Lauren Dinse

Here's your ultimate guide to Melbourne's most exciting recent restaurant and bar openings, updated monthly for your reading (and tasting) pleasure. With this list on hand, you'll be the first to know where to find the hottest brunch spot, vino bar or fine diner – all sussed out by our fastidious team of writers and critics. Note: we generally include venues that are only twelve months (give or take) young in this list.  Ready to make a booking somewhere spesh? Read on. Still hungry? These are the 50 best restaurants in Melbourne right now. Fancy a tipple? Check out the 50 best bars in Melbourne.

With the weather warming up it's time to place your Dutch oven at the back of the shelf and bring on the season of the barbecue. All that's missing is a shrimp or some other form of seafood to layer on top and grill away.  We're lucky in Melbourne as some of the city's finest fishmongers are willing to deliver their goods straight to your door. This means freshly shucked oysters, filleted fish, sashimi, uni and more at our beck and call. Check out our guide to eight of Melbourne's best fishmongers and happy ordering. Want to host a party? Here are the best public barbecue spots in Melbourne.

On the back of Taylor Swift's euphoria-inducing tour Down Under last year, fans might have been wondering where she chose to wine and dine. While room service was probably the ticket here in Melbs, we do know where she visited in Sydney. But that got us wondering: when superstars touch down at Tullamarine after a long flight, where are they opting to spend their dosh on food and drinks? There have been a few sightings over the years, so we've rounded them all up here. Keen to check out a new place to eat? Here's our round-up of Melbourne's recent hot openings. For more superstar news, here are the gigs happening in Melbourne this month.

November 2024: Where does the time go? With the end of the year comes sunnier weather, sunnier vibes and, for many, a busier social calendar. If you're cleverly planning a brunch date in advance of the hectic festive season, we recommend checking out one of these gems. There's a lot to love about Melbourne's world-class café scene. Wickedly good coffee. Creative brunch dishes that taste as good as they look, fresh from the minds of some of the city's top talent. And of course, the vibes. Discovering hot new cafés is almost a competitive sport in a city with AM dining of this calibre, so we've scoured Melbourne to bring you a guide to the finest of the lot. Looking for dessert that masquerades as breakfast? Check out the best doughnuts in Melbourne. Prefer a healthier feed? Try our pick of the best healthy lunch eats in the CBD.

Every day is a special day at Lune, purveyor of the world’s best croissants (well at least many people believe this to be true – this writer included), and Lune's November specials are as tempting as ever. You'll find all the latest specials below, and because they vary between locations make sure to check out what's available at each store beforehand to avoid disappointment when you finally get to the front of that never-ending line.  Need more buttery goodness in your life? These are the best patisseries in Melbourne.

There’s a childlike wonder that comes from visiting a sushi train. Maybe it’s the possibility of sampling endless Japanese snacks, maybe it’s the fun of eating the entire menu with your eyes, or maybe it’s the thrill of nabbing a plate before your fellow diner makes a move for it. Whatever it is, a visit to the sushi train means you’re on the right track to a good time.  Once you’re settled at the station, expect to pile your place with expertly crafted sashimi, sushi, nigiri and gunkan. Don’t be alarmed if you build up a jenga tower of finished plates – this just means you’re doing it right.  Whether you’re looking for a good ice-breaker date or want to bust out the chopsticks solo, here are the best places to hop aboard the sushi train. Still hungry? Try one of Melbourne's best Japanese restaurants or check out our guide to the best teppanyaki in Melbourne. 

If you're not familiar with the amazing concept of a cat café, it's basically a magical place where cat lovers can get their feline and caffeine fixes at the same time. There are very few joys in life greater than sipping a hot cuppa while petting a purring furball, so we've rounded up a couple of cafés in Melbourne to help you on your quest for a purrfect afternoon.  And if you thought it couldn't get any better than that, most of these spots have adopted their fleet of cats from a shelter or operate as shelters themselves. Fall in love with a particular furball? Take them home and let them be your fur-ever friend.  More of a dog person? Hit up one of Melbourne's pooch-friendly pubs. Looking to take care of a cute creature in need? Here's where you can adopt a pet in Melbourne.

We’ve all been there: the clock has struck 12, but unlike Cinderella, you’re not ready to go home. Luckily, some of Melbourne’s best nightlife comes alive in the wee hours of the morning, and we know where to find it.  Rather a bevvy at home? Check out our guide to Melbourne's late-night bottle shops. Still keen to kick on? Pop into one of the city’s best bars for dancing.

Perhaps you just can't face the kitchen this Christmas, or maybe you don't have somewhere to go for a festive lunch. It could be that Christmas simply isn't for you and you're just looking for somewhere to hang out on December 25. Melbourne can sometimes feel like a ghost town on the most merry day of the year, but we've rounded up a selection of restaurants and cafés that will be open and sharing in the Yuletide spirit. If you are looking for other great ways to spend the day, these are the best things to do in Melbourne if you don't celebrate Christmas. And here's where you can spot the most beautiful Christmas lights.

