This is one of Melbourne’s best fine dining restaurants right now!
@malinmelbourne is a modern French fine dining restaurant located on Rathdowne St in Carlton North. Malin means “clever” in French – and it suits.
Open in 2024 by owner @natasha.sorensen (ex Melbourne hatted venues, Michelin New York) and Head Chef @clementpltr from Michelin-starred French kitchens. The two met serendipitously – without speaking each other’s language – and opened Malin through trust and written communication, which is a pretty special story.
The property was once home to an Italian family in the mid-1900s and became a father-daughter project, with Tash’s dad flying down many weekends to help renovate it into the calm, intimate space it is now. So many thoughtful details, from the linens to the Maison Balzac water glasses on every table.
They offer a seasonal 4 ($125pp) or 6 ($175pp) course tasting menu, with optional sides. Classic in technique but modern in flavour, with some combinations that are a bit different – in a good way.
⭐️ Rock oyster, Riesling granita, cucumber – one of the best oysters I’ve ever had. So fresh and such a good combo!⭐️ Sourdough, clam butter, samphire✔️ Filo tartlet, wakame, goat’s cheese – really tasty, just would’ve loved a bit more cheese✔️ Spelt tuile, sardine rillette, salmon roe – salty, crispy, great texture✔️ Tomato three ways, shallot gel, basil oil⭐️ Pan seared kingfish , roast fennel – cooked perfectly and the sauce was incredible⭐️ Black Opal MB7 Wagyu beef, crayfish bisque – tender and paired well⭐️ Risotto de céréales – unreal! tasty and textural. It was shared, I always feel risotto should be individual➖ Lettuce, orange blossom vinaigrette, sunflower seeds➖ Valrhona Caraïbe ganache, capsicum sorbet – the salty chocolate and sorbet were interesting, this one slightly confused my brain but I still appreciated it!⭐️ Almond pain de Gênes, herb sorbet, strawberry, fromage blanc – faultless dessert, fresh and perfectly sweet. Fresh like a pavlova.✔️ “Cute pastries” – pecan macadamia praline choux and lemon meringue tart, a great ending.
It’s fine dining but not stiff at all – very slow, relaxed and quiet enough to actually talk and hear each other, which I loved. A few dishes in I wasn’t sure if I’d leave full but from the steak onwards we were absolutely satisfied. They send you home with a little thank you gift bag of madeleines and Dandelion tea, which is such a sweet touch.
Great spot if you want to try something a bit different – lots of unique, innovative combinations that actually work.
Have you visited? Let us know your thoughts!👇🏽
Follow for more honest recommendations on where to eat, play and stay in Melbourne ❤️🔥
Invite
1 Comment
The experience alone dining in a 19th century building is good enough and with good food .