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The chairs at Grossi Florentino Upstairs are being retired after active service since the 1930s.

Collection

Hush hour: 20 of Melbourne’s best restaurants for quiet conversation (and great food)

Because sometimes you just want to be able to hear each other speak over a fabulous meal and a great glass of wine, or three.

20 stories
Tempura enoki mushroom with almond tarator and chilli oil.
Good Food hat15/20

Etta is a neighbourhood gem that’s more relaxed than raucous

  • Besha Rodell
Veal and mortadella tortellini in brodo.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Grossi Florentino is a grand place for special occasion dinners or quiet lunches

  • Besha Rodell
Signature black garlic macarons filled with salmon roe are available in the restaurant and its adjacent bar.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Intimate westside gem Navi combines the semi-industrial with the elegantly soothing

  • Besha Rodell
Koichi Minamishima behind the omakase counter at Minamishima in Richmond.
Good Food hatGood Food hatGood Food hat18/20

Minamishima is quiet Japanese perfection in the back streets of Richmond

  • Besha Rodell
Poulet au cidre with apple, onion and calvados.

Special-occasion decadence and finely tuned French cooking at Chancery Lane

  • Michael Harry
The roasted duck breast at Il Bacaro.

Il Bacaro is classy, intimate and quiet Italian restaurant with white tablecloths

  • Dani Valent
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Salt and vinegar zucchini fritto.
14.5/20

Low-lit space with a museum-like quality serving excellent Asian-Italian food

  • Gemima Cody
The opening flurry of snacks starring Turkish breads, hummus, and arak cucumbers.

Intimate lighting, seating and ambience at Middle-Eastern Maha

  • Gemima Cody
Tipo 00's new sibling Osteria Ilaria only serves one pasta dish.
14.5/20

Buzzy, low-lit, but there’s no need to shout at Osteria Ilaria

  • Gemima Cody
Punch Lane, restaurant, Melbourne.
14.5/20

A civilised environment for a leisurely meal at Punch Lane

Honey cake with amaretto.
14/20

Thoughtful and super stylish food and design at Untitled

  • Michael Harden
The brioche dessert with a puck of frozen marshmallow that hides kumquat marmalade and Davidson plum.
Good Food hatGood Food hat17/20

Amaru is a study in unhurried luxury and considered hospitality

  • Dani Valent
The European
Good Food hat15/20

The European is quiet enough for conversation with a Paris back street vibe

Tomato and olives at Ides.
Good Food hat15/20

Dark and moody room with exceptional food at Ides

  • Gemima Cody
Twice-cooked chicken wings

Modern Armenian in an upmarket dining room at Sezar

  • Dani Valent
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Epocha
Good Food hat15/20

Elegant and intimate dining at Epocha in Carlton

Cecconi's Flinders Lane
Good Food hat15/20

Warm, polished service and quiet elegance at Cecconi’s

Souffle with roquefort sauce at Bistro Guillaume.

Bistro Guillaume ticks the classic French boxes without doodling all over the page

  • Dani Valent
The daily roast changes from burnished chicken (pictured) to lamb shoulder that caves at a nudge.
Good Food hat15/20

Charming, low-lit tiny corner wine bar Napier Quarter is perfect for a cosy rendezous

  • Gemima Cody
Prince Dining Room in St Kilda.
Good Food hat15.5/20

Occasion-worthy dining at St Kilda’s charming Prince Dining Room

  • Besha Rodell