Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Melbourne

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Melbourne? 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!

Dexter

4.8

4.8 (225)

$41 to $100

Barbecue

Preston

About the restaurant

DEXTER is a no rules approach to American BBQ brought to you by Adam Goldblatt, Sam and Tom Peasnell. Our meatery features the best Australian produce which is treated the right way. Chefs Tom (Pitt Cue Co, London) and Adam (Homeslice, London) pay homage to the low and slow traditions of American BBQ utilising smoking, chargrill techniques and pair this with flavours from Mexico, China, France and alike. The philosophy is a meat first approach, where a dish is formulated from the unique characteristics of the meat (or vegetable) for a truly unique meat experience. Think salted caramel ribs, hot meat donuts and dry aged Ribeye's.

Top review

Keith

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

Meat doughnut, medium rare strip steak, fries and iceberg wedge, food to die for

Yeonga Korean BBQ

4.8

4.8 (646)

$41 to $100

Asian

North Melbourne

About the restaurant

Yeonga uses never been frozen fresh meat boasting highest quality.(However beef brisket and ox tongue are slightly frozen for slicing)Yeonga uses 100% genuine charcoal for extra juiciness of meats. Yeonga can cater any kind of functions with spacious 150 seats and free car park is located in front of restaurant for your convenience.(Any Function is available) In Korean, Yeonga means “Smoke House”. The colored roof in the logo represents the tiles (Giwa) commonly used in the construction of traditional Korean houses.

The interior of this restaurant is built on the model of ‘Hanok’ which is the term used to describe houses built using traditional Korean architecture. Korean architecture lends consideration to the positioning of the house in relation to its surroundings, with thought given to the land and seasons. The structure of hanok is used tiled roofs (giwa) that not only enhanced its functional efficiency, but also possessed great artistic value.

Top review

Cortnee

Dined 4 days ago

Team are always helpful and friendly. Will continue to come back for as long as the are open ! Great value, portions and the ban chan selection is always tasty and they do not skimp out! 10/10 😁💗

Corner Hotel

4.7

4.7 (349)

$40 and under

Pub

Richmond

About the restaurant

The beloved Corner Hotel is a cultural institution in the heart of Melbourne for lovers of all things music, sport and food.

Only a short walk to Melbourne’s Olympic Park sporting precinct and regularly screening a variety of sporting blockbusters, the venue is also the perfect place to grab a pre or post-match bite.

Choose from the extensive contemporary pub menu and situate yourself amongst the vibrant greenery of the newly renovated rooftop bar whilst sipping on a drink from the impressive cocktail list. The front bar also makes for a great late night destination, with resident DJs keeping the party going until the early hours of the morning whilst spinning a range of rock and dancefloor classics. A perfect place for any beer loving pub goer, the front bar also features a selection of exclusively stocked craft beers and locally brewed drops.

Top review

Tim

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food and great value for money Always good

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Experience

$24 Parma Night — Wednesday

Bird Bang´n Chicken

4.7

4.7 (153)

$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

Simone

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Great spot for my teenage son’s birthday dinner with his mates. They devoured all the chicken and loved the fruity non alcoholic drink options.

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Experience

Feed Me

Experience

$29 Bottomless Wings, Chips & Slaw

Experience

Bottomless Bird & Booze

Hwaro Korean BBQ Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (449)

$41 to $100

Korean

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

Melbourne Hwaro Korean BBQ is a place where one can fully enjoy that authentic Korean taste. Located in the CBD the restaurant is always full, even on the weekdays, as the smell of the BBQ floats down from the terrance stopping people in their tracks.

Just like mother used to make
Taste is something Hwaro is particular about. Taste is what owner and chef Eunsook Kim is mostly concerned with. Her dignified and somber character, reminds many people of their own mothers.

Kim herself is essential to Hwaro. The preparations for all the meat and sauce available at Hwaro are handled by Kim alone. This includes supervision of the slicing of the Karubi (boneless short ribs), and preparation of the 23 different ingredients* needed for the hot pepper Sangyu Pusaru seasoning. Nearly all of the seasonings lined up on the tables are Kim's own creations.

