Jade Solomon

Here's your ultimate guide to the city's most exciting recent restaurant and bar openings, updated regularly 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. Lauren Dinse is Time Out Melbourne’s Food and Drink Writer. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

May 2025: While we may be experiencing a rather unusually warm autumn, Melbourne's weather is a fickle beast and we're now weeks away from winter. It won't be long before beer gardens' heat lamps are ablaze and fireplaces are roaring once more around town. This list is your map to Melbourne's tried-and-tested spots boasting the greatest vibes, tastiest pub grub and excellent drinks lists – sometimes with mulled wine, stout and hot toddies this time of year to keep you extra-cosy. From historic boozers to gastropubs and rocking live music venues, we believe that Melbourne boasts some of the finest pub culture in the world outside the British Isles, and we’ll gladly pass out on that hill. Our pub traditions are diverse and many – the weeknight chicken parma special, boisterous trivia nights, open mic gigs, friendly (read: competitive) pool games and that ever-wholesome Sunday roast. But every liquored-up local has its own unique set of drawcards and that's what makes this scene so fun and diverse. Looking for somewhere you can bring your doggo? We know the pubs that'll greet your pooch with a smile. Want a pub where you can drink outside and soak up the rays? Our beer gardens are some of Melbourne's loveliest drinking playgrounds. And if you're looking for a pint with a side of history, we've got the intel on this town's oldest pubs. So how did we come up with this list of the very top 50 in Melbourne? Well, we've spent years drinking our way around the city, of course. We've

Australia takes its baked goods very seriously. Between our sourdough-centred meals, we all need a little sweet treat (trust us, you deserve one). Luckily, Aussie bakers are giving Parisian pâtissiers a run for their money, creating their own takes on classic baked goods that taste as good as they look. You’ve undoubtedly heard of the big players (hello Lune Croissanterie), but there are plenty of neighbourhood gems to spend your hard-earned dough. While we wish we could shower love on every flaky croissant, pie and sausage roll, our expert food writers have narrowed it down to 30 of the best bakeries in Australia right now. Find the best bakeries in:Adelaide | Brisbane | Canberra | Darwin | Hobart | Melbourne | Sydney | Perth

There's cake, and then there is cake. If you're in need of a lip-lickingly good, and highly 'grammable cake, then you've come to the right place. These are our favourite party cakes in Melbourne which you can order for your next celebration, with everything from traditional layer cakes and OTT creations to cheesecakes and even sneaky ice cream cakes.  More of a pastry person? Check out the best patisseries in Melbourne. We wouldn't mind a few glazed goodies from the city's best doughnut shops either. We're not picky.

May 2025: If March is Mad and April is All Over the Place (what with two long weekends and hence two shorter weeks), then hopefully May is... well, hopefully Mellow? Mellow May: does that work? Nevertheless, while this time of year in town may dial down along with the temps, we've all still got to eat and it's always way more fun to eat out – especially in Melbourne, where excellent restaurants abound. If you're looking for somewhere bold, beautiful, knock-your-socks-off good or simply reliable enough to impress someone else over your next dinner, then this is the list you should choose from.  The continually evolving and expanding dining scene in Melbourne is both a blessing and a curse: how do you choose between so many incredible restaurants? Well, that's where we come in. Stop endlessly scrolling, and commit to making your way through Time Out’s list of the best restaurants in the state right now. Our always-hungry local experts, including Time Out Melbourne's Food and Drink Writer, Lauren Dinse, have curated 2025's most delicious and divine, innovative and imaginative, comforting and familiar, memorable and magical dining experiences right here at your fingertips. From culinary institutions like Flower Drum and France-Soir, to emerging standouts and instant icons such as Serai, Gimlet and Kafeneion, we've got it all covered here. And as for the brand new restaurant and bar openings catching our eye? Check out this guide instead. Get out, and get eating! You've got a lot

