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Eating out in Melbourne is akin to a journey into contemporary Australia: fresh produce, multicultural fusion and consistent innovation. When looking beyond the CBD, there are few places which deliver that combinations as well as the best restaurants in South Yarra. From contemporary Australian fare to some of Melbourne’s best pasta and banh mi, you’ll find all your favorite delicious Melbourne staples offered in truly elegant South Yarra fashion.
South Yarra has long been on Melbourne’s foodie radar. From institutional brunch options like the ricotta pancakes at Two Birds, One Stone to the more elegant scones on offer at the Stables of Como. Even beyond the best restaurants in South Yarra, you’ll find people from all around Melbourne making the pilgrimage to the Tivoli Road Bakery. But, in my opinion, South Yarra truly shines when the neighborhood’s bougie undertones are merged with Melbourne’s dining culture.
With that, here are my six best restaurants in South Yarra, Melbourne for lunch or dinner.
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1. Cucinetta
This may well be the most cozy restaurant in South Yarra. Since first opening its doors in 2013, Cucinetta has been the Italian restaurant of choice for South Yarra residents and visitors.
One of my favorite things about Cucinetta is their seasonal menu and weekly specials (usually featuring fresh cheeses). To begin with, you’ll want to go strong on the smaller plates. I have a weakness for arancini (if I see them, I must order them) and at Cucinetta you’re in for a treat with crispy saffron, pumpkin and rosemary arancini. Once onto the pasta and risotto menu, I generally swtich between the risotto taleggio e porcini (served with black truffle paste) and the gnocchi zucchine.
As you’d expect from the best Italian restaurant in South Yarra, Cucinetta offer a world-class wine list. However, they do offer a BYO package during the week with a simple corkage fee.
Local tip: Cucinetta is very small and only hosts 18 people, so you’ll want to reserve in advance.
2. Gilson
Directly across the road from the Botanical Gardens, Gilson is a South Yarra institution. This is one of my favourite restaurants in South Yarra for a casual lunch (with a glass of wine), or just an afternoon snack in the sun.
Gilson epitomizes South Yarra elegance, sophistication and high-quality dining. You’ll want to make sure you order Gilson’s house bread. Actually let me take this a step further, you must order the house bread. To accompany your bread, you’ll find a large selection of antipasti. My go-to is generally the burrata and fresh tomato salad, served with a hearty balsamic vinegar. If you’re after a more substantive meal, I’m a big fan of Gilson’s pizza, pasta and chopped salad offerings.
Local tip: If the weather is nice, there’s nothing more quintessentially South Yarra than a wine outside at Gilson before a short stroll through the Botanical Gardens.
3. misschu
One of my favorite casual restaurants in South Yarra, misschu offers an Australian-style, Vietnamese-fusion menu. The restaurant itself leans into theme and is designed like a mini Southeast Asian hawker hall, with cute wall hanging evoking the backstreets of Hanoi.
In true Australian-Asian fusion style, misschu’s spicy corn fritters are among the stars of the menu. They come in various form, but I’d recommend ordering them in either the bao (with Asian slaw) or bowl (slaw salad) form. Otherwise, the pho options on offer are a consistent product, as well as the Vietnamese curry bowls (if you’re after something a little more hearty).
Misschu is a particularly great choice for vegetarians among the best restaurants in South Yarra. As a vegetarian, I always find my options are limited to tofu or veggie mixes. Here, misschu goes well beyond the usual tofu offerings, offering a delicious plant-based beef and shitake curry noodles. In true Melbourne fashion, gluten-free diners are well-catered for with numerous options marked on the menu.
If you ask any South Yarra local, they’ll tell you about misschu’s unique drinks on offer. In particular, we come here for their slushy ice crush drinks. I always go for the pineapple & mint coconut crush, but you can’t go wrong with any of their fresh flavors.
4. Ohayo Sushi & Donburi Kitchen
Everyone has their local neighbourhood sushi joint. For me, when I think of the best restaurants in South Yarra, I often think of the fresh hand rolls at Ohayo. I would describe Ohayo an extremely casual restaurant and the ideal spot for a quick work lunch or fresh salmon avocado takeaway.
Ohayo have a broad range of Australian-style sushi hand rolls. For those of us who are health-conscious (and I remove myself from this conversation), each sushi hand roll is offered on both white and brown rice. If you’re not a sushi regular, I’m a big fan of the spicy cooked tuna as well as the spicy tofu.
Beyond sushi offerings, Ohayo have a small menu of donburi bowls and noodle soups. On a cold Melbourne day, I love the noodle soups here. In particular, I find them extremely fresh and full of vegetables – which makes for a nice light lunch.
5. Pink Ginger
You’re probably starting to realize that South Yarra is one of the best neighborhoods for Asian cuisine in Melbourne. Hidden on a side street off busy Toorak Road, Pink Ginger offers some of the best Japanese food in Melbourne. When I’m looking for a leisurely, slightly indulgent, lunch in South Yarra, Pink Ginger is always one of my favorites.
Beyond an excellent sushi and sashimi menu, I always find myself ordering the spicy salmon don, made with Pink Ginger’s own signature mix and, of course, kewpie mayo. You can’t go wrong with any of Pink Ginger’s hot dishes (yakisoba, yakimeshi, or yaki onigiri). And if you’re coming with a group, don’t miss out on some okonomiyaki to share – the mochi, kimuchi & cheese okonomiyaki is really something special.
6. Trang Bakery & Cafe
Trang Bakery & Cafe is my go to if I’m after a quick lunch on the go in South Yarra. A small Vietnamese bakery, Trang’s offer some of the best bahn mi sandwiches this side of Collingwood. As expected from any good banh mi joint, you’ll find the usual selection of pâté and other meats to fill your banh mi, alongside fresh Vietnamese slaw and some excellent homemade chilli paste.
While carnivores are spoiled for choice when it comes to Melbourne banh mi joints, vegetarians are normally left out in the cold with one tofu offering. However, Trang is a real gem for vegetarians in South Yarra. With not one, not two, but four vegetarian banh mi options! Take your pick from lemongrass tofu, mock chicken, duck or pork.
Local tip: If you are here for Trang’s vegetarian meats, I usually ask for a mix-match and the team are normally glad to accommodate.
Trang also offer a number of tasty Vietnamese snacks, including some super fresh rice paper rolls with Vietnamese, mint, and potato cakes. And true to it status as one of Melbourne’s best bakeries, Trang sell a number of sweet treats for dessert. Take your pick from custard donuts and some true-blue Aussie lamingtons.
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