Five new restaurants, bars to try in Melbourne this month

French-inspired, wine-forward and located in South Melbourne? We’re sensing a trend with the city’s new restaurant and bar openings this month.

Melbourne’s hospitality scene is shaking off its winter funk with a swath of new bar and restaurants openings — and they’re all French-inspired, wine-forward or located in South Melbourne.

Cheri is the newest restaurant by the Darling Group. Picture: Julian Lallo

Cheri

Leading the charge is Cheri, a new daytime eatery by the Darling Group (Top Paddock, Token), opening opposite the South Melbourne Market.

Merging former cake cathedral Bibelot with Chez Dre cafe, the team has created an airy warehouse space to get your pastry fix.

The Euro-inspired eatery is led by culinary director Ash Hicks, pastry chef Michael Germanos, and executive chef Chris Mitchell.

Grab and go treats such as croissants, eclairs, cakes, tarts, sourdough loaves and baguettes are baked daily from 1am ahead of the breakfast rush.

Cheri, 285–287 Coventry St, South Melbourne

Gigi, a swoonworthy French bar, has opened in Prahran by the Entrecote team.

Gigi

Speaking of Paris, Gigi is the new wine bar by Entrecote power couple Jason M. Jones and Brahman Perera. Hidden down a bluestone laneway off Greville St, the Parisian playhouse pours everything from grower champagne, pet nat to Burgundy, with a late-night snack menu loaded with toasted chicken sangers, oysters, sausage rolls, and a teeny version of the magnifique Entrecote-famous cheeseburger.

Gigi, 143A Greville St, Prahran

No photos! The Le Splendide team at their new South Yarra bar.

Le Splendide

In South Yarra, the team behind France Soir restaurant has put influencers on notice at their latest venue,Le Splendide. Living next-door to the iconic Toorak Rd brasserie, guests are asked to put stickers over your phone cameras to encourage IRL experiences. Who needs a phone snap when indulging on top-tier champagne, foie gras and copious amounts of Châteauneuf-du-Pape anyway?

Le Splendide, 9 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

Expect plenty of Greek classics at Taverna.

Taverna

Across town, iconic restaurant duo Angie Giannakoudakis and Guy Holder have opened a pop-up at the old Epocha space. After closing their beloved Carlton institution after 12 years in August, Taverna will sling wine and classic Greek plates until the end of the year. Think chargrilled octopus, pan-roasted meatballs, pork chops and spuds and plenty of taramasalata to go around.

Taverna, 49 Rathdowne Street, Carlton

Kirbie has opened on Clarendon St, South Melbourne replacing JAMES.

Kirbie

In a similar rebrand, Kirbie Tate — owner of former posh South Melbourne restaurant JAMES — has launched Kirbie in its place.

The neighbourhood eatery, open for both lunch and dinner, is awash with home-style comforts such as meatballs in sugo, chicken sandwiches, braised lamb shoulder pastas and chicken cotoletta.

Kirbie, 323 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne