The Best Restaurants in South Yarra

Stella Restaurant & Bar is an elegant venue in South Yarra, 10 minutes from Melbourne's CBD. Over four levels, Stella caters for all types of gatherings with private dining and cellar in the basement, pizza and pasta level on the ground floor and sophisticated drinking areas on level three and four including the sun drenched rooftop terrace. Italian wines are featured on all four levels alongside cocktails. Stella Restaurant & Bar is a true dining and drinking destination.

Cucinetta in South Yarra is a tiny but mighty Italian eatery known for handmade pasta and soulful cooking. The ever-changing menu reflects what’s fresh and seasonal, with dishes like duck ragu pappardelle, crab spaghetti, and creamy burrata with heirloom tomatoes. The intimate 20-seat space feels like a home kitchen, where chefs chat with guests and plates arrive with flair and warmth. Wines are carefully selected, leaning Italian with a few local gems. Cucinetta offers an authentic, unfussy dining experience that’s all about flavour and family-style hospitality.

A Chapel Street stalwart, at the Oriental Tea House diners enjoy fast and flavourful yum cha while sipping from a selection of hand-blended teas. Old-world grandeur is fused with a modern aesthetic at the original outpost of this famous tea house, where hungry diners enjoy soups, dumplings and vegetables. This dual-level eatery also doubles as a retail store, where guests can pick up tea, tea pots and even frozen dim sum for an Oriental Tea House feast right at home.

Beverly Rooftop is a drinking and dining oasis, sitting 24 floors above South Yarra's Chapel Street with 270 degree views of Melbourne towards the city skyline and Dandenong Ranges. With indoor and outdoor lounges, bar areas and dining spaces, Beverly Rooftop is the perfect venue to simply catch up or linger longer and enjoy the mainly Modern Australian menu. Sip on a very special Bellini Sunset cocktail, maybe then try the spanner crab and marron pasta accompanied by a fine wine from the international wine list. A flawless drink and dine experience expands across indoor and outdoor lounges, bars and intimate table settings. From lunches, to casual catch ups, these equally work together in a space that transitions you through the day; to cocktails at dusk and well into the evening for indulgent dinners & late-night drinks. 

Yan Melbourne is an Asian smokehouse where fire and flavour take centre stage. Every plate balances tradition with creativity, blending deep umami notes, charred edges and a hint of spice. Specialising in slow-smoked meats, charcoal-grilled seafood, and vibrant vegetable dishes, food here is made for sharing and discovery. With an elevated industrial interior and vast cocktail menu, this is a place where cool meets craft. 

On Toorak Road in South Yarra, Omnia is a smart neighbourhood bistro and bar. Slide into a tan leather booth and enjoy a European-inspired bistro menu by chef Stephen Nairn, who lists Matilda, Vue de Monde and most impressively, NYC's Eleven Madison Park, on his resume. The restaurant was initially set to be a pop up to test and develop dishes for the new swanky residence at Capitol Grand by LK Hospitality. Beyond food, the 150-strong wine list is as impressive as the cocktail menu, curated by 2018 World Class Global Bartender of the Year, Orlando Marzo.

Cosi Bar Ristorante has been a Melbourne institution for over two decades. This authentic, modern Italian restaurant strikes a balance between a friendly atmosphere and an upmarket setting. The dining room offers comfortable leather banquettes, linen clothed tables just like you'll find in Italy, a cosy fireplace and a sleek bar serving beautiful wines and the perfect Aperol Spritz.

In the warmer months, take advantage of the tables set in the sun-drenched courtyard. The menu features contemporary Italian dishes and daily specials, offering fresh ingredients at a great price.

This iconic Italian restaurant is a long-running success story on South Yarra's busy Chapel Street. The eatery has been around since 1988 and Melbournites depend on its presence when they're craving Nonna's kitchen. The warm, welcoming atmosphere, the thick accents and the genuine flavours are perfectly blended, casting a spell that transports you straight to Italy.

The interior is happily cramped, with big posters, awards and mementos plastered on the walls, Caffe e Cucina is always a perfect spot to share a bottle of wine and a heartwarming bowl of pasta with loved ones. You can choose the busy downstairs area or the quieter area upstairs, depending on the occasion. Enjoy a drink at the bar or an aperitivo ‘alfresco’ and for those who really want to impress their ‘special one’ nothing can compare to the ‘Romeo e Giulietta’ table – private dinner for two on the little balcony upstairs.

Bistro De Paris keeps things classic with just the right amount of charm to South Yarra's dining catalogue. The menu runs on French staples done well — steak tartare, duck, and a cheese soufflé that always gets attention. For extra drama, the Bombe Alaska comes flaming to the table, equal parts dessert and theatre. Add a French-only wine list that covers all the favourites, and you’ve got a spot that feels refined but not uptight, perfect for date nights, catch ups or a cheeky midweek feast. It’s dining that feels elegant without the fuss, with just enough drama to keep things interesting and inviting you back for more.

Bringing its International flair for flavour The Meat & Wine Co. Melbourne has spared no cost in expanding with its impressive South Yarra steakhouse restaurant. Located in the boutique retail hub of South Yarra within the Como Centre, the restaurant space creatively combines the best of heritage dining elements meets chic the chic and modern styles of today. Still keeping to the same paddock to plate approach diners will also be treated to the exclusive line of monte beef, and an award-winning wine list of select varieties.