This partially protected heritage hotel has been brought back to its former glory as the grand old neighbourhood local. The restoration takes the hotel back to the 50s and 60s with retro timber paneling and tartans, which work to create a warm familiar place to settle in with a pint and schnitty. 420 High St, Prahran. mountericahotel.com.au.

Named after the founder’s grandfathers, Anthony ‘Tone’ Adams and Keith ‘Bopp’ Evans, the restaurant is designed to nostalgically conjure the opulence and optimism of the post-World War II era. Set in the thick of the city’s business community, passing through its weighty double doors instantly transports diners into a glorious time warp. 60 Carrington Street, Sydney. boppandtone.com.au.

As the Brisbane River twinkles from the lights of QPAC and the Wheel of Brisbane spins in the distance, it’s hard to imagine a more romantic setting than Persone. The thoughtful design creates a space of tapered light, paired with a little grit, to become a moody and memorable space that inspires feelings of curiosity and comfort. The restaurant seats 210 diners, along with a 12-person private dining room, wine cellar and an outdoor terrace bar with lounge and dining. 81 N Quay, Brisbane City. persone.com.au.

BanBan is a Korean fried chicken and beer eatery sporting a low-fi K-Pop minimalist interior with playful branding. The chicken is twice-fried and served alongside panko-crumbed spam fries and tap beer or soju. 145 Franklin St, Adelaide. ban-ban.com.au.

This heritage-listed former dressing pavilion on Williamstown foreshore has re-launched with stunning Spanish-style interiors, which spill from the dining room to the waterfront deck. The design for this unique pavilion celebrates European Modernist architecture and transports users to the beaches of San Sebastian. 26 Esplanade, Williamstown. sebastianbeachgrill.com.

Crowning the Manly Wharf precinct, the sixth Sake outlet offers up fusion Japanese cuisine alongside impressive waterfront views. The rooftop restaurant is made up of several distinct areas, including an open kitchen and sushi counter, bar, lounge and private dining rooms, each space distinguished by the intertwining of nature, artistry, balance and flow. Manly Ferry Wharf Belgrave Street and West Esplanade, Manly. sakerestaurant.com.au.

Inspired by Italy’s architectural landscape, Via Porta, which means “by door,” offers an entryway into this Italian family’s eatery and bar – and by extension, kitchen and pantry. The interiors are rich in detail, from the crazy paved floors to the grooved timber bar, designed to complement the merchandised artisanal ingredients and European fare on offer. Whitehorse Rd, Mont Albert.

The sleek new look of Prince Dining Room is a monument to the duality of the area, paying tribute to the grime and glamour of St Kilda in years past. The contemporary venue reveals deliberate clashes and provocative forms to reflect a venue that knows itself and is comfortable with its quirky direction. 2 Acland St, St Kilda. theprince.com.au.

Esquire Drink & Dine certainly looks the part. This plushly decked-out dining room, housed in one of Sydney’s most beautiful piles, the Queen Victoria Building, is framed by arched windows, high ceilings and a parquetry and mosaic floor. With an impressive drinks list and the theatre of an open kitchen, it’s a setting befitting of a lavish lunch. Level 2, Queen Victoria Building, 455 George Street Sydney. esquireatqvb.com.au.

This specialist steak venue specialises in Tuscany’s top chop, the bistecca alla Fiorentina, with a classic Italian setting to match. Sitting pretty within a heritage-fronted building on Bridge Street the venue spans across three distinct spaces, an intimate bar, wine room and 50-seater restaurant, which revolves around a butcher’s block and open hearth. 3 Dalley St, Sydney. bistecca.com.au.

Babylon Rooftop Bar and Restaurant recalls the splendor of a lost and ancient city. Sumptuously finished dining rooms, hanging gardens, arcades, colonnades and stone buildings spring from an imagined, labyrinthine and ruinous landscape. The 1200m² metropolis is home to a variety of drinking and dining spaces, including a sprawling Levantine restaurant and a gold rooftop bar surrounded by lush ferns and dripping greenery. Westfield Pitt Street, Sydney. babylonrooftop.com.au.

This all-day eatery combines botanical prints with rattan bistro chairs and forest green accents to channel the easy-going and laidback vibes of a tropical holiday destination, with inspiration coming from the balmy shores of Tulum in Mexico. Situated in the Sandy Bay suburb of Hobart, the menu reflects the design with a produce-driven offering, made up of locally grown ingredients. 4/48 King Street, Sandy Bay. sisterhoodhobart.com.

A once tired waterfront building with an identity crisis, the Burleigh Pavilion has been transformed into a sun-drenched public beach house. The epic 600-pax precinct is located right on the shoreline, with the two-storey venue hosting a full-service restaurant and alfresco terrace, designed for casual dining straight after a dip. Level 1, 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads. burleighpavilion.com.

The Sydney-born Italian eatery has landed in South Brisbane, bringing with it the most impressive fit-out yet. The 100-seater restaurant reveals a stunning reinvigoration of the former lobby space of the Mantra Hotel, channeling relaxed Euro vibes with food to match. Mantra South Bank, 161 Grey St, South Brisbane. saltmeatscheese.com.au.

This moody Japanese barbecue and bar is housed within luxury hotel chain, The Chen in Box Hill. Two of Melbourne’s most impressive chefs, Kengo Hiromasesu and Yasuo Matsuike, formerly of Nobu and Sake, have put together a protein-heavy menu, which revolves around the kitchen’s smokeless charcoal grill. 850 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill. katori.com.au.