Best Seasonal Restaurants in Kensington

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

BaysideCity CentreEastern SuburbsInner City EastInner City NorthInner City South

Neighborhoods

AbbotsfordAlbert ParkAlphingtonArmadaleAscot ValeAshburton

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

193 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Gilson

4.5

Awesome(748)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • South Yarra

Booked 56 times today

Nestled within the Domain Road enclave in South Yarra with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens sits Gilson.Gilson’s intimate dining room is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week and caters for large groups and private dining events. Gilson offers an all day menu focusing on Italian cuisine and seasonal flavours. A neighbourhood favourite due to its relaxed setting, friendly staff, fabulous drinks list and dishes such as the ‘avocado bruschetta’ for breakfast, the ‘Seafood Linguine' for lunch or dinner, and a 'tiramisu' for dessert. Wood fired pizza is also available for lunch and dinner cooked in the custom built oven.Gilson's brunch service is available for walk-ins with reservations available from midday.

2. Ishizuka

4.9

Exceptional(51)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Melbourne CBD

Booked 3 times today

Awarded two hats at the 2025 Good Food Guide Awards, Ishizuka is renowned for its contemporary interpretation of Kaiseki—an elevated and intricate culinary art form, practiced exclusively by Japan’s most expert culinary master Katsuji Yoshino. Each Kaiseki meal is a multi-course journey that celebrates the integrity of seasonal ingredients, with a balance of flavours and textures that are as artistically presented as they are meticulously crafted.Designed by esteemed architecture and design practice Russell & George, Ishizuka was awarded Restaurant of the Year at the 2019 Frame Awards in Amsterdam, International Winner in the Australia & Pacific Restaurant category at the prestigious Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in London, and Restaurant Design of the Year at the 2018 Eat Drink Design Awards in Melbourne.

3. Freyja

4.6

Exceptional(598)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Australian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 29 times today

Dining Without Limits - Experience a Culinary Journey Tailored to Your Table.Located within the heritage-listed Olderfleet building on Collins Street, Freyja brings together a deep respect for nature and the art of time. Our culinary philosophy is grounded in the use of local, seasonal Australian ingredients, preserved at their peak and allowed to evolve over time. Through thoughtful processes and care, we transform these ingredients into dishes that are honest, down to earth and full of character. It’s a modern interpretation of Australian dining – where nature’s simplicity meets flavours reimagined.

4. Askal

4.4

Awesome(157)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Filipino • Melbourne CBD

Booked 11 times today

Askal is Melbourne’s newest contemporary Filipino restaurant and bar located on 167 Exhibition Street. Comprised of a dynamic team of culinary experts, Askal is a three-storey establishment sits in a historical building from the 1800s. The menu is a celebration of traditional Filipino flavours and techniques, showcasing bold and vibrant dishes inspired by ancestral recipes passed down through generations.

5. Trattoria Emilia

4.8

Exceptional(1367)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 29 times today

Trattoria Emilia is an authentic Italian restaurant focusing on seasonal produce and fresh pasta. Head chefs Francesco Rota and Luca Flammia hail from Modena in Emilia Romagna.At Trattoria Emilia we seasonally change the menu and source a large majority of our produce from regional Victoria, our meat is organic and sustainably grown in Tasmania and Victoria and we import some of the best Italian DOC products. Some dishes that are not to be missed are our Tortelloni Emiliani and the crowd favourite salumi misti with gnocco fritto and tigelle served with mortadella mousse.Rustic, yet refined, Trattoria Emilia boasts fantastic ambience, attentive and professional service whilst all the while remaining a great casual dining spot perfect for a quick lunch, a long relaxing dinner with friends and has always been a romantic date spot.

6. The European

4.7

Exceptional(1341)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• European • Melbourne CBD

Booked 35 times today

Open every day for dinner, and Tuesday to Sunday for lunch, The European offers a welcoming ambience with warm, generous and knowledgeable hospitality - a beacon of Melbourne dining at its finest. Located on Spring Street, we offer classic bistro fare with substance and character to perfectly complement our extensive collection of wines, old and new world, available to enjoy with your meal. We also welcome walk-ins every day from 12pm at our City Wine Shop, with our full menu being offered at both venues, where you may simply pop in for a seat at the bar or grab a spot outside, overlooking Parliament House. We take the best seasonal produce, cooking simple, classic foods. Nose-to-tail offal dishes are centred within our menu, utilising every part of the animal products in our kitchen. Drawing on our own in-house butcher and farmhouse cheeses, matured by our friends at Spring Street Cheese Cellar, there is always something new to try on the menu at The European and City Wine Shop.

A photo of The Carlton Wine Room restaurant

7. The Carlton Wine Room

4.8

Exceptional(837)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• European • Carlton

Booked 28 times today

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.

8. Il Solito Posto

4.8

Exceptional(1283)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 56 times today

One of Melbourne's most renowned Italian restaurants. Il Solito Posto is an institution. A real Melbourne Italian dining experience with a warm urban chic feel. Tantalise your taste buds with regional Italian dishes, prepared with the freshest seasonal produce and revel in the awarded wine list. This is Il Solito Posto ..... The usual place..

9. Meatmaiden

4.6

Exceptional(1447)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Melbourne CBD

Booked 36 times today

Meatmaiden is an underground steakhouse and cocktail bar delivering a unique take on the classics.Hidden in the basement of the historic Georges Building, we strive to find the finest grass-fed, grain-fed and Wagyu beef for our custom-built grill and wood-fired smoker and dry-age select cuts in our meat cabinet.Premium steaks from incredible local producers with an ever-evolving lineup, seafood dishes such as our cult lobster mac cheese and modern, diverse menus stand alongside innovative house cocktails and a focused, energetic wine list.Look for the Maiden's face on Little Collins St, descend the metal stairs and discover our dark, seductive venue and individual approach to dining out in this rollicking homage to all things meat.

10. Bistra

4.9

Exceptional(139)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Australian • Carlton

Booked 21 times today

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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Christopher
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great food, service and atmosphere. Highly recommended!
More info
Trattoria EmiliaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.8
L
luke
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great food and beautiful restaurant, dinning on the kitchen side is a little loud, the other side of the restaurant has better ambiance, but overall the food is amazing and great value for the chef tasting menu
More info
FreyjaPrice: Expensive• Australian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.6
K
Kelly
Melbourne •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 17, 2025
We absolutely love Gilson. Fun atmosphere and the most delicious Italian food. Great value for money and can't wait to come back. The staff are so welcoming and helpful. A special shout out to Fay who goes above and beyond to make your dining experience memorable.
More info
GilsonPrice: Moderate• Italian• South Yarra
•
4.5
M
Melannie
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jun 13, 2025
My husband and I had the Piyesta Menu, and we enjoyed every bit of it. Each dish was cleverly crafted with innovative twists that showcased Filipino cuisine, making our dining experience truly remarkable. I highly recommend this restaurant.
More info
AskalPrice: Expensive• Filipino• Melbourne CBD
•
4.4
D
DawnVIP
Houston •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 19, 2025
The food and service was outstanding from start to finish!
More info
IshizukaPrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• Melbourne CBD
•
4.9

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
Seasonal

Kensington

Brunswick
Mill Park
Elwood
Docklands
Kew East
Southbank
Nunawading
Richmond
Werribee
Deer Park
Altona
Melbourne CBD
Preston
Yarrambat
Albert Park
Port Melbourne
Elsternwick
Croydon
Ringwood
South Melbourne