MELBOURNE EATS
Stokehouse, 30 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda Beach +61 3 9525 5555
Whether it’s for lunch or dinner, you’re going to be bayside, so your two hat rated menu is always accompanied by a stunning backdrop.
Di Stasio, 31 Fitzroy St, St Kilda +61 3 9525 3999
Apart from having the best door handles in the history of ever, Di Stasio is a cool, classic, old-school Italian restaurant with a great selection of art in the room and pasta to die for.
Giuseppe Arnaldo & Sons, Crown Casino, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, +61 3 9694 7400
Italian heritage with Australian modernisms, rustic and wholesome dishes that are basically something you cannot miss out on.
Flower Drum, 17 Market Lane, Melbourne +61 3 9662 3655
A Chinese institution. Never look at the menu, just let the boys take care of you.
Dalmatino, 280 Bay Street, Port Melbourne +61 3 9645 6584
Prepare yourself for a Croatian sea feast, be sure to get the whole octopus or the dalmatian fish stew.
France-Soir, 11 Toorak Road, South Yarra +61 3 9866 8569
Classic French bistro. Just that – no more no less, and it’s been that way for almost 30 years.
Cookie, 1/252 Swanston St, Melbourne +61 3 9663 7660
This place never stops. An extensive menu of modern Asian food accompanied by great music, beer, and cocktails. Cookie is a must.
Movida, 1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne +61 3 9663 3038
One of Melbourne’s institution. The traditional Spanish inspired food is quite heavy but you can walk it off afterwards on Hossier lane and check out some world famous graffiti.
Cutler & Co Dining Room and Bar, 55-57 Gertrude St, Fitzroy +61 3 9419 4888
Melbourne’s new restaurant on the block. Andrew McConnell is a gem – one of the smartest chefs in Oz.
Rockpool Bar and Grill, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank +61 3 8648 1900
Melbourne’s first true international hotel restaurant! Good for business lunches or grab a burger in the bar.
Bar Lourinha, 37 Little Collins St, Melbourne +61 3 9663 7890
Great tapas and selection of European wines. Small, light, fresh meals. This place is a joy! (Try the Padron peppers – pictured)
The European, 161 Spring St, Melbourne +61 3 9654 0811
Outstanding at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They’re open till 3am so drop in for a midnight snack and then have a drink upstairs at the Supper Club. The cotaletta of pork with Italian coleslaw is a must.
Pellegrini’s, 66 Bourke St, Melbourne +61 3 9662 1885
A small, very old-school Italian espresso and pasta bar. Order a plate of pasta or the lasagna and wash it down with a watermelon granita. The perfect drop-in place for a quick, easy, delicious lunch.
Press club, 72 Flinders Street, Melbourne, +61 3 9677 9677
The finest quality modern Greek food with the twist you would expect from George Calombaris. Whether it’s a business lunch or a one on one with a loved one, you will leave the Press Club feeling triumphantly pleased with what you have just eaten.
Chin chin, 125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne +61 3 8663 2000
Thai food + great music + great bar, you do the math. You don’t need to be a genius to work this one out, just go. It’s a guaranteed good time.
Verge, 1 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, +61 3 9639 9500
On the quiet Parisian side of Melbourne town at number 1 Little Flinders Lane, this place is quite literally on the verge. An intimate and peaceful location overlooking the park, with a Japanese fusion menu.
Ciccolina, 130 Acland Street, St Kilda +61 3 9525 3333
Superbly simple Italian food, made just how it should be. Everything you’d expect from fine Italian dining and a great place for a date. No bookings taken so get in early-ish to avoid disappointment. Try the infused lime oil blue-fin tuna or the spaghettini tossed with spinach, chilli and oil.
Newmarket hotel, 157 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, +61 3 9525 4488
What was once Schnitz’n'Tits (<– click for more info) establishment, the Newmarket was once the dirtiest of the dirty sitting happily on the once bustling with shady biz; Inkerman street. Now under a full refit, is a beautifully styled gastro-pub with an amazing Portugese/Spanish/Mexican influenced menu.
Golden Fields, 157 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, +61 3 9525 4488
The most recent of the Andrew McDonnell’s establishments, it’s got an Asian slant towards China, Korea and Japan. All awe inspiring creations that aren’t traditional Asian dishes. Get a whole bunch of plates and share the glory. The Lobster Roll; cold poached crayfish, a warm glazed brioche roll, cress, diced shallots and Japanese mayo is the king of all sandwiches.
Seamstress, 113 Lonsdale Street Melbourne +61 3 9663 6363
Formerly a 100 year old textile factory and Buddhist monastery, this place is huge – 4 levels huge. Cocktail bars at the bottom (the sweatshop) and top, with a sizeable restaurant in the middle. The ambience is good, as good as any Buddhist monastery should feel. The menu is a melting pot of Cantonese, Vietnamese and Thai flavours, all executed very, very well. Cocktails are thoroughly encouraged.
Il Bacaro, 168/170 Little Collins Street, Melbourne +61 3 9654 6778
Get romantic at this stunning little Italian eatery preferably, nestled up with a significant other and dive head first into the brilliant wine list. The Roman-style braised goat with peas, heirloom carrots, potato and truffled pecorino comes highly regarded by regulars and first-timers alike.
Osteria la passione, 486 Bridge Road, Richmond +61 3 9428 2558
Honest, quiet, unassuming Italian food in the heart of Richmond, all praise to the produce.
