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

Luther’s Scoops Brunswick

Shop · $$$$$ · brunswick

This farm-to-freezer ice-creamery has Michelin-star cred. Inventive seasonal flavours are added weekly, so there’s always something new to try, though the butterscotch ripple is all time.

528A Sydney Road

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

Leonard’s House of Love

Bar · Burgers · $$$$$ · south yarra

If you’re really into burgers, tick Leonard’s off. This ’70s cabin-themed spot serves some of Melbourne’s best, in a rollicking rock’n’roll house party environment complete with pool table and bathtub lager on tap.

3 Wilson Street

Taqueria Sin Nombre

Restaurant · Mexican · $$$$$ · melbourne

Find this hidden Mexican bolthole from the owners of Dingo Ate My Taco and you’ll be rewarded with top-tier birria and al pastor tacos, plus clever original creations for vegans.

12-14 Celestial Avenue

Gimlet at Cavendish House

Restaurant · European · $$$$$ · melbourne

Andrew McConnell's signature flair is all over this grand bar and dining room, from the exacting service to the comforting European dishes. It’s named after the classic cocktail, and the calibre of drinks here speaks to that.

33 Russell Street

Three Horses

Bar · $$$$$ · melbourne

How do you open a follow-up to the best bar in Australia? Talk about second album syndrome. But the Caretaker’s Cottage crew have somehow done it again. Sherry is the main event here – deployed within cocktails and on its own.

106 Little Lonsdale Street

Askal

Restaurant · Filipino · $$$$$ · melbourne

A team of seasoned hospo pros, including ex-Lume and Sunda chef John Rivera, are behind this unadultered Filipino restaurant. Try elevated takes on Filipino mainstays including sisig, lechon and halo-halo.

167 Exhibition Street

Ca Com

Restaurant · Vietnamese · $$$$$ · richmond

Inside this banh mi bar from the Anchovy team, a woodfire hearth turns out turmeric chicken, jungle pork sausage and Manchurian pumpkin to fill the crusty baguettes.

336 Bridge Road

Yang Thai

Restaurant · Thai · $$$$$ · st kilda

Proceed with caution: it'll be hard to go back to your neighbourhood chicken shop after you've sampled the charcoal chooks at Yang Thai. Take them away whole or in a lunch pack (with Thai sides), or settle in and enjoy the vibe.

49 Blessington Street

Yugen Dining

Restaurant · Japanese · $$$$$ · south yarra

Rough-hewn stone walls, high ceilings and golden accents set the mood at this subterranean Japanese diner. Take the glass lift underground for charcoal-cooked Wagyu, delicate sashimi and exciting detours into Chinese cuisine.

605 Chapel Street

Molly Rose

Bar · $$$$$ · collingwood

Melbourne is full of breweries, but few make beers as creative and food-ready as Molly Rose. Stop in for sour-coffee ales, beer that mimics wine and an elevated pub-style menu.

279 Wellington Street

Hareruya Pantry Carlton

Cafe · Japanese · $$$$$ · carlton

The roller door goes up mid-morning at this sun-drenched Japanese eatery, and it’s worth getting in early to secure your picnic-ready bento box and Japanese-inspired gelato. Then, take your spoils across the street and enjoy.

15-17 Lincoln Square South

Bar Carnation

Restaurant · $$$$$ · carlton north

Cool and classic are the words to describe this Rathdowne Village wine bar, the sequel to Carnation Canteen, where oysters and steak frites beckon.

386 Rathdowne Street

France-Soir

Restaurant · French · $$$$$ · south yarra

Open since 1986, France Soir is one of Melbourne’s essential restaurants – attracting the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Mick Jagger. Find French staples from steak tartare and magret de canard, to crème brûlée for dessert.

11 Toorak Road

Bistra

Restaurant · Italian · $$$$$ · carlton

This bistro leans into white table-clothed dining, vintage wines and timeless dining. The menu defies definition, offering French bistro dishes through to Southeast Asian-style desserts like lychees with coconut custard.

157 Elgin Street

Aunty’s Dumplings

Restaurant · Chinese · $$$$$ · carlton

This small family-run spot folds up to 1000 dumplings a day using produce from nearby Queen Victoria Market. Fillings harken back to the food the family ate in their hometown of Jinzhou, a coastal city in China’s northeast.

117 Cardigan Street

Regulars

Cafe · $$$$$ · melbourne

This small coffee shop has achieved stratospheric popularity with its -85-degree coffee. But with a seasoned coffee roaster on board, it’s no gimmick or one-trick pony.

38–40 Little La Trobe Street