To question Gimlet’s beauty is like pondering out loud whether the sky is blue. One foot through the door into the Trader House team’s almighty fine diner and you’re swept into an era of astonishingly impressive 1920s glamour. The handsome, plush curved booths invite you to settle in and share a bottle of Champers with a friend, uniformed staff skate around the floor with ease, and warm light dances off the grand chandeliers overhead. It’s undeniably fabulous, but also cosy at the same time – less ostentatious ‘razzle-dazzle’ and more hearth-y and heartwarming somehow, even in all its magnificence.
Melbourne’s hospo industry might be trudging through one of its tougher economic eras as of late, but there’s no denying it: our passion and respect for elevated dining is still very much alive.
After all, we’re one of the most happening food cities in the world – and while swanky wine bars and more casual watering holes might be rising in popularity, both classic and new fine diners continue to shine brightly in their own right. Though we may not dine there on the daily, we bask in their glow with gratitude.
From glitzy lobster feasts with caviar table service to farm-to-table degustations that have stood the test of time, there’s no doubt that what our fancier establishments offer is world-class in its wow factor. And when the occasion allows (even if it’s just for some much-needed TLC or a romantic date night escape to another world), we’ll gladly whip out our wallets for the good stuff.
It’s no easy feat to choose from such vastly different and iconic jewels in our city, but the brief was clear: to find those fine diners that charm us every damn time. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the finer subtleties of the experience: the sommelier’s manner, the ambience, the connection, that special something that’s hard to define without coming off as pretentious. But you know what we mean; when it’s there, you can just feel it.
This year, we honed in on the restaurants that bedazzled us with their imagination and attention to detail. We appreciated the simple pleasures: artfully presented premium produce that sings on the plate, comfort over high fashion and classic old-school hospitality with a smile. From the much-loved Gimlet at Cavendish House (last year’s People's Choice Award winner for Favourite Restaurant) to the new and highly ambitious Reine and La Rue that’s living up to its debut buzz, we’re proud of our selection and suggest you earmark this guide for the next time a swish dinner out is on the cards. You’ll leave feeling like royalty, that much is certain.
