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Taverna’s menu is all about meze and large dishes to share.

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Your February hit list: The hot, new (and unexpected) places to check out this month

Two Greek tavernas, a cafe with Chinese coffee beans and ‘mind-bending’ toasties, ‘dry ramen’ in a train station, Colombian hot dogs beside a car wash … Melbourne’s never short on surprising edible gems. Here’s what we’ve uncovered and reviewed lately.

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Onigiri Kitchen on Degraves Street in Melbourne offers light Japanese lunches, including rice balls.

Back to work? 10 new CBD spots for fast noodles, hefty banh mi and coffee

  • Emma Breheny
Moon Dog’s venue in Frankston is a tribute to tropical beach clubs.

Four new (and very different) bars feat. Moon Dog’s mega beach club in Frankston

  • Emma Breheny
South Yarra’s new neighbourhood taverna, Astoria Bar Ke Grill.

Astoria Bar Ke Grill opens in South Yarra (plus three more Greek venues to try)

  • Daniela Frangos
The menu is all about meze and large dishes to share.

Popular Greek pop-up Taverna finds its spiritual home in Brunswick East

  • Daniela Frangos
Costenisimo Colombian cafe in St Kilda East.

Costenisimo, a Colombian cafe in a carwash, is a total vibe in the summertime

  • Dani Valent
Kajiken specialises in a style of ramen that’s rarely seen in Australia.

Cult Japanese noodle shop Kajiken brings its ‘dry ramen’ to a city train station

  • Emma Breheny
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Pasta trio (clockwise from top left: Gnocchi with tomato and basil, spinach and ricotta tortelli with mascarpone, and tagliatelle with bolognese ragu).
Good Food hat15/20

Lygon Street legend Donnini’s serves gold standards of Italian classics

  • Dani Valent
Tiny Bar, Brunswick East.

Brunswick East’s Tiny Bar lives up to its name

  • Emma Breheny
Cheesy beef sando with mint in the mince.

Try Four Kilo Fish’s mind-bending toasties and a foamy coffee that tastes like a Jaffa

  • Dani Valent
Pirate Life’s Melbourne pirate ship is a cruisy, spacious food hangout.
14/20

Pirate Life’s huge brewpub in Nowheresville is a bold move, much like its drink-friendly food

  • Dani Valent
Clara Luna’s fried fish wings with tahini.

Clara Luna at Preston’s Jamsheed winery serves a fusion cuisine Melbourne hasn’t seen

  • Quincy Malesovas
Liyin Rice Roll Master’s namesake cheung fun (rice rolls).

Why Liyin Rice Roll Master (Jade Delight)’s silky rice noodle rolls are extra-special

  • Dani Valent
One of the pastel-heavy murals at Marmont.
14/20

Does Crown’s glitzy Los Angeles-inspired Marmont live up to the hype?

  • Besha Rodell
Where’s Next Honey pizza topped with hot salami, honey and fresh chilli.

Gather friends and head for Campground Kitchen’s big tin-roofed shed

  • Dani Valent
Gigi Rooftop overlooks suburban Thornbury and beyond.

There are plenty of new rooftop bars in town, but there’s still nothing like Gigi

  • Dani Valent
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Co-founder Asha Lourie (left) at Luna Blu.

Luna Blue, a tiny gelato shop in the ’burbs, proves city’s lickability rating is rising

  • Dani Valent
Soi 38’s new home still channels a little of Bangkok’s vibrant street-food stalls.

Colour, queues and a hidden entrance: Inside popular Thai diner Soi 38’s new home

  • Emma Breheny

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/your-february-hit-list-the-hot-new-and-unexpected-places-to-check-out-this-month-20250131-p5l8ps.html