Whatโs the best new restaurant in Melbourne? This is a question weโre often asked at Boss Hunting, and one weโve almost certainly got the answer to. In that spirit, weโve compiled a rolling list โ updated on a quarterly basis โ of all the best new Melbourne restaurants (all opened within a year) below.
Note that this list is not ranked.
Jump To:
Da Bepi, Brunswick
Brothers Matthew and Anthony Lucato have brought a slice of Veneto to Sydney Road with Da Bepi, their glowing, late-night wine bar inspired by their grandfatherโs hometown spirit. Surrounded by rare Italian spirits, dark timber, and family photos, it delivers the kind of intimate, cosy atmosphere thatโll have you sipping Amaro Montenegro and snacking on cicchetti until 3 AM.
The menu leans Venetian with fried mozzarella sandwiches, handmade pasta from Piera Pasta Fresca, and Nonna Mariaโs lasagne. With records spinning funk and soul behind the bar, Da Bepi could be Brunswickโs best new spot for dinner and a nightcap.
Opened: November 2025
Address: 391 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
Opening Hours: Wednesday (3 PM โ 12 AM); Thursday (3 PM โ 1 AM); Friday (3 PM โ 3 AM); Saturday (12 PM โ 3 AM); Sunday (12 PM โ 12 AM)
Cherrywood at Residence, Parkville
Inside the Potter Museum of Art, Residence has developed an innovative approach to preventing boring menus and an uninspiring atmosphere. Founded by Nathen Doyle (Sunhands) and Cameron Earl (Carlton Wine Room), the concept is the simple Chef in Residence programme, where each year, a new chef takes creative control of the venue and can create a unique dining concept from the ground up.
The debut chef is UK-born Robbie Noble (who cut his teeth at the legendary Vue de Monde), bringing with him some northern English nostalgia with plenty of modern flair, serving up dishes like devilled eggs with smoked eel, skirt steak in peppercorn sauce, and sardines soused in mezcal. Itโs an exciting new idea for the Melbourne restaurant scene, and one thatโs definitely worth checking out.
Opened: June 2025
Address: 815 Swanston St, Parkville VIC 3010
Opening Hours: Monday (8 AM โ 4 PM); Tuesday โ Friday (8 AM โ 11 PM); Saturday (11 AM โ 11 PM)
Sogumm, Cremorne
Sogumm has recently joined the ranks of Church Street, Cremorne, offering a blend of fine-dining techniques and the quiet philosophy of Korean temple food. Inspired by Buddhist nun and fermentation master Jeong Kwan, this new dining destination is the work of a husband-and-wife duo whoโve honed their craft under Alain Ducasse and Matt Moran.
Lunch is focused on classic Korean flavours such as soy, gochujang, salt, and doenjang, with each anchoring a single, intricate dish. Dressed in warm timber tones, gentle light, and an open kitchen, Sogumm is a slice of tranquillity on one of the suburbโs busiest streets.
Opened: June 2025
Address: 466 Church St, Cremorne VIC 3121
Opening Hours: Monday (11 AM โ 3 PM); Wednesday โ Sunday (11 AM โ 3 PM)
Baix, Brighton
Baix arrives in Brighton as the polished partner to Ian Curleyโs 81 Bay wine bar, which opened doors earlier this year.
Offering 40 seats and a locked-in three-course menu that refreshes every few weeks, Baix promises shareable and seasonally-focused starters, mains such as Wagyu porterhouse or John Dory, and dessert dreamed up by pastry chef Jo Ward. The wine list isnโt overly long, but has been carefully chosen to match the menu, making for an ideal dinner date location for anyone living south side.
Opened: July 2025
Address: 81 Bay St, Brighton VIC 3186
Phone: (03) 9279 2820
Opening Hours: Thursday โ Saturday (4 PM โ 12 AM)
Champagne Problems, CBD
Champagne Problems technically opened in 2024, but closed for several months at the end of the year to undergo renovations and reopened its doors in January this year. Billing itself as โthe cityโs new fave barโ and promising plenty on the booze front, itโs also got an impressive kitchen that turns out mouthwatering dishes such as caviar on toast, lobster rolls, duck ร lโorange, and even a hearty 300g porterhouse.
The cocktail list is impressively expansive, covering all the classics and a couple of fresh flavours youโre unlikely to have tried, while the wine list includes all your favourite Champagne options (as youโd expect from the venueโs name) and a curated selection of unfizzed winners. Tucked away in the heart of the CBD, the speakeasy-esque space blends playful kitsch and a touch of polished class, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a drink and a bite after work.
Opened: January 2025
Address: 238 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 7002 4248
Opening Hours: Tuesday โ Wednesday (4 PM โ 12 AM); Thursday โ Saturday (4 PM โ 3 AM)
Ho Jiak, CBD
Melbourneโs Tivoli Arcade now houses Junda Khooโs Malaysian trifecta, crowned by Ho Jiak: Jundaโs Playground on the top floor.
Expect curry puffs filled with blue cheese and a matching dip, and asam laksa reimagined as a granita atop raw hiramasa kingfish, while signature dishes from Sydneyโs original Ho Jiak include roast duck, Khooโs famed laksa bombs and char kway teow crowned with mud crab. Across three levels, this isnโt fusion or fine dining, but spirited fun that takes you to Penang without getting your passport stamped.
Opened: June 2025
Address: Level/1 Rainbow Alley, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 8637 0888
Opening Hours: Monday โ Wednesday (5 PM โ 10 PM); Thursday โ Sunday (12 PM โ 3 PM, 5 PM โ 10 PM)
The Pontian Club, Collingwood
Born as a Brunswick East pop-up, The Pontian Club has found a permanent home on Smith Street, founded by two friends and bolstered by ex-Gimlet chef Oscar Tan. Located in a casual space with exposed brick walls and plenty of repurposed furniture, itโs a venue that feels closer to your friendโs dining room than it does a Collingwood restaurant, which reflects its homespun origins.
As youโd expect from most good Greek menus, the line-up of dishes is protein-forward and channels regional Greek simplicity: crusty white bread is followed by flame-grilled lamb chops with red peppers, tzatziki and a lemon cheek, or plancha-grilled chicken steak with seasonal greens. A generous slice of vegetarian moussaka is a good way to finish off the meal, but only if you can resist the rotating olive oil cake.
Opened: June 2025
Address: 8 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Phone: (03)
Opening Hours: Friday โ Sunday (12:30 PM โ 5 PM)
Maison Batard, Melbourne CBD
Legendary Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas has done it again, opening the doors of Maison Batard to roaring enthusiasm from blue-blooded locals. Expect a lavish fit-out, a classic French menu designed by executive chef Adam Sanderson, and a 2,600-strong bottle wine list that draws from Lucasโs personal collection.
Maison Batard draws inspiration from Montmartreโs Hotel Particulier and covers four levels, with the main restaurant spanning two levels, while diners also have the rooftop terrace to enjoy before or after their meal. Elevated, exclusive, and delivering all the pomp and ceremony youโd expect from such an establishment, itโs Melbourneโs new must-visit venue.
Address: 23 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Opened: November 2024
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Monday โ Sunday (12 PM โ 3 AM)
Bookings: Essential
Feeling like the tried-and-true favourites instead? Check out the Best Restaurants in Melbourne. If youโve enjoyed this round-up of the best new restaurants in Melbourne, consider checking out these other locally based dining guides below:
