Search results for “Pancake”

Restaurant leaderboards —
ranked by mates and locals

Explore the most loved venues in Melbourne

1. 01.Carnation CanteenEuropean, Cocktail, Restaurant

   Getting a seat inside this Gore Street space takes foresight—or a sudden Melbourne downpour to shake up the book. The dining room is tight. Conversations accumulate rather than travel. Back in the kitchen, they run a weekly-rotating rhythm, trusting local produce to do the work. Fitzroy regulars single out the buttery snapper as a non-negotiable order. It is confident cooking. You find clean oysters handled with respect. A sweet corn pasta holds its richness in check. Then the scallops arrive. They swim in a smoky capsicum sauce that dictates an extra order of bread to clear the plate. Floor staff skip the theatre. Service runs sharp and informed. Drinkers navigate a European-leaning wine list built for serious glou-glou enthusiasts, though the Pomegranate Cosmo remains a constant draw. Ask for a spot in the heated courtyard. Let them feed you.

   165 Gore St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia

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2. 02.Earth AngelsCocktail, Bar, Cocktail Bar

   Bookcases tucked into corners. A tiny upstairs art gallery. A glass of their house-made *vin orange* in hand. Earth Angels isn't just another West Melbourne watering hole—it's a masterclass in mood. Date-night veterans constantly tip off their friends about this space, pointing straight to the South-East Asian-inspired small plates. The undisputed heavyweight? The '5-star Chooken'—a sticky, honey-glazed triumph that pairs flawlessly with a skin-contact Orbis Fiano. Thursday nights bring live jazz—kept at the exact right decibel for actual conversation. Sure, the kitchen’s pacing can sometimes reflect that ultra-relaxed, no-rush atmosphere, but nobody minds when the cocktails are this sharp. Grab a plate of freshly shucked oysters, settle into the warm, eclectic dining room, and let the evening blur.

   225-229 Victoria St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia

   61 4 7277 7242

3. 03.BistraBritish, French, Italian, Restaurant

   Bistra brings brilliant bistronomy straight to Carlton's bustling Elgin Street. Think cosy, intimate energy—tight seating that only amplifies the lively, convivial charm. The menu? A masterclass in balancing classic roots with sharp, modern twists. Melbourne’s discerning pasta purists are already championing the superb mushroom agnolotti as some of the city's finest. Start with the rich chicken liver pâté, delectable prawns, or the spinach ricotta dumplings. For mains, it’s a toss-up between buttery scallops, a famously juicy cheeseburger, and the steak. That steak is a true tour de force—boasting a flawless cuisson and fantastic sear, finished with a punchy peppercorn sauce and flanked by an unapologetically generous mountain of chips. Front-of-house executes relaxed, genuinely kind service, happily accommodating shared plates or pouring from their impressive wine list. Here’s the insider play: take advantage of their $30 BYO policy. Crack open a prized vintage, order a round of gin and ouzo cocktails, and finish with their highly praised creative desserts.

   157 Elgin St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

   +61 3 9000 5607

4. 04.Pincho DiscoLatin American, Restaurant

   Cambridge Street’s pulse just got a little quicker. Pincho Disco—Collingwood’s wildly energetic eatery—serves up high-voltage vibes and fiercely tasty Latin-inspired bites. Beautiful indoor aesthetics. Grooving soundtracks. This is where you go for a proper night out or a vibrant casual dinner. Melbourne’s seafood purists are already tipping their hats to the chef’s meticulous *aguachile* and scallop ceviche, swimming in punchy, citrus-laced *leche de tigre*. Flavour-packed small plates rule the table, backed by tender, perfectly seasoned spatchcock and tangy choux pastry profiteroles. The bar program? Lethal in the best way. Their take on the classic Pisco sour hits every single time, making happy hour an absolute must. Run by friendly, fiercely passionate staff who know their menu inside out—right down to pulling an outstanding long black. Skip the basic spots. Book a table indoors, order a round of sours, and let the rhythm take over.

   59 Cambridge St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia

   +61 3 9124 7380

5. 05.CirclEuropean, Restaurant

   Tucked away with that effortless Punch Lane cachet. Circl isn't just another modern European spot—it’s a masterclass in precision. Culinary purists are already predicting a second hat for Executive Chef Elias Solomon’s flawless, hyper-seasonal plates. The move here? The chef’s tasting menu. Expect direct-from-the-boat Corner Inlet calamari singing with rich nduja, and Macedon Ranges duck paired with Davidson plum harissa. Serious diners point straight to the Blackmore Wagyu—boasting ridiculous MB9+ marbling and unreal tenderness. The space itself hums with an intimate, wood-warmed sophistication. Dim lighting. Gorgeous private cellar. A seriously sharp somm pulling rare cuvées to match that refined caviar service. Confident. Polished. Undeniably exciting. Book your table before the waitlist gets impossible.

   22 Punch Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

   +61 3 9125 1777