Dining Out

^{photo: Adam M. Dimech}

In a city that prides itself on its gastronomic culture, the abundance of restaurants means you're never at a loss for a great meal and the only thing you're left to ponder is where to actually head to. You will find something for every taste and every budget.

CODES

$ Cheap $5 - $25
$$ Medium $25 - $50
$$$ High $50 and over

MELBOURNE'S FINEST

Ezard $$$
187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Tel: 9639 6822 www.ezard.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-2.30pm / Mon to Sat 6.00pm-10.30pm
Inspirational dining with creative dishes influenced from Asia to Europe.

Gingerboy $$$
27-29 Crossley Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9662 4200 www.gingerboy.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-3pm / Mon to Sat 6pm-10.30pm
Takes traditional South-East Asian street food to a stylish Melbourne-esque level.

Oyster Little Burke $$$
35 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9650 0988 www.oysterlittlebourke.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-3pm / Mon to Sat 5pm-11pm
Modern European with great service.

Taxi Dining Room $$$
Level 1, Transport Hotel, Fed Square, Melbourne
Tel: 9654 8808 www.transporthotel.com.au
Open: Mon to Sat 10am-11pm
Japanese/European cuisine, superb service and a fine view of Melbourne.

The Press Club $$$
72 Flinders St, Melbourne
Tel: 9677 9677 www.thepressclub.com.au
Open Mon to Fri 12pm-3pm / Mon to Sat 6pm-10pm
An elegant dining space offering traditional Greek food injected with modern pizzazz.

MODERN AUSTRALIAN (PUB style)

Lounge Bar $
243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 2916 www.lounge.com.au
Open: Mon to Sun 12pm till late
A cafe, bar, club, art space and live music venue with wholesome, cheap food!

Waterside Hotel $ - $$
Cnr Flinders & Kings Streets, Melbourne
Tel: 9629 1350 www.watersidehotel.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 11.30am-9.30pm / Sat 6pm-9.30pm
A multi-purpose venue that meets the needs of pub-goers and formal diners

Young & Jackson $ - $$
Cnr Swanston & Flinders Streets, Melbourne
Tel: 9650 3884 www.youngandjacksons.com.au
Open: 12pm-9pm
One of the city's oldest pubs which accommodates all clientele over many areas

Mitre Tavern $ - $$
5 Bank Place, Melbourne
Tel: 9602 5611 www.mitretavern.com.au
Open: Mon to Sat 12pm-9pm
Some of Melbourne's finest char-grilled steaks can be found in the restaurant here

ITALIAN

Pellegrini's Espresso Bar $
66 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9662 1885
Open: Mon to Sat 11am-11:30pm / Sun 12pm-8pm
A traditional Italian espresso bar- great for a hearty bowl of pasta.

Becco $$
11-25 Crossley Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 3000 www.becco.com.au
Open: Mon to Sat 10am-11pm
Simply great Italian food, good bar and excellent service.

Grossi Florentino $$$
80 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9662 1811 www.grossiflorentino.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-3pm / Mon to Sat 6pm-11pm
Upstairs is a classic Italian dining experience by renowned chef Guy Grossi.
A cheaper dining experience is the Florentino Cellar Bar, for a more relaxed atmosphere.

TAPAS

Movida Next Door $
164 Flinders St (cnr Hosier Lane), Melbourne
Tel: 9663 3038 www.movida.com.au
Open: Tue to Sat 5pm-late
Offers a traditional Spanish tapas bar feel with southern Spanish tapas and raciones.

Movida $$
1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 3038 www.movida.com.au
Open: Mon to Sun 12pm-late
Best Spanish Tapas in Melbourne. A vibrant, yet relaxed atmosphere with great service.

Bar Lourinha $$
37 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 7890 www.barlourinha.com.au
Open: Mon to Wed 12pm-11pm / Thu to Fri 12pm-1am / Sat 4pm-1am
Great selection of tapas, fun atmosphere and wine bar.

JAPANESE

Don Don $
321 Swanston Walk, Melbourne
Tel: 9662 3377
Open: Mon to Fri 11am-3:30pm
Where all the local Japanese students eat - excellent and cheap!

