Venetian elegance, New York energy and Melbourne nostalgia collide at Chris Lucas’ lavish brasserie and grill. Sit in the grand dining room for charcoal-fired bistecca, show stopping tiramisu, Italian cocktails and plenty of tableside theatrics.

This is one of Melbourne’s best Japanese restaurants. There’s a New York-style sushi bar at street level, a pumping izakaya-style basement and an upstairs private dining room – Kuro – for intimate kaiseki-style meals.

This sequel to one of Sydney’s top restaurants has the same magic, but with the distinctly Victorian spin. Descend into the smart basement for fire-driven European cuisine, plus a renowned charcuterie program.

From the mind of acclaimed chef Victor Liong, this diner reimagines traditional Chinese flavours through a refined modern lens. Look for it down a graffiti-covered alley off Flinders Lane.

The fiery Southeast Asian diner Melburnians and tourists have been queuing for since 2011. The service remains fast and efficient; the energy is always high; and Benjamin Cooper’s food continues to nail that sweet spot between flavour, tradition and fun.

It’s tricky to pin down Coda’s flavour-punching dishes. Modern Asian? Euro-Vietnamese fusion? Pop in pre-theatre for some scallops and a glass of wine, or do your next special occasion here.

The flavours at celebrity chef Shane Delia’s opulent Maha are familiar, but they’re assembled with more finesse than your average Middle Eastern restaurant. Expext vibrant mezze, a must-have lamb shoulder and an affordable wine list.

The restaurant responsible for igniting Melbourne’s love of modern Spanish food. If you’re feeling adventurous, let the kitchen order for you and sample a cross-section of signature dishes and seasonal specials.

The little sibling to Movida delivers a classic tapas experience not unlike what you’d find in Spain. Sit at the bar, have some sherry and work your way through the tapas and racion menu – without next-door’s big-room energy.

This lively cantina is all about home-style Mexican. Expect beef tacos exactly how they’re served in Mexico, prawn-and-chorizo tamales and a jiggly chocolate flan. Plus: eight different Margaritas and hard-to-find agave spirits.

Top-quality sushi and sashimi since 1981. The 12-seat counter is a recommended spot, not only to have your order hand-delivered straight from the experts themselves, but to watch their art form in action.

The Garden State Hotel’s good-time Italian eatery takes its cues from the Amalfi coast. Pop in for cacio e pepe arancini, a retro dessert cart and – when you ring the doorbell – Negroni fountains delivered to your table.

Lively cocktails and refined snacks are on the cards at this daring basement bar. But it’s really the wine list you come for – it’s an adventure in unfamiliar regions and varietals, and focuses on biodynamic and sustainable drops.

This pared-back eatery from the Higher Ground, Top Paddock and Liminal team specialises in woodfired dishes that are unfussy, yet easily live up to the gold standard set by their other Melbourne venues.

At the W Melbourne’s in-house restaurant, Coda chef Adam D’Sylva draws on his Italian-Indian heritage. His globe-trotting menu includes luxed-up lasagna, pasta-less cacio e pepe (a surprising triumph), and spicy duck curry. Plus, an excellent roster of theatrical cocktails.

At this homely restaurant, find popular Thai dishes alongside lesser-known Phuket delicacies. Bring a group and order comforting dishes like pad thai and tom yum as well as specialties including snail coconut southern curry.