Kaprica is pure Melbourne,with high ceilings and white walls and simple wooden tables and chair.
Critics'Pick

Why this ‘pure Melbourne’ trattoria is attracting a new wave of admirers

The Carlton favourite has long delivered just about everything you’d want from a casual neighbourhood restaurant,says our critic. Now Gen Z has discovered its appeal,too.

  • Besha Rodell
Chef Chae prepares food in the kitchen.
Good Food hatGood Food hat17/20

After years of trying for a reservation,our critic finally makes it to Victoria’s most hard-to-book restaurant

Besha Rodell finally scores one of six seats at chef Jung Eun Chae’s hideaway restaurant and home in the mountains for an unforgettable dining experience.

  • Besha Rodell
Inside the Barragunda dining room.
Good Food hatGood Food hat17/20

The Mornington Peninsula’s newest two-hatted fine-diner is very fancy – but still a bargain

Barragunda gives critic Besha Rodell hope for the future of dining in Victoria.

  • Besha Rodell
December will mark the ten-year anniversary of Embla.
Good Food hat15.5/20

This dark,moody wine bar is our critic’s go-to because it’s exactly what Melbourne does best

This decade-old CBD favourite is still as dynamic as the day it opened.

  • Besha Rodell
Venison tartlet.
Good Food hat15/20

This freshly hatted restaurant is exciting and delicious,but there’s one missing ingredient

This opening from last spring is flying way under the radar. And we’re the ones losing out.

  • Besha Rodell
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Juni opened on Exhibition Street in late November.
13/20

Fun drinks,disappointing duck:Critic sees red at new modern Asian hot spot

The mood-lit restaurant plays it safe with a selection of greatest hits from Michael Lambie’s pan-Asian playbook.

  • Besha Rodell
Barragunda’s dining room.

Barragunda Dining

One of Australia’s most ambitious farm-to-table experiences.

  • Besha Rodell andEmma Breheny
Jamsheed’s converted industrial dining room.
14/20

The mash-up of cuisines at this suburban winery makes our critic ‘giddy’ (in a good way)

Clara Luna serves bar food,but it’s also soul food;Middle Eastern and South American,but also Australian.

  • Besha Rodell
Arnold’s wine bar in Kensington,complete with disco ball.
13.5/20

This local wine bar stands out from the crowd with its blue drink and Mexican-ish food

Melbourne has plenty of neighbourhood wine bars,but not many have Arnold’s creativity and heart.

  • Besha Rodell
Marmelo at Melbourne Place.
Good Food hat15/20

Avoiding what’s obvious and popular,this hotel restaurant feels properly new

Focused on the food of Portugal,Marmelo is one of the more exciting restaurants to open in recent memory.

  • Besha Rodell