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Hard-to-Get Reservations for restaurants in Australia

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by OpenTable Australia
Updated December 02, 2019

With fresh dining concepts from some of Australia’s most acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs as well as tried and true classics, there is always a diverse range of cuisines and flavours to enjoy. Although there are countless restaurants to choose from across Australia, some are so popular it can be tough to get in without a reservation. Check out our list of these hard to get into restaurants in Australia and book your table in advance so you can coast right in and enjoy.

Ishizuka
4.9 (52)
$A101 and over
Japanese
Melbourne CBD
Ishizuka restaurant, located in the CBD neighborhood of Melbourne, is a haute cuisine fine dining restaurant that specializes in Japanese food, Kaiseki and Sushi. It offers an immersive taste of Japan and will transport diners to a whole different place. Tucked away down a narrow corridor, the restaurant is a tiny, intimate space with a set-menu cuisine and intricate dishes. It’s easily one of the hottest new restaurants in Melbourne and the limited seating also makes it one of the hardest to get into.
Top review
Sebastian
Dined on Jun 21, 2025
Perfect dinner and very cool Japanese presentation
Ishizuka restaurant, located in the CBD neighborhood of Melbourne, is a haute cuisine fine dining restaurant that specializes in Japanese food, Kaiseki and Sushi. It offers an immersive taste of Japan and will transport diners to a whole different place. Tucked away down a narrow corridor, the restaurant is a tiny, intimate space with a set-menu cuisine and intricate dishes. It’s easily one of the hottest new restaurants in Melbourne and the limited seating also makes it one of the hardest to get into.
Top review
Sebastian
Dined on Jun 21, 2025
Perfect dinner and very cool Japanese presentation
Vue de monde
4.9 (2006)
$A101 and over
Modern Australian
Melbourne CBD
Vue De Monde is one of the most elegant fine dining restaurants in all of Melbourne. The cuisine has an edgy approach to the regional specialties and uses simple, seasonal ingredients and local and sustainable meats and produce. There is high demand to get in here for dinner so make sure to book your table in advance in order to enjoy a meal here on the 55th floor of Melbourne’s iconic Rialto building.
Top review
Christian
Dined 6 days ago
Unforgettable dining experience. Exquisitely prepared and served food with wait staff that are surely among the best around.
Vue De Monde is one of the most elegant fine dining restaurants in all of Melbourne. The cuisine has an edgy approach to the regional specialties and uses simple, seasonal ingredients and local and sustainable meats and produce. There is high demand to get in here for dinner so make sure to book your table in advance in order to enjoy a meal here on the 55th floor of Melbourne’s iconic Rialto building.
Top review
Christian
Dined 6 days ago
Unforgettable dining experience. Exquisitely prepared and served food with wait staff that are surely among the best around.
St Andrews Beach Brewery
4.5 (1262)
$A40 and under
Modern Australian
Fingal
It’s not easy to get a table at St. Andrews Beach Brewery, but if you can secure a spot at this casual dining spot you will have a truly awesome experience. Located on Truemans Road in the Fingal neighborhood, St. Andrews makes beer, as you would expect with a brewery, but they also operate a world-class horse training facility and serve a really stellar menu. Come in and enjoy small plates, share plates, salads, pizzas, burgers and more that pair perfectly with the range of craft beers.
Top review
Andrew
Dined on Jun 27, 2025
Nice food, although at the higher end of the pricing range for the venue. Not much else around though so was a good option. Warm inside, good ambience and good live music. A little noisy, but not much that can be done in such a big space with lots people. Light beer, no only mid-strength, would be a nice option for those who are driving as due to the location there will always be someone on minimal alcohol consumption. Friendly staff, and we enjoyed our lunch. Will definately be back.
It’s not easy to get a table at St. Andrews Beach Brewery, but if you can secure a spot at this casual dining spot you will have a truly awesome experience. Located on Truemans Road in the Fingal neighborhood, St. Andrews makes beer, as you would expect with a brewery, but they also operate a world-class horse training facility and serve a really stellar menu. Come in and enjoy small plates, share plates, salads, pizzas, burgers and more that pair perfectly with the range of craft beers.
Top review
Andrew
Dined on Jun 27, 2025
