Hatted Restaurants in Melbourne & Surrounds You Need To Try

For Australian chefs and restaurants, being awarded a ‘Chef Hat’  by the Australian Good Food Guide is one of the highest honours you can receive. For diners, it means your hitlist is pretty much done and dusted.

So for food with all the frills that are worth every penny, tip your hat to these best hatted restaurants in Melbourne and surrounding areas, plus some in regional Victoria. Which ones will you be booking this year? 

Vue de Monde

55 levels above ground level, Vue de Monde exceeds even the highest of expectations. With executive chef Hugh Allen at the helm of this Shannon Bennett establishment, you’ll be treated to the chef’s tasting menu—a 10-course degustation. The Tasmanian sea urchin with caviar is a standout, whilst the dry aged duck with Leatherwood honey is an experience in itself.

Pair your fine-dining adventure with the 360-degree views of the city and you’re in for a night to remember.

Level 55, Rialto, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne

Brae

The very definition of farm-to-plate, Brae has retained its three chef hats and has previously been awarded Vittoria Restaurant of the Year.

Sitting pretty on 30 acres with vegetable plots and an established grove of over 100 trees, Brae uses fresh produce from its farm as well as that of local producers and growers, to shape their ever-changing menu.

4285 Cape Otway Road, Birregurra, Victoria

Amaru

Unbound by geography and genre, the chefs continually chase exciting new flavours and textures. In Amaru's ‘Sensory’ menu, peak produce meets inspired cooking that has seen this beautiful restaurant take home some impressive awards.

Meanwhile, the cosy yet elegant fit-out creates instant intimacy while being simple enough to let the sophisticated dishes sing.

1121 High Street, Armadale

Minamishima

If you’ve got a pretty penny to spend, there’s arguably nowhere in Australia doing finer sushi than Minamishima. Luxe and oh-so intimate, this Japanese restaurant is hidden away on a quiet Richmond street, serving exclusively omakase. The chef's choice consists of a daily changing procession of deftly sliced, shaped, torched and brushed nigiri, presented piece by piece.

The knife skills of sushi master Koichi Minamishima have been honed for over 30 years, resulting in his ability to create tastes and textures in sushi you’re unlikely to forget. There's no questioning that Minamishima is deserving of all three hats it has received.

Ishizuka

This uber-exclusive hidden basement restaurant embodies the ultra-seasonal ‘kaiseki’ style of Japanese dining. Seating just 16 guests, everyone is served an 11-dish tasting menu displaying luxe ingredients and exceptional technique.

Complex yet restrained dishes are a masterclass in Japanese perfectionism, changing day by day with the freshest produce on offer.

139 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Lucia

At newly minted Lucia, guests are invited on a journey of culinary delight and sensory indulgence. Head Chef Jordan Clavaron's masterfully simple Mediterranean menu pays homage to traditional flavours while incorporating modern twists, reflecting his extensive culinary expertise honed under a Michelin Star chef.

From share plates boasting Fremantle octopus skewers and scampi with garlic butter to tantalising mains like porcini risotto and crab linguine, each dish is a meticulously crafted, flavoursome symphony. 

Find yourself enveloped in a warm, refined elegance that oozes luxury thanks to palettes of marble and brass. Plus, with the admirable wine list, you're bound to have a fine time indeed.

11 Eastern Road, South Melbourne

Aoi Tsuki

Aoi Tsuki is a charming 12-seater restaurant nestled along bustling Punt Road in South Yarra. This unassuming spot is anything but ordinary, thanks to two talented Korean chefs from top restaurants like Shoya and Nobu. Twice a night, they whip up 20 or more courses of exquisite Japanese omakase dishes, featuring ocean delights like abalone, sea urchin, and melt-in-your-mouth bluefin tuna.

Don’t miss the theatrical blowtorched wagyu with shimmering foie gras that will leave you craving more. Aoi Tsuki is one of the best hatted restaurants in Melbourne that promises an unforgettable culinary adventure with every bite. 

Gimlet

There is something about Gimlet at Cavendish House that makes you want to sit back and sip on cocktails (gimlet’s of course) until the wee hours of the morning.

