Here are the best new Melbourne restaurants and bars to check out

Collingwood just got even cooler, thanks to a lively new haven on Smith Street for all things Latin American and tasty. Holy Guacamole is a relaxed cantina founded by cousins Laurent Linares and Leidy Avila, who together share a vision to shine a light on authentic Mexican and Colombian cuisine in Melbourne. The star of the show, of course, is the signature guacamole – handmade at your table in a molcajete (Mexican stone tool) with red onion, lime, jalapeños, garlic and Morita chilli pepper oil. The rest of the menu covers handcrafted street-style tacos, arepa chip nachos, housemade salsas, cassava fries and South American classics like burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas – all made fresh, and served up in style with authentic mezcal- and tequila-based cocktails, spirits and beers. 

Imagine a place where you can sip Domaine de la Romanée-Conti without having to sell a kidney. No, you're not dreaming – you've just stumbled into Circl, Melbourne's new wine house that's determined to democratise fancy wine for the masses. A middle finger to wine snobbery, if you will. Here, even the most clueless cork dorks can feel like sommeliers. Tucked away in a double-storey building on Punch Lane, Circl is the brainchild of a bunch of mates with a shared grape obsession. Award-winning head sommelier and venue manager Xavier Vigier, formerly of Ten Minutes by Tractor, has curated an impressive 150+ by-the-glass list (gotta catch ‘em all), and a 1,500-bottle selection that reads like War and Peace – if Tolstoy was really into niche wines. 

After attracting a legion of loyal fans largely through word of mouth, Reveka Hurtado gave her Venezuelan catering company Papelon a permanent home at Footscray Market. The signature pabellon, a heaping platter of rice, beans, fried plantains and shredded beef is a great place to start. If you can, bring a group because the patacon – a sandwich of crispy fried plantains filled with beef or chicken and smothered in three types of sauce – is another must-try that’s best shared amongst friends.

Those who've visited and loved Taxi Kitchen or Lucy Liu over the years will be be no strangers to British restaurateur-slash-chef Michael Lambie's masterful takes on Southeast Asian flavours. Juni is the first Melbourne restaurant in four years from Lambie, and we couldn't be happier he's returned to our fair city. 

Award-winning chef Mischa Tropp (Toddy Shop) has partnered up with Southbank's Crown complex to open Kolkata Cricket Club. His biggest project to date, the 150-seater restaurant sees pan-Indian and Bengali-influenced fare at the forefront, including Tropp's irresistibly good butter chicken (IYKYK), meats hot out of the tandoor oven, naan, seafood and a long list of beer-friendly snacks – perfect for long boozy afternoons.

Flinders Lane is the latest beneficiary of Melbourne’s bistro boom with the arrival of Elio's Place. The latest venture from brother and sister duo Adam and Elisa Mariani (of Greta and Maverick fame) is an all-day-to-late-night bistro that channels old-world charm with a contemporary twist.

Joining the leafy Greville Street strip in Prahran, Hopper Joint is a brand new Sri Lankan diner spotlighting – you guessed it – hoppers. For the uninitiated, a hopper is a thin, bowl-like pancake, named after the pan that lends the brekky staple its unique shape. It’s one of Sri Lanka’s best loved street foods and a tasty vehicle for curries, sambols and other traditional condiments celebrated in the cuisine. 

Greek food's so hot right now. From last year's Kafeneion craze to Yarraville's Tzaki and Oakleigh's new wine bar Olympia, a fresh spate of offerings is meeting Melbourne's craving for a contemporary style of Greek cuisine – recipes that have been reimagined or revitalised for this time and this place, while redolent of their history and tradition.

If you know, you know: Niku Shiki in Glen Waverley is a one-stop shop for some of the tastiest premium Wagyu available in Melbourne. Well, in good news for steak enthusiasts living or working closer to the CBD, the fresh meat specialist has just opened a sleek outlet at Melbourne Central. A butcher, contemporary Japanese diner and takeaway grocer all in one, the brand new venue is a carnivore’s paradise.

While Aussie chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan might be best known for his Sydney dining pop-ups and restaurants (Luke’s Kitchen, Luc-San), he was born in our fair city and to here he now returns – at least for a while. The occasion? He’s brought with him an exciting new project, a modern French bistro named Bistrot Bisou. Settle in for sophisticated takes on French bistro fare and a winning wine list.

Situated in the manse building that once housed the minister of the nearby Wesley Church, Reed House is a nod to architect Joseph Reed, who designed the church in the 19th century. The food is playful, and the service is friendly and laid-back. Toeing the line between tradition and invention, Reed House feels like the epitome of next-gen hospo. The cool kids have grown up, got real jobs and now run your favourite restaurant. 

Fancy the sound of the hotel above but don't want to rocket up to the top? Acclaimed restaurateurs Ross and Sunny Lusted have swooped in on the ground floor to set up their suave Portuguese restaurant Marmelo, while subterranean cocktail bar Mr Mills slings cool drinks and hot snacks below until late. 

After a two-year hiatus, Richmond locals and broader Melbournites alike can rejoice – Anchovy is back.  Established nine years ago, Anchovy brought fresh and inspired Vietnamese flavours to an elevated casual dining setting, and it was a smash hit from the offset. But, after seven years and one pandemic, owners Jia-Yen Lee and Thi Le (who is also the chef) decided to hit pause on the beloved eatery and opened Jeow in its place. The Laotian-inspired restaurant was no shabby stepsister, and it earned a chef’s hat in its first year—come summer, it will reopen at night at Lee and Le's exemplar Bánh Mì spot Ca Com (conveniently located next door). So, what refinements has Anchovy undergone during this brief intermission?

Hospitality veterans Frank Ciorciari and Anthony Silvestre have reimagined fine dining with Lucia, bringing it back to its roots. Here, you can forget about degustations or hushed dining rooms where speaking above a whisper feels taboo. Instead, Lucia delivers all the flair and showmanship of upscale dining in an approachable and relaxed setting. This restaurant's duck and black pudding was one of our top eats of the year. 

It feels ironic, almost cruel, that it’s a blistering 40-degrees when we visit Tzaki, which translates to “fireplace” in Greek. The Yarraville newcomer is named for the blazing hearth at its centre – the tool chef-owner Alex Xinis uses to prepare nearly every dish on the menu, roasting octopus and smoking saganaki as 15 diners sit around him and watch.

Sparsely decorated with bright pops of colour synonymous with the Mexican flag and jaunty Latin music playing from within its confines, new Johnston Street eatery El Columpio is bringing a slice of homestyle cooking to an oft-underappreciated quarter of Fitzroy. 

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 features 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. 

The co-founding team of John Rivera, Carlos Consunji, Ralph Libo-on and Michael Mabuti – proud Filipinos themselves – are also some of the names behind Kariton Sorbetes and Serai, ensuring bold and vibrant Filipino flavours are front and centre at Askal. Think sizzling pork jowl and abalone sisig, ox tail kare kare dougnuts and torched scallop adobo.

The brand new luxurious hotel Melbourne Place hosts its very own rooftop restaurant, Mid-Air, led by hatted chef Nick Deligiannis, who was recently crowned Young Chef of the Year by Good Food and brings to the hotel invaluable hospitality experience working in Michelin-starred venues. Drawing from his Greek heritage, Nick's designed a menu featuring Hellenic-inspired signature dishes, such as marinated golden peppers with Kefalonion hot honey, feta and village herbs; Southern Rock lobster doughnuts with taramasalata and golden trout roe; and Petuna ocean trout crumpet with mandarin and horseradish.

If you’re unfamiliar with Chino Latino or 'chifa' cuisine, Casa Chino may seem like just another fusion restaurant. But it’s rooted in history, drawing inspiration from the large Chinese diaspora who live in Peru and around Latin America. It’s a daring concept for Melbourne, which hasn't historically shown a strong reception to or understanding of Latin cuisine. But it’s also a smart one, using far more familiar Chinese dishes as a Trojan horse of sorts.

