Good restaurants in Melbourne

[King Nothing]

Well me and my girlfriend are heading down to melbourne in a few weeks, and I intend on popping the question! : Its been 5 years and we've never been more in love! : The ring is bought, hotel is booked, but I need to know a really, really good restaurant in or near the Melbourne CBD. I know, its a bit of a clique way to do it, but I know thats what she dreams of!

I've only ever been there once before and that was a drunken uni trip a couple of years ago, so I dont know the area at all . Im looking for a place with food that is great but not *too* out there in terms of foreign tastes. Traditional aussie tastes is preferred (but something with a twist is great as well), Italian is great, greek maybe, asian and middle eastern no good. Somewhere with some sort of view. And kind of old fashioned styled inside. Basically the sort of place I (a 22 year old) wont feel like a d-head in a suit, and most importantly the staff are good.

Any recommendations?

[Bucket]

Awesome man!

Would Highly recommend "The Brasserie" in South Bank. Frend Mod cuisine.
Very good food. Was there two weeks ago...on second thoughts...not the top end...people go there in casual stuff...
Hmm Maybe Robert De Niro's Restaurant in the City? Just opened hey!

[rodderz]

I would recommend the Atrium Bar after eating at the resterauint there in the Sofitel building in Collins St. It's on about the 35th floor and views all over the city and bay, including when you skip off to the dunnies for a number 1, you can just about watch the footy at the MCG while at the troughs

It's very expensive though, but premium. Standard beers will cost you around $7 but it's a great place to toff up and the missus will love it. They have all types of tucker there too

http://www.sofitelmelbourne.com.au/c...asp?page_id=23

[Go baby Go]

Originally Posted by King Nothing

Italian is great, greek maybe, asian and middle eastern no good. Somewhere with some sort of view. And kind of old fashioned styled inside.

Hi,

The Spaghetti Tree is excellent- as name implies, is Italian, has been there for I reckon 50 years and has a beautiful older style style decor, has plenty of people go there before the theatre, so suits aren't out of place, and they could put you in a cosy spot if you let them know your plans..... I have eaten there countless times and always has been good food and excellent service..........

59 Bourke Street
Melbourne
Tel: 9650 3174

This was off "that's melbourne!" website;
Spaghetti Tree
Old world decor, friendly staff, well priced meals, homely atmosphere. Menu ranges from a great selection of pastas to steak, grilled fish, chicken, veal, pork and salads, as well as 'daily specials'. Light lunch menu available. Seating approx 350. Function room available to cater for special occasions such as 21st Birthdays, weddings and business meetings. Live music Friday and Saturday nights. Close to Princess, Her Majestys, Regent and Comedy Theatres.


Good luck !!!!!

[pecker73]

The Hotel Windsor in Spring Street. Built in 1883.

Its is a Melbourne icon, with some fantastic food, Saturday and Sunday brunch is a real treat.

My Grandpa proposed to my Granny in the Grand Ballroom...Way back on 2nd Feb 1930.. !

Windsor Clicky

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by Go baby Go

Hi,

The Spaghetti Tree is excellent- as name implies, is Italian, has been there for I reckon 50 years and has a beautiful older style style decor, has plenty of people go there before the theatre, so suits aren't out of place, and they could put you in a cosy spot if you let them know your plans..... I have eaten there countless times and always has been good food and excellent service..........

59 Bourke Street
Melbourne
Tel: 9650 3174

This was off "that's melbourne!" website;
Spaghetti Tree
Old world decor, friendly staff, well priced meals, homely atmosphere. Menu ranges from a great selection of pastas to steak, grilled fish, chicken, veal, pork and salads, as well as 'daily specials'. Light lunch menu available. Seating approx 350. Function room available to cater for special occasions such as 21st Birthdays, weddings and business meetings. Live music Friday and Saturday nights. Close to Princess, Her Majestys, Regent and Comedy Theatres.


Good luck !!!!!

Last time I was in Melbourne ... my wife and I went there ... and WOW ... the food was awesome indeed ... I highly recommend this restaurant as well.

I didn't have a booking ... just walked in off the street ... and they were able to fit us in ... but they were busy ... but service was quick and food was excellent ... no complaints at all.

I'd be going back there again if i went back to Melbourne.

[Ringo]

Wow...way to go. Mrs Ringo and I are up to 3 years married...where does the time go?

Melbourne Restaurants to pop the question at huh?

Southbank is pretty good - Brassarie is cool, so is "South" where it is all Tasmanian produce.

