Marina Cole

While you are in Singapore, ATLAS suits a special night out for its unique setting and often attentive, knowledgeable staff, with one review noting menu guidance can be uneven.

A CBD pick for a lively group dinner, with reviews describing a buzzing room across two levels and friendly staff, though service experiences are mixed.

Works for a milestone meal when you want a personal, intimate experience, with reviews noting the chef-owner preparing food in view and calling out great music and atmosphere.

A friendly local stop with staff described as warm and welcoming, plus outdoor seating that regulars use when they can get a table.

A relaxed option for a catch-up, with one review praising delightful service and noting it is quiet enough for conversation.

Pick Tonka for a date night when you want a beautiful Melbourne CBD restaurant where reviewers describe the atmosphere and service as great, with care and attention carried through the meal.

Choose Bedi’s when you want a warm, welcoming restaurant with lots of cricket collectibles on display, giving the table an easy built-in talking point.

Add Jock’s to a walk when you want a fun, easy ice-cream stop with friendly staff, quick service, and the option to sample flavours before choosing.

Book Flower Drum for a milestone dinner when you want a high-end dining room with proper old-school service, staff coordination, and pacing that reviewers call impeccable.

Limited seating, but reviewers note outdoor seats that are nice on a sunny day, plus staff who are pleasant even if not overly friendly.

A solid CBD option for work or group meals, with reviews calling the team accommodating, friendly and welcoming, and noting a great ambience.

For an easy Windsor meal with a mixed group, reviews point to kind service and a kid-friendly feel, so the table can settle in without fuss.

For a South Yarra celebration or family dinner, reviews mention courteous staff and a big, modern dining room, which can suit a group when you want to feel looked after.

For a North Melbourne weekday pick-up, reviews describe a steady flow of people grabbing items to go and staff who go out of their way on small things, making it a practical, community-minded stop.

For a Melbourne CBD dinner with young kids, a review describes staff who were very accommodating and made diners feel genuinely welcome, which can take the edge off a family night out.

Works for a milestone dinner when you want an intimate counter-seat experience with a special-occasion feel and service described as attentive.

Good for a settled group dinner if you want attentive staff and the option of private tatami rooms for your table.

Suits a catch-up when you want a bright room with long counter seating and staff described as attentive without being intrusive.

Handy when you want an easy bring-along for visiting friends or family, with reviewers explicitly calling it a perfect gift and saying they will return.