The Best Restaurants in Melbourne

A1 Bakery

This Lebanese bakery is easily one of my favourite spots in Australia. The cheese pie — squeaky and buttery with shreds of halloumi wrapped in soft, pillowy bread — is pure bliss. With its original outpost in Brunswick and locations in Fitzroy and Fairfield, A1 Bakery has been a family-run Melbourne staple since 1992. From za’atar pizza to the cheese- and tomato-stuffed Shanklish Pie, this local gem is a must-order.

Mumchan

The chefs at Mumchan are masters of Korean dishes that feel home cooked — and trust me, you’ll want to line your fridge with plastic tubs of banchan. Grab a bowl of bibimbap or a seaweed-wrapped, Spam-stuffed kimbap with house-made kimchi and a rainbow of sides. My go-to? The Chilli Dried Radish, chewy, firm ribbons coated in a spicy, sesame-studded marinade that’s utterly addictive. The location in Melbourne’s CBD features a wider selection of banchan, like the soy-braised lotus root, while the Laverton spot offers toppoki loaded with instant noodles, fish cakes, and vegetables in a gochujang-spiked sauce. And whichever you order from, don’t miss the K-Corndog, a mozzarella and sausage treat on a stick.

Spice Mix

Spice Mix, an effortless blend of North Indian and Nepalese food, is perched at the lively corner of Glenlyon Road and Lygon Street in Brunswick. The menu reflects owner and head chef Pramod Soni's passion for regionality, food history, and technique. I’ve spent many evenings here, savouring dishes like the Chicken 65 — crispy bits of boneless chicken thigh tossed in a zingy, piquant sauce loaded with heavy hitters like chilli, tomatoes, coriander, curry leaves, and mustard seeds. Upon request, the chefs once made it so spicy that I watched tears stream down my partner’s face — ordinarily, he’s unable to cry. The Momo 65, a unique creation by Soni, fuses two of my greatest loves: Indian-style Chicken 65 and fluffy Nepalese dumplings.

Nana Thai Style Hotpot and BBQ

You can almost always expect a queue at this Thai diner in Melbourne’s CBD. As the name suggests, this spot specialises in Thai-style hotpot and barbecue. Juicy, marinated meats and vegetables arrive ready to sizzle on your home grill, with glass noodles and a side soup for cooking and dipping. The som tum Thai, with its shreds of hand-cut papaya, flecks of dried shrimp, and chilli-lime dressing, is a spicy-sour sucker punch. And the deep fried pork belly strips, ideal for dunking in the tangy sauce, crunch and crackle under your teeth. Don't forget a side of garlic rice and a Thai milk tea for the complete Nana Thai experience.

Mamak

I used to work around the corner from Mamak in the CBD and the name became a statement that my colleagues and I would chaotically shout out into the silent office as it neared lunchtime. The vibrant Kuala Lumpur street food makes for the ideal lunch (or dinner), its famous roti often served with a silky curry sauce, dhal, and sambal. This spot is also a must if you love nasi lemak — coconut rice paired with peanuts, sambal, cucumber, boiled egg, and, my favourite, ikan bilis (aka, itty-bitty dried anchovies that I dare you to try and stop eating). For dessert, don’t sleep on the roti pisang, a dish that contains fresh slices of banana and is traditionally served alongside curry — or, if you’re like me, with ice cream instead.

Kariton Sorbetes

Is an artisanal Filipino gelateria strictly a restaurant? Maybe not, but you’ll forgive me for straying when you try this Footscray gem. Co-owned by John Rivera, this spot turns Filipino street food into playful gelato flavours. Inspired by the iconic sorbetes carts of the Philippines, the gelato is perfect for gifting (as I often do when going to dinner parties) or enjoying at home. My top pick? The Buko Pandan flavour, with coconut and pandan gelato, squishy cubes of pandan jelly, candied coconut, and toasted rice flakes. Taho, a playful take on the McDonald’s sundae, featuring silken tofu soft serve with soy milk panna cotta and boba pearls in a warm, slightly earthy oolong tea syrup, is another favourite.

Cafe Dinicious

My amma, or mum in Sinhala, introduced me to the mother-daughter run Cafe Dinicious, a cherished spot for Sri Lankan food in Scoresby, during lockdown. She brought over a warm parcel of lamprais, a Sri Lankan Burgher favourite, and dropped it off on my doorstep as I watched on from the other side of my fly screen door with a surgical mask on. I soon rushed inside with it, unwrapping the banana leaf bundle to discover a delicious mix of tender, bite-sized pieces of meat (pork, beef, and chicken), rice cooked in meat stock, eggplant pickle, coconut belacan, chilli paste, a fish cutlet, and a fried boiled egg inside. I demolished this thing in an emotional fugue state and promptly called my amma requesting more to pop in my freezer. You also won’t want to skip the kothu roti with chicken curry or the breakfast snacks, like pan rolls stuffed with chicken, beef, or fish. This is comfort food at its finest.

Shandong MaMa

For those not already in the know, this aptly named Chinatown spot is the place for homestyle Shandong cuisine, courtesy of Meiyan Wang (aka Mama). Shandong Mama's spanish mackerel dumplings — gingery mousse held together by al dente steamed wrappers that originated in the coastal town of Yantai — are not to be missed. It’s common knowledge that dumplings reign supreme at this top Melbourne restaurant, but if you're after variety, the sweet-spicy eggplant, in a sticky, garlicky sauce, also delivers.

Biang Biang Noodle

Biang Biang Noodle in Melbourne’s CBD specialises in dishes from Xi’an, the capital city of the Shaanxi province in China. My fondest memory is arriving there, drenched in sweat after a gig, craving a Chinese hamburger — pastry stuffed with spicy strips of cumin-seasoned beef soaked in chilli oil. The real star, though, is the hand-pulled noodles, which make a distinctive “biang-biang” sound as they’re stretched. Currently, takeout orders come with ramen noodles to avoid the stickiness that affects the hand-pulled variety during delivery, but the alternative is still well worth ordering. Proof: tender chunks of fall-apart beef, coriander, and spring onions in a clear broth brimming with chilli oil. I’ll often also order a plate of Sliced Pig's Ear in Chilli Oil, relishing in each wobbly sliver of cold, crunchy cartilage doused in a spicy slick. (Oh, and did I mention that this is just one of Melbourne’s many fantastic noodle restaurants?)

Hu Tieu Go Ong Map

This Vietnamese spot was my go-to in Footscray and conveniently a two-minute walk from my house, though snagging a table was a rare feat. (Order delivery!) Off the main drag, it’s a destination for locals seeking hủ tiếu gõ, a beloved night-time street food from central Vietnam. The bowls, whether wet or dry, feature delicate white noodles, blanched bean sprouts, pork slices, quail eggs, beef balls, and fragrant pork rinds. Special mentions also go to the hearty beef stew with springy morsels of tripe and the stir-fried sea snails.

Colourful Yunnan

Yunnan is a southern region in China that’s unique in its cuisine due to its shared borders with Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. At Colourful Yunnan in Melbourne’s CBD, you can savour a rich array of dishes influenced by traditional Yunnanese practices, like tender pork slices and veggie rice noodles tossed with wild, foraged mushrooms. The large portion sizes encourage sharing, and the standout is the Yunnan Traditional Crossing the Bridge Rice Noodle Soup. This iconic dish comes with a steaming, clear chicken broth, accompanied by rice noodles and an assortment of thinly sliced ingredients like Spam, pork, basa fish, quail eggs, and various vegetables. For those who enjoy a spicy kick like me, this is your spot (though the spice level can be altered accordingly).

Juicy Bao

My partner took me on one of our first dates to this buzzing Chinatown staple in Melbourne’s CBD. I was instantly smitten because, as he quickly learned, the way to my heart is through my stomach. We sat down for a BYO dinner situation and soon our table was covered with pan-fried bao — tender clouds with charred bottoms stuffed with juicy pork mince — as well as delicate little soup dumplings hiding silky orbs of meat and golden, tender wontons crowned with crushed peanuts and swimming in a spicy, nutty sauce. I still dream of that meal to this day.

Smith and Deli

Smith & Deli, the plant-based gem by chef, cookbook author, heroine of vegan treats, and owner Shannon Martinez, sits alongside her innovative Smith & Daughters in Fitzroy. For breakfast, try the truly standout Egg Martinez, a buttered English muffin topped with tofu egg, vegan bacon, and cheese. For a sweet treat, don’t miss the doughnut, as plump as a blimp, coated in a sweet and earthy cinnamon-cardamom blend. You won’t regret any of the sandwiches, breakfast burritos, pastries, and hot drinks, or convenient house-made items like vegan lasagna to heat and enjoy at home.

