Experience the very best restaurants in Melbourne

Melbourne is renowned for its excellent dining scene, which serves up pretty much every cuisine you can think of. From trendy cafes and boutique bistros to the most exclusive of fine dining restaurants there are plenty of places in the city to enjoy a lovely meal. If you’re looking for some inspiration on some of the best restaurants in Melbourne, then check out our favourites below:

Lollo

Drawing inspiration from his Italian-Indian heritage, Creative Culinary Director, Adam D’Sylva has created a wonderful menu that showcases the freshest of local produce.

The signature restaurant of the W Melbourne hotel, this stunning restaurant offers contemporary Australian cuisine in a stylish CBD location.

A mix of modern classics that have been given a twist, and exotic dishes that delight with their innovation, the menu includes the likes of Corn Fed Chicken Cotoletta and Asparagus & Ricotta Tortellini.

Its drinks menu features some of Victoria’s best wine labels, as well as an avant-garde range of cocktails. All of which are served in a relaxed, yet elegant setting.

Address: 408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000

Movida

One of the most pioneering restaurants in Melbourne, Movida is an iconic Spanish gastronomic venue.

Located on a graffiti-covered lane near Bourke Street, this is the restaurant that started the trend for share plates in Melbourne. Congruently introducing Spanish tapas and raciones to Australia too.

Under the guidance of Head Chef Frank Camorra the establishment now includes 3 other venues – Aqui, Next Door, and Bar Tini.

Each venue is different, but they all share the same philosophy of championing Spanish gastronomy.

At the original restaurant the menu includes such culinary delights as Carrillera de Buey, Cecina and Raiz de Apio. While the likes of Champagne Y Cava, Cerveza and Blanco and Tinto wines are on the drinks menu.

Address: 1 Hosier Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000

Harry’s Restaurant

Located in the Stamford Plaza Melbourne, in the heart of the theatre district, Harry’s Restaurant showcases a range of European and Asian inspired classical dishes.

Their signature menu offers a ‘Taste of Singapore’ with such delightful offerings as Singapore Fish Curry and Singaporean Laksa.

However if you fancy something a bit more Australian then the 250g beef Porterhouse steak should fit the bill nicely.

Located on Little Collins Street, near Chinatown and most of Melbourne’s popular attractions, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Its casual setting is the perfect place to dine before taking in a show or heading of to the MCG for a sporting event.

Address: 111 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Anchovy

If you love fusion food, few restaurants can match Anchovy when it comes to pushing the envelope.

Head chef and co-owner Thi Le perfected her craft over several years of working in Andrew McConnell’s restaurants. Drawing on this experience she has created an innovative menu of South East Asian inspired dishes that work wonderfully well.

Tempura Vegemite, bánh bèo served with a cured pork relish and bánh mì with fillings that include jungle spice pork sausage and crisp fried egg, will surprise and delight you.

Desserts like custard apple ice-cream teamed with gingerbread granita should also excited you.

Located in Richmond, about 20 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, the restaurant is always busy, which creates a lovely atmosphere to dine in.

Address: 338 Bridge Rd, Richmond, Vic

The Cricketers

If you love cricket, then there is no better place to eat in Melbourne than The Cricketers at The Hotel Windsor.

Open for lunch and dinner, this cricket themed casual pub dining establishment offers all the usual, hearty favourites like fish & chips, a club sandwich, chicken parma and a selection of steaks.

It also serves up a weekly rolling menu of housemade curries, as well as a great selection of tap beers.

Not far from the MCG, The Cricketers Bar hosts a collection of cricketing artifacts and memorabilia, loaned to them by the Melbourne Cricket Club, which will keep any aficionado entertained for hours.

In addition to this, there is usually some for of cricket being shown on the various televisions that are dotted around the venue.