18 new restaurants to try in Victoria in 2023
From a Sydney fave opening a coastal outpost to hospo giant launching two venues — these are 2023’s hot new restaurant openings.
Food
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If you thought 2022 was a big year for Victorian restaurants, then strap in for what 2023 has in store.
Totti’s
The fourth outpost of the Merivale cash-cow will move into the Lorne Hotel from mid to late February. Mega-rich Justin Hemmes’ beachside trattoria will give southsiders a taste of Bondi’s famous ballooning flatbread and housemade pasta with Totti’s creator Mike Eggert and Matt Germanchis (of Anglesea’s Captain Moonlite) leading the kitchen. The restaurant will permanently move into the ground floor space occupied by MoVida, which closed earlier this year after a four-year tenancy. Expect a seafood-leaning menu year-round, which champions hyper-local producers.
February 2023
Tomasetti House
The Merivale Group boss is tipped to open yet another Victorian venue this year. Last year Hemmes bought the seven-level Tomasetti House reportedly for a cool $40m, but has remained tight-lipped on what will live inside. No further details have been revealed as yet, but Kitchen Confidential understands the yet-to-be-named venue will be helmed by former Mr Wong and Mr G’s chef Jowett Yu, who’s fresh from a stint at Hong Kong’s Ho Lee Fook. Expect a traditional Cantonese offering.
Mercato Centrale
Italian mega-market Mercato Centrale will hopefully open its first overseas outpost in Melbourne next year. The massive artisan market was meant to open last month, but suspected building delays have seemingly pushed back the opening. While we may not have a new date just yet, construction is well and truly underway at the Collins St site.
Batard
Will 2023 be the year Chris Lucas opens his long-awaited French restaurant, Batard? He’s hoping so. After opening four new CBD venues in the two years (Society, Yakimono, Lillian, Grill Americano), Lucas hopes to open a further two venues next year.
“In the original Society building, works will begin on my four-year passion project Batard bringing to Melbourne a unique elegance centred around all that is French,” he said.
“I’m so looking forward to 2023 and continuing the momentum and energy created in Melbourne in 2022. I felt 2022 was a year that Melbourne post-Covid really showed its resilience.” Batard is tipped to open in the second-half of 2023 at the top-end of Bourke St.
Mid to late 2023
New Lucas venue
Batard won’t be the only new venue by Lucas Restaurants in 2023. Lucas and Chin Chin executive chef Benjamin Cooper are working on a small, as yet unnamed, venue next door to Windsor’s Hawker Hall that’ll focus on ‘spice and fire’, set to open late 2023.
Mid to late 2023
Sushi, anyone?
Melbourne hospo giant Darling Group, best known for their stable of cafes (Top Paddock, The Kettle Black, Dundas and Faussett), will open its first stand-alone restaurant and bar. The concept? Think elevated Asian-influenced cuisine which includes sushi, seafood and steak. The location? That remains a mystery, although Kitchen Confidential has been told it’d live in a ‘vibrant, energetic and experimental part of Melbourne’. The vibe? There’ll be something for everyone, from day to night.
Early 2023
HER secret
Mulit-storey, twenty-something fun factory HER will unveil its final level in 2023. Details are still being locked in, though Kitchen Confidential can confirm it’ll live between fiery Thai eatery BKK and the hipster-magnet Music Room.
Next destination
Atlas founder Charlie Carrington will open a new Prahran venue early next year. Carrington’s next restaurant will be more relaxed than his South Yarra fine diner; much like his previous Colours by Atlas venture in 2018.
“We’re diversifying further when it comes to bricks and mortar hospitality, re-entering the Melbourne market with a casual food offering we’re excited to share more about next year,” he said.
The name and location remain under wraps, but Kitchen Confidential understands the venue won’t be too far from his Commercial Rd digs, with the cuisine channelling Atlas’s current Cuban offering.
February 2023
Gimlet’s cocktail bar
Melbourne’s best restaurant Gimlet at Cavendish House is getting a sibling. Acclaimed chef Andrew McConnell and his wife Jo McGann will open a new bar a few doors down from their Russel St restaurant, on the corner of Flinders and Hosier Lanes, in early winter 2023.
