Enjoy a relaxed yet refined dining experience at Allysan restaurant on Glen Huntly Road in Glen Huntly. Bringing together elegance and comfort to create the ideal spot to gather with family, friends, or someone special, expect exceptional cuisine and top-notch service, in surrounds of moody lighting, intimate tables and panelled wood. Begin your culinary adventure with seared scallops, mussel sauce, red radish and salmon caviar, or shiitake mushroom croquettes with smoked mozzarella and beetroot sauce. For the main affair, think pan-seared Atlantic salmon, prawn sauce, Brussels sprouts and walnuts, or truffle fettuccine with mixed mushrooms, truffle carpaccio and truffle cheese. Decadent desserts like chocolate mousse, jelly, almond streusel and vanilla ice cream never disappoint.

For a fusion feast in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, be sure to experience a diversity of food and flavour at Aagaman Indian Nepalese Restaurant, located on Flinders Lane. Feel immersed in a realm of warmth and sophistication, where white-clothed tables, recycled timber flooring and a black and white colour palette along with neon lighting create a refined and relaxing vibe, fitting for casual lunchtime gatherings and intimate dinners. Aagaman's unique array of Indian and Nepalese delicacies is showcased on a menu of clean-flavoured curries and fare from the tandoor, with one of Melbourne's most extensive vegan menus. Taste mouth-watering entrées like pan-grilled prawns with garlic, onion, capsicum, yoghurt and Indian spices; before slow-cooked tender goat curry, basmati rice and papadums.

Inspired by family dinners and growing up in a diverse Asian family, Potluck on Glen Huntly Road in Caulfield starts in China but your plate could end up anywhere. Have a drink, eat, listen, dance on the tables, wink at your waiter, fall in love or fight over the last dumpling – it's Potluck, however don't bring a dish, this restaurant has got your back. Get the party started with fried chicken, fried basil and Korean honey mustard, or devour prawn and pork wontons with sweet soy broth, spring onion and coriander. Larger offerings such as mapo tofu – pork mince, garlic, chives, shallots and spring onion – await hungry diners, along with steamed barramundi, ginger, spring onion and sweet soy. Perhaps enjoy a steaming bowl of beef noodle soup with short rib, broth and pickled mustard greens.

East meets West for a fusion feast at Regale Restaurant on Swanston Street in Carlton. Expect a casual fine dining experience, blending Modern Australian and Asian fusion cuisine in an inviting yet sophisticated setting. Regale is more than just a restaurant – it's a place where warmth and community come together; designed for family gatherings and joyful meals, every dish is made with care and you will feel like part of the family. Start a memorable meal with roasted scallops, XO butter and betel leaf, or lobster, crispy potato pave and wasabi pea; before Crying Tiger claypot rice with salted black olive, Asian herbs and jeaw. Perhaps dry-aged duck entices, with grilled witlof, cucumber and honey tamarind jus; finish sweetly with a dessert of velvet genmaicha tiramisu and avocado mousse.

Not your typical Indian joint, head to Bibiji on Lygon Street in Carlton for a casual exploration of Indian food with Australian influences. On balmy Melbourne days dine alfresco under the red and white striped awning, or head indoors where a vibrant vibe of colourful mosaic tiles, statement pendent lights and ceilings draped with fabric set the scene for inspired dining and warm attentive service. Elevate your taste buds with starters such as fried Amritsari fish, or lamb seekh kebabs from the tandoor; move onto railway chicken curry, cooked in spicy gravy enriched with tomato, onion and aromatic spices, best enjoyed with steamed rice and garlic naan. Perhaps rich, decadent, slow-cooked lamb curry entices, while vegetarians opt for potato and ricotta dumplings in creamy masala sauce.

With calling cards of sustainability and sociability, head to Toil & Trouble on Lygon Street in Brunswick East for plant-based fare with flair. Born to celebrate hospitality and plant-based diets for vegans and vegetarians along with those curious about the lifestyle, discover a unique culinary experience paired with specialty house cocktails delivered in surrounds of crazy pavers, subdued lighting and dark wood table settings. Enjoy mouth-watering seasonal selections such as miso butter fried corn ribs, dusted with nori flakes, or grilled mushrooms skewers, with spicy mayo to start; followed by a spicy tofu salad with charred leek, mixed lettuce, chilli-infused fried tofu and aromatic herbs, finishing with flambéed banana, peanut butter whisky, sugared almonds, sponge cake and ice cream.

Discover a place to escape the ordinary and connect at Velvet Bean café on Albert Road in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. Find your home away from home at this warm and inviting cafe where flavour and ambience blend together to create the ideal spot to linger over an aromatic coffee and plates like corn, pea, zucchini and jalapeño fritters with poached egg, cumin yoghurt, tomato relish, za'atar, barberries and Asian salad. Burger lovers chow down on Korean spiced chicken with fried egg, lettuce, tomato, hot sauce and cheese; or wrap your hands around a steak sandwich with caramelised onion, lettuce, tomato and garlic aioli. Perhaps a Velvet Bean poké bowl hits the mark, with purple rice, smoked salmon, edamame, beetroot hummus, pickled ginger, avocado, poached egg and toasted sesame seeds.

Located in The District at Melbourne Docklands, MJ Mojo Jojo Café believes simple food should be done right. Offering a delicious menu with a twist, this Modern Australian fusion café is the ultimate culinary destination to get breakfast, brunch or lunch. The ideal spot for people-watching alfresco on balmy days with a bite and a brew, inside offers a bright and breezy vibe of trailing greenery, white subway tiles, blond wood table settings and vibrant artwork. Start your day with sriracha chilli scrambled eggs, lamb sausages, spinach, pickled ginger, onion and shallots, on croissants; or join a lively later crowd for a soft-shell crab burger with chipotle Hollandaise, beetroot slaw and tomato. Pasta lovers opt for spaghetti with seafood, tomato, rocket, Parmesan and spicy tomato sugo.