May 2025: Some of our beloved bars and brewpubs are closing their doors fast in these trying times, while others seem to be enjoying a roaring trade every night of the week. What gives? It's a bittersweet period in Melbourne's bar scene right now, with some venues thriving and others just surviving. Our advice is to rally together, drink out when you can and support your fave locals more ardently than ever. While sharing space with strangers might seem like more of an effort in the colder months, it sure beats drinking cheap wine at home in your sweatpants. Melbourne has some of the greatest bars in the world, whether you're looking for the laser-like focus of 16-seater Above Board or the rock‘n’roll ‘she’ll be right’ spirit of Lulie Tavern. You can find temples heroing whisky and palaces dedicated to gin, hole-in-the-wall nooks for sipping natural wines or classy spots for suited-and-booted cocktails. How about a prawn club sanga and a bottle of Champers from tiny charmer Apollo Inn? Or crocodile bites and ice-cold Martinis from Black Kite Commune?  If it's sky-high action you're after, then take a squiz at our guide to Melboune's best rooftop bars instead. For tipples a bit more out-of-the-box, we've got the scoop on some of Melbourne's weirdest drinking experiences. Yep, your options in this town are truly endless – even if you don't drink booze, since most bars in Melbourne have seriously upped their mocktail game in recent years. We've rounded up the top 50 bars that we

When visiting a new city, it’s highly likely that, at some point, you’ll find yourself standing in front of a big and beautiful museum or gallery. Come rain, hail or shine, these brilliant buildings are the place to brush up on historical happenings and learn a thing or two about local heritage.  Inside Australia's best museums, you’ll find some of our country’s greatest treasures and a huge diversity of subject matters too, ranging from natural history and cultural artefacts to science marvels and sporting achievements. Don’t wait until the next rainy day to explore Australia’s best museums with this ultimate guide, curated by our very own local experts (including Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley and Arts & Culture Editor Alannah Le Cross). 🖼️ The best art galleries to explore in Australia🎶 All the biggest musicals touring Australia right now👀 The coolest art exhibitions to see in Australia

It's amazing that pastry, at its simplest, is just flour, lots of butter, sugar and maybe an egg or two. Yet Melbourne's best patisseries have crafted a diverse range of treats from these raw ingredients, including what could be the best croissants in the world and old-school cakes you'll want to take home to your grandmother. Melbourne's speciality patisserie landscape continues to evolve and expand, and we're thankful for it.  Need a sweet treat to impress your guests? These are the best takeaway cakes in Melbourne. 

Someone somewhere once said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While recent studies suggest that this may be a load of poppycock, a notion first popularised by cereal marketers (or some poor hungover bloke having a religious experience with an egg and bacon sanga), we tend to agree. In any case, there’s no reason why breakfast can’t at least be the most exciting meal of the day. And in a city like Melbourne, that’s not hard to achieve. We Melburnians take the ritual of breakfast very seriously, with the café scene developing an almost cult-like following over the years. While many of us only have time for coffee or vegemite on toast during the week, the weekend is when we cut loose in the wild and take part in that sacred collective mission: the hunt for Melbourne’s most extraordinary breakfast. It’s too hard to crown just one as top dog, but we reckon all of the cafés in this list are well worth making time for. Give 'em a shot! Like your breakfast with a boozy boost? Check out our favourite bottomless brunches in Melbourne. And if you're a sweet tooth, you've also gotta check out the best pancakes in Melbourne.

You swipe right and hit it off, but then what? Picking the right bar for a first date isn't easy, especially in a city like ours with so many options. To take the stress out of finding the perfect spot to get to know someone, we've put together a list of Melbourne's most romantic bars to ensure you have a memorable first date. And hopefully, if things go well, you can plan your next date at one of the best date night restaurants in Melbourne.  Take your next date night up a notch at one of the 50 best restaurants in Melbourne. 

