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Critics’ Pick

Located just far enough from the bustle of Lygon Street, Patris feels like a secret.
14/20

Dining at this secret restaurant is like eating in a young and fun Greek aunty’s home

Located just far enough from the bustle of Lygon Street, Patris feels more like a stylish family room than a traditional restaurant.

  • Besha Rodell
The warehouse space on Flinders Lane trades from noon until late.
Good Food hat15.5/20

Andrew McConnell’s genre-defining dining room comes of age, and is as buzzy as ever

Cumulus Inc. invented the Melbourne wine-bar-slash-restaurant game, and remains a standard-bearer of great service, fantastic wine and exciting share plates.

  • Besha Rodell
Mango chicken.
14/20

After 35 years, Canberra institution Rama’s Fiji Indian Restaurant is more vital than ever

This 90s-era time capsule has locals travelling to pop BYO Penfolds and pet-nat to pair with life-affirming curries that taste like home.

  • David Matthews
Wagyu shin and cheddar croquettes.
13.5/20

The menu and room are stripped right back, but there’s plenty to love at this new local

Family-run restaurant The Forager’s Fork is a little wonky, a little precarious, but also very lovable – much like Brunswick itself.

  • Besha Rodell
Pad kee mao made with rolled rice noodles.
13.5/20

Roll in to this Thai spot, order this comforting noodle dish, and you’re in for a happy time

Ari.BKK joins Melbourne’s maturing Thai food scene, but its imaginative menu isn’t trying to slot in neatly.

  • Dani Valent
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Salmino piccante pizza with with tomato sugo, mozzarella, spicy salami and kalamata olives.
14.5/20

Brisbane’s best pizza? That’s not all at this brilliant Paddington restaurant

It’s adored by locals and has won awards in Italy (seriously). But how good is it, really?

  • Matt Shea
Outside Marios in Fitzroy.
14/20

Marios

The restaurant that pioneered breakfast on Brunswick Street celebrates the big 4-0.

Morcilla (blood sausage) and pork tongue pintxos.
Good Food hat15/20

Bar Lourinha

Celebrating 20 years of Iberian delight and sherry-heavy merriment.

Taco platter with lamb barbacoa.
14/20

This Mexican food is so good, I want to go out on the street and start dragging people in

With its fantastic braised meats and just-right guacamole, under-the-radar Mercadito feels like a small but significant step forward for Melbourne’s Mexican food scene.

  • Besha Rodell
Bar Lourinha's bric-a-brac filled wall.
Good Food hat15/20

Why this 20-year-old treasure should be on every Melburnian’s list of go-to restaurants

Dani Valent raises a glass of sherry to two decades of eating, drinking and being merry.

  • Dani Valent