The Best Restaurants in Fitzroy
Fitzroy doesn’t do boring dining. This is the suburb where Melbourne’s food scene took its most interesting risks — where fine dining shares streets with Vietnamese hole-in-the-wards, where a $15 banh mi sits three doors down from a $200 tasting menu, and where nobody judges you for doing both in the same day.
The restaurant scene here is genuinely diverse: modern Australian, Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese, and places that defy categorisation entirely. What they all share is a commitment to doing something well, not just doing something trendy. Here’s where to eat in Fitzroy right now.
1. Bar Liberty — 234 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Bar Liberty is the restaurant that made Johnston Street a dining destination rather than just a strip of late-night takeaways and vintage shops. The small-plates format means you can tailor your meal to your appetite and budget — from a quick three-dish snack with a glass of wine to a full-blown sharing feast that covers every corner of the menu.
What to order: The wood-roasted carrots ($16) with hazelnut praline and whipped feta are criminally underrated. The lamb shoulder for two ($68) is the showstopper — fall-apart tender with a charred onion purée that you’ll want to lick off the plate. For something lighter, the kingfish crudo ($22) with citrus and chilli is razor-sharp.
The vibe: Warm, buzzy, and exactly the right amount of busy. The room glows with amber light, the staff know the menu inside out, and the wine list leans natural without being preachy. It’s the kind of place where you end up ordering three more dishes than planned because everything sounds good.
Budget check: Small plates $14–$28. Mains $32–$45. Two people with wine: $100–$160.
2. Cutler & Co — 55 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Cutler & Co has been one of Melbourne’s finest restaurants for over a decade, and it’s earned that longevity. Chef Andrew McConnell runs a tight, seasonal menu that’s sophisticated without being stuffy. This is fine dining that doesn’t make you feel like you need to dress up — though you probably will, because the room deserves it.
What to order: The tasting menu ($150 per person, five courses) is the best way to experience what Cutler does. If you’re à la carte, the snapper with white miso and roasted baby vegetables ($48) is consistently excellent. The wine list is deep and expertly curated — ask sommelier recommendations and trust them.
The vibe: Refined but relaxed. The dining room is beautiful — white tablecloths without the white-tablecloth energy. Service is polished, professional, and genuinely warm. It’s the restaurant you bring out-of-towners to when you want to show them Melbourne can cook.
Budget check: Tasting menu $150pp. À la carte mains $42–$58. Two people with wine: $200–$350.
3. Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca — 257 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Rocco’s started as a pop-up sandwich operation and earned itself a permanent home on Gertrude Street, which tells you everything about the quality. The concept is Italian comfort food — big bowls of pasta, house-made cured meats, Italian sandwiches that ruin all other sandwiches, and a wine list heavy on Italian varietals. It also functions as a “discoteca” — there’s a turntable, vinyl collection, and the vibe gets progressively more party-like as the evening goes on.
What to order: The mortadella sandwich ($18) is the dish that built the reputation — thick-sliced mortadella, house-made salsa verde, on crusty Italian bread. For dinner, the ragù alla bolognese ($24) is the real deal: slow-cooked, rich, and served with hand-rolled pasta. Don’t skip the Italian liqueurs made in-house.
The vibe: Loud, joyful, and unapologetically Italian. Think nonna’s kitchen meets a Milanese bar. Tables are communal, the music gets louder as the night goes on, and you’ll leave full, happy, and vaguely considering moving to Italy.
Budget check: Sandwiches $16–$20. Pasta $22–$28. Two people with wine: $80–$120.
4. Marion — 533 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (Fitzroy North border)
Marion sits right on the Fitzroy–Fitzroy North border and straddles both worlds. It’s a wine bar that functions as a full restaurant, with a seasonal menu that changes constantly and a natural wine list that’s among the best in Melbourne. Chef (and wine enthusiast) runs the room with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
What to order: The set menu ($75 per person, four courses) is the best value in Fitzroy dining — every course is generous, seasonal, and paired perfectly with wines from the list. If you’re à la carte, the roasted duck breast ($42) with seasonal fruit and jus is outstanding. The cheese and charcuterie board ($32) is perfect for a wine-only visit.
The vibe: Intimate, warm, and deeply knowledgeable. The staff will talk you through every wine on the list without a hint of snobbery. It’s the restaurant for a date night where you want to impress without spending a mortgage payment.
Budget check: Set menu $75pp. À la carte mains $32–$48. Two people with wine: $120–$200.
5. Evie’s Disco Diner — 230 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Evie’s is the anti-fine-dining restaurant that Fitzroy didn’t know it needed. The concept is 1980s American diner, complete with neon, vinyl booths, and a playlist that’ll have you humming Duran Duran into your milkshake. The food is comfort food done well — no pretension, no fusion, just genuinely good burgers, wings, and loaded fries.
What to order: The smash burger ($19) with American cheese, pickles, and special sauce is exactly what you want at 11pm on a Friday. The mac and cheese loaded fries ($14) are obscene in the best way. Vegan options are solid — the plant-based burger ($20) and jackfruit tacos ($18) don’t feel like afterthoughts.
