26
Feb

Some good Melbourne dinner options.

Look, it was before Broadsheet and social media and Cardi B, but back when I would visit Melbourne as a Sydneysider, I’d always feel so lost, and pathetic, and excluded, and clueless as to where to eat, and shop, stay, etc. I’d end up doing cliché shit (‘Chapel St’) and eating average, touristy food (‘Southgate’), and feeling like I was wasting my visits. And my god, I really was.

I will not allow you to have the same experience.

Melbourne is a magnificent city, a sophisticated, tasty, friendly labyrinth of outstanding culinary delights, and I’ll be damned if you’re going to miss them. Also I’m sick of texting lists to mates asking where they should eat when they come down, and will hereby send them to this link moving forward, like the efficient, heartless robot I am.

(Is Sydney or Melbourne better? Redundant question. They are both terrific. That we can zing between two of the world’s best cities in a couple of hours feels wildly lucky to me. The real question should be: when the fuck is that fast train coming?)

MY VERY BEST FAVOURITE MELBOURNE DINNERY PLACES THAT I CAN REMEMBER RIGHT NOW

PASTA ADAGIO, RICHMOND

It’s so eye-rolly when someone calls something ‘the best’ of something in a city, but guess what: I reckon this might be the best pasta in Melbourne. It’s a low-key joint. Unfancy. Book ahead though cos it’s small and much-loved. The chef, Carmine, is friendly and passionate; his pasta is exceptional. The Famous One is the egg tagliatelle ragu, and so it should be. But I gotta mention the deconstructed carbonara (and I loathe carbonara), which we had a few weeks ago, since it was the most delicate, delicious, ingenuous pasta dish I have ever eaten. (A fried spaghetti nest with an egg inside, as per below: gahhhh!)


BAR LIBERTY, FITZROY

For ages I’d look at Bar Liberty’s menu and deem it too fancy and tricky. Too many ingredients I didn’t know, and too pretentious. But at the persistence of a food-adoring couple whose opinion I respect, we booked. And reader, I felt like a damn fool. This teeny bar hits all my restaurant high notes: exquisite cocktails, a comfort-zone-breaking wine list, and perfect versions of simple food. I recommend LOTS of the bread, the salt and pepper veges, the potatoes, and DEFINITELY the cacio e pepe. And loose pants. And dessert. And no guilt. And booking.

KISUME, CBD

When I moved to Melbourne in 2014, my stomach and I were deeply dismayed at the lack of Japanese eateries, a cuisine in which Sydney excels, from the fancy and expensive, to the corner joint doing gluggy teriyaki salmon. But Melbourne is WOKE! Nobu no longer needs to hold the fort; Kisume (sushi bar and restaurant) is flawless. We have eaten there thrice, and I can’t fault it. Not the service, not the pace, not the subtle, modern, playful Japanese dishes. But you’d expect that from Lord Chris Lucas, the chap behind Chin-Chin, Kong and Baby, all three of which are all in my heart and favourites list. I recommend: wagyu truffles, the crispy flathead, charred baby cos lettuce, and the black sesame sponge. And the cocktails. Man I love delicate, citrusy Japanese cocktails.

MARION WINE BAR, FITZROY

From the silky paws of Andrew McConnell (he of Cutler and Co, which is next door, Cumulus, Ricky and Pinky… actually I should mention Ricky and Pinky, too: it’s on the same street and does fun, delicious Chinese food. Plus the décor is basically a ready-made Pinterest board) comes this ‘local’ wine bar. Even though it’s not my local anymore, I still visit a bloody lot. A shared meal of (the best) salted flat bread and dip (in the country), simple pasta, roast chicken, fries and salad (and a Negroni, obviously) is unbeatable in this pig’s book. Finish off with a Martinez (this should be your new cocktail) at Bar Everleigh down the road, then Uber home, full, fed and cutely sauced.

Photo: Harvard Wang

LAZERPIG, COLLINGWOOD

Lazerpig is very casual and pub-like, only with open fires and disco balls and often, a DJ. We take our three-year old here for 5:30 dinners, and we all dance and eat pizza and drink wine. (He prefers pinot noir.) This is the home of my favourite pizza, (D.O.C in Carlton is a close second) and, controversially, my favourite cheeseburger. (See below.)  I don’t know what else you want me to say; that’s a really, really big call. Just sit with it for a second.

TONKA, CBD

I love Horn Please, in North Fitzroy, but am pretty green when it comes to Indian cuisine.  Tonka is doing a great PR job for it as a genre, I gotta say. It’s subtle, and delicate, and feels nourishing and satisfying, rather than heavy and stodgy. Sit at the bar, it’s always more fun and you can usually snake in without a booking that way, order that blueberry cocktail, and some pani puri and pakora. I also love the palak paneer because quite frankly paneer is the most underrated cheese in this whole goddamn world, and also butter chicken because duh.

CHIN CHIN, MAMASITA, KONG, BABY

Ah yes, the classics. I’m sure you’ve heard of all them all, and probably even been.

Mamasita started the ‘new Mexican’ trend eight years ago, and still do it the very, very best. There will be a wait; go early, or late. Or! Visit their cheeky casual option, Hotel Jesus, in Collingwood, instead. It’s good fun, and utilises just the right amount of swimming pool blue.

Chin Chin still might be the best Asian restaurant in Melbourne, but the wait really breaks my balls. Be quicker to fly to the new Sydney Chin Chin most nights. The cheat? Eat downstairs at GoGo Bar instead. Small but perfect menu with flawless cocktail mastery.

Baby is Italian, in South Yarra/Richmond and while I reckon A25 down the road actually does better pizza, I love the atmosphere, polenta chips, meat and fish dishes at Baby. (Also their breakfast.)

Kong is a Korean BBQ, just up the road from Baby, and it’s crunchy and gorgeous. Fresh Yuzu-y cocktails + fried chicken = YES.

 – If you’re in the city and need a quick, tasty meal: Gazi (Greek) or Fatto (Italian.)


Mamasita.

But there are no bayside or northside picks!
My picks are essentially locked to three postcodes, cos that’s where I live and hang.

Or greater Melbourne?

Okay then, how about Doot Doot Doot at Jackalope. My god. That deep-fried avocado. Look, it IS a Special Occasion place, and it IS a tasting menu so if you hate those (I studiously avoid, as a rule) maybe it’s not for you. But I loved it. I went for the vegetarian option and I not only didn’t feel sick at the end (a terrible and unfair appraisal of some outstanding food, but come on, most tasting menus are Too Much), I was satisfied and delighted. No gross filled mushrooms or lazy pasta dishes, in other words. Clever, delicious food.

The Martinez, father of the Martini, son of the Manhattan.

 

But you didn’t mention any seafood restaurants!
Correct. There aren’t many down here. It’s not Sydney, after all. (That said, Stokehouse is pretty fantastic for a luxe beachside feast. Or, a casual one, downstairs.)

Or Thai!
Shhh. Go to Longrain. (They offer a fructose-free menu, which my fructose malabsorption issues deeply appreciate.)

Your taste in restaurants is so trendy and overpriced!
True. These days I only eat out properly about once a month, so I make it count. (There’s plenty of misschu, Grill’d and Jimmy Grants in-between, trust me.)

Alright, food monsters, that’s all I can think of right now. (You’ve got Broadsheet now; you’ll be fine.)

What about breakfast? You’re always bangin’ on about breakfast!
Oh I’m gonna do a breakfast list, alright. Breakfast is the champion of meals, and melbourne treats it like fine dining. I reckon we do the best breakfast in the world. There. I said it.

There will be no lunch list. Lunch is the pesty middle child. I usually just eat breakfast again to teach it a lesson.

Responses to this drivel: 19 Comments
Responses to this drivel ( 19 )
  • Nikki

    Great picks! I’ve always been a fan of Mamasita! Might have to try and tick off the list one by one…any excuse right?! 

  • Filomena Blanco

    Great recommendations 👍🏿

  • Candice

    Hi Zoe! 
    I love your lists – and there are some newbies I didn’t know about here so thank you!
    We have just moved to Melbourne with our one year old and find it hard to know where we can take him for an early dinner without having to sacrifice our own food choices. Where can we go with a child, that has a highchair, that won’t give you the eye when you walk in with your babe? It’s hard! We’ve done a damn good job of making sure he eats EVERYTHING so we can take him anywhere and we’re struggling. 
    It would be great if you could help a sister out and make a list of kid-friendly joints that parents actually want to eat at. 
    P.S we don’t care what size of the city they are – we will travel anywhere for good grub.
    Candice x 

    • Kate

      If I may take the liberty of recommending you google mammaknowswest for lots of great kid-friendly places to go/eat at. (She also knows north, south and east).

  • Mel

    Great list! I must say, if you haven’t been to Claypots in St Kilda you’re missing out on some darn good fresh seafood!

  • Jane Doe

    Fitzroy does not get to have all the nice things! Lazerpig and Hotel Jesus belong in Collingwood (the other side of Smith Street). 3066 represent, yo. 😉

  • Fiona Green

    Hi Zoe, just thought I’d mention my family and I discovered Brunetti’s at Lygon St when we were visiting Melbourne. It was a real highlight. We didn’t have dinner there, but we did take ages to decide which tasty sweet treat we would have with a cuppa. The rows of cakes seem to go for miles, not to mention the gorgeous gelato. All served up by waiters in black suits. We are so glad we found it and highly recommend!

  • Simone

    I’m loving Shadowboxer in South Yarra. The food is insane. Amazing cocktail list and wine list. Gorgeous design and highly knowledgable staff – even the younger ones. On a warm night it’s a great place to sit outside. Highly recommend.

    • Nicole

      Second that. Shadowboxer is a gem. Top notch food, snazzy cocktails and gold star service – warm, friendly and knowledgeable.

  • Tara

    *starts hanging out at these places in the hope of ‘bumping’ into Zoe*

  • Matt

    What about places for a good steak? Blue Tongue Wine Bar in Elwood is hands down best steak & the wine list is banging! 

  • Nicole

    Chapel St a cliche? Come now! It’s getting better, I swear. You must try Ramblr (on Chapel near the Prahran Markets). Nick the head chef is a genius. Sit at the bar to talk shit with the chefs and order the calamari noodles on a bed of kimchi (a life changing dish and an example of said genius).
    Best burgers? Leonard’s House of Love. Hidden off Chapel St in South Yarra. Cool 70’s vibes, great tunes and the gold standard of bar staff (dress code: denim and leather).

  • Kate

    Ok Zo, agree on all of these but Chapel St still has some gems! Mr Miyagi is excellent and I’m partial to Hawker Hall too, obvs.

    But I also agree on putting the Melbourne vs Sydney debate to bed – as a born and raised Melbourne girl now living in Sydney, I feel lucky to get to experience life in both! They’re different but that’s what makes visiting them so great.

  • Tyson

    Get your mits around some Smith and Daughters in Fitzroy! 

  • Estelle

    Great seafood at Tommy Ruff Fish Bar! Kid friendly too!!! 🐠🐟

  • Ali

    Couldn’t agree more with the above^^. Tommy ruff fish bar – best fish and chips/seafood in Melbourne easy

  • Sam

    thanks for sharing the information. As per my suggestions, PASTA ADAGIO is one of the best.

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