Best Lunch Restaurants in Kensington

362 restaurants available nearby

1. Hochi Mama CBD

4.6

Exceptional(3222)

Price: Moderate

• Asian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 114 times today

Hochi Mama was the God Mother of all aspiring street artists and rappers in the early nineties. An immigrant in the big city, she hosted underground art shows along with rap battles for the rejects; a place where you could just be at home, but with family. The whole crew was always welcome, the more the merrier, and she was well renowned for creating innovative dishes using the original famous dishes from her home country, and plenty of booze, in her spacious and homey warehouse.This cheeky, vibrant and buzzing Vietnamese Fusion venue is one for your to-do list. Boasting a killer menu and a super cool vibe, this place is known for a cocktail, feast or an intimate date night.

2. Vue de monde

4.9

Exceptional(1874)

Price: Very Expensive

• Modern Australian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 18 times today

Vue de monde is a testament to the belief that dining can be a wondrous and unforgettable experience. The ever-changing chef’s menu pays homage to classical fine dining in a modern context by exploring the beauty of native Australian ingredients. While in the past the menu looked to Europe for inspiration, Executive Chef Hugh Allen continues to celebrate the unparalleled quality of home-grown produce with thoughtfully considered dishes committed to seasonality and locality. Vue de monde has been synonymous with Melbourne dining for almost 20 years, continuing to present an exciting and dynamic experience with a progression of flavours and sense of curiosity. The whimsical spirit at the heart of the Vue de monde menu has not been lost throughout the years, with the lighter-handed and more natural approach to cooking being no less infused with theatre.

3. Luci

4.4

Awesome(210)

Price: Expensive

• Australian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 11 times today

Luci is a contemporary Australian restaurant set in the grand hall of Melbourne’s historic Equity Chambers building.Its art deco styled dining room – designed by Bates Smart – provides a sophisticated backdrop to a contemporary Australian menu with Italian accents.Celebrating Melbourne’s history of Italian immigrants and its evolution into a cosmopolitan culinary city, Luci is a contemporary Australian restaurant housed within the grand hall of the historic Equity Chambers Building.

4. Cha Ching

4.4

Awesome(441)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 47 times today

Cha Ching is an Asian fusion concept restaurant where customer enjoys variety of Asian dishes on a table with Asian spiced drinks and cocktail for an affordable per dinner and lunch.Synonymous with luck in Chinese culture, Cha Ching is a project three years in the making, from Owner & Head Chef Ken Leung.From working in Hong Kong’s Michelin Star St George Restaurant in 2012 to experience in kitchens across Melbourne’s elite food scene, Ken’s hospitality experience spans over 15 years.The result? Cha Ching’s menu is an homage to Asian cuisine, emboldened by the multiculturalism of Melbourne.Street food with finesse and re-imagined traditional cuisine, every dish pops with vibrancy and colour!

5. The European

4.7

Exceptional(1298)

Price: Expensive

• European • Melbourne CBD

Booked 35 times today

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, The European offers a welcoming ambience with warm, generous and knowledgeable hospitality - a beacon of Melbourne dining at its finest. Located on Spring Street near the Princess Theatre, we offer classic bistro fare with substance and character to perfectly complement our extensive collection of wines, old and new world, available to enjoy with your meal. We also welcome you on a walk-in basis next door at The City Wine Shop any day of the week, where you may simply pop in for a seat at the bar or grab a spot outside overlooking Parliament House. We take the best seasonal produce available, cooking simple, classic foods. Nose-to-tail offal dishes are centred within our menu, utilising every part of the animal products in our kitchen. Drawing on our own in-house butcher and farmhouse cheeses matured by our friends at Spring Street Cheese Cellar, there is always something new to try on the menu at The European and City Wine Shop.

6. French Saloon

4.8

Exceptional(358)

Price: Expensive

• French • Melbourne CBD

Booked 5 times today

Climb the narrow flight of stairs up from the red brick lane to enter the saloon. A table in the bustling dining room? Or a seat at the fluted zinc bar? Whether it’s a lunch, dinner or well crafted cocktails with a snack, bookings are essential.

7. Gilson

4.5

Awesome(720)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • South Yarra

Booked 69 times today

Nestled within the Domain Road enclave in South Yarra with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens sits Gilson.Gilson’s intimate dining room is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week and caters for large groups and private dining events. Gilson offers an all day menu focusing on Italian cuisine and seasonal flavours. A neighbourhood favourite due to its relaxed setting, friendly staff, fabulous drinks list and dishes such as the ‘avocado bruschetta’ for breakfast, the ‘Seafood Linguine' for lunch or dinner, and a 'tiramisu' for dessert. Wood fired pizza is also available for lunch and dinner cooked in the custom built oven.Gilson's brunch service is available for walk-ins with reservations available from midday.