At the beginning of spring when the sun comes out to play, Melbourne's glorious rooftop bars draw in flocks of thirsty revellers with their crisp, cool bevvies and sweeping city views. Maybe it's the higher altitude, but drinking is just more fun from above. So start climbing those stairs – or keep your fingers crossed for a lift – and check out Melbourne's best rooftop bars now.  Looking for an après-drink bite? Check out Melbourne's best late-night eats. How about another drink somewhere different? We've rounded up our favourite laneway bars in the city.   See full screen

There's more to St Kilda than Luna Park and the fairy penguins (as cute as they may be). The seaside suburb just seven kilometres from the CBD is popular with everyone from backpackers to beachgoers. St Kilda's dining options are as eclectic as the suburb's visitors and residents, with a wide variety of options that includes beachside restaurants, vegetarian diners and fine dining institutions. Whether you're after a quick post-swim meal or an anniversary dinner with sunset views of the bay, here are some of the best restaurants St Kilda has to offer.  Looking to explore more of Melbourne's best dining options? Check out the 50 best restaurants in Melbourne. 

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here. Gigi’s Frenchy fare is playfully kitsch and glamorously cute. Gigi is fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s dressed to impress and targets a crowd who are keen to frock up, pay up and take plenty of pics. Pop in before heading across the road to sister restaurant Entrecôte, or make an afternoon out of it – we hear High Tea à la Gigi is now being served every Sunday from noon (expect free-flowing French bubbles and wines, and the likes of ribbon sandwiches, vol au vents, lemonade scones with creme chantilly and profiteroles).  Sitting pretty perched above Greville Street, Gigi talks a big game. The menu invites you to “indulge in a little mischief and escape into a sultry Parisian dream”. It promises thrills and secret-keeping, of being pulled into the shadows and losing track of time. Perhaps it happens to be a particularly tame evening on the Thursday night we visit, but the atmosphere in the quiet parlour doesn’t seem to quite match the description of being “a portal to a world where the night feels endless, and anything – everything – feels possible”. Nevertheless, whether in this world or elsewhere, Gigi is a perfectly pleasant place to yap over drinks and slices of warm baguette spread thick with French butter.  And we’ve got to give it to them

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here. There's a reason that Albert’s Wine Bar has earned its reputation with locals as the spot to hang out. Just as the ideal neighbourhood wine bar should, it serves as the perfect place for a plethora of purposes: a leisurely lunch on a Saturday afternoon; an afterwork drink; a midweek catch-up over a quick but excellent meal. Bring your mates or your mum, bring a colleague or a first date, bring your pup to potter around the patio or even just a good book. Albert’s is achieving everything you expect from your local wine bar, plus a little more. There's a warm and cosy feeling of subtle sentimentality that accompanies the moreish snacks and stylish drinks at Albert’s. Perhaps it's due to the light pattering of rain outside on the evening we visit, contrasted with the glowy warmth and convivial conversation inside. Or it might be owing to the feeling of palpable history pervading the place. That history itself is memorialised in this winner-of-a-wine-bar’s name: Albert’s Wine Bar is named for the famed Australian artist Albert Tucker, who presided nearby, and chose this wine bar’s home, a 19th century building tucked behind a heritage listed arcade, as the subject for one of his 1937 landscape paintings.  Spanning a tight but welcoming intimate bar space, larger s

Update October 2024: This review was originally written in 2022, so please be aware that some elements may have changed since. 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. There are not many ways more wondrous to while away a wintery day in Victoria than to wine and dine at the Lake House restaurant. Inextricably linked to Daylesford – which it undoubtedly helped put on the map – the Lake House is the Wolf-Taskers' enduring masterpiece that spearheaded the farm-to-table movement several decades ago, and which continues to assert its dominance in an ever-expanding landscape of regional fine diners.   We arriving on a bone-chilling, six-degree afternoon, but the crackling fires, plush couches and busy bookshelves filled with treasures and trinkets in the Argyle Library bar at the entrance to the Lake House make it feel like a warm and welcome embrace. One can’t help but imagine that this must be what the Wolf-Taskers' living room feels like.  The dining room is all crisp white tablecloths and plush carpets. Coats are taken, napkins are laid on laps. Knowledgeable and diligent, formally dressed waitstaff, enthusiastically guide us through the menu. The sparkling rosé produced by Cope Williams for the Lake House, enjoyed alongside a few memorable Merimbula oysters to start, proves to be an excellent choice from an intimidating 42-page wine list. While you exp