Nice food, although at the higher end of the pricing range for the venue. Not much else around though so was a good option. Warm inside, good ambience and good live music. A little noisy, but not much that can be done in such a big space with lots people. Light beer, no only mid-strength, would be a nice option for those who are driving as due to the location there will always be someone on minimal alcohol consumption. Friendly staff, and we enjoyed our lunch. Will definately be back.
Grain Bar Sydney
4.7 (7)
$A40 and under
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
The Rocks
Grain is one of the city’s most beloved and well-stocked Whisky bars, featuring a vast selection of both single malts and blends from around the world and local to Sydney. Already 180 bottles deep, the selection is constantly growing. Grain doesn’t disappoint when it comes to dining, either. They offer everything from gourmet burgers to charcuterie to Whisky-cured salmon to stuffed cronuts and more. The Charcuterie Platter or the Smokey Meats Platter are great pairings for a whisky tasting. Just don’t forget to book a table in advance to make sure you get a seat.
Top review
Arnulfo Jr.
Dined on Apr 12, 2025
Personalized service, they make sure you get what you want.
Grain is one of the city’s most beloved and well-stocked Whisky bars, featuring a vast selection of both single malts and blends from around the world and local to Sydney. Already 180 bottles deep, the selection is constantly growing. Grain doesn’t disappoint when it comes to dining, either. They offer everything from gourmet burgers to charcuterie to Whisky-cured salmon to stuffed cronuts and more. The Charcuterie Platter or the Smokey Meats Platter are great pairings for a whisky tasting. Just don’t forget to book a table in advance to make sure you get a seat.
Top review
Arnulfo Jr.
Dined on Apr 12, 2025
Personalized service, they make sure you get what you want.
The Woodhouse Bar & Grill
4.7 (2761)
$A41 to $A100
Steakhouse
Bendigo
If you’re looking for an excellent casual restaurant in Central Victoria, check out the popular Woodhouse Restaurant. It can be hard to get into, but the food here is worth it. They specialise in premium beef, grass-fed and dry-aged meats, many of them cooked on a char-grill. You can also sample pizzas cooked in the wood-fire oven and a delicious range of desserts.
Top review
Jacqui
Dined 6 days ago
Beautiful steakhouse, daily specials were sensational quality! Very attentive and polite staff & beautiful atmosphere.
If you’re looking for an excellent casual restaurant in Central Victoria, check out the popular Woodhouse Restaurant. It can be hard to get into, but the food here is worth it. They specialise in premium beef, grass-fed and dry-aged meats, many of them cooked on a char-grill. You can also sample pizzas cooked in the wood-fire oven and a delicious range of desserts.
Top review
Jacqui
Dined 6 days ago
Beautiful steakhouse, daily specials were sensational quality! Very attentive and polite staff & beautiful atmosphere.
Donovans
4.8 (1756)
$A101 and over
Modern Australian
St Kilda
Donovans ‘house on the beach’ is a lovely and laid back place to dine right on the St. Kilda beach front. It offers a memorable dining experience with a bay side view, excellent Mediterranean inspired food and a homey, casual atmosphere. Plan your visit in advance as they tend to book up most nights! The menu focuses on seasonal produce and popular charcoal dishes and the wine list features local Victorian vineyards and Australian and international wines.
Top review
Keaton
Dined 5 days ago
I think we have just found our new favourite restaurant. All the seafood that we had was the best I have ever tried, very good quality. All the dishes and wine were delightful and the service was excellent, very attentive waiting staff. It's a bit pricey but honestly, happy to pay it as the food is just wonderful. The sticky date souffle was incredible. One of the nicest and most enjoyable desserts that i've had in a long time.
Donovans ‘house on the beach’ is a lovely and laid back place to dine right on the St. Kilda beach front. It offers a memorable dining experience with a bay side view, excellent Mediterranean inspired food and a homey, casual atmosphere. Plan your visit in advance as they tend to book up most nights! The menu focuses on seasonal produce and popular charcoal dishes and the wine list features local Victorian vineyards and Australian and international wines.
Top review
Keaton
Dined 5 days ago
I think we have just found our new favourite restaurant. All the seafood that we had was the best I have ever tried, very good quality. All the dishes and wine were delightful and the service was excellent, very attentive waiting staff. It's a bit pricey but honestly, happy to pay it as the food is just wonderful. The sticky date souffle was incredible. One of the nicest and most enjoyable desserts that i've had in a long time.
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