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Kalamaki (mixed skewers served over rice) at Tsindos Greek restaurant in Melbourne CBD.

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Your April hit list: The hot, new and just-reviewed places to check out this month

Greek food is having a moment, as Besha Rodell checks out Kafeneion’s new home, Dani Valent revisits a Lonsdale Street stalwart, and an Adelaide-based brewery begins slinging spanakopita lasagne and lamb chops in South Melbourne. Plus we share the post-show, late-night, cheap-eats haunts of seven comedians appearing during this month’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

18 stories
Bronwyn with her beloved cheeseburger at Butcher’s Diner.

From comfort noodles to late-night burgers, this is where comedians eat out on the cheap in Melbourne CBD

Hoppers are the star at Hopper Joint in Prahran.

Ring the bell and use your hands: Hopper Joint is Greville Street’s lively new Sri Lankan restaurant

  • Emma Breheny
“Swimming pool” sized negroni sbagliatos are one of the more playful drinks.

Mister Bianco’s glam new cocktail bar is shaking things up in an until-now sedate eastern suburb

  • Emma Breheny
The chefs’ culinary backgrounds merge in the lamb forequarter chops with chimichurri.

SA’s Pirate Life Brewing opens first Melbourne venue (with lamb chops by the kilo)

  • Emma Breheny
The interior at Maggie’s Snacks and Liquor, Brunswick East.
14/20

Under-the-radar Maggie’s is one of Melbourne’s best cocktail bars, right now

  • Besha Rodell
Emerald City chef Joel Alderdice behind the counter of his four-seat restaurant.

Behind the green velvet curtain is Emerald City, the most surprising (and tiny) opening of the year

  • Emma Breheny
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Pizza pros D.O.C are about to bring their Italian flair to St Kilda.

St Kilda’s Italian renaissance gathers pace with arrival of top Carlton pizzeria D.O.C.

  • Daniela Frangos
K Pop BBQ and Bar is all about neon lights and pop music, despite its shopping centre setting.

Team behind hatted Marble Yakiniku open K-Pop BBQ in a suburban shopping centre

  • Emma Breheny
Tomato tarte tatin is a summery ode to the chef’s French heritage.

Fitzroy restaurant Norma is the last thing you’d expect from a fine-dining chef

  • Tomas Telegramma
Cafe and restaurant Tapenade is a taste of France on Commercial Road.

Tapenade provides a warm and authentic slice of France in an unlikely city setting

  • Dani Valent
Head barista Matt Coulson talks customers Helen, Chris and Tin through making their own coffee.

Rosso Coffee Experience offers brunch with a side of home barista training

  • Dani Valent
Brico restaurant and wine bar in Carlton North.
14/20

Is Brico a restaurant or a wine bar? It doesn’t matter when it’s as fun as this

  • Dani Valent
Kale chips battered in chickpea flour, with beetroot puree and drizzled with a trio of chutneys.
14.5/20

Modern Indian restaurant Kahaani is an excellent addition to Lygon Street

  • Dani Valent
Pair Sydney rock oysters with a two-sip martini made with Never Never’s Oyster Shell Gin.

The bar might be the best seat in the house at South Melbourne’s airy new Lucia

  • Emma Breheny
Kalamaki (mixed skewers served over rice) at Tsindos Greek restaurant in Melbourne CBD.
13/20

Greek food is having a moment, but 40-year-old city icon Tsindos is an understated stayer

  • Dani Valent
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The decor has barely changed since Supper Club became Kafeneion.
14.5/20

Greek restaurant Kafeneion 2.0 is a window into Melbourne’s heart

  • Besha Rodell
Aydin Bol (pictured in white, delivering a dish to a table) is a constant presence at his 30-year-old Turkish restaurant.

This 30-year-old local favourite − and its mustachioed owner − is a Turkish delight

  • Dani Valent
Mr and Mrs P in Brighton.

From smashed avo to smashing snacks, Mr & Mrs P is a Melbourne love story

  • Dani Valent

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/melbourne-hit-list-april-2024-hot-new-and-just-reviewed-places-to-check-out-right-now-20240329-p5fg64.html