Architect-turned-chef Audrey Shaw worked at London’s legendary River Cafe, followed by a stint with Tedesca Osteria in Red Hill. That experience is evident in her elegant weekly-changing menus, where whole fish cooked over coals is the only constant.

Gaea is a degustation-only restaurant with room for just 16 guests. There's an intense focus on local ingredients, expressed through eccentric riffs on classic European techniques. You might find anything from cured wallaby to brined and charred dandelion flowers served with a pumpkin puree made from fermented pumpkin juice.

Go on a journey through Andalusia with charcuterie, moreish tapas and house-made paella. The southern Spanish staple has built a loyal following over the years, and its longevity in an area of ever-changing restaurants helps to explain why.

The colonel’s got nothing on this fiery Nashville-style fried chicken joint. Choose your cut, heat and condiments and let the good times roll. You’ll also find a fluid list of excellent wines from around the country.

This jazzy Fitzroy 30-seater blends Japanese izakaya, craft sake bar and record store.

Industry experts from Rockwell and Sons and Attica joined forces for this stylish drinking den. The best way to sample the changing dishes is through the set menu (don’t skip the sourdough flatbread). Plus, an extensive wine list offers everything from buzzy pét-nats to classic chardonnays.

A Parisian-style backstreet wine bar that champions European cooking and refuses to sway to the trends. It’ll take you right through the day, from your morning espresso to evening aperitivo.

A schmick Mexican-style taqueria serving up tacos, hulking tortas (Mexican-style sandwiches), imported Mexican beers and house-made horchata. There are banquettes and high tables to sit at, or you can get your lunch to take away.

This three-level pub – which has stood for more than 150 years – is one of Melbourne’s best. It’s an ideal spot for a feed or knock-off pint, whether you’re in the front bar, upstairs in the dining room, or soaking rays on the rooftop.

Cowboy boots line the wall and Latin music plays over the speakers at this laidback Mexican spot. Order the signature is pozole, a hearty hominy-based Mexican soup that’s hard to find in Melbourne.

This Brunswick Street institution is one of Australia’s oldest Afghan restaurants. Adored by locals and tourists alike, the veggo- and vegan-friendly spot is one of Fitzroy’s most essential dining experiences.

From the team behind South Yarra’s Fratellino Pizza comes a northside counterpart. Thin-crust Neopolitan pizzas are served hot and oozing from the imported Valoriani pizza oven and can all be made gluten-free. Non-pizza options include pasta and chargrilled fish.

One of the area’s classics – it’s loud, fun and good value. Visit during happy hour for well-priced pizzas, tapas and sangria jugs. It still serves vodka from an old Fitzroy distillery. Don’t forget to head up to the rooftop for inimitable city views.

Swing by for a bowl of the signature burnt-miso ramen at lunch, or izakaya-style snacks and cocktails after dark.

Pass under the glowing neon sign to find this vibrant North Indian diner. Go for crispy honey-chilli cauliflower, fig and pomegranate kofta, and Punjabi butter chicken that (importantly) isn’t sweet. Plus, find Indian-leaning cocktails levelled-up with ingredients like turmeric, mango and cardamom.

This restaurant, which started as a pop-up in Sydney, serves Nigerian staples in the inner north. It's cooking plantains, “puff puff” doughnuts and goat stew – and supporting creatives and Black-owned business along the way.

Ascend three flights of stairs to reach this convivial loft, where arched windows offer views of Collingwood. The bar menu offers refined snacks, while the slightly quieter restaurant serves heartier, modern Australian dishes of market fish, oysters and meaty share plates.

For a quick bowl of comforting, home-style broth and noodles – look no further. Start with the iconic bao before moving to the tight yet complex ramen menu. Standouts include the shoyu, tantanmen and veg miso. They all go down nicely with an ice-cold beer.

Find classic Japanese snacks and party-friendly cocktails at this sprawling izakaya. Across two levels, go for karaage and gyoza alongside natural wines, cocktails made with Japanese whisky and Stomping Ground rice lager on tap.

This laid-back diner specialises in home-style south Indian food. Come for dosa stuffed with curried potatoes, caramelised pork fry and owner-chef Mischa Tropp’s fiery fish curry (best tempered with a boozy Darjeeling iced tea).