If there’s one thing Melbourne excels in—aside from unpredictable weather and sport, of course—it’s good food and drinks. No matter what you’re craving in Victoria’s capital city, there’s something to tickle your taste buds. Best of all, more restaurants than ever before are embracing the .melbourne top-level domain. Using this keyword right in their web address makes it clear to potential diners where they’re located and increases their rank and reach when people search for them on Google.
So the next time you’re looking for a new place to eat, enjoy local and try some of these .melbourne restaurants.
Looking for a no-nonsense sanga or coffee? Nico’s has you covered. With locations in both Fitzroy and the CBD, Nico’s keeps things simple with five signature sandwiches to choose from, thick and creamy milkshakes with creative flavours—think match and black sesame—and darn good coffee.
This European-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant is quintessentially Melbourne. It’s located in a 1920 building on Russell Street, and has spaces for all types of catch-ups, from a glass of wine at the bar to a cocktail in one of its cosy booths. The seasonal menus feature a range of appetisers to line your stomach and more substantial dishes for a full meal.
This one’s for the meat lovers. From The San Telmo Group, known for sister restaurants Palermo, San Telmo, and Pastuso, comes Asado, Argentinian slow-cooked barbeque in the middle of Southbank. This one’s best visited with friends so you can sample the various tapas and then dig into the large meats. If you’d rather someone make the decisions for you, Asado offers two different set menus and a bottomless lunch for those ready to indulge.
A family-owned restaurant, Pacinos serves up traditional Italian food with an Aussie twist. They offer all the favourites, like spaghetti Bolognese and homemade pizzas, along with a wide array of starters, fresh-off-the-grill options, and other mains. The location right by Melbourne Showgrounds means it’s a great stop for fuel before or after watching the races.
Located southside in the heart of Windsor, Tipico keeps its modern Italian menu short and tasty. It’s the perfect spot for a few wines and fresh Italian with a twist: think activated charcoal pasta, lamb gnocchi, and risotto with smoked Tasmanian scallops. Feeling brave? Let the Tipico staff decide on some favourites for you.
In the bustling western suburb of Yarraville is Vault, a versatile restaurant and event space. Not only is there a menu with something for everyone, including weekend breakfasts, but Vault also offers a range of fun live events, like Sunday sessions, open mic nights, and drinks and sport in the tiki bar.
If you want to try your hand at cooking as well as eating, Gourmet Kitchen has you covered. It’s a tapas bar and restaurant that also offers some of the city’s best cooking classes. You can choose from Spanish, Japanese, Thai, vegan, and other types of cooking classes—or, of course, let the pros cook for you.