There are few things as blissful as a long, languorous lunch. Luckily, Melbourne is one of the best places in the world to enjoy one. The city’s hospitality map showcases cuisines from across the globe – and constantly blurs the boundaries between them.
Looking for an impressive place to take a client, the team at work, your family or your partner? This guide has you covered with everything from upscale modern Australian to South American barbeque. Gather the right people and head to one of our favourite spots to do your long lunch justice.
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Asado is Spanish for roast. And that’s exactly the focus at this tan-leather-filled restaurant, which showcases grilled meats and big flavours. From the team behind San Telmo, Pastuso and Palermo, Asado encourages you to share a spread of tapas as well as meat, seafood and vegetables charred on the parrilla.
Enjoy casual all-day dining at Andrew McConnell’s revered Flinders Lane restaurant. Seasonal share plates might include heirloom vegetables, a whole fish or slow-roasted lamb shoulder. The spacious, hardwood floor setting is both classic and comfortable, ideal for a languorous long lunch.
A vibrant pan-Indian diner that’s proudly “unauthentic”. Lounge in the plush, peacock-feather blue couches and enjoy the share-plate menu. It might include sweet-and-sour fried cauliflower, naan pizzas, curries and grilled dishes straight from the tandoor.
Descend to the sprawling basement for a vast menu that takes inspiration from all over Thailand. There’s plenty on offer if you’re lunching in a group including pad thai, seafood platters, papaya salads and plates full of barbequed meat. A second site has since opened on Swanston Street.
Empty stomachs are a prerequisite at this upscale American barbeque joint. Go for the signature share platter, which might include hearty beef brisket, pork shoulder or pulled mushrooms. Pair it with the beer tasting of Australian and American lagers.
Take in the suave surroundings at this three-storey ode to Gippsland and its produce, from the chef behind Pastuso. Book ahead for the chef’s table and enjoy a farm-to-table set menu that might include Gippsland vegetables, baked trout or dry-aged beef.
Venetian elegance, New York energy and a kick of Melbourne nostalgia collide at restaurateur Chris Lucas’ lavish brasserie and grill. Take a seat in the grand dining room for charcoal-fired bistecca, a show stopping tiramisu, quintessentially Italian cocktails and plenty of tableside theatrics.
Enjoy punchy Thai atop long, neon-lit marble tables for your next lazy lunch. The hefty menu features charcoal-grilled seafood, bao, betel leaves and curry pots. Plus, there’s often a DJ spinning tunes in the mezzanine.
An Italian-influenced Argentinian spot from the team behind San Telmo and Pastuso. Expect meat and fish cooked over the asado firepit – a specialty here. The layout is a nod to a classic steakhouse, plus there are private rooms for special occasion lunches.
It’s rare to find a CBD lunch spot with a sprawling al fresco space. Pepe’s saw the market gap and we’re grateful for it. Enjoy Italo-American fare in a heritage-listed former synagogue. Slip into a plump leather booth before tucking into your veal parmigiana or classic pizza.
Quincy Melbourne’s fun and approachable Southeast Asian diner is helmed by a former Chin Chin chef. Come for playful takes on traditional curries, stir fries and dim sum, served in a sleek dining room overlooking Flinders Lane.
Follow the scent of the smoky parrilla barbeque to find a slice of Buenos Aires in Melbourne. Settle in for a long and lazy weekend affair with good company, gorging on top-quality pasture-raised beef and other meats. Or enjoy a share plate and liquid lunch at the bar.
Andrew McConnell’s pan-Asian restaurant is a consistently good time on a street swamped with options. Book ahead and bring a group for a leisurely banquet that might include its signature lobster rolls, bao, dumplings and Sichuan-peppered brisket.
High up on the rankings of the city’s best pasta. It’s worth booking ahead for this intimate and bustling pasta bar. Bestsellers include squid-ink tagliolini and flawlessly smooth gnocchi.
Melbourne's CBD boasts an array of fantastic restaurants, from office workers staples to exquisite fine diners.
Here’s where we’re eating right now.
Melbourne has plenty of choice when it comes to Australia's most essential cuisine.