Page 529 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  527

CENTRAL MELBOURNE: CENTRAL MELBOURNE:
$$
$$$
DK Choice Grossi Florentino Map 2 D2 Ezard Map 2 D3
Modern Australian
Italian
CENTRAL MELBOURNE: 80 Bourke St, VIC 3000 187 Flinders Lane, VIC 3000
Hardware Société $ Tel (03) 9662 1811 Closed Sun Tel (03) 9639 6811 Closed Sat
Café Map 1 B3 Three eateries on three levels: a lunch & Sun
120 Hardware St, VIC 3000 casual Tuscan grill, sumptuous Renowned chef Teage Ezard
Tel (03) 9078 5992 fine dining in the fin-de-siècle explores the complexities of
I the heart of Melbourne, this Mural Room, and light bites in contemporary Australian fare in
popular café is an ideal place the cellar bar. an ultra-modern, lively setting.
to enjoy a hearty breakfast
or lunch. Try the baked eggs CENTRAL MELBOURNE: CENTRAL MELBOURNE:
with chorizo sausage, piquillo Il Solito Posto $$ Flower Drum $$$
peppers and queso de cabra Italian Map 2 D3 Chinese Map 2 D2
(goat cheese), or some of Basement, 113 Collins St, VIC 3000 17 Market Lane, VIC 3000
their delicious sweet treats Tel (03) 9654 4466 Closed Sun Tel (03) 9662 3655 Closed Sun lunch
along with a cup of coffee. A welcoming basement trattoria Considered by many the best
The contemporary dining area with well-stocked shelves of Cantonese restaurant in the
has a large communal table. both local and Italian wines and whole of Australia. Flower Drum
a delectable menu of regional attracts celebrities but remains
Italian specialities, such as squid accommodating and relaxed.
CENTRAL MELBOURNE: ink linguini and leek risotto.
Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar $ CENTRAL MELBOURNE:
Café Map 2 D2 CENTRAL MELBOURNE: Hanabishi $$$
66 Bourke St, VIC 3000 Mamasita $$ Japanese Map 1 B3
Tel (03) 9662 1885 Mexican Map 2 D3 187 King St, VIC 3000
Lively eatery that has been a Level 1, 11 Collins St, VIC 3000 Tel (03) 9670 1167 Closed Sat & Sun
Melbourne icon for decades. Tel (03) 9650 3821 Often voted Melbourne’s best
Simple pasta dishes. Quick service. This popular upbeat restaurant Japanese restaurant, this is an
champions authentic Mexican excellent place for sashimi,
CENTRAL MELBOURNE: food with its flavoursome dishes steaming hotpots and melt-in-
Becco $$ including chicken tostaditas and your-mouth tempura.
Italian Map 2 D2 corn with chipotle mayo.
11–25 Crossley St, VIC 3000 CENTRAL MELBOURNE:
Tel (03) 9663 3000 Closed Sun CENTRAL MELBOURNE: Kappo $$$
An inspiring and innovative MoVida $$ Japanese Map 2 D3
Italian bistro. Dishes include Spanish Map 2 D3 1 Flinders Lane, VIC 3000
barramundi with caponata 1 Hosier Lane, VIC 3000 Tel (03) 9639 9500 Closed lunch
fregola (an aubergine dish), crispy Tel (03) 9663 3038 (except Fri); Sun dinner
saltbush and verjuice (sour juice). Australia’s finest proponent of This highly regarded omakase
modern Spanish tapas. Daily (chef’s selection) restaurant
CENTRAL MELBOURNE: specials, along with a list of allows you to choose from five,
Chin Chin $$ small dishes. Book ahead. seven or nine courses. Ingredients
Southeast Asian Map 2 D3 include yam, candy beetroot,
125 Flinders Lane, VIC 3004 CENTRAL MELBOURNE: abalone and sea urchin.
Tel (03) 8663 2000 The European $$$
A place based on the concept European Map 2 D2 CENTRAL MELBOURNE:
of shared eating. If deciding on 161 Spring St, VIC 3000 Pei Modern $$$
any particular dish proves tricky, Tel (03) 9654 0811 Modern Australian Map 2 D3
simply tell the waiter “feed me”, Smart place attracting politicians Collins Place, 45 Collins St, VIC 3000
and you will receive up to six and the pre-theatre crowd. Tel (03) 9654 8545 Closed Sat & Sun
of their most popular dishes of Styled like an old-school bistro, Celebrated chef Mark Best’s
the day. All-Australian wine list. with superb wines from France, eatery serves natural-flavoured
No bookings. Italy, Germany and Spain. dishes. Sleek café decor.
CENTRAL MELBOURNE:
Cookie $$
Thai Map 1 C2
252 Swanston St, VIC 3000
Tel (03) 9663 7660
An unusual combination of beer
hall and Thai restaurant. The
kitsch decor and lively atmo-
sphere attract a large, arty crowd.
CENTRAL MELBOURNE:
Cumulus Inc $$
International Map 2 D3
45 Flinders Lane, VIC 3000
Tel (03) 9650 1445
Good design, fine wine and
great, unpretentious food at this
popular restaurant. The sleek interior of the popular Cumulus Inc restaurant in Melbourne
For more information on types of restaurants see page 498