Mesob restaurant in Northcote. Dishes:Omnivore combination platter,dips. 25 July 2018. The Age Good Food. Photo:Eddie Jim.
Critics'Pick

Mesob

Lively room for communal eating.

Vex’s light,bright dining room.
Good Food hat15/20

Vex

High Street haunt doing the most with minimal meat.

The signature honey cake at Gray&Gray.
Good Food hat15/20

Gray&Gray

Sugar,spice and lo-fi wines.

Ophelia in Westgarth.

One of Melbourne’s favourite cafe groups shakes things up with daytime diner Ophelia

Unlike siblings Terror Twilight and Convoy,the menu at this cinema-adjacent cafe-wine bar in Westgarth will likely be different every time you visit.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Northcote Social Club.

Northcote Social Club

A live music institution has no business serving food this good.

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Goodwater bar in Northcote.

Goodwater

Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of American whiskey at this Northcote hangout.

Scallops with cauliflower,pancetta,and a champagne vinaigrette.
13.5/20

Wine bar Ruckers Hill shows classic dishes aren’t over-the-hill when done well

There is a distinctly 1990s-early-2000s vibe to this menu,but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

  • Besha Rodell
Kibbeh sagiah (spiced lamb kibbeh) with tabbouleh.

Shamiat expands into a Syrian food empire in Northcote

Tip:visit with a crowd to tackle the great-value Middle Eastern menu or be prepared to ferry home leftovers,writes Dani Valent.

  • Dani Valent
Pickles,'fats'and rye bread to start.
Good Food hat15/20

Gray and Gray Bread and Wine is a secret world to savour

Meet the Georgian-Russian wine bar you never knew was missing from your life,Melbourne.

  • Gemima Cody
Le Lee's must-order sarma (cabbage rolls).

Just like Grandma's back in Macedonia

Family-run Balkan bistro Le Lee dishes up home-style classics from the motherland.

  • Nina Rousseau