Over the years we have shared countless times with Cuca’s customers our favourite restaurants from every city we know. The truth is that people in search of the tastiest food from around the world seem to trust chefs’ picks when choosing food, and since everyone asks our humble opinion, we have decided to start a proper “Our Picks” section where we give you our recommendations on where and what to eat. Go ahead, try for yourself and share these lists as you please, but just because we may help you find a new favourite, please don’t forget about your first love, Cuca!
Melbourne is an incredible city where you are never short on things to do and great places to explore. This is the food capital of Australia, where brilliant well-crafted unfussy cooking is paired with gritty graffiti street culture, an obsession for coffee and fantastically friendly people. A gem of a city and a must visit regardless of the flight time!
Tipo 00
Their name comes from the fine milled flour traditionally used in pizza and pasta making and, make no mistake, this is an incredible pasta bar, not for enemies of gluten! As one of the cities most beloved restaurants, this 42-seat beauty combines delicious classics together with unique clever dishes, all packed with flavor, a pleasure to devour! Reserve for dinner as lunch is a zoo and tables are unattainable.
Price: $$
What to order: Signature squid-ink tagliolini.
Gimlet
Located downtown in an incredible 1920’s landmark building with an interior packed with old world charm, glamorous yet honest, understandable, timeless cooking takes center stage, and a wood fired oven takes up the center of the kitchen. The food menu is tough to fault, and with a solid prohibition-inspired cocktails menu and nimble service, Gimlet is a great restaurant indeed!
Price: $$$$$
What to order: Oysters, T-bone Steak or the Rock Lobster with saffron rice.
Coda
Coda ticks a lot of boxes, and its longevity speak for itself. Still floating at the top of Melbourne dining scene, is has been open since 2009. A minimalistic design and a relaxed vibe set the stage for their exciting French Vietnamese-inspired bold and innovative cooking. A menu of small sharing plates is packed with flavour and paired with sharp, attentive service. In a city full of Asian-inspired fare, this is one of the OG’s.
Price: $$$
What to order: Queensland scallops.
Vlados
In an ever-changing dining scene, Vlados hasn’t changed a bit in over 60 years and is regarded as a steak institution and a Melbourne icon. Their set menu with a few meaty options focuses only on the highest quality of Australian beef, cooked over charcoal to perfection. No deviations, no special requests. Sit down, shut up and eat what they have absolutely perfected.
Price: $$$
What to order: Set Meat Menu.
Supernormal
This place blends casual Asian inspired classics in a Tokyo fairy tale dining space. Extremely popular and delivering on taste with a menu built around the greatest hits of Shanghai, Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Casual, fun, well-run and tasty!
Price: $$$
What to order: Make it easy and go with the Banquet “Feed Me Menu” (85AU$ pp).
Long Grain
The food of Thailand is incredible and that’s why the concept here makes so much sense. Long Grain has captured the power and big flavors of famous regional Thai dishes and polished them up to deliver a brilliant sharing concept packed with taste. As most restaurants in Melbourne, they offer both a la carte or a banquet style “feed me” menu option, and either way it’s rolls up your sleeves and get the napkin ready eating. Yum!
Price: $$$
What to order: Yum kao tod (crispy rice, pork mince, ginger, mint, coriander, chilli, peanuts).
Cumulus
A Melbourne staple since 2008, this restaurant is the Australian pioneer of sharing plates in a casual dining setting. Not much has changed since opening day and why would it? With solid, well-executed dishes emphasizing simplicity and flavor, paired with smart efficient service, they have indeed stood the test of time.
Price: $$$
What to order: Tuna tartare with goat’s curd, green pea, mint.
Tulum
This is a modern Turkish restaurant getting a lot of attention with an Istanbul-born chef who sharpened his skills starting in his home country and then headed to London before finally landing in some of Melbourne’s top kitchens. His unique and clever approach to regional Turkish fare is delicious and inspiring, and would do well anywhere on the planet.
Price: $$
What to order: Go all in with the great value full 7-course set menu.
