The 10 best tasting menus in Melbourne for a memorable multi-course dining experience
Compared to a typical meal, tasting menus are designed to offer a diverse dining experience in one sitting. It’s a succession of flavors and textures that are usually new to the person’s palate.
It’s also an opportunity for chefs to showcase their culinary skills and artistry, so it’s not a surprise to see the dishes presented as if they’re works of art.
While most tasting menus in Melbourne are expensive, they’re very much worth the spend, given all the processes that it takes to create them, like these places listed below!
1. Maha Restaurant
– Media credit: Maha Restaurant
Website: http://maharestaurant.com.au/
Address: 21 Bond St
Phone: +61396295900
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
At Maha Restaurant, you’ll experience the taste of warm and bold flavors of the Middle East in a fine dining setting. The restaurant is located in a basement on Bond Street, where they create playful and flavorful dishes.
Just like the regular menu, most of the dishes in the tasting menus are seasonal. And you can count on them to present the dishes in an organized manner with a seamless flow.
The most popular option is the “Sultan” tasting menu. It’s a six-course menu featuring artfully presented dishes. And while the portions are smaller in this menu, they’re enough to fill you up by the last course.
The staff are also well-regarded as they are always eager to find alternatives for diners with dietary restrictions. Plus, they offer a vegan tasting menu.
Pro tip:
The place is small, and sometimes, customers may need to line up for hours before they secure a seat. We recommend booking in advance if you want to avoid this.
2. Philippe
– Media credit: Philippe Restaurant
Website: https://philipperestaurant.com.au/
Address: 115 Collins St.
Phone: +61383946625
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
- Saturday 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
If you’re into French cuisine, Philippe is a must-try. This bistro is run by one of Melbourne’s most respected culinary figures, Philippe Mouchel.
The dishes here are made from high-quality seasonal produce that’s organic and ethically sourced.
For the tasting menu, it often includes the signature item, beetroot-cured king salmon, braised beef cheek, rotisserie chicken, and more — garnished with fresh herbs and served with lighter sauces.
It typically consists of six courses and the dishes rotate depending on the best produce of the season.
And as a modern bistro, Philippe encourages patrons to pick a seat by the zinc bar to have a view of the chefs working on the central rotisserie and charcoal oven.
Pro tip:
Look out for the season’s specials. For example, Philippe offers a truffle menu or optional truffle add-ons during winter.
3. Cutler & Co.
– Media credit: Cutler
Website: http://www.cutlerandco.com.au/
Address: Level 1/57 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Phone: +61394194888
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Cutler & Co. is a simple yet refined and hospitable restaurant that was once a metalworks factory. Today, the place is considered a flagship restaurant for fine dining in Melbourne.
Cutler’s tasting menu is often served alongside a two- to three-course menu. The dishes are known for having a unique combination of ingredients and surprising flavor profiles.
They often add special additions to their tasting menu, depending on the season. And while they do that, their classic dishes, like the duck breast and foie gras, remain well-loved by frequent guests.
Other items that could be part of your tasting menu are sashimi, seafood, meat dishes, vegan options, and more.
Pro tip:
Ask the staff for a wine pairing with your tasting menu. They have excellent recommendations that will go well with your meal.
4. Kisumé
– Media credit: Kisumé
Website: https://kisume.com.au/
Address: 175 Flinders Ln.
Phone: +61396714888
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Monday 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Japanese cuisine is already sophisticated as is, but at Kisumé, they’ve made it even more elegant with a multi-course menu, exquisite presentation, and elevated taste.
Kisumé’s signature is the Chef’s Table tasting menu. It’s a private, multi-course dining experience served every Tuesday and Saturday, offering premium sashimi, sushi, and meat dishes with a little bit of premium touches like black truffles.
The Chef’s Table can only seat 12 people at a time. However, Kisumé also offers private dining rooms with tasting menus for smaller groups.
We can’t deny that with such a high-end experience, it also comes at a premium price — but it’s worth the splurge.
Pro tip:
If the Chef’s Table or the tasting menu feels too lavish, you can opt for the standard omakase at the sushi counter. It offers around 10–12 pieces of nigiri and sashimi at a cheaper price.
5. Vue de Monde
– Media credit: Vue de Monde
Website: http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/
Address: Floor G, 55 Rialto Towers, 525 Collins St.
Phone: +61396913888
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Thursday 6:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Friday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Being a guest at Vue de Monde doesn’t mean you simply order and dine. The presentation and service here are laced with humor and theatrics.
Vue de Monde offers two types of tasting menus: The Signature Chef’s Tasting Menu and The Extended Experience. The dishes are seasonal and made with Australian produce and classic flavors.
The only difference between the two is that the extended menu is the evolution of the signature dishes — more luxurious and made with premium ingredients.
Just like how they meticulously select their ingredients, the same process goes with their wine pairing selection. They even have a sommelier who guides guests to the wine cellar!
Pro tip:
Due to the complex multi-course offering of Vue de Monde’s menu, they can’t guarantee to accommodate all dietary preferences. If you need some alterations to the menu, call them ahead prior to dining.
6. Freyja
– Media credit: Freyja
Website: https://www.freyjarestaurant.com/
Address: Floor G, Work Club Olderfleet, 477 Collins St.
Phone: +61386887141
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
- Saturday 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Freyja offers a Nordic-style dining experience where they use traditional cooking methods such as smoking, curing, and pickling. These allow the ingredients to unlock layers of flavors that can only be achieved with time and patience.
Led by a well-experienced chef, the dishes at Freyja are simple yet bursting with flavors, coming from ingredients that are thoughtfully and ethically sourced.
Their tasting menu is called the “Chef’s Selection,” a four-course meal that’s personalized to the diner’s taste and dietary needs. It’s also a share-style menu to encourage communal dining.
If you want a more elaborate dining experience, Freyja also offers a seven-course degustation menu.
Pro tip:
A reservation for up to 10 guests is accepted online. However, for larger groups (seven or more), they must take the set tasting menu. Also, groups of 10 or more incur a mandatory 10% service charge.
7. Florentino
– Media credit: Grosse Florentino
Website: http://www.florentino.com.au/
Address: 80 Bourke St.
Phone: +61396621811
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
If we talk about pioneers, Florentino is one of them. They’ve been serving classic Italian dishes in Melbourne since 1999.
First of all, they work closely with local farmers to learn about progressive and sustainable ways of sourcing ingredients. Then, they add an Australian flair to these dishes to create a dining experience with luxurious hospitality.
For their tasting menu, it’s a three or six-course meal known as the “Gran Tour”. It features premium Italian dishes such as venison carpaccio, lobster risotto, frozen panna cotta, and other options.
Every course is paired with wine.
Pro tip:
For small celebrations, they have a private dining room that can accommodate up to 10 guests. The Gran Tour set is one of the standard menus offered here.
8. Gimlet
– Media credit: Gimlet
Website: https://gimlet.melbourne/
Address: Cavendish House, 33 Russell St.
Phone: +61392779777
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm – 1:00 am
Gimlet is a Cavendish House restaurant that offers a variety of snacks, shared mains, and tasty desserts.
Apart from the food, what many guests love about the place is the large open space with decorations that give the impression you’re in a train station from the 1800s.
It makes the place less stuffy compared to other dining restaurants.
The tasting menu at Gimlet is available as part of their afternoon menu served from 3pm to 5 pm daily. It starts with a dish of various seafood, followed by other seasonal delights such as shishito peppers and salad — elevated by a fine glass of martini.
Pro tip:
Since they advise that you arrive ahead of your reservation time, Gimlet recommends getting a pre-dining drink at their cocktail bar Apollo Inn while you wait.
9. Akaiito
– Media credit: Akaiito Restaurant
Website: http://www.akaiitorestaurant.com.au/
Address: 349-351 Flinders Ln
Phone: +61398135010
Operating hours:
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The dining experience at Akaiito is something that’s charmed many guests over the years. Everything is there — from the food artistry to the warm hospitality from the staff and the chefs.
Akaiito offers two types of tasting menus: one is the “Omakase at Your Table,” which is available from Tuesday to Thursday evenings, featuring an eight-course menu with premium and seasonal dishes.
For private dining, they offer the “Kajin” menu, which is a seven-course menu with dishes like ama ebi, wagyu, guava sorbet, and more.
Pro tip:
At the end of every season, Akaiito temporarily stops its operations to undergo maintenance and curate new seasonal dishes. During this time, you can hire their chef for the “Omakase at Home” experience.
10. Attica
– Media credit: Attica Restaurant
Website: http://www.attica.com.au/
Address: 74 Glen Eira Rd, Ripponlea
Phone: +61395300111
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Most of the dishes offered at Attica are inspired by the chef-owner’s personal experiences and local myths, making both the dining experience and dishes feel personal and narrative.
Their tasting menu changes with the season and is often made with ingredients sourced from the neighboring Rippon Lea Estate, such as bunya nuts, finger limes, and herbs.
You might find some of their offerings to be exotic. For example, the rack of ribs comes from crocodiles instead of cows. And instead of the well-known Barramundi, you’ll have rock flathead.
Pro tip:
Reservations at Attica are mandatory. They’re released on the first Wednesday of the month, and you can book up to three months in advance.