Sydney chef Mike McEnearney makes his Melbourne debut – in the lobby of a chic new hotel. He’s plating twice-baked cheese soufflé, his signature chicken-liver pâté and more.

A DIY okonomiyaki restaurant. Slip into a semi-private booth and have a go at the hotplate, either à la carte or all-you-can-eat okonomiyaki. There’s also sushi, salads, fried chicken, donburi, gyoza, yakitori and Japanese beer.

Take your pick from three different kitchens (Belles Hot Chicken, Mr Burger and Super Taco) and two bars at this sprawling casual food hall in the Docklands. The enormous venue was designed to channel an island oasis, with hanging plants and murals of jungle flora behind the bars.

An ambitious Spanish bar and eatery in Docklands.

Authentic Napoli pizza in Docklands from the pizzaioli behind 400 Gradi.

This homely cafe serves up familiar Japanese favourites alongside American-leaning spinoffs. Go for its juicy karaage, show-stopping cheeseburger curry udon, or classic katsu sandos. Plus, find a fun drinks list of strawberry matcha and peanut-butter lattes, soju-based cocktails, and Japanese beers.

Masterfully marries Japanese cuisine with fresh Australian seafood in an easy, grab-and-go setting. Build your own poke or salad bowl, or trust the experts. Fans come back for the salmon, tuna and inventive combinations (think tofu and cucumber with tamari almonds and shallots).

Deep in the corporate sector of Docklands, decent food and coffee with soul is a sight for sore eyes. Long Shot has opened its doors to feed and caffeinate the needy workers.

The third chapter for Dukes Coffee Roasters serves a corporate Docklands crowd.

One of the few times we’ll recommend combining drinking and a body of water. At this spot you can enjoy big barbeque, bar snacks and easy-drinking beers right on the water at South Wharf. This vibrant pub has 1400 person-capacity.