Melbourne, Australia, is a thriving hub of arts, sporting events, fascinating architecture and vibrant alleyways lined with diverse restaurants and cozy cafes. In this southern city, we take the coffee scene seriously, but we also have a knack for thinking outside the box and offering unique experiences that Melbourne residents and visitors will remember for years to come. I’m here. This list of must-see restaurants and bars in Melbourne is just the beginning of your delicious adventure.
Australia prides itself on being a multicultural nation, and that’s reflected in the following restaurants and bars that will make you want to come back for more than an experience or two.
1. Storyville
Who said adults should stop believing in fairy tales? There’s the Enchanted Forest Bar (upstairs) that will make you believe it was all real.is in in melbourne Central Business District Storyville describes it as “the ultimate theatrical cocktail experience.” There are plenty of events going on here, including Storytime His Wednesdays, which is the happy hour equivalent of $10 teapot cocktails, and his once-a-month painting class.
2. Easys
Located in a repurposed rail car on the roof of a five-story building in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood, Easey’s serves great burgers, beer and wine. Here at his one of the coolest restaurants in town, co-owner Jimmy Harleston made it his mission to travel the world in search of the best burgers and bring that influence back to town. Australia with him. It paid off, and in 2021 he won the title of Australia’s Best Burger with Dimsim and a creation featuring battered slices of French fries, better known to Australians as ‘potato cake’.
3. Madame Brussels
Named after a famous 19th-century brothel owner, Madame Brussels is a quirky cocktail bar inspired by Victorian-era garden parties. The white archway is decorated with flowers, and staff dressed in tennis wear offer a variety of creative cocktails at the rooftop venue.
Signature cocktails, including house-made sangria and spiced Bacardi rum, are known as “Parlamentary Maces.” It is named after the legendary Mace who disappeared from a government building in 1892. Rumor has it that this prized item ended up in his one of Madame’s establishments after a particularly raucous party attended by Madame’s employees and government officials. Mace’s whereabouts remain a mystery to this day.
4. Puffing Billy Railway
Every Melbournen has memories of this iconic steam train. Built in the early 1900s, it is now a scenic tourist attraction in the beautiful rainforest landscape of Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges.
The Purfling Billy Railway is about an hour’s drive from the city center and offers two dining experiences. In the first, enjoy a wine, beer, or soda platter while admiring the picturesque scenery and listening to the sounds of this historic train. The second is for those who want to get into the spirit of the times, don Roarings 20’s style and embark on an evening of murder mystery complete with a 3-course meal and theatrical entertainment.
5. Eau de Vie
Want to experience all the underground fun of the Roaring Twenties and Prohibition Era? Well, you can at this cocktail bar in the city. Not only will you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, but you can enter the secret whiskey room through a hidden door behind the bookshelves.
The drink menu covers 13 pages, so you should be able to find something you like, including non-alcoholic ones. In addition to a large selection of cocktails, they also offer tasting menus such as share plates and charcuterie. A degustation menu is French for a tasting menu.
6. Berlin Bar
If you’re tired of Melbourne, you can experience a completely different city, a different era. Their website reads “Welcome to the Cold War”. This bar is literally divided into two sections, one that reminds us of the East of the USSR and his other of capitalist West Berlin. The latter includes his three areas representing the riches of Berlin as it was known during the Cold War. It’s a 1950’s-60’s style secret bar. Then you can step beyond the wall and experience contemporary communist propaganda with a dark, no-nonsense aesthetic.
All of Berlin Bar’s cocktails are inspired by key figures of the era, including John F. Kennedy, Space Monkeys and Vladimir Komarov.
7. Mjolner
Viking! Imagine dark wood, animal skins, and bare bricks. This place takes you to another time and place. Inspired by historic Viking style and contemporary Scandinavian features, the limited menu evokes a rustic era. But it’s full of items to whet your taste buds.
Dishes include a carvery section featuring items such as “Grass-fed short ribs, celeriac remoulade, radishes” and “pan-fried barramundi fillet, cauliflower puree, golden raisin with charred butter sauce” It is included. We also offer his 3-course feast, ‘Worthy of Thor’.
8. Panda pot
It’s a hot pot experience like no other. Imagine what it feels like to travel back in time to ancient China. Because that’s what this restaurant is for. The interior is decorated with Chinese influences, wood motifs and symbols, all watched over by a larger-than-life dragon that lives at the top of the central staircase.
The venue is home to Melbourne’s favorite theater restaurant, and the Panda Hot Pot is the perfect place to entertain guests with traditional Chinese dance, music and a face-changing ‘Bian Liang’ show. There is also a panda show for families.
9. Attica
So far this list contains a lot of multicultural goodies, so if you’re wondering where Australian food is, this is it. But when I say Australian food, it’s a list of unique ingredients unique to Australia. This is different from the meals found in Australian homes. Multi-course tasting menus for $242 per person include items such as BBQ saltwater crocodile ribs and emu liver his toast. Reservations are required at this award-winning restaurant, as the menu changes frequently.
10. Tearooms 1892 aka Hopetoon
The stunning Block Arcade is worth a visit for its 19th-century architecture alone, but it’s also home to one of the city’s oldest cafés. Originally called the Hopetown Tea Room, it is still known by that name to most people.
The Tea Room will make you feel like you’ve stepped into another era. Featuring a photogenic cake display window, it’s the perfect spot for morning or afternoon tea. You can also enjoy High His tea while enjoying his tempting three-tiered menu of mini quiches, lemon tarts, chicken and walnut sandwiches, and scones with jam and cream.
If you don’t like waiting in line, we recommend going in the morning on weekdays.
