There are some adored places to dine in Melbourne that everyone knows. They\u2019re always on people\u2019s lips, splashed across our social feeds and tricky to book. But then there are those that are a bit less obvious \u2013 the ones you\u2019re tempted to gatekeep.<\/p>\n
We asked a bunch of local chefs to shout out the venues they think deserve wider recognition.<\/p>\n
Kate Reid, Lune<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s necessarily underrated, but I just don\u2019t feel like enough people are talking about how exceptional the dining experience is at Bistra<\/a>.<\/p>\n Eun Hee An, Moon Mart<\/p>\n I really love going to Public Wine Shop<\/a>. I think the food is delicious, but I also love that I always get to try a super interesting wine. And the staff are all very nice and so passionate.\u00a0<\/p>\n Audrey Shaw, Carnation Canteen and Bar Carnation<\/p>\n Kenzan<\/a>. It\u2019s not underrated but under-frequented. I like to sit at the sushi bar to share a Suntory Premium Malt\u2019s beer and grilled salted kingfish collar.<\/p>\n Scott Eddington, Arnold\u2019s and The Pinnacle<\/p>\n I\u2019m always telling people about M Yong Tofu<\/a> in Flemington. The laksa is exceptional and, controversially, I think it\u2019s the best in Flemington. They also do delicious taro baskets and make their own tofu.<\/p>\n Khanh Ong, George on Collins<\/p>\n Oriental Teahouse on Chapel Street<\/a>. It\u2019s always so good, I love the crispy steak and also the mixed vegetables. Dumplings are always fantastic. It\u2019s just a really solid venue.<\/p>\n Esca Khoo, Tyga<\/p>\n Gai Wong<\/a> in North Melbourne. The best chicken rice in Australia. Why go to Singapore or Malaysia when this is right next to you! It\u2019s actually pretty hard to get the right cook on the Hainanese chicken rice, but, man, do they get it right. I get half a chicken, some good ol\u2019 roasted pork and braised eggs. You and your friend are set for the day after that.<\/p>\n Sofia Levin, Masterchef judge<\/p>\n I know those who visit think it\u2019s great, so when I say \u201cunderrated\u201d, I mean I\u2019m surprised it\u2019s not talked about more in the media \u2013 Cordelia<\/a> in Carlton. The food is fresh, modern and produce-driven. The staff is lovely and the space is humble yet charming. Maybe we shouldn\u2019t tell everyone about it, eh?<\/p>\n Gareth Whitton, Tarts Anon<\/p>\n Oriental Impression<\/a> on Victoria Street, Richmond. [My partner] went past it once while running and was drawn in by the enticing smell of the spices. We\u2019ve had some of the most mind-blowing food there. It\u2019s usually packed and hard to get a table, so maybe not that underrated, but you don\u2019t hear enough about it!<\/p>\n Hendri Budiman, Juni<\/p>\n Fitzroy Town Hall Hotel<\/a>. They have a take on Pierre Koffmann\u2019s three-Michelin-star restaurant\u2019s signature dish: pig\u2019s trotter stuffed with sweet bread and chicken, with mash and on-point demi-glace. In a pub? Get out of town!<\/p>\n Sarah Chan, Past Port<\/p>\n Chaozhou Malaya Bistro Cafe<\/a>. It\u2019s more of an \u201cif you know, you know\u201d spot. It\u2019s a cafe by day and a restaurant by night, run by a Southeast Asian mother-daughter duo. They\u2019ve built a strong base of regulars, and the food is authentic, hearty and comforting. Makes you feel at home.<\/p>\n Elias Salomonsson, Circl<\/p>\n I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s underrated, but I feel like Enoteca Boccaccio<\/a> deserves even more love. It\u2019s my local, and everything about it just works: fantastic food, a wine list you could explore for days, and a team that genuinely cares. More people should experience it.