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Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Inner City East

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2026

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

A photo of Cecconi's Toorak restaurant

Cecconi's Toorak

4.9

4.9 (308)

$100 and over

Italian

Toorak

About the restaurant

A lavish European dining experience, serving some of Melbourne’s finest Italian cuisine. Designed as a sister restaurant to the original Cecconi’s in Flinders Lane, our second venue brings a touch of luxury, refinement and ‘buonissimo’ to Melbourne’s inner-east enclave.

Inspired by its heritage in Italy’s northern regions, and the masters of Italian design, our Toorak venue offers a modern evolution of classic European dining, with a strong Melbourne sensibility. A journey of intimate spaces, luxurious finishes, bespoke detailing and sculptural forms.

Cecconi’s Toorak adds a contemporary touch to Melbourne’s culinary landscape, whilst maintaining the high-end Italian hospitality that has made Cecconi’s a Melbourne dining institution for more than twenty years.

Top review

P

PeterGold

Dined 7 days ago

Great food, service and ambiance. Always happy to dine there.

A photo of Yiaga restaurant

4.9

4.9 (258)

$100 and over

Modern Australian

East Melbourne

About the restaurant

Located within Melbourne’s historic Fitzroy Gardens on Wurundjeri Country, our restaurant is shaped by place, season, and community.

Our ever-evolving menu and beverage program celebrate Australia through its farmers, fishers, growers, makers, artists, and creative collaborators.

Set within the heritage gardens, the restaurant is crafted almost entirely from Australian materials, drawing on local traditions of making and craft. We look forward to welcoming you to dine beneath the century-old elm trees of the Gardens.

Top review

V

Valerie

Dined 1 day ago

One of a kind dining experience, beautiful scenery and garden ambience! Our service was also great, the curly haired gentleman who did our kitchen tour was a young knowledgeable guy who was patient and happy to answer our long list of questions. Needless to say, food is always phenomenal and the best quality. What we really appreciate was all the intricate details that go into this restaurant, from the cutlery to the tiles, all custom made for Yiaga. Overall, Hugh Allen’s team never disappoints, just like Vue de Monde - we will be regulars back to Yiaga again!

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A photo of YIAGA SESSIONS | John Wardle of a restaurant

YIAGA SESSIONS | John Wardle

A photo of New Year's Eve Dinner at Yiaga of a restaurant

New Year's Eve Dinner at Yiaga

A photo of Attica restaurant

4.8

4.8 (372)

$100 and over

Australian

Ripponlea

About the restaurant

We’re an Australian restaurant, both in location and in spirit.

We celebrate the incredible, unique ingredients found in this country and the many rich and varied culinary cultures it’s fostered – beginning thousands of years ago with the First Peoples who call this land home.

The experience you’ll have at Attica is informed by all of this, as well as the values we pursue each day: excellence, kindness, creativity and, of course, fun.

We believe in the unique, the unexpected and the surprising – and we love to meet new people.

Top review

L

lane

Dined 2 days ago

All the way around, outstanding. Thank you for an amazing experience

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Attica Tasting Menu - $395pp ($150pp Deposit)

A photo of Lunch at Attica of a restaurant

Lunch at Attica

A photo of Celebration of Riesling Wine Dinner of a restaurant

Celebration of Riesling Wine Dinner

A photo of Clover restaurant

4.8

4.8 (250)

$41 to $100

European

Richmond

About the restaurant

Clover is a restaurant and wine bar on Swan Street, Richmond with a focus on good produce, good wine and good times, cooked and served with care and intent, reflective of modern European bistro's.

Top review

J

Jeroo

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent and knowledgeable staff, great menu and wine list. Probably the best roast chicken I’ve ever had ❤️

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2 Course Prix Fixe Lunch Menu

A photo of The Sunday Set of a restaurant

A photo of Geppetto Trattoria restaurant

Geppetto Trattoria

4.8

4.8 (270)

$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

R

Rod

Dined 1 day ago

We had a great dinner before the Robbie Williams concert and the staff were extremely accommodating with our timing to make the concert. We will be back.

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A photo of BYO Wine at Geppetto Trattoria of a restaurant

BYO Wine at Geppetto Trattoria

A photo of $45 Express lunch of a restaurant

$45 Express lunch

A photo of Group Dining at Geppetto Trattoria of a restaurant

Group Dining at Geppetto Trattoria

A photo of Love Letter - Melbourne restaurant

Love Letter - Melbourne

4.8

4.8 (179)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Richmond

About the restaurant

Dear Richmond,
This little restaurant is our love letter to food. It's our happy little place, where we get to live the joy of feeding people everyday. We all grew up in spaces that equated food with love, just like this place. Everything we have done here is deliberate, from the art on the walls to the produce we use. We've made a point of sourcing ingredients from some of the best suppliers in the state, making sure that our menu reflects what's in season.

For us, this place is about experience: we try our best to make you feel both at home and 'out for something special'. Every plate that comes back wiped clean by someone who just couldn't get enough is a 'the hard work is worth it' moment for us.

Matty & Tee

From Love Letter, with love x

Top review

C

Charles

Dined 6 days ago

We thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. The service was exceptional. The food was delightful and the ambiance was excellent.

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$49 Let Us Feed You

A photo of Sunday Roast & Steak N' Pasta Night of a restaurant

Sunday Roast & Steak N' Pasta Night

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

N

Nicholas

Dined on 27 Oct 2026

Lovely little restaurant with a very relaxed and cosy atmosphere. The food was outstanding and reasonably priced.

A photo of Motor restaurant

4.7

4.7 (52)

$41 to $100

Wine Bar

Hawthorn

About the restaurant

The former Hawthorn Motor Garage was built in 1912. What was
essentially once a long, narrow, brick shed has been transformed into a
wood-fired, wine-fuelled bistro. This is Motor, a neighbourhood wine bar/bistro
that can suit any occasion. Whether you are in an intimate booth, private dining
room or perched at the bar, we have the ability to suit any occasion. We use the
timeless wisdom of wood fire cooking to celebrate local and seasonal ingredients
that pair well with wine – a diverse list where our focus is not so much about
a certain ethos as such, we prefer lasting style to take precedence.

Top review

J

James

Dined on 29 Oct 2026

Considered to be my best local dining experience on Glenferrie.

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A photo of Fuel & Go of a restaurant

A photo of Beef & Burgundy of a restaurant

Beef & Burgundy

A photo of Rococo Hawthorn restaurant

Rococo Hawthorn

4.6

4.6 (1324)

$40 and under

Italian

Hawthorn

About the restaurant

Rococo provides the freshest of ingredients, delivering guests high quality foods with many options available from such a large menu. The la carte menu is offered throughout the whole week and a lunch special from Monday to Friday. Consisting of, Italian traditional dishes that make this restaurant a haven for delicious classics. Located only moments away from Glenferrie Road’s shopping district, the classy suburb of Hawthorn is well suited to Rococo. Understandably from the packed crowds, they cater for a variety of individuals and even large quantities of guests. Rococo has generous spaces both indoor with candle lit lights for that friendly setting and outdoors for those lovely summer nights. Rococo is accessible by transport such as the number 16 tram, and parking on Glenferrie road and other side street options in the area. If it’s a business meeting with colleagues or a last minute catch up with some friends, Rococo is the perfect choice.

Top review

O

Olivia

Dined 5 days ago

The food was incredible as always! Isabella was absolutely amazing made the evening so wonderful. She was so attentive and kind and gave us great service

A photo of Sher Singh East Melbourne restaurant

Sher Singh East Melbourne

4.5

4.5 (52)

$41 to $100

Indian

East Melbourne

About the restaurant

Our Philosophy
Sher Singh is more than just a restaurant, it's a celebration of Indian culture and cuisine. we emphasises Indian historical cuisine and provides traditional North Indian delights by deriving influence from ancient Indian cooking methods and spice combination.
Our Cuisine
The taste and flavours of the north Indian dishes are influenced by the Mughal dynasty that ruled India for three centuries. Food was rich and cooked with aromatic spices, nuts, and dried fruits that time in India's history. Our cuisine preparation is time consuming and intricate, given the numbers of flavourful sauces and butter based curries, almost as if it was designed to make people want more food.
Our Atmosphere
At Sher singh, we believe that dining out should be a memorable experience. That's why we have created a warm and inviting atmosphere that celebrates the beauty of Indian culture. From the decor to the music, every element of our restaurant has been carefully curated.

Top review

L

Leo

Dined on 30 Oct 2026

Great staff, fabulous food. Highly reccomend - great to get to from the Pullman hotel

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