Khabbay Restaurant

Khabbay, nestled in Carlton, is a go-to for not only Pakistani-Indian cuisine but excellent, charred barbecue meats. The venue prides itself on its 100% halal offerings, and offers a range of vegetarian dishes, curries, and biryanis too. Don’t miss the Charcoal Grilled Lamb Seekh Kebab, featuring rich, spiced mutton mince that’s shaped along spear-like skewers and seared before being paired with a refreshing mint raita. The chicken tikka biryani is another standout and a great fusion of two iconic dishes, with marinated chicken tikka and aromatic basmati rice blended with traditional spices.

Sinjeon

Sinjeon, with locations in Melbourne CBD and Seddon, peddles Korean street food that’s perfect for cosying up on the couch with a good K-Drama and a can of Korean beer or soju. This is the perfect anju, or drinking food, because who doesn’t love fried and cheesy dishes with their booze? Take the Korean fried chicken, for example, or the Budae Ramyun Korean Army Stew with instant noodles, dumplings, fishcakes, Spam, and sausage swimming together in a spicy, crimson soup. It’s topped with cheese, corn, egg, and kimchi on top — perfect to satiate your hedonic hunger. For something lighter, try the fresh kimbap: rice rolled in seaweed with Spam, shredded egg, carrot, pickled radish, burdock, and cucumber.

Paik’s BBQ

With over 2,000 restaurants across the globe, Paik Jong-won is South Korea’s most famous celebrity chef. Paiks BBQ in the CBD is his venture into Korean BBQ — and has fast become one of the city’s favourites for flame-licked meats. It’s tricky to make Korean BBQ if you don’t have a grill setup at home, which is why this option is perfect for everyone. All meats are pre-grilled over charcoal so they’re ready to heat and eat — like the 400g pork belly for two, which comes with nine side dishes, vegetables, seaweed soup, and rice balls.

Roti Bar

This Malaysian eatery in Melbourne’s CBD is a lunchtime hotspot, drawing crowds with its vibrant flavours and unique presentations. While the charm of dining in includes your meal served on a banana leaf, the food hits just as hard at home. The roti, thin yet chewy and crumpled like paper, comes in variations such as cheese or egg. Pair it with a silky chicken curry or dal for a satisfying experience. The menu also features classic Malaysian staples like smoky char kuey teow, a stir-fried dish with flat rice noodles, scrambled eggs, chicken, fish cakes, prawns, bean sprouts, and chives, all kissed by the smoky wok.

Red Gum BBQ

Red Gum BBQ, Australia’s only B Corp restaurant, is situated in Red Hill and was founded in 2017 by Martin and Melissa Goffin. The venue combines Martin’s passion for barbecue, ignited by his visits to Florida, with Melissa’s Southern roots. Try the pulled pork roll, featuring 12-hour smoked free-range pork shoulder in a milk bun with Carolina finishing sauce and creamy slaw. The brisket roll boasts fork-tender beef with melty American cheese. Don’t miss the skin-on shoestring fries or the sweet cornbread with honey butter.

Tochi Deli

Shingo Tochimoto, who trained in his grandfather’s sushi restaurant in Tokyo, now crafts his seafood delights in this unassuming Brunswick Market location with his partner Rena. Their cosy spot has fast become a favourite of mine, where fresh Japanese dishes like onigiri and agedashi tofu shine. The miso salmon is a personal highlight — a tender fillet marinated in a savoury glaze with slices of lotus root and pickled radish atop a bed of rice. I always indulge in the salmon nigiri too, slices of buttery fish draped over little beds of sushi rice. Add a dab of wasabi and slices of pickled ginger for that extra kick.

Chopstick Delight

Tucked away in a modest shopping strip in Mulgrave, Chopstick Delight is a cherished spot among locals. The Cantonese roasted duck is a standout — marinated with a blend of five spices and slow-roasted to achieve a perfectly crisp shield of skin and juicy, tender pink meat underneath. I also love digging into the Deep-Fried Chicken Ribs with Pepper Salt, my fingers coated in a sheen of grease as I nibble through the crisp exterior and lap up the umami goodness. For a warming kick, the hot and sour soup, with its spicy and tangy flavours, is a must-try.

