Melbourne’s hottest new restaurants

The latest go-to in Melbourne’s CBD is The George on Collins (162 Collins Street), an all-day eatery in the space formerly occupied by Long Room bar. The subterranean venue – in the historic building that housed Georges Department Store – has undergone a $4 million refurb by local design firm Hecker Guthrie so expect supercool interiors: a chic granite floor, high tables and stools and a central bar moodily lit by oversized Davide Groppi pendants. Also new to the CBD is Souk (soukmelbourne. com.au), a Middle Eastern restaurant by Mexican-born chef Rogelio Almanza, in nearby Bligh Place. Sink your teeth into Turkish meatballs with beetroot hummus (pictured) or charcoal octopus with muhammara sauce.