Best new restaurants and bars in Melbourne in August

Lyrics by Ben Lamb

The best new restaurants, bars and cafes opening in Melbourne: all the farm restaurants, eateries, must-see hotspots and the coolest new watering holes.

We all know Melbourne is a great melting pot for different cultures, people and backgrounds – our nightlife scene is acclaimed for its dedication to multiculturalism. It’s the foundation of our hospitable culture, so in each monthly guide to the best new restaurants and bars opening in Melbourne, expect to embark on a short trip around the world (from Brunswick to St Kilda).

Today we take a look at some of the best new places on the streets of Melbourne for all things food and drink you need to try in August. Here’s our August edition of the best new restaurants, must-see hotspots to eat and drink, and your monthly guide to all the best new bars and watering holes. If you’d rather travel somewhere a little secret and “underground”, check out our list of the best hidden bars.

You can check out the most comprehensive guides to Melbourne on the best bars and pubs in every suburb and street here.

Best new restaurants in Melbourne

Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters

This new Melbourne restaurant has an all-Victorian menu

A first of its kind collaboration between Fed Square and the team behind Farmer’s Daughters, it will see respected Melbourne chef Alejandro Saravia bring his vision of defending Victoria and its diverse regions to this highly anticipated venue. Located in Melbourne’s Fed Square, overlooking the Yarra River, the 250-seat restaurant will transport diners to the heart and soul of Victoria, paying homage and celebrating the products, people and places that make up this awe-inspiring state.

Enter through the laundry

This new restaurant is the brainchild of celebrity chef Holly Raichura, who introduced this dining concept to a few pop-up locations in the past. For $210, you can enjoy an excellent Indian-inspired tasting menu, featuring around 20 different items of all types. Check the menu and book your visit to Enter Via Laundry here.

Smith Street Bistro

This new restaurant gives a French touch to Smith St in Collingwood. They have focused on bringing some of France’s most delicious wines to Melbourne. Their menu reads like something out of Paris too, this would be the perfect place to go if you don’t feel like flying to France yet.

LOTI

One of the newer places on this list, Loti is in the heart of the St Kilda region. The menu is focused on good things that really represent the coastal suburb. There are things like langoustines, yellow fin tuna and even a venison fillet. They also have great options for functions, ready for you to throw all the parties you missed during lockdown. Discover more information about LOTI here.

Leonardo’s Pizza Palace

It’s been around for a while, but they closed down a few months ago and are coming back strong. They have all the favorites, Margheritas, Pepperonis, Jalapeno pizzas, and much more for you to discover here.

Elchi

Another great Indian restaurant comes in the form of Elchi, a beautiful place that feels like you’ve stepped into the future. Some of the great dishes on the menu include Chilli Caramel Chicken Tikka, Lamb Chops, Korma and many more. See the full menu here.

Untitled Restaurant

This new establishment in Richmond has everything to become a staple of Melbourne’s nightlife. With popular chef Timothy Martin at the helm, Untitled’s food is perfect for any kind of catch-up. There are three sections to this restaurant, giving great separate vibes, perfect for a big party to a casual get-together.

More information and a menu can be found here.

Grand Esso

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s Fed Square, Big Esso is a place with menu items unlike anything else. The team behind the scenes source all of their products from great locations – “First Nations, gay-led, female-led, and environmentally conscious growers.” So when you eat here you will know you are eating well.

Discover more information about Big Esso here.

BKK

Located on level 3 of the HER bar, BKK is another place that will provide food for years to come. You can grab savory Asian-inspired classics like wok-fried pork, sweet and crispy beef, Thai fish cakes and more. If your mouth is watering too, check out more info here.

Aru

Aru is a new restaurant named after the islands found in Indonesia, and they are focused on bringing the best of old-fashioned cooking techniques to their establishment. Some of their signature dishes include barramundi, dry aged duck, chow mein, crab rice and more. More information about Aru can be found here.

Nomadic

If you’re looking for something fancier, Nomad might be the place for you. Their a la carte menu features tasty dishes like oysters, Yarra Valley salmon, fennel jam and more. They are also about to participate in the Melbourne International Film Festival, you can check more information about it here.

