We all know one of Melbourne’s many draw cards is the huge selection of bars, restaurants, accessible fresh food and coffee to choose from on any given day or night. Read on for some of the best restaurants and best cheap eats in Melbourne CBD.
These restaurants are only the tip of the iceberg for groups and all ages in the Melbourne CBD or inner city suburbs. New eateries continue to pop up left right and center in Melbourne, offering dining experiences and a creative spin on your everyday dishes.
20. Lello
I had dinner at Lello as a group of 4 in early 2020 and wasn’t disappointed. There was a delicious selection of modern Italian dishes and the friendly service was also fast, even though the place was super busy on a Saturday night.
Entering the restaurant, the light and engaging atmosphere and welcome service set this restaurant above some of the more pretentious high end eats in Melbourne. Bookings are recommended on Friday and Saturdays.
19. Grossi Florentino
Grossi Florentino is one of Melbourne’s iconic restaurants, near the centre of Melbourne CBD, Florentino opened in 1928. The Grossi family took over in 1999 and the restaurant changed its name to Grossi Florentino.
I love the specialty menu, which includes $10 sides to $40 mains, and the food quality and service are always well worth the visit.
18. Chin Chin
Chin Chin is the kind of place that has a reputation for incredible food, one of the most popular places to eat in Melbourne and difficult to book a table.
Bookings from 10 to 14 guests are available with allocated seating times, and groups smaller than 10 can be seated without a prior booking.
As there are often long lines curving out the door and down the street, it is best to pick your times to visit Chin Chin and try your luck. Early in the week is best.
Popular menu items include:
Stir fried rice and rice noodle dishes
Fried Squid
Chilli Coconut Prawns
Curries
BBQ Salmon
Stir Fired Greens
17. Hawker Hall
Hawker Hall is located on Chapel street, Windsor. The Singapore and Malaysian inspired food hall is part of the LUCAS restaurants owned by Chris Lucas, along with Chin Chin, Baby, Kisume, Kong and Go Go Bar.
I love Hawker Hall which takes bookings, but even without a booking you’re also able to rock up at pre-dinner and grab a table. There is a casual and friendly atmosphere at Hawker Hall. The food is incredible and the beers carefully selected by the bar staff.
16. Misuzus
When looking for a Japanese restaurant in Melbourne, look no further than Misuzu’s in Albert Park, the Japanese cuisine with a lunch take out bar in Albert Park, Inner Melbourne Bayside.
Personal picks are the Agadashi Tofu, Tuna Croquettes, Crumbed fish and the Okonomiyaki (Vegetable pancake) with tonkatsu sauce and Japanese mayonnaise.
Misuzus consistently serve high quality food at reasonable prices with a friendly and high level of service, making this restaurant of the the best places to eat in Melbourne, south of the Yarra river.
15. Mr Miyagi
Modern Japanese food, cocktails, Saki and whiskeys located in Chapel street, Windsor. Mr Miyagi take group bookings of over 6, but it is also possible to turn up and reserve a at table if busy, while popping to a nearby bar for a drink.
The interesting and extremely delicious modern style food and warm service, is ideal for date nights or group catch ups.
14. Supernormal
Supernormal is a contemporary Asian restaurant is set in a laneway in Melbourne CBD. Meals are plant based, raw, gluten free as well as fresh seafood. Supernormal has exceptional service, even in very busy times.
13. Max On Hardware
Max On Hardware is a modern Australian restaurant in Hardware Lane. This restaurant has top quality traditional Itaian meals, and friendly service. The prices are also very reasonable and with the option to be seated outside in Hardware Lane, dining at Max On Hardware almost feels like you’re in Italy.
12. Red Pepper
One of my top 3 Indian restaurants in Melbourne CBD, is Red Pepper.
Red Pepper is located at the top end of Bourke street in Melbourne CBD. When I stumbled upon this delicious Indian restaurant it was warm and inviting, with top quality service. One to add to your list of top Indian restaurants and best cheap eats in Melbourne CBD.
11. Osteria Ilaria
Osteria Ilaria is a Modern Italian restaurant situated in Little Bourke street, Melbourne CBD. This rustic restaurant has an Italian feel, with menu items such as baby red snapper, spanner crab, smoked trout roe or paccheri pasta and crystal bay prawns.
Osteria Ilaria is a high end Italian restaurant recommended for its exquisite and creative flair.
10. Van Mai
Van Mai is a restaurant to keep in mind when walking the length of Victoria street, Richmond. Without knowing where to begin between the many Asian restaurants to choose from, Van Mai is delicious and fresh and a great starting point.
Known for their lovely service, this popular restaurant is clean and in a central location in the long line of Vietnamese and other Asian restaurants and groceries on this strip in Richmond. Van Mai is one of the best cheap eats in Melbourne CBD.
