This Melbourne Venue Has Been Named As Australia’s Best New Restaurant

Supplied/Image: Alex Drewniak

The Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards took place earlier this week, celebrating the very best in Australia’s dining and hospitality scene. And to our delight, one Melbourne venue was declared as Australia’s Best New Restaurant. Make plans to visit Maison Bâtard, which opened in Melbourne late last year. This multi-level French venue by Chris Lucas opened in the heritage-listed 23 Bourke Street site after six years of planning. Maison Bâtard was praised by Gourmet Traveller for its glamourous design and its delicious dishes. It’s open daily from 12pm to 11:30pm, so you can experience it for yourself.

Supplied/Image: Alex Drewniak Maison Bâtard – Best New Restaurant for 2025

This award from Gourmet Traveller acknowledges the best new Australian restaurant from the last 12 months.

“Chris Lucas is Melbourne’s restauranteur and Maison Bâtard is his Oscar-worthy masterpiece,” said the Gourmet Traveller team. “To simply call it a French bistro is a disservice. It’s Melbourne’s new haute clubhouse, shimmering with indulgent possibilities.”

Choose your adventure in this four-level space. Grab a bite to eat in the lavish two-level dining room, or descend into the basement for supper, cocktails and live music. Otherwise, head up to the rooftop, or La Terrasse, which features a leafy maple tree in the centre. You’ll find different menus for the dining room, rooftop and basement, offering a variety of French-inspired cuisine and wine. Think house-baked baguettes, steak tartare, their signature poulet rôti aux olives, plenty of fromage and more.

“Maison Bâtard marks the culmination of a long-held dream to bring a touch of international style and sensibility to Melbourne, blending the elegance of French cuisine with the warm and energy of this city,” said Lucas. “This accolade is truly a reflection of the dedication of our talented team, and I’m humbled to see our vision resonate with so many.”

Start planning your visit to Maison Bâtard here.

More Victorian winners at the Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards Source: Supplied

Marmelo, from Ross & Sunny Lusted, was named as the Victoria’s state-winning restaurant. This hotel restaurant was inspired by the small restaurants and bars of coastal Portugal and Spain, and features a custom-built charcoal grill and wood oven. Feast on a menu centred around wood-fired cooking, with wood-grilled kingfish, roasted cockerel and even wood-fired olive oil cheesecake. Learn more about Marmelo here.

Meanwhile, Angie Giannakodakis from Taverna was named as the Restaurant Personality of the Year.

Finally, Tony Tan received the honour for Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality, thanks to his Cooking School in Trentham.

Learn more about the results here.