Good Food's Melbourne restaurant hit list for 2018

• Hot and new: Where to eat in Sydney this year
• The interstate hit list
• Spirits, beers and soft drinks to seek out

It is right now we are frequently asked to forecast the highlights of the eating and drinking year ahead. Since we spend most of our time immersed in these two activities, it's a question we're confident about answering. So, please enjoy our lists of things we are most excited about in 2018.

Ishizuka

At launch it's already one of Melbourne's most expensive dining experiences: $215 a head before drinks for chef Tomotaka Ishizuka's tailored 11-course kaiseki menu, but phwoar. The 16-seat room cocoons and the Japanese degustation revs your engine, a dish progression taking in hot and cold, so maybe sashimi then flamed scampi afloat in a light kombu broth.

B01/139 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 03 8594 0895, ishishizuka.com.au

Harley & Rose

What's not to love about a wine-focused diner and bottle-o in West Footscray with all the cooking smarts of two ex-McConnell group chefs (they've brought a lo-fi version of the Builders Arms' cod roe dip with them and are putting the giant pizza oven through its paces), plus the service of wine gun Mark Williamson and a low-key room that means everyone from wine nerds to young families can party how they like.

572 Barkly Street, West Footscray, 03 8320 0325, harleyandrose.net.au

Natural History Bar and Grill

Michael "Honky Tonks" Delaney has thrown every primary colour at grand old 401 Collins Street, plus three outrageous dioramas starring $25,000 of taxidermy. On pans: Morgan McGlone will lead short-order cooks bashing out American grill classics: oysters, prawn cocktails, some vegie options and big T-bones that you can order as part of a "three martini lunch". Opening March 28.

401 Collins Street, Melbourne, naturalhistorybarandgrill.com.au

Restaurant Shik

Korean-born Peter Jo, known to most as Kimchi Pete, is opening his first restaurant in Niagara Lane any day now. The pitch: Korean flavours, modern methods, plus natural wine and other Korean booze. That's looking like soju and charred kingfish with chrysanthemum, and beef intercostals and house-made gochujang. So many pickles. Plenty of Hite beer. Can't wait.

30 Niagara Lane, Melbourne, 03 9670 5195, restaurantshik.com

Embla upstairs

Two years ago Embla wine bar opened promising an upstairs restaurant within months. And it's almost (well, in April, hopefully) here. Chef Dave Verheul (pictured) will be doing set menus, part cooked in a hearth, served with a next-level collection of wines including more classic Burgundies and Rhone gear that you can hand pluck from the cellar in a soundproofed second-storey room safe from eyes. Raunchy.

22 Russell Street, Melbourne, 03 9654 5923, embla.com.au

The Good Food Guide 2018, supported by Vittoria Coffee and Citi, is on sale in newsagencies, bookstores and via thestore.com.au, RRP $29.99