Talk of the Town: The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Melbourne

Melbourne’s dining scene is often fêted as one of the world’s best. Wildly creative, produce-driven and diverse thanks to our multicultural makeup, our fine dining restaurants make occasions truly special, with breathtaking food and first-class service a guarantee. From masterful sushi to mind-bending modern Australian, these are the best fine dining restaurants in Melbourne you should put at the top of your list.

*Make sure to check out the restaurant's website or give them a call to book.

Reine & La Rue

This restaurant isn't just a pretty face (or in this instance, interior). Located in the original stock exchange in Melbourne, Reine & La Rue is serving up fine, French-inspired eats that look too good to touch - but are so delicious, you won't be able to help but indulge. Enjoy freshly shucked oysters and other delicate seafood bites, try out their perfect plates of woodfired meats. and end on a spectacular note with one of the impressive desserts on offer. A pretty penny in exchange for a pretty, spectacularly delicious meal? We think that's more than a fair trade.

380 Collins Street, Melbourne

Rockpool Bar & Grill

Inspired by the best steakhouses in North America, Rockpool Bar & Grill executive chef Santiago Aristizabal was determined to bring his own take onto Australian shores. Simple yet delectable dishes are the result of only the best produce this country's farmers have to offer. And while the mains are what Rockpool Bar & Grill are best known for, you'll definitely want to stay for dessert. One of the classics when it comes to fine dining restaurants in Melbourne. 

8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

Kisume 

If sleek dining and tasty morsels is your vibe, chances are you've already heard of Kisume. But if you haven't, let us introduce you to yet another wonderful restaurant from Chris Lucas. This Japanese dining experience is like no other. With three floors to choose from: a hot kitchen below ground-level, a sushi restaurant on the ground floor or bougie private degustation area above. Regardless of which floor you pick, you're bound for a delicious meal filled with an array of hot and cold Japanese dishes. And with head chef Yonge Kim's wealth of experience under his belt, you know you're in good hands.

175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Freyja 

Experience a Nordic approach to Australian dining at Freyja, which combines traditional Nordic techniques with new philosophies. The result? A sensory dining experience. Award-winning, Michelin Star chef Jae Bang utilises customary Nordic techniques such as pickling and smoking with Australia's local and seasonal produce to create a fusion like no other. The result? Captivating dishes that are the perfect blend of innovation and simplicity.

477 Collins Street, Melbourne

Society Dining Room 

The Society Dining Room is a statement of modern Australian design and sophisticated dining culture. Slip inside one of the best new fine dining restaurants in Melbourne to discover an opulent supper-club environment, a ceiling alight with hand cut crystal installations, and soaring windows that capture one of this city’s most spectacular settings amongst the iconic towers of the glamorous Collins Street precinct.

Allow your Society journey to begin with its formidable cellar, home to over 10,000 bottles, and a supremely impressive support act to the visually beautiful food. The menu is heaving with plates of incredible seafood, counteracted with dishes like bouef en croute and Macedon duck. The art of à la carte is the real centrepiece here, allowing you to curate your own experience to ensure that two visits need ever be the same. 

80 Collins Street, Melbourne

Grill Americano

Grand yet approachable, Chris Lucas's latest fine dining restaurant in Melbourne is the opposite of stuffy. Brimming with royal blue hues, marble, and terrazzo, Grill Americano is a vibrant setting for fun times and fine food. Dress up, arrive hungry and splash out on North Italian-inspired steakhouse dishes of freshly shucked oysters, crudo di pesce, bistecca alla Fiorentina, and the visually spectacular wood-oven scampi roasted on a saffron pilaf. And for dessert? Well, it would be a crime to leave without trying the tiramisu. Fine dining feasting has never looked so good. 

112 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

James 

South Melbourne has an absolute fine dining gem on its hands with James. Its playful Australian meets Korean menu ranges from two-bite snacks to a more shareable fare. Its share dishes include a much-lauded charred cucumber dish served with smoked yoghurt, white grape, olive and shichimi along with a gorgeous mussel dish swimming in a smoked tomato, soybean, lemon thyme and fennel seed broth. 

323 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

Gimlet at Cavendish House 

There's something about Gimlet at Cavendish House that makes you want to sit back and sip on cocktails (gimlet’s of course) until the wee hours of the morning. Bringing an old-world charisma to this landmark 1920’s Chicago-style building could only be the brainchild of renowned restaurateur Andrew McConnell (Marion, Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Supernormal) and Sydney firm Acme & Co.

Contrary to what the name suggests, the food is held in equal regard as their prized Gimlet, which can be paired with fresh rock oysters, premium wood-fired meats and seafood. If you’re looking to really step things up, the caviar service is always a luxurious go-to.

33 Russell Street, Melbourne

Sunda

Sunda is a one-hat Modern Australian dream found in Melbourne's theatre district. The menu, by Khanh Nguyen, is intricate and ever changing, progressive and provocative. It perfectly marries Native Australian ingredients with South East Asian flavours to create a distinctive interpretation of modern Australian cuisine. Combined with its unique interiors of steel, glass and mesh, that are inspired by the glowing lanterns of Asia, Sunda is a destination that is as essential Melbourne eating as it gets. 

