Curated List · Suburb · Melbourne

Restaurants You Must Try in South Melbourne

South Melbourne's best tables

The Curator
The Curator is the voice behind the Lowdown, Curateria's read on where Melbourne is eating, drawn from every review we track
10 spotsUpdated May 2026
The Lowdown · Curator's note

From Shelanous ten-course spectacles to Meatworksco smoked brisket and Omen's French finesse, South Melbourne's must-try restaurants, curated.

How we built this list1000+ reviews · 10 curator visits · August 2026
Google · 1,000+Tripadvisor · 300+Instagram · 400+Reddit r/melbourneCurator visits · 10 spotsEditor verified

Where they are · 10 spots across Melbourne

Open in map →

The Ten · Ranked

RANKED · AUGUST 2026
01
of 10
SHELANOUS4.9
Modern AustralianPort Melbourne
Editor's note

Port Melbourne's theatrical degustation where every course is a sensory performance.

02
of 10
4.8
AmericanSouth Melbourne
Editor's note

South Melbourne smoke house — slow-cooked brisket and ribs with a bar worth lingering at.

03
of 10
OMEN ALBERT PARK4.9
Modern AustralianFrenchAlbert Park
Editor's note

Albert Park's neighbourhood fine-dining gem — seasonal modern Australian plates, a fireplace in winter, and a curated wine list.

05
of 10
4.5
JapaneseSouth Melbourne
Editor's note

South Melbourne's cosiest Japanese hideaway for katsu, unagi and hearty rice bowls

07
of 10
PEKO PEKO4.7
Asian FusionSouth Melbourne
Editor's note

South Melbourne's beloved Taiwanese kitchen — bold flavours, cosy dark-wood digs

09
of 10
DIVINI CAFE & RESTAURANT4.9
Modern EuropeanPort Melbourne
Editor's note

Melbourne's best Serbian kitchen — five-generation Balkan recipes, generous cevapi, and an owner who feels like family.

The Curator
The Curator is the voice behind the Lowdown, Curateria's read on where Melbourne is eating, drawn from every review we track

The Curator is the voice behind the Lowdown, Curateria's read on where Melbourne is eating, drawn from every review we track.

Restaurants You Must Try in South Melbourne · The Curator