What to Eat and Drink in Melbourne

The late, great Anthony Bourdain once said he’d rather eat in Melbourne than Paris. Who can blame him? Australia’ s cultural and sporting capital is also one of the world’s most dynamic epicurean destinations, one shaped by superlative local produce, rockstar chefs, and the multicultural traditions of its 5.3 million denizens.

Much of my professional and personal life is spent chowing around Australia and the globe, and I’m forever amazed by the breadth, depth and quality of my hometown’s culinary offerings. And that’s before we even mention the coffee and cocktails. Whether you're peckish or parched, add these personal favorites to your Melbourne hit list.

Central Business District (CBD)

Bench Coffee Co

Coffee is a veritable religion in Melbourne and you’ll find no shortage of exemplary micro roasters. In Downtown (known as the Central Business District or CBD), slurp at Bench Coffee Co. While it’s far from the only top-notch coffee joint in the area, it’s the only one with a glass-block counter inspired by a Parisian Modernist building (Maison de Verre). For an effervescent recharge, order their creamy espresso tonic.

Warkop

Eating out in Melbourne isn’t cheap. That said, a smashing feed south of 20 Australian dollars isn’t impossible, especially for lunch. In the CBD, Warkop peddles mouthwatering sandwiches with Indonesian twists, including a standout fried rockling and sambal matah (Balinese raw sambal) combo.

Flower Drum

Flower Drum is a Chinatown fine diner that serves classic Cantonese cuisine in a charmingly old-fashioned ambiance. It's a classic spot that opened in 1975 in the middle of Little Bourke Street, the oldest Chinatown in the southern hemisphere.

Gimlet

For sheer glamour, it’s hard to beat dinner at Gimlet. The Deco-era dining room is a grand affair, with tiered seating and a Gatsby vibe. Walk-ins are welcome at Gimlet, but tables are hot property and last-minute lunch reservations are easier to score than last-minute dinner slots (unless you’re happy to dine after 8: 45pm).

Richmond

Top Paddock

Top Paddock draws crowds with its good looks and creative, sustainably minded dishes (reserve a table on weekends to avoid a long wait). My standard order is the blueberry and ricotta hotcake – soft, fluffy and topped with crunchy seeds, maple syrup and double cream. If the rest of my morning is free, I like to wander across Church Street Bridge and drop by the Prahran Market, a food lovers’ wonderland trading since 1864.

Minamishima

Minamishima is arguably Australia's best Japanese restaurant, but be prepared to empty your pockets and book two months in advance. This high-end omakase counter has been recognized with three hats, an impressive accolade in the Australian food scene.

Fitzroy

Lune

Just off trendy Brunswick and across the street from Fitzroy's weekend flea market, Lune is a pastry shop dedicated to the art of the perfect croissant. Stop in to indulge in both savory and sweet croissants.

Marion

For a pre-dinner tipple and snacks, you might find me at Marion in Fitzroy. It’s one of Melbourne’s best wine bars, with well-versed staff and a sharp, rotating wine list never short of an unexpected drop. If you can, sit at the window or at a sidewalk table: the people-watching on fashion-forward Gertrude St is always good fun.

Roccella

For excellent Italian, I’d take you to Roccella, a slick, all-day eatery overlooking the magnificent Fitzroy Gardens. While the house-made pastas are fantastic, it’s the wood-fired pizzas – most of which are under $30 – that have made this my own Italian family’s local. The bases (which include an activated charcoal dough made from coconut shells!) are light, and pizzas include Ciccio’s sophisticated take on Australia’s controversial ham-and-pineapple Hawaiian – a sultry marriage of charred pineapple, 24-month-aged prosciutto, stracciatella and vincotto.

Brunswick

A1 Bakery

North of the CBD, indie-spirited Brunswick claims A1 Bakery, a much-loved Middle Eastern bakery, café and grocer in one. Don’t let a queue put you off: it moves quickly enough and any wait is worth A1’s citrusy, oven-warm spinach triangle. Order to go and take a walk along Sydney Road, an atmospheric melting pot of inked hipsters, Lebanese 'aemam (uncles) and Sicilian nonne (grandmothers).

Very Good Falafel

If you're spending the day wandering down Brunswick's Sydney Road, Very Good Falafel is a perfect spot for an easy, light, affordable lunch. The menu is as straightforward as its name with pita, plates and salads, but everything is so clean and delicious that it still feels like a treat.

Waxflower

Waxflower is inspired by their favorite spaces in Tokyo and London, creating a warm space with a bespoke sound system and a solid selection of natural wines. The menu changes with the seasons with wine pairings in mind. Go for a dinner that delights all the senses.

South Melbourne

Simply Spanish

When a Melbourne restaurant repeatedly wins the title of "Best Paella Outside of Spain" in Valencia, you know you're on to a good thing. Simply Spanish is the place for paella, available here in classic and numerous other styles: smoked pork and mushroom, baked snapper, chicken chorizo, and even vegan. The tapas, however, can be hit-or-miss.

Mirror Mirror Rooftop Lounge

My new regular across the river is South Melbourne’s Mirror Mirror Rooftop Lounge. With skyscraper views and a lush, resort atmosphere, it’s an evocative epilogue to an afternoon exploring market stalls, boutiques and cozy Coventry Bookstore on nearby Coventry Street. The real forte is the cocktails: the signature drinks, inspired by Snow White, include a spicy, habanero-spiked Hot Doc.

Collingwood

Savanna

If the budget is tight, we’d tuck into soulful Ethiopian and Eritrean at Collingwood’s lo-fi Savanna for dinner. Soft-spoken owner Misrak is a tour de force, both cooking and serving authentic dishes from her homeland. The must-order here is the beyaynetu, an epic tasting platter of different stews and curries served on a disc of spongy injera (sourdough flatbread). There are vegetarian, vegan and carnivorous iterations, with the combination vegetarian beyaynetu for two at a bargain $40.

CIBI

CIBI is a combination homewares shop and cafe that celebrates all things Japan, including traditional Japanese breakfast platters. Each dish highlights seasonal ingredients, and it is thoughtfully prepared to mix delicious flavors with nutritional goodness. They serve breakfast all day on the weekends, as well as yummy sweet Japanese treats.

Start planning your trip to Melbourne with our travel guide Experience East Coast Australia, or download the Lonely Planet app.