Everywhere good to eat in Yarraville

On Yarraville’s main strip, which is packed with different cuisines from around the globe – Mexican, Greek, Indian and Japanese, just to name a few – Bar Romanée is a breath of fresh European air.

French cooking techniques are married with local Victorian produce to produce a versatile array of snacks and mains in a classy bistro environment. It’s a simple concept but it works.

Consider clams sauteed in white wine with lemony capers and croutons, or Humpty Doo barramundi with a saffron-infused beurre blanc. At both lunch and dinner, the dining room is abuzz with a relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

Stop in at the bar for a wine and pair of freshly shucked oysters if you’ve got somewhere else to be, or nab one of the teal velvety booths for a proper meal.

As you’d expect, there’s a gorgeous 100-plus wine list to tempt a longer stay – think classic European drops with a good mix of locals and imports.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Housemade black pudding with celeriac remoulade ($26)

Almost everybody in Yarraville knows Sanjeev Mishra. He’s the friendly owner and head chef of Mishra’s Kitchen, a family-run restaurant famed for serving some of the best Indian food in the western suburbs since 2011.

Adorably, he says: “When I cook, I put my love into it. When I do, I know it will taste nice.” Judging by Mishra’s popularity alone, he’s not wrong.

It’s a cheap and cheerful type of establishment but when you’re craving a good curry, it does the trick. There’s a generous menu of succulent meats and naan from the tandoor. The curries are served in authentic silverware bowls.

If you’d rather eat at home, takeaway is an option but eat in at Mishra’s if you can. The warm and welcoming vibes are golden here.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Lamb Saagwala ($16.90)

For the smoothest coffee in the heart of the village, you can’t go wrong with Cornershop.

A Yarraville institution since 2007, the bustling little cafe focuses on quality brews (locally roasted by the folks at Craftwork) and a tight assortment of popular breakfast and brunch dishes.

There’s plenty to put you in a carb coma, like Cobb Lane rye, Dr Marty’s crumpets or any of the freshly baked cakes and slices in the glass counter.

The rest of the menu keeps it fairly classic, with smashed avo, granola, zucchini fritters and other brekky faves. The egg and bacon butties with HP sauce here are the best in the west.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Reuben on rye with Melbourne Pantry smoked beef brisket, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut & Russian dressing ($16.50)

For something special in Yarraville, Navi offers an intimate, upscale dining experience.

The contemporary menu exalts humble produce with a focus on balance and technique. A perfect example is the Southern Rock Lobster with celeriac, sorrel and burnt butter, or the plate of lamb prosciutto with anchovy and crackle.

Each dish appears disarmingly spare but packs an explosion of flavour. Gourmands will appreciate the purity of the ingredients and attention to detail in the kitchen’s approach.

What we love is you don’t need to do the whole fine dining degustation thing if you’re not in the mood. Navi’s casual lounge is the perfect way to dip your toe in, offering cocktails and bar snacks into the late hours.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Five courses ($135pp)

A rustic neighbourhood restaurant doing gourmet wood-fired pizzas: it’s not like it’s never been done before.

But the difference at L’uccellino is in the bases and authentic Italian toppings. Thin stretches of dough are cooked to the perfect level of crispness and then slathered with fresh Neapolitan flavours: creamy fior di latte, porcini mushrooms, fresh cherry tomato, fontina, gorgonzola, parmigiano, prosciutto and more.

There’s pasta and a smattering of meat dishes on the menu, but pizza’s the star. Grab a circle of friends and order as much as your stomach can handle with a bottle of organic red to wash it all down.

Vegans will be pleased to know there’s an entire separate menu dedicated to plant-based versions of each pizza. The pizza bases can also be made gluten-free.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Pizza alla moda di mario with tomato, fior di latte, soppressa, basil and fresh cherry tomato ($24)