Can you believe Christmas is only a few weeks away? Now’s the time to start planning your festive get-togethers. If you or someone you love wants to take a well-deserved break this year and leave the cooking and cleaning to someone else, we’ve got some fab suggestions for where you can book a holiday feast to remember. Whether you’re spending the day with friends or your extended family, here are some fun spots to gather this Christmas Day, no matter your taste or budget. Looking for more ideas? Here are the restaurants and eateries staying open on Christmas Day. Feeling a bit Grinch-y this year? Here's what you can do on December 25 if you don't celebrate Christmas.

Since the 1960s, Lygon Street has been known and loved as Melbourne's Little Italy precinct. Locals and tourists alike flock to the leafy strip – abuzz on weekends with the roaring of fancy cars and roaming of uni students, teens and families – for proper espresso, pasta and cake, and a true taste of Italian-style al fresco action.  Sure, you might get a bit of hassle from the sales-y footpath waiters trying to lure you in, but true Melburnians know that's a part of the street's charm. And though much has changed in the last decade, there's no doubt that if you want to sit out on a terrace with a pizza bigger than your head or sip Spritzes on a rooftop, Lygon Street is still the place to be.  In 2024, there's a much larger and more diverse culinary offering in this area than ever before. Particularly on the southern end of the Carlton stretch, you'll discover incredible eateries for Egyptian, Japanese, Indian, Thai, plus a variety of other cuisines. No longer just the domain of spaghetti and salumi, Lygon Street is now also worth heading to for a bangin' biryani or world-class Asian fusion. And that's not all. Take a stroll up towards Brunswick East and you'll discover trendy wine bars, pubs with live music, American barbecue, Polish dumplings, Sicilian food and one of the best taco joints in town. Hungry yet? Let's go for a wander! We've listed Lygon Street's best restaurants in Google Maps-checked order so you'll know where to find them. Looking for the cream of the crop?

October 2024: Is it picnic weather yet? Sure, why not. As is per Melbourne custom, just pack a 'brolly and lots of layers in case the sun goes MIA (she's a fickle lil' thang in these parts) and you'll be right. At most of these cheap eat joints, you can grab an easy, affordable takeaway lunch to enjoy with friends in one of Melbourne's lovely parks. Now that's one way to spring into spring! The late and great respected chef Anthony Bourdain once famously said: “I'd rather eat in Melbourne than Paris." It goes without saying that Melbourne has long been revered as one of Asia Pacific's most exciting food cities, but that status isn't just attributed to our fancy restaurants – special as many of those upper crust institutions may be. Our laneaways and hidden alcoves are brimming with cheap street eats, smashable pub deals and dinner options you can enjoy for $20, $15 or even under $10, so you can stop counting your hard-earned pennies and start eating instead. Looking for a drink to wash it all down? These are the best happy hour deals right now. Curious about other yummy specials? Here's how to get a cheap meal in Melbourne every night of the week.

Budburst is the annual celebration of the Macedon Ranges’ best family-owned and small-batch wineries, giving festival-goers the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in Australia’s coolest wine region. Budburst kicks off on Saturday, November 16 with an exciting program of local tastings and events. The rest of the weekend features local food, art shows, sculptor walks and live music, happening from across Saturday and Sunday, featuring over 20 Macedon Ranges winemakers across 16 Budburst sites. It'll be a maze of fun, frivolity and lush lubations.   From pizzas and tapas to organic sausages and BBQ beef sliders, there'll be plenty to line your stomach for those rivers of vino (so no need to pack a picnic). More information about what wineries will have to offer over the weekend can be found at the website.  Budburst festival tickets start from $39, including a bougie tasting glass to remember your experience, a festival passport featuring information about the wineries and program, plus endless tasting opportunities at Budburst wineries across the entire weekend.  To grab your ticket for the festival, head to the budburst website now.  Searching for a tipple closer to home? Here are Melbourne's best wine bars. For more fun things to do in November, check out our guide.

