Melbourne

2 Best Restaurants in Melbourne, Victoria

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.

Rockpool Bar & Grill

$$$$ | City Center Fodor's Choice

Taking inspiration from the steak houses of North America, Rockpool is one of Australia's premier grill restaurants. Start with the whole king prawns hot from the wood-fire grill, and move onto a range of beef cuts that have been aged and butchered in-house, then cooked over fire. Expect deeply knowledgeable staff who can answer your questions on dry aging, Wagyu grades, or why they serve antibiotic-free beef. One of the city's best-kept secrets is the spectacular Wagyu burger on the bar menu. Pair it with one of Rockpool's excellent wines by the glass.

Wayside Inn

$$$ | South Melbourne

Another addition to the city's gastropubs, this fully renovated historic building is a pleasant walk from bustling Southbank. The menu concentrates on high-quality aged cuts of steak from rural Victoria and Tasmania (A$32–A$140), but the wood-fired pizza is also popular. There's an impressive local craft beer list, knowledgeable staff, and a comfortable beer garden that round out the awesome experience.

Melbourne

Melbourne

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