The Best Restaurants in Melbourne 2026

From city laneways to suburban spots: Where to eat in Melbourne for half-price

Melbourne’s best dining stretches far beyond the city grid - from laneway steakhouses in the CBD to elevated skyline views, bayside haunts, and suburban hubs in Scoresby and Ringwood. Discover the top spots worth taking a seat at, no matter what you are craving. Every restaurant featured is bookable through First Table for 50% off your food bill.

Five of the best restaurants in Melbourne

1. Askal | Melbourne CBD

Best for: Cultural group feasts and inventive dining

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: King salmon baked in banana leaf with sinigang tamarind broth, sizzling mushroom sisig with calamansi, or charred chicken inasal skewer with annatto condiment.

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. Kushiro Fusion Cuisine | Fitzroy

Best for: Celebratory dinners and special occasions

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

• Order this: Dig into slow-roasted Angus short rib with risoni pasta, miso black cod with apple purée, or Kushiro-style seafood risotto.

Must try:

• Wagyu beef tataki
• Chef Po's char-siu
• Baked scallop
• Matcha tiramisu

Book a First Table at Kushiro Fusion Cuisine

3. Collins Kitchen | Melbourne CBD

Best for: Wood-fired cooking and fine dining

Set at the Paris end of Collins Street, the menu combines traditional barbecue techniques with wood-fired roasting and slow smoking across shared small and large plates.

• Order this: Go for 12-hour smoked Black Angus brisket with house pickles, wood-oven roasted prawns with fermented chilli garlic butter, or Aylesbury duck breast.

Must try:

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

Book a First Table at Collins Kitchen

4. The Black Toro | Glen Waverley

Best for: Casual group feasts and modern Mexican dining

This chic urban gem pairs modern Mexican culinary traditions with charcoal-grilled cooking. The kitchen produces a sharing-focused menu ranging from small bites to slow-cooked feasts.

• 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. Chiki Chan | Mordialloc

Best for: Playful group dining and casual bayside dates

This neon-lit venue pairs modern Melbourne dining with bold Asian influences. The kitchen delivers 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

Hotels, skylines, shared feasts: Where Melbourne eats next

Bypass hours of menu-scrolling with these handpicked locations - from sweeping skyline views and sleek hotel kitchens to hidden city escapes.

Best restaurants for hotel dining

• The Greenery | Melbourne CBD
  Step off the platform and head straight into the arcade to discover this cosy Italian nook, serving hearty handmade pastas and classic pizzas in a warm, romantic setting.
• Fico Carlton | Carlton
  Step off the platform and head straight into the arcade to discover this cosy Italian nook, serving hearty handmade pastas and classic pizzas in a warm, romantic setting.
• Archie’s Farm Restaurant and Bar | Scoresby
  The consecutive winner of the 2024 and 2025 Hotel Restaurant of the Year awards, this destination delivers refined modern Australian dining inside Hyatt Place Melbourne Caribbean Park.

Best for overlooking dining

• The Q Rooftop Bar | Melbourne CBD
  Step off the platform and head straight into the arcade to discover this cosy Italian nook, serving hearty handmade pastas and classic pizzas in a warm, romantic setting.
• 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 for group dining

• A Hereford Beefstouw | Melbourne CBD
  This Danish-designed steakhouse tucked down Duckboard Place serves premium Australian beef cuts in a refined laneway space.
• 2 Elements Eastland | Ringwood
  Cooking exclusively over open fire, this low-and-slow smokehouse serves generous sharing platters of 16-hour brisket and flame-kissed meats.
• Chiki Chan | Mordialloc
  This neon-lit bayside spot pairs a vibrant group-friendly atmosphere with an inventive East-meets-West menu built for sharing.

Mapping your next Melbourne feast

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

Who's joining you at the table?

Match your company’s mood with romantic Yarra balconies, high-rise rooftop dining with friends, or relaxed suburban family feasts.

What palate are you craving?

Melbourne’s kitchen doors open to every culinary direction. Choose between shareable Southeast Asian CBD plates, rustic riverside wood-fired pizza, or produce-driven Victorian dining.

What backdrop sets the scene?

Choose a space that frames your dining. Take in sweeping skyline vistas from 28 floors above the CBD, breezy al fresco balconies, or a hidden neighbourhood bistro in the creative heart of Fitzroy.

Ready to discover your next Melbourne feast?

Skip the search and head straight for exceptional flavour.

From hidden city sanctuaries to sky-high retreats and award-winning suburban spots, First Table makes tasting your way across Melbourne simple - and 50% off your food bill. Ready to book your table?

Frequently asked questions

1. How does First Table work in Melbourne?

Simply pay a small booking fee to secure the first table of the breakfast, lunch or dinner service at participating Melbourne restaurants. In return, diners receive 50% off the food bill.

2. Can I book a First Table for a large group?

Select Melbourne restaurants now accept bookings for one to six people. While standard reservations cover two to four diners, everyone in your group gets 50% off the food bill as long as your group fits the venue’s set table limit.

3. Does the 50% off cover the total food bill?

Yes. First Table gives your party 50% off all regular food items ordered at the table. Drinks and any specific menu exclusions are subject to the restaurant’s terms.

4. What if I need to cancel or modify my reservation?

You can cancel your booking directly through the First Table app or website. While booking fees are non-refundable, cancelling with sufficient notice ensures the restaurant can reopen the table for other diners.

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