Formerly known as the local coffee haunt DOC Espresso, this famous Lygon Street venue from Melbourne's respected DOC Gastronomia crew has recently transformed into a northern Italy-inspired osteria. Now for lunch and dinner only (arrivaderci, brekky panini!), the changes bring a more 'restaurant' feel to the operation, as well as a polished new look and an extensive refresh of the food and drink offerings. Longtime fans of the Italian empire (which also includes DOC Pizza & Mozzarella Bar and DOC St Kilda) will be pleased to know that DOC's signature tiramisu hasn't gone anywhere, though the rest of the menu has been given a contemporary Italian-style glow-up, which took six months to develop. Highlights include fresh pasta, hearty secondi, along with enticing options like focaccia with nduja and a summery panzanella salad. Walking into the newly renovated venue, anticipate northern Italian aesthetics, with cosy banquette seating, elegant arches, and tasteful burgundy and creamy hues adorning the space. An emphasis on footpath dining remains, continuing to contribute to the vibrant street life that the Lygon strip is known for – perfect for a Spritz and a spot of people-watching. Director Michael Costanzo expressed his commitment to the local community, stating, “It’s time to give back to the street that has given us so much.”   Adding to the list of refurbishments, the kitchen’s expansion enables the team more flexibility to innovate, while a focus on seasonal ingredients

A1 Bakery is a northside institution, famous for its authentic (and wonderfully affordable) wraps, Lebanese pizzas, pies and falafel platters. Opening its doors in 1992 as a humble family business, the hybrid Lebanese bakery, eatery and Middle Eastern grocer has since become a beloved local gem. Strolling down Sydney Road, you'll spot it long before you walk in – snakes of hungry families and couples out front tend to distinguish A1 from other eateries on the strip. Feast on zaatar pizza, kibbe, traditional dips and pita or the garlicky chicken tawouk wrap (secret tip: ask for extra halloumi and tomato – altogether, it's an epic flavour bomb.) The shanklish pie is also popular with regulars, a vegetarian boat-shaped pastry filled with yoghurt-based cheese, tomato, onion and dried herbs. Everything is prepared fresh on a daily basis in the kitchen's large gas oven.  After your lunch or a quick coffee and snack, check out the variety of breads (khobz) and imported pantry ingredients available in the adjoining grocer. There's always something new and interesting to take home and try. For over 30 years of some of the tastiest cheap eats in Melbourne, thanks A1, you legends! 'Rise up' to the occasion with Melbourne's most beloved bakeries.

Housed in an ornate building with beautiful leadlights and floor-to-ceiling windows, Cookshop Rotisserie doesn’t look like your average chicken shop, and it isn’t – former Mamasita head chef Andrew Logan is its passionate founder. Nominate if you want leg or breast meat and be rewarded by your choice of La Ionica or Bannockburn free-range chicken that falls off the bone. Cookshop has ample bench seating inside as well as outside if you feel like enjoying your chicken in the sun. But the likelihood is that you'll be tempted by a whole lot more than just chicken. Think whole corn on the cob served with smoked paprika butter, gravy and chips, tasty stuffing and perfectly fluffy roast potatoes, with veggies cooked over the Japanese hibachi grill. There are also salads and rotating soup specials, so you can head in for an all-out feast if you please. Alongside a refreshing range of drinks (think housemade lemonades and iced tea), there's also a solid selection of pre-packed meals and desserts to take home with you – so if you're after more of a takeaway moment than a full sitdown affair, you're spoilt for choice. Oh, and great news: their house fermented pineapple and mixed chilli hot sauce is back, so you'd better get your hands on a bottle for the pantry. It's made from an assortment of chilli peppers from the owner's backyard (stocks are limited). We're jealous of Clifton Hill locals for living so close to a such a gem, but you know what? We'd happily rack up the kilometres to

Pipi's is a contemporary kiosk and bistro in Albert Park, backed up by some serious hospo pedigree. Chef Jordan Clay has worked in Paris' Le Chateaubriand), and the co-owner and sommelier is wine whiz Tom Hunter.  The venue champions sustainable and locally sourced seafood, done simply and done well. Sit in for a luxe four-course chef's selection menu at $110 a head, or check it out for a casual a la carte experience, where you can twirl your fork around beautifully prepared dishes like the Goolwa pipis pasta with smoked tomato and Pernod. A cured rainbow trout comes with Meyer lemon and horseradish yoghurt, and sumptuous Japanese-style eggplant is prepared with onion cream sauce and fragrant oil. Pipi's is also known to host world-class dining events. Most recently, the bistro hosted a series of chef's dinners, culminating in a visit from award-winning international chef Johnson Wong. Nestled against a picturesque pier, not only is Pipi's a destination for delicious seafood, it's also the perfect spot to take in lovely seaside views. Be sure to pack a camera; the white sandy beach that runs towards St Kilda has sunset photo opp all over it. If you've spent a day on the beach, you can wander over to the kiosk window to grab a quick drink or snack – an idyllic way to spend a Saturday afternoon this summer. Grab a friend, order a glass of something cool and sparkly, and watch the boats in the distance. Ready to hit the beach this summer? Here are some of our favourite coastal 

October 2024 update: The below review was written by Jess Ho in 2017. We have edited pricing refernces to reflect the current costs on the restaurant's menu (still very reasonable!) We've since attended on an unofficial visit in February 2024 and can attest – Japanese Teppanyaki Inn is still just as good as it always has been. Time Out Melbourne never writes starred reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills for reviews so that readers can trust our critique. You’ve probably walked past the inn a hundred times and never clocked the signage. Wedged between the Regent Theatre and a retail store on the Paris end of Collins Street is Melbourne’s first teppanyaki-style restaurant. Established in 1975, Japanese Teppanyaki Inn is still going strong even after Facebook, Zomato, Yelp, Instagram, Snapchat FOMO have shifted the limelight. But who exactly is going to Japanese Teppanyaki Inn? The answer is everyone. After finding the entrance, you are greeted at the front desk by a kimono-clad host and led into a lounged waiting area for refreshments while your other guests arrive. Here, you’ll see young couples on first dates, families, corporate-dressers and groups of bros ready to chow down. It’s a dark, soft room – they’re bucking against the bright lights, neon signs, banging tunes and party vibes of today’s restaurants and they’re proud of it. It feels like a restaurant stuck in time, and thankfully, so are their prices.  House cocktails will set you

October 2024 update: The below review was written by Jess Ho in November 2018 and some details may have altered since then. A new Mr Lee's Foods outpost has also just opened in the CBD at 1/535 Little Lonsdale St, open for both lunch and dinner daily. When a 20-seater restaurant in the heart of suburbia that only offers three dishes, with no bookings, no website and no advertising is never with an empty seat, you know it has to be good. Mr Lee’s Foods is well worth the trip to Ringwood if you’re a fan of pork; all dishes are derived from this glorious animal, offering a delicious insight into the economical traditions of Korean dining, utilising an unconscious, innately cultural nose-to-tail philosophy. Needless to say, this is a vegetarian no-go zone. A house-made soondae (Korean blood sausage), steamed pork belly and dwaeji guk bap (pork soup with rice) are the only things on offer at Mr Lee’s. Soondae, for the uninitiated, is nothing like the European versions of dense, sweetly spiced and irony black pudding. Soondae may be a sausage made using the blood of the pig, but that is where the similarities end. The version served at Mr Lee’s is a South Korean variety where glass noodles act as the binding agent (unlike flour, rice or oats in Europe) for the garlic and ginger-spiked blood, steamed in its natural pig intestine casing. The result is a swollen, glossy, mild-flavoured, bouncy sausage that arrives sliced, alongside steamed slivers of liver and fatty intestine ready to

There's no shortage of exceptional Vietnamese eats in Footscray thanks to its vibrant Vietnamese population. So when it comes down to finding the best bowl of phở, you'll have a hard time settling for just the one spot. With that being said, Pho Hung Vuong Saigon is considered one of the true OG greats amongst those in the know. It attracts hordes of locals looking to get a quick and decent bowl of soup noodles. Waiters dart around with bowls bigger than your face, sloshing around with soup, spring rolls are equipped with crisp layers of lettuce, and fresh tea is always at the ready. What more could you want? As is the case with most casual Vietnamese eateries, the atmosphere is fun, busy and very much focused on the food. There's both an English and a Vietnamese menu (generally a good sign for any pho joint), and a solid line-up of traditional refreshing beverages. Try an avocado smoothie or longan drink. But there's more to be found at Pho Hung Vuong than just pho, of course. This bustling Vietnamese eatery is also dishing up other classics such as broken rice, crispy grilled chicken and vermicelli salads. There can be a line at peak hours, but with service that's generally fast and efficient (and friendly, too!) and fresh Vietnamese flavours in store, who's caring? Just remember not to wear white – these soups are splashy!  Looking for more Vietnamese restaurants? Here's our round-up of Melbourne's best right now. 

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills for reviews so that readers can trust our critique. A quick internet search on Hanna’s Kebab won’t yield a mountain of information. Not to be confused with Ashburton’s Hannah Kebabs, this small food truck operating out of a Coburg parking lot doesn’t have a website, an email address or much in the way of Google results. This mysteriousness is quite surprising, given that it’s the only kebab shop in Melbourne I know of where you might have to wait more than an hour for your order, so popular are its super-packed wraps. In 2023, infamous Sydney-based YouTuber and street food reviewer Spanian even called it one of the best kebabs he’s ever had in his life. Hanna’s does, thankfully, have an Instagram grid – here’s a good reel that gives you an idea of the vibe. The first time I visited I was astonished at how many people – couples, big families, teens – had packed into the parking lot, either queuing up to order or waiting for their number to be called. It was around 8pm and such was the feverish excitement that conversation began to flow excitedly amongst strangers, which led to my discovery that one young lady had driven all the way from Derrimut. “Best kebabs ever,” a man in trackies promised me. So what is it that’s so good about this kebab? Well, one thing is the bread. It’s unique, not at all like the fluffy Turkish sandwich-style doner kebabs popular in south

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills for reviews so that readers can trust our critique. We all know Singapore and Malaysia's obsession with Hainanese rice, but did you know that chicken rice is also a favourite comfort food in Thailand? Khao man gai (roughly translating to 'fatty rice') is the specialty of this snug Hardware Lane joint of the same name, with queues of people lining up during both the lunch and dinner rushes to get their fix.  It’s created through the boiling of a whole chicken until its fats are rendered into the water to created a flavour-packed broth, further enhanced with a generous infusion of fresh garlic and ginger. This elixir of life is then used to cook the rice, of course.  One of the first things you’ll see when you walk into Khao Man Gai is “simple but tasty” written in giant capital letters. Daggy as it might be, it’s not a dishonest summation of the place.  The laminated two-pager menu only contains a humble selection of Thai comfort classics and drinks, but everything – and we mean everything – hits the mark. I’ve never seen this place not busy. I was doing a bit of foodie nerd research into crab rangoons the other day, only to discover that Khao Man Gai is one of the only restaurants in Melbourne to serve up these strange little American-Chinese parcels. If you’ve never tried them before, they kind of sound horrifying (fried wontons filled with cream cheese and imi

The list of things to love about Hank’s Bagelry is about as long as the flight path from Melbourne to NYC. Pending enough leave and savings to actually get on that plane, lunch at this Beatty Street joint may just be the next best thing. Walk through Hank’s welcoming open door to find a small, fuss-free deli with a decidedly modern air. A shiny coffee machine is the centrepiece, pumping out enough Inglewood Coffee Roasters brew to meet the Armadale lunch crowd’s demand. Blue accents and subway tiles turn up the Big Apple vibes, while a slick fitout and sunny terrace seating encourage dining in – though takeaway is an option, too.  Owned by Nick Beerens of Mammoth and Copycat renown, Hank’s is named after a Breaking Bad character. That’s number one on the list of things to love. Number two is, of course, the fresh bagels. The taste of these chewy, malty handcrafted rings is irresistibly New York, a city that’s inspired Beerens since he was a teen.  “A piece of my heart lies in New York, and every time I’m there I find myself heading for one of the city’s iconic bagel shops, which serve them up fresh from the oven with a range of delicious fillings,” says Beerens. “I wanted to have that same experience right here in Melbourne and have had my eye on the 13 Beatty Avenue, Armadale, space for quite some time now. When it came up, I jumped at the chance to make this dream a reality.” Opt for onion, sesame, plain, everything, sourdough, blueberry or gluten-free, and go wild as you

Like many of us during the COVID lockdowns, Italian-born chef Andre Vignalli tried to make lemon juice from a suddenly sour situation. He launched his own pasta delivery service, Al Dente, which quickly spread in popularity around Melbourne and has since evolved into the upscale modern restaurant it is today: Al Dente Enoteca. Alongside his best friend and fellow chef Davide Bonadima, Vignalli first opened the restaurant's doors in early 2021 as a sleek Italian fine diner. The most recent chapter sees the duo’s other offering Al Dente Sapori (which is next door) blended into the fold to create a unified menu across both venues on Nicholson Street – now one. No longer just a degustation offering, Al Dente’s more inclusive a la carte menu aims to make refined contemporary Italian cuisine less fussy, although no less special. “Approachable dining that focuses on our Italian traditions whilst still highlighting local Australian produce, and serving food that we love to cook, share and eat, is what our customers want,” says Vignali.  Vignalli and Bonadima’s dishes change with the seasons to focus on local quality produce and regionally inspired Italian flavours. Think house-baked pane with cultured butter and an impressively rare aged balsamic vinegar reduction, panzerotti pomodoro with mozzarella and basil (the most epic take on a pizza pocket you’ll ever try) and juicy golden-fried olives stuffed with meat for starters.  Highlights to follow include smoked beef tartare with kipf

Cozzie livs hitting you hard? We totally get it – it's becoming increasingly harder to find a cheap meal in Melbourne, especially if you don't know where to look. Lucky for you, we've done the hard work to bring you loads of amazing spots that are serving up tasty dishes spanning a range of cuisines.  From old-school institutions to exciting newcomers, if you're after a frugal feed check out these Time Out Melbourne Recommended Cheap Eats for 2024. (Time Out Recommends 2024 is presented in partnership with Tyro.) A1 Bakery Andrew’s Hamburgers Banh Mi Stand Ca Com Banh Mi Bar Café Sunshine and Salamatea Candied Bakery Cookshop Rotisserie Dodee Paidang El Columpio Good Times Göz City Half Moon Café Hank’s Café and Bagelry Hanna’s Kebab Hot Star Large Fried Chicken I Love Pho Khao Man Gai Malaymas Mr Lee’s Foods Northern Soul Pho Hung Vuong Saigon Pizza Pizza Pizza Ras Dashen Soi 38 Vola Foods Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDS: The 50 best things to do in Melbourne for 2024 The 49 best restaurants and bars in Melbourne for 2024 The 15 best regional venues in Victoria for 2024

