The IFA 2026 Congress team has curated a selection of recommended dining venues conveniently located near Congress activities. Explore the list below and discover some of Melbourne’s culinary highlights. Please note that these recommendations are provided for your convenience and do not form part of the official Congress programme.
For dedicated culinary enthusiasts looking to explore even further, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival offers one of the most comprehensive and insightful guides to the city's dining scene. Discover more at Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Dining Guide.
For delegates attending Museum Night, there are numerous dining options along Lygon Street between Queensberry Street and Elgin Street, including several of the restaurants listed below.
Carlton Wine Room
Carlton Wine Room occupies a treasured corner in old Carlton. Distinct dining spaces over three levels are linked by a common offering: solid informed service and good times. Come in for honest, generous dishes, perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself.
Opening hours: Monday 12:00-23:00
Bookings: Recommended
Leonardo's Pizza Palace
It's the kind of place you could accidentally spend hours in. Apart from pizza and house-made pasta, the kitchen also serves approachable Italian-inspired dishes.
Opening hours: Monday 17:00-22:00
Bookings: Recommended
Embla
Embla offers an uncomplicated approach to food and wine, featuring seasonal dishes, grilled proteins, and an exceptional selection of local and international wines.
Opening hours: Monday from 15:00
Bookings: Recommended
Lee Ho Fook
Lee Ho Fook reinterprets the multi-regional vibrant cuisine styles of China with a focus on refined flavours and premium Australian ingredients. Showcasing exclusively Australian wines, champagne, and emerging Chinese wines.
Opening hours: Monday from 17:30
Bookings: Recommended
DOC Osteria
Traditional Italian dining.
Opening hours: Monday from 12:00
Bookings: Recommended, but walk-ins welcome
Miss Pearl
Miss Pearl Bar and Dining brings vibrant Asian flavours to the Melbourne Arts Precinct in a lively contemporary setting. Noodles, seafood and house specialties pair perfectly with a selection of crafted cocktails and lively music, making Miss Pearl a fun and vibrant destination on any occasion.
Opening hours: Tuesday from 15:00
Bookings: Recommended
Blondie Bar
Blondie Bar offers an exciting menu inspired by Asian cuisine, interesting mix of Australian and European wines, carefully selected craft beer, and cocktails.
Opening hours: Tuesday from 20:30
Bookings: Recommended
The Meat & Wine Co
The Meat & Wine Co is a steak restaurant where the dining is Afro-centric, the steaks come from hand-selected farms around Australia, and the wines are as much a highlight on the menu as the meals.
Opening hours: Tuesday from 12:00
Bookings: Recommended
Asado
Asado is a contemporary Argentinian steakhouse renowned for its wood-fired cooking and premium cuts of meat.
Opening hours: Tuesday 12:00-22:00
Bookings: Recommended
Supernormal
Supernormal offers a wide range of Asian-inspired dishes, wines, sake, whisky and cocktails. The menu offers beautifully executed takes on classic Asian food, including dishes from Japan, Korea and China.
Opening hours: Tuesday lunch and dinner
Bookings: Recommended but walk-ins welcome
Located in the CBD, slightly further from the Melbourne Recital Centre but still within walking distance.
Nomad
The Nomad kitchen is centred around local produce and the open grill while the menu is inspired by travels through Spain, Morocco and the Middle East.
Opening hours: Tuesday from 17:00
Bookings: Recommended
Located in the CBD, slightly further from the Melbourne Recital Centre but still within walking distance.
MoVida
Melbourne's iconic Spanish restaurant serving authentic tapas and Spanish wines.
Opening hours: Tuesday 17:00-22:00
Bookings: Recommended
Located in the CBD, slightly further from the Melbourne Recital Centre but still within walking distance.
Trattoria Emilia
An intimate Italian restaurant serving authentic dishes from the Emilia-Romagna region, with handmade pasta and seasonal produce at the heart of the menu.
Opening hours: Tuesday 17:00-22:00
Bookings: Recommended
Longrain
A Melbourne favourite serving modern Thai cuisine designed for sharing, complemented by an excellent cocktail programme.
Opening hours: Tuesday from 17:30
Bookings: Recommended
Lollo
Classic Italian flavours meet contemporary flair in the heart of Melbourne, where sharing-style dishes take centre stage.
Opening hours: Tuesday 18:00-22:00
Bookings: Recommended
Maha
Maha’s menus bring together bold Middle Eastern-inspired flavours, seasonal produce and a generous shared dining style in the heart of Melbourne CBD.
Opening hours: Tuesday from 18:00
Bookings: Strongly recommended
