melbourne CBD
Restaurants
Sara Craft Ramen & BarRestaurantDelicate broths and two-week-aged noodles are the specialty here, with styles ranging from asari clam shoyu ramen to A5 Wagyu ramen.
ReineRestaurantGothic vaulted ceilings, stained windows and solid granite columns define this grand brasserie, in the former Melbourne Stock Exchange. Order freshly-shucked oysters from the raw bar, top-grade beef and cheese from the roving trolley.
Tim Ho WanRestaurantWith 20 locations spread across Asia and Australia, this Hong Kong dumpling chain must be doing something right.
AruRestaurantThis sultry sibling to Sunda is every bit as stellar. The menu effortlessly blends Southeast Asian flavours, native Australian ingredients and ancient techniques.
Ronin OmakaseRestaurantBook well in advance for this 10-seat omakase spot, which breaks all the right rules of Japanese cuisine. The nigiri-focused menu mixes in Italian and Malaysian flavours, and includes a rare omakase cocktail pairing.
Lee Ho FookRestaurantFrom the mind of acclaimed chef Victor Liong, this diner reimagines traditional Chinese flavours through a refined modern lens. Look for it down a graffiti-covered alley off Flinders Lane.
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Cafes
Ondo CityCafeThis casual Korean eatery serves up hard-to-find dishes like yukhoe bibimbap and mandu-guk. The menu runs the full gamut of flavours and textures, from fermented and fiery to crisp, cool and refreshing.
KoiCafeA Masterchef alum (and his family) is behind this popular dessert spot. Find more than 150 desserts – including cakes in flavours like pandan, coconut, mango and almond. Grab a seat by the kitchen and watch the team at work.
Hareruya Pantry CBDCafeHareruya is Japanese for “sunny shop”. Here, follow the billowing, traditional Japanese noren curtain inside for takeaway bento boxes, bouncy steamed buns, egg salad sandos and experimental gelato flavours.
Square One RialtoCafeThe ambitious cafe – by the hospo heavyweight behind Dessous, Hazel and Liminal – features a menu from 10 star chefs. Find cumin-lamb pancakes with chilli oil, a Portuguese pork sanga and an ube waffle with whipped Pepe Saya butter.
GretaCafeStop by this inviting sandwich and wine bar for Axil coffee and Penny for Pound pastries, or linger with a Martini made with Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin. Plus, dishes like breakfast pasta and crackling-coated porchetta rolls.
Tom ThumbCafeA petit Flinders Lane espresso bar from two old hands.
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Bars
DessousBarLively cocktails and refined snacks are on the cards at this dark and daring basement bar. But it’s really the wine list you come here for – it’s an adventure in unfamiliar regions and varietals, and focuses on biodynamic and sustainable drops.
Section 8BarNot only is this outdoor shipping-container bar one of Melbourne's most iconic and enduring drinking destinations – it's also been one of the city's most reliable places for a boogie since 2006. Veteran DJs spin here regularly, favouring hip-hop, funk, soul, reggae and more.
ArlechinBarWhether it’s bolognaise jaffles, midnight spaghetti, or tiramisu, the Grossi family’s revived bar will keep you eating (and drinking) in style, post midnight. Don’t miss the cocktail that puts puttanesca in a glass.
The Carlton ClubBarAn eccentric bar, eatery and rooftop that attracts all sorts.
Purple PitBarHead to this subterranean basement bar for cocktails by one of Melbourne’s best bartenders, and snacks that let the drinks shine. We’re fans of the Big Mac-inspired calzone served with pickles, lettuce and onions.
Music RoomBarHer's first-floor bar is dedicated to vinyl, premium spirits and sparkling wines. Inspired by Japanese and European record bars, it's where you'll hear DJ-curated soundtracks nightly, from the 3000-strong vinyl collection.
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Shops
Mecca CosmeticaShopOne stop luxury shop for makeup, skincare, haircare, body and fragrance.
ReinaShopSift through archival Prada, Miu Miu, and McQueen in this light-filled sanctuary of pre-loved designer garments. It’s all expertly curated by a Melbourne-born graduate of New York’s Parsons School of Design.
American Doughnut Kitchen MelbourneShopMelbourne’s first ever doughnut outlet.
Distal PhalanxShopExperimental clothing for the party crowd.
Kori Ice-Cream CBDShopCup, cone or tub from the vending machine? You can have it all at Kori, a Japanese-inspired ice-creamery by ex-Tonka and Luxbite pastry chefs. Scoop up flavours like Hokkaido cheesecake, white-sesame, tofu-vanilla and more.
Kariton Sorbetes ChinatownShopFind Filipino flavours at this playful dessert spot in Chinatown. Its menu is projected onto the curved, sky-blue ceiling. And it has flavours like ube (purple yam), mango float and champorado (rice pudding) – in scoops, tubs or pillowy bread buns.
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cbd Guides
What’s Open in Melbourne on Labour Day 2024
Here’s where to eat and drink on Monday.
Best Beer Bars in Melbourne
Gotta love a cold pint.
The Best Pizza in Melbourne
Visit a three-storey Italian spot with woodfired pies. An industrial spot with Chicago's deep-dish pizzas. And another voted one of Oceania's best.
Most Beautiful Cafes in Melbourne
The standout interiors in a city overflowing with stunning cafes.
Best Tacos in Melbourne
No knives and forks required.
Best Vegan Cafes in Melbourne
Where to find animal-free food in the morning.
