Culinary Culture

Melbourne is at the forefront of culinary innovation, with more than 3,000 restaurants, cafés and bars, some 75 ethnic cuisines, boutique beers, creative cocktails and local and imported wine.

All Palates and Budgets

For a distinctive dining experience head to Chinatown for a cheap, quick meal or Lygon Street for affordable, tasty Italian cuisine. Lonsdale Street offers Greek fare, Victoria Street in Richmond is the place for Vietnamese, pub fare is generous at pubs in Fitzroy and Prahran and the fish and chips and bay views are second-to-none on St Kilda's streets and on the pier.

The Who's Who

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. Jacques Reymond has set up his kitchen in a grand Victorian mansion in Prahran. Share some tapas prepared by The Age Good Food Guide's 2009 Chef of the Year, Frank Camorra, at his laneway restaurant, MoVida. Lauded chef Teage Ezard puts his distinctive spin on share plates of traditional South-East Asian hawker food at Gingerboy.

Riverside Excellence

The Crown Complex, Southgate, is home to Bistro Guilliame, 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 and 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. Gordon Ramsey's Maze is also due to open later in the year.

Eat Street

The top of Flinders Lane is the city's most exciting new dining destination. From Verge overlooking Fitzroy Gardens on Spring Street to Ezard at 187, diners can find tables at intimate, clever culinary places.

Andrew Connell's latest venture, Cumulus, is a light, white space once occupied by a gallery. Cecconi's Cantina relocated to take its place along the lane and serves great Italian food from a basement home. Behind an anonymous heavy door, Yu-U serves its yakitori menu in a low-key bunker.