Festival. Don’t you just love that word? I always get excited whenever I hear it and I know you do too! So that’s why I am giving away a rather cool prize to celebrate a fabulous festival coming up within just over a month. The Melbourne Food And Wine Festival will be held on the 4th-14th of March, 2011 and features non other than Nigella Lawson, the domestic goddess herself! I know, how fabulous is that? Along with Nigella there is also Bompas & Parr (aka the jelly mongers, you can bet I’ll be there), Elena Arzak, Rachel Allen, Alla Wolf-Tasker, Stephanie Alexander, Maggie Beer, Paris Cutler, Alexa Johnston and Hisako Ogita. There are over 100 national and international chefs and over 250 events spread out over 11 days. There are even 50 events under $50!
Thanks to the Melbourne Food & Wine festival and HOST Plus Cook For Your Career we are giving away a package with two passes to the the festival’s Crawl N Bite event hosted at three of Melbourne’s hottest restaurants where you’ll sample a signature small plate with a cleverly matched drink. Plus you will also get a signed copy of MoVida chef Frank Camorra‘s cookbook “MoVida cookbook”! All you have to do is name your favourite Melbourne restaurant and why! Simply add your answer as a comment to the story. The competition ends at Midnight AEST Thursday 20th of February, 2010. You can enter this once daily and this competition is open anyone in Australia (although travel to the event is not included-sorry dahlings, I may have my P’s but I am not suitable for piloting planes! ).
***The winner is: Emma M. of Victoria!***
Lots of love,
Lorraine
xxx
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OMG OMG OMG NIGELLA!!!!!
ummmmmmm i have only been to melbourne once and ate at a gorgeous restaurant…but i have always wanted to eat at The Pantry.
Did i say OMG!!!!
i’m off to search Nigella and aus, is she coming to sydney????
Ohhhhh Please please choose me!!!
PLEASE!
Okay, sorry for the begging, now back to the question. What is my favourite Melbourne Restaurant?
I haven’t eaten very often in Melbourne as I am in Coffs Harbour so when we visited I was looking forward to going to the markets. I had read your review of all the food and that was top of my list.
So I don’t know if this qualifies but the variety of food and places to eat made this my best food experience.
I wish I could!
Gingerboy. Son-in-law eggs with the amazing chilli jam. Party in your mouth!
Last night I went to the cocktail night at Cafe Vue – 5 cocktails tracing the evolution of alcohol with 5 small courses and it was amazing – favourite dish was the confit duck with mash sweet potato and cherry gel – and the caramel ice cream on the caramelised brioche french toast was pretty spectacular too!
Flower Drum is my favourite because they do everything so well, it’s an institution!
HuTong Dumpling Bar. After reading an NQN review, we attended this restaurant. It ticks all the boxes: delicious melt-in-your-mouth dumplings, good drinks menu, relaxed-but-funky atmosphere and excellent service (even for small children).
The few times i went to Melbourne for work, we wanted to try Movida but it was always booked out, so when my hubbie and i planned a trip to Melbourne, i booked a table months in advance! it was worth the wait as the food was amazing! I still can remember the Cecina dish (Air Dried Wagyu with Poached Egg and Truffle Foam) which was devine. I told all my friends of this restaurant and this dish and so when they went they got to try this as well as their other amazing dishes as well. Would love to go back!
Yay for Melbourne! I think it’s only right that we dedicate a few days to a festival of food, and eating.
My favourite restaurant is our local Friends on the Hill, in Monbulk. The manager and his girls are the friendliest I’ve ever come across, and they make the best steak sandwich in Melbourne. They’re also very Little Girl friendly if you’re in the family way.
My favourite Melbourne Restaurant is France Soir in South Yarra. Classic French Bistro that is an institution in the City and makes you feel as though you spent the evening in France. A place to getaway to.
My favourite Melbourne restaurant would be the Court House in North Melbourne. Fantastic food, you can eat the dining room menu in the bar and best of all, it’s around the corner from where I used to live! (don’t live in Melbourne anymore, sadly)
Will you get to meet the “real” Nigella? I would love it if she gave you an interview!
Dining at The Press Club, celebrating my tenth wedding anniversary; beautiful meals, sumptuously and meticulously served in classic Greek traditional style – the ‘Kerasma’ menu took us through a divine five course degustation culinary journey – Mezedes, Orektika, Salates & Lathera, Kyrio and Glyka. It was a dinner to remember (and salivate)!
