A Canberra Girl’s Guide to some must-visit restaurants in Melbourne

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Planning on taking a trip to Melbourne this summer? Well, get excited, because I have you covered in the food department!
As many of us know, Melbourne takes the cake for having an incredible and diverse food scene that can be overwhelming to navigate, even if you’ve visited several times! But have no fear, with this list in the palm of your hand, you’re about to embark on the ultimate food-venture – one that will leave you patting yourself on the back (and belly)! And you can place your trust in me because I’ve had the privilege of visiting Melbourne countless times over the past few years, discovering some of the city’s best restaurants alongside my equally food-obsessed sister.
And no doubt, I haven’t stopped raving about these restaurants to my nearest and dearest! But one day, I asked myself, “What more could I do with this powerful information?” The answer was obvious – continue eating my way through Melbourne and spread the word to my fellow foodie friends, far and wide.
So the time has finally come where I bestow upon you my must-try restaurant picks! Now strap in, your next trip to Melbourne is guaranteed to be a hit as long as you have this list on hand!
France-Soir (South Yarra)
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If you ask any Melbournian, “Have you tried France Soir?”, there’s a high chance they’ll say “Yes” with sparkling light in their eyes!
Now here’s why this restaurant made it on my list and is a favourite amongst the foodies in Melbourne: firstly, the atmosphere is exhilarating. The servers are dashing to every table in record speed, the restaurant is always packed, and everyone is just happy to be there. The complimentary bread and butter served to your table is a godsend while you wait for your food to arrive.
I’d personally recommend the snails in garlic butter to start, your steak and sauce of choice and a side of mash and sauteed mushrooms. And last but not least, don’t go anywhere else for dessert because the Crème Brûlée is INCREDIBLE. And there you have it folks, some of the best French food you’ll ever have, right in the heart of Melbourne.
11 Toorak Road, South Yarra | france-soir.com.au
Hochi Mama (Multiple locations)
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Asian fusion at its absolute finest, Hochi Mama delivers with not only its quality food, but also with their delicious cocktail selection and with its radiant atmosphere filled with bright neon lights.
What are my top picks on the menu? The kingfish sashimi is a MUST to kickstart your meal, along with Mama’s fried rice with soft shell crab and any of their tasty curries paired with coconut jasmine rice for mains. But most importantly, go nuts on those cocktails – but I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that!
Melbourne CBD and Richmond | hochimama.com.au
Eat’aliano by Pino (Windsor)
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Some of the best Italian I’ve had the privilege of trying in Melbourne, Eat’aliano by Pino ticks all of my boxes! The service is top notch, their food makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, and so does the vibe of the restaurant itself.
I highly suggest you order the Montanara to start, which is deep-fried pizza dough topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and basil (I know, I’m salivating too!), and your choice of any of the woodfired pizzas. Of course, the meal wouldn’t be complete without pasta, and I highly recommend the incredibly rich and savoury carbonara or their heart-warming lamb ragu – you can thank me later.
120 High Street, Windsor | eatalianobypino.com.au
Co Do (Sunshine)
This is one of my sister’s most frequented restaurants in Melbourne since she moved there a few years ago and honestly, I see why. Co Do’s menu offers an extensive menu of delicious Vietnamese dishes, but most of the time I come here for one thing – Bún Bò Huế. If you’re not familiar, this is a spicy rice noodle soup dish with beef and pork and Co Do has perfected this bowl of goodness to the point that it’s ALMOST as good as my mum’s (and that’s saying a lot!). Order some prawn spring rolls to start and coconut juice to sip on, and you have yourself a knockout meal!
207 Hampshire Road, Sunshine | codosunshine.com.au
Thai Food to Go (Windsor)
If you’re a sucker for Thai food like me, this hidden gem needs to be on the top of your list of restaurants to visit in Melbourne!
This cosy little restaurant on Chapel Street offers a variety of classics that are bound to delightfully tickle your tastebuds. But, if you do find yourself there, DO NOT skip out on the crispy soft shell crab curry. This is the one dish I always go back for because it’s wholesome, perfectly rich and savoury, and best of all, they give you a very generous serve. Pair it with a large portion of coconut rice and some fish cakes to start, and you have yourself a to-die-for meal, with just enough room for their fresh mango sticky rice for the most satisfying sweet treat.
141 Chapel Street, Windsor | facebook.com/p/Thai-Food-to-Go
400 Gradi (Multiple locations)
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That’s right, another Italian restaurant in Melbourne that will exceed all your expectations!
400 Gradi has a decked-out menu with an impressive selection of wood-fired pizza and made-to-order pasta to cater to everyone and anyone’s taste. If you’re struggling with what to order, I’d recommend their homemade arancini (which has a nice spicy kick to it) and literally any of the pizzas to share with those on your table because they’re ALL amazing.
Then I’d go witheither the Tagliono Alia Pescatora, which is their seafood pasta that is just packed with flavour, or their lasagne which is simple yet made to perfection.
Brunswick, Crown, Eastland, Essendon, and Mildura | 400gradi.com.au
Panda Hotpot (Multiple locations)
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Stepping into Panda Hotpot feels like you’re a main character in a Chinese historical drama, because the décor is spectacular, and the atmosphere is grand and luxe. But it doesn’t stop there – the hotpot is on another level!
Enjoy up to three different soup bases in your hotpot and order from an endless amount of premium and fresh ingredients to soak up that broth, including high-quality meat and seafood, different types of fish balls, fresh noodles, and lots of vegetables to balance out your meal. Make sure to go here feeling extra hungry, because at Panda Hotpot, you’re likely going to have a feast.
Carlton and Carnegie | pandahotpot.com.au
Thanh Ha 2 (Richmond)
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Now this is what I would call top-tier Vietnamese food, and the perfect place to expand your horizons beyond a classic Phở!
Two dishes to keep in mind while you’re here – Bún Riêu, which is rice noodle in a rich crab meat soup and Bánh Khọt, which is mini Vietnamese pancakes with prawn and a side of fish sauce. Have either of these or both, and you are guaranteed to pat yourself on the back after your meal.
120 Victoria Street, Richmond | thanhha2.com.au
Hakata Gensuke (Multiple locations)
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How Hakata Gensuke manages to wash all my worries away with a single bowl of ramen is beyond me! But what I do know is their broth has been brewed for over 24 hours to develop maximum flavour, their noodles are made in-house, and their ramen is topped with the freshest ingredients. I usually go for the classic Tonkotsu, but there’s 20 ramen options to choose from so that even the pickiest eaters will be walking out full and satisfied.
If you’re craving ramen while you’re in Melbourne, run to one of their six locations (so convenient right?!) and slurp your cravings away!
Melbourne CBD, Hawthorn, Carnegie, and Carlton | gensuke.com.au
DoDee Paidang (Multiple locations)
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This is as authentic as it gets when it comes to Thai food outside of the motherland, so it goes without saying that DoDee is iconic in Melbourne!
Dishes from every corner of Thailand are included on their menu, so do not hold back when it’s time to order! Some must-haves in my book would be the satisfyingly crisp Thai omelette, the Lard Na Seafood which is flat rice noodle served with fresh seafood and drenched in a savoury gravy, and of course, their creamy Tom Yum soup with seafood that immediately warms the soul.
Melbourne CBD, Box Hill, and Glen Waverley | dodeepaidang.com
Feature image: Hochi Mama. Via Facebook.