Top menu include:
Rice paper rolls
Curry Puffs
Chicken wings
Sizzling Beef and Chicken
Dumplings
9. Shop Ramen
Shop Ramen is located in the inner north in Fitzroy, on Smith street near the corner of Johnson street is the popular Shop Ramen. This menu of ramen noodle soups are all well priced, and are paired with a fun drinks menu including ciders, sake and local beer and wine. This is the ideal restaurant for a delicious feed. The service is friendly and fast.
8. Northcote Social Club
The Northcote Social club was previously my local, in High street Northcote, north of Melbourne CBD. A celebrated live music venue for touring bands,with a covered deck out the back of the pub which has a separate bar and friendly service.
The best pub meal my partner and I have come across in inner Melbourne, and should be added to the top lists of restaurants in Northcote for the food alone.
If you’re looking for the best burger at one of the Best Restaurants Melbourne has in 2024, the Northcote Social Club will have you sorted.
All the usual pub meals are here, parma’s, pies, chips, salad and specials. All food comes fast and is of the highest quality and size at a very reasonable price. Get in early in summer or on weekends.
7. Cookie
Word of mouth spread pretty fast when Cookie opened, as one of the best restaurants Melbourne has to offer, when diners began to experience the delicious food and drinks options at this Thai restaurant and beer hall.
Some of the top menu items include:
Shrimp rice croquettes
Pickled cucumber
Ginger & crispy fish
Bamboo & dried shrimp dumplings
Chilli soy 16 tapioca dumplings
One not to skip past if you’re visiting inner Melbourne. Best times are weekdays during the day and evening. Note the adjoining bar becomes extremely busy on weekends.
6. Melissa Cakes
Melissa Cakes has the best takeaway spanikopita (spinach and cheese pie). An authentic Greek franchise in Melbourne, no fuss bakery with hot homemade pizza slices and spanakopita. Dash in to pick up a fresh slice with a takeaway coffee on a weekday between errands and you won’t be disappointed.
5. Tao Dumplings
Tao Dumplings is situated in various locations, in Camberwell, South Yarra and Northcote.
This is a dumpling house with all the extras, located conveniently near the Rivoli cinemas in Camberwell, for a bite to eat before or after a film.
The service is warm and friendly and the menu includes top quality Chinese dishes at very competitive price. Exceptional service, and clean restaurants.
Menu includes but not limited to:
Peking Duck
San Choy Bow
Wantons
Dumplings
Crispy Chicken
Salt and Pepper Squid
Stir Fried Beef
Variety of Rice and Noodle dishes
4. Tiamo
Located in Lygon street Carlton, Tiamo is known as Lygon streets original, authentic Italian restaurant. A realxed dining experience for bsy groups or catch ups.
Some faves are the mushroom filled pasta or the ham and cheese pizza, at this best cheap eats restaurant near Melbourne CBD.
If you are unable to get a table, you have the option of leaving your number and they’ll call when they have a table available. The food quality here is consistent, with fast service and large serves.
3. The Corner Hotel
The Corner Hotel is another iconic pub serving delicious and very decent sized pub meals in Richmond. Dining is upstairs from the Corner Hotel band room, an outdoor/indoor deck consisting of 2 main bars with dining service in each section.
The Corner Hotel is ideal for a meal or drink before a concert or sporting event in the area, before a gig downstairs, or a Sunday drink at this the semi rooftop bar.
The pub style menu includes but not limited to:
Fried Calamari
Fried Chicken
Croquettes
Sliders
Pie of the day
Parmigianas
Fish and chips
Range of burgers Dessert menu and tea and coffee
2. Cicciolina
Locally known as one of the best St Kilda restaurants, Cicciolina is a popular Italian restaurant in the area.
The website states: “Food prices range from $5.00 to $45.00. Vegetarian and basic gluten free options available”.
Cicciolina began in 1993 and is a local staple of the St Kilda area. Authentic Italian cuisine and a simple approach right on Acland street.
There is also a small back bar where you’re able to order from a select menu and drinks. A top option if you’re waiting for a table in the restaurant. Cicciolina take bookings for lunch and early evening. After 6:30 there are no bookings, only a table if you’re lucky and it’s not too busy.
Cicciolina have one of the best wine lists of Melbourne, with more than 250 local and international wines to choose from.
Cicciolina is one of the best St Kilda restaurants, and worth the trip bayside to experience.
1. Pizza Meine Liebe
Pizza Meine Liebe is a legendary pizza restaurant in the centre of Northcote, Melbourne.
A relaxed atmosphere, serving wine in coffee glasses and delicious pizzas on thin bases. Friendly with a neighborhood style service.
Pizza’s are come in a variation STRAIGHT UP, THREE CHEEZE, RING OF FIRE, JETT, GREENPEACE, MADAME PIPI and SUPER HOT.
Small sized pizzas from $12 and $24 for a large.
Conclusion
Whether you are considering Uber Eats Melbourne, best cheap eats in Melbourne CBD, or an expensive night out, it is too difficult to list all the latest hot spots and delicious menus of the Melbourne dining cuisine.
These are some faves as well as some local popular places for a meal, to definitely add to your list when discovering Melbourne restaurants. Please take note of website details and booking requirements, as these tend to change over time.
