Here are the best new Melbourne restaurants and bars to check out

It was love at first encounter with Bar Spontana, its selling points reading like my own personal wish list with every box getting a big tick. Authentic and creative Thai food? Yes. Plenty of experimentation, pickling and fermentation? Triple yes. Wine bar status? If a smart list of great grape stuff is on offer, I’m in like a flash, no need to ask twice. But there were also plenty of unexpected wonders at Bar Spontana (like one of the greatest cocktails I’ve ever tasted – more on that later) that swept my partner and I off our feet on our very first visit.

The co-founding team of John Rivera, Carlos Consunji, Ralph Libo, Michael Mabuti and Dhenvirg Ugot – proud Filipinos themselves – are also some of the names behind Kariton Sorbetes and Serai, ensuring bold and vibrant Filipino flavours are front and centre at Askal. Think sizzling pork jowl and abalone sisig, ox tail kare kare dougnuts and torched scallop adobo.

The folks behind local craft beer brand Brewmanity have just launched the city’s first-ever brewery rooftop bar in South Melbourne. Anticipate a three-storey wonderland with capacity for a whopping 400 beer lovers, complete with 34 taps from head brewer Tim Miller. Here’s a man who was once Little Creatures’ brewing manager, so you know he knows his froffs. Brewmanity focuses on traditional beer styles, using natural fermentation methods without additives. 

True to the sandwich craze that's been sweeping over this town, the lunch geniuses behind CBD favourite Sloppy Joe's Deli have just opened yet another sanga spot: FOC. No, it's not an expletive (though you might just say "FOC me, this is good!" while you're there); it's your new haven on Little Collins Street for freshly handmade focaccias filled with an array of heavenly ingredients. 

Mill Place Merchants is a brand new speakeasy that harks back to Melbourne’s golden age. It’s tucked away in a heritage-listed 19th century building, down a laneway that was once known as a bustling hive for hat, soap, clothing and candle makers and traders. You enter the bar via a space disguised as a Victorian-era dressing room, so you can do a final fit check in front of a full-length mirror door before entering a wardrobe that conceals the secret watering hole inside.

If you know, you know: Niku Shiki in Glen Waverley is a one-stop shop for some of the tastiest premium Wagyu available in Melbourne. Well, in good news for steak enthusiasts living or working closer to the CBD, the fresh meat specialist has just opened a sleek outlet at Melbourne Central. A butcher, contemporary Japanese diner and takeaway grocer all in one, the brand new venue is a carnivore’s paradise.

Fleet exudes more of an '80s private penthouse vibe than that of a noisy CBD rooftop, thanks to the interior design smarts of Paul Kelly Design (Black Star Pastry, Crown Casino). The creative team has transformed the former apartments into a sleek, 90-person watering hole with amber and dusty pink tones and custom-made furniture. Settle in on an indoor lounge to sample one of the 70 rums from around the world, or venture onto the wrap-around terrace to take in the stunning sunset and night-sky views.

Joining the leafy Greville Street strip in Prahran, Hopper Joint is a brand new Sri Lankan diner spotlighting – you guessed it – hoppers. For the uninitiated, a hopper is a thin, bowl-like pancake, named after the pan that lends the brekky staple its unique shape. It’s one of Sri Lanka’s best loved street foods and a tasty vehicle for curries, sambols and other traditional condiments celebrated in the cuisine. 

After weaving through the chaos of a garishly lit shopping centre, all you want is a bit of sun, peace, and a good coffee or bite to eat. Last year, Chadstone got the airy, light-filled Cityfields – a welcoming sky-high diner away from the noise. Now, this year, Burwood Brickworks has scored a sky-high oasis of its own: Rombe. The tranquil all-day eatery has sprung up on the rooftop, affording visitors a nature-immersed dining experience with stunning vistas of the Dandenong Ranges. 

Until now, Southsiders would have had to venture north to Carlton's Little Italy precinct to enjoy the tip-top panini, pasta and pizza from D.O.C Espresso or DOC Pizza and Mozzarella Bar – but those days of hungry commutes are now over. St Kilda has just been graced with its very own D.O.C restaurant in the Saint Moritz residences on the Esplanade, just in time for the culinary juggernaut's 20th anniversary.

Saddle up, partner. Moon Dog Wild West has stormed into the old Franco Cozzo building in Footscray. You can anticipate a fun Wild West theme throughout, with swinging saloon doors, a bucking bull, horseshoe booths, a games arcade, a ranch-themed kids' play area and a barrel ageing room. But that's only the first floor, with the fun continuing upstairs. 

