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Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in Inner City North

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OpenTable
Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best service 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!


A photo of Malin restaurant
Malin
4.9
4.9 (47)
$101 and over
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
Andreja
Dined on Jun 19, 2025
Very inventive and delicious menu with some extraordinary dishes.
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A photo of Four Course Chef's Tasting Menu of a restaurant
Experience
Four Course Chef's Tasting Menu
A photo of Six Course Chef's Tasting Menu of a restaurant
Experience
Six Course Chef's Tasting Menu
A photo of Bastille Day Four Course Chef's Tasting Menu of a restaurant
Experience
Bastille Day Four Course Chef's Tasting Menu
A photo of Palay restaurant
Palay
4.8
4.8 (16)
$40 and under
Filipino
Fitzroy
About the restaurant
Palay is a modern Filipino restaurant located in Fitzroy, offering a vibrant dining experience that highlights the best of Filipino cuisine. The name "Palay," meaning "rice" in Tagalog, reflects our dedication to using fresh, seasonal ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Upon entering Palay, you'll feel the warmth of a welcoming home, with a cozy atmosphere and a modern take on traditional Filipino design. Our open kitchen allows you to see our chefs craft each dish with passion and skill. Our menu takes you on a flavorful journey through the Philippines, featuring classic dishes like adobo and kare-kare alongside innovative interpretations of traditional flavors. We also offer a selection of Filipino beers, wines, and cocktails to enhance your meal. Whether you're a fan of Filipino food or trying it for the first time, Palay is the ideal spot to savor the rich flavors of this unique cuisine. Our friendly staff is here to guide you and ensure a memorable dining experience.
Top review
Caz
Dined on Jun 15, 2025
A beautiful, cosy restaurant to discover amongst the hustle and bustle of Fitzroy. Palay intrigues with its thoughtful, textural decor and familial service; whilst making you feel like you’ve been welcomed into Fhred’s home. Offering diverse brunch options and equally impressive dinner menus, Palay delivers on serving up comfort food that still looks and feels elevated, as well as classic dishes that only the discerning palate would know cater thoughtfully to dietaries. If you’re keen to venture into revived and reinvented Filipino cuisine, you should pay this new spot a visit!
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A photo of Feed Me, Tito! of a restaurant
Experience
Feed Me, Tito!
A photo of Palay x Kariton: Boodle, A Shared Table Experience of a restaurant
Experience
Palay x Kariton: Boodle, A Shared Table Experience
A photo of Ascot Vale Hotel restaurant
Ascot Vale Hotel
4.6
4.6 (340)
$40 and under
Australian
Ascot Vale
About the restaurant
The Ascot Vale Hotel welcomes everyone to experience a relaxed and comfortable corner pub that has been taken back to its former glory. This 1875 gem caters for everyone, whether you are hopping off the tram for a quick glass, impressing a loved one or celebrating an event with close friends or family. Here’s Luck to seeing you soon!
Top review
Kathy
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Love the Ascot Vale Hotel. A true local with consistently good food and great staff.
A photo of Shu Restaurant restaurant
Shu Restaurant
4.7
4.7 (509)
$41 to $100
Asian
Collingwood
About the restaurant
Welcome to Shu, once the name of Sichuan province, southwest China, now home of innovative plant-based cooking in Collingwood, Melbourne

Currently we are offering a 10 course vegan degustation. Inspired by Sichuan cuisine, this plant based set menu is all about innovated Chinese cuisine, embracing the healthy plant eating and showcasing seasonal local Victorian produce. From raw and chilled appetisers to fiery but mouthwatering authentic Sichuan flavours of the street food to complimenting premium wines and cocktails, Shu takes you on an adventurous journey of modern Chinese cooking.
Top review
sam
Dined 5 days ago
Interesting food that presented well, tasted great & the service was very very good. Would definitely recommend
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A photo of 2025 New 10 Course Degustation of a restaurant
Experience
2025 New 10 Course Degustation
A photo of 2025 New 10 course degustation of a restaurant
Experience
2025 New 10 course degustation
A photo of Truffle degustation with Adventurous Souls Wine of a restaurant
Experience
Truffle degustation with Adventurous Souls Wine
A photo of Shusai Mijo restaurant
Shusai Mijo
4.8
4.8 (25)
$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
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Jun 5, 2025
incredible experience, amazing food, and great service
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A photo of Counter Sushi Omakase - Fri & Sat of a restaurant
Experience
Counter Sushi Omakase - Fri & Sat
A photo of Counter Sushi Omakase Tue - Thu of a restaurant
Experience
Counter Sushi Omakase Tue - Thu
A photo of Kushiro Fusion Cuisine restaurant
Kushiro Fusion Cuisine
4.8
4.8 (49)
$41 to $100
Fusion / Eclectic
Fitzroy
About the restaurant
Kushiro - Melbourne
Nestled in a 100-year-old heritage building in Fitzroy, Kushiro blends historic charm with modern culinary artistry. Inspired by Melbourne's vibrant laneway dining and street art culture, the restaurant features a beautiful bar, Japanese-inspired lamps, chandeliers, and a striking graffiti wall depicting a fishing village in Hokkaido.