18 Punch Lane, Melbourne

Longrain

A buzzing, vibrant Melbourne institution known for its modern Thai flavours, innovative dishes and use of fresh, local produce, Longrain is a must try for lovers of fine dining. Inspired by communal eating, the banquet style menu and round dining tables lend themselves to a shared experience, best enjoyed with family and friends.

Settle in with a generous banquet menu to sample a range of the punchy, colourful dishes on offer, and compliment these with a selection of incredible cocktails that are (almost) too beautiful to drink. With the venue offering a special ‘Pre Theatre’ 75 minute a la carte booking from 5.30pm, why not make your next night out amongst Melbourne’s nightlife extra special with a booking at Longrain?

44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Cumulus Inc

It doesn’t get much more quintessentially Melbourne than dining at the adored Cumulus Inc. Nestled in the iconic setting of Flinders Lane, Cumulus Inc is a celebration of fresh, local and seasonal Victorian produce made to be shared. The hero-status slow cooked lamb shoulder is accompanied on the menu by smaller plates such as tuna tartare, seasonal asparagus, stracciatella and salsa verde. And who could go past a serving of iconic Baker Bleu sourdough to kick things off? An absolute must when it comes to fine dining experiences in Melbourne, make sure Cumulus Inc is top of your list.

45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Aru

Chef Kanh Nguyen (Sunda Dining) is known for his playful menu items that aim to surprise and delight, and his take on the classic Aussie snag may just take the cake. With duck sausage drizzled with leatherwood honey, onion and sticky peanut hoisin - you may never look at a Bunnings sausage the same way again. 

Aru is the crossroads between native Australian ingredients and Asian flavours, prepared using ancient techniques of smoking, curing and fermentation. The experience here is unlike anything else in Melbourne, with generous plates of fire licked meat and sides designed to be tasted, shared, mixed, matched and above all enjoyed. Aru is fine dining done differently; trust us when we say this one is worth a visit.

268 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Cutler & Co

A sleek yet industrial setting within an old factory, it’s easy to settle in for the evening at the elegant Cutler & Co. With a focus on top-quality produce and an immaculate dining experience, the menu is designed to share, championing simple and seasonal modern Australian dishes. Think sumptuous plates of pristine seafood, rare-breed heritage meats and seasonal produce to be enjoyed over three or four courses.

55/57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Philippe

Tucked away up the Paris end of Collins Street, the latest venture from acclaimed chef Philippe Mouchel is a must-try for French-loving foodies. It might only be a few steps down off the street, but this cosy basement eatery will have you feeling a thousand miles away. With its open kitchen at the helm, Philippe’s refined menu might read traditional, but the final product is far from played out. Atop the crisp white tablecloths, perfectly manicured servers place exquisite plates of Wagyu beef tartare, duck rillettes and their classic herbed rôtisserie chicken. And for dessert, it's crème brûlée all the way!

115 Collins Street, Melbourne

Atlas Dining

Atlas Dining isn’t your typical restaurant. Chef Charlie Carrington’s ambitious project changes its menu entirely every four months, creating a new degustation that celebrates a different country’s cuisine. The result is a thoughtful, exciting experience that takes you around the world without leaving Melbourne. Previous iterations have included Israel, India, China and Lebanon, but right now they’re transporting diners to the streets of Colombia with current menu highlights including smoked duck ajiaco, corn broth and plantain, grilled Arepa with black garlic, cheese and chicken skin and a moreish peach tres leches for dessert.

133 Commercial Road, South Yarra

Vue de Monde 

Situated on the 55th storey of the Rialto building, modern Australian degustations at Vue de Monde are accompanied by views of the glittering cityscape. What’s on the plate is just as stunning, a progression of delicate, mind-bending bites that toe the line between food and art. Leather-clad tables and fur-lined chairs add to the drama of the experience, while an eye-watering wine list showcases some of the finest drops from around the world.
 
Rialto Towers, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne

Matilda 159 Domain 

Of all the restaurants in chef Scott Pickett’s portfolio, Matilda 159 Domain is lauded his crowning glory. Woodfire, charcoal and smoke are used to tease intense yet finely tuned flavours out of produce, with distinct native nods. Occupying the ground floor of a splashy boutique hotel, the fitout is equally plush – think barrelled ochre ceilings, blackwood tables and soft leather banquettes.
 
159 Domain Road, South Yarra

Flower Drum

The name Flower Drum is synonymous with Melbourne hospitality – the 45 year old Cantonese institution even has its own Wikipedia page. Around a sumptuous grand dining room weave experienced waiters who greet their regulars (politicians, high profile chefs and celebrities among them) like old friends. Signature dishes such as the deftly carved peking duck, mud crab xiao long bao and quail sang choi bao are mainstays decade after decade, as is the wallet-busting premium live seafood cooked to world-class perfection.
 
17 Market Lane, Melbourne

Gaea 

Mo Zhou’s 16 seat, degustation only restaurant is one of the most intriguing places to eat in Melbourne. With time at Attica and Vue de Monde on his resume, Zhou is well-equipped to explore creative cooking. At Gaea you’ll find a fridge packed with fermenting vegetables he’s foraged himself, an eclectic drinks list and a menu that changes frequently according to his whims. Those unafraid of the novel will be delighted by his imaginative flavour and textural combinations, with dishes guaranteed to have you deep in thought at the dinner table.
 
1/166 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Attica 

Ben Shewry’s groundbreaking fine diner Attica regularly features in world’s best lists. It is acclaimed for its wildly imaginative dishes, thoughtful use of native ingredients and impeccably warm service. Drawing on personal memories and a sense of place, there’s a story behind every dish – expressed in a way that’s meaningful but never pretentious. The intimate restaurant is tucked away in quiet Ripponlea, and is a bucket list dining destination for food lovers the country and world over.
 
74 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea

Amaru 

Run by another Vue de Monde alum, two-hatted restaurant Amaru is a study in culinary creativity. Unbound by geography and genre, Clinton McIver and his kitchen chase exciting flavours and textures in their degustation-only menu. The sleek, intimate fitout is thoughtful on multiple counts –elegant enough to befit its upmarket Armadale neighbourhood, but simple enough to let the sophisticated dishes sing for themselves.
 
1121 High Street, Armadale

Kazuki’s

After making a name for themselves as the place to dine in picturesque Daylesford, husband and wife team Saori and Kazuki Tsuya made the move back to Melbourne in late 2018. They’ve brought with them the refined cooking that made them a destination in their original home, with Euro-Japanese dishes combining flavours from ingredients such as ponzu, kombu and matcha with French techniques. Kazuki’s dining room invites with zen-filled comfort, a fitting backdrop for degustation dining paired with sakes and special occasion wines.
 
121 Lygon Street, Carlton

Di Stasio Citta

Some might balk at the idea of paying over $40 for a plate of pasta, but anyone who’s eaten at Di Stasio Citta knows that you’re not just paying for ordinary food, but an entire experience. Guests come for the slippery prawn linguine and pillowy semolina gnocchi, but stay for the big-hitting wine list, personality-driven service and high art meets brutalist decor. Located strategically on Spring Street, it’s become a fast favourite for long, boozy business lunches and after work mischief.
 
45 Spring Street, Melbourne

Navi

Located in the trendy suburb of Yarraville is one of Melbourne’s most exciting and innovative restaurants. Serving a degustation menu to only 25 guests a night has given chef-owner Julian Hills space to flex his creative muscles. The results speaking for themselves – weekends are usually booked out months in advance. Adventurous diners are bound to love the genre-bouncing playlist and novel drinks list at Navi (think saltbush negroni) before they even get to the food, which includes adventurous bites.

83b Gamon Street, Yarraville

Minamishima 

When it comes to high-end sushi, there’s nowhere in Australia offering an experience as refined as this luxe diner tucked away on a quiet Richmond street. At Minamishima they only serve omakase, a daily changing procession of deftly sliced, shaped, torched and brushed nigiri presented piece by piece. The knife skills of sushi master Koichi Minamishima have been honed for over 30 years, resulting in an ability to create tastes and textures in sushi you’re unlikely to quickly forget.
 
4 Lord Street, Richmond

IDES

Run by a former Attica chef, this special occasion fine diner is known for its thrillingly original modern Australian food. Seating just 36, IDES's menu evolves constantly with the seasons and is full of novel ingredients and combinations. The risks pay off, with every dish perfectly marrying flavour, technique and artful plating, while their iconic ‘black box’ dessert is a bucket list Melbourne dish.
 
92 Smith Street, Collingwood

Ishizuka

Acclaimed chef Tomotaka Ishizuka’s ultra exclusive, hidden basement restaurant embodies the ultra-seasonal ‘kaiseki’ style of Japanese dining. Seating just 16 guests, everyone is served an 11-dish tasting menu displaying luxe ingredients, exceptional technique, and wow-inducing plating. Complex yet restrained Ishizuka's dishes are a masterclass in Japanese perfectionism, changing day by day in accordance with the freshest produce on offer.
 
139 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Maha

Powerhouse chef Shane Delia’s flagship venue is Melbourne’s premium destination for Middle Eastern fine dining. A set menu only restaurant, Maha offers a nonstop procession (seriously, there’s anywhere from 12-17 courses) of finely tuned, contemporary takes on the region’s cuisine. The $150 tasting menu includes primo dishes like Grilled Fremantle octopus, fava, tomatoes, saffron and broad beans and slow roasted lamb shoulder, za’atar spiced jus & toasted pine nuts. 

21 Bond Street, Melbourne

Matteo’s

Arguably Fitzroy North’s fanciest eatery, Matteo’s serves up high class modern Australian cuisine with a distinctly Asian flair. The tablecloths are always freshly starched, the chandeliers dripping with crystals and the service impeccable – this is just the place to take someone you want to impress. Proof that Brunswick Street can indeed do glamorous.

533 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy North

After splashing out on the best fine dining in Melbourne you might want to restore your budget with these Melbourne cheap eats that deliver stellar taste return for your dollar. Alternatively, set up your own alfresco feast at one of these gorgeous picnic spots or bring the party home with some of our favourite takeaway.