Galbi wagyu short rib on the grill.
14.5/20

This cosy Japanese-Korean cook-your-own grill house channels campfire vibes in the city

Grab a booth and cover the table with small,funky dishes and beautiful meats to grill over your own communal fire.

  • Terry Durack
The steak-like lion’s mane mushroom dish.

Meet the meaty main that’s so convincing,vegans have sent it back to the kitchen

Restaurant-bar Ballard’s,and its plant-based food,is anything but bland.

  • Dani Valent
Go-to dish:The oyster selection is fun to slurp your way around the Australian coast.
14/20

There isn’t a house wine here,but there are ‘house oysters’ (and they don’t get better)

Let yourself be steered off-road and try a different pairing at oyster and wine bar The Walrus.

  • Dani Valent
Energy levels are high across the vast rabbit warren of a space.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Does Merivale magic strike again at Good Luck Restaurant Lounge?

Justin Hemmes’ latest venue is a high-energy rabbit warren of a space with a menu that’s just as super-charged.

  • Terry Durack
Gemini is a cafe by day,and wine bar by night.
13.5/20

‘Tough economic climates are temporary,but community is forever’:Why Gemini is a gem

This crowd-funded cafe,bar,restaurant and pantry has changed Coburg for the better. If you’re local,you’re lucky.

  • Dani Valent
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Half free-range chicken with white corn puree and ox tongue anticuchos (top right).
Good Food hat15/20

This luxed-up Latin American diner in Martin Place has bags of personality – and a hat

A personality-filled menu from Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia brings new life to a treasure of a building.

  • Terry Durack
Sizzling pork jowl and green lip abalone sisig.
14.5/20

It’s already hard to get a booking but is this shmick new Filipino restaurant worth the hype?

This Filipino newcomer is fancier,and perhaps even more ambitious,than Serai.

  • Besha Rodell
Whitebark wine bar in West Melbourne.
13.5/20

This quiet neighbourhood gem is as DIY as it gets,but you probably won’t mind

Whitebark isn’t a destination but if you’re looking for somewhere small and neighbourly,it might be just the spot.

  • Besha Rodell
The bakar chicken blends Indonesian and Lebanese influences.
14/20

This mix 𝄒n𝄒 match menu is a taste of Sydney on a plate,but is it too much of a good thing?

Flavours from all over the city make unusual friends on Penelope’s adventurous menu.

  • Terry Durack
The borage-bedecked avocado tart tastes like something fairies would serve at the summer solstice.
Good Food hatGood Food hat17.5/20

Our critic had many expectations for the revamped Vue de Monde. But one thing surprised her

There are a few notable changes at the newly refurbished fine diner,but those spectacular views aren’t one of them.

  • Besha Rodell