Melburnian here - I like this thread
+1 to all of JClasstraveller's suggestions. Below are some more of my favourites in the CBD and surrounding areas (feel free to ask me if you want any suggestions out in the suburbs). Will check back in regularly to add more to this post over time...
Mid to High End Restaurants:- Al Dente Enoteca and Sapori - this place started life during Covid as a pasta delivery service, when the owner-chef (a native of Italy) was stood down from his job. Some of the best pasta in Melbourne, but their offering now goes well beyond pasta. Their best-known item is the cacio e pepe tortellini.
- Arbory (IMO, this is the most "Melbourne" spot in Melbourne. Outdoor restaurant/bar built on a disused rail track. View of trains whizzing through Flinders Street station on one side; view of the Yarra River on the other side.)
- Arbory Afloat - if you are here between mid November and late March, the Arbory has a great floating restaurant/bar on the Yarra River. The theme changes every year. This year is Spain; in previous years they've done Miami, Italy, French Riviera.
- Askal
- Elio's Place
- Henry Sugar
- Makan
- Myrtle Wine Bar
- Osteria Ilaria (run by the same people as the superlative Tipo 00)
- Vaporetto Bar and Eatery - in Hawthorn, also easy to reach by public transport. Incredible, seasonal, modern Italian food. Also an all-time favourite. (There is a lot of good food in that part of Hawthorn, should you find yourself out that way).
Casual Restaurants and Cafes:- Alimentari
- Austro
- Bossa Nova Brazilian Cafe
- Bowery to Williamsburg
- Dao Noodle - Shanxi style knife cut noodles
- DoDee Paidang
- El Toucan South Central - authentic Colombian food
- Ermou Gyros
- Gurkha's Nepalese Restaurant
- Hector's Deli
- Jinda Thai
- Journeyman
- Kantan - incredible Malaysian food
- Kelso's Sandwich Shoppe
- Kenangan - some of the best Indonesian food in Melbourne (according to me as well as my Indonesian friends)
- Killiney Kopitiam
- La Tortilleria - authentic Mexican
- Little Africa - one of the best Ethiopian/Eritrean places in town
- Lulu's Char Koay Teow
- Mabu Mabu - Indigenous Australian cafe
- Masses Bagels
- Miznon
- Mumchan
- Naked for Satan
- Nico's Sandwich Deli
- Pellegrini's Espresso Bar - a longstanding Melbourne classic. Primarily an espresso bar, but they also serve pasta, dessert, other drinks.
- Pondok Rempah
- Salero Kito Padang
- Saluministi - Italian sandwiches
- Saporito Taquito
- Supper Inn
- Tom Toon Thai
- 8bit Burgers
Coffee:- Dukes Coffee Roasters
- Industry Beans
- Padre Coffee
- Proud Mary
- Seven Seeds
- St. Ali
Bars:- Beneath Driver Lane
- Byrdi
- Caretaker's Cottage - a very unique bar housed in the caretaker's cottage behind the Wesley Uniting Church
- Denmark House
- Gin Palace
- Kirk's Wine Bar
- Nick and Nora's
- 1806
Japanese food (giving this its own category because I love Japanese food. These are the fantastic, authentic places which I frequent - with Japanese chefs and/or owners):
- 279 (specialises in musubi)
- Bincho Boss
- Chotto Motto
- Coppe Pan Japanese Bakery
- Hareruya Pantry
- Hinoki Japanese Pantry
- IMA Japanese Cafe
- Kuu Cafe
- Mensho Tokyo Ramen
- Mr Ramen San
- Obanzai Mama
- Papirica
- Sara Craft Ramen
- Shimbashi Soba & Sake Bar
- Suupaa
- Tamura Sake Bar
- Udon Yasan
- Yoku Ono Ramen + Sake Bar
- Yukitei Tempura Bar
Vegetarian/Vegan:- Smith & Daughters
- Smith & Deli
Dessert and Cheese:- Agathe Patisserie
- Fluffy Torpedo - crazy ice cream flavours
- Gelato Messina
- Jock's Ice Cream & Sorbets
- Kariton Sorbetes - gelato inspired by Filipino flavours
- Kori Ice Cream - Japanese inspired ice cream
- La Belle Miette (great macarons)
- LuxBite
- Maker & Monger at Prahran Market (fantastic cheese shop which also serves gourmet cheese toasties and other cheese-related dishes)
- Milk the Cow
- Monforte Viennoiserie - my absolute favourite bakery in Melbourne right now (2025)
- Mörk Chocolate Brew House - the place to go for hot chocolate, and also a small selection of Swedish-influenced pastries
- Piccolina Gelateria
- Pun Pun - Thai desserts and snacks
- Shortstop Coffee & Donuts