Kenzan $$
45 Collins Street, Melbourne (Collins Place)
Tel: 9654 8933 www.kenzan.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-2:30pm / Mon to Sun 6pm-10pm
Watch a real master prepare sushi at the bar - exceptional Japanese food.

Teppanyaki Inn $$$
182 Collins St, Melbourne
Tel: 9650 9431 www.teppanyaki.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-2pm / Mon to Sat 6pm-10pm
Trading for over 30 years- a true testament to the quality and authenticity of the cuisine.

CHINESE

Shark Fin Inn $
131 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9662 2681 www.sharkfin.com.au
Open: Mon to Sun 12pm-3pm / Mon to Sun 5:30pm-1.30am
Serves Yum-Cha daily- recommended!

Supper Inn $$
15 Celestial Avenue, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 4759
Open: Mon to Sun 5:30pm-2:30am
Open late night and serving traditional Cantonese dishes.

Flower Drum $$$
17 Market Lane, Melbourne
Tel: 9662 3655
Open: Mon to Sat 12pm-3pm / Mon to Sun 6pm-10.30pm
Consistently voted Melbourne's best. A combination of traditional Cantonese cooking, an extensive wine list and the finest ingredients and service.

INDIAN

Flora $
238a Flinders Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 1212
Open: Sun to Thu 10am-10pm / Fri to Sat 10am-11pm
Fast and cheap with a good selection of Vegetarian dishes.

Gaylord Indian Restaurant $
4 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne (off Little Bourke Street)
Tel: 9663 3980
Open: Sun to Fri 11:30am-3pm / Mon to Sun 5:30pm - 11.30pm
Popular Indian restaurant with live music in the evenings.

GREEK

Stalactites $
177 - 183 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 3316 www.stalactites.com.au
Open: 24 Hours, 7 Days
Great place to visit for a late night meal or snack.

Kri Kri Mezethopoleion $$
39 - 41 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9639 3444 www.krikri.com.au
Open: Tue to Fri 12pm-3pm / Mon to Sat 5pm - 11pm
Authentic Greek menu based around mezze style dining.

THAI

Ghin Khao $
242 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 3362
Open: Mon to Sun 11.30am-9.45pm
Authentic Thai food, reasonable prices for good sized portions.

Sawasdee $$
1st Floor, 139 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 4052 www.sawasdee.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-2:30pm / Mon to Sun 6pm-11pm
Excellent Halal Thai food

Longrain $$$
40 - 44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9671 3151 www.longrain.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-2:30pm / Mon to Sat 6pm-11pm
Excellent food, great bar - a Melbourne institution.

MIDDLE EASTERN

Maha Bar & Grill $$
21 Bond Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9629 5900 www.mahabg.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-3pm / Mon to Wed 6pm-10.30pm; Thur to Sat 6pm-3am
Melbourne's best Middle Eastern Restaurant.

Mecca Bah $$
55a New Quay Promenade, Docklands
Tel: 9642 1300 www.meccabah.com
Open: Mon to Sun 11am-11pm
Superb views and flavoursome food.

The Deanery $$
13 Bligh Place (off Flinders Lane), Melbourne
Tel: 9629 5599 www.thedeanery.com.au
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-10pm / Sat 6pm-10pm
A renowned wine bar, this place has excellent service with a modern twist on the food.

VIETNAMESE

Pho Ba Ga Mekong $
241 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 3288
Open: Mon to Sun 9am-10pm
Casual dining bustling with students at lunchtime. Excellent Pho menu.

Saigon Inn $
11-15 Liverpool Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9639 0693
Open: Mon to Fri 12pm-3pm / Mon to Sat 5pm-10pm
Generous servings, quick service and reasonably priced.

Cho Gao Restaurant & Bar $$
Level 3, 211 La Trobe St (cnr La Trobe & Swanston St),
Melbourne Central, Melbourne
Tel: 1300 246 426
Open: Sun to Thu 12pm-11pm / Fri to Sat 12pm-1am
The menu tastes as good as the décor of this restaurants looks.