Alone doesn’t mean lonely. When it comes to dining solo in Melbourne CBD, finding the perfect spot can be a delightful adventure. Let Pikmo guide you to the hidden gems tailor-made for solo foodies, where you can savor your meals in solitude and style.
1. We live for Hotpot
Experience Australia’s first me-time Japanese hotpot at WeLive for Hotpot. Indulge in wagyu beef, sashimi, and more during Happy Hour. Don’t miss the Unlimited Sake for an hour per person, available every day.
📷@WELIVE
Located in Melbourne CBD, this restaurant specializes in sukiyaki served in a Japanese hot pot. With flexible seating options and specially designed timber framing for a friendly and inviting atmosphere, WeLive for Hotpot is perfect for solo diners. Enjoy your own little booth with timber separators and single-serve hotpots. Dishes are delivered discreetly, making it an introvert’s dream dining experience above Chinatown. Book your personalized feast today.
🚩Address: 1/217 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
⏰ Hours: Sunday:Closed,Friday-Saturday:12–1:30 pm, 5–10 pmMonday-Thursday:12–1:30 pm, 5–10 pm
☎️ Phone: 0431 498 890
💁 Reservations: obee.com.au
2. Butcher’s Diner
Butchers Diner, a late-night meat haven, offers a unique dining experience. With an American diner vibe featuring red and grey tile floors, a vibrant orange bench, and rows of premium beef on display, it’s a carnivore’s dream.
📷@Jake Roden
Con Christopoulos initially used the space as a boning room for his in-house butcher, Simon Poole, overseeing meat for his other restaurants like French Saloon, Neapoli, and The European. The menu boasts milk-bun burgers, Coney Island chili dogs, creole salmon cutlets, Greek pork skewers, and yakitori-style options like ox tongue, gizzards, livers, and duck hearts. Upstairs, a rustic second-level dining room offers a regal touch with a high, timber ceiling and an antique floral stained-glass doorway leading to a small rooftop courtyard. For breakfast, indulge in an egg burger or a New York-style filter coffee with a cinnamon and caramel scroll. Or keep it simple with a $2.20 dim sum.
🚩Address: 10 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
⏰ Hours: Tues – Thur 12pm – 12am, Fri – Sat 12pm – 1am
☎️ Phone: (03) 9639 7324
3. Dohtonbori (CBD)
📷@dohtonbori
Discover the authentic Japanese experience of Okonomiyaki at Dohtonbori. With over two decades of grilling expertise, they bring the taste of home-cooked meals to your table. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a journey back to childhood memories and the hopes and dreams of parents. Dohtonbori in Melbourne offers delicious and nutrient-rich Okonomiyaki for a balanced diet. As the first DIY teppanyaki Okonomiyaki in Australia, they aim for lifelong health and happiness. Visit their three venues in Docklands, Doncaster, and Bourke St in Melbourne CBD to savor this unique Japanese delight.
📷@dohtonbori
Dohtonbori offers a range of signature dishes, including Okonomiyaki, a traditional Japanese pancake made with cabbage and various meats or seafood. Another highlight is Teppanyaki, where diners are seated around a teppan grill at the center of the table. Guests have the option to grill their food themselves with the DIY option or enjoy expertly cooked dishes prepared by a skilled chef.
🚩Address: 147 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
⏰ Hours: Friday-Saturday:2–10:30 pm, Sunday-Thursday:12–10 pm
📖 Menu: dohtonbori.com.au
☎️ Phone: (03) 9650 5225
💁 Reservations: sevenrooms.com
4. Taquito
Taquito, nestled in the heart of Carlton, offers hand-pressed tortillas and a dynamic seasonal menu. Co-owned by Alec Villarreal, a Mexico City native, it boasts classic dishes like BBQ corn and fresh ceviche.
📷@Taquito
The must-try is the taco flight, featuring four delectable options. With outdoor seating and a breezy bar area, Taquito provides a delightful dining experience. The main dining room, adorned with Mexican accents and cacti, offers Oaxacan-inspired dishes. Don’t miss the mole with hand-pressed tortillas for a DIY-style feast. Their drinks menu balances Mexican spirits and Australian wines, with tantalizing cocktails and homemade non-alcoholic options like tepache and horchata.
🚩 Address: 350 Drummond St, Carlton VIC 3053
⏰ Hours: open Monday to Saturday lunch and dinner open from 12pm
📖 Menu: taquito.bar
☎️ Phone: 0450 651 247
5.The Hardware Club
📷@Jake Roden
Located on the first floor of the historic Hardware House, The Hardware Club has a rich history as a former social club for hardware trade workers from the mid-1890s. Renowned chef and co-owner Nicola Dusi, formerly of Baby Pizza and D.O.C., presents a menu that combines inventive twists on classics with personal favorites like tinned anchovies with house-baked bread, inspired by Dusi’s hometown of Valpolicella, Italy.
📷@Jake Roden
The woodfired oven produces exceptional pizzas, and pasta lovers will delight in offerings like rigatoni bolognaise and deep-fried cacio e pepe toastie. The beverage menu spotlights Italian wines and supports local winemaking families. With a focus on herb-infused cocktails and inventive Italian cuisine, The Hardware Club is a hidden gem overlooking Hardware Lane.