Kushiro's menu combines traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary flavors, offering standout dishes like Scampi Tartare, Cured Salmon, Chef Po’s Char Siu, Slow Roasted Short Rib, Confit Duck, and Tofu Panna Cotta. Patrons can also enjoy Kushiro's exclusive brand of sake, crafted in Japan.

Kushiro enriches Melbourne's diverse culinary scene with its unique offerings and vibrant atmosphere.
Top review
Bolin
Dined on Jun 24, 2025
It is a fantastic restaurant for friends meet-up, small family gathering and dating occasions with very peaceful environment. The food is well plated with top freshness and delectable, which combines not only Japanese but other cooking styles from other countries. Alcohol especially Japanese sakes they are the must-try. Stuffs are all friendly who really care about your dinning experience and dietary. We came for a two-person birthday dinner at the end we have received a bonus dessert and been photographed along with greeting on a birthday card! Strongly recommended!
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A photo of Bottomless Bar Snack & Free Flowing Sake of a restaurant
Experience
Bottomless Bar Snack & Free Flowing Sake
A photo of Kushiro Autumn 3 Courses Set Menu of a restaurant
Experience
Kushiro Autumn 3 Courses Set Menu
A photo of KUSHIRO BANQUET MENU of a restaurant
Experience
KUSHIRO BANQUET MENU
A photo of Bistra restaurant
Bistra
4.9
4.9 (139)
$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
Jonathan
Dined 7 days ago
Our waitress was outstanding with the way she showed and explained everything to us from the menu to the drinks to the specials and communication during our experience. Will definitely be coming back with others in to experience it for themselves also
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A photo of Bistra Welcomes Corner 75 of a restaurant
Experience
Bistra Welcomes Corner 75
A photo of Set Menu (payment due at restaurant) of a restaurant
Experience
Set Menu (payment due at restaurant)
A photo of Bluestone American BBQ restaurant
Bluestone American BBQ
4.8
4.8 (776)
$41 to $100
Barbecue
Coburg
About the restaurant
Bluestone American BBQ features a Latin American spin on authentic low and slow traditions from the US BBQ belt. Chef Alvaro Malel draws inspiration from his Uruguayan heritage, and his passion for cuisines from both American continents to reimagine smoked classics like Yearling Beef Short Rib with chimichurri, and Pit-Braised Pulled Lamb with salsa criolla and arepas.

His talent for bringing together the best of North and South American food traditions has been a drawcard for diners across Melbourne since the restaurant opened seven years ago. He credits the success of Bluestone to his Uruguayan culture and heritage, which is all about “food, family and fire…BBQ is a feature of all my best memories. There’s no better way to celebrate milestones, or to just kick back and have fun with the people you love. Bluestone has always been about creating that experience for other people.”



Top review
Jen
Dined on Jun 20, 2025
Delicious food, fantastic service, great atmosphere
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A photo of Pork Spare Ribs of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pork Spare Ribs
A photo of Maple Pecan Pie of a restaurant
Popular dish
Maple Pecan Pie
A photo of Bottomless Weekends of a restaurant
Experience
Bottomless Weekends
A photo of Royal Oak Hotel restaurant
Royal Oak Hotel
4.8
4.8 (292)
$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
Melissa
Dined 2 days ago
Great vibe but very dark and food takes so Long. Second time this has happened. We only ordered main courses and they took 45 min.
A photo of Good Gnocchi restaurant
Good Gnocchi
4.7
4.7 (197)
$41 to $100
Italian
Carlton North
About the restaurant
A very relaxed and delicious bar & bistro in Carlton North. GG's has a selection of light antipasti alongside gnocchi, pasta and comforting mains. Wash it down with a fun cocktail, or browse our delicious and approachable wine list.
Top review
JudyVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent experience at Good Gnocchi - from the moment we walked in we could sense the food, wine and cocktails/mocktails would be amazing as the aromas emanating from the kitchen were delicious team and the vibe & ambience exuded friendliness and enthusiasm. Thanks for a fabulous fun amd delicious evening.
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A photo of Good Gnocchi presents their Little Italy Feast of a restaurant
Experience
Good Gnocchi presents their Little Italy Feast
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