A photo of Bodega Underground restaurant

8. Bodega Underground

4.4

Awesome(1537)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Melbourne CBD

Booked 34 times today

A restaurant smuggled from Mexico to Melbourne. Find Little Bourke Street’s late night mezcal bar and taqueria hidden underground in the China Town precinct, and open 7 days a week until late, including lunch Thursday - Sunday. Try a Tequila or Mezcal cocktail, or speak to our team about sipping some exciting Agave spirits instead. The $59 Feed Me banquet offers great value and a huge mix of traditional Mexican street food, plus some dishes with a twist. We also offer a $75 Bottomless Brunch on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays, with unlimited cocktails and 5 dishes; or a Pre-Theatre deal available every night of the week. We are located on the corner of Little Bourke and Crossley Street, Melbourne, with a moody bar and dining area perfect for both a quiet drink, or a larger celebration.

A photo of Secret Kitchen - Chinatown - Melbourne CBD restaurant

9. Secret Kitchen - Chinatown - Melbourne CBD

4.4

Awesome(841)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 68 times today

Founded in 2007, Secret Kitchen brings to the city of Melbourne chinese dining experience the like of which youwon’t find anywhere else in the state. Combining traditional flavours with innovative techniques, an extensive variety of menu items and an incomparable atmosphere, Secret Kitchen offers its guests an inimitable feasting experience. We are awarded one of the top Yum Cha restaurant on Time Out Melbourne and rated 4 stars out of 5 by The Age Good Food Guide. Secret Kitchen is located strategically opposite Her Majesty's Theatre, also serving pre-theatre menus for your before show meal.

A photo of Johnny's Green Room restaurant

10. Johnny's Green Room

4.2

Awesome(92)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Carlton

Booked 15 times today

Situated on the rooftop of the iconic King & Godfree building in the heart of Lygon Street’s Little Italy, Johnny’s Green Room is a Tuscan-inspired terrace with dazzling city skyline views and an enthusiastic appreciation for la dolce vita.Conceived by award-winning designer Dion Hall, Johnny’s evokes the good times of an Italian summer with a semi-retractable roof enabling those summertime vibes to be enjoyed year-round. We have acclaimed chef Karen Martini on board as our Culinary Director, her relaxed menu of Italian-style sharing dishes beautifully complemented by Melbourne bar maestro Matt Bax’s delicious program of Italian-accented cocktails and wine and a rolling roster of the finest DJs in the land.Named after the classic Carlton nightspot that in the 70s and 80s attracted the bohemian and the notorious like moths to a neon-lit flame, Johnny’s has been reimagined for a whole new generation of Carlton habitués.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Outstanding, from the very start to the very end. The attention to details, food wise and service wise is great. Waiters and chefs work together to make your experience special and we cannot stop talking about it. It had been a long time since we didn't enjoy a night out so much. Thank you to all the team, we feel very grateful!
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Vue de mondePrice: Very Expensive• Modern Australian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.9
S
Sonya
Melbourne •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
I took my team for lunch and we had the larger set menu. It was fantastic! Service was excellent and prompt. Food amazing. Cocktails heavenly. They kindly accommodated one of the group who couldn’t eat chillies as well. I hadn’t been before and would definitely go back again. Excellent value for money too. Highly recommend.
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Hochi Mama CBDPrice: Moderate• Asian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.6
K
Kipling
New South Wales •1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Food was really good and service was excellent. The ambiance and overall experience in a beautiful venue was wonderful.
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LuciPrice: Expensive• Australian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.4
A
AnnetteVIP
Victoria •38 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 22, 2025
We wanted a quick pre-theatre lunch and The European delivered and provided delicious food. My partner enjoyed scallops and oysters whereas I ordered the chicken schnitzel with coleslaw. The chicken breast was moist and delicious and the coleslaw was also delicious. I will try to make it at home - cabbage, fennel, radish, red onion, peas, baby capers, parmesan with a vinaigrette dressing - yum! The recommended Chablis was also lovely.
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The EuropeanPrice: Expensive• European• Melbourne CBD
•
4.7
C
Charlotte
Gold Coast •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jan 21, 2025
Cha-Ching was amazing and I’d definitely go back, the service was amazing and the drinks were just delicious.
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Cha ChingPrice: Expensive• Asian• Melbourne CBD
•
4.4

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Kensington

Best Lunch Restaurants in Kensington

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362 restaurants available nearby

1. Hochi Mama CBD

2. Vue de monde

3. Luci

4. Cha Ching

5. The European

6. French Saloon

7. Gilson

8. Bodega Underground

9. Secret Kitchen - Chinatown - Melbourne CBD

10. Johnny's Green Room

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable