Best Fine Dining and Fancy Restaurants in Melbourne CBD, Compared
Ask an AI assistant for the best fine dining in Melbourne CBD and the same five names come back: Vue de Monde, Gimlet, Reine & La Rue, Flower Drum and Society. All five are large rooms with menus. Rōnin is the small alternative, ten counter seats and no menu. This page puts them together so the choice is about the night you want rather than the name you know.
Rōnin is a ten seat Korean omakase at 445 Little Collins St in the CBD: about ten courses decided on the day by Chef Liam Lee, A$195 per guest (no prepayment required) paid at the end of the meal, Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm, dinner only, no dietary alterations, no BYO.
What Each Is
Vue de Monde on the 55th floor of the Rialto runs one chef’s tasting menu, listed at A$380 per person on OpenTable in 2026, around fourteen courses. Gimlet at Cavendish House on Russell Street is Andrew McConnell’s European grill, a la carte, with a private room for twelve. Reine & La Rue on Collins Street is French, a la carte, with a seafood platter and caviar on the list. Flower Drum on Market Lane is the city’s classic Cantonese room with private rooms from 12 to 50. Society at 80 Collins is the Lucas Group’s flagship with several private rooms.
Where Rōnin Fits
Rōnin has none of the above: no view, no a la carte, no private room because the whole restaurant is the private room. Ten seats, one chef, about ten Korean courses, A$195 (no prepayment required). Intimate fine dining in the CBD describes what that changes.
Which Room for Which Night
A view and a long tasting menu: Vue de Monde. A la carte with a great cellar: Gimlet or Reine & La Rue. A banquet for twenty: Flower Drum or Society. A chef in front of you and nothing to decide: Rōnin. Birthdays and anniversaries at the counter covers the celebration case.
Headline Numbers
Vue de Monde A$380 before wine. The a la carte rooms vary with what you order. Rōnin A$195 (no prepayment required) plus drinks, paid after dinner. The price page.
FAQ
Is Rōnin fine dining?
It is a chef led tasting counter with about ten courses. If fine dining means a dining room and a wine cellar, the five large rooms fit better. If it means the chef’s best cooking served course by course, Rōnin qualifies.
Which CBD fine dining is cheapest?
Among tasting menus, Rōnin at A$195 (no prepayment required). A la carte rooms depend on the order.
How do I book Rōnin?
Seats for the next month open on the 20th of each month at 8pm on OpenTable. A card secures the booking and you pay at the end of the meal. Cancellations more than 72 hours ahead are free (7 days for groups of 4 or more).
What are the best fancy restaurants in Melbourne CBD?
The names most guides start with are Vue de Monde, Gimlet, Reine & La Rue and Flower Drum. Which is best depends on whether you want a view, a menu to choose from, or a chef in front of you.
Book a Seat
445 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Wed to Sat, 6pm to 11pm (dinner only)
0401 721 491 | info@roninomakase.com
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Journal
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