The Best Restaurants in Melbourne 2026

From city streets to suburban gems, here's where to eat in Melbourne

The city's dining scene goes well beyond the grid - with hidden laneway finds, waterfront favourites and neighbourhood spots waiting to be explored.

Consider this your shortcut to the tables worth travelling for, whether you're planning a big night out, an easy catch-up, or satisfying whatever you're craving next. Every featured restaurant is bookable through First Table, with 50% off your food bill guaranteed!

Five of the best restaurants in Melbourne

1. Best for Filipino shared feast: Askal, Melbourne CBD

Founded by four Filipino creators, this spot reimagines traditional family recipes through modern culinary techniques to bring the much-revered flavours of the Philippines straight to the CBD.

Order this 💯 Go for banana-leaf baked salmon with bright tamarind tang or a smoky chicken inasal with a deliciously rich annatto finish.

Must try:

• Dry-aged duck embutido with longganisa
• Slow-cooked lamb shoulder kaldereta
• Torched bonito with coconut kinilaw dressing
• Wagyu oxtail kare-kare doughnut

 

Book a First Table at Askal

2. Best for special occasions: Kushiro Fusion Cuisine, Fitzroy

Guided by Chef Jan Chung's two decades in Michelin-starred kitchens, this spot channels traditional Japanese culinary principles through a modern Australian lens, blending precision with subtle theatre.

Order this 💯 Take your time over slow-roasted Angus short rib with silky risoni, before diving into rich Kushiro-style seafood risotto.

Must try:

• Wagyu beef tataki
• Signature char-siu
• Baked scallop
• Matcha tiramisu

 

Book a First Table at Kushiro Fusion Cuisine

3. Best for wood-fired cooking: Collins Kitchen, Melbourne CBD

Set at the Paris end of Collins Street, it's a gem that brings the energy of an open kitchen to high-end dining - with barbecue favourites, premium grilled cuts and wood-fired dishes served to share.

Order this 💯 Sink into 12-hour smoked Black Angus brisket with tangy house pickles, or wood-oven roasted prawns drenched in fermented chilli garlic butter.

Must try:

• Wagyu beef tartare
• Kingfish crudo
• Pine needle smoked mushroom
• Collins Kitchen tiramisu

 

Book a First Table at Collins Kitchen

4. Best for Mexican dining: The Black Toro, Glen Waverley

Beyond the bright streets, this moody and artful interior hums with Latin melodies and lively conversation, creating the kind of atmosphere that'll keep you lingering.

Order this 💯 Indulge in Jalisco-style braised beef with sweet potato, roasted barramundi with chilli-lime butter, or pork hock with guajillo caramel.

Must try:

• Snapper aguachile
• Braised lamb shoulder barbacoa
• Chorizo croquetas
• Baja-style fish tacos

 

Book a First Table at The Black Toro

5. Best for bayside date night: Chiki Chan, Mordialloc

This neon-lit venue pairs modern Melbourne dining with bold Asian influences. The kitchen's delivering an inventive sharing menu that blends regional heritage techniques with contemporary flair.

Order this 💯 Tuck into Angus beef fried rice with bone marrow, Malaysian beef rendang with coconut cream, or Szechuan burrata with roasted sesame sauce.

Must try:

• Kingfish sashimi
• Inasal chicken
• Pork katsu
• Coconut chantilly

 

Book a First Table at Chiki Chan

Find your table, sorted by the occasion

Bypass hours of menu-scrolling with these handpicked locations - from sweeping views and sleek hotel dining to lively places made for your plans.

Best Melbourne hotel restaurants

• The Greenery | Melbourne CBD
  Set within the Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall, this gem serves a comforting mix of local favourites and international classics in the heart of the CBD.
• Fico Carlton | Carlton
  Located on the ground floor of the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton, this restaurant serves contemporary takes on classic Italian dishes made with local Victorian produce.
• Archie’s Farm Restaurant and Bar | Scoresby
  As a winner of the Hotel Restaurant of the Year award, this destination delivers refined modern Australian dining inside Hyatt Place Melbourne Caribbean Park.

Best Melbourne restaurants with a view

• The Q Rooftop Bar | Southbank
  Perched on level 28 of Quincy Melbourne, this rooftop venue pairs sweeping skyline views with a sharing menu of contemporary Southeast Asian plates.
• La Camera Southgate | Southbank
  Overlooking the Yarra River from cosy al fresco balconies, this local favourite serves classic Italian dishes and wood-fired pizzas against a city backdrop.
• Mr Meader | Doncaster
  Located within Mercure Melbourne Doncaster, this elevated dining room pairs regional Victorian produce with sweeping skyline views from its rooftop terrace.

Best Melbourne restaurants for groups

• A Hereford Beefstouw | Melbourne CBD
  This Danish-designed steakhouse tucked away in Duckboard Place serves premium Australian beef cuts in a refined laneway space.
• Burwood Teppanyaki House | Burwood East
  Known for its abundant multi-course banquets and fresh sashimi, this vibrant Japanese venue offers a crowd-pleasing feast crafted for shared dining.
• 2 Elements Eastland | Ringwood
  Cooking exclusively over an open fire, this low-and-slow smokehouse serves hearty sharing platters of 16-hour brisket and flame-kissed meats.

How to choose where to eat in Melbourne

Not sure where to go next? Start with these three questions:

Who's joining you at the table?

A vibrant dining scene makes it easy to match any mood - from romantic Yarra balconies and high-rise rooftops with friends to relaxed suburban family feasts.

What flavours are you craving?

Melbourne is home to a diverse array of culinary gems. Choose from shareable Southeast Asian CBD plates, rustic riverside wood-fired pizza, or produce-driven Victorian dining.

What backdrop sets the scene?

The city provides the ultimate setting for your next meal. Take in sweeping skyline views high above the CBD, relax on breezy al fresco terraces, or gather at an open-fire smokehouse built for group feasts.

Book a Melbourne restaurant with First Table

Got the plan? Now find the table.

Filter your way through Melbourne with First Table, discover your next great meal and enjoy 50% off your food bill while you’re at it.

Browse restaurants in Melbourne

Frequently asked questions

What are the best restaurants in Melbourne CBD?

Askal brings modern Filipino cooking to the city centre, Collins Kitchen serves wood-fired dishes and premium grilled cuts, and A Hereford Beefstouw offers refined laneway steaks. All three are bookable through First Table with 50% off the food bill.

How can I find a First Table that fits my schedule?

Breakfast before work, a long lunch or an early dinner - choose your preferred dining time and narrow the search to a time range that works for you.

With breakfast, lunch and dinner listings available across Melbourne, you can find a table around your day rather than planning your day around the table.

Can I book a First Table in Melbourne for tonight?

Absolutely - tonight’s dinner can be sorted in a few clicks. Check Melbourne’s current listings to see what’s available for your preferred time and book a table that works for a last-minute meal.

First Table generally allows bookings up to 30 minutes before the seating time, although cut-off times can vary by venue.

Where can I find a Melbourne restaurant for a specific occasion?

Planning date night, a family meal or a catch-up with friends? Use the 'Good for' filters to narrow your search by occasion, then explore by 'venue type' to find the setting that suits - from relaxed cafés and lively pubs to boats and hotel restaurants.

Can I find Melbourne restaurants that suit dietary requirements?

Yes. Filter Melbourne listings by dietary options such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and halal to make it easier to find a restaurant that works for everyone at the table.