Bomba combines a Spanish tapas bar with a rooftop overlooking the CBD skyline. Downstairs, the restaurant serves classic and modern tapas – from patatas bravas to grilled seafood – while the rooftop bar focuses on spritzes, sangria and cocktails. Reviews consistently mention friendly staff, a relaxed but lively atmosphere and one of the most reliable rooftops in the city for golden‑hour drinks.

Disuko is a Japanese rooftop bar and restaurant in the CBD where “disco, drinks and dinner collide”. Guests can order izakaya‑style plates, sushi and yakitori from the dining room or bar, and there is also a chef’s counter offering omakase experiences, all alongside a drinks list of sake, highballs and cocktails. People love the city views, the upbeat soundtrack and the way it feels like being transported to a retro Tokyo rooftop for the night.

Embla is a much‑loved wine bar and restaurant on Russell Street, on the edge of the CBD. Inside, you will find a relaxed space with an ever‑changing blackboard menu of seasonal, wood‑fired dishes designed to share, and a list of thoughtful wines from small producers. Visitors often praise its welcoming staff, intimate atmosphere and the way you can drop in for a glass of wine or stay all night at the bar.

Farmer’s Daughters offers a three‑level “farm‑to‑table” experience on Exhibition Street, celebrating produce from the Gippsland region. There is a deli, a dining room and an open‑air rooftop bar, all serving seasonal dishes cooked over smoke and charcoal, alongside Victorian wines, beers and spirits. Guests enjoy the sense of escape – it feels like a small journey into regional Victoria without leaving the CBD – and often recommend the rooftop for relaxed drinks with a view.

Flower Drum is a long-standing fine-dining institution tucked away in Market Lane, right in the heart of Melbourne’s Chinatown. The kitchen is known for its table-side Peking duck ritual, alongside a broader menu of refined Cantonese dishes spanning dumplings, whole seafood and slow-cooked specialties, all served in an elegant, low-lit dining room.

Hardware Club is a small, upstairs restaurant and bar off Hardware Lane, modelled on the feel of a private European dining club. The focus is on Italian‑leaning dishes, house‑made pastas and an excellent list of wines, vermouths and amaro at the bar. Guests often describe it as cosy, romantic and a place where the staff remember your preferences if you return.

Lexy is a contemporary Pan‑Asian restaurant and bar on Flinders Lane, designed with multiple spaces that suit both intimate dinners and group celebrations. The menu blends Eastern flavours with modern techniques, while the bar serves cocktails, wines and spirits chosen to pair with the dishes. Reviews highlight the stylish interiors, attentive staff and the feeling of enjoying a full “night out” in one place.

NOMAD Melbourne brings a wood‑fire, share‑plate style to the city, in a large, contemporary dining room with a central bar. The menu leans into Middle‑Eastern‑inspired and Mediterranean flavours – flatbreads, dips, charred vegetables and flame‑grilled meats – designed for groups to share over a few rounds of drinks. Diners highlight the buzz of the room, generous dishes and a wine and cocktail list that makes it easy to linger long after the plates are cleared.

Nick & Nora’s is a glamorous cocktail and champagne bar in the city, inspired by the elegance of Art Deco entertaining. Expect an extensive list of bubbles, playful signature cocktails and a food menu of snacks and small plates designed to accompany long conversations. It is regularly recommended for special occasions – from pre‑theatre drinks to anniversaries – thanks to its dramatic interiors and polished service.

Past/Port is the South‑East Asian dining experience at the newly revived Waterside Hotel on the corner of Flinders and King Streets. Spanning multiple levels of the seven‑storey venue, it serves a menu that draws on Malaysian, Singaporean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian flavours, using Australian produce and plenty of spice and charcoal. Guests can enjoy snacks and curries in the main dining room before heading up to the rooftop cocktail bar and terrace for drinks with city views, making it ideal for a full night out in one address.

Palermo is an Argentinian restaurant and bar in the CBD, focused on charcoal‑grilled meats and robust flavours. The menu features asado‑style cuts, chorizo, empanadas and sides designed to share, supported by a drinks list rich in Malbec and South American‑inspired cocktails. Groups often choose Palermo for its lively atmosphere and generous servings that suit celebrations.

Stella Dining & Rooftop has launched an all-day brunch, Friday to Sunday from 9am to 3pm, spread across its four levels: a rooftop with skyline views, a cocktail dining room built around an open fireplace, a relaxed ground floor and an intimate private dining room. It’s the latest move from the Chapel Street venue known for its pizza and cocktail list, and the new menu carries a personal story.

Supernormal on Flinders Lane is an Asian‑inspired restaurant with a large open bar and kitchen at its heart. Signature dishes such as lobster rolls, bao and dumplings share the table with cocktails, sake and wines selected to complement the bold flavours. Locals and visitors alike mention its consistent food, fast service and how easy it is to bring groups here for a relaxed but memorable night.

Tipo 00 is an intimate pasta restaurant and bar on Little Bourke Street, named after the finely milled Italian flour used in its house‑made pasta. The open kitchen, bar seating and compact dining room create a lively atmosphere, with dishes like pappardelle and gnocchi matched to an Italian‑focused wine list and classic cocktails. It is frequently recommended for both lunch and dinner when you want comforting food and a glass of something good in the city.

Malin is a European‑inspired restaurant in Carlton North, set within a restored corner terrace on Rathdowne Street. White tablecloths, soft lighting and a refined menu of modern French‑leaning dishes create a classic, date‑night atmosphere. The drinks list covers carefully chosen wines and cocktails, and reviews highlight the polished service and sense of occasion.

Tomo‑An is an intimate Japanese kaiseki restaurant tucked away on George Street in South Melbourne. Guests take a seat at the counter to enjoy a seasonal set menu crafted by Chef Tomotaka Ishizuka, with a series of precise, beautifully presented courses that change with the produce. The experience feels calm and deeply considered, making it a special option for occasions where you want to slow down over dinner and a carefully chosen drink.

Zareh in Collingwood is a contemporary restaurant with a confident bar, sitting among some of Melbourne’s most exciting neighbourhood venues. Menus are produce‑led and change with the seasons, while the bar offers wines and cocktails that work as well for a quick drink as they do for a full dinner. Diners describe it as relaxed but ambitious – the kind of local spot you quickly want to claim as your own.