Pinchy’s may be known for its seafood and breezy rooftop locale overlooking Bourke Street, but the ocean-inspired vegan offering ensures no one gets left out. Charred lion’s mane mushrooms stand in for lobster in the restaurant’s signature rolls and carrots make a convincing tuna tartare replacement in the savoury cornettos, which come topped with wasabi mayo and jalapeño salsa. There’s also endless sparkling on offer, of course, adding to the luxe factor.

Don’t let the ‘seafood-centric aesthetic’ fool you, Pinchy’s is one of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne. After a refresh in 2024, the matching ocean-based tasting menu is their ‘Made Friendlier’ menu which is a flavour-packed clever reimagination of some of their hit dishes. On the cards, you’ve got options like the BBQ oyster muchroom with shiso emulsion, sunflower mustard and pickled fennel.3 Of course, the plant-based answer to the famed Pinchy's lobster roll is the lion's mane mushroom with charred mushroom, Pinchy's seasoning and lemon in a golden semi-toasted roll.

A neon-pink temple of lobster rolls and champagne in the CBD. With its hot-ticket pairing of bubbles and crustacean-stuffed rolls, Pinchy’s has quickly become one of the best restaurants in Melbourne’s CBD. But it is no longer a Melbourne CBD restaurant that exclusively cooks up seafood. Now, there is a playful surf and turf menu that features dishes like the wagyu beef burger with smoked tuna bacon, marie-rose sauce, trout roe, pickles and American cheese, and the pork tomahawk cotoletta with bagna cauda, native herbs and rock oysters.

After a bunch of successful pop-ups, the lobster roll-hawking Pinchy’sfound a permanent home in Bourke Street’s Mid City Arcade. The awe-inspiring space is awash in neon and pink, with velvet-clad booths and disco ball-like lights, while two separate bars beckon - one serves cocktails and craft brews, and the other is devoted to bubbly be it Champagne, prosecco or local sparkling. Level 1/200 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Location: In Midcity Centre Level 1/200 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: 0420 783 719. You can’t really talk about the best seafood restaurants in Melbourne and not mention the pink splendour of Pinchy’s. For a full and detailed review of Pinchy’s, click here

Thursday is the night to visit recently refurbed CBD seafood and champagne bar Pinchy’s because that’s when its new signature lobster linguine is half price. For just 20 bucks, get a bowl loaded with lobster meat and tossed through miso butter.

Calling all lobster roll lovers – Pinchy’s is the place for you!. Far more than just a gram-worthy rooftop bar destination, this is the place to indulge in a glass of champagne and delicious seafood dishes smack bang in the middle of the CBD.

I was a bit surprised to find it in the throes of Chinatown, as I had (wrongly) assumed that the neighbourhood would be filled with Asian restaurants and eateries. Just in case you also get the same surprise as I do while finding Pinchy’s!

In an open-air balcony, enjoy a glass of champagne and their seafood dishes, which are inspired by the sea. Pinchy's is committed to making your seafood taste wonderful and ethically sourced. You may now indulge in guilt-free shellfish!

It’s not all pescatarian at Pinchy’s lobster and champagne bar. The ‘made friendlier’ vegan menu is putting those prized crab tacos in the shade. Try the spiced tofu taco topped with pea-green balls of avocado mousse.