Roundup · Melbourne
12 new places in Melbourne worth the trip this spring
From a Springvale cheesesteak to souffle pancakes in Box Hill. Everything we'd actually cross town for, grouped by where you'll be.
Photos @wendeatz
Spring means new openings, and Melbourne has had a lot of them. We went through every new place we've spotted since July and kept only the ones worth a dedicated trip. They're grouped by area, so you can make a day of it.
In the east
Box Hill keeps getting better. Three new spots, all different, all within a few minutes of each other.
Panda Hotpot
Fresh ingredients, deep broth, and a room that feels like a night out.
Book it for a group. This is hotpot as an occasion.
Dwelling
A little taste of Malaysia, the comforting kind. The beef rendang is $17.
Order the beef rendang ($17) and a cham.
Oski Souffle
Jiggly souffle pancakes, and you can watch them being made.
Go after dinner and watch them being made.
Too Tired
The coffee is the reason to go. Earl grey tea syrup in a latte, somehow it works.
The earl grey tea syrup coffee is the one.
Okaeri Dining
Okaeri means welcome home, and the food lives up to it. Thick-cut sashimi and a wagyu hamburg.
The nabe for one is plenty for one very hungry person.
In the city
Saigon Square
Come hungry and order for the table. Bò lá lốt, bún bò and a very good cơm tấm.
Bring people. Order the bò lá lốt first.
Inner north and south
Prosa
Pão de queijo with a mochi-like chew, and crackling pork belly you'll hear across the room.
Get the torresmo. You'll hear it before you taste it.
48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar
Soft pizza bases, gnocchi you can taste the potato in, and a tiramisu people rave about.
Save room for the tiramisu.
Worth the train ride
SEAR by Tung Thit
A philly cheesesteak with a sauce that tastes like bò kho, and a cà phê sữa đá that comes in a bucket.
The cheesesteak, and the coffee in a bucket.
Kickin' Inn
Frankston's newest seafood boil. The garlic butter sauce is the real star.
Wear something you don't mind getting garlic butter on.
If it isn't worth crossing town for, it doesn't make the list.
We add new places every week. Get them first in the Sunday letter.