Eat & drink
This is a collection of some of our favourite Melbourne restaurants, cafes, bakeries and bars. Short list the ones you like to request them through us, or book directly using the included link.
Featured restaurants
The draw. A polished Melbourne dinner with old-world confidence.
A grand European-style dining room in Cavendish House, with wood-fired cooking, classic cocktails and a room that feels properly Melbourne.
Worth knowing. Strong choice for senior guests, private dining or a first serious dinner in the city.
The draw. Serious Melbourne dining without hotel polish.
A long-standing Fitzroy restaurant with seasonal produce, confident service and a private room for larger groups.
Worth knowing. Good for guests who want one of Melbourne's best rooms with a little neighbourhood edge.
The draw. A glamorous, high-energy French-led evening.
A multi-level French hospitality house with dining, bar and rooftop energy in the city.
Worth knowing. Best for guests who want atmosphere, style and a sense of arrival.
The draw. Premium beef, seafood, martinis and a confident room.
A glamorous Italian steakhouse built around Australian produce, tableside polish and a strong private dining option.
Worth knowing. Useful for corporate guests, steak requests and groups who want something recognisable but still distinctly Melbourne.
Keen on a tailored, progressive dinner with a fabulous local host?
Ask the conciergeBeyond the featured four, these are all delightful.
Contemporary Australian / all-day dining
The draw. Long lunches and late walk-in dinners on Flinders Lane.
An all-day Flinders Lane dining room with a long marble bar, wood-fired cooking and a menu built for sharing, from oysters and tuna tartare to the slow-roast lamb shoulder. Open from 12pm daily through to late.
Worth knowing. Good when guests want somewhere reliable that takes walk-ins at the bar if the timing shifts.
Contemporary Australian / garden dining
The draw. A refined, nature-led Melbourne dining experience.
Hugh Allen's ambitious restaurant set in a heritage pavilion in Fitzroy Gardens, built from Australian materials and native produce.
Worth knowing. A destination. Best for guests who want something singular and considered; book through concierge.
Wine-led neighbourhood dining
The draw. A relaxed but sharp wine-led lunch or dinner.
One of Melbourne's most reliable rooms for good taste without ceremony.
Worth knowing. Works well before or after a Fitzroy / Collingwood neighbourhood wander.
Modern Asian / energetic dining
The draw. A lively dinner that still feels polished.
A Melbourne favourite for modern Asian flavours, generous energy and easy group appeal.
Worth knowing. Good fallback when guests want atmosphere and flavour without a formal tasting menu.
Melbourne institution / Cantonese
The draw. A classic Melbourne institution.
Refined Cantonese dining with decades of local and international reputation.
Worth knowing. Good for guests who appreciate old-school service, wine and a dining room with history.
Destination fine dining
The draw. Guests seeking Australia's most internationally recognised dining experience.
Ben Shewry's restaurant is a destination in its own right, known for contemporary Australian cooking and native ingredients.
Worth knowing. Availability and guest fit matter. Best handled through concierge rather than casual browsing.
Victorian produce / group dining
The draw. Telling the Victorian produce story in the city.
A multi-level venue built around Gippsland produce, with flexible spaces and group potential.
Worth knowing. Strong for guests who want regional flavour without leaving Melbourne.
Modern Indian
The draw. Polished modern Indian in the city.
Refined Indian flavours in a sharp city setting, close to hotels and laneways.
Worth knowing. Good for guests who want spice, colour and a more contemporary Melbourne dining mood.
Italian / pasta
The draw. Pasta, intimacy and a very Melbourne city meal.
A small, beloved pasta bar with strong local following and simple confidence.
Worth knowing. Small-room dynamics mean timing and availability matter.
Wine-led dining / private rooms
The draw. A wine-first lunch or dinner in a neighbourhood classic.
A two-level Carlton institution with a serious wine list, European-leaning food and private rooms upstairs.
Worth knowing. Great for guests who want to eat well but talk about the wine. The private rooms suit small groups.
Modern Australian / grand dining
The draw. A polished, statement Melbourne dinner in a grand dining room.
Chris Lucas's multi-room dining destination at 80 Collins, with a Euro-inspired menu, brasserie and lounge.
Worth knowing. Good for high-profile guests who want scale, private dining options and an unmistakable sense of arrival.
