Best Historic Restaurants in Carlton

Price

$$
$$$
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Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchJapanese

Regions

BaysideCity CentreInner City EastInner City NorthInner City SouthNorthern Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Ascot ValeBalaclavaBrightonCarltonCoburgCollingwood

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

40 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Kentaro

4.4

Awesome(34)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Melbourne CBD

Booked 19 times today

Welcome to KENTARO, a Japanese omakase restaurant that transports diners to the intimate charm of Japan’s hidden side streets. Here, we offer an authentic and immersive dining experience that celebrates the art of Japanese cuisine. Under the guidance of our talented producer chef, whose extensive background includes esteemed Melbourne establishments such as Shiranui, Shoya, and Marble Yakiniku, as well as international experience in culinary hubs like Singapore and Tokyo, Kentaro elevates Melbourne's dining scene to new heights. Join us for a unique journey where tradition meets innovation in every exquisite creation.

2. Star Wars Galactic Cafe

new

2.9

(43)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Café • Carlton

Booked 104 times today

Star Wars™ Galactic CafeMenu PolicyWelcome to our Star Wars-themed café, where every dish is crafted with precision to honor the galaxy’s most iconic flavors.To maintain the integrity of our Star Wars-themed experience, we do not allow changes to menu items. This includes removing, substituting, or altering ingredients.If you have a genuine medical condition or allergy, please inform our crew

3. Vue de monde

4.9

Exceptional(1995)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Modern Australian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 12 times today

Vue de monde is a testament to the belief that dining can be a wondrous and unforgettable experience. The ever-changing chef’s menu pays homage to classical fine dining in a modern context by exploring the beauty of native Australian ingredients. While in the past the menu looked to Europe for inspiration, Executive Chef Hugh Allen continues to celebrate the unparalleled quality of home-grown produce with thoughtfully considered dishes committed to seasonality and locality. Vue de monde has been synonymous with Melbourne dining for almost 20 years, continuing to present an exciting and dynamic experience with a progression of flavours and sense of curiosity. The whimsical spirit at the heart of the Vue de monde menu has not been lost throughout the years, with the lighter-handed and more natural approach to cooking being no less infused with theatre.

4. Shoya Melbourne

4.6

Exceptional(68)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Melbourne CBD

Booked 15 times today

Founded in 2003 by Chef Shigeo Nonaka, Shoya Nouvelle Wafu Cuisine proudly holds the title of Best Japanese Restaurant in Melbourne for 7 years in a row. We are a "One Hat Awarded" Japanese Fine Dinning Experience by the Age Good Food Guide.Our dishes are prepared with century-old Japanese techniques with contemporary western influence for the purest and delicate flavors and crafted with the highest quality ingredients sourced from Japan, locally, and globally, ensuring a unique culinary journey you cannot find else where. Choose from our offerings: Omakase Courses, à la Carte, and premium Special Lunch Sets, all accompanied by an extensive selection of traditional alcoholic Japanese drinks. Stay tuned for upcoming menu updates and events as we continue to elevate your dining experience.

5. Ishizuka

4.9

Exceptional(51)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Melbourne CBD

Booked 5 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.

6. Pure South Dining

4.4

Awesome(100)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Modern Australian • Southbank

Booked 10 times today

Pure South Dining is founded on philosophy of Ethical, Sustainable and Provenance driven produce, championing Tasmanian farmers, fishermen and small producers. The best in season produce is flown from the islands of King, Flinders & Tasmanian directly to our Southbank kitchen. Pure South Dining offers our guests two dining options to suite any occasion. The ground floor Pure South Kitchen is our casual riverside bistro offering classics from morning till late. Enjoy our Tassie produce without the fuss, while you look out to the Southbank promenade, sipping cocktails with friends. Ascend the stairs to the Pure South Dining Room, for a modern fine dining experience, with stunning views of the Yarra River & Melbourne's skyline. Dine a la carte, or embark on a culinary journey with our six-course tasting menu. Our in house sommelier is on hand to guide you through our extensive wine list, with over 400 bottles highlighting Tassie Chardonnay & Pinot Noir.

7. Freyja

4.6

Exceptional(594)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Australian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 20 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.

8. Yugen Dining

4.7

Exceptional(539)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Asian • South Yarra

Booked 33 times today

Yugen redefines dining after dark. A promise of an experience where food, drink, and music continue well into the night. A subterranean setting with a refined industrial feel, offering dishes and beverages influenced by the cultural richness of Asia. Tradition met with the intuition of a contemporary flair.

9. Cecconi's Toorak

4.7

Exceptional(176)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Toorak

Booked 15 times today

A lavish European dining experience, serving some of Melbourne’s finest Italian cuisine. Designed as a sister restaurant to the original Cecconi’s in Flinders Lane, our second venue brings a touch of luxury, refinement and ‘buonissimo’ to Melbourne’s inner-east enclave. Inspired by its heritage in Italy’s northern regions, and the masters of Italian design, our Toorak venue offers a modern evolution of classic European dining, with a strong Melbourne sensibility. A journey of intimate spaces, luxurious finishes, bespoke detailing and sculptural forms.Cecconi’s Toorak adds a contemporary touch to Melbourne’s culinary landscape, whilst maintaining the high-end Italian hospitality that has made Cecconi’s a Melbourne dining institution for more than twenty years.

A photo of The Breslin Steakhouse restaurant

10. The Breslin Steakhouse

4.3

Awesome(698)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Southbank

Booked 28 times today

Based on the Left Bank in Melbourne's Southbank, overlooking the Yarra River, The Breslin Steakhouse aims to be the best whole carcass based restaurant in the market. New York attitude and style combined with modern and classic technique, The Breslin Bar & Grill pays homage to the classic New York-style steakhouses, complete with a large wall-to-wall bar that proudly mixes up the classics.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Matthew
Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Best meal I have ever had. Location, service, and presentation were all excellent!
More info
Vue de mondePrice: Very Expensive• Modern Australian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.9
A
Alex
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The food is good value and it tastes very good. Their classic Blue Milk was very delicious, it is a must try.
More info
Star Wars Galactic CafePrice: Moderate• Café• Carlton
•
2.9
J
JohnVIP
Adelaide •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 7, 2025
Long time customer we love this restaurant food is always excellent…. We are truly well catered for …… Love these guys
More info
Shoya MelbournePrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• Melbourne CBD
•
4.6
D
Denise
Las Vegas •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jun 7, 2025
Great experience for our first omakase. All the ingredients paired so well together and were so fresh. Would definitely be back for the dinner service.
More info
KentaroPrice: Expensive• Japanese• 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

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