[top photo: The cold starter platter of the fourcourse soufra menu at maha Bar and Grill restaurant, Melbourne.]

MELBOURNE is such a melting pot of cuisines that eating out can be a fabulous adventure. Here is a sample of restaurants worth visiting:

Tutto Bene (www.tuttobene.com.au): In Italian, the name of this restaurant means "everything's good", including the view of the Yarra River. Its chef Simon Humble is regarded as a specialist in risotto, his most famous dish being the El Presidente with seasoned parmesan and balsamic vinegar.

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant (www.tramrestaurant.com.au): It's a moveable feast on board a converted 1927 tram that trundles across town, so the view is always changing. The food is limited to a set menu but champagne is free-flowing. The singing maitre d' is part of the fun.

Taxi Dining Room (www.transporthotel.com.au): Located in trendy Federation Square, this steel and glass award-winning restaurant is famed for its modern Australian cuisine with heavy Asian and Japanese influences.

The trendy Taxi Dining Room in Federation Square.

Maha Bar and Grill (www.mahabg.com.au): Meditterrean food with Middle Eastern touches run by a Maltese chef. Strong on grilled meats, the best introduction to its food is its soufra or open table menu that offers four courses - starters of cold and hot dishes, mains of meat and fish, and desserts.

KoKo Black (www.kokoblack.com): Chocolate lovers must not miss this, especially the one at the beautiful Royal Arcade Building. The magic bean concoctions are simply divine.

Sharks Fin House (www.sharkfin.com.au): This three-storey Chinese restaurant in Chinatown is extremely popular even if it has a politically incorrect name. It has a huge menu of Cantonese dishes. Reservations are recommended, otherwise, you might have to queue even to get into the elevator.

-The Star/Asia News Network