Where to Eat and Drink on a Monday Night
On most nights of the week, Melbourne’s restaurants are flooded with diners. On Mondays, however, many of them shut for a well-earned rest.
Thankfully, there's still a collection of restaurants where chefs don their whites and throw open their doors to ensure we don't go hungry. Bless them.
Restaurant
Magic Mountain Saloon
A neon-lit Thai joint serving fun, modern twists on the country’s cuisine. Whether you’re here for bottomless brunch or a late-night snack, there are plenty of versatile spaces to drink and dine in. The mezzanine hosts DJs most nights of the week.
Restaurant
Tipo 00
After all these years, moody Tipo 00 still attracts queues of people hoping for a taste of its simple yet meticulously assembled pastas. A couple of secondi and dolci also grace the menu, alongside salumi best enjoyed at the marble bar, spritz in hand. Make sure you arrive early – very early – if you don’t have a booking.
Restaurant
L'Hôtel Gitan
Restaurateur Jacques Reymond’s vision of a Melbourne pub. It's more about fostering a pop-in, pop-out approach, without abandoning the flair. The food leans French, but there’s a notable showing of Aussie talent on the wine list.
Restaurant
Pacific House Restaurant
You might have seen the crimson Peking ducks hanging in the window. This affordable, bustling Cantonese barbeque and seafood restaurant is a Victoria Street institution. Rotating specials are handwritten on the wall, but don’t go past the Peking duck pancakes and char siew (barbeque pork).
Restaurant
The Black Toro
The menu here isn't especially authentic – e.g. fried chicken ribs with chipotle mayo – but it's not thoughtless fusion, either. Visit for creative spins on quesadillas, "tlayudas" (Mexican pizza, in effect) and achiote chicken.
Restaurant
Big Boy BBQ
Authentic, slow-cooked American barbeque.
Restaurant
The Abyssinian
In operation since the early 2000s, this welcoming, low-lit spot serves a range of east African food, including an excellent slow-cooked goat and Nile perch sautéed in spiced ghee and berberé.
Restaurant
Roti Road
A cheery Malaysian-Chinese eatery along the Barkly Street strip.
Restaurant
Tokyo Tina
Enjoy Japanese-inspired food at this moodily lit diner, from the team behind Saigon Sally and Hanoi Hannah. The stars here are crisped-up sticky eggplant, karaage chicken, miso-baked cauliflower and tender duck breast in brothy udon.
Bar
Borsch, Vodka & Tears
An old-world Polish vodka bar and restaurant.
Restaurant
Pizza Meine Liebe
Pizza Meine Liebe (German for "pizza my love") rode in with a new wave of produce-driven pizza joints – and it’s still around for a reason. Come for thin, slightly chewy bases topped with clever combos, woodfired to perfection.
Restaurant
Estelle
“A touch of innovation without being scary or confronting” is how owner-chef Scott Pickett describes the menu here, and he’s bang-on.
Restaurant
Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar
There are over 80 sakes at this slick Japanese bar and eatery, which is housed in a former bank. Unlike many izakaya – which can get quite dark – Kumo's space is light, open and airy.
Restaurant
Northern Git
From the outside, Northern Git might look like your average corner restaurant. But inside, it has all the offerings of a classic British pub. The Yorkshire-born owner-chef turns out pub classics like pork crackling, bubble and squeak, pies with mushy peas and gravy, and hearty Sunday roasts.
Restaurant
France-Soir
Open since 1986, France Soir is one of Melbourne’s pre-eminent restaurants – attracting the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Mick Jagger. Find classic French staples from steak tartare to margret de canard (duck breast) for mains, to crème brûlée for dessert.
Restaurant
The Plough Hotel
A true community pub, the Plough eschews the upmarket polish of many inner-city boozers in favour of family-friendly charm. Parents and young kids are as much the demo as your typical drinkers. Those giving it a nudge can choose to snooze in the fine accommodation upstairs.
Restaurant
Cafe Lalibela
A small-scale Ethiopian restaurant with tradition securely at its heart.
Restaurant
Dainty Sichuan South Yarra
After a 2024 refresh, this iconic Sichuanese restaurant is back with a menu of more than 100 dishes. The fiery, pungent originals are still around, but live seafood, southern-style yum cha and other regional specialties are now in the mix.
