Melbourne Restaurants

Q: What are the best restaurants in Melbourne for a special occasion?

Celebrate special occasions at the best restaurants in Melbourne. Our customers recommend Grazia Restaurant , Stamford Park Homestead and Hochi Mama CBD

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Check out diners' favourite restaurants in Melbourne

Updated on 5/1/2025

Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.

Borsch, Vodka and Tears is a Melbourne institution currently celebrating 20 years at the colourful end of Chapel Street. Styled after a Kraków cellar bar, Borsch is a romantic Bohemian enclave, the home of the Green Faery, an ode to a hazy and debauched bygone world. We specialise in Polish vodka, vodka-centric interpretations of classic and modern cocktails, authentic wormwood absinthe, Eastern European beers, contemporary Polish dishes and late night fun times.

Shelanous

Price: Very Expensive

Born from a Melbourne sunset, our pop-up restaurant, Shelanous, evolved into a multi-sensory journey, blending Melbourne’s seasons into each dish. As we transitioned to “Shelanous”, we retained the essence of sharing, embodied in “nous,” meaning “our” or “us” in Hebrew and French.

V Wine Salon is the epitome of the French wine bar experience.
Located in a beautiful heritage-listed building in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, cosy seats, high ceilings and modern decor reminiscent of Paris-by-night are paired with friendly, knowledgeable and professional service.
Co-founder and director Vianney Establet was born in prime Bordeaux terroir with wine in his veins, coming from a family of winemakers going back five generations, and honed his craft as a sommelier for over a decade in some of the finest restaurants and private members clubs around the world.
We pride ourselves on our eclectic boutique wine list (awarded two glasses by Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards), craft beers, cocktails and an impressive selection of gourmet cheeses and other French nibbles (see menu) making V the perfect venue for catching up with friends, dates, and after-work drinks. Wine to take home is also available from our retail boutique.
Book now for a fantastic experience!

The North Port Hotel is a place for locals and visitors alike, you may choose to head to the front bar for a cold beer or glass of wine and watch the footy, or take a seat in the dining area and order from our ever changing menu, with all the classics you know and love, as well as a great selection of bar snacks and starters, main meals using quality seasonal produce and desserts.

National Awards for Excellence Vietnamese Restaurant 2024 & 2022 by Restaurant & Catering Association, A Gold & Silver medal for Restaurants Challenge 2024 & 2023 by Australian Culinary Federation.
Founded in 2017, QT' Kitchen has quickly become an institution in Glen Iris, Ashburton, Camberwell and surrounding suburbs of Melbourne.
The team hopes to please every customer with superb front of house service, a creative, delicious menu and a bustling ambience that is warm & welcoming. Functions are held regularly in the 90 seat space where family and friends come together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, school friendships and much more.
Bookings are recommended although apart from our busiest times on Friday & Saturday night you can generally find a table in our spacious venue.
We can't wait to serve you.

Holy Basil in Croydon Victoria has a very simple vision, to bring wholesome, delicious and exciting food to the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Our dream at Holy Basil was to create an exciting diner in the Eastern suburbs where people can relax, come together, have fun and enjoy proper homemade food in a very inclusive environment.
We are proud to deliver 100% vegan and Vegetarian options at Holy Basil, use free-range eggs and source only sustainably caught seafood as well as a range of other exciting meals with 95% of the menu being gluten free.
At Holy Basil we make our own curry pastes, sauces, desserts, chilli jam, and roti.
We happily use gluten free soy and 100% pure fish sauce.
We greatly appreciate your support in choosing to dine at Holy Basil.
Chefs Duncan Robertson and Julia Robertson look forward to seeing you.

Bottarga Brighton

Top-rated hospitality

Step into a space where each dish is a meticulously crafted masterpiece, showcasing the best in culinary excellence. Our menu is a unique fusion of the finest global ingredients, reimagining traditional flavors with a modern Italian twist and a hint of Asian influence. Delight in this unforgettable culinary journey with either a 2- or 3-course menu or our full tasting experience at $160 per person.
With just 18 seats in front of our fully open kitchen, Bottarga offers a rare, intimate dining experience where you can witness the magic unfold. We are proud to be Brighton’s only one-hatted restaurant, recognized by The Age Good Food Guide, awarded two glasses in the Australian Wine List of the Year Awards, and celebrated by Wine Spectator.

Kushiro Fusion Cuisine

Kushiro - Melbourne
Nestled in a 100-year-old heritage building in Fitzroy, Kushiro blends historic charm with modern culinary artistry. Inspired by Melbourne's vibrant laneway dining and street art culture, the restaurant features a beautiful bar, Japanese-inspired lamps, chandeliers, and a striking graffiti wall depicting a fishing village in Hokkaido.
Kushiro's menu combines traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary flavors, offering standout dishes like Scampi Tartare, Cured Salmon, Chef Po’s Char Siu, Slow Roasted Short Rib, Confit Duck, and Tofu Panna Cotta. Patrons can also enjoy Kushiro's exclusive brand of sake, crafted in Japan.
Kushiro enriches Melbourne's diverse culinary scene with its unique offerings and vibrant atmosphere.

