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The ground-floor restaurant at Maison Batard has smoked-glass mirrors, plump velvet seats and a custom-built oyster bar.

Collection

Your December hit list: The hot, new and just-reviewed places to check out, right now

These openings will see you through the silly season of group catch-ups, no matter your budget (hot tip: make it a lunch date with $12 Thai noodles or an $18 chicken pie). Plus four (count ’em) new rooftop bars perfect for toasting the year that was.

17 stories
Mid Air restaurant sits 12 storeys above Russell Street.

Russell Street rooftop Mid Air serves up Med flavours and all-new city views

  • Emma Breheny
The Gardiner Hotel’s rooftop overlooks heritage buildings along Glenferrie Road.

Four new Melbourne pubs to meet your mates at

  • Daniela Frangos
Chef Michael Lambie’s new restaurant - Juni.

Exhibition Street’s hot new South-East Asian diner Juni is from an influential chef

  • Tomas Telegramma
The ground-floor restaurant at Maison Batard has smoked-glass mirrors, plump velvet seats and a custom-built oyster bar.

Four-level French restaurant Maison Batard - including La Terrasse rooftop - opens on Bourke Street

  • Tomas Telegramma
Takeaway kiosk Eek Charm is cute, cheap and convenient.

Hole-in-the-wall Eek Charm is one of the cutest (and cheapest) CBD food spots

  • Dani Valent
Hong Kong-based noodle chain TamJai Mixian is bringing its Yunnanese rice noodles, soup and spices to Melbourne.

Hong Kong noodle soup chain TamJai Mixian debuts its ‘hellfire spice’ in the CBD

  • Tomas Telegramma
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Peel back the lid of the chicken curry pot pie to uncover big chunks of chook and vegetables.
Critics' Pick

SilkSpoon’s pie is one of our chief restaurant critic’s favourite dishes of the year

  • Besha Rodell
Caterina Borsato before the reopening of her basement restaurant, which has been closed for renovations after a flood.

Italian CBD stayer Caterina’s reopens after a flood and a seven-month rebuild

  • Tomas Telegramma
Mischa Tropp will open Kolkata Cricket Club at Crown’s former San Antone by Bludso’s BBQ site.

Chef Mischa Tropp’s cricket-inspired Indian diner Kolkata Cricket Club is coming to Crown

  • Tomas Telegramma
Manze in North Melbourne.
Good Food hat15.5/20

Three-year-old Mauritian restaurant Manze - and its set menu - is in its sweet spot

  • Dani Valent
The Sari-Sari Sparkle (left), W.A.M martini and Tito Ray each come with a backstory.

Filipino rooftop bar Inuman serves tropical drinks and elite snacks

  • Emma Breheny
Sandro at dusk.

With five new openings within 300 metres, one of Melbourne’s best Eat Streets is getting even better

  • Tomas Telegramma
Tzaki’s tiny kitchen produces pastries, coffee, wood-fired mezze and Greek-inspired cocktails.
14/20

Tzaki is a delicious slice of wood-fired, modern Greek all-day dining in Yarraville

  • Besha Rodell
Taverna’s menu pays homage to the Greek heritage of co-owner Angie Giannakodakis.

Carlton’s Greek pop-up Taverna is here for a good time, not a long time

  • Tomas Telegramma
The deck at Beach House gazes over the sands and bathing boxes of Brighton Beach.

Three bayside openings in time for summer (including one right on the beach)

  • Tomas Telegramma
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Bar Conexao’s moody, art-filled space was previously a photography studio.

Three new bars slake Box Hill, Frankston and Eltham locals’ thirsts

  • Tomas Telegramma
Jishan Garden serves banquets, a la carte and afternoon tea in grand surrounds.
14/20

There’s nowhere else quite like Jishan Garden, a Chinese restaurant in a mansion

  • Dani Valent