Leather booths and large colourful art set the scene in a moodily-lit restaurant © 7 Cutz

Roma Ristorante, Melbourne, Victoria © Roma Ristorante

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Three cities, three cuisines, three exceptional dining experiences. From a Roman ristorante, to a flame-grilled steakhouse and an izakaya bar, see where your next event could unfold.

White tablecloths, sunlit windows and raw concrete pillars set the scene in a restaurant © Roma Ristorante

Candles, flowers and a bowl of lemons sit on a bar in a dimly lit restaurant © Roma Ristorante

A dessert of gelati topped with berries and a wafer biscuit is served © Roma Ristorante

A waiter dishes out a serving of meats and cheeses from a charcuterie buffet © Roma Ristorante

Roma Ristorante, Melbourne, Victoria © Roma Ristorante

Roma

Melbourne / Narrm

Next to a heritage church sits a new slice of Roman razzle dazzle in the heart of Melbourne city. All day eatery Roma Ristorante recently opened its doors and the experience is nothing short of exceptional. The main dining room features marble benchtops and vintage Italian light fittings, there’s an indoor balcony and a streetside terrace, allowing for 100 seats across the whole venue. Hospitality heavyweight Con Christopoulos (of nearby City Wine Shop and Siglo) is the brains behind the trattoria, with chef Matt Wilkinson turning out fresh local seafood, perfect plates of pasta and house-made sorbet and gelato.

A tomahawk steak sizzles over a flaming grill © 7 Cutz

A table is set full of food fresh from a South African-inspired kitchen, steaks, potatoes, fries © 7 Cutz

Espresso martini and amaretto sour sit freshly made on a restaurant table © 7 Cutz

7 Cutz Steakhouse, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © 7 Cutz

7 Cutz

Canberra

7 Cutz, the legendary South African-inspired steakhouse that’s kept Newcastle and Wollongong well fed, has opened a 70-seater restaurant in Canberra’s city centre. The star of the show is the custom built chargrill, where prime cuts of Australian beef, including ribs, wagyu and speciality grass-fed scotch fillet, are cooked to perfection over the open flame. Filling out the well-rounded menu is a mix of fresh and flame-grilled seafood, vegetarian dishes and a carefully curated cocktail and wine list. As well as the dramatic main dining room with dark, moody lighting, there are dedicated private dining rooms on the mezzanine for groups up to 25.

A plate of fusion Japanese food topped with fried lotus chips © Shōtō

A wagyu “sando”, a sandwich made on fluffy white bread with crumbed wagyu inside © Shōtō

A table is set with a collection of fusion Japanese small plates including skewers and hand rolls © Shōtō

A cocktail is served in a bowl of coals, while a flame burns in the glass © Shōtō

Shōtō, Gold Coast, Queensland © Shōtō

Shōtō

Gold Coast

Behind a golden sign and row of swinging red lanterns in Burleigh Heads, lies a realm of energetic nights fuelled by Japanese-inspired small plates. Shōtō is the newest outpost from Nathan Horwood, who is behind popular Gold Coast ramen-meets-whisky joint Etsu Izakaya. True to style, Horwood’s latest venue is packed full of frivolity, with leather booths, manga wallpaper and a cocktail list that’s powered by Japanese whisky, sake and gin. For food, expect a crowd-pleasing menu of fusion favourites like hand rolls, sashimi, skewers and wagyu sandos. This atmospheric restaurant available for private hire seats 56.