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Date night

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Deep greens, dark timbers and printed upholstery make reference to bamboo.

‘We’ve never seen a Malaysian restaurant like this before’: Ho Jiak arrives in Melbourne

Saving the best ’til last, Sydney chef Junda Khoo today opens the crown jewel in his Melbourne mega-venue. And it’s got even more fireworks than its northern cousins.

  • Tomas Telegramma

Latest

Central Park Cellars is like a local lounge room in Glen Iris.
13.5/20

Our critic liked this local hangout in the leafy east so much, she visited it twice in one day

Where nearby restaurants are dress-up and splurgy, Central Park Cellars is come-as-you-are and stay-till-whenever.

  • Dani Valent
Potato cakes with creme fraiche and lumpfish caviar.
Critics' Pick

‘A hefty, triple-cooked beast’: Bear’s serves the Goldilocks of potato cakes

This warm bear hug of a venue has plenty to offer, but its fate is tied to this excellent snack with startling crunch.

  • Larissa Dubecki
Steak frites.

A new Eurocentric bistro and wine bar opens in Middle Park

Middle Park European is the latest venture by Tartine’s Matteo Bruno.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Good Food hat15/20

Newtown’s new grown-up candlelit Italian restaurant just scored a hat

Must-order lamb, bouncy gnudi and a cassata for the ages are among the compelling reasons to visit Osteria Mucca.

  • David Matthews
Local designer Luchetti Krelle captures all the best bits of Australian life by the coast.
Good Food hat15/20

This breezy new beach spot from a top Italian chef ‘feels made to go from surf-to-seat’

Ormeggio chef Alessandro Pavoni’s Manly venture has a bar, cafe-gelateria and restaurant, Cibaria, serving exciting, saucy carbs and scorched treats.

  • Myffy Rigby
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Raw tuna with stracciatella and a fragrant lemon-myrtle dressing.

Banksia

A day-to-night restaurant with a globetrotting menu.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Falafel with tahini, pickles and zhoug.
14/20

One of Melbourne’s favourite falafel crosses the river to get to this southside bar

It’s worth coming to cocktail bar Nobody’s Baby for the crunchy-fluffy falafel alone.

  • Dani Valent
Chicken katsu with Japanese gravy.
Critics' Pick

This inner-city terrace serves outrageously juicy katsu and boss-level drinking food

Craft beer hangout Benchwarmer breaks the mould with its brash and bold Japanese snacks.

  • Emma Breheny
Good Measure’s signature mont blanc.

Good Measure

This venue is a finalist in the best matcha and specialty drinks category in Good Food’s Essential Melbourne Cafes and Bakeries of 2025.

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/date-night-lby