Coda

The clever use of space and the menu of mostly small sharing dishes gives Coda an energy as people pop in for a glass of wine and a couple of scallops, with the comfort of knowing that they can book a table for a Friday night should the want to. Coda is one of Melbourne’s best.

Location: Basement 141 Flinders Lane (corner Oliver Lane) Melbourne

Phone: (03) 9650 3155

Website: codarestaurant.com.au

Florentino

This classic Italian dining institution takes pride of place on the top level, upstairs from Florentino Grill and Cellar Bar down on the street. The menu format means every diner eats three courses. If you’re there to really lash out, which of course you are, choose the Gran Tour menu, a lavish five-course set-menu matched with wines from Australia, Italy and France.

Location: 80 Bourke Street Melbourne 3000

Phone: (03) 9662 1811

Website: florentino.com.au

Grill Americano

With Grill Americano, restaurateur Chris Lucas wasn’t looking to create another Italian restaurant. Melbourne had plenty of those already. Instead, his Italian steakhouse is a reimagining of the grills and brasseries prevalent in Melbourne throughout the ’60s and into the early ’80s. The menu’s centrepiece, though, is the grill section and its bistecca alla Fiorentina. A star of Tuscan cuisine, here it comes in the form of a 1.2-kilogram T-bone cooked over charcoal and doused in sea salt and rosemary.

Location: 101 Collins Street Melbourne 3000

Email: reservations@grillamericano.com

Phone: (03) 8616 8010

Website: grillamericano.com

Smith St Bistrot

Designer Sarah Townson of Anthology has warmed up the exposed-brick interior with fresh moss, antique mirrors, gothic chandeliers and burgundy banquettes, which line the wall opposite the bar. It’s stocked with all the makings of a classic Parisian cocktail spot (think dirty Martinis and French 75s) and an extensive selection of French and local wine.

Location: 300 Smith Street Collingwood 3066

Email: info@smithstbistrot.com.au

Phone: (03) 9419 2202

Website: smithstbistrot.com.au

Stokehouse

When Stokehouse re-opened in December 2016, it was booked up until March 2017 within 24 hours. Such is the love that Melburnians have for the seaside diner, which was founded in 1989 and destroyed by fire in January 2014. The refit produced three distinct spaces. 

Location: Upstairs 30 Jacka Boulevard St Kilda 3182

Email: info@stokehouse.com.au

Website: http://www.stokehouse.com.au/

Tel: +610395255555

Embla

Christian McCabe believes you don’t need to know anything about a band to enjoy going to a bar and listening to live music. And that wine is just the same.

Location:122 Russell Street Melbourne 3000

Email: ask@embla.com.au

Website: http://embla.com.au/

Tel: +610396545923