Melbourne’s Culinary Culture
Melbourne is at the forefront of culinary innovation, with more than 3,000 restaurants, cafés and bars, some 75 ethnic cuisine types, boutique beers, creative cocktails and local and imported wine.
For your conference or incentive, dine at a restaurant owned by a celebrity chef, sit down to impressive water views, find a table in one of Melbourne’s cultural precincts, or seek out a local favourite.
Melbourne Dining – All Palates and Budgets
For a distinctive dining experience, head to Lygon Street for affordable, tasty Italian cuisine, or Chinatown where you can savour Melbourne’s most exclusive Cantonese Cuisine at Flower Drum. Lonsdale Street offers traditional Greek fare, Victoria Street in Richmond is the place for Vietnamese dishes, pub fare is served in generous portions at local spots in Brunswick, Fitzroy and Prahran, and the ‘fish and chips’ and bay views are second-to-none on St Kilda's streets and pier.
For an upmarket, global experience in the one venue, the new Collins Kitchen at Grand Hyatt Melbourne features open kitchens and five different dining concepts, including Grill, Wok, Sushi, Deli and Patisserie. Just around the corner, Comme is a stunning and sophisticated venue with a feeling of the ‘old world’, featuring beautiful architecture, marble and chandeliers. Moving further into the Central Business District, Oyster Little Bourke combines the style and cuisine of the world's best brasseries with the finest of Australian produce.
The Who’s Who of Melbourne’s Restaurant Scene
The Age Good Food Guide (TAGFG) only awards the prestigious “Chef’s Hats” to outstanding Melbourne restaurants, and a selection of these are headed up by locally renowned chefs. Chef Shannon Bennett's fine French-inspired food, unusual ingredients and signature service is served up at Vue de Monde. The Press Club is an elegant restaurant owned by chef George Calombaris, who adds his own take on traditional Greek food. Lauded chef Teage Ezard puts his distinctive spin on share plates of South-East Asian hawker food at Gingerboy. Share some tapas prepared by TAGFG’s 2009 Chef of the Year, Frank Camorra, at his laneway restaurant, MoVida.
At the new Hilton South Wharf, Nuevo37 is definitely a Chef’s Hat candidate for the next TAGFG. Michelin-starred Ramon Freixa is at the helm of this flagship restaurant and his modern Spanish menu is authentic, surprising and sublime.
Melbourne Southgate – Riverside Culinary Excellence
The Crown Complex, Southgate, is home to Bistro Guillaume, where diners are treated to bistro-style French cooking at its best prepared by a Robuchon-trained chef. Nearby, classic Gallic cuisine is served with views of the Yarra River at The Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel, one of the world's finest French chefs. For Italian cuisine, Giuseppe, Arnaldo & Sons’ restaurant echoes a Roman trattoria; Robert Marchetti and chefs serve up style, service and pure food. Neil Perry’s Rockpool Bar and Grill specialises in woodfire-grilled meat and seafood. And Nobu is known for its innovative new-style Japanese cuisine – experience the creative flavours from Head Chef Tadashi Takahashi and his talented team.
Coming soon, one of the world’s most famous chefs, Gordon Ramsay, will open his first Maze restaurant in Australia at Crown Metropol. Ramsay will also be responsible for the hotel’s room service menu. Maze’s opening is arguably the most anticipated restaurant launch of 2010.
Melbourne’s Eat Streets
Moving outside the Central Business District, many charming Melbourne precincts offer something a little different with a colourful, local atmosphere. Al fresco dining is popular in beachside Williamstown and hip Prahran, or try fine dining in the trendy South Yarra area at Botanical restaurant. Try South Melbourne, Albert Park and Middle Park for patisseries, gourmet produce stores and superb wine shops. Find a table with a view at Docklands, Melbourne's new harbourside wining and dining district, or head to Brunswick Street, Fitzroy for locally-roasted coffee. Moving south of the Yarra River, Donovans in St Kilda offers modern Australian cuisine with a sprinkle of Italian.