Victoria is a vast and diverse state, with a bounty of regions all offering rich hospitality experiences. From coastal spots like the Great Ocean Road and the Mornington Peninsula to road trip hotspots like Daylesford, Gippsland and Nagambie, we spent a lot of time exploring our backyard this year – and these are our favourite pubs, restaurants, cafés, distilleries and fine diners that we found along the way. So if you're keen to get outside the city limits for a fantastic feed, check out these Time Out Melbourne Recommended Regional Venues for 2024. (Time Out Recommends 2024 is presented in partnership with Tyro.) Audrey’s Black Cat Truffles Brae Elsewhere at SAM The Farmers Arms Daylesford Lake House Messmates Dining Moonah No. 7 Healesville Rare Hare Tahbilk Winery Tedesca Osteria The Pig and Whistle Tavern The Whiskery Totti’s Lorne Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDS: The 50 best things to do in Melbourne for 2024 The 49 best restaurants and bars in Melbourne for 2024 The 15 best arts and culture venues in Melbourne for 2024

Forget what anyone (*cough* Sydneysiders *cough*) try to tell you: Melbourne really is the culinary capital of Australia. The city is home to a growing smorgasbord of excellent drinking and dining options, with spots that are innovative, creative, exciting and downright delicious. And while it's hard to narrow it down, here are a solid mix of the restaurants and bars that tick all our boxes right now. So if you're looking for a tasty recommendation, check out these Time Out Melbourne Recommended Restaurants and Bars for 2024. (Time Out Recommends 2024 is presented in partnership with Tyro.) 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Above Board Al Dente Enoteca Anchovy Babaji’s Kerala Kitche Bansho Bar Josephine Bianchetto Black Kite Commune Black Pearl Brico Caretaker’s Cottage Clover Cumulus Inc Eat Pierogi Make Love Enoteca Boccaccio Etta Farmer's Daughters Flower Drum France-Soir Gerald’s Bar Greasy Zoe’s Hotel Esplanade Japanese Teppanyaki Inn Johnny’s Green Room Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Lagoon Dining Leonard’s House of Love Lulie Tavern Madame Brussels Minamishima Molly Rose Brewery Moroccan Soup Bar Movida Navi Neighbourhood Wine Olivine One or Two Panda Hot Pot Pipi’s Kiosk Ponyfish Island Public Wine Shop Purple Pit Serai The Abyssinian Toddy Shop Waygood Yakikami Young Hearts Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDS: The 50 best things to do in Melbourne for 2024 The 25 best cheap eats in Melbourne f

Hot on the heels of Chris Lucas' Japanese project Tombo Den comes yet another venue from the prolific restaurant group. But this isn't just another flashy spot. Rather, it's the lifelong dream of the famous Melbourne restaurateur, and something he's been working on for close to a decade: a four-level French dining destination in the heart of the CBD called Maison Bâtard. Situated at a dreamily transformed heritage site on 23 Bourke Street, the ambitious maze of a venue will feature a two-floor restaurant, a late-night supper club in the basement and a chic rooftop terrace – perfect for taking in those city views under the stars.  “Our historic buildings are critical to the identity of Melbourne,” says Lucas on the restoration. “The opportunity to bring new life to this significant and beautiful building for future generations has been an act of remembrance, marrying the history with what is to come.” And the food and drink? Well, Lucas has long been a pro at assembling a winning hospo team, and Maison Bâtard is no exception. The impressive line-up of culinary talent poised to hit the ground running includes executive chef Adam Sanderson (formerly of Ten Minutes by Tractor and the recently closed La Luna Bistro, with experience at some of the world's most critically acclaimed restaurants including Noma and Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck), Lucas Restaurants' head of culinary Damien Snell and Michaela Kang, the pastry wizard behind that tiramisu at Grill Americano. Visitors

Adding to his stable of top restaurants around Melbourne, hotshot restaurateur Chris Lucas (Society, Kisume) has announced yet another new project to get excited about. Positioned on the Windsor end of Chapel Street, it's an izakaya-inspired, two-storey venue called Tombo Den – a snapshot of Japan's vibrant urban nightlife in the heart of Melbourne's hottest after-hours district. Not to be confused with this lovely furniture shop in Fitzroy North, which also features the Japanese word 'Tombo' (translating to 'dragonfly' in English) in its name, Tombo Den neighbours Lucas’ popular pan-Asian eating house Hawker Hall and channels the raucous grit of Tokyo's alleyway eateries with a sophisticated, Lucas-style Melbourne twist. Expect a stunning sushi counter, a sake-centric beverage program, intimate dining and karaoke rooms and even a unique 'design your own cocktail' experience.  The food offering is led by chef Dan Chan, a culinary gun whose impressive resume includes stints at Michelin-starred Yardbird in Hong Kong and Melbourne’s own Supernormal. Chan's menu lasers in on casual, street food-style eats from Tokyo, plus a range of mouthwatering small plates, fresh seafood, and charcoal-barbecued meat and vegetable dishes. Photograph: Supplied / Tombo Den At the sushi counter, you’ll find a rotating selection of nigiri, handrolls and other creations, carefully prepared by sushi masters Toaki Kyo and Carlos Lopez. The drinks list, a thoughtful selection of sakes, wines and cock