Contrary to what the name suggests, the food is held in equal regard as their prized Gimlet which can be paired with fresh rock oysters, premium wood-fired meats and seafood. If you’re looking to really step things up, the caviar service is always a luxe touch. 

Samesyn

Escape into the enchanting world of Samesyn in Torquay, where low-waste dining meets community spirit. Delight in an ever-evolving menu that showcases the freshest local produce, from house-made sourdough to exquisite dishes like beet tartare and half dry-aged duck.

Each bite is a celebration of sustainability and flavour, perfectly paired with exceptional wines. Experience a dining adventure that connects you with the Surf Coast while enjoying a beautifully crafted tasting menu that truly elevates the art of eating.

Navi 

Located in the leafy, suitably gentrified suburb of Yarraville is one of the most exciting and best hatted restaurants in Melbourne. Serving a degustation menu to only 25 guests a night has given chef-owner Julian Hills more space to flex his creative muscles, with the results speaking for themselves at Navi. Adventurous diners are bound to love the genre-bouncing playlist and novel drinks list before they even get to the impeccable food.
 
83b Gamon Street, Yarraville

O.MY Restaurant 

Beaconsfield might not be the typical Melbourne suburb to venture for impeccably creative, garden-to-table tasting menus served with a side of rustic-chic interiors, but O.MY overthrows many a preconceived notion the moment you settle in.

Opened in 2013, this two-hatted restaurant in Melbourne has since won a swathe of awards (and a legion of fans) in the process and is best known for the restaurant's sustainable philosophy and surprising, minimal-waste degustation menu. 

70 Princes Highway, Beaconsfield

Flower Drum

The name Flower Drum is synonymous with Melbourne hospitality – the near 50-year-old Cantonese institution even has its own Wikipedia page.

Around a sumptuous grand dining room weave experienced waiters who greet their regulars (politicians, high profile chefs and celebrities among them) like old friends.

One of the best hatted restaurants in Melbourne complete with wallet-busting premium live seafood cooked to world-class perfection.

17 Market Lane, Melbourne

Ten Minutes By Tractor

Ten Minutes By Tractor is a must-visit for those passionate about food and wine. Named after the convergence of three family owned Mornington Peninsula wineries (each ten minutes by tractor apart), the estate offers some of the truest expressions of the region's varieties.

The tasting menu celebrates the incredible local produce taken from neighbouring farms, the kitchen garden and ingredients foraged from around the region.  

1333 Mornington-Flinders Road, Main Ridge

Cutler & Co

A sleek yet industrial setting within an old factory, it’s easy to settle in for the evening at the elegant Cutler and Co.

With a focus on top-quality produce and a great fine dining experience, this consistently hatted restaurant in Melbourne boasts a menu that is designed to share with simple and seasonal modern Australian dishes.

55/57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Greasy Zoe's 

Tiny but almighty, Greasy Zoe's is one of the best fine dining restaurants in regional Victoria, albeit just a stone's throw from the city.

A produce-driven restaurant in the heart of Hurstbridge, the doors to this intimate 8-seater opened in 2017. Serving only 32 people a week, sustainability, ethical treatment of animals and the restaurant's environmental impact are the driving inspirations behind their quality over quantity approach.

There is no written menu; each day Zoe creates a multi-course meal in response to the grown produce supplied by a host of small, hyper-local, organic farmers.

It's the elevation of seasonality and locality that makes Greasy Zoe's one of the best hatted restaurants in Melbourne. 

Shop 3/850 Heidelberg - Kinglake Road, Hurstbridge 

Grossi Florentino

When a dining experience kicks off with a ceremonial Champagne trolley, you know you’re in for a good night. In the opulent setting of Grossi Florentino, they really pull out all the stops.

Crystal chandeliers hang elegantly from the ornate ceiling and ancient murals decoratively line the walls. This has Italian romance written all over it. The food is exquisite, serving traditional comfort plates with a touch of decadence.

80 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Kazuki’s

After making a name for themselves as the place to dine in picturesque Daylesford, Kazuki's made the move back to Melbourne in late 2018.

