Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Australia
  3. Melbourne

Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Inner City East

Red OpenTable logo
OpenTable
Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Inner City East? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of WAYGOOD restaurant
WAYGOOD
4.8
4.8 (342)
$40 and under
Dining Bar
Richmond
About the restaurant
WAYGOOD is all about neighbourly hospitality & fun. A cracking beverage offering, plates celebrating seasonal produce, with new dishes weekly: these are the little pleasures that bring us immense joy, and we would love to share them with you, our local community & others.

Top review
Gracie
Dined on Oct 28, 2026
We had the steak frites on Wednesday night! So cheap and amazing! Great value! We also had happy hour spritz! The best before a show we went to Lily Allen!! Thanks so much
Discover more
A photo of A La Carte Dining of a restaurant
Experience
A La Carte Dining
A photo of Drinks + Snacks only of a restaurant
Experience
Drinks + Snacks only
A photo of WAYGOOD Pre-event Experience of a restaurant
Experience
WAYGOOD Pre-event Experience
A photo of Rising Sun Hotel Richmond restaurant
Rising Sun Hotel Richmond
4.8
4.8 (111)
$41 to $100
Australian
Richmond
About the restaurant
The Rising Sun is Richmond's Pub. A true local with bistro, public bar, rooftop & bottleshop. A classic pub menu with sports on plenty of screens, a pool table, and ice cold Carlton Draught.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Oct 27, 2026
Great pub meal with very good food and excellent service.
Discover more
A photo of Monday Steak Night of a restaurant
Experience
Monday Steak Night
A photo of Tuesday Parma Night of a restaurant
Experience
Tuesday Parma Night
A photo of Ripponlea Food and Wine restaurant
Ripponlea Food and Wine
4.8
4.8 (294)
$41 to $100
Mediterranean
Ripponlea
About the restaurant
Welcome to Ripponlea Food & Wine, a local modern European restaurant in the heart of Ripponlea village. Creating signature flavours & personalised service is our passion and we’re all about comfort, style & a little bit fancy without the fuss.
Top review
Bethany
Dined 1 day ago
We had such a wonderful night for our part of 6, from classic cocktails, quality food and the best sticky date pudding - we felt very looked after by our waitress. It was quite noisy at the start of the night but by mains and dessert it was a lot more peaceful. Highly recommend!
Discover more
A photo of Pasta + Wine $40 of a restaurant
Experience
Pasta + Wine $40
A photo of $35 STEAK Thursdays of a restaurant
Experience
$35 STEAK Thursdays
A photo of Private Dining Room 3 course menu $100p/p of a restaurant
Experience
Private Dining Room 3 course menu $100p/p
A photo of Salona restaurant
Salona
4.7
4.7 (290)
$41 to $100
Greek
Richmond
About the restaurant
Founded in 1969 by our grandfather Tony.
It is our pleasure to continue to share with you his greatest passion.
Our promise is to serve every dish in a warm environment that celebrates 3 generations of Greek hospitality.
We support local suppliers allowing us to cook with seasonal & fresh produce.
Proudly sharing traditional recipes, from our family to yours.
— SALONA “Established in 1969”
Top review
Peter
Dined 5 days ago
Salona delivered well above everyone’s expectations. The team down there goes the extra mile to make everyone feel welcome and enjoy the dining experience. Food was on point and uniquely different to other Hellenic Mediterranean dining experiences with lots of flavour and great value.
Discover more
A photo of Cocktail Class of a restaurant
Experience
Cocktail Class
A photo of Salona Sundays of a restaurant
Experience
Salona Sundays
A photo of $55 Meze Lunch of a restaurant
Experience
$55 Meze Lunch
A photo of Le Petit Bistro restaurant
Le Petit Bistro
4.7
4.7 (526)
$41 to $100
French
Kooyong
About the restaurant
Le Petit Bistro is located at 479 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong Vic. Our diners will experience traditional seasonal French food and beverage.. We pride ourselves on ensuring your experience is one you will remember and want to share with your friends and family.
Top review
Nicholas
Dined on Oct 27, 2026
Lovely little restaurant with a very relaxed and cosy atmosphere. The food was outstanding and reasonably priced.
A photo of Geppetto Trattoria restaurant
Geppetto Trattoria
4.7
4.7 (268)
$41 to $100
Italian
East Melbourne
About the restaurant
Experience True Italian Soul Food at Geppetto Trattoria
Tucked just outside Melbourne’s CBD, right near the MCG, AAMI Park, and Rod Laver Arena, Geppetto Trattoria has been serving up hearty, home-style Italian since 1981. Run by father-son duo Nino and Adriano Cea, we keep things classic – think rich Osso Buco, silky Spaghetti Pescatora, and daily market-fresh seafood.

Whether you’re after a cosy dinner, a quick lunch, or a long catch-up over vino, our handmade pastas, risottos, and seasonal dishes hit the spot. Vegan? Gluten-free? We’ve got you covered – including a dedicated vegan menu.

We’re all about good food and good company. Book a table for two or bring the whole famiglia – and if you're planning a bigger event, ask us about our private dining and function options.
Top review
Greg
Dined on Oct 23, 2026
As always; just a fabulous dining experience. Thank you!
Discover more
A photo of BYO Wine at Geppetto Trattoria of a restaurant
Experience
BYO Wine at Geppetto Trattoria
A photo of $45 Express lunch of a restaurant
Experience
$45 Express lunch
A photo of Group Dining at Geppetto Trattoria of a restaurant
Experience
Group Dining at Geppetto Trattoria
A photo of The Kingston Hotel restaurant
The Kingston Hotel
4.6
4.6 (238)
$41 to $100
Modern Australian
Richmond
About the restaurant
The Kingston is a sophisticated, yet relaxed hotel and dining experience, nestled in the quiet leafy streets of Richmond. Being only five minutes from the CBD, this historic Richmond icon which has been synonymous for over a century as a place to eat, drink, connect and celebrate.

After undergoing an extensive revamp from the inside out, a new era for this much loved neighbourhood gem has begun. With an appetite for life, The Kingston maintains it’s welcoming charm and atmosphere in the newly renovated Public Bar, Dining Room, Deck and Beer Garden.
Top review
Melanie
Dined on Oct 29, 2026
Great, friendly service and delicious food. Really beautiful surroundings
Discover more
A photo of Trivia Night of a restaurant
Experience
Trivia Night
A photo of Set Menu 1 $65 of a restaurant
Experience
Set Menu 1 $65
A photo of Set Menu 2 $70 of a restaurant
Experience
Set Menu 2 $70
A photo of The Elgin restaurant
The Elgin
4.5
4.5 (23)
$41 to $100
Pub
Hawthorn
About the restaurant
Built in 1929, the Elgin has always been a popular watering hole to meet with friends and work colleagues and to celebrate special occasions. Renowned throughout the years for quality food, beverage and most importantly friendly service, we pride ourselves on ensuring that every customer leaves the Elgin having had a happy and pleasurable visit.
On the ground floor we have our sports bar with TAB & Keno facilities which then flows down into our dining area. Our bar is well known for showing all live sports with surround sound creating an exciting feel for all followers whether you are on your own or with friends.
On the second level we have a rooftop deck. This area is half undercover and boasts breathtaking city views, festoon lighting, booth seating and a comfortable all weather rooftop bar.
September will see the next iteration of the Elgin come to life with an all-weather atrium, balcony and kids room.
Top review
Justin
Dined on Oct 23, 2026
Always a pleasure. Good food, good service, good atmosphere.
Discover more
A photo of Wednesday Trivia Night of a restaurant
Experience
Wednesday Trivia Night
A photo of Baby Pizza restaurant
Baby Pizza
4.2
4.2 (28)
$41 to $100
Italian
Richmond
About the restaurant
Baby Pizza is your neighbourhood Italian on Church Street, Richmond, where wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta, seasonal plates and cocktails are made for sharing. Inspired by the spirit of a classic Italian trattoria but with the volume turned up, Baby is warm, lively and built for long lunches, date nights, family dinners and alfresco aperitivo moments.

Recognised by Broadsheet as home to one of Melbourne's best pizzas, Baby is all about generous food, relaxed hospitality and creating the kind of place you'll want to come back to again and again. Pull up a chair inside or settle into the terrace with a spritz in hand – we'll take care of the rest.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 7 days ago
Incredible experience, waitress was INCREDIBLE and added to overall experience. We sat at the bar. Went with $89 feed me x2, and were wowed by the flavour and appearance of every course. Baby is one of my fav 3x Melbourne restaurants and definitely keeps its place after lastnights experience.
Discover more
A photo of Free-Flowing Festa of a restaurant
Experience
Free-Flowing Festa
A photo of Banchetto of a restaurant
Experience
Banchetto
A photo of Pastarami restaurant
Pastarami
4.2
4.2 (91)
$40 and under
Italian
Richmond
About the restaurant
Pastarami Richmond is a modern Italian restaurant and wine bar in Richmond, serving house-made pasta, Roman-style pizza, seasonal share plates and classic Italian-inspired drinks. Perfect for date nights, group celebrations, long lunches and weekend brunch, with warm service at the heart of every experience.
Top review
Jacquie
Dined on Oct 21, 2026
Freindly staff, delicious food and good value. Only concern was it was very noisy - hearing our table conversation sometimes hard.
Discover more
A photo of Lunch Special - 3 courses $32pp of a restaurant
Experience
Lunch Special - 3 courses $32pp
A photo of Gnocchi & Tiramisu Tuesdays $45pp of a restaurant
Experience
Gnocchi & Tiramisu Tuesdays $45pp
A photo of Lasagna Thursdays $30pp of a restaurant
Experience
Lasagna Thursdays $30pp
Explore Diners' Choice best of Inner City East
Best Overall
Best Overall
Best Food
Best Food
Best Service
Best Service
Best Ambiance
Best Ambiance
Best Value
Best Value
Explore more Diners' Choice lists
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2026 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo