Venture into Melbourne’s hidden spaces and iconic laneways to find an eclectic nightlife, sensational food and wine, a dynamic arts scene and much more. Often considered the culinary capital of the country, Melbourne dishes up everything on the plate from every cuisine imaginable.
As we celebrate 2023 Chef Hat award-winning restaurants around the country and the enormous effort they put in every day to serve sensational produce in memorable dishes, here are six must-visit Melbourne city dining destinations on our list:
Dining at Attica (18) in Ripponlea is a commitment of time and money – there are beautiful, rare and unique ingredients and eclectic tunes, but most of all, there’s Ben Shewry’s innovative and creative cuisine. Rated number 20 in the World's Best Restaurants in 2018, it goes without saying that Attica has set the benchmark for fine dining in Melbourne.
Expect the unexpected, from live insects to crocodile ribs, you’ll be surprised and astounded at what arrives on your plate!
A statement of modern Australian design and sophisticated dining culture, discerning Melbourne diners head to Society (15) on Collins Street in the heart of the CBD. Voluptuous booth seating creates an opulent, yet relaxed supper club feel, as grey, black and navy tones merge with timber and velvet furnishings; while the ceiling is alight with hand-cut crystal installations and soaring windows capture one of the city’s most spectacular settings.
Stunning starters such as cured scallop, green pea and horseradish set the tone for a meal not to be forgotten quickly; follow on with Wagyu striploin, presented tableside with Cipollini onions, wild morels and sweet onion.
A seasonal Kojin degustation menu highlighting the best produce and ingredients from land and sea awaits discerning diners at Akaiito (15) on Flinders Lane in the heart of the city. This stunning Japanese restaurant exudes a moody vibe of black marble, dark granite and a dazzling Red Thread of Fate light fixture twisting its way across the dining room.
Opt for the seven-course sample menu and delve into WA marron, zucchini flower, blue swimmer crab and leek velouté, before dry-aged free-range duck, caramelised fig, oyster mushroom, smoked butter and plum jus.
Celebrating Melbourne’s history of Italian immigrants and evolution into a cosmopolitan culinary city, Luci (14) is a contemporary Australian restaurant housed within the grand hall of the historic Equity Chambers Building on Bourke Street. Its Art Deco-style dining room – designed by Bates Smart – provides a sophisticated backdrop to the Mod Oz menu with Italian accents.
Start with octopus carpaccio, nduja, chickpea and pickled cucumber, followed by mains such as Berkshire pork fillet, pancetta, leek, parsnip purée, peach and mustard seeds.
Drawing on the purity and integrity of Japanese cuisine while infusing it with Australian sensibility, Melbourne diners head to Kisume (14) on Flinders Lane for a dining experience like no other. Discover a fusion of design, art and dining and be seduced by bold and emotive photographic works, alongside the Chablis Bar, home to the largest selection of the world’s purest expression of Chardonnay.
Choose from dishes like scallop, white asparagus, caviar and sake beurre blanc, or Wagyu Scotch fillet, shishito and wasabi; finish sweetly with yuzu sorbet and honeydew melon.
Inspired by Northern Italian roots, Oster (13) on Bridge Road brings casual, regional osteria-style dining to Richmond. Unfussy local food and wine hosted in a warm neighbourhood eatery await, in rustic surrounds of glowing pendents, a marble bar and exposed brick walls, or take a seat at bifold windows opening streetside and people-watch in this trendy Melbourne suburb.
The Chef’s tasting menu takes diners a little out of their comfort zone, with offerings of dry-aged kingfish crudo, parsley and oyster emulsion and crispy kale, then delve into squid ink cavatelli, broccolini, Tiger prawns and aromatic pangrattato.
For more Chef Hat award-winning restaurants in Melbourne, click here.