Portuguese / wood-fired dining
The draw. Vibrant wood-fired cooking with Iberian energy.
Ross and Sunny Lusted's Portuguese-led restaurant built around a charcoal grill, wood oven and a theatrical room.
Worth knowing. Best for guests who want flavour, fire and atmosphere in the city.
Armenian / Lebanese / Middle Eastern
The draw. Bold Middle Eastern flavours from a wood-fired kitchen.
Tom Sarafian's tribute to family and tradition, cooking Armenian and Lebanese-influenced dishes over charcoal.
Worth knowing. Useful for guests looking for something lively, generous and a little left of centre.
Greek / sharing menu
The draw. A polished Greek feast with long-lunch energy.
A contemporary Greek restaurant in South Melbourne built around seasonal sharing menus and Mediterranean warmth.
Worth knowing. Good for groups who want generous, convivial dining south of the river.
Modern European / bistronomy
The draw. A refined, intimate CBD lunch or dinner.
A candlelit European-leaning bistronomy from the Tipo 00 team, serving creative modern dishes with serious wine.
Worth knowing. Small private room for up to 14. Strong for business lunches and discreet celebrations.
Japanese / omakase sushi
The draw. Melbourne's finest sushi omakase.
A quiet Richmond temple to Edomae sushi, with just 12 ringside seats and chef Koichi Minamishima's precise craft.
Worth knowing. Intimate and hard to book. Best arranged through concierge for the right night.
Seafood / beachfront dining
The draw. A long lunch above the water.
A beachfront dining room looking over Port Phillip Bay, built around seafood and Victorian produce.
Worth knowing. Upstairs is the restaurant, downstairs is more relaxed. Window and sunset tables go early, so give us dates as soon as you have them.
Japanese / occasion dining
The draw. Guests who want a name they already know.
The Melbourne outpost of Nobu, working the same new-style Japanese menu that made the group famous.
Worth knowing. Easy walking distance from the sports precinct and the Southbank hotels. Good for groups who want familiar ground.
Japanese / teppanyaki
The draw. Teppanyaki with a bit of theatre.
A long-running Japanese restaurant at Crown doing both teppanyaki and a la carte.
Worth knowing. Teppanyaki tables seat in fixed groups, so tell us numbers early. A la carte suits smaller parties better.
Californian / bar dining
The draw. A relaxed riverside meal or a drink before dinner.
A Californian-leaning restaurant and bar on the Riverwalk at Crown, with outdoor seating along the water.
Worth knowing. Works well as a first stop for arriving guests. Sits close to the stadium walk.
Eastern Mediterranean
The draw. Bold flavours in a bright room.
Eastern Mediterranean cooking, charcoal and old-world technique in a light-filled space.
Worth knowing. Good middle ground for mixed groups. Sharing menus keep the table moving.
Italian / Melbourne institution
The draw. A formal Italian dinner with history in the room.
One of Melbourne's oldest fine dining rooms, still serving Italian food upstairs with a cellar bar below.
Worth knowing. The upstairs dining room is the formal option. The cellar bar suits a shorter, less structured meal.
French / occasion dining
The draw. A dressed-up French dinner.
French cooking inside the old Stock Exchange building, across a grand dining room, bar and private spaces.
Worth knowing. One of the better rooms in town for a milestone dinner. Private spaces are limited and book out first.
Thai / high-energy dining
The draw. A loud, easy dinner that suits any group.
Thai-leaning cooking, long tables and a room that runs at full volume from open to close.
Worth knowing. No bookings for smaller parties, so plan around a wait or use the downstairs bar. Larger groups need notice.
Wood-fired / modern Australian
The draw. A straightforward city dinner done well.
Wood-fired cooking and Victorian produce in a calm two-level room off Flinders Lane.
Worth knowing. Reliable for guests who want good food without a long tasting menu.
Tasting menu / fine dining
The draw. A set-piece Melbourne dinner with the city below.
A tasting menu restaurant on level 55 of the Rialto, working almost entirely with Australian produce.
Worth knowing. Set menu only, and dietary needs must be flagged at booking. Allow three hours.
Steak / grill
The draw. Charcoal steak without the steakhouse formality.
A grill and dining room working across accessible cuts through to full-blood wagyu and A5 Kumamoto.
Worth knowing. Suits guests who want beef but not a set steakhouse menu. Ask us about larger cuts to share.
