Here are the best new Melbourne restaurants and bars to check out

Hot on the heels of Chris Lucas' Japanese project Tombo Den comes yet another venue from the prolific restaurant group. But this isn't just another flashy spot. Rather, it's the lifelong dream of the famous Melbourne restaurateur, and something he's been working on for close to a decade: a four-level French dining destination in the heart of the CBD called Maison Bâtard. Situated at a dreamily transformed heritage site on 23 Bourke Street, the ambitious maze of a venue features a two-floor restaurant, a late-night supper club in the basement and a chic rooftop terrace – perfect for taking in those city views under the stars. 

Fancy the sound of the hotel above but don't want to rocket up to the top? Acclaimed restaurateurs Ross and Sunny Lusted have swooped in on the ground floor to set up their suave Portuguese restaurant Marmelo, while subterranean cocktail bar Mr Mills slings cool drinks and hot snacks below until late. 

Those who've visited and loved Taxi Kitchen or Lucy Liu over the years will be be no strangers to British restaurateur-slash-chef Michael Lambie's masterful takes on Southeast Asian flavours. Juni is the first Melbourne restaurant in four years from Lambie, and we couldn't be happier he's returned to our fair city. 

Lilijana Eatery is Port Melbourne's humble new destination for Nordic and Eastern Europe-inspired brekky and lunch delights. Think simple comfort foods like sangas, salads, house-baked pastries, alongside cups of coffee or a house-made soda.
Named after the owners' late Nonna, Lilijana's head chef has spent extensive periods playing ice-hockey in both Sweden and Finland, during which time he refined Nordic techniques in pickling, fermenting, baking and cooking.

Situated in the manse building that once housed the minister of the nearby Wesley Church, Reed House is a nod to architect Joseph Reed, who designed the church in the 19th century. The food is playful, and the service is friendly and laid-back. Toeing the line between tradition and invention, Reed House feels like the epitome of next-gen hospo. The cool kids have grown up, got real jobs and now run your favourite restaurant. 

Award-winning chef Mischa Tropp (Toddy Shop) has partnered up with Southbank's Crown complex to open Kolkata Cricket Club. His biggest project to date, the 150-seater restaurant sees pan-Indian and Bengali-influenced fare at the forefront, including Tropp's irresistibly good butter chicken (IYKYK), meats hot out of the tandoor oven, naan, seafood and a long list of beer-friendly snacks – perfect for long boozy afternoons.

Muli Express offers a unique offering to its oyster bar predecessors with a brisk but friendly, standing-only service style that sets it apart from the crowd. The shop isn’t trying to compete with its neighbours with a fancy fitout or excessive menu. Instead, it thrives on simplicity, focusing on what the team does best: top-tier, freshly shucked oysters and a welcoming, fuss-free atmosphere.

Molli is a warm and inviting space, belying its expansiveness as a 100-seater. Clad in dark timber and light-filled, with sage green walls adorned by still life oil paintings and vintage furnishings, Molli is simultaneously classy and cosy. Seating can range from tables and banquettes to a wraparound bar overlooking the open kitchen, where one can witness firsthand the flames of Molli’s prized Josper charcoal oven.

Tucked between the historic facades of Queen Street, Ruby Dining brings a fresh energy to Melbourne's legal district. This new(ish) early-morn-to-late-night spot is the latest venture from Operator venues' Valerie Fong and Randy Dhamanhuri, with ex-Cumulus head chef James Cornwall leading the kitchen. It offers a welcoming and classy retreat from the buzz of the CBD, catering to all from dawn till well after dusk.

Melbourne lovers of Latin American cuisine are in for a treat. After successfully launching his acclaimed dining concept Morena in Sydney earlier this year, renowned Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia (Farmer's Daughters, Victoria) has brought a swish new restaurant to Melbourne. Morena promises a journey through Latin American cuisine with options ranging from à la carte to chef’s selection menus. 

Formerly known as the local coffee haunt DOC Espresso, this famous Lygon Street venue from Melbourne's respected DOC Gastronomia crew has recently transformed into a northern Italy-inspired osteria. Now for lunch and dinner only (arrivaderci, brekky panini!), the changes bring a more 'restaurant' feel to the operation, as well as a polished new look and an extensive refresh of the food and drink offerings.