The intimate 28-seater won’t have a kitchen — serving small bites alongside Trader House’s world-class drinks. No name has been revealed for the bar, which will move into the street-level space at 165 Flinders Ln, opposite Hazel and Dessous.
Winter 2023
North and Common, Olivine
Pentridge prison has received a slick makeover, with a series new hospo venues planting their stake in the Coburg hub. Joining Scottish pub BrewDog, which opened earlier this month, bistro North and Common and Olivine wine bar will follow next year. Thomas Woods (of Woodland House, Jacques Reymond) will lead the kitchen, serving oysters, grilled rib-eye and oven-roasted fish. Meanwhile superstar sommelier Liina Berry (Adelaide Hills’ Mount Lofty House) will lead the charge at Olivine, pouring a mix of new and back vintage wines from local and Aussie producers, alongside iconic drops from the Rhone Valley, Champagne and Bordeaux.
February 2023
Cityfields
The team behind South Melbourne’s Half Acre will open the ultimate all-rounder dining destination at Chadstone’s new Social Quarter. Cityfields will offer Euro-inspired eats from dawn till dusk, across multiple levels and spaces. Pop in for coffee and breaky or have a boogie and bevs under moonlight. Watch this space.
Early 2023
Social Quarter
Joey Vargetto and David Mackintosh’s Italian Riviera-inspired eatery, Cinque Terre, was the first restaurant to open at Chadstone’s flash new foodie hub Social Quarter. But there are more eateries on the way, with Piccolina Gelateria, White and Wong’s, Sardine Bar and UA Brewing Co also coming early next year.
Early 2023
Yagiz 2.0
Chef Murat Ovaz has already hung up his apron at South Yarra Turkish restaurant, Yagiz. But he’ll be back in 2023, with a new restaurant replacing the Toorak Rd stalwart in April. Think a new name, food offering and business partner. While there’s no word on the new concept or opening date, Yagiz fans can still enjoy the space until March.
April 2023
The Terminus
Yarrawonga watering hole The Terminus is getting a $1.75m makeover, which will add a new beer garden and mega playground to the pub’s ‘Stables’ this summer. The new-look space will be protected by the elements, have plenty of TVs to watch the cricket and a playground to keep the kids entertained. The pub remains open during the works, which are expected to be completed early next year.
Early 2023
Showroom Bar
Melbourne’s old Rolls Royce showroom turned boutique hotel, The Royce, is reopening after a two-year hiatus next February with a new all-day eatery. Showroom Bar will serve European fare, think beef tartare, pomme frittes and Taittinger on pour.
February 1, 2023
Amatrice
The kingpins of two hospo groups are coming together to open a new Italian restaurant in Cremorne. San Telmo Group director Dave Parker and Alex Brawn, behind Williamstown’s Sebastian Restaurant, will open Amatrice in spring 2023. A bistro/cafe will occupy the ground floor, with the rooftop restaurant boasting city views. Pasta will be the focus of the menu. Amatrice is part of Pace Development Group’s commercial project, Six Cubitt, and will be open to the public.
Late 2023.
Pirate Life
This South Australian craft beer brewery’s new South Melbourne pub is set to open mid 2023. It’ll be the brew-pub’s fourth outpost and first Melbourne venue. Kegs will be shipped from Pirate Life’s Port Adelaide brewery such as fruit sours and barrel-aged imperials. Expect a fire-fuelled menu to tide you over between drinks.
Mid 2023
Morris House
The European Bier Cafe is getting a $4m facelift in January, reopening as Morris House – the building’s original name in 1924. Expect a leafy green rooftop, NYC-inspired comedy club in the basement and ground floor dining space.
Autumn 2023
Lilac Wine
Hot off the heels of launching Heide Kitchen at Bulleen’s Heide Museum of Modern Art, The Mulberry Group (behind Hazel, Dessous and Liminal) is opening a new wine bar in Cremorne’s backstreets. Details are scarce, but given the group’s track-record you can count on this being a goodie.
31 Stephenson St, Cremorne
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