9 Top Foodie Hotels in Melbourne

Melbourne has a well-deserved reputation for fabulous food and wine. Victoria's lively capital city, this Australian metropolis has long been famed for its cracking coffee and laid-back brunch culture. It's also a fantastic place to delve into the region's hottest gourmet cuisine, with exciting new ventures showcasing nose-to-tail cooking and bringing seasonal produce from the surrounding countryside into the heart of the city. Pair fantastic dishes with Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula wines, or sip craft cocktails at glitzy 1920s style bars and glamorous high-rise hangouts. You'll be thrilled to hear that many of Melbourne's foodie gems are also hip hotels, perfect for soaking up the best of the city!

For an Easy-Going Pub or Bistro

• The Prince, in seaside St Kilda, is a neighbourhood favourite. Modern interiors are understated, but the real buzz can be found in the public bar and wine tasting room. Tuck into flavoursome steaks from the grill, delicious cheese platters or weekend roasts, paired with excellent Victoria wines. The Prince Band Room hosts international rock acts and DJs, too.
• Naughtons Hotel offers just 15 guest rooms in a 150-year-old building opposite Melbourne University. The atmospheric green-walled bistro keeps the crowds returning again and again for hearty pub fare. Think home-baked bread, fresh pasta, honey from the bees on the rooftop, and conscious, nose-to-tail cuisine. Fabulous and friendly.
• Coppersmith Hotel is another neighbourhood hotspot, with a lively bar, bistro and rooftop. Sample some of the 18 craft beers that you'll find on tap with a view of the sunset, or savour seasonal, European-inspired fare in the modern, minimalist bistro. Whitewashed rooms and suites are simple and airy, well-placed for unwinding in South Melbourne.

For a Hip Bar

• The Royce is seriously cool. Housed in what was once Melbourne's first luxury automobile showroom — hence the name! — this hotel has understated contemporary rooms, but very glamorous communal spaces. The sleek marble and chrome details of the Showroom Bar ooze 1920s elegance. Try the Morning Smoke or the Sherry and Spice — superb.
• Zagame's House, on trendy Lygon Street in Melbourne's Little Italy, is a moody design hotel with a cracking wine bar. Whilst guest rooms are clad in grown-up grey and white tones, the 1851 Coffee + Kitchen is decked out in blue velvet, and the Lord Lygon Wine Bar has floor-to-ceiling racks of top Australian wine. Sip craft cocktails and full-bodied reds in a space with real atmosphere.
• Adelphi Hotel Melbourne is a zany, art-filled hotel with a cantilevered rooftop pool on Flinders Lane. Guests are encouraged to gather at Om Nom, for sharing plates and zingy seasonal cuisine. There are terrific craft cockatils at the glitzy bar, where 5-6pm happy hours kickstart the evening. Fresh, funky and great fun for keen partygoers.

For Gourmet Indulgence

• United Places Botanic Gardens offers just 12 design-led suites overlooking the Botanic Gardens. Sister restaurant Matilda 159 promises a rich, sensory experience, with contemporary Australian cuisine crafted from the freshest ingredients sourced from top Victoria producers. An innovative culinary journey, headed by acclaimed chef Scott Pickett.
• Hotel Windsor opened in 1883. The grand dame of the Melbourne hotel scene, this landmark hotel is home to multiple gourmet restaurants. Enjoy a beer and moreish pub food at the Cricketers Bar, fresh pastries at KUDO, and modern Southeast Asian fare at Sunda. Chef Khanh Nguyen's fine dining Aru restaurant has won a number of awards and will delight sophisticated foodies.
• The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne takes five-star style to new heights. Kick off the evening with craft cocktails by expert mixologists at glitzy Cameo, before feasting on modern Australian cuisine at gastronomic eatery Atria. The Melbourne skyline spools out before you, perfect for a romantic evening to remember.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Melbourne.
• Alternatively, check out our list of 9 Family-Friendly Hotels in Melbourne.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

 

Written by Saskia Walker

posted Thursday, 14th March 2024