Walters Wine Bar has the view, and the food, but is very noisy - get a table on the balcony for less noise but only if the weather is nice.

I would highly recommend St Kilda for restaraunts with a view. It would be a $12 cab ride...its kinda like Sydney's Bondi....kinda.

"Donovans" on St Kilda Foreshore look out over the bay which is sensational at Sunset, the food is to die for, the service is brilliant but be prepared for $150 for two with wine at least for two courses. This would be at the top of my list....its is consistently in the top 5 restaurants in Melbourne. It has position, its has ambience (kinda like a beach house but a cool expensive beach house), it has senstional food, its memorable - bookings could be an issue. Book now and request a window table! - Google it and check out the website.

Also - Stokehouse...its about 100 metres up the foreshore from Donovans. It has a bar/bistro downstairs but a ridgy didge restaurant upstairs which is almost as good as Donovans. Ditto booking now, Ditto google it and check out the website.

Have you considered the Tram Car Restaurant? Booked out for Weekends about 3 months in advance but weeknights are much easier. Its sounds corny I know but it is such a memorable experience. It has air suspension and doesn't rattle, the ride is smooth as silk.... the food is great and the scenery changes every minute going from near the Casino on Southbank to the CBD, to inner melb suburbs to St Kilda, stop off at Albert Park to stretch the legs then back home. It is a unique and magic dining experience and perfect for two....not sure where or when you'd get onto one knee - perhaps at the albert park stop off? I highly recommend it....its very special. I plan on taking some European friends on it when they are out here later this year..

There is also the restaurant in the Sofitel called Cafe La which is on the 35 floor of a building at the top of the CBD - sensational views over the whole of melbourne and sensational food....very classy....not very old world though. - google it and see for yourself.

"The Windsor Hotel" would also be good - haven't eaten there but this is an old landmark hotel that prides its self on being old fashioned semi english style. It would be excellent I'm sure.

None of these places need a tie and you will fit right in just wearing suit with a collared shirt.

[King Nothing]

Cheers guys, were actually staying at the Windsor!

Anybody heard of this place?
The Point, Albert Park Lake
http://www.thepointalbertpark.com.au/
Looks nice to me

Or this one

http://www.thewillowsrestaurant.com.au/

Funnily enough, I just realised the FFAU community are the first people to know my plan : Im so excited, I cant concentrate on work. I dont know how Im going to wait for weeks :

[Ringo]

Originally Posted by King Nothing

Cheers guys, were actually staying at the Windsor!

Anybody heard of this place?
The Point, Albert Park Lake
http://www.thepointalbertpark.com.au/
Looks nice to me

Or this one

http://www.thewillowsrestaurant.com.au/

Funnily enough, I just realised the FFAU community are the first people to know my plan : Im so excited, I cant concentrate on work. I dont know how Im going to wait for weeks :

I have been to The Point for a function before. Nice but rather cold and modern / minimilist inside - All polished concrete floors and stainless steel....it doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy you know...

I walk past Willows regularly (I work on St Kilda Rd) but never been there...from what a I see they really are more about wedding receptions than a dedicated restaurant.....There are more 'special' places to propose in Melbourne than this place.

Two thumbs up for you choice of "The Windsor" - We spent our wedding night there and our first aniversary. It is a great place....

Oooooo forget to mention another famous melbourne Italian restaurant called Grossi Florentino's - This is THE number one Italian restaurant in Melbourne. I have never been there but its on my list to do before I die. It is in the CBD 2 or 3 blocks from The Winsdor and has a great reputation and has had for over a decade. Decor is in line with what your after.....website will tell you more about it. Not much a view to speak of though...its all about the food here!

Make your proposal special and you'll have brownie points for years to come and your girlfriend/fiance will be the envy on her friends (chicks love this)

.....Make sure you don't tell anyone else until you tell her...chicks hate everyone knowing before they are asked and thus then they can't tell everyone and get their shock/surprise etc and be the centre of attention......collegue of mine blabbed that he was going to propose and had his plans leaked to his girlfriend by a mutual friend after she sms'd her with "congratulations on your engagment" BEFORE he actually proposed.......whoops!

I proposed to Mrs Ringo on a cliff top during a Friday summer sunset and then afterwards we went to her favourite restaurant....we then rode a wave of congratulations and champagne for the rest of the weekend as we told everyone....

[King Nothing]

Hmm, well I have decided on the place, and it is perfect for us. She has seen the website and is really keen on it. The food, decor, location, the lot. She has no idea what will happen, we have talked about getting married but I have her convinced it will be late next year

I'm asking for her Fathers blessing on Saturday, I know he will say yes because he basically already has in the past. So basically the only people who will know before the event is me, her father and FFAU!

I plan to hire either a limo or an old rolls to pick us up/drop us back to the hotel, she is expecting to get a taxi there : ! I seriously cant wait to see the look on her face when this big flash car rocks up, with flowers, the works, champagne waiting in the room when we return, she is going to feel like an absolute princess :

I cant wait! : :

[rodderz]

Originally Posted by Ringo

Make your proposal special and you'll have brownie points for years to come and your girlfriend/fiance will be the envy on her friends (chicks love this)

Too right, if you kick a goal on the proposal and the chicks absolutely love it, you can use this as an argument stopper for years to come.

If you do a half effort they bring it up in arguments...

[chich]

Originally Posted by Ringo

Oooooo forget to mention another famous melbourne Italian restaurant called Grossi Florentino's - This is THE number one Italian restaurant in Melbourne. I have never been there but its on my list to do before I die. It is in the CBD 2 or 3 blocks from The Winsdor and has a great reputation and has had for over a decade. Decor is in line with what your after.....website will tell you more about it. Not much a view to speak of though...its all about the food here!

Great suggestion. The food at this place is awesome but you'll pay through the nose for it (given the occasion who cares about what it costs anyways!). Keep in mind this is the sort of place you need to dress up to go to.

[chich]

Originally Posted by King Nothing

Anybody heard of this place?
The Point, Albert Park Lake
http://www.thepointalbertpark.com.au/
Looks nice to me

Been there a few times - great food & great environment overlooking Albert Park Lake.

Another place you might want to look at is 'Riva' on the St Kilda Marina. I've never been during the milder months but in summer its absolutely chockers (it overlooks Port Phillip Bay).

Linkie

[RAREV8]

Comme resturaunt is pheniminal and I'm very choosy- its in the city- google it and you'll find it.

There is a bar separate to the dining room-classic old building and french influenced cuisine that is not only sensational but pretty good value compared with some others...

What amazed me was whatever we ordered was fantastic- you could eat things that you would normally avoid. I have cheffed all over the place, France, Corsica, London, Edinburgh etc and eat out at good restaraunts often several times a week due to work and I was well impressed!

Good luck with the whole day whatever you choose and before you do chose a resturaunt, go and actually have a quick look if you can and let them know what you intend to do as they are more likely to ensure all runs smoothly for you!

Cheers, Jamie

[The Yeti]

Melborne shits all over sydney for dining I have had many top notch feeds there where it be south bank, lygon street Barsari's is great, theres also a greek place thats acrros the road I like as well, or I like hte cafe strip at williomstown there always seems to be a good vibe there

[vztrt]

http://www.themeatandwineco.com/melbourne/southbank/

This place is pretty good, nice view the foods good.

[XPcoupe]

I would say go Melbourne all the way and do the tram Car Restaurant. you Cruise the streets eating dinner. i have done it several time and recommend it to any one. unbelievable food. if your going to pop the question they will stop for you some where. It's about $120 a head for all food and drink.

[Gunns]

The Stoke House, on St Kilda beach.
http://www.stokehouse.com.au/

[ebxr8240]

There is one down there the NSW guys won't be going to again !!!!
Yes the others we went to where excellent...
During visit FPV day...

[rodderz]

Mauz might give you a good deal on some pasta on Lygon St!

I proposed to my missus across the road from it!

[scoupedy]

The $4.95 fish and chips at the casino dammit my class is showing

[Ringo]

Ha ha... I tipping you going to get some good lovin that night....that also comes after a good proposal....woo hoo

Any huu for a special car look into Fleetwood Limo's. We had them supply a black and cream vintage thingy for our wedding and they where sensational - I highly recommend them - http://www.brideonline.com.au/fleetlimos/default.htm

[winovin]

Check out the latest awards from The Age:

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/epicure/

Here is a summary:

VITTORIA RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR Rockpool Bar & Grill

BEST NEW RESTAURANT The Press Club

CHEF OF THE YEAR George Calombaris, The Press Club

THE AGE YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR Adam D'Sylva, Pearl

DISH OF THE YEAR Confit apple with burnt butter icecream, Three, One, Two

KEMENYS WINE LIST OF THE YEAR Circa, the Prince

BEST SHORT WINE LIST Bar Lourinha

SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR Dan Sims, Fifteen

SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD Ari Vlassopoulos, manager Pearl

PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD Ronnie di Stasio, Cafe di Stasio