Bluestone American BBQ

Bluestone American BBQ features a Latin American spin on authentic low and slow traditions from the US BBQ belt. Chef Alvaro Malel draws inspiration from his Uruguayan heritage, and his passion for cuisines from both American continents to reimagine smoked classics like Yearling Beef Short Rib with chimichurri, and Pit-Braised Pulled Lamb with salsa criolla and arepas.
His talent for bringing together the best of North and South American food traditions has been a drawcard for diners across Melbourne since the restaurant opened seven years ago. He credits the success of Bluestone to his Uruguayan culture and heritage, which is all about “food, family and fire…BBQ is a feature of all my best memories. There’s no better way to celebrate milestones, or to just kick back and have fun with the people you love. Bluestone has always been about creating that experience for other people.”

”There’s something magical about Goldy’s! Maybe it’s how the sun streaks through the front windows and bathes the pool table in light that makes the silver balls sparkle, or maybe how if you look closely at your beer you realise the bubbles are dancing in pairs to the surface, or it could simply be how everyone’s favourite song seems to be playing when they walk in. You can’t quite place where the magic comes from, but if you sit at the orange bar long enough and listen to the laughter and stories being shared around, you realise, with the right type of eyes, that the magic comes from the shared love of everyone within. This is a pub where your new best friend sits waiting, this is the pub where long lasting friendships are forged. This is Goldy’s!, and it’s magical.”
Matthew O’Brien, local legend

Bar Rosella

Price: Very Expensive

An Italian restaurant and wine bar with a Puglian accent.
Located in the heart of Fitzroy, in one of the most beautiful streets in the world: Gertrude Street.
Serving Food, Wine and Stories
𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘶𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘢, 𝘛𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦..

Located in the backstreets of Fitzroy, Melbourne. The Standard Hotel brings you the best pub food, wines & cold beers that Fitzroy has to offer.
Reservations:
-The maximum booking size is 20 people. If you would like a larger booking, please give us a call or e-mail to discuss. (03) 9419 4793 or bookings@thestandardhotel.com.au
-If you wish to make a booking on the same day, please give us a call and we will see if we can fit you in. We don’t accept same-day online bookings.
-Please note, we don’t take bookings outside after 5 pm Monday-Friday and after 3 pm Saturday, Sunday.
-We will not accommodate Bucks/Hens parties or Pub Crawls.

Grandview Hotel

Great budget-friendly spot

The Grandview Hotel, located in Brunswick West, is a charming heritage pub built in 1889. It seamlessly blends classic architectural beauty with modern amenities. Offering a variety of indoor and outdoor seating, the hotel provides a cozy environment for casual drinks or dining. The menu features classic pub fare and seasonal specials, sourced from local suppliers, with options for all dietary needs. Paired with a well-curated selection of craft beers, wines, and spirits, it’s a perfect spot for a relaxing escape amidst Melbourne’s bustling city life.

Moonee Ponds Local Chook is a favourite among locals for its imaginative/fusion take on Vietnamese cuisine, served in a modern restaurant.
For starters, the Bao Buns are sensational selections. Some of Local Chook’s specialty/popular dishes include the Red Chicken Curry and Twice cooked scotch fillet in plum sauce, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free dishes.

Modern trattoria in the heart of Armadale serving modern home style Italian with unique and playful touches of personal heritage.
All produce is sourced from the market and local farms.
We cook with soul and integrity and instinct, menus are created on a whim with whatever we feel is the best produce of the season.
$75pp Set Menu only
Please specify dietaries upon booking
BYO available at $25 per bottle

See what locals rave about in Melbourne

From verified diners like you

D
Donna
Victoria •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Seamless experience from online booking and communication, service and food and well priced . Could not recommend more highly
More info
Secret Kitchen - Chinatown - Melbourne CBDPrice: Expensive• Asian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.4
S
Suzy
London •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Delicious food and feed me menu was good value. Very friendly and attentive service. Very noisy, so not the place for quiet conversation. Can't wait to go again!
More info
Hochi Mama CBDPrice: Moderate• Asian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.6
A
Allen
Malaysia •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on 20 Dec 2024
Continues the long standing high level of friendly and helpful service, great food and extensive wine list. My favourite restaurant in Mewlbourne.
More info
Cecconi's Flinders LanePrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.8

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Private Dining

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Frequently asked questions

Celebrate special occasion at the best restaurants in Melbourne. Our customers recommend Grazia Restaurant, Stamford Park Homestead and Hochi Mama CBD

As of 11 Jan 2025 there are 809 restaurants in Melbourne. Filter by ‘outdoor dining’, ‘romantic’ or ‘dog friendly’.

On OpenTable we support all cuisines. Find Italian, Australian, Asian, Modern Australian, Pub and more. Use our filters to find exactly what you’re looking for and make your booking today.

Yes! We partner with restaurants in Melbourne who deliver with Deliveroo, Uber Eats.

Yes, you can also see restaurants near you offering takeaway.

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