Flinders Lane is the latest beneficiary of Melbourne’s bistro boom with the arrival of Elio's Place. The latest venture from brother and sister duo Adam and Elisa Mariani (of Greta and Maverick fame) is an all-day-to-late-night bistro that channels old-world charm with a contemporary twist.

The Chapel is a hot new venue on Chapel Street serving up all those cyberpunk vibes – plus good food, art, music and cocktails, of course. The brainchild of cousins Lee Theodoridis and Dimitri Degrenis, the space promises visitors the feeling of escaping to a different realm. As soon as you step inside, you're met with jaw-dropping custom art from tattooist extraordinaire Mayonaize, whose graphic novel-like work has graced the likes of Maha restaurant. 

Brand new luxurious hotel Melbourne Place is set to host its very own rooftop restaurant, Mid-Air. The stunning dining destination will be led by hatted chef Nick Deligiannis, who was recently crowned Young Chef of the Year by Good Food and brings to the hotel invaluable hospitality experience working in Michelin-starred venues. Drawing from his Greek heritage, Nick's designed a menu featuring Hellenic-inspired signature dishes, such as marinated golden peppers with Kefalonion hot honey, feta and village herbs; Southern Rock lobster doughnuts with taramasalata and golden trout roe; and Petuna ocean trout crumpet with mandarin and horseradish.

Yes, we can confirm: the Punters Club is back. A beloved live music venue from the time before anyone had a mobile phone, and before it was Bimbo (and then Kewpie), the Punters Club has come back to the future with a fresh lick of paint, live music program and an inspired menu of nostalgia-inducing pub grub.

Hospitality veterans Frank Ciorciari and Anthony Silvestre have reimagined fine dining with Lucia, bringing it back to its roots. Here, you can forget about degustations or hushed dining rooms where speaking above a whisper feels taboo. Instead, Lucia delivers all the flair and showmanship of upscale dining in an approachable and relaxed setting. This restaurant's duck and black pudding was one of our top eats of the year. 

After a two-year hiatus, Richmond locals and broader Melbournites alike can rejoice – Anchovy is back.  Established nine years ago, Anchovy brought fresh and inspired Vietnamese flavours to an elevated casual dining setting, and it was a smash hit from the offset. But, after seven years and one pandemic, owners Jia-Yen Lee and Thi Le (who is also the chef) decided to hit pause on the beloved eatery and opened Jeow in its place. The Laotian-inspired restaurant was no shabby stepsister, and it earned a chef’s hat in its first year—come summer, it will reopen at night at Lee and Le's exemplar Bánh Mì spot Ca Com (conveniently located next door). So, what refinements has Anchovy undergone during this brief intermission?

Positioned on the Windsor end of Chapel Street, Tombo Den is an izakaya-inspired, two-storey venue called Tombo Den – a snapshot of Japan's vibrant urban nightlife in the heart of Melbourne's hottest after-hours district. Not to be confused with this lovely furniture shop in Fitzroy North, which also features the Japanese word 'Tombo' (translating to 'dragonfly' in English) in its name, Tombo Den neighbours Lucas’ popular pan-Asian eating house Hawker Hall and channels the raucous grit of Tokyo's alleyway eateries with a sophisticated, Lucas-style Melbourne twist.

Originally from Hobart, Fox Friday has made its way to Melbourne with a 200-person taproom, just blocks from local heavyweights like Mountain Goat and Burnley Brewing. And while it may be in the company of giants, it manages to hold its own with an emphasis on rotating small-batch brews. The focus is on hop-forward hazy IPAs, crisp lagers, and a constantly changing tap list that keeps things interesting for craft beer stans.

Sparsely decorated with bright pops of colour synonymous with the Mexican flag and jaunty Latin music playing from within its confines, new Johnston Street eatery El Columpio is bringing a slice of homestyle cooking to an oft-underappreciated quarter of Fitzroy. 

Though our heads are still spinning from the whirlwind opening of Footscray's Moon Dog Wild West, there's already another Moon Dog venture on the cards. This one, mysteriously named 'Doglands', has landed at Marvel Stadium. Is there a more action-packed place to sprinkle a bit of Moon Dog magic into the mix? We think not – it's genius. Make a booking in the Jungle Room to see what it's all about.

Do you know the differences between a trattoria, an osteria, a ristorante and an enoteca? Most of us have heard Italian eateries being described using these very words, but how many of us know the exact translations? That's the sort of stuff you might hear top sommelier James Tait happily chatting away about with his guests at Enoteca Zingara, a humble new Fitzroy wine bar and bottle-o fresh from the Alta Trattoria crew.

