Courtesy of Boy_Anupong/Getty Images

What to Eat in Melbourne
Melbourne is a city of cafes. You'll find them tucked within central Melbourne's alleyways and clustered together throughout trendy neighborhoods like South Yarra-Prahran, St Kilda and Fitzroy. Try a flat white, an Australian coffee specialty that's similar to a latte but with more espresso and less milk. Popular coffee shops include Brother Baba Budan and Café Andiamo in the central business district and Two Birds One Stone Cafe in South Yarra-Prahran.
Though most of the city's residents were born in Australia, Melbourne's sizable British, Indian, Chinese, Italian and Greek communities have greatly influenced the area's culinary offerings. (In fact, Melbourne is home to the largest Greek-speaking population outside of Europe.) Three neighborhoods – Chinatown, Lygon Street (also known as Little Italy) and the Greek Precinct – specialize in Chinese, Italian or Greek shops and restaurants. As a result, you'll find an array of top-notch ethnic fare throughout the city.
For some of Melbourne's best Asian bites, head to Chinatown to eat at Rice Paper Scissors or Longrain. If you're craving Italian, consider dining at Scopri or Da Guido Melbourne la Pasta, both of which sit on or near Lygon Street. Some of the Greek Precinct's best Greek specialties are offered at Stalactites, while modern Greek fare like crab souvlaki (a kabab-style dish traditionally made with lamb) and pork-stuffed spanakopita (a savory pastry with layers of spinach, feta cheese and phyllo) can be found at Gazi Restaurant and The Press Club in the CBD. Other ethnic favorites include the Armenian-focused Sezar, the Middle Eastern- and Mediterranean-influenced Maha and the British-inspired Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
But if you're looking for an Australian-style meal made with local ingredients like Wagyu beef, barramundi (a type of fish found throughout the country) and blue mussels, you're in luck: Melbourne offers a variety of Australian eateries. Most of the city's favorite Australian restaurants, including ezard and Eau De Vie, reside in the CBD.
Melbourne also makes some of Australia's best wine (for travelers who are 18 and older). Five wine regions – the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges – are located within 50 miles of the city. Hundreds of wineries can be found throughout these wine regions, all of which specialize in chardonnay, shiraz and pinot noir. Other wine varieties like pinot grigio and cabernet sauvignon are produced at select wineries as well.
Find the Best Restaurants in Melbourne
- #1Foglia di Fico#1 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (140)$ - $$ | Italian, European585 La Trobe St (Spencer St entrance), Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More » - #2Da Guido 365#2 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (348)$ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean365 Little Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More » - #3Scopri#3 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (1006)$ - $$ | Italian191 Nicholson St Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria 3053 AustraliaRead More » - #4Da Guido La Pasta#4 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (894)$ - $$ | Italian, Mediterranean, European130 Lygon St Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria 3053 AustraliaRead More » - #511 Inch Pizza#5 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (279)$ | Italian, PizzaEquitable Place 353-359 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More » - #6Hochi Mama#6 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (1311)$ - $$ | Asian, Thai, Fusion, Vietnamese, Healthy, Street Food11-15 Liverpool St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More » - #7Harley House Kitchen#7 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (195)$ - $$ | Peruvian, Latin108 Chapel St, Melbourne, Victoria 3181 AustraliaRead More » - #8Geppetto Trattoria#8 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (340)$ - $$ | Italian78A Wellington Pde, Melbourne, Victoria 3002 AustraliaRead More » - #9Il Cantuccio#9 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (591)$ - $$ | Italian, Mediterranean, Sicilian, Southern-Italian209 Lygon St Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria 3053 AustraliaRead More » - #10Straight Outta Saigon#10 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (286)$ - $$ | Asian, Vietnamese, Fusion, Street Food138 Russell Street Ground level, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More » - #11Sud Food and Wine#11 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (209)$ - $$ | Italian, Mediterranean219 King St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More » - #12Kazuki's#12 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (493)$$ | Contemporary, Fusion121 Lygon St Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria 3053 AustraliaRead More » - #13Pidapipo Gelateria#13 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (415)$ | Italian299 Lygon St, Melbourne, Victoria 3053 AustraliaRead More » - #14Roule Galette Melbourne#14 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (562)$ | French, Cafe, European, Healthy241 Flinders Lane Shop 2, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More » - #15Cucinetta#15 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (387)$ - $$ | Italian, Mediterranean, EuropeanU 4 3 Murphy St South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria 3141 AustraliaRead More » - #16Saporito Taquito#16 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (77)$ - $$ | Mexican16 Kavanagh St Century Tower, Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria 3006 AustraliaRead More » - #17Eau De Vie#17 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (799)$ - $$ | Bar, Australian1 Malthouse Lane, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More » - #18Patricias Coffee Brewers#18 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (203)$ | Cafe, AustralianCnr Little Bourke & Little William St., Melbourne, Victoria AustraliaRead More » - #19Red Spice Road#19 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (1662)$ - $$ | Asian, Thai141 Queen St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More » - #20Il Bacaro Cucina e Bar#20 of 4,997 Places to Eat in Melbourne
Tripadvisor (486)$$ | Italian, Mediterranean68-170 Little Collins St 168-170 Little Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AustraliaRead More »
Explore More of Melbourne
If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.