I love living in the CBD and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. But I’m often tempted to venture out to Southbank and Docklands – just on the city’s fringes.

While often overshadowed by the CBD, these suburbs feel like extensions of it rather than its competitors. And they have a wider range of dining options than they’re usually given credit for.

From small, independent businesses to vibrant, tight-knit communities, both suburbs have plenty to offer those willing to explore. And recently, a fresh crop of restaurants, bars and cafes have opened, so there’s even more reason to step just outside the Hoddle Grid. Here are six new venues to check out.

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Southbank

On the first floor of the Southgate shopping precinct, newcomer Hacienda offers a taste of Mexico City in the unlikeliest of spots. You won’t find any tacos here – instead, tuck into dishes like lechon (suckling pig) with apple pico de gallo, sherry jus and a peanut mole served with house-made corn tortillas. There’s also an impressive range of agave spirits that can be enjoyed in cocktails or sampled neat.
For more drinks and late-night bites, stroll over to Ghost Donkey, a Mexican-inspired US export in Crown Melbourne. With plush velvet curtains and a speakeasy vibe, this bar feels like a secret hideaway. There are snacky dishes like mole chicken nachos, but the main draw is the cocktail list, which highlights mezcal, tequila or a combination of the two.
In the same precinct, you’ll find Fidel’s, which also draws on the flavours of Latin America. The menu is mostly Cuban-inspired and heavy on the snacks – think Cuban sandwiches, braised lamb and black garlic empanadas, and cotija-stuffed pumpkin flowers. Try them with a Cuban-style cafe crema (rum, amaro, Kahlua, espresso, palm sugar foam).

Docklands

Whether you’re catching a game at Marvel Stadium or just looking for an exciting new place to try, Friends of Fire should be on your radar. Chef Shannon Martinez (of Smith & Daughters) helped develop the flame-focused menu. It offers chargrilled steak, cheeseburgers and other proteins, plus their plant-based counterparts – all made by Martinez’s team.

For something more formal, head upstairs to Amphora, the elegant sibling venue designed by Hachem (W Melbourne, Curious). Like Friends of Fire, the menu is roughly half plant-based and entirely fire-driven. If you’re visiting on a weekend, don’t miss the bottomless brunch: unlimited cocktails and a share-style menu that spans South America.

Docklands is also home to Saluministi, a local favourite for coffee, sandwiches and Italian-inspired sweets. There’s one near the Docklands library, and a newer one at Melbourne Quarter – grab a quick bite on the go or linger over a leisurely lunch.

The all-day menu focuses on Italian-style proteins with an emphasis on salumi. You’ll find them layered into paninis like the prosciutto with fior di latte and rocket, or the mortadella with stracciatella and pickled zucchini. There’s also Italian stovetop coffee served with biscotti and cremino (an Italian gianduja chocolate), exclusive to the Docklands locations.

Whether you’re after a new dining spot or just want to rediscover the city’s outer edges, now is the time to explore these nearby suburbs. They’re changing fast, and there’s more to come.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Team Arron Wood. The candidate for Melbourne’s Lord Mayor aims to revitalise Southbank and Docklands in line with the vision of residents and business owners alike.