The refined cooking that made them a destination in their original home is a crowd-pleaser, with Euro-Japanese dishes combining flavours with French techniques.

121 Lygon Street, Carlton

Society 

The Society Dining Room is a statement of modern Australian design and sophisticated dining culture. Slip inside this one-hatted restaurant in Melbourne to discover an opulent supper-club environment, a ceiling alight with hand-cut crystal installations, and soaring windows.

Allow your journey to begin with its formidable cellar, home to over 10,000 bottles, and a supremely impressive support act to the visually beautiful food.

The art of à la carte is the real centrepiece here, allowing you to curate your own experience to ensure that two visits need ever be the same. 

80 Collins Street, Melbourne

Chauncy

Say bonjour to Chauncy, Heathcote's marvellous fine dining and one hatted destination for all things French and delectable.

Gorgeous hospitality will welcome you in to a light and romantic dining room, where you'll be treated to a hearty menu du jour.

The best seasonal produce shines on the plate here, with a classy experience that will transport you to the French countryside. 

178 High Street, Heathcote

Askal

Askal, a newly crowned AGFG 2025 award-winner, is setting Melbourne abuzz with its vibrant Filipino-inspired fare. This two-level gem—complete with a vibey new rooftop bar poised to steal the show this summer—reimagines classics like sizzling pork jowl and abalone sisig, oxtail kare kare doughnuts, and their show-stopping roasted bone marrow served with crispy garlic rice. Add a moody, industrial-chic vibe and cocktails crafted with Filipino flair, and you’ve got a dining experience that’s as bold as it is unforgettable. This is Filipino cuisine, elevated and celebrated.

167 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 

Bansho

Newly hatted in the 2025 Australian Good Food Guide Awards, Bansho has cemented itself as a must-visit culinary destination. Helmed by Executive Chef Tomotaka Ishizuka—renowned for his work at Ishizuka, Koko, and Kisumé—this Richmond gem fuses French finesse with Japanese precision. The menu delights with small plates, artfully presented sushi and sashimi, and innovative mains, perfectly complemented by a drinks list featuring local wines, French vintages, and Japanese sakes.

Sitchu Tip: The Chawanmushi is a standout—silky, savoury, and the ideal palate refresher between courses.

960 High Street, Armadale

Etta

Etta is a small neighbourhood restaurant that has quickly built a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Melbourne. Combining a range of global influences from The Philippines to the Middle East, the menu is exceptional. Calling the menu 'Melburnian' to truly reflect the diverse culinary and cultural scenes of our city, you'll notice unique dishes on the menu that you couldn't find elsewhere.We recommend the torched Kingfish skewer for a special take on the popular fish.

The 250-bottle wine list is an wonderful capture of the world’s best growing regions, so sharing a bottle together is also essential.

60 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Many Little Bar & Dining

Red Hill's Many Little Bar & Dining offers an elevated modern Sri Lankan menu, and trust us when we say it's worth the drive down the Peninsula.

Many little elements have gone into making this one of the best hatted restaurants near Melbourne, from the use of sustainably-grown local produce and intimate interiors, to the taste of exceptional Australian and international wine. They've all combined to ensure this is a dining experience you won't soon forget. 

2-5/159 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South

Coda

A true Melbourne institution, the sleek and chic Coda is widely agreed to be one of the city’s best.

Always buzzing with its own special brand of energy, not only is this the place to be seen on a Friday night (or any other night for that matter) – but you’re guaranteed a brilliant meal in the process.

141 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Underbar 

Though it's a trek from the city, sitting at the top of any fine dining list is Underbar, a venue in Ballarat seating just 16 people.

Serving a refined, seasonal tasting menu by a chef who’s worked at the famed Per Se in New York, it’s one of the historic city's most coveted reservations. Every Friday and Saturday evening, eager diners flock for their exceptional tasting menu, inspired by the season and surrounds. 

Add this one to your dining bucket list, pronto. 

3 Doveton Street N, Ballarat Central 

Made your way through all of the best hatted restaurants in Melbourne? Discover more dining inspiration with our picks for the best Japanese, Greek, French and Italian restaurants in town.