Orlo - Food VIC

Karima Hazim I cannot wait to come back to Zareh. Some of the tastiest food I’ve ever had! Tom’s Hummos is still to die for, and the pumpkin rice one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. They also have a glowing wine list and the cocktails are sensational! Great atmosphere for a date night or group dinner, the music was so so good too!

Tomas Z Really nice Latin American food with some awesome vegetarian options. They make their own shiitake mushroom “meat” for all the veggie options and it’s so delicious. There’s lots of classic dishes and a few things that are not seen as much in Melbourne. There’s nice outdoor seating or lots of space inside at their bar too. They also have a mini bodega to stock up on snacks and ingredients at home.

ZJ Sydney The seafood stew here is my favourite meal ever. I crave it all the time. I have tried ordering it at other Korean places and its never as good as here. Also, they are open really late and its awesome. Best 7pm meal, best 2pm meal. Plus whenever you order anything you get all these little sides right away. Could not recommend more if you just stepped out of a club and you are starving.

Christopher Gibson Flint is something special. From the moment we walked in, the warmth hit before the heat of the fire did. Nicki and the team made us feel less like guests and more like friends who’d finally come over for dinner — the kind of evening where the conversation flows as easily as the wine. The food was genuinely excellent. Everything that came off the fire had this depth and intention to it — you can tell there’s real craft behind every dish, not just technique but taste. And the drinks matched the energy perfectly, thoughtful without being fussy. What really set the night apart was the hospitality. The owner was present, engaged, and clearly loves what she’s built here. The staff were warm and attentive without hovering. It’s rare to find a restaurant where the people behind it make the experience as much as the food does. We came for a birthday dinner during F1 weekend and honestly it was the highlight of our time out in Melbourne. If you’re looking for somewhere with soul — real fire, real food, real people — this is it.

Noni Taylor 10/10 - Booked out the front bar for my birthday and it couldn’t have been a better night! Staff were so friendly and created a great vibe. Funky 70s style interior with a mix of spaces. The venue organised catering from the deli next door and a had great variety of drinks available. We will be back!

Forkin’ Opinions Such a warm and inviting spot in Fitzroy. Service was great from start to finish and the team really made us feel welcome. We had a nice bottle of sparkling Chardonnay from France and every dish hit the mark. The beetroot and octopus starters were spot on, fresh, full of flavour, with great texture. The bread and French butter on the side just tied it all together. The highlight though was the beef cheek bourguignon with frites. The sauce was rich and full-bodied without being heavy, the beef just fell apart with a fork, and every bite had that deep, slow-cooked flavour you only get when it’s done right. It actually reminded us of a beautiful version we had in Paris at Le Caveau de l’Isle behind Notre Dame earlier this year. Absolutely outstanding. Edit (10 Jan 2026). Second visit, and it definitely won’t be our last. The service was polished, the food rich, flavourful, and indulgent. A brilliant spot for anyone chasing French flavours done right.

Tara De Neve Honestly one of the best (if not thé best) restaurants in the world I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried a lot across the globe !!). Every time I dine here it’s like being taken on a flavour adventure, this time inspiration was taken from Spanish/Latin cuisines. My visiting friend from Norway (who’s not vegan) was equally impressed with the dishes, all of them so well executed and special !! You can tell the chefs put a lot of thought and effort into every dish they create. We opted for the set menu, dishes the chefs pair together, each course comes with multiple dishes, you really won’t leave hungry. However silly gooses we were - we were so excited when we ordered that we added on even more dishes we wanted to try à la carte that we could barely finish the quantity (would still recommend tho as they will provide take-away containers for leftovers:)). We could not get over how delicious each dish was !! Big compliments and appreciation to all the staff we interacted with - so so friendly and knowledgeable and really made the night even better than it already was !! Thank you for the wonderful perfect night, will definitely be back:))

C A Hoop Such a surprise then we walked in. Yes, it’s a neighbourhood bar but becomes more upmarket the deeper you going the building. The relaxed bar gives way to a more formal dining area. Not your average pub bistro! Staff are incredibly friendly, like we are old mates that they haven’t seen for years (we’re not!). We sat in the courtyard, and much was pleasant areas with heating (no need today). We had just orders so cannot comment on the food yet but the beer is cold. Easy 5 star experience so far! (Update: Just finished the most incredible Parma. It’s stunning!!)

shelagh kratz So yum! Didn’t get it but that coffee Negroni looked insane. Went solo during happy hour for $3 oysters on Thursday. They paired it with some berry balsamic situation and it was fabulous. So great, super cute, sat in a fun booth and people watched. Service was awesome too.

Leon B Easily one of the best Japanese spots in Melbourne. The handmade soba noodles have this incredible nutty flavour and perfect chew — you can tell they’re made fresh. I ordered the tempura soba and everything was spot on: light, crisp batter, clean broth, and well-balanced flavours. The place itself feels calm and authentic, almost like a little corner of Japan. Staff were friendly and genuinely cared about the experience without hovering. Prices are reasonable for the quality, and you walk out feeling satisfied but not heavy. Definitely a place I’d come back to whenever I’m craving proper Japanese comfort food done right.