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.

Market Lane Coffee

$ | City Center Fodor's Choice

To find out just how seriously Melbourne takes its coffee, visit this small-batch, specialty coffee roaster up "the Paris end" of Collins Street. Located in the stately Old Treasury Building, take a seat to enjoy the coffee, then shop the beans, cups, books, and coffee-brewing equipment. Aside from coffee, it also serves pastries and sandwiches. Find Market Lane Coffee's design-led outposts in several locations including Queen Victoria Markets, South Melbourne, and Prahran Market.