Best Restaurants for Foodies in Essendon

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchIndianMexican

Regions

City CentreInner City EastInner City NorthInner City SouthInner City WestNorthern Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Albert ParkArmadaleAscot ValeBrunswickCarltonCarlton North

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

100 restaurants available nearby

1. TOTE Bar & Dining

4.6

Exceptional(241)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Australian • Moonee Ponds

Booked 2 times today

A contemporary bar and restaurant, serving modern-Australian dishes with seasonal eating in mind.Channelling the timeless allure of 1930's design, the interior boasts rich oak panelling, emerald hues, decadent leather and bronze finishes. The space offers three intimate dining areas, known as The Northern Terrace, The Dining Room and The Cellar - our Private Dining Room. The main feature of TOTE is casual dining with premium quality food from well sourced high quality and sustainable produce.It features a contemporary offering from coffee, craft beer and creative cocktails to carefully curated local & imported wines and spirits.The bar itself is modelled to the development’s quintessential roots – the racecourse – and is aptly shaped in an oval form to mirror it.

2. Lagoon Dining

4.8

Exceptional(538)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Carlton

Booked 8 times today

Lagoon Dining is a restaurant and bar dishing up food that leans heavily on Chinese culinary traditions. It is an expression of food we love to eat and to cook, dished up heartily alongside booze we like to swill - a place for friends and fun.

A photo of Rice Queen Oriental Diner and Bar restaurant

3. Rice Queen Oriental Diner and Bar

4.7

Exceptional(170)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Fitzroy

Booked 14 times today

A fun packed kitsch Pan-Asian diner with DJ's and a private Karaoke room. Serving delicious food that encompasses the dynamic flavours of the region and the vibrant culture of Fitzroy.

A photo of The Carlton Wine Room restaurant

4. The Carlton Wine Room

4.8

Exceptional(826)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• European • Carlton

Booked 24 times today

Carlton Wine Room is a neighbourhood restaurant offering a well-executed, fresh, seasonal food menu, and an ever changing, diverse wine list featuring the best of Italy, Australia and the rest of the World. We offer a bar space, an upstairs restaurant dining room and three unique spaces that are can be booked for private dining perfect for special events.RESERVATIONS: are for a two hour sitting. We do not accept bookings for drinks and snacks, however we accept walk-ins for this if space permits. A surcharge of up to 1.2% applies to credit card transactions. A surcharge of 10% applies on Sundays and 15% on Public Holidays. OUTSIDE SEATING: please note this is subject to the weather and we may not be able to move your reservation inside in the case of bad weather. CANCELLATION: A $50 per person no show fee is charged for failing to attend your reservation. Contact us on 9347 2626 to make changes or cancel your reservation.

5. Old Man Drew

4.6

Exceptional(245)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Café • Ascot Vale

Booked 28 times today

At Old Man Drew, we know that memories are to be cherished. Are you coming to visit us to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, retirement, or any special occasion with a small group for breakfast of lunch? Think about booking one of our exclusively set celebration tables in the café, atrium or garden. Enjoy a special spot set with white linen, fine china, fresh flowers and glass ware, a truly beautiful setting. Please request in one of our celebration tables when you make your table booking. The charge starts from $40 per table, which is payable at the time of booking.

6. Kumo Izakaya

4.5

Awesome(213)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Brunswick

Booked 20 times today

Kumo Izakaya is a hotspot for foodies, offering contemporary Japanese-inspired cuisine. From sashimi to deep-fried dishes, the menu is perfect for sharing with friends. Reviewers love the attentive service, great atmosphere, and the quality and presentation of the food. The restaurant is also praised for its selection of wine, craft beer, and sake to complement the meal.

7. Maven by Morgan

4.6

Exceptional(121)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Fitzroy

Booked 22 times today

Step into Maven, Fitzroy's lively and stylish dining spot by Morgan Hipworth. Enjoy Mediterranean-inspired dishes designed for sharing, alongside innovative cocktails in a relaxed and buzzing atmosphere. Whether for a casual night out or a special occasion, Maven offers memorable moments over great food and drinks.

8. North&COMMON

4.4

Awesome(310)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Modern Australian • Coburg

Booked 8 times today

Our chefs draw inspiration from their diverse backgrounds to create unique and flavorful dishes that are sure to surprise and delight. With a menu that changes with the seasons, patrons can expect new and exciting selections alongside classical favourites year-round. Our emphasis on quality and flavour provides a dining experience that is both refined and approachable. With an exceptionally varied and deep wine selection, we are sure to help you find just the right beverage to celebrate any occasion (or day of the week) take a journey through our Book of Wine or be guided into our walk-in cellar and take your pick.Set in such a unique space North&COMMON lends itself to a refined yet approachable atmosphere, perfect for those looking for a sophisticated yet casual dining experience without sacrificing quality or flavour. Available Wednesday-Saturday, right here in the heart of Coburg.

9. Casa Chino

4.8

Exceptional(54)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Fusion / Eclectic • Brunswick

Booked 6 times today

In an intimate setting, splashed in shades of neon and pastel, Casa Chino celebrates the vibrant entwining of Chinese cuisine with Latin American influences. This 90-seat open-style bar with an alfresco space will offer a collection of Chifa-infused share plates and luminous cocktails.Our specially crafted cocktail program celebrates the quintessential Peruvian spirit, Pisco, with a selection of Pisco sours alongside a curated collection of Victorian and South American wines.Come discover the delectable fusion of Peruvian and Chinese dining in Brunswick.

10. Naga Moon

4.5

Awesome(50)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Thai • Moonee Ponds

Booked 8 times today

Modern Thai cuisine and specialty cocktails on Hall Street

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Amanda
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We had a really great Valentine’s dinner! My husband was very happy with everything especially the services. 🫶🏻
More info
TOTE Bar & DiningPrice: Expensive• Australian• Moonee Ponds
•
4.6
M
Maria
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The staff were polite, friendly and organised and the atmosphere was great. We sat in a booth in the front of the restaurant. The food was amazing, well presented and portions were good.
More info
Rice Queen Oriental Diner and BarPrice: Expensive• Asian• Fitzroy
•
4.7
B
Biio
Sydney •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Hannah and Travis were super helpful throughout the night. Food was off the charts.
More info
The Carlton Wine RoomPrice: Expensive• European• Carlton
•
4.8
K
Kellie
Queensland •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Loved Lagoon Dining! Strikes the right balance between being absolutely delicious and interesting! Everything tasted absolutely amazing. So hard to pick a favourite dish, but if I had to, it would be pickled cucumbers. Our waiter/server was the nicest, most friendly guy who made our dinner experience beautiful. I highly recommend Lagoon Dining to anyone who appreciates great food, friendly service and terrific energy in a restaurant.
More info
Lagoon DiningPrice: Expensive• Asian• Carlton
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 11, 2025
Beautiful staff, meals, coffee and atmosphere in this well run cafe.
More info
Old Man DrewPrice: Moderate• Café• Ascot Vale
•
4.6

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