Melbourne
10 Best Bistros in Melbourne
Melbourne’s bistro scene in this comparison ranges from classic French cooking and modern bistro dishes to Italian, Asian-inspired and fine-dining experiences. Use the distinctions in cuisine, setting, occasion and service to find a restaurant that fits the meal you have in mind.
Our method for this guide
This selection of bistros in Melbourne weighs each business's reputation, which anyone can check online, against how much of its work is devoted to this service. Those that do exactly this, and have done it well for years, come first.
Featured positions are clearly marked and only offered to businesses that already earned their place in the guide.
Complete list
Full Comparison of 10 Bistros in Melbourne
The George on Collins
The George on Collins is an upmarket Melbourne restaurant and bar serving contemporary Asian-inspired dishes. Its menu has included Chifa and Nikkei cuisine, Thai dishes, dumplings, ceviche, seafood fried rice, crispy barramundi and contemporary desserts, alongside cocktails and a broad wine selection. Bar seating and a bar menu make it a flexible option for a long dinner or drinks-led visit.
Notable strengths: The menu brings together Asian-inspired styles including Chifa, Nikkei and Thai influences
Long dinners centred on contemporary Asian-inspired foodDiners wanting cocktails, wine and bar-top service alongside a meal162-168 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, AustraliaVue de monde
Vue de monde is an elegant fine-dining restaurant in Melbourne’s Rialto building, offering tasting menus and sweeping city views. It suits special occasions and diners seeking theatrical, highly detailed courses with attentive service, pairings and a refined setting. The experience can include interactive table presentations, bespoke cocktails and a kitchen tour, while non-alcoholic pairing is also available.
Notable strengths: Sweeping Melbourne views from the Rialto setting
Special occasions and destination diningDiners interested in tasting menus, pairings and interactive presentation55 Rialto Towers, 525 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, AustraliaHarriot
Harriot is a Melbourne bistro for lunch and dinner, with dine-in service, cocktails, coffee, wine, desserts and vegetarian options. Its cosy, upmarket setting suits solo dining, groups and special occasions, while reservations are recommended for dinner. A wine list, on-site bar and table service add to the full-service format.
Notable strengths: Combines an upmarket bistro setting with an on-site bar
Solo dining and date nightsGroups and special occasionsDiners wanting cocktails, wine and dessert alongside a meal555 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, AustraliaBistro Voliere
Bistro Voliere is a St Kilda French restaurant serving dishes such as steak tartare, escargots, beef bourguignon, confit d’agneau, seafood and classic desserts. Its warm, cosy dining room suits celebratory lunches, family meals and occasions centred on traditional French cooking.
Notable strengths: The menu spans traditional French starters, mains and desserts
French meals and special occasionsFamily celebrations and leisurely lunchesDiners seeking classic French dishes and dessertsThe George, 129 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182, AustraliaBon Ap' Petit Bistro
Bon Ap' Petit Bistro is a relaxed Fitzroy restaurant serving traditional French cuisine in a cosy, wood-panelled setting. Its menu includes a three-course option, classic dishes and desserts such as crème brûlée, while the team accommodates dietary requirements and group events. The atmosphere suits leisurely lunches, dinners and celebrations.
Notable strengths: A cosy bistro setting with traditional French cooking
Leisurely French meals and small celebrationsGroups with dietary requirements193 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, AustraliaParis Go Bistro
Paris Go Bistro is a French restaurant in Carlton serving classic cuisine in a chic setting decorated with vintage French posters and white tablecloths. The menu includes French onion soup, confit duck, steak tartare, oysters, mussels, fish and beef bourguignon, with French wines and desserts also part of the dining experience.
Notable strengths: Traditional French flavours and presentation
Classic French meals in a bistro settingDiners seeking dishes such as steak tartare, oysters or beef bourguignonA meal with French wine and attentive service116 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053, AustraliaBistro Gitan
Bistro Gitan is a South Yarra bistro serving a contemporary French- and Spanish-inspired menu from a cosy Victorian building with a fireplace. The menu includes steak, gnocchi, beef tartare, oysters, escargot, gratin dauphinois and tarte tatin, alongside a wine list. Bar seating can accommodate diners without a booking, while attentive table and bar service shape the experience.
