The 12 Best Places to Eat on Chapel Street in South Yarra

Each week Quisine brings you ‘Where to Eat’, a guide to the most popular dining districts around the country, which restaurants you should eat at and of course, must-try dishes. This week, we’re heading to South Yarra to discover the best Chapel Street restaurants.

We’re Goin’ to the Chapel!

Melbourne. What can we say? The reigning champion of Food Capital of Australia (sorry Sydney) for quite some time now, Melbourne is home to some of the best restaurants, bars and cafes in the country. Whether you’re deep in the suburbs, in the city centre, on the north side or the south, you won’t be stuck for a place to eat in Melbourne. This week, we’re focusing on one of the most famous stretches in the city: Chapel Street in South Yarra.

This iconic street has a long culinary history. Originally a hub for bakers, butchers, flour millers and the like, Chapel Street is now a popular dining precinct. You’ll find over 980 shops, restaurants, bars and cafes here. Running for over 4 kilometres, this street is comprised of predominantly high end spots. And there’s plenty of diversity in terms of cuisine! It doesn’t matter if you’re craving vegan and vegetarian food, Japanese or French food. Chances are this lush little neighbourhood has it.

Want to explore other delicious Australian hoods? Check out our guide to Bondi Beach restaurants, where to eat on Ann Street in Brisbane and dining out on James Street in Perth.

The 12 Best Chapel Street Restaurants

NOTE: With Melbourne restaurants currently closed for dine-in, we encourage you to support the below eateries by engaging in their takeaway and delivery services.

1. Meat & Wine Co. South Yarra

Focusing on the philosophy of paddock to plate, Meat & Wine Co. is a Chapel Street restaurant serving, well, meat and wine. We’re talking exceptional steaks matched with some of Australia’s most unique wines, set in a space designed by the superlative Otto Design Interiors. Expect a high-end dining experience here with an array of choice from their famous slow-cooked ribs to carefully-curated premium beef, cooked to your liking with numerous sauce choices – we love the black garlic butter or blue cheese. Also specialising in the sweeter side of things, we advise saving room for dessert or perhaps for the liquid dessert cocktails which are a must, if you ask us.

Must-try: Grass-fed Monte 120D beef served with crunchy chips and black garlic butter sauce and the ‘Crumble’ liquid dessert of Chambord, apple schnapps, Limoncello, apple and lemon juice served in a sweet pastry-crumbed martini glass.

Cnr Toorak Road & Chapel Street__Sunday to Monday, 12pm – 10pm

2. Caffe e Cucina

Caffe e Cucina is a little slice of Italy on Chapel Street in South Yarra. Born from the desire to recreate a typical Italian restaurant like those lining the streets of Rome, Florence and Milan, this is relaxed Italian dining at its very best. Caffe e Cucina has been part of the dining scene on Chapel Street since 1988. The space is small yet intimate, the bar is extremely well stocked and the wine list is extensive. All the makings of an exceptional Italian trattoria. As for the menu? You can expect to find all the Italian classics you know and love cooked traditionally with the best available ingredients and plated like works of art. This highly-Instagrammable restaurant is a neighbourhood icon and a must for fans of Italian cuisine.

Must-try: Homemade saffron ravioli filled with codfish and served in a cream of mussels with broad beans, followed by the tiramisu (of course).

581 Chapel Street__Sunday to Monday: 12pm – 10pm

3. Middle South East

Middle Eastern cuisine blended with modern Australian elements is what Middle South East is all about. Located on the corner of Malcolm Street and Chapel Street in South Yarra, this is an elegant dining space perfectly complimented by a creative menu with dishes that are both delicious and beautifully presented. You can tell design is important here – from the menu to the wine and from the bespoke cocktail list to how each element is presented. A favourite of Melbourne’s hummus addicts, this is one of our top recommendations.

Must-try: Middle Eastern-inspired slow cooked pulled pork, wilted spinach, poached eggs, harissa hollandaise sauce on brioche toast.

670 Chapel Street__Monday to Tuesday: 6:30 – 4pm, Wednesday to Saturday: 6:30 – 7pm, Sunday: 6:30 – 4pm

4. Tokyo Teppanyaki

Perhaps the most lively of the restaurants on Chapel Street in South Yarra, Tokyo Teppanyaki combines entertainment with exceptional food. Specialising in Japanese teppanyaki, the food is prepared by specialists right at your table. The dishes are fresh, served with precision and made with extremely high quality ingredients. This restaurant is innovative and bold, while the menu is diverse and designed by true culinary masters. One of the best places to eat on Chapel Street, it is not to be missed.

Must-try: Opt for the set menu designed by the chef on the night.

536 Chapel StreetLunch: Wednesday to Friday: 12pm – 3pm, Saturday to Sunday: 11:30 – 3pmDinner: Monday to Sunday: 5:30pm – late

5. Peppan’s

The Melbourne cafe scene can be a hard one to break into, but Peppan’s has done it almost seamlessly. The coffee is their own signature blend which matches their meticulously curated menu down to a tee. You can expect creative and distinctive menu items from breakfast and brunch until late in an intimate dining area with a vibrant, lively vibe. The portion sizes are hearty, the quality is up to South Yarra (and Melbourne’s) standard and the staff are seriously passionate about what they do. If you need a new stop for your morning brew or for an evening of food and drinks, this is the place to be heading.

Must-try: Flinders Island braised lamb shoulder on sourdough with poached eggs and chimichurri.

