The Aussie culinary scene is known for being fresh, innovative, and vibrant. These values extend beyond the plates they serve you and have bled into their interiors.
A restaurant’s interior plays a huge role in setting the ambiance, and the aesthetics of the place can play a huge part in your experience, which is why delectable meals now come with gorgeous interiors.
Enjoy your food in a place that’s as captivating as the food itself. Let’s explore what Australia has to offer in terms of food and design. Here are some of my favourite restaurant interiors.
Rein & La Rue is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Melbourne, housed in a neo-gothic former bank that feels like a cathedral. The spectacular setting is matched by the elegant yet inventive menu (leans French) and attentive service.
Farmer’s Daughters is a sight to see with its use of reclaimed wood and its organic colour palette of greens, browns, and greys inspired by gum trees. Suffice to say that the interiors look like you’re just having lunch at an upscale farmhouse. Making it the perfect backdrop for the seasonal produce and stories originating from Gippsland.
The rooftop, on the other hand, was designed to look like a greenhouse with vertical gardens on bronze steelworks surrounding the area.
Farmer’s Daughters definitely looks like the place to be when you need to feel somewhat connected to nature even when you’re in the city.
Spanning four levels of a heritage-listed building on Bourke Street, Maison Bâtard is a masterclass in French-inspired maximalism.
The ground floor greets you with a sprawling, sun-drenched brasserie featuring a custom-built oyster bar and a layout that feels plucked straight from the 8th arrondissement.
For those seeking a moodier atmosphere, the basement reveals a velvet-laden supper club, while the rooftop terrace offers a more casual, airy escape. It is a space that expertly balances grand architectural bones with intimate, contemporary finishes.
Bringing the warmth of the Iberian Peninsula to the heart of the CBD, Marmelo is all about "sepia-toned" comfort.
The interior design leans heavily into rich, earthy tones—think terracotta bricks, dark timber, and tactile fabrics that mimic the sun-baked landscapes of Portugal.
The centerpiece of the room is the wood-fired oven, which provides a flickering, ambient light that makes the entire space feel glowy and lived-in. It’s a sophisticated yet incredibly grounded setting that manages to make a city basement feel like a warm, coastal retreat.
If you want to experience "Old World" glamour through a modern lens, Gimlet is the ultimate destination.
Located in a 1920s landmark building, the dining room is a sea of curved leather booths, soaring ceilings, and honey-colored light. The design team has preserved the heritage mid-century features while adding polished checkered floors and an expansive marble bar that serves as the room’s focal point. It feels like a high-end European brasserie from a bygone era, providing a polished and theatrical backdrop for one of Melbourne's most iconic dining experiences.