August 13 2024 update: In devastating news just in, the Black Star Pastry crew has announced they'll be shutting down all Melbourne stores due to tough trading conditions. The final day of service is on Sunday, August 18, so here's your chance to stock up on as many Black Star goodies as possible. Is it goodbye to the beloved brand forever? Fortunately, its stores in Sydney will still be running – so you can still get your strawberry wetermelon cake fix somewhere, somehow. Read Black Star's full statement at the official Instagram account here. Black Star Pastry, home of the wildly popular (and extremely 'grammable) strawberry watermelon cake, has reopened its doors in St Kilda after undergoing a complete reconstruction. The renovation has brought in a modern new look: shiny silver countertops, a monumental mirror installation, minimalist interiors and sleek neon lights.  The Acland Street shop was Black Star Pastry's first permanent Melbourne home, being described as the "soul of our business in Melbourne" by general manager Danielle Laskovsky, who is excited to start serving "Bayside again, and welcome back the St Kilda locals who supported us through a stop-start few years”. The reopening of the store has also seen the initiation of new services including Cake Concierge, a pick-up service where customers who have pre-ordered cakes can have their cakes conveniently delivered to their cars (however, we do recommend at least popping in to check out the new industrial-chic fit

It’s a pub! It’s a hotel! It’s a bar! It’s a restaurant! It’s basically the most versatile venue in St Kilda, given that it encompasses most of the block and contains The Prince Hotel, Prince Dining Room, Prince Public Bar, Little Prince and Prince Bandroom. See developers, we can all get along. The Prince Hotel manages to straddle that cool, inner-city vibe with luxury suites – and it all begins from the first entrance. You'll see art installations projected on the wall in the reception area before heading to modern rooms that still have a little art deco flare. The hotel is bigger than you might think, with an array of room options (with decent-sized balconies too, might we add). And, although it's located on St Kilda's bustling Acland Street, noise doesn't seem to travel up to your room. The bathroom is stocked up with lush Grown Alchemist products too, so all you really need to do is show up and the rest is taken care of. It makes for the perfect city escape – be it midweek or on a weekend. Book a room before heading down to Prince Dining Room, where chef Dan Cooper whips up a seasonal, ingredients-driven menu. If casual drinks are more your thing, the Atrium is what feels like an outdoor rooftop terrace – except it's inside and covered so you can stay warm and enjoy a cosy, moody and intimate vibe. Prefer staying in? Pop down to Little Prince Wine and grab yourself a bottle of something from their impressive cellar, and make your way back to your room to sit back, relax

Sometimes you just need to start your morning with a stack of fluffy pancakes, a greasy cheeseburger, a side of crispy bacon and a chocolate milkshake. Because you know, balance. And when that’s all served up alongside a retro-chic, old-school diner fitout with a welcoming service you’re not left wanting much more.  Operator Diner, nestled in the dynamic Wesley Place development opposite Caretaker’s Cottage (one of our city's great bars), is bringing something different and exciting to the Melbourne café scene. The team from Operator25 takes us on a journey with this new venue, not only to the US of A, but also back in time, to the good ol’ days of jukebox-playing, pie-slinging, neon-lit diners. A considered design by architects We Are Humble, which brings brown-leather banquettes, cafeteria-style chairs, and orange and yellow '70s sunshine tones to life, manages to achieve a playful and charming atmosphere that doesn’t feel gimmicky or overdone.  On weekday mornings, the café bustles with office workers lining up for a takeaway coffee and breakfast roll or a chocolate hazelnut croissant (from AM Bakehouse in Glen Iris). By the time the weekend rolls around, crowds arrive looking for a hangover cure, and to share stacks of pancakes with Nutella sauce, cookie crumbs and vanilla ice cream.  The breakfast menu runs all day and puts diners in a pickle trying to choose between French toast with cinnamon and maple syrup or a triple-cheese grilled sandwich served alongside a tomato

