The best restaurants in Melbourne right now

Melbourne's claim to be Australia's food capital is rooted in the density and quality of its restaurant culture, the diversity of its culinary influences, and the coffee standards that set the benchmark for the rest of the world. Here's where to eat in 2026.

Vue de Monde

Shannon Bennett's Vue de Monde on the 55th floor of the Rialto Towers is Melbourne's definitive occasion dining experience — the views, the ceremony, and the creative Australian fine dining that has defined the restaurant for 25 years. The degustation format is the only option and the investment is returned in full.

Attica

Ben Shewry's Attica in Ripponlea has held a position in the World's 50 Best Restaurants for years and the reputation is built on a genuine philosophical commitment to Australian ingredients, Indigenous food traditions, and the creative ambition that makes each menu a reflection of a specific place and time. Book months ahead.

Flower Drum

Gilbert Lau's Flower Drum in Market Lane has been feeding Melbourne with Cantonese cooking of extraordinary refinement since 1975. The dining room's formality, the seafood, and the Peking duck are the constants; the seasonal specials are why regulars return every month.

Gimlet

Andrew McConnell's Gimlet at the Cavendish House is the kind of serious, adult restaurant that Melbourne does better than anywhere in Australia. The cocktail bar, the beautifully seasoned brasserie cooking, and the room that manages both grandeur and warmth make it the reliable choice for any occasion.

Lune Croissanterie

Kate Reid's Lune in Fitzroy has achieved the near-impossible: an Australian croissant that pastry professionals from France eat and acknowledge as superior. Arrive before 8am for the full selection or accept that some things will be sold out. The croissant with ham and gruyère is the standard by which Melbourne breakfast is judged.

This article was compiled by AI from the sources linked above and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.