Thanks Lorraine for this opportunity!
Cheers
Cumulous Inc gorgeous tapasy bar snacks or divine main menu in one of the funkiest places to eat in Melbourne. It doesn’t put too much strain on your wallet either
My husband and I have been going to Movida for years (when visiting from Sydney) before it became hugely popular. Perhaps we recommended it to too many of our friends
For casual eating, I love Auction Rooms in North Melbourne. It has never let me down – and the coffee rocks too.
Hello, definitely my favorite restaurant would be the Lakehouse … Everything was superb … Every single morsel of food was a divine experience, the service was first class and dining outside on a lovely summer day was pure, enchanted magic.
I think that this would be a perfect excuse for another trip to Melbourne!! I just love the Spanish taps restaurant “Anada Bar and Restaurant” on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy.
Melbourne is without a doubt the food paradise of Australia
. There’s an abundance of multicultural food offerings around every corner of Melbourne – Greek, Italian, Chinese, Malaysian, Indian… you name it. No restaurant has impressed me more than the Peking duck experience at Quanjude restaurant. Watching the Master meticulously slice the crispy skin duck into very fine even slices is a sight to behold, not to mention the taste of pancakes with a slice of duck, cucumber, spring onions, Hoisin sauce, served with succulent duck soup on the side. The taste and texture explode in the mouth, simply heavenly! It’s really wonderful I don’t have to travel to China or Hong Kong to be able to taste this sumptuous meal fit for an emperor.
I would have to say the best meal I’ve had in Melbourne would be Gordon Ramsey’s Maze at Crown. Small meals give you a taste sensation without filling you up enabling you to enjoy everything on offer.
It was our wedding anniversary that my husband had to go to Melbourne for work. We had no chance of a dinner booking, no babysitter and on the tightest budget but my darling husband took toddler and I to movida for the biggest surprise dinner, complete with high chair at the bar. I could have cried. They were so very welcoming and we savored every last bite! Still our happiest Melbourne memory.
Cafe e Cucina – a Melbourne classic – love the homestyle cuisine in a beautiful rustic setting. And anyone that can get a 10 year old boy to each cannelini bean bruschetta and declare it delicious is a winner in my eyes.
Living in Sydney and not going down to Melbourne that often, I will say that the Terrace Restaurant at Flemington Racecourse offers a wonderful dining experience, via Peter Rowland Catering. What an amazing place to sit with uninterupped views of the track, have a television on your table, have a bet on the races, and enjoy the most marvelous three course luncheon of such high standard, following with afternoon high tea (like you really need it – NOT). They do an exceptional job there, the wait staff eager to please, and the food BRILLIANT!
Jacques Reymond. The most beautiful setting, amazing food, stunning service.
The last time I went, it was my birthday, I was very pregnant and began to feel faint after the main course. The staff ushered us out through the French doors, settled us onto a gorgeous outdoor table where it was much cooler, brought out our drinks and when I felt better, served us dessert and coffees (well, mint tea for me)out there too. No sense of drama or of it even being a problem. Lovely
Oakdene Vineyard, slightly on the outskirts from Melbourne, but it’s still the place to be for really edgy food experience in a quirky surrounding (ala Moulin Rouge). A chance encounter during my strawberry picking trip at Wallington turned into a memorable foodies dream of the highest quality. Oakdene’s menus combine the freshest local ingredients and impressive wine list from Bellarine Peninsula. My favourite meal has to be smoked duck breast served with tempura oysters and blood sausage in tangerine sauce (what a weird combination!). The friendly staff were spot on with their food and wine recommendations. The end result was an enjoyable meal that looked and tasted heavenly, served in a comfortable surrounding (filled with mannequins and antique chairs!), accentuated with beautiful garden view outside in a country setting. A bit left of centre I know but that’s what makes Melbourne tick as a unique place to eat out
Mine is Cafe e Cucina. It has outlasted so many of it’s peers with excellent understated service, consistently excellent food, and a finely balanced wine list. It epitomises classic, and stands as an example for restaurants who aim for a long term presence.And, it it is quintessentially Melbourne.
Flower Drum! The food is always gorgeous and it’s very well priced for the quality. I go to Melbourne for work fairly often and always make sure I stay in a hotel near Chinatown
Everyone who is in melbourne has to try HuTong Dumpling Bar.
There is one in China Town and on in South Yara. Go to the China town for the hand made Shao-long Bao. You can watch them make it in the window. Or to the South Yarra for magnificant Duck Pancakes. YUMMY YUMMY!
Oh what a fabulous way to visit my gorgeous Mum in Melbourne and take her on a “food crawl”…
And what a fabulous reason to eat at Movida Aqui again!
We’ll start with the jamon and reminisce about the time we spent at La Boqueria in Barcelona; then we will salivate over the smoked eel, and finally we will arrive at a delicious dessert via some amazing seafood and grilled quail…and perhaps there will be room for cheese…sigh!
I would have to say Libertine right now – because we went there last night. I’ve been once before too. You just can’t beat French food. I had tasty duck and a choc truffle thing for dessert. SO yummy – everything was perfect. Love it!
my regular haunt is actually Dumplings Plus…. not so much a fancy restaurant but they make their dumplings and noodles by hand while you wait… and its so cheap and delicious.
There are just so many restaurants to choose from, but I have to say that my current favourites are Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder, and Movida Next Door. Richmond Hill because I love their brunches, and their lunch food is so yum! Movida Next Door because it is so relaxing to sit there watching the kitchen prepare the yummy food on one side of you, whilst watching the ballet that is Flinders Street on the other side.
The best restaurant in Melbourne would have to be Los Amates. It is true Mexican food (none of this tex mex nonsense). I have never put anything in my mouth that tasted soooooooo good. I hope they have some good example of real Mexican food and the festival this year! yum
Movida – the atmosphere is fantastic and the food is unbeatable!
I actually love ‘yak’ bar and restaurant. The atmosphere is fabulous, and the tapas – mmmm. The staff aren’t afraid to make recommendations and I just love it whether for a date, taking my Mum out when she visits from Sydney, or a bunch of girlfriends getting together!
MOVIDA! Love the grungey laneway. Love the shared tapas> Divine flavours. To be savoured with fab friends and wine
No question, my favourite restaurant is MoMo. I love Greg Malouf’s take on Middle Eastern Food and have two of his books.
I haven’t yet been to MoVida, so that could be a favourite too.
What a great competition!
Cheers
Lisa
Vue de Monde – super original, innovative and deicious food that will knock your socks off; a hanging mirror that allows you to watch the intricate preparation; impeccable service; superb wine list; a selection of beautiful home-made bread rolls delivered regularly to the table and the best butter in the world – literally.
XXX
Absolute stand out in Mellieborne is Madame Sousou’s in Brunswick Street Fitzroy.
Its a French institution, located on an ultra hip corner of the street with beautiful, authentic and yet relaxed decor, cute round rattan Parisian style seats you can sit outside and watch Le Tout Monde passage by. Best of all the food ROCKS BIG TIME!
My favourite is brekkie at Madame’s – cafe au lait then the organic eggs – florentine especially but all are supurbe! Then something sweet like french toast, brioche, or crepes and another coffee.
Mussels and duck for dinner are also pretty darn fabulous.
If there is anything that comes close to Madame Sousou’s in Sydney I’d really like to hear about it. Check it out yourself at http://www.madamesousou.com.au/
The Point- ALbert Park. We got married there, had our 30ths birthdays there. got very drunk there…..
I was in Melbourne a couple of weeks back, but I seriously want to go again soon, but this time with more people who want to check out the food & shopping scene.
So, I guess my answer is…something on Lygon St! 
Not sure if I can answer the question about the favourite restaurant… I haven’t been to any of the big ones, or the ones people have mentioned above. But if you stroll down Lygon Street, you’re bound to find something fantastic!
Although I have not been to melbourne much, I love Mr Tulk. Who knew that a cafe inside a library would be so amazing. The breakfast and the coffee is so simple yet so delicious. Also, I love the decor of the place and the overall vibe.
I wish I could blink and be there. Hoping you share photos of the Festival so those of us who live far, far away, can see some of the festivities. Sounds wonderful. Have a great time. The last day of this Festival is my husbands B/D. We will find something wonderful to do here.
I’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing Melboure’s fine dining as we live in the west and haven’t holidayed in Melbourne as yet. I would love the chance to try though.
Grossi Florentino, without a second thought. The first restaurant I ever went to as an adult (many years ago) and it has only improved since Guy and his family bought it!
Hard question, I love so many Melbourne restaurants, but I have to say Gingerboy is my favourite. I am still dreaming about my last meal there…
hands down, vue de monde. I know it’s sort of posh, but for a special occasion, it never disappoints!
OMG, I’m so jealous of all the Melbourne peeps who can enter this. It sounds like a fabulous festival. Good luck to all who enter. xo
What an amaaazing prize! I wish I could go! (I had a wonderful dinner at Fifteen Melbourne last year).
Exciting!
MoVida Next Door is my fave: while I’ve probably had (even) better food at the original, I love the atmosphere of the smaller – it’s sort of sexy or something! A number of great nights have been had there – and I’ll never tire of it.
Wow! … I remember attending one of Frank’s masterchef classes and couldn’t believe how simple it was to make tapas!
My favourite restaurant for the whole of Melbourne would have to be Embrasse… There’s a little charm about it.. but I love it!
Ladro in Fitzroy. It’s pizza for grown-ups.
As a kid, my mum always bugged me about eating my peas – and ever since I discovered Ladro’s super delectable prawn and pea pizza, mum’s never had to worry again.
As I said, it’s pizza for grown-ups!
Favourite melbourne restaurant = Rumi on Lygon St, East Brunswick for the amazing fried cauliflower and freekeh salad!
My favourite Melbourne restaurant would have to be Donovans in St Kilda. It is special to me as we have all our family celebrations and great food experiences there. The atmoshpere is amazing as you feel like you are in a very special house. Decore changes according to the season and the beach views give it a very relaxed feel.
Cumulus Inc. Grogeous space and fabulous food for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The pain d’epice with whipped maple butter is the most delectably decadent morning treat, and the charcuterie is to die for! And it’s just across the road from work, so no excuse is too small for a meal there!
Went to cutler & co. in early December last year, it was our annual ‘dine at melbourne’s top restaurant’ with two other couples, very good friends and fellow food lovers. We all thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience, I couldn’t go past the crispy pork belly – best I’ve ever had!!! I wonder where we’ll go this year??
I haven’t really visited Melbourne and tried the restaurants (yes I know!!!! How sad is that???) So please pick me so that I can broaden my horizons!!!
Press club …. It was what we hoped it would be on our visit to Melbourne .Food was delicious , service was friendly and efficient and when one of our little pigs wasn’t quiet sure he had enough to eat of one course they brought him more !!!
loved it !!
my favourite restaurant in melbourne is vue de monde. my son and his girlfriend recently arrived in australia and were looking for a job. v de m welcomed them with kindness and generosity. they did not take the job but are still in contact and on great terms. i would just like to say thank you and realise it is not much of a reason to win tickets but think that the humane approach used by the restaurant staff should not be undervalued.
read you every day from sunny italy.
We had the best meal at MoMo for our wedding anniversary and although we don’t get to Melbourne very often, I cant wait to go back! The food was exquisite and the waitstaff very attentive………..
My favourite Melbourne restaurant is Stephanie Alexander’s Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder. I last ate there several years ago but had the most exquisite food, each matching with a drink. It was divine. On a more recent visit to Melbourne, I went to the Press Club. While some elements of the food were good, I felt it was a bit tricked up and not worth the exorbitant price for what it was.
Is a New Zealander who’ll happen to be in Melbourne that week allowed to enter?
I’ve never been to Melbourne so my ‘favourite’ is based on hearsay, but The Press Club is where I’d most like to go.
I’d have to vote Florentino’s, though haven’t been since the early 1990′s! (in my early teens) But the memory remains…such a delicious meal.
Woo hoo! I just moved back to Melbourne last week!
Favourite restaurant is The Undertaker – but it has been a few years since I have been there. I can’t wait to reacquaint myself with Melbourne’s food scene.
Red Spice Road. Two words: Pork. Belly.
Perfect.
My children saved to offer me a dinner at the Waterfront Station Pier. Extraordinary place, nice service. Small portions but divine
Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder, the seasonal menu is wonderful
I love eating at the restaurant at Yering Station, a winery in Melbourne’s Yarra Valley. The food is always amazing, and the wine is wonderful too! Short of that, there’s nothing like a ‘cheap and cheerful’ meal on Victoria Street – Vinh Vinh is my favourite. Chicken with chilli and lemongrass = yum!!
Dear Lorraine,
I love Chinatown’s legendary ‘Kum Den’
It’s amazing what they can whip up from the pan!