While our city is filled with a labyrinth of outstanding and historic establishments, few really deserve the coveted title of being a Melbourne culinary institution – an overused and often meaningless phrase. However, after experiencing a meal in the tranquil yet dynamic dining room at Kenzan, the Collins Street restaurant that has been serving traditional Japanese fare since 1981, you leave with the feeling that there aren’t many ways more apt to describe the place.  The restaurant's modest nature begins with the nondescript glass entrance within the Collins Place food court. A carpeted dining room gives away its age, and while there isn’t much going on in terms of décor, the gentle touches of low-hanging lanterns and traditional Japanese flower arrangements help create a grounded and serene space within which it feels wrong to be wearing your outside shoes. Its fitout, or lack thereof, is an undeniable part of Kenzan’s charm.   Arriving for the early sitting on a school night, the quiet is almost jarring; having become so used to the distraction of riotous playlists and chaotic fitouts in modern restaurant spaces, it is a welcome reprieve to engage in old-school dinner conversation as we sip on a cold semi-dry Sho-un Junmai Daiginjo sake. The service is impeccably understated; there is not much in the way of conversation, but you are never left wanting, or waiting. The drinks list is extensive, and the menu is self-explanatory: rotating specials such as scampi sushi and lob

He's been dubbed the first 'celebrity chef', and the only person who makes Gordon Ramsay shake in his boots. Marco Pierre White – chef, restaurateur and television personality – is heading Down Under, and he's bringing his first live-on-stage tour, Out of the Kitchen, to major cities across Australia.  You can catch White (who, as a 33-year-old, became the first British and youngest chef at the time to be awarded three Michelin stars) live on-stage discussing everything from his humble beginnings to the classical culinary training he undertook with Albert and Michael Roux at Le Gavroche. It's set to be an evening dedicated to determination, grit and the endless pursuit of personal fulfillment, as well as a love for the magic of food and the allure of restaurants and kitchens.  And it's not just Ramsay who holds White in such high esteem. The late Anthony Bourdain said, "Marco Pierre White gave us all voice, gave us hope, a new template for survive[al]. [He] gave us power. It all started here.” Jock Zonfrillo, MasterChef judge and restauranteur, says that “of all the chefs I worked for, he was the greatest teacher”.  White will be on stage at Sydney's State Theatre on May 25. General public tickets are on sale now. Don't miss the opportunity to see one of the world's top chefs in person and get your tickets ASAP.  Inspired to check out some of the city's greatest culinary institutions? Work your way through the best restaurants in Sydney right now.

Red Spice Road has been serving Melburnians bold, flavourful and creative modern Asian food for over a decade. The restaurant's long-standing popularity can be attributed to its fuss-free dining style and commitment to traditional flavours. This is the kind of restaurant where diners will need to bring as many friends as possible to make sure they can sample as many dishes as possible. Expect staple dishes such as pork belly with tangy apple slaw (a Red Spice Road winner since day one), and inventive plates such as rockling with watermelon, chilli, lemongrass and herb salad, fried cauliflower with miso, sansho pepper and furikake and lamb meatballs with peanut Massaman curry. Finish on a sweet note with passionfruit pannacotta, coconut water sago, pandan ice cream and caramel popcorn.  With several banquet menus available, including vegetarian options, this is a great place for a celebration with friends and family or even your next work event.  Looking for more of Melbourne's best food? Check out the 50 best restaurants in Melbourne. 

