1) Om Nom Desert Hotel
Located inside the historic Adelphi Hotel on Flinders Lane is Om Nom Kitchen, a luxury restaurant specialising in multi-sensory, theatrical desserts. Created by Australian chef, Jo Ward, many of Om Noms sweets are delicately fashioned to look like other objects, such as the Smoking Cigar Box, containing chocolate encased mousse cigars or strawberry gelato in the shape of a strawberry. On top of the delicious creations, the restaurant is a wonderland of cushions, comfy couches and swings for you to enjoy your desserts in child-like luxury. Price range is $10 – $40 and Om Nom is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Spiced strawberry sorbet, vanilla panna cotta, raspberry &rose cremeux, opals powder, pomegranate meringue and white peach nitro.
2) Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Dinner is a modern dining experience bringing elements of the past into the present. Inspired by historical recipes, chefs Heston Blumenthal and Ashley Palmer-Watts have used gastronomy to create unique and nostalgic dishes. The Dinner menu features a historical blurb about every dish, including its first known appearance in historical recipe books. A must try at Dinner is their signature dessert, the Pineapple Tipsy Cake, a sweet brioche drenched in a brandy custard, and served with a side of 8-hour spit roasted pineapple. With gastronomic trickery such as the Meat Fruit, a parfait created to appear as a mandarin, Dinner is a unique dining experience bound to deceive and surprise. Prices are $145 for a set menu and Dinner is open from 6 till late.
Spit-roast pineapple, and brioche cake
3) Arbory Afloat
Arbory Afloat restaurant and bar offers the unique experience of dining on a pontoon that floats on the Yarra River. Whilst eating you can enjoy views from the Yarra river, and the Melbourne city skyline underneath an umbrella. The menu for the bar includes a Mediterranean-inspired wine list and an extensive range of cocktails. The food menu features Italian food, including pizza made from a wood fire-pizza oven. Arbory Afloat is open every day from 11am to 1am and price range for main course are $20-$40. Bookings are accepted.
4) Vue De Monde
Vue De Monde is an elegant fine dining restaurant which is located on the 55th floor of the Rialto Tower. The restaurant has an impressive window view of the Melbourne City covering from Docklands to Dandenong. The inside is dimly lit with glass orbs that hang from the ceiling and tables that are covered with kangaroo leather. The menu has two dining options which is the à la carte (four-course) menu or the 10-course degustation. If you don’t have time for the full duration of courses you have the option of a seven or eight course menu. The price range is $149 – $249 and is opens from 6 till late.
5) Bodega Underground
Tacos and tequila in the early hours of the morning? Yes please!
Bodega Underground offers everything a student needs to hustle through the stressful times of Uni. The unique Mexican restaurant is located just across from Chinatown and offers a well-developed taco list that covers all bases along with its beautiful cocktails to hit that sweet spot. Although the prices can be steep for students, the tortilla chips and fast-paced music will make you want more every single time. The restaurant is open from 4pm till 3am every day.
Bodega Underground provides the goods from dusk to dawn.
6)Empress of China
Empress of China is perfect for every occasion. The delicious dumpings and generous BYO policy enables diners with a budget to truly enjoy themselves. Located in the heart of Chinatown, the restaurant delivers on great customer service where they will store your corkage in their cold freezers, free of charge! Yes, you heard that right. If you’re ever stuck on what to eat that after a long study session then the Empress will be calling your name. The restaurant is open from 11:30am till 10pm every day.
