Restaurants in Melbourne
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Brunetti
Bustling from dawn to midnight, Brunetti is a mini-Roman empire. It’s famous for its coffee, granitas and authentic pasticceria (pastries). Bain-marie meals can be on the stodgy side (and sometimes that’s just what the locals want) but the toasted tremezzini always please.
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Babka Bakery Cafe
Russian flavours infuse the lovingly prepared breakfast and lunch dishes, and the heady aroma of cinnamon and freshly baked bread makes even just a coffee worth queuing for. Cakes are notable and can be taken away whole.
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Moroccan Soup Bar
Prepare to queue before being seated by stern Hana, who will then go through the menu verbally. Best bet is the banquet, which, for three courses, is tremendous value. The sublime chickpea bake has locals queuing with their own pots and containers to nab some to take away. It's an alcohol-free zone, but (shhh) there's a cute bar next door. From Fitzroy, continue north along Brunswick St and cross Alexander Pde. It's on your left past the bowling club.
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A1 Bakery
Turkish pizza and baklava!
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Camy Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant
There's nothing fancy here; pour your own plastic cup of overboiled tea from the urn, then try a variety of dumplings with some greens. Put up with the dismal service and you've found one of the last places in town you can fill up for under $10.
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Don Don
A Japanese eatery, Don Don, serves great bentō (boxed lunches).
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Stokehouse
Two-faced Stokehouse makes the most of its beachfront position, cleverly catering to families and drop-ins downstairs, and turning on its best in the light, bright and newly renovated room upstairs for fine diners. It's a fixture on the Melbourne dining scene and known for its seafood, service and the bay views on offer. Book for upstairs – though there can also be a wait downstairs.
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Lentil as Anything
Choosing from the always-organic, no-meat menu is easy. Deciding what to pay can be hard. This unique not-for-profit operation provides training and educational opportunities for marginalised people, as well as tasty, if not particularly notable, vegetarian food. They also have a branch at the Abbotsford Convent and in Footscray.
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Pellegrini's Espresso Bar
The iconic Italian equivalent of a classic 1950s diner, Pellegrini's has remained genuinely unchanged for decades. Pick and mix from the variety of pastas and sauces; from the table out the back you can watch it all thrown together from enormous ever-simmering pots. In summer, finish with a ladle of watermelon granita.
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Italian Waiters Club
Down a laneway and up some stairs, the inside of the Italian Waiters Club will make you feel like you stepped into another era. Opened in 1947, it still bears '50s drapes, wood panelling and Laminex tables. Once only for Italian and Spanish waiters to unwind after work over a game of scopa (a card game) and a glass of wine, now everyone from suits to students is allowed in for hearty plates of red-sauce pasta and the regularly changing roster of specials.
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MoVida
Movida is nestled in a cobbled laneway emblazoned with one of the world's densest collections of street art; it doesn't get much more Melbourne than this. Line up along the bar, cluster around little window tables or, if you've booked, take a table in the dining area. Movida Next Door is the perfect place for a pre-show beer and tapas, while way in the lawyer-end of town is larger Movida Aqui, with its lovely terrace.
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Madame Sousou
Elbow your dinner partner out of the way to get the soft-leather banquette seat. The polished concrete floors, copper trimmings and aged posters give the impression you're in for some French dining. Perhaps, but don't rule out other Euro dishes, prepared with organic produce whenever possible.
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Cicciolina
This warm room of dark wood, subdued lighting and pencil sketches is a St Kilda institution. The inspired Mod-Med menu is smart and generous, and the service warm. They don't take bookings; eat early or while away your wait in the moody little back bar. Check out their new restaurant, Ilona Staller, in nearby Balaclava.
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Courthouse Hotel
This corner pub has managed to retain the comfort and familiarity of a local while taking food, both in its public bar and its more formal dining spaces, very seriously. The European-style dishes are both refined and hearty. Lunch deals, including a glass of wine, are good value at $37, or head to the front bar for (cheaper) finds. From Queen Victoria Market head west along Victoria St, then take a right at Errol St.
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Chocolate Buddha
Slurping organic soup noodles, or sharing gyoza (dumplings) and steamed edamame (fresh soya beans) is a cheerful way to enjoy the vibe of Federation Square. Chummy communal tables, wireless waiters and a mechanised ordering system make the place feel like a futuristic uni caf. It could be the location or the organic ingredients, but Buddha's always busy.
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Gill’s Diner
Tucked up the back of the Commercial Bakery, Gill’s postindustrial pastiche is an immediate charmer. Add old vinyl and freshly baked bread to the mix and it makes for an archetypal Melbourne moment. Lunch can be as simple as smoked salmon and prosecco; dinners are hearty, simple European fare – squid ink pasta, cotechino duck – done with effervescent flair. Details are attended to: the clafouti (custard) is individually baked to order and made with the most deliciously sour cherries.
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Grossi Florentino Grill
The Grill won’t wow you with culinary curiosity, but it does offer an authentic regional Italian menu with metropolitan flair and great produce. The Cellar Bar next door is brooding, intimate and affordable: a great place to have a quick bowl of pasta and a glass of pinot grigio. Service is snappy and professional. If you’re into grand statements (with mains hitting the $50 mark), upstairs is an opulent fine dining stalwart.
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Shakahari
Shakahari’s limited seasonal menu reflects both Asian and European influences, with dishes made from great produce. Established over 20 years ago, and bedecked with a wonderful collection of Asian antiques, Shakahari takes its mission seriously. If the weather is in your favour, ask to be seated in the palm-fringed courtyard. The curries, tagines (spicy Moroccan stews) and noodle dishes are delicious, whatever the setting.
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Small Block
In this village-like strip of shops, Small Block acts as the community centre; its neighbourly drop-in and stay-awhile vibe is a hub for local activity. Big, beautiful breakfasts (eggs and otherwise) are worth writing home about. Salvaged service-station signage and concrete floors, plus warm and efficient service combine to make a super environment in which to write postcards home too.
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Blue Chillies
The dark-wood shelving artfully stacked with Asian produce makes for ambient casual dining at Blue Chillies. For entrée try the ikan billis (fried whiting in sambal) followed by a piquant, creamy laksa. Meals come in quick succession, so if you want to linger, let the obliging staff know. You can BYO wine or swill from the decent varieties on offer.
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Baker D Chirico
The Baker’s sourdough is some of the city’s finest. Stock up on house-baked granola, or stop for a coffee, rhubarb danish or a calzone. Beautifully designed packaging (look for the boxed nougat) spreads the good taste around, and their footpath seating is some of the neighbourhood’s most popular.
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Lounge
Upstairs is a student stamping ground where the next generation perfect their pool and social skills. No-fuss bar service and a scrummy pub-style menu keeps them seated. Monday nights you ‘pay the time’, so if you order at 6.30pm your dinner will cost $6.30. Downstairs the menu is more refined and atmosphere more subdued.
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I Carusi
Find out how pizza became so popular by tasting the definitive version. I Carusi does thin, crisp crusts without too much adornment. Synergetic combinations of toppings, as well as basic classics, are at the centre of all tables here. I Carusi is BYO and fills up fast, so book ahead or come early. Cash only, no cards.
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Marios
Mooching at Marios is part of the Melbourne 101 curriculum. Breakfasts are big and served all day, the service is swift and the coffee is old-school strong.
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Orange
Orange’s Bloody Mary breakfasts are a fine way to start the day (or continue the night before) and the more subtle lunch and dinner fare is inventive and delicious. By the time you’ve finished dinner and that bottle of plonk, the whole place gives way to its alter-ego as a bar.
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