The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria)

Amaru on High Street in Armadale is Chef Clinton McIver's technique-driven Australian restaurant and recognised by La Liste at 80 points in 2026. It suits return diners more than first-timers: the cooking rewards commitment to the longer format. Booking is straightforward; two to three weeks ahead covers most weekend evenings.

Aoi Tsuki received 2 hats in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Babae received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Bacash received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Bar Liberty is a smart Fitzroy pick when the night is wine-led rather than beer- or cocktail-led. Star Wine List recognition gives it a clearer quality signal than many neighbourhood bars, and easy booking makes it useful for a first stop or a focused Sunday daytime drink.

Bar Lourinha received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Bar Merenda is a smart Daylesford pick when the brief is wine first and low-friction rather than a big cocktail night. The 2026 Star Wine List recognition is the key trust signal; book it as a drinks stop before or after dinner, not as a fully verified food-led destination.

Bar Midland received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Book Bar Olo for a wine-led Carlton night, not for a fully documented food destination. Its Star Wine List recognition gives it credibility for drinks, while the missing cuisine, chef, and price details mean food-focused visitors should keep expectations flexible and use it as a bar-first stop.

Barragunda Dining is worth choosing for a slower, farm-connected meal in Cape Schanck, especially if vegetable-led cooking and ingredient provenance matter. The share-style menu, estate-raised meats, Wildlife Fisheries seafood, and market-garden outlook make it a better fit for context-seeking diners than for anyone after a quick, casual stop.

Bottarga is the easy Brighton pick for a polished evening meal where wine matters more than a famous chef or fixed dining format. Star Wine List recognition in 2026 gives it a useful credibility signal, and the later Friday-Saturday hours make it better for date nights and low-friction celebrations than rigid destination dining.

Brae is a destination fine dining restaurant outside Melbourne where chef Dan Hunter cooks from a working organic farm on the property. La Liste awards 93 points for 2025 and 2026; the World's 50 Best ranked it number 44 in 2017. Book two to three months ahead minimum: availability is near impossible and the two-hour drive from Melbourne means you plan a day around it.

Brico is the right Carlton North pick when wine matters more than ceremony. The Star Wine List recognition gives it a clear reason to book for a late, conversation-led evening, but diners who need a published cuisine hook, price range, or formal occasion setting may be better served by Scopri, Al Dente, or Capitano.

Brown Brothers is the practical King Valley pick when the visit needs to work as a full occasion. Choose it for a Milawa-based wine day with a food component, especially for groups or celebrations; cross-shop smaller peers if the priority is a tighter cellar-door route.

Carlton Wine Rooms is the right call when the night is built around wine, conversation, and a smaller-group pace rather than a fast meal. Choose it over Garfield Pizzeria for a drinks-first evening; choose Kaprica when food is the main reason to go.

Carnation Canteen is worth booking for a small Fitzroy dinner built around seasonal Mediterranean-leaning plates and a wine-first bistro mood. Go for date night or a two-person catch-up; skip it if you want a tasting menu, private room or cocktail-bar energy.

Cecconi’s Flinders Lane received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Kew's two-decade Italian holds 50–60 covers Tuesday through Saturday, delivering handmade pasta and Northern technique without CBD formality. Lunch books easier than dinner, and the generous portions often satisfy as mains rather than starters. At AUD 40–65 per head, it rewards those seeking consistency over spectacle: walk-ins work mid-week, but Friday and Saturday fill two weeks ahead.

Chauncy is a strong lunch-first choice in Heathcote when the day is built around wine. Star Wine List recognition makes it more compelling for wine-minded diners than for anyone chasing a clearly defined cuisine or private dining setup. Use it for a smaller daytime meal.

Clover is the Richmond choice for a relaxed Melbourne drinks plan with a credible wine focus and easy group appeal. Pick it over a city cocktail room when Swan Street location, flexible timing, and a casual atmosphere matter more than ceremony or hotel-bar polish.

Cumulus Inc. on Flinders Lane is easy to book and carries a 3-Star World of Fine Wine accreditation: a rare combination in Melbourne's CBD. The all-day format suits solo diners and pairs better than large groups, and the wine list is the main reason to come. Skip it for delivery; the experience belongs in the room.

Cutler & Co. is Fitzroy's most credentialled Modern Australian restaurant, holding La Liste Top Restaurants placement and a 3-Star World of Fine Wine & Living Accreditation. Easier to book than Attica with a more flexible format, it's the stronger choice for diners who want serious cooking without a tasting-menu-only commitment. Book dinner to get the full picture.

Dainty on Toorak received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Decca received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Di Stasio Citta is a good fit for a polished Melbourne meal when location, occasion, and a more grown-up city setting matter. Public detail on price, chef, menu format, and awards is limited, so book it for confidence in the room rather than for a heavily researched dish-by-dish plan.

Book Doot Doot Doot if you want a special-occasion dinner tied to the Jackalope Hotel setting in Merricks North. It is less useful for diners who need clear cuisine, chef, menu, or price details before choosing; compare it with Rare Hare, Laura at Pt Leo Estate, Pt Leo Restaurant, Tedesca, and Ten Minutes by Tractor if the meal itself is the main event.

Du Fermier is worth booking as the anchor lunch of a Trentham trip, especially for diners who want Annie Smithers’ seasonal French farmhouse set menu rather than à la carte flexibility. It is not a late-night fallback or a quick stop; plan ahead, dress smart casual, and expect a slow, intimate regional meal built around produce and classic farmhouse cooking.

Emerald City received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Etta is worth booking if the goal is a relaxed Brunswick East bistro with wood-fired shared plates and a wine program that can carry the night. Expect casual dress, accessible à la carte pricing around $50 per person, and a stronger experience at dinner if wine and atmosphere matter most.

Florentino is Melbourne's strongest case for Italian fine dining with genuine wine program depth: backed by a World of Fine Wine 3-Star Accreditation and consecutive La Liste Top Restaurant rankings. Book it for a wine-led dinner or special occasion in the CBD. If you want casual Italian without the formality, 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar is the better fit.

Flower Drum is Melbourne's long-standing benchmark for refined Cantonese dining, recognised on the Tatler Best Restaurants Asia-Pacific 2025 list. Book for a special occasion lunch or dinner when serious cooking and a composed dining room matter more than novelty. Weekday lunch is the optimal session; reservations are recommended and easy to secure.

Freyja Melbourne is a practical CBD pick for diners who care about wine as much as the meal. Star Wine List recognition in 2026 gives it a stronger drinks signal than many casual city options, while its Collins Street location makes it useful for weekday lunch or dinner. Choose Vue de Monde for a larger splurge; choose Freyja for a lower-pressure wine-led booking.

From Here by Mike is a practical Docklands booking for easy group meals, casual celebrations, and business dining when location matters more than a named cuisine or award signal. It is strongest as a low-friction Melbourne option with broad day-to-night usefulness; cross-shop Harriot or KOMEYUI Japanese Restaurant - Melbourne if the occasion needs a more defined restaurant identity.

Grace Bar & Eatery received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Book Greasy Zoes if you want a small, produce-led tasting menu where the wine or non-alcoholic pairing is part of the decision, not an add-on. The 8-seat Hurstbridge room is better for couples and tiny parties than groups, with value coming from intimacy, sustainability and a daily changing menu.

Grill Americano is Melbourne's wood-fired steakhouse, with a World's Best Wine Lists 3-Star accreditation and 2,000 bottles to back it up. Built around the Bistecca alla Fiorentina and a Josper charcoal grill, it earns its place for special occasions and wine-serious dinners. Book it if you want Italian-inflected steak and a room that feels like old New York on Flinders Lane.

Harriot is a practical Collins Street choice for contemporary dining when location and flexibility matter more than fine-dining theatre. Use it for CBD lunches, after-work dinners, or a drinks-led meal; cross-shop Vue de Monde if the night needs a more formal, splurge-level experience.

Hogget Kitchen received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Il Bacaro received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Ipsos received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Kin received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Koji Bird received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Kolkata Cricket Club works when the priority is Indian food around Crown Melbourne with minimal booking friction. Treat it as a convenience-led Southbank choice rather than a chef-led destination: useful before cinema, casino, hotel, or bar plans, especially for groups that value location over a quiet, slow-paced room.

La Vetta received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Lagoon Dining is worth booking for a Carlton date night or small celebration built around modern Chinese and Pan-Asian sharing plates. The room has warm, moody bar energy rather than formal fine-dining quiet, so it suits groups that want cocktails, flexible ordering and a social meal.

Lagotto received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Lake House holds 80 La Liste points in both 2025 and 2026, making it the most credentialled restaurant in Daylesford for a serious regional meal. The Australian Farmhouse kitchen is produce-led and seasonally driven, and weekend lunch is the format that best suits the calm lakeside setting. Booking is relatively easy, but lock in a table before arranging your accommodation.

Laura received 2 hats in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Lee Ho Fook is worth booking for a polished Melbourne CBD dinner when wine matters and the group wants a more composed night than a loud casual feed. Its Star Wine List recognition is the clearest trust signal; go for dinner, not lunch or Sunday plans, and confirm menu format if fixed pricing matters.

Book Little Rose for a romantic, design-led Fitzroy dinner where French bistro structure gets reframed through Chinese and broader Asian influences. It is better for an occasion meal than a casual drop-in, with the clearest value coming from à la carte control and dishes that show Rosheen Kaul’s cross-cultural point of view.

Lucia received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Magnolia is the right Brunswick pick when the night is drinks-first and occasion-led, especially for a date or small celebration. The 2026 Star Wine List recognition gives it a stronger wine signal than a casual bar, but diners needing a full meal format should compare it with nearby restaurant options first.

Malin received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Manzé is worth booking if you want an intimate North Melbourne dinner with a clear Mauritian point of view and a manageable $55-per-person price. Go for seasonal Victorian produce filtered through island flavour, natural wine, and a relaxed small-room atmosphere; skip it if you need formal service, major awards, or a published tasting-menu structure.

Marion Wine on Gertrude Street is Fitzroy's most accessible serious wine bar: easy to book, World of Fine Wine 2-Star Accredited, and genuinely good late into the evening. It sits next to Cutler & Co. but operates in a more relaxed register, making it the right call when you want depth in the glass without the formality of a full restaurant booking.

Marmelo is a strong CBD choice when the brief is Iberian-coastal cooking and a wine-led meal rather than a casual cheap eat. Its 2025 Gourmet Traveller State Winner Victoria recognition makes it worth shortlisting for dinner in Melbourne, especially for diners who want coastal flavours, structure, and a central Russell Street location.

Matsu received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Book Messmates for a polished Warragul dinner built around Gippsland produce, a serious wine list, and a compact bistro room that suits dates, celebrations, and adult group meals. The $$$ spend makes sense if wine and seasonal Modern Australian cooking matter; for a casual family meal or low-cost night out, choose something simpler.

Midnight Starling received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Moke received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

MoVida is the Melbourne pick when a special-occasion meal should feel lively, central, and tied to Hosier Lane rather than quiet or formal. Choose it for dates, visiting friends, and small-group celebrations; cross-shop Gimlet for a more polished room or Supernormal for a larger, high-energy alternative.

MoVida Aqui received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Napier Quarter is a strong Fitzroy pick when the brief is a date, small celebration, or wine-led meal that does not need a formal dining-room feel. The Star Wine List recognition gives it credibility for drinkers, while the relaxed neighbourhood rhythm makes it easier to fit into an early-evening Melbourne plan.

Book O.My for a calm, grown-up celebration built around garden-led Modern Australian fine dining rather than CBD flash. The set-menu format, conversational room, strong wine focus, and low-waste farm system make it worth the trip to Beaconsfield if the table wants a long, produce-first meal with substance.

Omnia Bistro & Bar is strongest as a polished South Yarra lunch or drinks choice, especially when the room is part of the brief. Set menus start from A$85, with seasonal produce, European-inspired flavours, and familiar classics reworked. The Conservatory is the clearest draw; wine-focused diners should treat drinks detail cautiously and book for the overall setting instead.

Osteria Ilaria is a sensible CBD pick for a smaller Melbourne lunch or dinner when you want a composed main-room meal rather than a casual pizza stop. Book it for two to four people, especially Monday to Saturday; for larger groups or private-dining needs, compare the setup with Caterina's or Rosa's Canteen first.

Patsy’s received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Book Philippe Restaurant for a polished Melbourne CBD lunch or dinner when classic French bistro cooking is the brief. The $$$ price tier makes sense for celebrations, date nights, and business meals, especially if the table wants dishes like Canard à la Presse, rôtisserie chicken, pâté en croûte, lobster thermidor, or beef tartare in an intimate, conversational room.

Prioritise Port Phillip Estate/Kooyong for a planned Mornington Peninsula celebration where the estate setting matters as much as the meal. It is a stronger choice for dates, anniversaries, and business lunches than for casual drop-ins, especially given the difficult booking signal. Build the day around it rather than treating it as a quick tasting stop.