If first impressions are important, Shusai Mijo gets a gold star. Walking into the earthy-hued, minimalist dining space, there’s a sense of being transported somewhere calm and ethereal; an escape from the humdrum where your journey will be guided with only your utmost satisfaction in mind. Three ex-Warabi alums are at the helm of this upscale Japanese venue, with the culinary pedigree to back its pristine aesthetics.

If you’re unfamiliar with Chino Latino or 'chifa' cuisine, Casa Chino may seem like just another fusion restaurant. But it’s rooted in history, drawing inspiration from the large Chinese diaspora who live in Peru and around Latin America. It’s a daring concept for Melbourne, which hasn't historically shown a strong reception to or understanding of Latin cuisine. But it’s also a smart one, using far more familiar Chinese dishes as a Trojan horse of sorts.

Joining the leafy Greville Street strip in Prahran, Hopper Joint is a brand new Sri Lankan diner spotlighting – you guessed it – hoppers. For the uninitiated, a hopper is a thin, bowl-like pancake, named after the pan that lends the brekky staple its unique shape. It’s one of Sri Lanka’s best loved street foods and a tasty vehicle for curries, sambols and other traditional condiments celebrated in the cuisine. 

The co-founding team of John Rivera, Carlos Consunji, Ralph Libo-on and Michael Mabuti – proud Filipinos themselves – are also some of the names behind Kariton Sorbetes and Serai, ensuring bold and vibrant Filipino flavours are front and centre at Askal. Think sizzling pork jowl and abalone sisig, ox tail kare kare dougnuts and torched scallop adobo.

Earth Angels is a small West Melbourne newcomer that’s seizing the chance to do things its own way. Co-owners Sasha Chifura and Emmanuel John have connected with Narit Kimsat (La Pinta) to lead a vibrant kitchen focusing on funky Southeast Asian small plates, minimal intervention wines and innovative cocktails. Have they manifested a bar? A restaurant? It’s a yes to both – but it’s also a live performance venue, an art gallery and even plays host to a farmers’ market on occasion. If Melbourne’s bar scene continues to embrace hybridity, then Earth Angels is the future.

Though Bistra borrows a little inspiration from France, to be sure, there aren’t any rules at this relaxed yet refined Elgin Street bistro. The concept is unchallenging food, delivered with a degree of finesse reminiscent of our city’s semi-formal bistros of the ‘90s – if you can remember such places. Elegant and modern with just a sprinkle of nostalgia, it’s a versatile new home in Carlton for special occasions and casual catch-ups alike.

Brico is a neighbourhood wine bar led by a tight-knit hospo crew with experience both here (Bar Liberty) and abroad. There’s a passionate commitment to quality in both the produce and the wine brought to the table – and you're lucky if you can snag one outdoors in the pretty courtyard. The European food menu leans into produce-spotlighted simplicity (think hearty pies, fresh oysters and confit duck leg), while their drinks menu is filled with minimalist winemakers who share Brico's values. All in all, it's a top-class local that Fitzroy North locals are blessed to have on their doorstep. 

While Aussie chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan might be best known for his Sydney dining pop-ups and restaurants (Luke’s Kitchen, Luc-San), he was born in our fair city and to here he now returns – at least for a while. The occasion? He’s brought with him an exciting new project, a modern French bistro named Bistrot Bisou.

The strip of Little Collins Street between William and King has long been a hotbed for affordable work lunches with the food court at Exchange Tower being the pinnacle. The building is still home to a few of its long standing tenants but as of late last year, one end has been transformed into an upscale Korean-Australian diner called Doju, led by chef Mika Chae.

After a few quiet years, Melbourne's late-night cocktail scene is making a much-needed comeback. First, Gin Palace returned after a classy glow-up with its generous closing hour of 3am. Now, another legendary after-dark watering hole is sashaying back into the fold. It's none other than Guy Grossi's Arlechin, which has been closed since March 2022 due to staffing shortages. 

Tawooq is a family-run business that sprung up on the Brunswick East end of Lygon Street in mid-2024. The casual, buzzy spot is now a popular go-to destination for affordable, Beirut-inspired street food snacks. Think tasty two-hander eats like chicken tawooq wraps, makanek and soujouk baguettes, plus fully loaded shawarma and falafel plates. 

It was love at first encounter with Bar Spontana, its selling points reading like my own personal wish list with every box getting a big tick. Authentic and creative Thai food? Yes. Plenty of experimentation, pickling and fermentation? Triple yes. Wine bar status? If a smart list of great grape stuff is on offer, I’m in like a flash, no need to ask twice. But there were also plenty of unexpected wonders at Bar Spontana (like one of the greatest cocktails I’ve ever tasted – more on that later) that swept my partner and I off our feet on our very first visit.

The folks behind local craft beer brand Brewmanity have just launched the city’s first-ever brewery rooftop bar in South Melbourne. Anticipate a three-storey wonderland with capacity for a whopping 400 beer lovers, complete with 34 taps from head brewer Tim Miller. Here’s a man who was once Little Creatures’ brewing manager, so you know he knows his froffs. Brewmanity focuses on traditional beer styles, using natural fermentation methods without additives. 

Mill Place Merchants is a brand new speakeasy that harks back to Melbourne’s golden age. It’s tucked away in a heritage-listed 19th century building, down a laneway that was once known as a bustling hive for hat, soap, clothing and candle makers and traders. You enter the bar via a space disguised as a Victorian-era dressing room, so you can do a final fit check in front of a full-length mirror door before entering a wardrobe that conceals the secret watering hole inside.

If you know, you know: Niku Shiki in Glen Waverley is a one-stop shop for some of the tastiest premium Wagyu available in Melbourne. Well, in good news for steak enthusiasts living or working closer to the CBD, the fresh meat specialist has just opened a sleek outlet at Melbourne Central. A butcher, contemporary Japanese diner and takeaway grocer all in one, the brand new venue is a carnivore’s paradise.

Fleet exudes more of an '80s private penthouse vibe than that of a noisy CBD rooftop, thanks to the interior design smarts of Paul Kelly Design (Black Star Pastry, Crown Casino). The creative team has transformed the former apartments into a sleek, 90-person watering hole with amber and dusty pink tones and custom-made furniture. Settle in on an indoor lounge to sample one of the 70 rums from around the world, or venture onto the wrap-around terrace to take in the stunning sunset and night-sky views.

This burrata lover's paradise recently opened its doors at South Melbourne Market, much to the delight of locals and dairy fiends the city over. A small nook dedicated entirely to that fresh creamy Italian cheese everyone seems to adore, in spite of, maybe even because of, its disarming simplicity? Yes, that's exactly what UGO Burrata Bar is – and we're all for it.

Sultry new Latin-inspired bar Santana offers one of the CBD’s most sensual and thoughtfully curated casual drinking experiences above ground level. Consider puffing away on a Montecristo Short while nursing an El Presidente – a perfect balance of dark rum, dry vermouth, curacao and cranberry grenadine. Or swirling a glass of Emiliana Natura carménère from Chile while you take in moody views of the city’s nightscape. 

Just as the Vietnamese took the French baguette and made it their own, Banh Mi Stand has taken the bánh mì and evolved it into something experimental and uniquely Melbourne.

Until now, Southsiders would have had to venture north to Carlton's Little Italy precinct to enjoy the tip-top panini, pasta and pizza from D.O.C Espresso or DOC Pizza and Mozzarella Bar – but those days of hungry commutes are now over. St Kilda has just been graced with its very own D.O.C restaurant in the Saint Moritz residences on the Esplanade, just in time for the culinary juggernaut's 20th anniversary.

The award-winning Aussie brewery opened the doors to its new venue on March 14 – its fourth across Australia and its very first on Victorian soil – just a stone's throw away from the South Melbourne Market. Housed in a former mechanics’ garage, the space holds capacity for around 220 people and is designed to be a welcoming gathering spot where folks can enjoy the brand's beloved craft ales alongside equally crafty dishes.

One daring duo, a subterranean space in the same building that houses regal Reine and La Rue, and an original vision to shake things up in Melbourne: these were Purple Pit’s trifecta of selling points when it quietly opened late last year. And they were the right ones to spark instant intrigue. The new cocktail bar is a joint project from none other than restaurateur Maurice Terzini (Sydney’s Icebergs) and drinks maverick Joe Jones (Romeo Lane). It’s their first shared venture, and as we come to find out one Thursday night, far too interesting to visit just once.