Top review

Anna

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Perfect Korean BBQ experience. Food was exquisite, side dished amazing! The waiters were so helpful and nice! Also the soju was cheap and so gooddd

Straight Outta Saigon

4.6

4.6 (1168)

$40 and under

Vietnamese

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

Born out of the wok-tossed flames of Vietnam and introduced into the bustlin’ heart of urban Melbourne, Straight Outta Saigon's serving eastern flavours for it's CBD crew. Immerse yourself in 90s hip-hop mixtapes, swim in our offerings of tropical elixirs, and bask in the taste of street-side viet-fare without the frills!

Top review

Karishma

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Callum was fantastic! Love your enthusiasm! You were the highlight, more so than the food 😝🤣

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4.6

4.6 (25)

$40 and under

Mexican

South Yarra

About the restaurant

Sam's Cali Cantina is Melbourne's newest Californian Restaurant, located in Chapel Street, South Yarra. Serving Mexican Street Food, American style Burgers and killer Margaritas. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, Sam's is the perfect venue for hosting your next birthday party, or for simply enjoying a cute date night in one of our cozy booths. Gorgeous stylish decor, moody lighting and staff who care about your dining experience with us. Open seven days til 9pm.

Top review

Anna

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

lovely customer service , welcoming and positive energy that made our night , will most definitely recommend and be back for more delicious food and amazing service :)

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Experience

$10 Margaritas | Mondays

Gilson

4.5

4.5 (748)

$40 and under

Italian

South Yarra

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Kelly

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.

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Popular dish

Mushrooms

Experience

$65pp Classics Group Shared Menu

Experience

$65pp Classics Shared Group Menu

Pink Lemonade

4.5

4.5 (131)

$40 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Richmond

About the restaurant

Made up of Richmond’s finest, Hells Bellz Smokehouse, Black Drum Café, food trucks and our funky outdoor, The Bar, Pink Lemonade delivers 5 star quality in a relaxed atmosphere. Our swanky outdoor space is the perfect spot to get on the beers, have a good time, and create awesome memories. Friday Nights Live and Acoustic, Saturday’s Bottomless Bevvies and our very own Sunday Sessions.

Top review

Amanda

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

We love this place food is always awesome, great value for a family of 5

Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya - Fitzroy

4.3

4.3 (1751)

$41 to $100

Japanese

Fitzroy

About the restaurant

Ichi Ni Nana, is a modern style Izakaya experience spread across multiple levels along the iconic Brunswick Street offering delectable Japanese dishes with a modern twist (such as our must try Ebi Mayo). The venue also comprises an amazing beverage list of Japanese inspired cocktails, the best Japan has to offer in sakes and whiskies and a comprehensive wine list covering local and international regions.

Our friendly and professional team will take you on a guided tour through a Japanese experience that will leave you eagerly anticipating your next visit. Whether it’s an intimate dinner in one of our hand crafted booths or a group celebration, Ichi Ni Nana has an abundance of breathtaking indoor and outdoor areas (including a courtyard with a retractable glass ceiling which can be enjoyed rain, hail or shine), to suit any occasion.

Top review

MAYA

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

By far one of the best restaurants in Melbourne. We rocked up on a Monday evening at 8:45pm, late to our booking 8:30pm, in which we thought the restaurant closed at 12pm but no- it closed at 9pm! So automatically I thought they would apologise and say that we had come too late or give us a time of which we had to leave but instead they catered us, looked after us and told us to take our time. Lucas, the manager and our waiter was so very accomodating. Midway through the dinner, we (me and my date) were the only ones in the restaurant. Was truly an experience I am very grateful for, and all the food was 10/10. I do recommend the ebi mayo, okonomiyaki and yakitori AND the HOT CHOCOLATE - it's one of the best I've had. No joke. 100% recommend.

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Experience

$95 Premium Banquet Menu

Experience

$75 Signature Banquet Menu

Experience

$55 Banquet Menu

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