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The “Benny Nest” (eggs benedict on kataifi pastry).

Collection

Your March hit list: Hot, new and just-reviewed places to check out this month

Greek and Lebanese brunches, Southeast Asian and South Indian suburban gems, plus our top picks of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival program, kicking off on March 21.

16 stories
Inside Thai restaurant and Asian grocer, Thoong Thong.

Tucked away Thai takeaway Thoong Thong is Thai Airways crew-approved

  • Dani Valent
Julia Busuttil Nishimura will prepare the World’s Longest Brunch in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Everything you need to know about the 2025 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

Divine Hotpot restaurant in Footscray.

Sushi train meets DIY hot pot at Footscray’s Divine Hotpot (also in the CBD)

  • Dani Valent
Arnold’s wine bar in Kensington, complete with disco ball.
13.5/20

Arnold’s wine bar stands out from the crowd with its blue drink and Mexican-ish food

  • Besha Rodell
Italian comedy trio Sooshi Mango is expanding their Lygon Street restaurant.

Comedy trio Sooshi Mango expands Italian restaurant Johnny Vince and Sam’s

  • Tomas Telegramma
Tiny Brunswick shop, Tofu Shoten.

Doughnuts, nuggets, ice-cream: Tofu Shoten puts a creative spin on tofu

  • Emma Breheny
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Dishes such as dried tomato with smoked stracciatella (right) are designed around the garden and a large wall of preserves.

First look at ambitious Mornington Peninsula fine diner Barragunda

  • Emma Breheny
Tucked on a side street in Strathmore, Athos cafe is drawing crowds for its home-grown Greek food.

Athos, a humble cafe in the ’burbs, takes Melbourne’s Greek food back to its roots

  • Emma Breheny
Auterra’s guanciale-draped abalone schnitzel sandwich.

Auterra’s schnitzel sandwich makes fish ‘n’ chip shop memories fancy

  • Tomas Telegramma
Tear the dosa, dip it in sambar and enjoy.
14/20

South Indian restaurant Sri Ananda Bhavan will impress dosa snobs and novices alike

  • Dani Valent
Amatrice Rooftop is a red velvet and stone salon up in the clouds.
13/20

Italian restaurant Amatrice Rooftop has a lot going for it, but leaves our critic baffled

  • Dani Valent
Most hand rolls, including the tuna-filled “torotaku”, are $9.50.
14/20

‘Fantastically affordable’ sushi counter Nori Maki finds the middle ground

  • Besha Rodell
Marmelo at Melbourne Place.
Good Food hat15/20

Avoiding what’s obvious and popular, hotel restaurant Marmelo feels properly new

  • Besha Rodell
Steak with a pepper sauce that comes oozing out of raviolo.

Glen Waverley’s new Italian hangout Gambino features explosive pepper steak

  • Emma Breheny
The “Benny Nest” (eggs benedict on kataifi pastry).

Salam’s cakes are elegant, but its brunch menu is sprinkled with magic

  • Dani Valent
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Tomato tarte tatin.

Bobbie Peels pub punches well above its weight for food (even if there’s no parma)

  • Dani Valent

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/your-march-hit-list-hot-new-and-just-reviewed-places-to-check-out-this-month-20250225-p5lf2o.html