Guide to solo dining in Melbourne

If the thought of dining on your own freaks you out just a little bit, the best place to start is a sushi train and Sakura Kaiten Sushi in the CBD fits the bill perfectly.

With locations on Lonsdale Street and Little Collins, you’ll find mini plates of Japanese goodness starting at just $2.80 for an orange plate going up to $6.80 for a red plate. At those price points, you can afford to stock up on high quality dishes including grilled and raw fish nigiri, maki rolls, hand rolls and much more.

The nice thing is that you can sit at the train, soak up the atmosphere, eat delicious things and not feel awkward at all.

Dish Cult’s top pick:  Salmon with lobster salad

Everything at Cumulus Inc is top notch. The steak tartare and iconic slow-roasted lamb shoulder are reason enough to visit. Besides the food, one of the things that makes Cumulus a solo dining hotspot is the open-plan kitchen and the bar stools where you can eat in comfort and watch the cookery magic as chefs slice away with masterful precision.

The space here is airy and modern and feels very much like a modern take on a bistro. It is easily one of the best places in the CBD to grab brunch or lunch.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Ricotta gnocchi, brassicas, miso and hazelnut ($38)

Diner on Franklin is like no diner you’ve ever seen before. What makes this modern sunny spot a stellar place to grab a table for one is their babsang – small dining sets served with side dishes that are perfect for solo eating.

This Korean eatery is comfortably compact and you can slide into the row of seats facing the window and people-watch as you wait for your order to arrive. When you order the babsang, expect sets with mains like fiery fried chicken with cheese and tofu soup, seafood served with sides like cauliflower karaage, fried spicy rice cakes, dumplings, and a brownie for dessert.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Cheese buldak babsang lunch special ($19.80)

Pellegrini’s is a quirky little corner cafe that’s famed for its dedication to running a joint filled with lots of traditional Italian food and oodles of character.

Get swept away in the bustle of diners from regulars to curious first-timers and grab a seat at the communal table. With a menu featuring daily specials that often aren’t listed (in true hidden secret style), come with a hunger for large bowls of traditional pasta, and if you manage to grab a serving of the ravioli, you’re in for a treat.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Rigatoni Bolognese

You might not expect that Supernormal (yes, that undeniably buzzy resto that’s teeming with diners and all over your social media) would wind up on this list, but here we are.

With a beautiful fit-out and a sprawling open kitchen, the Japanese-inspired design here plays second fiddle to the Asian-fusion menu. Complimentary kitchen theatrics can be enjoyed at the trendy bar seats where you can watch your sesame noodle salad come to life and feel super normal eating out without a crowd.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Duck bao — twice-cooked duck leg, vinegar and plum sauce ($32)

Some bars feel like home and The Rooks Return is one of them. Random knick-knacks and decorations line the walls and an old piano sits in a corner where it is brought to life for live jazz (drop in on Wednesdays to catch a performance from the eponymous Rooks band).

Make yourself cosy in a window seat or grab a table for one in the outdoor brick-walled courtyard. Soak in the good vibes and enjoy a great selection of cocktails and snack food.