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Jacques Reymond, Jacques Reymond

BEST WEBSITE Gingerboy

Demoted
THREE HATS TO TWO Vue de Monde

TWO HATS TO ONE Cecconi's, The Court House, Red Emperor, Verge

NO HATS Libertine, The Point Albert Park, Sarti, Scusami, Tea House on Burke, Tutto Bene

Promoted
ONE HAT TO TWO Attica, Matteo's

ONE HAT Melbourne Wine Room

New restaurants with hats
TWO Rockpool Bar & Grill; The Press Club

ONE Argo, Delizia Cucina, Gingerboy, Mirka at Tolarno Hotel, Tempura Hajime

The best in the country
NEW TWO HAT RESTAURANTS

Range (Myrtleford, one hat last year), Stefano's (Mildura, one last year)

NEW ONE HAT RESTAURANTS

Merrijig Inn (Port Fairy), Dining Room at the Flinders (Flinders), Montalto (Red Hill South), Neilsons (Traralgon), The Outpost Retreat (Noojee), Royal George Hotel (Kyneton), Sourcedining (Albury), Wardens Food and Wine (Beechworth)

[King Nothing]

Well.....

She said yes! : : : : : :

Ended up going to The Point restaurant. I hired a limo to take us on a drive around melbourne and to bring us back, when I mentioned it was for an engagement they gave us the red carpet and champagne for free! If anyone needs to hire a limo in melbourne check out silver service limos, I cannot recommend them highly enough, they were fantastic.

Just before we were going to get ready, my fiancee hopped into the shower, and there was NO hot water. I was spewing, she said it was ok, she would wash her hair with cold water in the sink and that she would be ready for the "taxi" (she had NO idea ). I very quickly rang the front desk and they quickly had us upgraded to an executive suite, full points on the recovery! She was wrapped as well.

So we get outside, theres a lady there with her bags about to get into a taxi. My fiancee sees the black limo with the red carpet, and assumes someone famous has arrived and goes to get into a taxi before the other lady gets it, but then was really confused when I shook the limo drivers hand. The driver was very friendly and professional, and said to my fiancee "and YOU obviously had no idea!". She was in the car quick as a flash! The champagne came out, she was in heaven (she later told me she looked to see if I had anything obvious showing in my pockets, luckily I had it on the other side!). We went on a tour of melbourne for an hour, drinking the champagne.

We got to the restaurant and had a fantastic meal, the food was great, service was fantastic and the atmosphere was exactly what I wanted. Anyway we had finished our mains (she had convinced herself at this stage that it wasnt going to happen!), gave a little speech (from the heart, of course!) and popped the question! We got a round of applause and complimentary dessert, it was awesome. She could hardly eat, she was laughing, crying and shaking :

Then back to the hotel for the best : : : of my life . By the way if anyone was at the imperial hotel on spring and bourke on Friday or Saturday night (or morning and afternoon for that matter ), sorry about the noise :

[rodderz]

Did you warn the room cleaners before you left?

Seriously mate well done on your engagement, it's certainly a great time and the missus ends up over the moon for weeks. I bet she's been on the phone to friends and relo's ever since?

Now you have to put up with wedding talk- dresses, cakes, flowers, dresses, flowers, songs, dresses, flowers non stop, but don'tworry- you'll get a great booze up and holiday out of it!! :

Well done

[Go baby Go]

Congrats !!!!!!

Just don't mention this thread or your good work could very well become un-done..............

Going by your rundown of the weekend....... you have collated yourself some SERIOUS brownie points my friend.................... :

Again congratulations to you both.

[Ringo]

Good on you King Nothing...sound you ticked all the important boxes

Bet you get a feeling of manly pride as you hear her bragging to her jealous friends how you organised eveything and did a proper proposal....

Now to get ready for married life practise after me..

"Yes Dear....."

"No Dear....."

[King Nothing]

Cheers guys, still cant wipe the smile off of my face and work, well I cant concentrate. I love letting her tell the story, and all her friends are so jealous, its hilarious! She was round at my place yesterday, she had already bought a bridal magazine Ringo, I'll start practising right away, but in the meantime im enjoying all the extra, ahem, "attention" from her :

Oh, and she says she wants XY GTs for the wedding! : She want something different and unique, everyone has limos/jags/rolls. I think I've picked a winner here :

[XR6Gal]

Awww how very sweet and romantic! Congratulations!!! I bet she can't wipe the smile from her face either, thats awesome news

[auxr83]

i was going to say mcdonalds lol nah there are alot of great places good luck mate