Lona Misa

Sometimes restaurants with fixed menus can seem a bit inaccessible and expensive, but Lona Misa has a great inexpensive tasting/fixed menu. Starting at $95, you can grab a great tasting menu featuring everything from smoked beets to Brazilian seafood stew. Discover the rest of the menu here.

1800 Lasagna

As the name suggests, Thornbury’s 1800 Lasagna focuses on all things lasagna. Along with other pasta options, they focus on two types of lasagna – Di Carne (beef and pork) and Di Melanzane (eggplant). To accompany their pasta, you can take garlic bread, salads or even marinated olives.

Connie’s Italian dinner

Connie’s Italian Diner actually started in 2017 as a hole in the wall that found a bunch of fans across the state. Now they have just opened a full-size place, offering customers high quality pizzas. They also make pizzas the right way – not with a pile of ingredients, but some high quality toppings, check out the options here.

New on-farm restaurants in Melbourne

Archie’s Farm Restaurant and Bar

If you fancy venturing a bit outside of Melbourne’s inner circle, Scoresby has a new Farm restaurant for you to enjoy. Open in the beautiful Hyatt Place, Archie’s Farm Restaurant and Bar offers guests classic great food.

Dive into more information about this spot here.

New bars in Melbourne

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Caretaker’s house

If you are looking for a place to warm up this winter, the new Caretaker Cottage Bar is a nice and cozy place ready to be visited. You can find the Keeper’s Cottage on Little Lonsdale St, see more about it here.

Beat’s guide to Melbourne’s best winter bars and restaurants

V Wine Fair

The V Wine Salon has a skilled team behind the scenes, ensuring that all visitors have an unforgettable experience. They are dedicated to all things wine, with regular masterclasses and wine events. Discover more information about the V Wine Salon here.

Jamshed Urban Cellar

It’s not too often that you find a great winery in Melbourne. But Preston is turning things around with their Jamsheed Winery. Jamsheed also lets you experience winemaking, check out more info on that. here.

Ototo

A new speakeasy has just arrived in Melbourne, Otōto is the “younger brother” of the famous restaurant Akaiito. This underground establishment is ideal for a casual get-together with friends, where you can sample their excellent Asian-inspired food and drinks. More information about Otōto is available here.

Lane’s Edge Wine Bar

Yet another great wine bar has made its way to Melbourne, Lane’s Edge is sure to be a staple as we enter the warmer seasons. Tucked away in one of Melbourne’s beautiful lanes, you can sample some of Australia’s finest wines here. Discover the full menu here.

Auterra Wine Bar

It’s the season for wine bar openings, Auterra being one of them making its way to the Armadale area. To accompany their many great wines you can grab some great small plates at Auterra, there are things like smoked kangaroo tartare, octopus or even a beignet. Discover the full menu here.

Perle Chablis & Oyster Bar

With so many people returning after staying at home, it’s great to see the nightlife returning to normal. But you wouldn’t be blamed for wanting some privacy back, that’s where the new Pearl Chablis and Oyster bars can come back, they offer a large, intimate dining space so you can really focus on their high-end offerings quality.

Discover more information about this spot here.

New cafes in Melbourne

Moon Cruller

They might be a little more popular in the US, but there’s a huge void in the market for these decadent sweet treats on home soil. For an easy price of $5.50, you can grab any of their great flavors, to name a few, passion fruit, raspberry, vanilla, or even a cappuccino flavor. Discover more information about Moon Cruller here.

Warkop Coffee + Sandwiches

Richmond’s Warkop has a fairly limited menu, but that’s always a good sign you know they’re experts on it. Some of the highlights are the eggplant sandwiches and black coffees, among other things you can experience here.

jerry milk bar

Jerry’s Milk Bar is stepping into an already jam-packed coffee industry, but with some pretty cool and interesting stuff. This place has been around for decades, but after some difficulties during COVID, they closed. A few buddies took over the space at the last moment and turned it into a key café in the Melbourne scene. Discover more information about Jerry’s Milk Bar here.

New takeaways in Melbourne

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Stan’s Deli and Sandwiches

If you’re looking for a bit of New York vibe down the street, look no further than Stan’s Deli in Malvern. This is no ordinary sandwich shop, a quick look at their Instagram shows their great selection of gourmet delights. Of course, to accompany your sandwich, there is a wide variety of beers and fries that match perfectly.

Discover more information about Stan’s Deli and Sandwiches here.