Book a Restaurant for Mother’s Day 2022

Updated December 6th, 2022

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Every mum is different, so there's no ideal restaurant to celebrate Mother’s Day. That said, there are a few traits worth seeking out when it comes time to reserve a table. And given this year's falls on Sunday May 8, that time is fast approaching.

Where possible, the restaurant should be on the quieter end of the spectrum. And service should be attentive and considerate – because no one's ever felt special waiting for their next drink. A classic cuisine such as French is often a safe bet and a touch of sophistication goes a long way.

We've assembled our list with all this in mind. Stick to the top dozen restaurants if you're keen to splash out and really make your mum's day. Look further down if your family is more relaxed when it comes to celebrating Mother's Day.

Read more:
Best Special Occasion Restaurants in Melbourne
Best Restaurants in Melbourne

  • The sibling of Neighbourhood Wine is cool and comfortable. Take a seat at the bar, or in front of an open fire, and enjoy the rotating share plates and easy-drinking wines.

  • An elegant, produce-driven menu by a former Vue de Monde and Eleven Madison Park chef is the draw at this soaring European bistro on the ground floor of the Capitol Grand building. Plus, there’s a 200-bottle wine list and botanical-heavy cocktails from a former World Class Bartender of the Year.

  • This double-decker haunt is full of cosy nooks. Sink into a leather banquette or gold velvet couch and order zhooshed-up hotel classics (vol-au-vents or charcoal-grilled steaks) from a former Cumulus Inc and Marion chef.

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  • Although the menu changes often at this neighbourhood restaurant, regulars keep coming back for the beautiful dining room, old-school Italian hospitality and extensive wine list.

  • The team behind Kettle Black and Top Paddock go beyond cafes with this CBD spot inspired by hotel hospitality.

  • This is one of the cafes responsible for elevating chef-prepared breakfasts and brunches to the same level of respect as lunches and dinners. And, even after changing hands a few years back, it’s still one of the best places in town for a morning meal.

  • Shannon Martinez’s all-vegan, all-day diner inside the luxury Ovolo hotel is a symbol of the group’s commitment to plant-based eating. Alongside celebrated chef Ian Curley, Martinez is serving Josper-fired peri-peri cauliflower, steamy tamales and “blood” sausage plus spicy Latin American inspired cocktails.

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  • Once a notorious pub with a chequered past, this north-side institution is now a glowing venue for special occasions, date nights and all-round good times. It includes an Eastern Mediterranean diner, a late-night vinyl-only bar and a sprawling beer garden.

  • A corner eatery serving umami-heavy pizza, vegan “Notella” calzones and Aperol spritz on tap.

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  • A rock‘n’roll steakhouse serving dry-aged Wagyu and bottomless Bloody Marys.

  • A white, bright successor to the famed Melbourne coffee roasters old flagship site down the street. Single origins and ground-breaking brunches still reign supreme, served within a skylit warehouse splashed with greenery.

  • A contemporary Italian spot serving playful dishes by the coast. It’s also got serious game in the drinks department, with an award-winning wine list, theatrical cocktails and a house Negroni infused with a special ingredient.

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  • At the W Melbourne’s in-house restaurant, Coda chef Adam D’Sylva draws on his Italian-Indian heritage. His globe-trotting menu includes luxed-up lasagna, pasta-less cacio e pepe (a surprising triumph), and spicy duck curry. Plus, an excellent roster of theatrical cocktails.

  • Family favourites from a Lebanese home cook.

  • Nahji Chu’s third Vietnamese tuckshop remains on a good thing.

  • A 19th-century building in the city’s south is home to one of the neighbourhood’s favourite Italian restaurants.

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  • A restaurant and bar with an at-home feel.

  • This wine store and bar sells vino exclusively on tap (and in refillable bottles). Choose from 16 wines, including an affordable one-litre bottle of Noisy Ritual rosé, a fruity Adelaide Hills semillon and a juicy Victorian merlot. Get yours to-go, or stay and order punchy Japanese small plates from Mono-XO.

  • A strong player in the city’s crop of sharp, contemporary Italian joints. Find classic dishes with subtle twists, and a wine list that picks from the country’s premier growing regions. The commanding terrazzo bar is the best place to take it all in.

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  • This former Commonwealth Bank branch is now 200-seat double-level bar. Come here for classic pub grub and beers. It's also well known for its rooftop terrace, which plays host to bottomless brunches during the day and boozy cocktail session in the evenings.

  • The team behind Toji Sake delivers hibachi-grilled yakitori skewers, Wagyu with beef-fat butter, and crunchy tofu-skin duck gyoza alongside sake Margaritas and cold Japanese beer.

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  • An old furniture warehouse transformed into a polished and welcoming daytime diner.

  • Grossi Florentino's adjoining bar dedicated to the craft of aging and preserving fine meats.