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Snacks at Dutch Rules include terrine, charcuterie, oysters and parmigiano reggiano.

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

New neighbourhood wine bars slake locals’ thirsts in the suburbs; our top picks at the city’s Italian market and food hall; revamped pubs in Fitzroy and further afield, a rooftop cafe (and a cafe with a rooftop to come) and much more … here’s where to eat and drink this month.

24 stories
Nikos Chatzopoulos of La Carne E I Salumi at Il Mercato Centrale.

Seven don’t-miss dishes at the city’s huge new Italian food hub, Il Mercato Centrale

  • Dani Valent
Thie chicken pot pie that Victor Liong is ‘obsessed about’.

A two-hatted chef is behind CBD lunch spot Silk Spoon, with all dishes under $18

  • Quincy Malesovas
Chicken short wing, a perfect meaty lollipop, is served with chilli kosho.

Five must-try dishes at Tombo Den, Windsor’s hot new Tokyo-inspired diner

  • Tomas Telegramma
Snacks at Dutch Rules include terrine, charcuterie, oysters and parmigiano reggiano.

These three suburbs have been thirsty for local bar. At last, they each have one

  • Tomas Telegramma
Arnold’s eclectic interior features a cork-tiled bar and a disco ball.

In Arnold’s, this inner-city village finally gets the laid-back wine bar it was missing

  • Daniela Frangos
Dishes at Casa Mariotti are all priced under $30.

The price is right at Richmond’s Roman wine bar Casa Mariotti

  • Tomas Telegramma
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Sunlight streams through windows at Reed House.
Good Food hat15/20

‘Of all the recent restaurant openings, Reed House feels the most exciting’

  • Besha Rodell
Vadouvan eggs: Poached eggs drizzled with spiced ghee and garnished with zaatar over herbed carrot puree and lemon labne.

Rooftop cafe Rombe adds fine dining touches to brunches

  • Dani Valent
Bar Spontana’s fitout features brick walls, exposed roof trusses and colourful artwork.
14/20

Secret backstreet spot Bar Spontana might be the Thai diner of your dreams

  • Besha Rodell
Five Guys burgers come with a choice of 15 toppings for a set price..

US burger giant Five Guys to open a second Melbourne store – with more to come

  • Tomas Telegramma
All things Italian reign at daytime diner Caffe Amatrice.

Team behind Williamstown’s Sebastian opens Italian cafe Caffe Amatrice in Cremorne

  • Tomas Telegramma
Pita, cooked in Tzaki’s wood oven, is served with feta butter.

Come early for coffee, stay late for feta-butter pitas at Yarraville’s Tzaki

  • Tomas Telegramma
The addition of crisps makes the white anchovy sandwich a fun play on fish’n’chips.

The $2 add-on that makes The Continental’s sandwich worth crossing town for

  • Tomas Telegramma
Melbourne-meets-Milan at Sincero in Malvern.
14.5/20

Let’s give sophisticated Italian restaurant Sincero a quiet clap for its acoustics

  • Dani Valent
The Punters Club drinks list is pub-appropriate but with better wine.
13.5/20

The return of legendary Fitzroy pub the Punter’s Club is a triumph

  • Besha Rodell
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The sushi train, imported from Taiwan, fits the narrow Bourke Street site.
13.5/20

Bossa Nova is weird and fun, but a few things almost send the sushi train off track

  • Besha Rodell
Stuffed homemade tofu with pork mince.
14.5/20

Eating Hakka Cuisine’s extra-special tofu dish is like being softly covered by a blanket

  • Dani Valent
Snacks at Dutch Rules include terrine, charcuterie, oysters and parmigiano reggiano.

These three suburbs have been thirsty for local bar. At last, they each have one

  • Tomas Telegramma
A cinnamon-and-cardamom bun with pearl sugar.

Stop by sunny cafe Lilijana for its Scandi-style afternoon coffee happy hour

  • Dani Valent
Panko prawn with rouille and citrus paste at Malin.

Find fish burgers and an epic beer garden at Geelong’s revived Batesford Hotel

  • Tomas Telegramma and Gail Thomas
Potato churros with fermented capsicum puree.
Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Torquay’s newly two-hatted Samesyn delivers zero-waste and maximum enjoyment

  • Dani Valent
The winery development housing Re’em (pictured) also includes a cellar door, barrel room and accommodation.
Good Food hat15/20

Yarra Valley’s deluxe new winery restaurant Re’em is shaking things up

  • Dani Valent
Point Leo General Store has been given a crisp interior while retaining its original bones.

Point Leo’s general store gets a glow-up (with baked goods from local favourite Millers)

  • Simon Cassar
The Daylesford Hotel has reopened with a new team, menu and accommodation to come.

Top local hospo talent take over the grand old Daylesford Hotel

  • Tomas Telegramma