Notable strengths: The menu adds contemporary flair to familiar French bistro cooking
Diners after French bistro food with Spanish influencePeople looking for a cosy fireplace setting and wine-led meal52 Toorak Rd West, South Yarra VIC 3141, AustraliaLa Cucina Melbourne
La Cucina Melbourne is an Italian restaurant suited to relaxed group meals, serving pizza, pasta and desserts such as tiramisu. Its thin-crust pizza, generous pasta portions and warm, lively atmosphere make sharing straightforward, while dishes mentioned include carbonara, rigatoni, Ortolana pizza, pesto pasta with shrimp and calamari. Service is described as attentive and welcoming.
Notable strengths: Thin-crust pizza is light enough to share between two people
Groups wanting to share pizza and pastaDiners looking for a casual but lively Italian mealopposite Holey Moley, Corner of Cosgrave lane, 628 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, AustraliaBistro Sousou
Bistro Sousou is a Fitzroy French restaurant serving classic bistro fare such as steak frites, French onion soup, escargot, baked Camembert, duck and crème brûlée. A Wednesday duck and Pinot noir special has been offered at $45 per person. The restaurant provides a relaxed setting for French dining, with attentive service reflected in several accounts, though busy periods can affect attentiveness.
Notable strengths: Menu combines traditional French dishes with rotating specials
Diners seeking classic French bistro dishesA relaxed date night or special-occasion mealVisitors interested in a duck and Pinot noir midweek special153 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, AustraliaBistro de Paris North Melbourne
Bistro de Paris North Melbourne is a modern French restaurant serving polished bistro fare in a contemporary setting. It suits diners seeking dishes such as cheese soufflé, bouillabaisse, grilled tiger prawns, braised beef cheeks and steak frites, with wine available by the glass. The atmosphere is suited to a relaxed, quieter meal.
Notable strengths: Menu includes French bistro classics alongside seafood and rich slow-cooked dishes
Diners looking for modern French cookingGuests wanting a relaxed local bistro mealPeople seeking generous portions and wine by the glass63 Errol St, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia
The numbers on the map match the positions in the list.
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Dining styles found in this comparison
- Traditional French bistro diningBon Ap’ Petit Bistro, Bistro Voliere, Paris Go Bistro and Bistro Sousou describe classic French dishes, with menus including steak, seafood, duck, escargot and French desserts.
- Modern French cookingBistro de Paris North Melbourne presents polished modern French bistro fare such as cheese soufflé, bouillabaisse, prawns, beef cheeks and steak frites.
- French-Spanish flavoursBistro Gitan combines contemporary French- and Spanish-inspired dishes with a wine list, fireplace and bar seating in a Victorian building.
- Casual Italian sharingLa Cucina Melbourne is suited to groups sharing thin-crust pizza, pasta and tiramisu in a warm, lively setting.
- Drinks-led and special-occasion diningHarriot offers cocktails, wine, coffee and desserts, while The George on Collins brings Asian-inspired food, cocktails and wine together. Vue de monde offers tasting menus and pairings.
How to choose a Melbourne bistro
- Set the cuisine expectationFrench is the dominant style here, but La Cucina, The George on Collins and Vue de monde offer distinctly different Italian, Asian-inspired and fine-dining directions.
- Match the mood to the occasionCosy rooms suit relaxed lunches or dates, while Vue de monde is described as an extended tasting-menu experience for special occasions.
- Check the menu formatLook for classic dishes, shared pizza and pasta, a tasting menu, or drinks with bar seating depending on how you want the meal to unfold.
- Plan the bookingWeekend bookings are advisable at Bon Ap’ Petit Bistro, dinner reservations are recommended at Harriot, and Bistro Gitan describes bar seating for some walk-in diners.
- Mention dietary needs and preferencesBon Ap’ Petit Bistro accommodates dietary requirements, and Harriot offers vegetarian options. Ask each restaurant about current dishes before ordering.
Frequent questions
Which bistros serve traditional French food?
Bon Ap’ Petit Bistro, Bistro Voliere, Paris Go Bistro and Bistro Sousou all describe traditional or classic French bistro dishes. Their menus and settings differ by venue.
Are any options suitable for a casual group meal?
La Cucina Melbourne is described as a lively Italian restaurant for groups sharing pizza and pasta. Bon Ap’ Petit Bistro also accommodates group events and celebrations.
Which restaurants offer bar or drinks-focused options?
Harriot has an on-site bar, cocktails, coffee, wine and desserts. Bistro Gitan includes bar seating, while The George on Collins offers cocktails, wine and a bar menu.
Is there a tasting-menu experience in the comparison?
Vue de monde is described as an elegant fine-dining restaurant offering tasting menus, pairings, interactive table presentations and, in some experiences, a kitchen tour.
