Melbourne is known for being a multicultural melting pot in the culinary world with authentic tastes from around the world congregating in the city. To celebrate the city's offerings we bring you five tables that will satisfy your appetite and have you coming for more.
Meaning younger brother in Japanese, Otōto is Melbourne's latest grazing craze opening. Located on Flinders Lane, under its big brother Akaiito, the underground Izakaya-style establishment serves grazing plates inspired by dishes from China, Korea, Malaysia and Japan, and include kingfish sashimi served on salt rock and seasoned with grapefruit, daikon and ponzu. The Asian inspiration also extends to the bar menu with Chinese tea-infused craft cocktails and sparkling sake-based spritz a highlight.
Modern Australian cuisine walks a fine line between refined and hearty at Matilda, a wonderful restaurant in fancy South Yarra. Kangaroo tartare seasoned with fermented chilli, gnocchi with baby squash and ricotta, and braised pork belly served with toasted spelt and broad bean are some of the delicious offerings here.
In a heritage-listed former Art Deco bank in Balaclava is the recently opened Moonhouse, a contemporary Chinese restaurant. Here, the menu delights taste buds with dishes including Hainanese chicken club sandwich, and prawn toast served with prawn bisque dipping sauce, and for dessert, five-spice donuts tossed in a sweet five-spice sugar blend served hot with black pepper ice-cream. The restaurant also boasts a wonderfully curated wine list featuring all-Australian produced drops.
With lanterns lighting up the room, Longsong is a fun restaurant where Thai street-food is served hot and yummy. Try the I-San Sausage, fermented pork served with glass noodles, pickles and sriracha, or the Cauliflower Sisig, barbecued cauliflower seasoned with tamarind sesame dressing. The restaurant also serves creative cocktails, all with a Thai twist, making for a perfect cocktail hour getaway.
For a taste of Nordic cuisine, the recently opened Freyja is your reservation du jour. Located in Melbourne's heritage-listed Olderfleet building on Collins Street, the restaurant highlights the culinary art of sophisticated simplicity in its dishes, which include Yarra Valley caviar trout roe served on a bed of smoked sour cream and mixed herbs and served with waffles. The restaurant has also created the Taste of Freyja degustation, offering diners a combination of small plates and main courses for dinner.