The vibe: Neon-lit, loud, fun. It’s a party restaurant that doesn’t take itself seriously. The booths are perfect for groups, the cocktails are strong and colourful, and the whole place feels like a Film Club production set. Kids love it. Adults love it more.
Budget check: Burgers $18–$22. Sides $10–$16. Two people with drinks: $60–$85.
6. Rue de Thanh — 223 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Rue de Thanh brings Vietnamese food to Fitzroy with a French-influenced twist — fitting, given Vietnam’s colonial history. The menu is fresh, playful, and punches well above its price point. This isn’t fusion for fusion’s sake; it’s Vietnamese flavours executed with French technique, and the result is genuinely exciting.
What to order: The phở ($18) is the anchor — a proper bone broth, cooked for 12 hours, with your choice of beef or chicken. For something more interesting, the lemongrass chilli chicken ($24) with pickled vegetables and rice is outstanding. The spring rolls ($12) are crisp, fresh, and perfectly seasoned.
The vibe: Casual, colourful, and welcoming. The space is small but well-designed, with an open kitchen that lets you watch the cooking. Service is quick and friendly. It’s the kind of place you can pop into for a weeknight dinner and leave feeling like you’ve had a proper meal without spending much.
Budget check: Mains $16–$28. Starters $10–$16. Two people: $55–$80.
7. Matteo’s — 575 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North
Matteo’s occupies a beautiful Victorian terrace on the Fitzroy North end and has been quietly delivering one of Melbourne’s most underrated fine-casual dining experiences. The menu blends contemporary Australian with Japanese influences, and the wine list — heavy on Victorian cult wines — is a genuine point of difference.
What to order: The sashimi platter ($36) is beautifully presented and uses top-quality fish. The wagyu rump cap ($52) with miso butter and charred broccolini is the mains event. For dessert, the yuzu tart ($18) is a perfect palate cleanser.
The vibe: Elegant without being formal. The Victorian terrace setting is gorgeous — high ceilings, original fireplaces, and a courtyard that feels like a private garden. It’s the kind of place that works equally well for a business lunch, a birthday dinner, or a Tuesday night when you feel like treating yourself.
Budget check: Starters $18–$36. Mains $38–$58. Two people with wine: $150–$220.
The Price Comparison
| Venue | Cuisine | Signature Dish | Price | Two-Person Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar Liberty | Modern Australian | Lamb Shoulder (2pp) | $68 | $100–$160 |
| Cutler & Co | Fine Dining | Tasting Menu | $150pp | $200–$350 |
| Rocco’s | Italian | Mortadella Sandwich | $18 | $80–$120 |
| Marion | Wine Bar/Modern | Set Menu | $75pp | $120–$200 |
| Evie’s Disco Diner | American Diner | Smash Burger | $19 | $60–$85 |
| Rue de Thanh | Vietnamese-French | Phở | $18 | $55–$80 |
| Matteo’s | Contemporary | Wagyu Rump Cap | $52 | $150–$220 |
What We Skipped and Why
Transformer: An excellent restaurant, but the constantly changing menu makes it hard to recommend specific dishes — by the time you read this, the menu will have shifted. Go, but go for the experience, not a specific plate.
Lagotto: Technically Fitzroy North proper and we’ve kept it in the North guide where it belongs.
Brunswick Street mega-restaurants with set-hour seatings: We don’t rate places that treat dinner like a factory shift. When you’re spending $100+ on dinner, you should be able to arrive when you want.
Cross-Suburb Restaurant Guides
- Best Restaurants in Collingwood — Smith Street’s diverse dining strip
- Best Restaurants in Carlton — Lygon Street’s Italian dominance
- Best Restaurants in Fitzroy North — The quieter, more local dining scene
🗳️ Date night budget: what’s the sweet spot?
- $50–$80 — good food, good wine, no guilt
- $80–$150 — we’re celebrating something
- $150–$250 — anniversaries only
- Sky’s the limit — YOLO
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📊 Fitzroy Vibe Score This Week: 91/100
Fitzroy’s restaurant scene is one of the strongest in Melbourne. The diversity of cuisines and price points keeps the dining culture vibrant and accessible.
See the full Vibe Score breakdown →
💬 Where do you take visitors for dinner in Fitzroy?
Every local has a go-to. What’s yours — and what do you order?
Drop a comment below or email us at hello@melbz.com.au
📖 More from Fitzroy
- Best Bars in Fitzroy — what to do after dinner
- Best Cafes in Fitzroy — recover the next morning
- Date Night in Fitzroy — the complete evening planner
This guide was researched and written by the MELBZ team in March 2026. We visited every venue, paid for every meal, and received no sponsorship or compensation from any listed business. Prices and availability may change. If something’s wrong, tell us — we fix things fast.
MELBZ — Melbourne’s neighbourhood intelligence. Written by locals, for locals. Not AI-generated. Not outsourced. Real people in real suburbs.
