10 outstanding Melbourne restaurants for celebrating special occasions

Strangers become friends at convivial Pretty Little, perched on Carlisle St in Balaclava. Thanks to a 16-seat communal table that takes centre stage, the vibe at this laid-back restaurant and wine bar channels a playful dinner party. The menu leans seasonal, fueled by produce from local farms (a 6-course option is available). Socialise over plates such as pumpkin and miso purée with chestnut cream and chicken ballotine with spinach custard—no two dinner menus are identical here. Dishes pair well with Pretty Little’s all-Australian wine selection, featuring Western Australian Tempranillo Malbec and Shiraz from historical Beechworth.

With its low-lit, minimalist interiors, this chic Japanese spot is a coveted setting for a cosy celebration. The centrepiece is an illuminated red thread installation that stretches across the roof, making Akaiito one of the most breathtaking dining rooms in Melbourne. Enjoy a three-, five-, or seven-course seasonal menu created by sushi and robata chefs—and watch them while they prep. Seasonal plates might include hand-picked spanner crab, WA marron with zucchini flower and leek velouté, or seven-day dry-aged duck with caramelised fig, oyster mushroom, and plum jus. Extend your special night out with an after-dinner cocktail at Ototo, Akaiito’s underground, speakeasy-esque bar.

If you want to mark a milestone over some of Melbourne’s finest Japanese food, splash out on Warabi’s omakase menu. Sit at the counter, enhanced by backlit onyx marble artwork, and watch the chef’s craftsmanship unfold. Courses evolve with the seasons and feature sumptuous plates such as egg tofu, seared wagyu, caviar, and toothfish. With just 37 seats, Warabi adds an intimate edge to any special night out.

Australian Korean set menus, conceived by chef Sangsoo Kim, await at this inventive South Melbourne spot, which opened its doors in 2021. JAMES is a sought-after spot for long, leisurely gatherings. Kim’s thoughtful plates include charred cucumber with halved grapes and smoked yoghurt, potato cake with fermented black garlic, and cuttlefish with chogochujang (sweet and spicy Korean dipping sauce) and buckwheat. Kim’s kitchen is steered by a no-waste philosophy: Unused parts of one dish often appear in another. So rest assured your celebration here will be an eco-friendly one.

Bistro la Provence, a beloved French bistro, makes a charming setting to celebrate an anniversary. Toast with Champagne in the elegant dining room, dressed with white tablecloths and chandeliers. Treat yourself—and someone special—to decadent classics including escargots in garlic and parsley butter, confit duck à l’orange, or steak tartare. Don’t skip dessert: showstopping confections such as crêpes Suzette and upside-down apple tart bring a slice of Provence to Melbourne.

Executive chef Jae Bang, formerly of MICHELIN-starred Re-Naa, brings the heat to the menu at this cinematic, Nordic-inspired spot, worthy of practically any special occasion. Signature dishes such as egg waffle with smoked sour cream, trout roe or osetra caviar, as well as duck with finger lime and coriander seed round out the Danish-accented menu. The festive plates are enhanced by Freyja’s photogenic interiors (it’s housed in a heritage-listed Olderfleet building) which include cathedral windows with views of Collins Street, plus timber, metal, and raw brick accents galore.

For a group celebration look no further than the bright, colourful, and lively Mama Manoush. Go for traditional Lebanese fare, served banquet-style. Start with dips such as babaganoush, hummus, and toum (a whipped garlic sauce), served with flatbreads. Then feast on mezze, tabouli, and fattoush salads, plus a selection of charcoal-grilled meats. To that, add a classic cocktail such as a Beirut sour, drizzled with Lebanese red wine, and you’ve got all the components for a memorable, Middle Eastern bash.

Yugen’s soaring stone walls and suspended porcelain light installation add grandeur to any special celebration. The opulent, Capitol Grand building space is split into a dining room, an omakase bar, and a private golden orb booth that juts out over the main dining room, seating eight. Its modern, pan-Asian menu takes cues from Japan, Korea, China, and Thailand, with seafood-forward highlights such as whole crab, steamed then cooked in Sichuan oil, assorted sashimi platters, and prawn toast. The prolific sake menu (there are over 20 kinds to choose from) is made for toasting, as is the varied wine selection. Live DJs play here every night, sure to up the ante on any occasion.

Shareable plates from various parts of South Asia make Kahaani, a modern Indian spot, a shoo-in for date night. Must-orders include crispy kale chaat with beetroot coulis, burrah lamb kebab, marinated in a spice blend before being cooked over coal, and Konkan fish curry served in an aromatic coconut gravy. The intimate dining room feels like a friend or family member’s home, with cosy vibes and relaxed service, setting the tone for a laidback but special evening.

The third venue from restaurateurs Rinaldo Di Stasio and Mallory Wall (whose other restaurants include Cafe Di Stasio and Di Stasio Citta), Di Stasio Carlton was made for lively, group get-togethers. Nine pizzas populate the group-friendly menu. Sardinian-born chef Federico Congiu is serious about the core ingredients, making his own fior di latte (cow’s milk mozzarella) and working with farmers in the Yarra Valley to grow and preserve San Marzano tomatoes for toppings. Choose from three separate spaces to dig into your shareable, Italian feast. The courtyard bar, centred around a fountain, is especially transportive.