Four years in the making, Arbory gets credit not only for being the longest bar along the river (extending down the Yarra River for 150 meters), but for also making use of the abandoned Sandridge Railway line, which once carried Australia's first steam trains in the 1800s. Taking a hint from NYC's High Line, Arbory provides all-day dining from executive chef Nick Bennett under a canopy of green trees and urban renewal at its best. [Photo]

Dream maker and cocktail shaker Matthew Bax, known around the world for his ground-breaking bar Der Raum, has thrilled drinks once again with the conceptual Bar Exuberante. Take a hidden door from Bar Economico and get lost in a world of quirky decadence. The story goes that Exuberante is a bar within a five-star hotel that still thinks it's the best bar in town. Word is, it is the best bar in town. [Photo]

This spot offers Southern-fried spicy chicken with a sliding scale of heat, starting at "Southern" and finishing at "Really F**kin Hot." (Check.) There are kick-ass sides including Old Bay fries and almost Arnold's beans. (Check.) There's a banging natural wine list. (Check.) And before opening, owner Morgan McGlone manned the stoves at Sean Brock's Nashville outpost of Husk. Brilliant. What are you waiting for? [Photo]

With only 45 seats available one Monday of every month, IDES is a highly sought-after ticket, held in the bones of East Melbourne's Persillade. The project of Peter Gunn, sous chef at Attica and current Pacific finalist for the global S.Pellegrino Young Chef of 2015 award, IDES has been gaining momentum for its clever cooking, creative ideas, and no-holds-barred attitude. Watch this space. [Photo]

With a million-dollar refurb just completed, Maha chef-owner Shane Delia has re-ignited the city's love of Middle Eastern food. It's the delicate and thoughtful touches of turquoise and gold that make this underground hotspot an Aladdin's lair. The menu has stepped up, too, with treasures like honey-and-saffron-braised pork belly and salmon kibbeh nayyeh. It's impossible to leave this place feeling hungry. [Photo]

Minamishima opened quietly on the back streets of Richmond with none of the usual PR flair new restaurants rely on. Instead, sushi-master Koichi Minamishima (Kenzan) has spent the time perfecting his 15-course omakase menu, and word has quickly spread of the intimate and authentic experience where raw fish is the hero. Best seat in the house is at the bar.

The petite and welcoming Rosa Mitchell packs a punch with her ethically sourced Sicilian fare at Rosa's Kitchen. Mitchell's just-opened second restaurant, Rosa's Canteen, changes tune and gives a nod to all the Italian regions. The lunch crowd is all over the classics, while the afternoon sees a grill menu on offer until the sun sets. It's a virgin restaurant space; ceiling-to-floor windows flood the room with light, giving it a generous and ambient feel. [Photo]

From the guy who gave us both Cumulus and Cutler & Co. (chef-restaurateur Andrew McConnell), Supernormal has already collected an impressive assortment of awards from the fooderati. This is your go-to place when wanting to make an impression on your guests: There's the signature lobster roll, as well as a jaw-dropping list of hits highlighting delicate Japanese flavors. Bonus points for the candy vending machines and a karaoke bar downstairs. [Photo]

Just when you thought pasta couldn't get any better in Melbourne, up pops Tipo 00, named for the super-fine flour used in pasta. With ex-Vue de Monde chef Andreas Papadakis running the show, you know there's good technique and execution involved. Tipo offers a light and bright room that boasts a pumping open kitchen from which you can expect to see the occasional risotto or secondi, too. [Photo]