279 - Food VIC

Sandra Nguyen KURU is an absolute standout, easily one of the best Japanese meals we’ve had in a café setting. Every dish was fresh, flavourful, and made with so much care. The Gyu Yaki Teishoku ($25) was tender, perfectly seasoned, and came with some homemade sides that made it feel like a true homestyle set. The pork katsu kare ($25) was rich, comforting, and so satisfying. The beef tataki ($14) was beautifully seared and melt-in-your-mouth, and the assorted tempura ($14) was crisp, light, and not oily at all. Fresh salmon sashimi ($18) was thick-cut and super fresh. Drinks were just as good,the peach oolong ($6) was warming, and the iced matcha latte ($8.5) had that strong earthy matcha flavour we love. A cosy spot with exceptional food, KURU is a must-visit and genuinely a 10/10 experience.

Jareth Ho Made the honest mistake of mixing up reservation dates and coming at dinner rush, yet the Pebble team were incredibly understanding and still managed to seat our 2pax within 10-15mins. The cocktails were delicious (Mont Blanc and the Marg), while the food had a unique Asian spin on things. As a Southeast Asian, its warming to see household items like Kaya (coconut jam) and Pandan get elevated to such a level. Reckon its definitely a spot to try, as Cam and his team are bringing something new and different to the Melb dining space.

Kath Edwards Just visiting Melbourne and had a pizza craving. We had trouble with the online ordering so decided to call the restaurant. Ordering was easy enough and the staff member was lovely over the phone. When we walked in to collect our dinner, the store smelled amazing and the staff in the store were very nice. After the shortest of waits, the pizzas looked incredible and were fresh out of the oven. The flavours were so good and very enjoyable. We bought the Date night deal for $60 which was two large traditional pizzas, a garlic bread and a 1.25L soft drink. Our pizzas were the Capricciosa with anchovies and the Hawaiian. We would love to buy again when were in Melbourne next.

Jonathan Frylinck The most genuine and generous pub I have been to in a very long time. Family owned and operated by the friendly people who will take care of you. We went in seeking a drink after walking a long distance shopping, however when we saw some of the food being delivered to tables we knew we had to try some. The food is amazing and excellent value. The staff will treat you like you are part of the family, really recommend a visit.

jp singh We had a great dining experience at Smile Thai Cuisine! The Grilled Chicken and Tom Yum Seafood Noodle Soup were absolutely delicious—flavorful, well-balanced, and cooked to perfection. However, the Chicken Satay wasn’t quite to our taste; perhaps chicken skewers would have been a better choice. The restaurant has a pleasant ambiance, but the pricing felt a bit on the higher side. Overall, a great spot for Thai food lovers, though there’s room for improvement in value for money.

A T I had a freshly toasted chicken focaccia and it was delicious!! I was coming off a long flight and starving, so I just wanted a quick bite to keep me going until dinner. The hotel receptionist directed me to Aroma and I did not know what to expect, so it was a lovely surprise. The service was very friendly and welcoming, even though I got there just as they were about to close their lunch service and I really enjoyed the food. Thank you!

Chloe Esmonde I ate here last weekend and absolutely loved it! The owner and his staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming. The food was brilliant, I had a lamb curry, butter naan and plain lassi, absolutely delicious! Prices are brilliant too. I’ll definitely come back again next time I’m in Melbourne!!

Christopher Wu Jusik had been highly recommended by my Korean hairdresser as a must-visit, so I finally gave it a go — and while I initially thought it looked expensive (over $100 for one meat set), I was pleasantly surprised. We ordered the Meat Lover Set and asked our waitress to bring out her recommended selections. At first glance, the portion of meat didn’t seem huge, but it ended up being really filling. We considered adding more meat, but honestly, the value didn’t quite match up for the price — and we were already too full anyway. They also serve Korean Fried Chicken with the set, which was extremely crispy. I personally prefer other styles of fried chicken, but someone in our group said it was one of the better ones they’ve had. The sides were what really set Jusik apart: • The kimchi, fish cake, and other banchan had great depth of flavour, clearly well-fermented and house-made. • Unfortunately, side refills are limited to once, which was a bit of a letdown given how tasty they were. • The Corn Cheese was a standout — rich, melty, and absolutely delicious. • The Seafood Pancake was thick and generously sized, but lacked a bit of flavour. One thing that stood out during our visit — around 80% of diners were Korean, which says a lot about the authenticity and appeal of the place. Service was attentive, the food came out steadily, and the vibe was warm and energetic. Would definitely come back, especially for the sides and corn cheese. She could have been a tad nicer but alright still.

J C Great coffee with a strong selection of baguettes on artisanal bread. Fresh produce and food assembled with care. Very friendly staff that create a warm and inviting, relaxed space. Nice selection of music and the decor inside fits the space perfectly.

clover cheng Tried the set menu for two and really enjoyed it. We chose the soft Korean rice cakes and the spicy stir-fried octopus — both were full of flavour and very satisfying. The side dishes were excellent and generous, easily the highlight of the meal. Loved that you can pick your own drinks from the fridge too. Great value for a traditional Korean set meal. Would happily come back!