From Szechuan Hot and Spicy seasonal veggie
To the popular Battered Salt & Pepper Calamari
Or Braised Chicken in Traditional Chinese Wine Sauce
To the more exotic Crocodile meat in XO sauce
The secret is its simple dishes with exquisite taste
Whenever I dine, not even the tiny carrots go to waste
Though the place is always filled with hungry diners
Their response time is fast, from lunch, dinner to supper
What’s more they serve ‘freebies’ with every visit
Lotus soup at the start, and fruit slices after you eat
Open for more than a decade, a true Melbourne mainstay
It’d be great if you can do a story on NQN one day!
Cheers,
Nicole
Never had the pleasure to visit the lovely city of Melbourne,though I have read so of so many fine restaurants and coffee boutiques.-so this rules me out of the comp.
Good luck to all the NQN followers and well done and enjoy! to the winner.
The Press Club, very yummy and lives up to it’s reputation!
Wow, thanks for this post. I have bookmarked all these restaurants for my next special occasion. My favourite Melbourne restaurant is Maha Bar and Grill. My husband and I had the 4 course soufra for his birthday last year and it was the most amazing food I’ve ever had. It was a luxury. We had turkish delight filled doughnuts! How awesome is that!
Awh,,, if this festival is in Sydney, I would have no problem rattling off my favorite restaurant! Looks like I have to start eating in Melbourne!
It has to be Guiseppe Arnaldo and Sons on Southbank.
Sublime…..
Lulo’s, Chois, Movida, Jaques Raymond and Ladro are some of my favourites but best in melbourne is Circa or Attica. Circa because it’s always good, and Attica for the different dining experience. Go to all and enjoy.
my friend take me to gordon ramey at crown. for my birthday ilove decor of the restaurant and people to and i love all restaurent feel like queen and love food xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My favourite restaurant in Melbourne would have to be Taco Bill. Who doesn’t love downing Australia’a Largest Frozen Margarita whilst donning a sombrero?
and Anna Gare….
They have sold out for the Anna/Nigella show
You better write an awesome post about it (as i am sure you will be there)!!
Has to be PM24…. wonderful waiters, delicious drinks listing, divine food…. great atmosphere… all up, its got it all… definately THE place to eat in Melbourne.
I have yet to find more meticulously crafted tapas in Australia than the gourmet offerings at Mo Vida Aqui. It is truly worth the trip to Melbourne for any foodie just to experience their fine creations.
My favourite Melbourne restaurant is definitely Seamstress on Lonsdale St – I guessed you would call it modern Cantonese cuisine. I love of for the food, unique cocktails, but what I love the most is the setup – in the bar this is laundry hanging from the ceiling! I definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Melbourne.
My favourtite restaurant in Melbourne is Maze. The decoration is modern, the service was spotless and the food was very well presented and tasty. And I love the crockery there
They are from Fortessa !!!
My favourite restaurant at the moment is the Maha in Bond street Melbourne – the food is great and the atmosphere reminds me of my trip to Morrocco…
My best meal of 2010 was at Royal Mail Hotel. Words alone is not enough to describe the whole experience. It was just perfect.
But my favourite restaurant in Melbourne for a casual night out is Cumulus. Great food, nice selection of wine and I always have fun with my friends. And also the rum baba…! OMG
Mine is Fenix because that’s where we had our wedding!
Great indian food and lovely sweets @ Punjab Sweet & Indian Take Away
Dandenong
OMG I can’t believe I’m missing this best giveaway! Unfortunately I’ll be in….drumrolls….JAPAN during that the festival period, having fantastic festivals of my own. But damn I wish I could enter
Just for the sake of it, my favourite restaurant would be (right now) The Hardware Societe. I know the high class places like Vue de Monde and Jacques Reymond etc are fantastic and great food, but THe Hardware Societe is awesome value for money and wonderful food combined. Especially when it’s so accessible to everyone – with or without a fat wallet.
Sounds like this is a fantastic festival, Lorraine! What a great giveaway!
Im heading to Melbourne at about that time and OH BOY I am having almighty trouble picking a restaurant to dine out on our 2nd nite. My friend has picked Gordon Ramsey’s Maze but I am stuck!! The Aphrodite Dessert is drawing me to The Press Club but also Cumulus sounds gorgeous too, and now Im wondering about Royal Mail since an above blogger mentioned it…. back to the drawing board….
In regards to a fav … my previous eats in Melbourne have been centred at Lygon Street to those drawing you in with their charm and desserts (of course)!
Taipan in Doncaster East – hands down BEST yum cha in Melbourne. You can tell with one look around the room that the food it good – it’s always crazy busy and the room is full of Asians which is always a great sign!
Hi!!
I love Melbourne. I worked down there for just over a year, both commuting and then living there for 9 months in Brighton. It was a great time…. Lots of great restaurants, but one that sticks out is ‘Madame Butterfly’ – this was many years ago, I dont know if they are even still around…
Ohhh NQN, what a prize, but such a difficult question. I have so many favourites in my amazing home town, BUT the 2 I keep going back to are…..
Guiseppe, Arnoldo & Sons – I had the most amazing Veal Shank braised in milk with garlic mash. Wow.My taste buds still tingle remembering it!
Hellenic Republic – Best greek food ever. The atmosphere just buzzes, I love watching the chefs work move around each other as if choreographed….the food is amazing, my tip? The Cypriot Grain Salad topped with pommegranate seeds….NQN, it’s a must go destination!
Matteos in North Fitzroy would have to be the best. Very underrated restaurant. Has amazing food and a great décor – perfect for a quiet dinner. I would eat there every week if I could.
The Press Club – I have to say I’ve been there a few times and always go for the Symposium. For a decadent and artistic meal with ALL the trimmings – including the sometimes inappropriate oohhs and aaahhhs (bordering on when Harrry met Sally)!!! We even had a card waiting for us wishing us a happy anniversary from George Colambaris and the team. Impressive
I can’t wait to go again.
TAXI. Elevated over an unfortunate nightclub, Taxi has wonderful food, down to earth service and spectacular views. Sick of snooty service spoiling the experience? Then go to TAXI.
Not that I’ve ever been but have always wanted to go to Flower Drum. I’ve only ever heard good reports so please, please give me the opportunity to not only enjoy this terrific restaurant but the Melbourne Food and Wine Show as well. I would love to meet the divine Nigella too!
My favourite restaurant in Melbourne is the Seamstress. The atmosphere is wonderful, the decor quirky but the food is sensational: its an explosion of flavours.
I am going to have to say the Firehouse in Ringwood. It is local to me, and has a fantastic slow cooked lamb. They are also fantastic with people with allergies and make a gluten, dairy free dessert for those of us who often have to go without!
Easy, AKITA Japanese in North Melbourne! It’s been around for years and head chef and owner, Toshi Furuhashi is a pioneer of modern Japanese cuisine in Melbourne. The atmosphere is friendly without being too in your face and Toshi is a great host and innovative chef! Every single dish he serves is nothing short of AMAZING! I love love love this place!
I LOVE food festivals! They always introduce me to new tastes that I cannot believe I have gone my life not knowing!
My favourite restaurant in Melbourne would have to be Grossi Florentino, the falvouse are just divine, and their specials board is what keeps me coming back.
I LOVE food festivals! They always introduce me to new tastes that I cannot believe I have gone my life not knowing!
My favourite restaurant in Melbourne would have to be Grossi Florentino, the flavours are just divine, and their specials board is what keeps me going back.
I’ve yet to be to Movida, though it is totally at the top of my list. I have been to Cutler & Co and loved every minute/mouthful. The wait staff we so attentative and well choreographed being served dinner was like watching the ballet. Lavender ice cream was definitely a treat
I’ve been to Melbourne only once. My fav restaurant there would be Ishiya Japanese stonegrill. The meat is served on the hot stonegrill so we can have to our liking. Taste of the steak still stuck on my tounge especially wagyu beef, its just melt in your mouth. The best wagyu steak i ever had in my entire life so far. Highly recommended!!
My favourite is actually Movida, I had a great experience there while visiting Melbourne – friendly service, delicious food – and would love to repeat it!
Favourite restaurant? It’s SPANISH food, thanks,
Basque potatoes, Spanish donuts, tasty lamb shanks.
Buzzing atmosphere matches this great food…
Must be MOVIDA! Seats continuously pursued!!
The Snooty Fox in Olinda inthe Dandenong Ranges. wonderful food, wonderful people and wonderful atmosphere
I love The European, as it’s my girlfriends favourite place to eat. She lives in Brisbane and I Melbourne, but it’s our special place to go when she’s down in Victoria for work. Just gives us great food, wine and continues to give us awesome memories.
I’m just try to imagine to be in a food and wine festival where ther over 100 national and international chefs and over 250 events spread out over 11 days – Fun-tastic!!!
Melbourne restaurants, the best in the world! Very hard to pick a favourite but if I was pushed I’d have to say Vue de Monde, I feel like I’m in Paris!
I am going to keep a list of all these restaurants so I can try them myself!
My favourite is Kenzan Japanese Restaurant in Collins Place in the city. It feels to me like you are in Japan, and the majority of diners are Japanese so I figure that is a glowing endorsement for how good it is. The service is spot on without being pretentious in any way. The food is stunningly presented and every morsel tastes wonderful. They have the best tempura I have ever tasted, a stylish fresh sushi bar, private dining rooms which are japanese style, and some dishes are cooked at the table. It is not just food but the whole experience that places this restaurant at the top of my list of favourite Melbourne restaurants. We usually go to this restaurant for all our special occasions.
Lord of the Fries!!! Fatty potato goodness on a cold winters day.
Now i’m no hippy but for the most wonderful wholesome, good for my belly and good for my conscience food i can’t go past “Lentil As Anything” in St Kilda.
http://www.lentilasanything.com/index.html
It’s beautiful organic vegetarian produce produced by people who love what they do (including former refugees, street kids etc) and there are no prices on the menu as you pay what you feel the experience is worth! It is not-for-profit so after they pay their bills the rest of the money they make is put back into community charities.
Seriously amazing and for anyone in Melbourne, it’s a must try legend.
Lorraine – i’d love for you to try the experience one day!
Ezard – we went there the night my husband proposed! The food is always amazing and the atmosphere is really fantastically private and romantic.
The Flower Drum is my favourite eating place. You have to mortgage the house to go there but it is worth it. The staff cannot do enough for you and you leave so full you need to be helped down the stairs. Yum Yum and double Yum
Oriental Tea House in South Yarra! I just gotta say that it’s the best yumcha ever! Delicious teas and beautiful decor
My ultimate favourite is La Camera, Southbank. Every time I am in Melbourne I visit La Camera, the food is excellent but the friendly attentive staff are what make me go back. When I took my 8 year old brother one night, the waiter noticed he was getting bored so sung Happy Birthday to him and got the rest of the patrons to join in (it wasn’t even birthday!)
The only restaurant I remember the name of in Melbs is the Boat House, the masterchef guys restaurant. my bestie had her wedding there and they were fantastic! the food was GORGEOUS too
the wedding coordinator was so nice he gave us bridesmaids a copy of the masterchef dvd 
I make it a point to head to Red Spice Road everytime I’m in Melbourne – the pork belly with chilli caramel and black vinegar and the cumin lamb ribs keep my coming back for more.
I soooooo want to be there…….
Just reading about Melbourne restaurants. I love Spanish so I’ll say MoVida.
The Stokehouse in St Kilda has an amazing ambiance! We had dinner on Australia Day there and the orange glow of the sunset filtered in while we enjoyed a lovely glass of bubbly before devouring three courses. The wine list is impressive and the staff are attentive and not at all arrogant. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back.
Mario’s, Fitzroy. A surprising little gem located down Brunswick St. It might be small but don’t let that fool you, their food it amazing. The waiter’s are so wonderfully attentive, even when the room is near capacity! Your meals are delivered promptly, to the highest of quality.
Whether you’re just popping in to get a GREAT cup of coffee or stopping by for an after-work wine/beer, Mario’s is sure to please. I would highly recommend not leaving until you have tried the carbonara, or the pork belly (it’s to die for – literally!)
I love anything in Chinatown, ususally it’s the Dragon Boat restaurant!
Taste of London in Melbourne town,
Worthy of Michelin crowns?
Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Maze’ wins by far,
There’s fireworks on the plate, not in the vernacular!
Definitely, definitely the Seamstress in Melbourne.
Have been to Melbourne only a few times so my choice is somewhat limited but a very memorable meal was had at Koko in Crown casino. Everything was presented with flair and tasted delicious, another attraction apart from the food were the celebrities eg: Pat Rafter, Natalie Imbruglia.
I would love to try Vue de Monde for the complete culinary journey. One day
MoVida of course!!…….the new one at the far end of Bourke St.,is nothing short of 3 Michelin stars………..my only regret is that they have not set up in Sydney as yet. Wow, I’m in Melbs about 4 times a year and with all the great recommendations listed above looks like I’ll never be able to leave….would absolutely love to see the Melb Food & Wine Festival so time……….MoVida pleeeeese come to Sydney
Your culinary fan, Susie Q
HuTong Dumpling Bar – the dumplings and other menu items are moorish, affordable, great location and atmosphere,
Sexy, alive and exotic dining at Ezard. Morsels of international cusine excite the senses at this modern resturant. With amazing service.
Our favourite Melbourne restaurant is Taxi – food to die for, with service and views to match. Perfect for a special occasion(like after we had our baby boy!)
Movida! I went there last weekend on a trip to Melbourne and was just blown away by the croquette – totally gorgous and so not what I was expecting! There was also a lovely egg with truffle shaving and a homemade potato chip – sounds boring, but trust me – it was NOT.
would love to try some of Frank’s recipes!
Flower Drum – only been there one, but the memories!
a friend and i had been sent to Melbourne on some training a week after my birthday and were wandering around china town,looking for something light and quick! Lucked across Flower Drum, saw the name and HAD to go in! Light and Quick is not in Flower Drum’s vocab…definitely not dressed for dinner, we were treated like royalty, but the food was to DIE for. Bliss on a chopstick…
Cutler & Co of course. Beautiful Steak and desert!
Shoya (Japanese restaurant): I just love the simplistic traditional settings, the food is great, and staff is welcoming and friendly.
The French Brasserie: their wine list always reminds me of home. They use fresh products and their deserts are delicate.
The beauty of Melbourne’s food scene is not just limited to the top restaurants that many of you have raved above. Let’s not forget about the street / hawkers food served by the quiet achievers that make the Melbourne food scene what it is today. ‘Nam Loong’ is one of Melbourne’s quiet achievers that have been building up a steady following of passionate food lovers for many many years. I adore their ‘Char Siew Bao’ (Cantonese barbecue pork buns), one of the best in Melbourne. I love stopping by at ‘Nam Loong’ on my way home from work for my dinner takeaways (normally ‘Char Kway Teow’, stir-fried ricecake strips) or breakfast (delicious buns for steaming in my rice cooker the next morning). It feels great tucking in nice warm tasty food after a hard days work. Top restaurants like Flower Drum or Jacques Reymond are strictly outside of the limited budget for common folks like me. If the food tastes great and if it’s within my means, I’m all up for it.
Food doesn’t need to be expensive to be enjoyed.
Movida! I friend recommended it to me before a recent trip to Melbourne and it was wonderful, atmosphere, great food and the great company helped as well
I have just thought of another one of my favourite restaurants, although not in Melbourne as such, but in one of victoria’s regional culinary centres. I absolutely love Aperitivo in Kyneton. It has wonderful rustic Italian foods, and the chef/owner also makes one of the best Merlots I have tasted.
The last time I was there Mr. Binkz and I shared a lovely antipasto platter for starters with homemade cured meats. I had a delicious pumpkin ravioli with sage and burnt butter sauce and Mr Binkz had the best carbonara he has ever had.
We are going back there for their “Taste of Sicily in Kyenton” as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
My favourite place to eat in Melbourne is Hardware Societe, for the divine food, the best coffee and the friendly service.
The food and service at Seamstress on Lonsdale Street is AMAZING!!! The staff were so good when we went; all we had to do was decide which dishes we liked the look of (which was actually a difficult task in itself because they all sounded beautiful) and tell them how hungry we were…then they brought out the perfect portion sizes for sampling – which was great because it meant we got to try and enjoy everything, without being overfilled!! The fresh and constantly changing cocktails are also to die for
One restaurant in Melbourne? Seriously? One for each cuisine would be at least some justification.
Having said that, since I’m all into Japanese food at the moment – Kuni’s on Little Bourke Street will have to be it. Great food where the quality, tastes and texture of the food is matched by the service and ambiance.
Yum yum, slurp slurp!
I love Embrasse in Carlton because Chef Nic Poelaert creates French food that is innovative and inspired, but still authentic and approachable.
papa ginos in lygon st carlton, the best pizzas ever. thin base not to much topping beautiful
the local food show is called the “swine and flu festival”
afghan tasty food in the city .. simple yet tasty flavours like no other
i have heard that Gordan Ramsays Maze is really A-Maze_ing to eat at
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