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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 opens the crown jewel in his mega-venue. And it’s got even more fireworks than its northern cousins.

  • Tomas Telegramma

Latest

Tiramisu at Central Park Cellars 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

And after tasting the “flawless” tiramisu, she’s already planning visit number three.

  • 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.

Middle Park European

An elevated Eurocentric bistro and wine bar by the Tartine team.

  • 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