Japanese / sushi and omakase
The draw. Sushi, sashimi and omakase in the city.
A seafood-focused Japanese restaurant in the CBD serving sushi, sashimi and an omakase counter.
Worth knowing. Omakase seats are limited and sit at a set time. Tell us if the counter matters.
Modern Middle Eastern
The draw. A generous Middle Eastern feast.
Shane Delia's basement dining room, reworking Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking for a Melbourne table.
Worth knowing. Feed-me menus work best for groups. Downstairs room feels private without a private booking.
Pub / private dining
The draw. Groups who want a pub with room to move.
Seven levels at the corner of King and Flinders, from public bar and beer garden through to Past / Port upstairs and private dining.
Worth knowing. The strongest large-group option near the stadium walk. Private levels take exclusive-use bookings.
Pub dining
The draw. A Fitzroy pub meal with a proper kitchen behind it.
A corner pub with a front bar and a dining room, run with more care than most pubs manage.
Worth knowing. Good for guests who want Melbourne neighbourhood life rather than a hotel dining room.
Thai / noodles
The draw. A fast, memorable bowl of noodles.
A Thai kitchen in a city car park, known for boat noodles and a very short menu.
Worth knowing. No fuss and no reservations for small groups. Good for a quick lunch between other plans.
Tasting menu
The draw. A quiet tasting menu away from the city.
A small Armadale dining room serving a set menu built around Victorian produce.
Worth knowing. Set menu only and a short seating list each night. Book well ahead.
Japanese / tasting menu
The draw. A Japanese dinner with a bar to move on to.
Japanese cooking across a dining room, teppan counter and adjoining bar spaces in the city.
Worth knowing. The group runs several rooms in one building, so tell us the mood and we will pick the right one.
Indian / home dining
The draw. Guests who want something they cannot book anywhere else.
A hidden Carlton dining room serving Indian home cooking across a long set menu, entered through a laundry.
Worth knowing. Set menu, fixed start time, small numbers. Not suited to guests who need flexibility.
Japanese / late-night dining
The draw. A late dinner that turns into a night out.
A city room serving Japanese-leaning food with records on and the lights down.
Worth knowing. Better later in the evening. Good landing spot after a game.
Fire cooking / wine bar
The draw. A relaxed northside dinner cooked over fire.
A neighbourhood bar and kitchen cooking over coals, with a wine list built for drinking rather than collecting.
Worth knowing. Walk-ins are part of the point. Small groups only.
Bistro
The draw. A bistro dinner with no ceremony.
A Fitzroy North bar and bistro with a French-leaning menu and a strong local following.
Worth knowing. Small and busy. Early or late sittings are the realistic options.
Riverside / group dining
The draw. Groups who need space by the river.
A large riverside venue on Southbank with multiple spaces and a straightforward menu.
Worth knowing. The most flexible option we have for bigger numbers close to the stadium precinct.
Thai
The draw. A Thai dinner inside a bigger night out.
Thai cooking inside the HER building on Bourke Street, with bars and music on the floors around it.
Worth knowing. Stay in the building afterwards rather than moving on. Ask us about the upper levels.
Melbourne coffee is a big deal. These are some of the very best.
Coffee
The draw. A classic Melbourne coffee introduction.
A B Corp-certified Melbourne roaster known for ethically sourced coffee and calm, precise service.
Worth knowing. Easy to fold into a morning city walk or hotel-adjacent coffee run.
Coffee
The draw. Serious coffee in a tiny city room.
A compact standing-room-style coffee institution that locals still talk about.
Worth knowing. Best for guests who want the real Melbourne coffee ritual, not a long brunch.
Coffee / brunch
The draw. Melbourne coffee with a bigger brunch setting.
A long-running specialty coffee name with a strong South Melbourne presence.
Worth knowing. Works well before markets, galleries or a South Melbourne / bayside route.
Coffee / brunch
The draw. Reliable central coffee and brunch.
Melbourne-born roaster with multiple city locations and a strong café presence.
Worth knowing. Useful for guests needing an easy, good-quality option close to their movements.
Coffee / sweet coffee ritual
The draw. A playful Melbourne coffee detour.
Known for the Mont Blanc, a cold brew finished with cream, orange zest and nutmeg.
Worth knowing. Good as a small local moment before Carlton, Fitzroy or museum precinct plans.
Coffee obsessive
The draw. Guests who care about coffee process and provenance.
A coffee-focused Collingwood room with roastery energy and a more specialist feel.
Worth knowing. Better for coffee people than casual brunch guests.
Bread is back baby! Here's where we would carb load before a big game.
Pastry
The draw. A famous Melbourne pastry moment.
One of Melbourne's best-known bakery names, built around croissants, precision and queues.
Worth knowing. Best handled with timing advice. Not every guest will want to queue.
Bread / pastry
The draw. Bread, pastry and elegant bakery basics.
A serious bakery known for quality loaves, pastries and a polished neighbourhood feel.
Worth knowing. Good for hotel-room supplies, picnic moments or a low-key bakery stop.
French pastry
The draw. Market pastry and sweet morning detours.
A French-style pâtisserie with a strong following and market energy.
Worth knowing. Works well with South Melbourne Market or a city laneway wander.
Neighbourhood bakery
The draw. A local bakery stop with good range.
A contemporary Melbourne bakery with bread, pastries and a neighbourhood rhythm.
Worth knowing. Useful for family guests, quick breakfast or picnic planning.
Bakery / neighbourhood
The draw. A Collingwood bakery stop.
A small bakery with strong local feel and excellent bread and pastry.
Worth knowing. Good before or after a Fitzroy / Collingwood shopping or art route.
Bakery classic
The draw. Polished bakery staples.
A Melbourne bakery name with a design-led feel and strong bread pedigree.
Worth knowing. Good for guests staying or shopping south of the river.
A few Melbourne bars we think you will love.
Cocktail bar
The draw. A tiny, world-recognised cocktail bar.
A small bluestone bar beside a church, known for warm service, cocktails, Guinness and serious global recognition.
Worth knowing. Best for small parties. Timing and discretion matter for higher-profile guests.
Aperitif / cocktail bar
The draw. A polished pre- or post-dinner drink.
A refined cocktail room from the Gimlet family, close to Melbourne's best dining streets.
Worth knowing. Strong pairing with Gimlet, Supernormal, Cumulus or a Flinders Lane dinner.
Creative cocktail bar
The draw. Produce-led cocktails and a more experimental mood.
A creative Melbourne bar known for seasonal Australian ingredients and precise technique.
Worth knowing. Best for guests who already like serious cocktail bars.
Small cocktail bar
The draw. Minimalist, intimate cocktails.
A small, focused cocktail bar with strong bartender interaction and Collingwood edge.
Worth knowing. Best for two to four guests, not larger groups.
Champagne / group-friendly
The draw. Champagne, cocktails and a more polished group mood.
A high-rise city bar with sparkle, booths and a more theatrical finish.
Worth knowing. Useful for small groups who want glamour without needing a private room.
Rooftop
The draw. Views, sunset and lighter glamour.
A rooftop bar with city views and a polished South Yarra feel.
Worth knowing. Good before or after a South Yarra / Prahran evening.
Cocktail bar / views
The draw. A drink at height, with or without dinner.
The bar beside Vue de monde on level 55, with cocktails and a view across the city.
Worth knowing. Dress code applies and the room fills after work. Book if you want a seat by the window.
Wine bar / wood fire
The draw. Wine first, food that keeps up.
A city wine bar cooking over wood fire, with a list that rewards asking questions.
Worth knowing. Standing and bar seats for small groups. Upstairs at Lesa if you want a table.
Cocktail bar
The draw. A late drink in a bar that knows what it is doing.
A long-running Brunswick Street cocktail bar, dark and busy, with a smaller room upstairs.
Worth knowing. No bookings downstairs. Upstairs can be arranged for small groups with notice.
Riverside bar / seasonal
The draw. An afternoon drink on the water.
A floating bar on the Yarra beside Flinders Street Station, open seasonally.
Worth knowing. Seasonal and weather dependent. We confirm whether it is open before we suggest it.
Multi-level bar / music
The draw. A night that does not need a second venue.
Several floors of bars, dining and music in one Bourke Street building, with art and DJs through the week.
Worth knowing. Different floors suit different groups. Tell us the vibe and we will point you at the right one.
Beyond the city
Brae, Laura at Pt Leo Estate, Wickens, Lake House and a short list of others. Best treated as the anchor for a day trip, overnight or short extension.
Not sure what fits?
We'll steer you to the right room, not just the obvious one.