Provenance is Beechworth's clearest answer for a serious special-occasion meal, with back-to-back La Liste recognition (82.5pts in 2025, 80pts in 2026). It delivers Australian Modern cuisine at a level that competes with Melbourne's better restaurants: and it is significantly easier to book. If you are in the region and the meal matters, this is the booking to make.

Pt Leo Restaurant is the safer Merricks pick for a polished bistro-style meal with recognised 2026 Relais & Châteaux credentials. Go for a planned estate lunch or dinner, especially if the group wants quality without the structure of a formal tasting-menu experience.

Reine & La Rue received 2 hats in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne is worth booking when the plan calls for a polished Southbank meal with a serious wine angle, especially around Crown and the arts precinct. It is less compelling for a quick cocktail stop; choose it when food matters as much as drinks.

Roma is a practical Melbourne pick for Italian trattoria dining when the goal is an easy date, small celebration, or casual group meal. Choose it for flexibility and familiar Italian pacing, not for a formal tasting-menu experience or award-led destination dining.

Saadi received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Samesyn received 2 hats in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Smith St Bistrot received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Society is Melbourne's most occasion-ready room: a grand Collins Street venue with 3-Star World of Fine Wine accreditation and service that justifies the price. Book it when you need a room that matches the moment: milestone dinners, corporate evenings, and group celebrations all land well here. Booking is easy relative to the city's harder tables.

Sogumm received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Stefano's Restaurant works for a more polished dinner in central Mildura, especially if the occasion needs a Grand Hotel setting and a later evening feel.

Supernormal is Andrew McConnell's high-energy pan-Asian dining room on Flinders Lane, holding a 3-Star World of Fine Wine accreditation for its drinks program. Book it for a lively group dinner or a strong midweek lunch: but come expecting noise and pace rather than a quiet meal. Easy to book by Melbourne standards, with counter seating that works well for solo diners.

Sushi On received 2 hats in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Tedesca is a smart Red Hill choice for a planned, wine-led lunch rather than a flexible Melbourne meal. The 2026 Star Wine List recognition makes it especially appealing for diners who care about the bottle list, while the lunch-only service pattern means it works better for weekends and Peninsula day trips than spontaneous dining.

Ten Minutes by Tractor is the Mornington Peninsula's most decorated wine destination, ranked among Australia's top four wine lists by Star Wine List every year from 2021 to 2026 and holding a World of Fine Wine 3-Star Accreditation. Book for Saturday or Sunday lunch if you are making the drive from Melbourne. The wine program is the main event; the Australian cooking supports it well.

Terrae received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

The European received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

The Raw received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

The Surly Goat received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Tipo 00 is worth choosing for a focused CBD Italian meal where wine matters and the room's energy is part of the appeal. It is a better dine-in call than a takeaway play, especially for pairs or solo diners who want pasta, a central location, and a tighter experience than a casual fallback.

Tomo-An received 2 hats in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Trattoria Emilia received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Tulum is the safer Balaclava pick when the draw is chef-led Turkish cooking rather than a broad, all-purpose dinner. Executive Chef Coskun Uysal gives the kitchen a clear point of view, but published details on pricing, format, dishes, and drinks are not strong enough to sell it as a highly planned special-occasion splurge.

Uminono received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Underbar received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Victor Churchill in Armadale is Melbourne's most focused meat-led dining room: 28-day self dry-aged Australian beef, charcoal grill, and a room built around glass-walled ageing chambers that make the sourcing visible from every seat. Book it when the quality of the product matters more to you than menu breadth. Weekend lunch is the best entry point.

Vinesmith received one hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel is the strongest wine destination in regional Victoria, holding a World of Fine Wine 3-Star Accreditation and the Australasia Regional Winner title. With 4,450 selections and Australian $$$ cuisine from Chef Robin Wickens, it rewards the drive from Melbourne: especially for returning guests ready to go deeper into the cellar with wine director Leonardo Lupattelli.

Yiaga works for a relaxed Melbourne meal where setting and ease matter more than a heavily prescribed dining format. Its Fitzroy Gardens address gives it a calmer visual frame than many central tables, and 2026 Condé Nast Hot List Restaurants recognition adds a current trust signal. Book it for a flexible, quality-led occasion.

Yugen Omakase received 2 hats in The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria).

Zareh is worth choosing for an intimate Collingwood dinner when fire-led Armenian-Lebanese cooking and a warm open-kitchen room matter more than formality. The $$ pricing, small scale, casual dress code, and easy booking profile make it useful for dates and close catch-ups, but it is weaker for large groups, children, outdoor dining, or a first experience via takeout.