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Melbourne’s best new eateries.

As the temperature climbs above the 20-degree mark (finally!), we Melburnians are emerging from our winter hideaways with a renewed desire to socialise. Fortunately, the colder months have heralded a wave of exciting new restaurant openings, providing us with perfect opportunities to thaw out, break the ice, and relish in our city’s culinary prowess. From a quaint all-day eatery from the team behind Florian to a charismatic, 100-seat wine bar nestled within the industrial charm of Cremorne, we’ve curated a list of our 6 favourites for your silly season soirees.  

1. Studley Park Boathouse 
Following an extensive multi-million dollar renovation, the new and improved Studley Park Boathouse is now officially open to the public – and just in time for summer. The venue’s sympathetic revamp has retained the heritage charm of Melbourne’s oldest boathouse, all while bringing in a host of new opportunities for dining, drinking and entertainment. Pop in for afternoon wine paddles on the sun-filled terrace or settle in for a long, leisurely lunch at the beautifully designed Conservatory area. With live music and boat hire on weekends, this long-standing local treasure is the perfect summertime destination. 
Book here. 

2. Juniper 
From the dream team behind Carlton’s most beloved cafe, Florian, Juniper brings a similar, home-style cooking approach to the elegant streets of South Melbourne. While Florian drew much of its inspiration from European flavours and ingredients, Juniper’s menu is underpinned by a distinct Asian influence: think mushroom congees, pickled ginger smashed avo, and crispy chicken skin sandwiches. The cafe’s close proximity to South Melbourne Market manifests in the freshness of the food and the seasonal focus of the menu, complemented by a selection of artisanal baked goodies from Austro Bakery. 
Book here. 

3. Julie Abbotsford 
The newest addition to the Abbotsford Convent family, Julie has already made a name for itself as one of Melbourne’s best new eateries. A labour of love, the restaurant-bar is owned by Julieanne Blum, former head chef of Cam’s Kiosk around the corner. Equal parts refined and cosy, the expansive dining room is clad in delightful butter-colour tiles – spilling out onto a leafy courtyard designed for natural wines in the sun. The menu is entirely informed by the on-site kitchen garden, featuring everything from cabbage-broth risotto to baby barramundi with mandarin. An institution in the making if we ever saw one. 
Book here. 

4. Studio Amaro 
The latest venture by the formidable Commune team (Tokyo Tina, Firebird, Hanoi Hannah, et al.), Studio Amaro is a suave Italian eatery just up the road from Yours Truly. A key player in Windsor’s ongoing culinary renaissance, the 100-seat venue is the kind of spot that caters for every foodie occasion: casual lunches, evening soirees and intimate wine dates in the basement bar. The menu is ultimately designed to share, combining a plethora of seasonal anti pasti with a handful of meat and pasta dishes. Replete with brass accents, burgundy tones and big leather booth seats, the interiors reverberate the fun, sexy ethos that characterises the wider Commune portfolio. Two big thumbs up from us. 
Book here.

5. Lilac Wine 
When it comes to hospitality, Cremorne has always been a bit of a quiet achiever. A stroll through the industrial neighbourhood reveals a goldmine of impeccable bars and eateries – one that continues to flourish and evolve. Lilac Wine is the latest addition to the selection. Housed within a vast factory space on Stephenson Street, the laidback haunt is clad in melange of eclectic decor including Persian rugs, vintage buffets and a large spinning disco ball. The wine list is equally diverse, championing natural, locally sourced and biodynamic varietals. If you plan to stay a while, the roaring open-kitchen serves up an array of Mediterranean dishes such as walnut Bolognese and savoury mince on toast. 
Book here.