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Carlton North

Bar Carnation has taken over the former Gerald's Bar space.
14/20

Opened in the shadow of its predecessor Gerald’s, Bar Carnation is startlingly bright

Gerald’s Bar’s successor continues the successful formula of good drinks plus good people plus good food equals the best times.

  • Besha Rodell
Inside Gerald’s Bar 2.0, in the former Enoteca Sileno site.
14.5/20

Gerald’s Bar

One of Melbourne’s defining wine bars dials up the deliciousness in big new digs.

  • Besha Rodell
Inside Bar Carnation in the former Gerald’s Bar site on Rathdowne Street.

Bar Carnation

The more casual sibling to Carnation Canteen, in the former Gerald’s Bar site.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Bar Carnation’s Audrey Shaw has added a slanted ceiling mirrors “for people watching” but the bar remains.

Carnation Canteen’s new bar – in the original Gerald’s site – is already a neighbourhood hotspot

Audrey Shaw knew the Rathdowne Street site came with big shoes to fill. She’s honoured its iconic history with a respectful, yet (mostly) fresh perspective.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Inside Gerald’s Bar 2.0, in the former Enoteca Sileno site.
14.5/20

Beloved Gerald’s Bar has been transplanted to another iconic site. Has its soul survived?

The artwork and ephemera are familiar, the owners are the same, the free crusty bread is still on offer. But this new iteration is a dramatic contrast to the original.

  • Besha Rodell
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Duck with celeriac, quince and coq au vin sauce.
Good Food hat15/20

Malin

A beacon of bistronomy.

Enter Via Laundry serves an ever-changing selection of regional Indian dishes.
14/20

Enter Via Laundry

Celebrating the regional nuances of Indian cooking.

Edita’s fish burger has a cult following.

The viral fish burger might catch your eye, but it’s not our critic’s go-to order at Edita’s

The new-school fish-and-chip shop combines Pacific Islander family traditions with Melbourne’s love for fried and battered meat, seafood and potatoes.

  • Besha Rodell
Lemon meringue croissant wheel at Calle Bakery.

Calle Bakery

Joine the queue for viral custard croissant wheels and Parisian hot chocolate.

Look at that cheese ooze.

This A+ spiced-up Chinese bolognese toastie has a satisfying cheese pull

There’s also tongue-tingling Sichuan pepper and a “game-changing” ingredient that delivers a deeply golden shell.

  • Tomas Telegramma