Pirate Life has room for 220 punters in what was once a mechanics’ garage.

10 hot and new diners,delis and bar to try in South Melbourne

After a flat few years,South Melbourne is back on the dining map. Here’s what’s new and what to look forward to sinking your teeth into.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Lucia’s coffee,bourbon and chocolate dessert.
Good Food hat15.5/20

Rediscover an endangered brand of old-school fine dining at this polished newcomer

Searching for somewhere quiet,spacious and with excellent food? New arrival Lucia ticks all the boxes.

  • Besha Rodell
The chefs’ culinary backgrounds merge in the lamb forequarter chops with chimichurri.

10 hot new southside venues worth making a pit stop at this weekend

Rev up before or after the Australian Grand Prix at these new restaurants,bars and breweries,all just a bunny hop from the Albert Park circuit.

The chefs’ culinary backgrounds merge in the lamb forequarter chops with chimichurri.

High-profile brewer opens first Melbourne venue and there’s chops by the kilo and spanakopita lasagne

Two chefs with a love of fire are having fun with their first beer hall menu at South Melbourne’s new Pirate Life brewpub.

  • Emma Breheny
Pair Sydney rock oysters with a two-sip martini made with Never Never’s Oyster Shell Gin.

The bar might be the best seat in the house at airy new South Melbourne restaurant Lucia

Pony up for a view of the glass-fronted seafood bar,where you can snack on the Med’s answer to prawn spring rolls and a very Australian take on tartare.

  • Emma Breheny
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Duck-filled pastry cigars come with foil tips and are presented in a cigar box.

Underground supper club Castlerose promises to be an old-school charmer

With entry by spiral stairs and a raft of bijou snacks,this South Melbourne bar and restaurant wants to resurrect a bygone era of hospitality.

  • Emma Breheny
Go-to dish:Pizza with guanciale and honey.
14/20

Avo toast by day,anchovy toast by night:This Melbourne local favourite covers all bases

Sourdough,focaccia,pizza. Two brothers are giving neighbourhood cafe and wine bar Woods Yard a red-hot dough.

  • Dani Valent
Go-to dish:Charred cucumber with smoked yoghurt,muscat grapes and shichimi.
Good Food hat15/20

Don't like cucumbers? James will change your mind

South Melbourne local James' playful "Australian-Korean" menu rolls from two-bite snacks to shareable plates.

  • Dani Valent
The wild abalone tart.

Lume 3.0 forges and forages ahead

Foraged ingredients are key to chef Elijah Holland's iteration of this South Melbourne fine dining restaurant.

  • Dani Valent
Hummus loaded with lentil and grain salad.

South Melbourne's'hummusiya'is dedicated to the dip

Israeli chef Ehud Malka has such strong feelings about hummus he's built a casual restaurant around it.

  • Dani Valent