To some, the Chapel Street Precinct might be best known for its buzzing nightlife and clubs open well into the morning, but it’s also home to some of the best places to eat and drink in Melbourne. It’s gone from strength to strength over the years, firmly establishing itself as one of the city’s premier dining precincts.

Whether you’re crossing the river for the evening or a south-side local keen to explore more of what’s on your doorstop, these are some of our favourite spots on the iconic strip – from institutions that have stood the test of time to new diners making a splash.

Caffe e Cucina

South Yarra’s Caffe e Cucina is a Melbourne institution – it’s been serving authentic Italian fare for nearly 40 years. Grab a streetside table with a glass of vino and pretend you’re in a bustling cafe lining the streets of Milan, Florence or Rome, where this diner takes its inspiration from. Or get cosy inside, where it’s small and busy but still intimate. Expect crowd-pleasing favourites like linguine di mare (seafood), beef cheek ravioli, dry-aged eye fillet and one of the most traditional tiramisus in the city.

We think you might like Access. For $12 a month, join our membership program to stay in the know.

SIGN UP

Entrecote / Hopper Joint

Not quite on Chapel Street, but just around the corner on Greville Street, Entrecote’s been a south-side favourite for a decade – although it only moved to its current spot in 2021. The Parisian-style diner is one of the city’s most beloved for old-school dining and European bar snacks. It can be a pitstop on your evening for champagne and oysters (or caviar bumps from a roving trolley). Or make it the main event and settle in for the signature steak frites with herb sauce. For something different, there’s also Hopper Joint diagonally across the street – from the same owners as Entrecote, but this time with a focus on Sri Lankan fare. It’s one of the Chapel Street precinct’s newest hidden gems, but it won’t be a secret for long – expect more and more crowds as word gets out, so get in while you can.

David’s

David’s has been serving southsiders (and Melburnians in general) with a taste of Shanghai right in the heart of Prahran since 1999. Owner David Zhou was inspired by his childhood living on Nanjing Road, one of the busiest streets in Shanghai, and waking up to aromas from the surrounding street vendors. David’s is best known for its weekend yum cha sessions (think siu mai, pork bao, Peking duck and spring rolls). In the evenings come for a varied menu of Shanghainese classics.

Yugen Dining

Located in South Yarra’s elegant Capitol Grand building, Yugen Dining is by an ex-Vue de Monde tea sommelier – unsurprising when you’re greeted by the scents of fragrant brews when you enter the tea bar. But below ground – via a glass-walled elevator – is where you’ll be truly impressed. The basement restaurant is fitted out with a stone-walled bar, six-metre-high ceilings, glowing gold accents and a statement chandelier with hundreds of glass pendants. The upscale pan-Asian fare matches the opulent vibe, and you can book the six-seat omakase bar on the mezzanine for an intimate set menu.

Omnia

Just downstairs from Yugen is the sleek Omnia. Get a taste of Europe with dishes such as beef tenderloin tartare and fluffy gruyere gougeres dipped in green chive cream; for dessert, don’t go past the liquid centre cheesecake – its caramelised exterior could be mistaken for a creme brulee, but underneath there’s a gooey, creamy cheesecake paired with a passionfruit sorbet. An extensive wine list includes drops from across the globe. Classic cocktails (including three Martini variations) are also available.

Maha East

The Windsor spin-off of Shane Delia’s Maha in the CBD feels like a French bistro or Italian trattoria with its elegant interiors and dim lighting, but the meze-style menu is classically Middle Eastern. It’s best enjoyed with mates so you can try a bit of everything. Menu highlights include smoked mozzarella and white anchovy cigar bourek; fluffy za’atar focaccia (pair it with the whipped hummus); and slow-roasted lamb shoulder with smoked eggplant. Keen for a drink? The Pomegranate Sour is a crowd favourite.

Beverly

Fancy a drink? Rooftop bar Beverly’s perch 24 storeys up gives it one of the finest and most far-reaching views of Melbourne. Stop by for a Bellini Sunset or tequila-led Mayahuel, though you can easily stay longer with its seafood-heavy menu.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with the Chapel Street Precinct Association.