our recommendations for some of the best restaurants in the Melbourne CBD.

Movida

Movida is a true trailblazer in the Melbourne dining scene.

These were the guys who first introduced Spanish tapas and raciones to Australia, simultaneously kickstarting the passion for share plates that has been so embraced by foodies in the city.

Tucked away quietly in a lane near Bourke Street that is notable for its vibrant graffiti, the restaurant is run by Head Chef Frank Camorra.

The flagship Movida restaurant, now forms part of a group of other Spanish gastronomic venues overseen by Chef Camorra – Aqui, Next Door, and Bar Tini being the others.

Each venue offers different styles of Spanish cuisine. With the likes of Cecina, Raiz de Apio and Carrillera de Buey being amongst the most popular dishes available at the original restaurant.

Vue de monde

For a top, and rather decadent Michellin Star experience, head to Vue de Monde.

Located 55 floors up in the Rialto Towers, this is one of Melbourne’s most renowned fine-dining restaurants. Managed by celebrity chef Shannon Bennett, the restaurant offers sensational 360 degree views of the city – which sweep from the Docklands to the Dandenongs.

You are seated at tables that are covered with kangaroo leather and presented with a set menu that changes every day, but usually features between 14 to 17 courses.

Some of the exquisite dishes that sometimes appear on it include marron tail curry with a bisque made from native lemongrass, sea urchin with a bunya nut emulsion and cured South Australian kangaroo with native mountain pepper.

Embla

In its truest form Embla is a wine bar. But the food is so good here that many people come primarily to eat.

Contained within an intimate dining space and radiating a laid-back vibe they offer modern Australian dishes that will tantalise your tastebuds.

Dishes like Beef carpaccio, Celeriac Hasselback and John Dory Rillettes will have you hankering for more, whilst the Chocolate Ripple-Misu is the stuff of dreams.

The restaurant, which is located a short walk from the W Melbourne hotel, is noted for the outstanding service and consummate professionalism of their wait staff. While their extensive wine menu provides plenty of choice to please most palettes.

Flower Drum

Undoubtedly one of Melbourne’s most iconic restaurants, Flower Drum has been dishing up fantastic Cantonese cuisine since 1975.

In China, the translated term for ‘Flower Drum’ is a traditional dance that is noted for its beauty and elegance. This concept transfers well to the restaurant, which features red carpets and panels of Chinese art that adorns the walls.

Producing the industry standard for fine dining Chinese cuisine, their selection of dim sum will blow you away. While other dishes like crispy pork ribs with a crunchy garlic crumble and quail san choi bow will transport you straight to Shanghai.

Yakimono

Close to the Stamford Plaza, Yakimono is the one of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne.

Proudly offering ‘one of the most electrifying dining experiences’ in the city, the restaurant is owner Chris Lucas’s visionary take on Tokyo.

Set across two levels, this high energy eatery is a celebration of food cooked over fire.

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s fashion quarter, on the first floor of 80 Collins Street, it features cyberpunk décor and a huge open kitchen – where jumping flames and sizzling meats create quite the theatre.

The food here is exceptional and the cocktails, which are named after various suburbs of Tokyo, will titillate you.