The Hot List: Melbourne's Most Essential Eats, updated regularly

Roma

Restaurant · Italian · $$$$$ · melbourne

Con Christopoulos's latest venture is the purest interpretation of a Roman trattoria you’ll find outside Italy, with nods to the ancient culture through design, drinks and dishes.

120 Collins Street

El Columpio St Kilda

Restaurant · $$$$$ · st kilda

Rather than just duplicating everything that made the Fitzroy original so beloved, El Columpio’s Ricardo Garcia Flores has taken a different tack for his taqueria’s seaside sequel. The best part? It's just metres away from the ocean.

20 Jacka Boulevard

Tarts Anon Richmond

Cafe · $$$$$ · richmond east

The new flagship for one of Melbourne’s biggest lockdown success stories packs all of the signature tarts the brand is beloved for – plus some new surprises. Even the tart sceptic in your life will have trouble resisting.

658 Church Street

Garfield

Restaurant · $$$$$ · carlton

Housed at the base of the King & Godfree building is Garfield, a pizza shop from Jamie Valmorbida and Karen Martini. On the menu you’ll find pizza bases made using the Tokyo stretch method, with toppings ranging from classic to experimental.

293/297 Lygon Street

Yang Thai

Restaurant · Thai · $$$$$ · st kilda

Proceed with caution: it'll be hard to go back to your neighbourhood chicken shop after you've sampled the charcoal chooks at Yang Thai. Take them away whole or in a lunch pack (with Thai sides), or settle in and enjoy the vibe.

49 Blessington Street

Marion Wine Bar

Bar · $$$$$ · fitzroy

Pick a bunch of shared dishes from the day’s menu on the wall. Order some wine with help from the switched-on staff. The format’s simple, but as we’ve come to expect from Andrew McConnell’s restaurants, everything is just right.

53 Gertrude Street

Geralds Bar

Bar · $$$$$ · carlton north

This neighbourhood bar brims with nostalgia. Old books, yesteryear’s wine bottles and a glimmering disco ball decorate the space – but what you’ll notice most is warm, old-school hospitality (and the menus that turn on a dime).

920 Lygon Street

Dua

Cafe · Filipino · $$$$$ · collingwood

Raya’s Raymond Tan is behind this innovative “Scandinasian” bakery. Head in for snacky breakfast plates, Japanese and Filipino breads paired with marzipan and other classic Scandi fillings, and other fun fusions.

35 Johnston Street

Kafeneion

Restaurant · Greek · $$$$$ · melbourne

Two hospitality veterans are behind this small but mighty Greek diner. Order hard-to-find classics like sweetbreads and slow-cooked lamb. Plus, ultra-thick traditional Greek coffee, carafes of wines and beer.

161 Spring Street

Hopper Joint

Restaurant · Sri Lankan · $$$$$ · prahran

Get stuck into hoppers, sambals and curries at this highly personal Sri Lankan restaurant by star interior designer Brahman Perera and his partner Jason Jones, where eating with your hands is encouraged.

157 Greville Street

Pappa Laksa

Restaurant · Malaysian · $$$$$ · burwood

Easy to miss on a busy highway, this family-run spot is known to serve some of Melbourne’s best curry laksa. Plus, left-of-centre takes on Malaysian classics like beef rendang laksa and pork claypot noodles.

26 Burwood Highway

Tipo 00

Restaurant · Italian · $$$$$ · melbourne

After all these years, moody Tipo 00 still attracts queues of people hoping for a taste of its simple yet meticulously assembled pastas. Make sure you arrive early – very early – if you don’t have a booking.

361 Little Bourke Street

Molly Rose

Bar · $$$$$ · collingwood

Melbourne is full of breweries, but few make beers as creative and food-ready as Molly Rose. Stop in for sour-coffee ales, beer that mimics wine and an elevated pub-style menu.

279 Wellington Street

Bar Olo

Bar · Italian · $$$$$ · carlton

The husband-wife duo behind one of Melbourne’s most-loved Italian restaurants run this walk-in bar. It nods to Piedmont with pasta dishes and Italian wines.

165 Nicholson Street

Dodee Paidang Little Collins Street

Restaurant · Thai · $$$$$ · melbourne

Descend to the sprawling and busy basement for a menu that honours classic Thai food including pad thai, whole fish soup, seafood platters, papaya salads and plates of barbequed meat.

353 Little Collins

Flower Drum

Restaurant · Chinese · $$$$$ · melbourne

If you’re after the gold standard for Cantonese cuisine in the city, look no further. Flower Drum’s been serving it since 1975. Its low-lit, seductive ambience and consistently impeccable service are reasons to visit alone.

17 Market Lane

Maison Batard

Restaurant · French · $$$$$ · melbourne

This sprawling four-level dining destination is where you’ll find a supper club, terrace bar and silver service French restaurant offering lighter takes on French bistro classics.

19-23 Bourke Street

Yugen Dining

Restaurant · Japanese · $$$$$ · south yarra

Rough-hewn stone walls, high ceilings and golden accents set the mood at this subterranean Japanese diner. Take the glass lift underground for charcoal-cooked Wagyu, delicate sashimi and exciting detours into Chinese cuisine.

605 Chapel Street

Rita’s Abbotsford

Restaurant · Italian · $$$$$ · abbotsford

A rustic Italian spot serving hefty, semolina-crusted pizzas among the city's very best. Play it straight with Napoletana or dial up the salt with pancetta, anchovy, capers and garlic.

239 Johnston Street

Caretaker’s Cottage

Bar · $$$$$ · melbourne

Squeeze into this tiny, 100-year-old caretaker’s quarters for what may be Victoria’s smallest pub. Behind the Tassie oak bar you’ll find Guinness on tap, a short cocktail list and British pub snacks to keep you mint.

139-141 Little Lonsdale Street

Want more?

See our full Directory of 2,000+ melbourne venues