446 Chapel Street__Monday to Wednesday: 8 – 5pm, Thurs – Sat: 8 – 11pm, Sun: 8 – 9pm

6. Dilly Daly

In a green and serene cafe space on Daly Street (just off Chapel Street), Dilly Daly takes Australian classics and gives them the ol’ razzle dazzle. Conveniently open from 7am, it’s a great place to swing by for an early coffee or breakfast, leisurely brunch or lunch. It’s the sort of space you want to stay for a while, thanks to a chirpy crew taking care of you and a cool open-planned setting with fun neon signs, plant walls and sunlit window seating. And guess what? Bottomless brunch is an all-day everyday affair here with your choice of free-flowing cocktails, beer, wine or non-alcoholic drops.

Must-try: The bacon and egg crumpets featuring homemade crumpets, crispy maple bacon, fried eggs and coffee cream.

6c Daly StreetMonday to Friday: 7am – 3pm, Saturday & Sunday: 8.30am – 3pm

7. Hecho en Mexico

Follow the spicy aromas all the way to number 478 Chapel Street for a Mexican feast like no other. From the moment you walk into Hecho en Mexico, you know you’re in for a good time. Colourful Mexican bunting hangs from the ceiling, Frida is painted onto the wall sipping a margarita and the bar is a glistening scene of various tequila bottles. Swing by for dinner during the week and dine on classic dishes, like tacos, chimichanga, enchiladas and quesadillas, made using the freshest ingredients possible. When the weekend rolls around, unlimited margs, sangria and Michelada come out to play alongside a 5-course set brunch menu (with vegan options available).

Must-try: The fish burger with beer battered fish fillet, onion rings (!!!), green papaya and carrot slaw, jalapeño mayo and guacamole on a soft brioche bun.

7/478 Chapel StreetMonday to Saturday: 5pm – 9pm, Sunday: 12pm – 9pm

8. A25 Pizzeria

You’ve already heard us ranting on about A25 in our best pizza in Melbourne article. The city is home to three of their famous pizzerias, and Chapel Street is lucky enough to have scored one of them. Open everyday of the week, there are endless reasons to visit for a slice of heaven. Come with a large gang of friends, enjoy a romantic dinner for two with your other half or sneak away on your lunch break for a whole Margherita to yourself. The pizza dough here is exceptional, with that light and fluffy burnished crust that makes us feel all the things. Plus, there’s a whole vegan range and any base can be made gluten free. The antipasti range features bolognese arancini and the fresh handmade pasta is also worthy of a giant *chef’s kiss*.

Must try: Sexy Truffle pizza topped with fior di latte, porcini mushroom crema, truffle infused radicchio and grated parmesan.

720 Chapel StreetMonday to Sunday: 11am – 10pm

9. Urban Provedore

Underneath fun striped awnings and wrapped up in a modern glass facade, Urban Provedore is a very trendy Chapel Street cafe which heroes gourmet food and drink sourced by local producers. The coffee here is an absolute treat, thanks to the eatery’s unique blend created in collaboration with Ink Coffee Roasters. When it comes to the food, the breakfast and lunch menus have been designed to reflect the delicious Mediterranean lifestyle, from Greece to Spain. Get down on the breakfast arepa in the morning or grab a seat on the street and indulge in a midday bowl of creamy tomato and pasta.

Must try: Urban Sweet Corn & Zucchini Fritters with avocado, salted cheese, relish and a poached egg. Take it up a notch and add bacon or smoked salmon.

231 Toorak Road__Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm, Saturday & Sunday: 8am – 4pm

10. Thirty Eight Chairs

On a small street off Chapel’s main drag, this refined Italian locale strikes the perfect balance of sophisticated yet warm and laid-back dining. Each restaurant nook has been considered with thoughtful touches and every plate of food has been prepared carefully. No matter where you look, this petite neighbourhood restaurant and bar has that ‘front-cover of a magazine’ quality about it. More so, the team’s dedication to providing the very best hospitality experience is palpable. Enjoy elegant dishes crafted using real ingredients, from handmade pasta to fresh fish fillets and sweet finishes.

Must try: Parpadelle duck ragu with shaved pecorino followed by hazelnut rocher with brown butter crumble and the Italian wine of the month to match.

4 Bond StreetMonday to Thursday: 12pm – 8.30pm, Friday: 12pm – 9pm, Saturday: 1pm – 9pm, Sunday: 1pm – 8.30pm

11. Omnia Bistro & Bar

Speaking of effortlessly stylish restaurants, Omnia Bistro & Bar is in a league of its own. Specialising in European techniques and flavours, the kitchen is led by award-winning chef Stephen Nairn. Nairn’s culinary approach is one that changes with the seasons, supports Australian growers and is drop-dead delicious. Dine in the green conservatory area, settle in at the marble bar for casual drinks, slide into a plush leather booth or be enthralled by the chefs at work from the kitchen counter.

Must try: Whole roasted duck for two served with confit duck legs, sauce royale, turnips and cabbage. Finish off with the profiteroles and your favourite cocktail.

625 Chapel StreetMonday to Sunday: 5pm – 9pm

12. Oriental Teahouse

What’s a celebration of Melbourne dining without dumplings thrown in the mix? Now, we love a good traditional Chinese restaurant, but you have to commend the rebels who are bold enough to challenge the age old classics. Oriental Teahouse is one such revolutionist, taking well-known Chinese yum cha dishes and flipping them on their head. The standard dim sum flavours are available, but then there’s dumplings stuffed with chilli wagyu beef, flame thrower pulled pork, roast duck and even white chocolate. Fun sharing plates take up a huge chunk of the menu, as do plant-based dishes. Like the food, the space is also contemporary and slick with industrial lighting and stark concrete walls splashed with vibrant artwork and neon lights.

Must try: Go all in and opt for the feasting menu (available for groups of 2, 4, 6, & 8 or more). While you wait for your food to come, order a cocktea – that’s a cocktail served in a teapot.

455 Chapel StreetMonday to Friday: 12pm – 8.30pm, Saturday & Sunday: 12pm – 9pm