Anchovy

Restaurant · Vietnamese · $$$$$ · richmond

Thi Le and Jia-Yen Lee’s dynamic diner is where you’ll find modern spins on deep cuts and rarities from Vietnam’s regional cuisines. The team’s current focus is noodles, snacks and single-origin fish sauce.

338 Bridge Road

Rita’s Abbotsford

Restaurant · Italian · $$$$$ · abbotsford

A rustic Italian spot serving hefty, semolina-crusted pizzas among the city's very best. Play it straight with Napoletana or dial up the salt with pancetta, anchovy, capers and garlic.

239 Johnston Street

Taverna

Restaurant · Greek · $$$$$ · brunswick east

Athenian tavernas are the inspiration for this buzzy restaurant by hospo veterans Angie Giannakodakis and Guy Holder, who last ran Epocha. Take a seat for slow-cooked lamb shoulder, creamy fava dip, moussaka and flaky bougatsa.

434 Lygon Street

Mamasita

Restaurant · Mexican · $$$$$ · melbourne

There were Mexican restaurants before Mamasita, but it was the first one to bring a faithful representation to Melbourne. The “hot babe” has been around since 2010, but its grilled corn and flavoursome tacos still attract queues.

11 Collins Street

Marion Wine Bar

Bar · $$$$$ · fitzroy

Pick a bunch of shared dishes from the day’s menu on the wall. Order some wine with help from the switched-on staff. The format’s simple, but as we’ve come to expect from Andrew McConnell’s restaurants, everything is just right.

53 Gertrude Street

Julie

Restaurant · $$$$$ · abbotsford

An idyllic restaurant with its own kitchen garden, perfect for long lunches amid the backdrop of the Abbotsford Convent’s well-maintained grounds. Expect uncomplicated fare such as handmade pasta and roast chicken.

1 St Heliers Street

Dua

Cafe · Filipino · $$$$$ · collingwood

Raya’s Raymond Tan is behind this innovative “Scandinasian” bakery. Head in for snacky breakfast plates, Japanese and Filipino breads paired with marzipan and other classic Scandi fillings, and other fun fusions.

35 Johnston Street

Muli

Restaurant · Seafood · $$$$$ · carlton

Seafood comes first at this family-run 12-seat restaurant. Its fishmonger owners once ran a popular seafood stall at Footscray Market. Come for buttery lobster rolls with salmon roe, and blue swimmer crab marinated in gochujang.

184A Rathdowne Street

Dodee Paidang Little Collins Street

Restaurant · Thai · $$$$$ · melbourne

Descend to the sprawling and busy basement for a menu that honours classic Thai food including pad thai, whole fish soup, seafood platters, papaya salads and plates of barbequed meat.

353 Little Collins

Harriot

Restaurant · European · $$$$$ · melbourne

Unlike its sibling Tipo 00, Harriot leans more towards France than Italy – courtesy of head chef James Kelly, who's cooked throughout Europe. Come for classical cooking starring Victorian produce and a lengthy wine list

555 Collins Street

Bar Spontana

Bar · Thai · $$$$$ · brunswick

This backstreet bar focuses on wild-fermented drinks like saisons, organic lagers, sakes, mezcals and rums. Get them alongside Thai dishes like house-fermented sausage, fried-banana-blossom salad and charcoal-grilled skewers.

4 Saxon Street

Maison Batard

Restaurant · French · $$$$$ · melbourne

This sprawling four-level dining destination is where you’ll find a supper club, terrace bar and silver service French restaurant offering lighter takes on French bistro classics.

19-23 Bourke Street

Smith & Daughters

Restaurant · Deli · $$$$$ · collingwood

Fire reigns supreme at the second iteration of Shannon Martinez’ pioneering vegan diner. Choose from Mediterranean-inspired dishes and booze à la carte, or grab a seat at the intimate chef’s table and let the experts choose.

107 Cambridge Street

Manze

Restaurant · Mauritian · $$$$$ · north melbourne

This intimate wine bar and diner is helping to put Mauritian food on Melbourne’s culinary map. Try quintessential Mauritian dishes (which go hard on okra, pickled produce and seafood) with curated natural wines.

2/1-5 Errol Street

Market Lane Coffee Prahran Market

Cafe · $$$$$ · prahran

Meet the flagship of one of Melbourne’s top coffee roasters, where education is key. Order its excellent coffee, pastries by Baker Bleu and sangas made with market-fresh produce.

163 Commercial Road

Caretaker’s Cottage

Bar · $$$$$ · melbourne

Squeeze into this tiny, 100-year-old caretaker’s quarters for what may be Victoria’s smallest pub. Behind Tassie oak bar you’ll find Guinness on tap, a short cocktail list and British pub snacks to keep you mint.

139-141 Little Lonsdale Street

Zareh

Restaurant · Middle Eastern · $$$$$ · collingwood

After years of hype, pop-ups and a cult hummus range, Tom Sarafian's debut restaurant has arrived. And this deeply personal tribute to his family’s Armenian and Lebanese heritage – and food – doesn’t disappoint.

368 Smith Street

Stokehouse

Restaurant · $$$$$ · st kilda

Seafood and stunning ocean views – it's no surprise this is such an institution. It's been the final word in St Kilda fine dining since it opened in 1989.

30 Jacka Boulevard