Wok Hei Taste of Malaysia

This family-run gem in Avondale Heights serves some of the finest Malaysian food I've tasted outside of Malaysia. My partner and I usually share a few dishes for a taste of everything. The kuey teow is a standout, with wok-fried flat rice noodles packed with prawns, fish cakes, Chinese sausage, and a spicy, prawn-y chilli paste. True to its name, the restaurant nails the wok hei, delivering chewy udon with smoky fillets of beef coated in a black pepper sauce complemented by nutty sesame seeds and sharp flecks of spring onion. I usually enjoy chasing my meal with the Cold Soybean with Grass Jelly — a sweet, refreshing, and jiggly drink. The menu is also packed with yum cha, chicken ribs, soft-shell crab coated in salted egg yolk, pipis in various sauces, and more.

Paris Go Bistro

This Parisian-style bistro dishes up haute cuisine — not in the heart of a buzzy arrondissement but in Carlton. What a luxury, and a rarity, it is to have French food delivered to your door. Try the Escargots à la Forestière: forest mushroom cups topped with snails and drenched in a pool of pastel green, herby garlic butter. If you’re in the mood for cold entrees, the Terrine de Campagne is a rich, house-made pork and veal loaf not to be missed. And the Rillettes de Porc, a rustic pork belly pâté, is perfect for smearing on a fresh slice of baguette. The steak frites are my personal favourite and a birthday tradition — though I’ll let you copy me. Order it medium rare with your choice of mustard or garlic butter and use the crispy chips as vessels for meat juice. For dessert, the crème brûlée with caramelised cognac and vanilla cream is a must.

Superchido

Boy was I chuffed when Superchido moved into Seddon, with only one other Mexican spot in Melbourne’s west. I headed here for a date night and what ensued were many margaritas and me crunching uncharacteristically loudly on the totopos paired with house guacamole — a wonder of fresh avocado, lime, onion, chile verde, coriander, dill, and punchy salsa macha. For mains, we split tacos along with the birria de res, braised beef brisket served in a rich, 12-hour beef consommé with coriander and onion. It came with house salsa, four tortillas for loading up, lime, and extra chilli upon my request. Lip-smackin’ — literally, in my case.

The Abysinnian Restaurant

I’ve broken bread, or injera in this case, with loved ones many a-time at this iconic Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant in Kensington. The mixed platter for two is my usual choice, with the goat kemmam — slow-cooked in a tangy sauce with lemon, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon — and the tender chicken in a rich, earthy berbere sauce with a boiled egg. (My partner and I keenly eye the egg until one person folds and graciously offers it to the other). And don’t miss the shiro, slow-cooked chickpeas mashed into a puree with spices and garlic.

Moroccan Soup Bar

Come for the family-style vegetarian meals, stay for the incredible social justice initiatives that earned owner and philanthropist Hana Assafiri OAM her Order of Australia Medal. This North Melbourne hotspot employs marginalised women, charges fair prices, and fosters communal conversation with a spoken menu. The food is equally legendary. You must try the chickpea bake, with toasted pita bread, chickpeas, yoghurt, almonds, garlic, and butter. And despite only two actual soups on the menu — harira, often enjoyed during Ramadan, and spinach and lentil — both are well worth sampling.

Tambo Ciek Restaurant

Still wondering where to eat in Melbourne? Located in Caulfield, Tambo Ciek Restaurant is a beloved spot among the Indonesian diaspora and, come lunchtime, the glittering bain marie is hard at work. Growing up eating lamprais, I developed an affinity for things wrapped in banana leaves, which is probably why I love nasi kapau, a West Sumatran dish served with rendang and your choice of meat. My pick here is the kapau rendang dendeng that features sambal, eggplant, a rich, lemongrass-y beef, and a slew of sides nestled in with jasmine rice and chillies. Another must-try from Padang, the slow-cooked beef is perfected without coconut butter, making it lighter than other rendang varieties. Pair it with white rice for the perfect meal.

Leonard’s House Of Love

Heading to Leonard’s House of Love is like stepping into a fun ’70s time warp. It’s got that log cabin vibe with a pool table and arcade machine, and a simple and satisfying menu that jives well with delivery. Expect: juicy burgers (including some exceptional vegan options that go beyond a basic salad option), crispy fried chicken, loaded fries, and a few types of nachos. Try the Rodeo Burger with its beef brisket patty, cheese, bacon, and caramelised onions. And definitely grab the Jalapeño Poppers. What’s not to love about a spicy little pocket of fried cream cheese?