🚩Address: 43 Hardware Lane Upstairs, Melbourne VIC 3000
⏰ Hours: Monday to Friday 12.00 to 15.00Thursday Friday Saturday 17.30 to 21.30
📖 Menu: the-hardware-club.flywheelsites.com
☎️ Phone: (03) 9670 1110
💁 Reservations: resdiary.com
6. Chacho’s Windsor
Chacho’s Windsor, formerly Resto Bobo, has evolved under Dan Xerri’s ownership. This Windsor spot now shines a spotlight on tequila in a relaxed and inviting setting.
The cocktail menu features a tequila-centric selection with an emphasis on clean, fresh flavors. Highlights include the Silk and Smoke, a complex yet refreshing mix of smoke-infused grapefruit mezcal, lime, and house-made basil agave. The Espresso Mariachi combines Patron XO Cafe with vanilla and mint, and there’s a fantastic blood orange twist on the classic Margarita. They also offer a concise beer list, including local and Mexican brews.
📷@Chacho’s Windsor
Bar manager Ben Street has curated a tequila flight, showcasing the best of the spirit’s three classic expressions. The Don Julio 1942 añejo (aged) tequila stands out for its oak-aged, almost-buttery flavor. The venue offers a diverse pizza menu blending Mexican and Italian influences, along with salads and snacks available until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.Chacho’s Windsor exudes a welcoming local hangout vibe, with a long, narrow room adorned in muted-green banquettes and trailing plants. However, the true star is their impressive tequila-focused beverage offerings, making it a must-visit for tequila enthusiasts.
🚩Address: 110 Chapel St, Windsor VIC 3181
⏰ Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 5pm till late
📖 Menu: mryum.com
☎️ Phone: (03) 9042 8168
💁 Reservations: chachoswindsor.com.au
7. Thy Thy Counter & Canteen
When Trang Le and Van Ho sold their Vietnamese restaurant, Thy Thy, in 1989, little did they know that their children would one day return to the same location to create a new family dining experience. Now, over three decades later, Thy Thy Counter and Canteen welcomes guests to savor delicious meals while witnessing a heartwarming full-circle moment for this family.
📷@Thy Thy Counter & Canteen
At Thy Thy Counter and Canteen, the family’s recent culinary explorations in North Vietnam have breathed new life into their predominantly South Vietnamese menu. Led by daughters Thuy and Thy, with Le as the head chef and Ho assisting in operations, family is at the heart of this business. Begin your meal with dumplings, rice paper rolls, or vermicelli cakes before savoring stir-fries, noodle dishes, or Vietnamese classics like curry and beef pho. Complement your dining experience with Vietnamese beer, coffee, wine, spirits, or non-alcoholic beverages. Be sure to leave room for dessert, with options including banh flan (Vietnamese creme caramel) and coconut taro pudding.
🚩 Address: 60-66 Victoria St, Richmond VIC 3121
⏰ Hours: Open 11am ’till lateEveryday (except Monday and Tuesday)
☎️ Phone: (03) 9421 1331
8. Gomi Boys Ramen
Gomi Ramen Shop takes pride in its commitment to sustainability and distinct flavor profiles. Their organic Australian whole wheat noodles set the stage for a unique dining experience, with a focus on fish and oceanic flavors. They also offer a variety of vegan and dietary options to cater to diverse tastes.
The name ‘Gomi,’ which means ‘garbage’ in Japanese, represents the five taste elements and underscores their approach to culinary innovation. With sustainability, waste reduction, and a preference for local ingredients as their core values, Gomi Ramen Shop embraces Japanese principles while infusing Australian culture into their menu.
📷@gomiboysramen.com
🚩 Address: 692 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
⏰ Hours: Monday – Friday: 6pm – 10pm,Saturday: 12pm – 10pm,Sunday: 12pm – 9pm
📖 Menu: gomiboysramen.com
☎️ Phone: (03) 9191 0008
💁 Reservations: resos.com
9. Movida next door
MoVida Next Door carries on the tradition of Melbourne’s obsession with tapas and tucked-away laneway venues, following in the footsteps of its iconic predecessor, MoVida Original. Located in the lively Hosier Lane, it pays homage to Spanish food culture, using the finest seasonal Australian ingredients.
📷@Visit Victoria.
The menu features iconic tapas like Anchovy with Smoked Tomato Sorbet, complemented by daily specials showcasing the freshest produce. Freshly baked sourdough bread, a 15-year tradition, is the perfect accompaniment. Whether you choose the bustling dining room or a seat at the bar, MoVida Next Door promises exceptional food, a stellar drink selection, and an unforgettable sense of theater and enjoyment.
🚩 Address: 164 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
⏰ Hours: WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY DINNER: 5 PM – 9:15 PM, FRIDAY & SATURDAY:12 PM – 10 PM, SUNDAY:12 PM – 9:30 PM
☎️ Phone: (03) 9663 3038
10. Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, introduced by Yamagoya Ramen with a legacy since 1970, brings Japanese ramen culture to the world. Specializing in CHIKUHO noodles, Tonkotsu soup, Gyoza, and Chashu roast pork, it offers an authentic Japanese dining experience.
📷@Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
With homemade noodles, tonkotsu broth, and gyoza skins, Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen blends tradition with innovation. Enjoy Japanese drinks like sake and craft beer. Dine-in or order takeaway/delivery for quality ramen at speed.
🚩 Address: 27 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
⏰ Hours: MON: CLOSED；TUE – SUN: 12 – 3PM , 5 – 9PM
📖 Menu: ikkoryu.com.au
☎️ Phone: (03) 9650 3708
