Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Inner City North

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Inner City North? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Malin

4.9

4.9 (39)

$41 to $100

Modern European

Carlton North

About the restaurant

Malin is a small neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Rathdowne Village, Carlton North.

Set in an 1880s property on the corner of Curtain and Rathdowne streets, the site has been renovated to honour the heritage of the building.

The food menu, developed by Chef Clement Pilatre, samples European cuisine and showcases seasonal produce and frequently changing dishes. The drinks list favours emerging wine producers, while also giving a nod to the classics.

Malin aims to deliver engaging service 5 days a week; with dinner served Wednesday to Saturday and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

More information can be found on our website or by contacting us directly.

We look forward to hosting you soon.

Top review

Vicky

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

A fabulous evening with amazing food and service. Intimate and special. Even though one of the courses wasn’t to my pallet, it was still delivered and pushed the boundaries of an amazing food experience. Would definitely return and recommend.

Royal Oak Hotel

4.7

4.7 (278)

$40 and under

Australian

Fitzroy

About the restaurant

The Oak has quickly become the crowd favourite amongst Fitzroy locals. Providing a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy one of our delicious meals and indulge in an array of tasty beverages. By the fire in winter or basking in the sun on Freeman Street. We are your local pub, a place for all to gather and celebrate conviviality

Top review

Todd

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

One of the great pubs in the Fitzroy/Carlton era. Fantastic value for money, but also food and drinks are at a high level.

ISH

4.7

4.7 (31)

$41 to $100

Contemporary Indian

Fitzroy

About the restaurant

Since November 2018, Fitzroy’s Gertrude Street has been home to ISH, a lively, inventive Indian restaurant. Serving up contemporary Indian cuisine, the restaurant’s ethos is rooted in the liminal: its inspirations both traditional and modern, its flavours both familiar and surprising, its spirit both global and local. It serves to represent, through food, the dynamism that so defines modern-day India. ISH is Indian-ish, yes, but also Australian; modern-ish, yes, but also classic. In short, it delivers what can only be described as ‘unexpected India.’

Top review

Hannah

Dined on May 3, 2025

Absolutely delicious dishes with something for everyone. Worth the price.

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Experience

Seven Course Celebration Experience

Experience

Five Course Chef Selection Experience

Local Chook

4.7

4.7 (166)

$40 and under

Vietnamese

Moonee Ponds

About the restaurant

Moonee Ponds Local Chook is a favourite among locals for its imaginative/fusion take on Vietnamese cuisine, served in a modern restaurant.
For starters, the Bao Buns are sensational selections. Some of Local Chook’s specialty/popular dishes include the Red Chicken Curry and Twice cooked scotch fillet in plum sauce, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free dishes.

Top review

Michael

Dined 6 days ago

Food is excellent, a more modern Vietnamese / SE Asian food, high quality and excellent value

Toddy Shop

4.7

4.7 (23)

$41 to $100

South Indian

Fitzroy

About the restaurant

Toddy Shop Fitzroy offers a unique dining experience in the heart of Fitzroy, celebrating the vibrant flavors of Kerala, India. Our menu is is inspired by home-style traditional recipes, focusing on seasonal ingredients and fresh seafood, all paired with a curated selection of wines, craft beers, and unique cocktails. Enjoy our warm, welcoming ambiance perfect for a casual brunch, intimate dinner, or late-night gathering. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or simply looking for an extraordinary culinary adventure, Toddy Shop Fitzroy promises a memorable dining experience.

Top review

Victoria

Dined on May 2, 2025

Had a beautiful birthday meal here, the food was very authentic (coming from Sri Lankans) the beef was hot but kept going back for more. The kingfish special was exceptional as well as the eggplant. The restaurant is very ambient, and high touch service. We bought a cake which they kindly catered for and didn’t charge (unheard of these days!) thank you for a lovely evening.

Discover more

Experience

"Lunch Special" - Kerala Chicken Biriyani

Experience

Toddy Shop - Large Group Bookings

The Carlton Wine Room

4.8

4.8 (837)

$41 to $100

European

Carlton

About the restaurant

Carlton Wine Room is a neighbourhood restaurant offering a well-executed, fresh, seasonal food menu, and an ever changing, diverse wine list featuring the best of Italy, Australia and the rest of the World. We offer a bar space, an upstairs restaurant dining room and three unique spaces that are can be booked for private dining perfect for special events.

RESERVATIONS: are for a two hour sitting. We do not accept bookings for drinks and snacks, however we accept walk-ins for this if space permits. A surcharge of up to 1.2% applies to credit card transactions. A surcharge of 10% applies on Sundays and 15% on Public Holidays.

OUTSIDE SEATING: please note this is subject to the weather and we may not be able to move your reservation inside in the case of bad weather.

CANCELLATION: A $50 per person no show fee is charged for failing to attend your reservation. Contact us on 9347 2626 to make changes or cancel your reservation.

Top review

TomVIP

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

The recommendations by our server were very good in selection and options. the wine choices complimented are food.

Bistra

4.9

4.9 (131)

$41 to $100

Australian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Bistra is an Australian bistro serving quality food and wine; our fare draws its influence predominantly from British, French and Italian cooking and technique, and yet it is quintessentially Australian. You can expect generous, memorable plates championing seasonal ingredients and an extensive list of wines.

Top review

Jack

Dined today

Just brilliant. Thanks so much for looking after us.

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Experience

Mothers Day Breakfast

Shusai Mijo

4.8

4.8 (24)

$101 and over

Japanese

Fitzroy

About the restaurant

Authentic Japanese Omakase set menu featuring Australian & Japanese ingredients. Sake driven Beverage list accompanied with Australian & European wines. Pairing options including non-alcoholic pairing is available.

Top review

Louey

Dined 4 days ago

We have a great night at Shusai Mijo, the food and service was excellent, I highly recommend if you experience this place if you like traditional Japanese cuisine.

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Experience

Counter Sushi Omakase

Experience

Counter Sushi Omakase

Experience

Counter Sushi Omakase

Bird Bang´n Chicken

4.6

4.6 (148)

$40 and under

American

Brunswick

About the restaurant

Bird is a big-hearted Chicken Bistro & Bar.

Check in for a session with friends and soak up the chilled vibe at the new brunswick local.

Chicken is our thing paired with Brunswick’s largest Australian craft beers, wines, spirits and cocktails list.

For Bang’n Chicken and Booze, follow your beak into Bird.

Top review

Ash

Dined on May 2, 2025

Great food and friendly service. Everything was delicious, and really good value 👍🏻

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Experience

Feed Me

Experience

$29 Bottomless Wings, Chips & Slaw

Experience

Bottomless Bird & Booze

Lagoon Dining

4.8

4.8 (551)

$41 to $100

Asian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Lagoon Dining is a restaurant and bar dishing up food that leans heavily on Chinese culinary traditions. It is an expression of food we love to eat and to cook, dished up heartily alongside booze we like to swill - a place for friends and fun.

Top review

Kitty

Dined today

One of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne! The food is excellent, the service impeccable and I love the ambiance and decor.

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Experience

Feed Me Menu

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