This burrata lover's paradise recently opened its doors at South Melbourne Market, much to the delight of locals and dairy fiends the city over. A small nook dedicated entirely to that fresh creamy Italian cheese everyone seems to adore, in spite of, maybe even because of, its disarming simplicity? Yes, that's exactly what UGO Burrata Bar is – and we're all for it.

Joining the likes of Polly, Siglo and Candela Nuevo, there's a new rooftop bar in Melbourne serving up luxury cigars alongside its drinks. Christened Santana, the venue is a project from Abjar Kasho, the owner and founder of Bouvardia, which won our Best Cocktail Bar award in 2023. Aside from cigars, this bar also specialises in South American wine, cocktails and premium brown spirits. 

Before Nina’s took residence at the base of Brunswick’s Nightingale Studios, it was a lively Bangladeshi restaurant and prior to that, a café that changed hands a few times. It’s the first time a wine bar serving food has popped up in the space and judging by residents’ warm reception, it’s being appreciated as much as its forebears. 

Yawye – an acroynm that stands for "You Are What You Eat" – might not be the easiest name to remember, but the smoothies you can buy from a brand new spot in the CBD certainly are.Don't expect your average banana-bloob blend from this hole-in-the-wall wellness purveyor. These smoothie masters are taking things up a notch with ingredients you've probably only heard about on your fave health podcast. We're talking famed superfoods like chlorella, barley grass, lucuma, collagen and goji berries. 

The award-winning Aussie brewery opened the doors to its new venue on March 14 – its fourth across Australia and its very first on Victorian soil – just a stone's throw away from the South Melbourne Market. Housed in a former mechanics’ garage, the space holds capacity for around 220 people and is designed to be a welcoming gathering spot where folks can enjoy the brand's beloved craft ales alongside equally crafty dishes.

One daring duo, a subterranean space in the same building that houses regal Reine and La Rue, and an original vision to shake things up in Melbourne: these were Purple Pit’s trifecta of selling points when it quietly opened late last year. And they were the right ones to spark instant intrigue. The new cocktail bar is a joint project from none other than restaurateur Maurice Terzini (Sydney’s Icebergs) and drinks maverick Joe Jones (Romeo Lane). It’s their first shared venture, and as we come to find out one Thursday night, far too interesting to visit just once.

From a small hole in the wall on Smith Street, you might pick up on lively Bollywood beats or the inviting scent of spices and curry leaves. Is it some ultra-hip Indian grandmother's kitchen? No, but that's how owner and chef Mischa Tropp wants it to feel when you step inside. Fun, flavourful and easy to share, dishes could include a creamy prawn moilee with coconut and turmeric, peppery fried pork or okra pachadi, an addictive yogurt and spinach dish, served with flaky mountains of parota bread. 

The Albion Hotel in Collingwood has lived several lives. It first opened on the corner of Smith Street and Perry Street in 1847 as a local watering hole, remaining as such for the next 120 years. It's since shapeshifted into the colourful Punter's Palace (a sports bar popular throughout the 90s); an event space by Blackheart and Sparrows; and now after extensive restorations led by the Bodriggy crew – a grand, true-blue pub.

Not that we needed an excuse to hit the iconic Great Ocean Road, but there’s a cruisy new seafood joint in Lorne that’s worth the trip alone. Neighbouring the newly revived Lorne Theatre, it's aptly named the Clam and locals are already flocking in like moths to a flame. Co-owners David Moyle (ex-Longsong, Rising, Laneway Festival) and George Barnes dreamt up the nostalgic space as a way to pay homage to the seaside town’s bohemian past.

It’s been a good run for Preston locals. First, we learned that the legendary Preston Market has been saved from closure (until 2028, at least), and now it's been revealed that the Preston Hotel is opening a hip new rooftop bar with scenic city views. Sitting high against a mural of wall art by local artist Sebastian Fransz, Lulu Bar will be a gathering place for sunset Spritzes, tapas-style share plates, DJ sets, pizza dinners and everything in between.

As far as legendary dining strips in Melbourne go, Gertrude Street surely ranks among the best of 'em. From Andrew McConnell's smash hit wine bar Marion and fine diner Cutler and Co, to Andalusian eatery Anada and the stylish art deco-inspired Poodle Bar and Bistro, some seriously cool dinner date ideas abound. Well, now there's a new kid on the block to add to your hist lit and she speaks with an Italian accent! Corner pub The Gertrude Hotel has re-opened its doors with brand-new owners and a fresh Italian-inspired makeover – just in time for 2024.