Restaurant
David’s
Enjoy elevated Shanghainese fare and sharp cocktails at this intimate, buzzing restaurant right off Chapel Street. Go for the memorable set menu, which might include Peking duck pancakes, chicken ribs with spicy mayo and white chocolate dumplings to finish it all off.
Restaurant
400 Gradi Brunswick East
A Naples inspired Italian restaurant with some of the best pizza in town.
Restaurant
Los Hermanos Mexican Taqueria
Half restaurant, half bar and always a party. Owner Bruno Carreto was born in Mexico and did a stint in a taqueria there before opening Los Hermanos. As you'd expect, the tacos and gorditas are the real deal. Don't forget to choose a tequila or mezcal from the blackboard.
Restaurant
Laksa King
Around since 1998, this is the king of laksa in Melbourne. Find classics like Hainanese chicken rice and char kway teow, alongside aromatic curry laksas laden with seafood, roasted duck, chicken and more.
Restaurant
Cafe Di Stasio
White-jacketed waiters delivering discreet, attentive service and a consistently excellent menu have made Rinaldo Di Stasio's intimate dining room a pilgrimage for lovers of fine Italian food. The seasonal set menu is an excellent way to dive in.
Bar
Middle Park Hotel
This welcoming pub nods to old English-style boozers. There’s a heritage-style facade, horseshoe bar and hotel upstairs for overnighters. But the menu brings you back to the present with kingfish ceviche and Wagyu tartare.
Bar
Royal Saxon
The crowd-pleasing pizzas are a big draw here, as are the customisable parmas (we like it spicy). And on weekends, the open-air courtyard is where it’s at, especially if there’s a DJ around.
Restaurant
Pizza Religion Hawthorn East
Cheap, cheerful and unexpectedly good suburban pizza.
Restaurant
I Love Pho
The name says it all at this cosy, no-fuss Vietnamese diner. Here, they serve up some of the best pho on a street brimming with options. All the classic elements – tender meat, layered broth and fresh garnishes – keep the fans coming back for more. Their diner in the CBD is also worth your time.
Restaurant
Thaiger Rabbit
A go-to for home-style Thai fare since 1996. Bring your crew and order familiar plates of pad see ew, Thai green curry and roti. Or beeline to the Isan section of the menu for dishes like larb and crying tiger (slow-cooked and grilled beef). Plus, family-recipe ice tea, chrysanthemum tea and coconut juice.
Bar
Cookie
Cookie combines rowdy European beer hall with standout Thai food that beckons to be shared. It’s fun, versatile and subtly influential, preceding similar restaurants like Chin Chin. Bring a crew, order the banquet and plan to drink.
Restaurant
Movida
The restaurant responsible for igniting Melbourne's love for modern Spanish food.
Restaurant
Mamasita
There were Mexican restaurants before Mamasita, but it was the first one to bring a faithful representation to Melbourne. The “hot babe” has been around since 2010, but its grilled corn and flavoursome tacos still attract queues.
Restaurant
Hutong Dumpling Bar CBD
Its revered xiao long bao has drawn crowds since it opened in 2008. Other favourites include spicy wonton and pan-fried dumplings. A reliable classic for no-fuss, high quality dumplings.
Restaurant
Henry Sugar
Henry Sugar is the kind of wine bar every neighbourhood should have. It’s intimate yet communal; sophisticated yet relaxed. The mix of contemporary Australian fare, sharp cocktails and easy-drinking natural wines are a sure-fire bet your first time here won’t be the last.
Restaurant
90 Secondi
Authentic Napoli pizza in Docklands from the pizzaioli behind 400 Gradi.
Restaurant
Coda
It’s tricky to pin down Coda’s flavour-punching dishes. Modern Asian? Euro-Vietnamese fusion? Pop in pre-theatre for some scallops and a glass of wine, or do your next special occasion here. Coda is supremely versatile, and one of Melbourne’s best.
Restaurant
Cumulus Inc.
Andrew McConnell's all-day eating house combines the star chef's typically excellent food with smart interior design. While it's not his most famous venue these days, the polished service, considered wine list and inventive dishes at Cumulus Inc. are still worthy of celebration after all these years.
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