Positioned on the Windsor end of Chapel Street, Tombo Den is 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.

The folks behind local craft beer brand Brewmanity have just launched the city’s first-ever brewery rooftop bar in South Melbourne. Anticipate a three-storey wonderland with capacity for a whopping 400 beer lovers, complete with 34 taps from head brewer Tim Miller. Here’s a man who was once Little Creatures’ brewing manager, so you know he knows his froffs. Brewmanity focuses on traditional beer styles, using natural fermentation methods without additives. 

After a few quiet years, Melbourne's late-night cocktail scene is making a much-needed comeback. First, Gin Palace returned after a classy glow-up with its generous closing hour of 3am. Now, another legendary after-dark watering hole is sashaying back into the fold. It's none other than Guy Grossi's Arlechin, which has been closed since March 2022 due to staffing shortages. 

This small Taiwanese eatery is tucked inside the 206 Bourke Street arcade, with a light timber fitout that’s clean and welcoming. Tables are cluttered with dishes that aren’t cleared throughout our visit, but otherwise the service is attentive and the space is nothing short of charming. Ordering via QR code at your table makes for a far more relaxed experience than jostling your way through a market in Taipei – but the food is much the same.

Molli is a warm and inviting space, belying its expansiveness as a 100-seater. Clad in dark timber and light-filled, with sage green walls adorned by still life oil paintings and vintage furnishings, Molli is simultaneously classy and cosy. Seating can range from tables and banquettes to a wraparound bar overlooking the open kitchen, where one can witness firsthand the flames of Molli’s prized Josper charcoal oven.

Though Bistra borrows a little inspiration from France, to be sure, there aren’t any rules at this relaxed yet refined Elgin Street bistro. The concept is unchallenging food, delivered with a degree of finesse reminiscent of our city’s semi-formal bistros of the ‘90s – if you can remember such places. Elegant and modern with just a sprinkle of nostalgia, it’s a versatile new home in Carlton for special occasions and casual catch-ups alike.

The strip of Little Collins Street between William and King has long been a hotbed for affordable work lunches with the food court at Exchange Tower being the pinnacle. The building is still home to a few of its long standing tenants but as of late last year, one end has been transformed into an upscale Korean-Australian diner called Doju, led by chef Mika Chae.

Tawooq is a family-run business that sprung up on the Brunswick East end of Lygon Street in mid-2024. The casual, buzzy spot is now a popular go-to destination for affordable, Beirut-inspired street food snacks. Think tasty two-hander eats like chicken tawooq wraps, makanek and soujouk baguettes, plus fully loaded shawarma and falafel plates. 

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.

Melbourne lovers of Latin American cuisine are in for a treat. After successfully launching his acclaimed dining concept Morena in Sydney earlier this year, renowned Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia (Farmer's Daughters, Victoria) has brought a swish new restaurant to Melbourne. Morena promises a journey through Latin American cuisine with options ranging from à la carte to chef’s selection menus. 

If first impressions are important, Shusai Mijo gets a gold star. Walking into the earthy-hued, minimalist dining space, there’s a sense of being transported somewhere calm and ethereal; an escape from the humdrum where your journey will be guided with only your utmost satisfaction in mind. Three ex-Warabi alums are at the helm of this upscale Japanese venue, with the culinary pedigree to back its pristine aesthetics.

Whether you've spent the day trawling Chapel Street's best shops for treasures or hopping between some of the area's best bars with friends, there's no denying this has to be one of the most legendary strips in Melbourne. Now there's another exciting new spot that's opened in Prahran, the latest big venture from the Mamas Dining Group (Hochi Mama, Straight Outta Saigon, Kiss and Tell). Christened Suzie Q, the contemporary Cantonese restaurant spans two levels as a nostalgic ode to the underground nightlife scene in the '80s.