Celebrated chef Karen Martini has just opened the doors to Saint George (formerly The Saint Hotel) on February 1, now an elevated Mediterranean-style eatery. Split into two distinct areas, The Grill and The Tavern, Saint George offers antipasti, lovingly handmade pasta, and flame-licked dishes from the Josper grill. 

The strip of Little Collins Street between William and King has long been a hotbed for affordable work lunches with the food court at Exchange Tower being the pinnacle. The building is still home to a few of its long standing tenants but as of late last year, one end has been transformed into an upscale Korean-Australian diner called Doju, led by chef Mika Chae.

Ever wanted to find out what spicy ramen tastes like with vanilla soft serve? Nope, us neither – but renowned pastry chef and restaurateur Spring Chee (Le Mille Creperie, Sugar Labo) certainly did and she discovered on a recent trip to Japan that it was dang delicious. During her travels, Chee also unveiled the secrets to creating perfect Japanese tornado omelettes – otherwise known as omurice – and luckily for us, she's dishing it up for just $12.50 at her new eatery and late-night izakaya in the CBD, Tokyo Motto. 

Next time you find yourself wandering down La Trobe Street in desperate need of a caffeine fix, follow your nose to the delicious coffee aromas drifting from William Angliss Institute. The leading hospo school has just opened a charming tram café – and you can get a seriously good, freshly brewed regular latte for just $3.50. Ahh, the good ol' days of reasonable coffee prices.You'll spot the nostalgic green and gold Melbourne tram in the courtyard at 555 La Trobe Street, which the school has refurbished as a training café for William Angliss students to flex their hospo skills and get on-the-job experience in a real-life venue.

Should you need another reason to believe that Brunswick East is the sixth coolest neighbourhood in the world, the arrival of Maggie's Snacks and Liquor is it. The former site of the Alehouse Project, Maggie's Snacks and Liquor features a courtyard, natural wood fireplace and snazzy lounge. When it comes to a tipple, you can expect a cocktail menu that prioritises seasonal ingredients and a wine list with a heavy focus on local suppliers. We can't wait to try the Margot Robbie, a blend of rhubarb, pistachio, vodka and citrus, and the seasonally-shifting cocktail, the Cobbler.

Creativity. Collaboration. Connection. That’s what this intimate music venue, bar, and creative space in Northcote vows to be a walnut-hued haven for. High Note is a new brick-and-mortar venue from local music industry heavyweights Crown Ruler (responsible for events like Sun Cycle festival and collabs with Potato Head Bali and NTS radio). High Note is located in the beating heart of Northcote and welcomes everything from relaxed after-work drinks to live music. 

There’s plenty to get excited about at Queen Victoria Market (QVM) right now. A swish new food hall has just opened, and in very exciting news, Brick Lane Brewing has opened a brand new double-storey venue in the heart of the market precinct. Brick Lane Market features a 120-seater dining room, 150-seater terrace, raw seafood bar and a produce-driven ‘market to plate’ menu that supports the market’s network of growers. It's set to be one of the hottest spots in the city to grab a beer and a feed, through all seasons.

Brunch shouldn't just be an affair for the middle of the day, and thanks to the likes of Emil's Café, it doesn't have to be. Once their childhood home, brothers John and George El-Khoury have refurbished their family's corner milk bar into Emil's Café, a licensed all-day brunch spot with a nostalgic, homely feel. Chef Sam Pinzone sits at the helm of the kitchen, serving up an Australian-Arabic menu alongside Code Black Coffee and a selection of cocktails, juices and smoothies. Highlights on the menu include Turkish eggs with sujuk and lime yoghurt, hummus shakshuka with spinach pesto, benny eggs with slow-cooked beef ribs and tahini hollandaise, and knafeh spun pastry with pistachio crumb and rose syrup. 

This ‘new generation’ movie theatre from key Cinema Nova players brings a new style of in-cinema dining to Melbourne, where the spotlight is on the food just as much as the films. Thoughtfully fitted auditoriums, a chef-designed specialty menu and a schmick online ordering system combine to provide patrons with an on-demand food and drink service throughout the film. Better yet, FoMo Cinemas is promising to provide this elevated experience with standard movie ticket prices.

Good, honest food. Sometimes, it’s the only thing you crave. Like the type of meal your grandmother prepared for you when you were a child. Or freshly rolled pierogi. The couple at the helm of this new Brunswick East restaurant, Guy Daley and Dominika Sikorska, are widely respected for bringing some of the most authentic Polish cuisine to Melbourne and they're absolutely smashing it.