<\/p>\n Co\u015fkun Uysal, Tulum<\/p>\n Suze<\/a> in Fitzroy. It\u2019s such an energetic, fun place with great European-style bistro food and wine. I often go there for Sunday lunch with my partner, and we always start with the pillowy focaccia and house-made bresaola. Sitting upstairs and watching the chefs cook just makes the whole experience even better.<\/p>\n Brigitte Hafner, Tedesca Osteria<\/p>\n Philippe Mouchel\u2019s restaurant, Philippe<\/a>. It\u2019s easy for people to forget what a master he is!<\/p>\n Jett Alexander, Osteria Ilaria<\/p>\n Fratellino Pizzeria<\/a>. It\u2019s five minutes away from my house. Big lights. Woodfired pizza. What else can I say? My go-to is the piccante.<\/p>\n Nornie Bero, Native Ingredients Every Day author<\/p>\n Panda Hot Pot<\/a>. The food is incredible, and it\u2019s such a fun experience, but I don\u2019t think it gets nearly enough credit for the quality and creativity that goes into what they do.<\/p>\n Charlie Duffy, Daybaker<\/p>\n If you know me, you\u2019ve heard this before, but A Boy Named Sue<\/a> in St Andrews is just the best. Delicious pizza, a beautiful location overlooking produce grown in the gardens. On a warm summer evening, there\u2019s nowhere better.<\/p>\n Junda Khoo, Ho Jiak<\/p>\n Master Noodles<\/a> in Midcity Centre for the pork belly and green chilli rice with everything from the free-flowing condiment bar.<\/p>\n Frankie Hadid, Arnold\u2019s<\/p>\n Not sure if it\u2019s underrated, I just want everyone to go to Pizza Elettrica<\/a> in Thornbury. I think about the New Haven pie at least once a week.<\/p>\n Shannon Martinez, Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli<\/p>\n Hofbrauhaus<\/a>! I honestly love this place so much. It\u2019s such a fun vibe, the food is delicious, the portions are huge and the beer selection is fantastic.<\/p>\n Andy Allen, Masterchef judge<\/p>\n Lagoon Dining<\/a>. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s underrated, but maybe under-visited. The food is spicy and zingy. Every dish on the menu is a banger.<\/p>\n Hyoju Park, Madeleine de Proust<\/p>\n Jang Go Mama<\/a>. They make the best big and fat kimbap: the tuna mayo, spicy squid and the spicy beef kimbap are the ones to order.<\/p>\n Albin Lawang, Pecks Road<\/p>\n Tom Toon<\/a>. It\u2019s a Thai restaurant in Abbotsford and an authentic hidden gem with service that\u2019s second to none.<\/p>\n Ross Lusted, Marmelo<\/p>\n Kakilang Char Koay Teow<\/a> on Bourke Street. Penang-style flat rice noodles with the perfect amount of wok hei. And they have Malaysian-style coffee.<\/p>\n Diana Desensi, Delmonte<\/p>\n I\u2019d have to say Yakamoz<\/a> on Lygon Street. It\u2019s a Turkish restaurant that\u2019s quietly doing something special. The food is incredibly wholesome and deeply satisfying. You can taste the care and tradition behind every dish and it delivers comfort and quality in a really genuine way. The flavours are honest, and there\u2019s a real sense of hospitality that makes the whole experience feel special.<\/p>\n Frankie Cox, Crop<\/p>\n The Local Drop<\/a> in Collingwood. The wine program is unbelievable. You can drink champagne with no corkage on takeaway prices, and they have some amazing, hard-to-find bottles.<\/p>\n Fhred Batalona, Palay<\/p>\n Punjabi Curry Cafe<\/a> in Collingwood. They have the best butter chicken and rogan josh I\u2019ve had in Melbourne.<\/p>\n Helly Raichura, Enter Via Laundry<\/p>\n People should be queuing up for Keat Lee<\/a>\u2019s food at Lagoon Dining<\/a>, a very important place in Melbourne\u2019s culinary scene. The honesty of the food is genius, the detailed house-made sauces and stocks build perfect bites and make some of the most satisfying eats in Melbourne. My favourite dishes there are chrysanthemum salad with tofu and pine nuts, spicy potato salad, octopus skewers, anything Keat is cooking in the wok (which rotates seasonally) and a delicious glass of wine picked by [co-owner] Chris [Lerch].<\/p>\n Kay-Lene Tan, Yugen and Omnia\u00a0<\/p>\n