What a smashing round-up! The World's 50 Best Bars list for 2024 has been announced, with three Aussie bars joining the ranks. In exciting news for Melbourne, Caretaker's Cottage in the CBD came in at 21st place and has officially been crowned the Best Bar in Australasia for the year, too. The pint-sized champion also won the Mitcher's Art of Hospitality award. Geez, is there anything Caretaker's Cottage can't do?  Award-winning cocktail bar Byrdi wasn't far behind at 35th place, with Sydney's glam Maybe Sammy striding ahead at 26th place. Congrats to all three Australian bars for shining on the world stage.  The World's 50 Best Bar Awards, which were announced overnight at a ceremony in Madrid on Tuesday, October 22, are regarded as one of the most influential bar awards in the world, celebrating the best and most talented bartenders and drink enthusiasts on an international scale. The winners are voted on by an esteemed global academy made up of drink experts, bartenders and other top dogs.  Photograph: Supplied / Caretaker's Cottage Of Caretaker Cottage's win, the World’s 50 Best Bars gave due credit to the owners: "Rob Libecans, Ryan Noreiks and Matt Stirling – all of whom have worked across some of best bars in the world – are a rare thing in that they all actually work in the bar. They don’t shout the pedigree of Caretaker’s Cottage to the world, preferring to call it a simple, local pub, and in vibe and design it’s very much a neighbourhood joint.The drinks menu chan

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who like to flirt with horror up close and those who'd rather get their fix of the frights from the screen only.  If you're one of those maniacal types who belongs to the former category (seriously, what's wrong with you?), then there's an event you'll want to pop into your calendar asap. Well, if you dare. From October 25 to 26, the Shady Lady in Fitzroy will be unveiling the 'Possessed Wine Bar', a unique wine tasting experience from Aussie wine brand 19 Crimes that features actual possessed items. The spine-tingling adventure that awaits is so unsettling that participants will need to sign a waiver to enter. Along with tarot card readers, ouija boards at each table, themed DJs and creepy decor, the curated, museum-like experience will feature the apparently possessed items displayed in Perspex boxes with accompanying plaques detailing their history (shudder). Photograph: Supplied / 19 Crimes Whether you're keen to check it out for the spooks and entertainment or you'd simply like to sample 19 Crimes' limited edition range of wines (plus cocktails) at this bizarre pop-up, one thing's for sure. This writer ain't going anywhere near that stuff! On the other hand, 19 Crimes' spokesperson Nick Powell invites guests to embrace their darker curiosities. “Halloween used to be about trick-or-treating, however, now more than ever, adults are embracing the nostalgia and horror themes with their friends instead. 19 Crimes has long b

The heat was on last week in Melbourne! Ten of Australia and New Zealand’s most promising young chefs under 30 put their skills to the test in an intense cook-off in Southbank as part of the S Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition. For those in the industry, this global contest is a pretty big deal! Some of Australia's hottest culinary talents comprised the judging panel, including Brigitte Hafner, Josh Niland, Rosheen Kaul, Brent Savage and Shane Delia, who were there on the day to assess the competitors' techniques and taste-test their final works.  KyongHo (Daniel) Choi was ultimately crowned as the Pacific Finalist. Congrats to Daniel! With a dish that pays homage to his Korean-Irish roots, "Bacon and Cabbage or Pork and Kimchi”, the young talent wowed the industry with his creativity and ambition. Currently honing his skills at Omnia in South Yarra under chef Stephen Nairn, Daniel has now earned a coveted spot in the competition’s Grand Finale, which will be held in Milan in 2025. He’ll receive guidance from mentor Josh Niland, the celebrated chef and owner of Sydney’s Saint Peter.   “It has been an absolute honour to cook for such an esteemed panel of judges today. This has been my first competition and so to qualify for the regional finals and compete with a group of such talented chefs has been an incredible experience in itself,” Daniel commented. Photograph: Tommy Debenham   Daniel was officially awarded at a star-studded gala dinner at the Lume on October 9,

The World’s 50 Best Bars Longlist (51-100) was revealed last week, with two Aussie watering holes making the cut. Big ups to Sydney, its tiny Margarita haven Cantina OK! earning the rank of 96th best bar in the world for 2024. Melbourne wasn't too far behind, with the tiny cocktail den Above Board just squeezing in at number 100. Hey, we'll take it! Published annually since 2009, The World’s 50 Best Bars ranks the best boozers on Earth, as voted on by an academy made up of more than 700 drink experts, including renowned bartenders, award-winning drinks writers and cocktail specialists. This year’s longlist spans 35 cities, with the World’s 50 Best Bars being announced at an awards ceremony in Madrid on October 22. The standing-room-only laneway spot Cantina OK! was ranked 41st best bar in 2022, and Above Board came in at 44th in 2021. So, while this year's rankings aren’t quite as high, it’s still an epic achievement to be named. Photograph: Carmen Zammit The World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list for 2024 features 12 new bars from cities like Copenhagen, Dubai, Hiriketiya, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Madrid, Singapore and Toronto. The USA leads the charge with seven bars making the list. There are 13 bars from Asia, three of which are in Singapore, and Sri Lanka made its debut with Smoke & Bitters from Hiriketiya, coming in at 86th place. Athens snagged the top spot on the longlist, with The Bar in Front of the Bar being awarded 51st place. Emma Sleight, head of content fo

Though our heads are still spinning from the whirlwind opening of Footscray's Moon Dog Wild West, there's already another Moon Dog venture on the cards. This one, mysteriously named 'Doglands', will land at Marvel Stadium. Is there a more action-packed place to sprinkle a bit of Moon Dog magic into the mix? We think not – it's genius.  Better yet, the beer-loving crew have just announced that their brand new tropical island-themed beer haven will be swinging open its doors this October. That's only within a matter of weeks! Moon Dog CEO and co-founder Joshua Uljans said: “We’ve all been down to a pub on Swan Street before or after a game at the ‘G but never really had that same experience around Marvel, so we’re really excited to be opening somewhere for mates to meet for a schooner and a feed!" Photograph: Supplied / Moon Dog "We wanted to create the same game-day atmosphere at Marvel Stadium," adds Joshua, "with a Moon Dog style twist, and Doglands does just that.” It promises to be even bigger than anything under the Moon Dog banner to date, a giant 2,021-square-metre oasis with room for up to 1,200 patrons. A palm tree boardwalk will wrap around the space, which contains multiple sections. There's a massive events and functions area, and a 70-person terrace restaurant called 'the Jungle Room' that opens onto the Marvel concourse. Up on the mezzanine level, you can take in the grandeur and scale of the venue.  For more details, watch this space or head to the Moon Dog w

Feeling generous? Or not so much? Tyro Payments (the crew behind payment systems for small businesses) has done a deep-dive into changing consumer habits over the past 12 months, and they've found that more than a third of Aussies (41 per cent) are less likely to buy a drink for their mate compared to a year ago. In fact, they're more likely to use the QR code just to avoid having the dang convo in the first place.  Although it's kinda relieving to hear we're not the only ones who don't really want to have to cover the next round of 11 pints at our fave pub, it paints a pretty dire picture of how Aussies are feeling about their finances in 2024.  But it wasn't all doom and gloom in Tyro's Eat, Pay, Love Hospitality Report report – the data revealed that while Aussies may be more conscious of where their money is going these days, they're still just as keen as ever to enjoy dining and drinking out. One in three survey respondents expressed a willingness to pay more for meals in the face of restaurants' rising bottom line, even though more than half (54 per cent) reported consciously selecting cheaper dishes when eating out. The data found that pizza is the number one food Aussies are still happy to fork out for.  It seems the relationship we have with our fave spots is just like that ongoing situationship: Fun, stressful and... well, sometimes complicated. We don't want to say goodbye and we're willing to spend in certain instances, but we're also trying to spend less whe

Feeling the pinch at the moment? You're not alone, and there's now a solid chunk of evidence to prove it.  Tyro Payments (the crew behind payment systems for small businesses) has just released its Eat, Pay, Love Hospitality Report, and it has unearthed some fascinating insights into how Aussie consumers' behaviour has changed in the last twelve months. From a panel of more than 1,000 participants, it was found that more than a third of Aussies (41 per cent) are less likely to buy a drink for their mate compared to a year ago. In fact, they're more likely to use the QR code just to avoid having the dang convo in the first place. Talk about a change in social dynamics! Though we're slightly glad we no longer find ourselves in the awkward position of having to cover the next round of eleven pints at our fave pub, it paints a pretty dire picture of how Aussies are feeling about their finances in 2024.  But it wasn't all doom and gloom in Tyro's report. The data revealed that while Aussies may be more conscious of where their money is going these days, they're still just as keen as ever to enjoy dining and drinking out. One in three survey respondents expressed a willingness to pay more for meals in the face of restaurants' rising bottom line, even though more than half (54 per cent) reported consciously selecting cheaper dishes when eating out. It seems the relationship we have with our fave spots is just like that ongoing situationship: Fun, stressful and... well, sometimes com