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Monster bingsu from Nox in Melbourne.

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Melbourne hit list September 2022: Hot, new and just-reviewed places to check out, right now

Catch up on the hottest openings as we head into October.

26 stories
La Cave Garage wine shop, opened by Andy Buchan, measures just 10 square metres and is located in the same carpark as Thai restaurant Soi 38.

La Cave Garage puts a new spin on the drive-through bottle-shop

  • Emma Breheny
The suya platter is a Melbourne version of a Ghanaian street-food grill.
13/20

Fufu fun: Akwaaba brings the food of West Africa to St Kilda

  • Dani Valent
Go-to dish: Spaghetti with lemon and squid.
13/20

Revamped North Melbourne pub Bobbie Peels has plenty of appeal

  • Larissa Dubecki
Go-to dish: Haleem (spiced grain stew with slow-cooked goat).

Streets of Hyderabad serves south Indian treasures in the suburbs

  • Dani Valent
Valencian-style paella with rock lobster.

Arbory Afloat returns for a Spanish-themed season

  • Emma Breheny
Paan gelato (like the Indian snack made from betel leaf and spices) is one of the flavours you'll find at Beku Gelato.

Beku Gelato brings fresh flavours to Carlton

  • Emma Breheny
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Chicken schnitzel with mustard gravy and fennel salad.
13.5/20

Fitzroy North's Royal Oak Hotel feels like the real deal again

  • Besha Rodell
Luscious: Tagliatelle with ragu bolognese.

Abbiocco's St Kilda spin-off has staying power

  • Dani Valent
Go-to dish: Green-chilli pickled mussels.
14/20

Ides' casual spin-off has a real feeling of specialness

  • Besha Rodell
SPQR Cucina is open in Mont Albert after several false starts.

SPQR Cucina brings the pizza party to Mont Albert

  • Emma Breheny
Monster bingsu.

Come to Nox for the snacks, stay for the monsters

  • Dani Valent
Go-to dish: Fazzoletti pasta with prawns, fried nettles, ricotta and lemon.
14/20

Donna Maria is a gem of a restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula

  • Besha Rodell
Publican Liam Ganley wanted to re-create the look of old pubs in Ireland, his home country.

Mornington pub The Bay is reborn with old-world charm

  • Emma Breheny
Tino's vegan-friendly dish of charred eggplant, savoury granola and house-made sunflower yoghurt.

Tino Bar & Restaurant is a new Latin American address in Brunswick

  • Dani Valent
Rabbit, pork and veal agnolotti.
Good Food hat15/20

Scopri is the best of what Melbourne's Italian restaurants used to be like

  • Besha Rodell
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Crispy deep-fried chicken wings with chilli sauce.
13.5/20

German drinks meet Malaysian drinking snacks at Zaubertrank, Thornbury

  • Besha Rodell
Cheesesteak with consomme and a side of rice.

Munchies Berwick is not your usual fast-food joint

  • Dani Valent
Toppings, like the forest mushrooms with confit garlic, combine American, Australian and Italian influences.

Slim's Hot Pizza combines American-style slices and dive bar vibes in Mount Eliza

  • Emma Breheny
The Toorak Hotel is the new name of the renovated Bush Inn in Toorak, which also has a new chef.

Toorak Hotel is a new chapter for The Bush Inn

  • Emma Breheny
Strato faces the CBD, with a view over the Convention and Exhibition Centre.
12.5/20

Sky-high Strato has plenty of LA-swank style, not much substance

  • Besha Rodell
EziStreat is a new collection of street food stalls all under one roof, inspired by Japanese laneways.

Street food hub EziStreat opens in North Melbourne

  • Dani Valent
Chopped Cambodian fried chicken and rice.
13/20

Cambodia's Kitchen brings a taste of Cambodia to the CBD

  • Besha Rodell
Go-to dish: Tarte tatin.
14/20

Victoria by Farmer's Daughters puts the state on plate

  • Besha Rodell
Triple threat: Three-cheese toastie with emmental, gruyere and cheddar, caramelised onion and horseradish mayo.

Baguette Studios' toastie is a triple threat

  • Dani Valent
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Giant white beans with anchovies and citrus zest are part of the new all-day menu of small plates.

Albert's in Armadale transforms from cafe to wine bar

  • Emma Breheny
Seven open-faced sandwiches are on offer, including San Daniele proscuitto on celeriac remoulade.

Tartine is a breath of French air on Richmond's Swan Street

  • Emma Breheny