Best things we ate in Melbourne in May 2023

Pasta, crayfish and tricked up snacks were all the rage in May. These are the most delicious things we ate this month.

These are the best things we ate at Melbourne restaurants in May.

The hilopites is more than just Greek pasta. Picture: Mark Stewart

Hilopites

The Hellenic House Project | The Good Room, 515 Highett Rd, Highett

By definition it’s pasta. Firm and yolky, crimpy-edged, loosened with a splash of water from the pot. Add some cheese (yes please), maybe a little sea salt. But at George Calombaris’s comeback restaurant, it’s so much more. It’s beautiful, simple cooking, ‘warm and fuzzies’ on a plate, and confidently one of the best things I’ve eaten this year.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

The Beverly spread. Picture: Jake Roden

Lobster Cannoli

Beverly, Level 24/627 Chapel St, South Yarra

Snacks are king at Melbourne’s hottest new rooftop bar. Make sure you try the two-bite lobster cannoli — a force of parmesan and sweet meat. Or those golden nuggets of mac ‘n cheese messy with bechamel and truffle.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Talk about umami bomb. Picture: Kate Shanasy.

Oxheart tomato and saltbush

KIN, 205 All Saints Road Wahgunyah

Historic wine town Rutherglen has been given a modern foodie makeover. KIN is the new fine diner at All Saints Estate, and while you’re strapped into a set offering, don’t pass on the ox-heart tomato (that’s if it’s still around). This lone, plump fellow is cooked in its own juices and decorated with saltbush. Those salty flakes howl wickedly of umami, keeping this rightly delicious.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Apollo Bay Crayfish Mafaldine. Picture: Griffin Simm

Crayfrish Mafaldine

Saint Dining, 54 Fitzroy St, St Kilda

If you’ve got the cash — why not splurge on Saint Dining’s big ticket item, crayfish mafaldine. The texture of those crimpy, yolky curls do live rent free in my head now. The seafood is pulled from Apollo Bay and tossed through a complex tomato and fried basil sauce.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Kangaroo tartare

Grace Bar and Eatery, 84 Main St, Rutherglen.

A fine dice of mustardy, yolky and gamy goodness scooped into a Yorkshire pud finished with a shine of olive oil made by the uncle of chef Matthieu Miller’s wife, Erica.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Grace nails the bread and butter brief. Picture: Instagram

Bread and butter

Grace Bar and Eatery, 84 Main St, Rutherglen.

That salty, sweet and sour sensation. Stodgy chew. Rustic hunks carved off a crusty, hours-old loaf. The warm plate ... to think we almost didn’t order it. Our yeasty mate falls into a food critic’s infamous ‘never order’ pile, alongside oysters, olives, and fries and a few others. But don’t skimp on the bread at this hidden regional gem.

READ THE FULL REVIEW