The Best Restaurant in Melbourne, Victoria

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Melbourne has fabulous food, and is known in some circles as Australia's food capital. The restaurants themselves are often exceptionally stylish and elegant—or totally edgy and funky in their own individual way. Some are even deliberately grungy. The dining scene is a vast array of cuisines and experiences that's constantly evolving. The swankiest (and most expensive) restaurants all have five- to eight-course degustation menus (with the opportunity to wine-match each course), but newer restaurants are opting for tapas-style or grazing plates. Flexibility is the new word in dining—restaurants are often also funky bars and vice versa.

Reine & La Rue

$$$ | City Center Fodor's Choice
The former Melbourne Stock Exchange provides a dramatic backdrop for this superstylish restaurant, which melds French cookery and Australian produce. Beneath vaulted ceilings, taste the grilled tiger prawns from pristine Skull Island in Gippsland, a duck neck sausage cassoulet, or a dry-aged rib eye from the grill. It's complemented with a wine list from Australian heroes, as well as France and a strong American showing. Reine's little sister, La Rue, is an eight-seat wine bar, ideal for snacks and a glass of something special. Walk-ins are welcome for the wine bar (open Tuesday–Saturday).