While we certainly have no shortage of excellent ice cream and gelato stores in Melbourne, Sweethearts Gelato, which is landing in Preston, is upping the cool factor: it's officially 100 per cent plant-based. Founder Ellie Maron – who, as the owner of local joints Fried Hustle and Cornutopia, is already very familiar with the Preston foodie scene – is passionate about bringing food that's good for the planet to the people of Melbourne. Maron's gelato is free from dairy, eggs and other animal products, but full of love, flavour and only the freshest ingredients. Sweethearts Gelato uses organic, locally sourced produce with sustainable packaging, ensuring your next sweet treat is one you can feel good about, too.  So gone are the days when all vegans could expect was a few token sorbet flavours. At Sweethearts Gelato, you can enjoy creamy eco-friendly scoops like dirty peppermint, roasted almond, caramel sea salt, Biscoff cream dream, caramelised pear and bitter chocolate. And for those looking for a lighter lick, there are plenty of fresh fruity flavours to choose from such as bloody orange, mango heart and strawberry sunshine.  Pop down to Preston on the grand opening weekend of February 18-19, and celebrate with $2 scoops! For more information on all the details, flavours and more, head to Sweetheart Gelato's Instagram page. Looking to explore more of Melbourne's sweetest treats? Check out the best patisseries in Melbourne. 

You know you're a force to be reckoned with when you're perhaps the only person who makes Gordon Ramsay shake in his boots. Dubbed the first 'celebrity chef', Marco Pierre White – chef, restaurateur and television personality – is heading Down Under and bringing his first live-on-stage tour, Out of the Kitchen, to major cities across Australia.  You can catch White (who at just 33 years old became the first British and youngest chef at the time to be awarded three Michelin stars), live on stage discussing everything from his humble beginnings to the classical culinary training he undertook with Albert and Michael Roux at Le Gavroche. It's set to be an evening dedicated to determination, grit and the endless pursuit of personal fulfillment, as well as a love for the magic of food and the allure of restaurants and kitchens.  And it's not just Ramsay who holds White in such high esteem. The late Anthony Bourdain said, "Marco Pierre White gave us all voice, gave us hope, a new template for survive[al]. [He] gave us power. It all started here.” Jock Zonfrillo, MasterChef judge and restauranteur, says that “of all the chefs I worked for, he was the greatest teacher”.  White will start his Australian tour in Brisbane, before heading to Sydney and finally to Melbourne's Hamer Hall on May 30. Presale tickets are available now, and general public tickets go on sale on February 17. Don't miss the opportunity to see one of the world's top chefs in person and get your tickets ASAP.  Insp

We can't resist the allure of a hidden bar, and now Melburnians have another secret hideout to add to their repertoire: the Valiant. The new event space sits inconspicuously above a convenience store on Queen Street, with an intriguing entrance in a car park on Little Collins.  The Valiant is set to become your go-to venue for parties and private functions, offering creative cocktails, fine wines and a speakeasy vibe. Jean Phillipe, the Valiant's bar manager, has designed a curated cocktail menu shining a light on local producers. Get intimate with the Lovers Passion, a mix of vodka, lychee liqueur, passionfruit pulp, lime juice, sugar syrup and Grenadine. Or splurge on the Millionaire, a tasty tipple of apricot brandy, Gold rum, Sloe gin, lime juice, and Grenadine, finished with dried petals. Snack on one of the platters on offer as you sip your sophisticated drinks, such as the sardine platter served with toasted sourdough bread, or the retro sharing platter with cheddar, cabana, crackers and quince paste.  Look out over Melbourne's laneways through the floor-to-ceiling windows as you soak in the Valiant's retro palette and gradually work your way through the spectacular drinks list. The venue can accommodate 20 to 120 people, for an array of functions – book now to plan the party of your dreams. If you're looking for other interesting drinking venues, check out Melbourne's best rooftop bars.