Coda Melbourne

The industrial-looking dining room and menu of small plates may no longer be cutting edge, but this decade-old Vietnamese fusion restaurant in City Centre still feels fresh and exciting. Respected chef Adam D'Sylva pairs Southeast Asian techniques with Australian produce to remarkable effect. Not everything on the menu stuns, but the signature dishes—the aromatic duck yellow curry, barramundi with jungle aromats, the wok-tossed lamb with lemongrass—are so satisfying that they make up for the occasional underwhelming appetizer.

The scene: Set in the heart of Melbourne’s most dynamic culinary precinct, Coda has established itself as a lively and innovative addition to the city’s best fine dining restaurants. Best known for its high-octane energy which billows out the doorway and enticing passers-by to enter, this eatery flaunts a simple, strikingly modern interior, with exposed lightbulbs, wire mesh screens and aluminium-framed windows. The cuisine here is just as contemporary and diverse as the surroundings, with a broad selection of French-Vietnamese plates and a handful of Australian dishes on the menu.

Although Flinders Lane is well-regarded for its smattering of quality restaurants, from Lucas Group signatures Chin Chin and Kisume, to Andrew McConnell’s Supernormal and Gimlet, few can outshine Coda. Adam D’Sylva works with mostly Asian flavours for the food, but his flexibility is what makes the food here so exciting. Set in a chic basement, the restaurant exudes a lively atmosphere with its industrial-inspired fitout, while the menu serves up standout dishes like crispy rice paper rolls, twice-cooked quail, and spicy yellowfin tuna tartare.

Explore the galleries before sitting down to lunch at one of the many restaurants on nearby Flinders Lane – Chin Chin and Coda are both standouts. AfternoonMelbourne's city centre is threaded with cobbled laneways, where you could easily lose yourself over a few hours. In these 19th century arcades and alleyways reinvigorated with world-famous street art, you'll find hidden gems at every turn. Enter at Degraves Street, which is lined with cafés and coffee shops, then cross Collins Street to visit the exquisite, 1892-built Block Arcade.

Enjoy your favourite Coda bites like kaffir lime Huon salmon gravlax with whippet tobiko and puff nori biscuit ($19), buffalo mozzarella with minted peas and pickled zucchini ($15), and Korean style half chicken ($22) with the advantage of pick-up and delivery. Main dishes and curries are vacuum-sealed and ideal for freezing. Pick-up is available seven days per week from 11am-5pm at Coda’s sister restaurant Tonka, next day delivery is available for orders placed before 4pm, and same day delivery available Monday to Wednesday.

CUISINE: French VietnameseADDRESS: 141 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000OPENING HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 6pm – 10pmINSTAGRAM: @codamelbourne. Located in one of Melbourne’s most iconic laneways, Coda is nestled in the heart of the city’s most dynamic culinary precinct. Coda has assembled a dedicated team with highly sought-after experience from many international and Melbourne restaurants, and since 2009 they are thrilled to have maintained One Hat in The Age Good Food Guide’s ‘Hat Awards’.

Style / Ambiance: As international as Melbourne itself, Adam d’Sylva’s smart bistro has an eclectic menu that ranges from rabbit rillettes with sourdough, to tender roast duck in tamarind-scented yellow curry. The bustling bar area serves wines by the glass and shareable small plates. The minimalistic dining room has artfully distressed walls, wire and mesh light fixtures and chic aluminum window treatments designed by Melbourne studio Projects of Imagination.

I recall going there for dinner and drinks when I first discovered the greatness of the Melbourne hospitality scene around 2009. Set in an underground trendy industrial chic space, Coda offers a clever combination of Vietnamese with a French influence, celebrating great Australian produce. The wine list has quite a big selection of half bottles, which I guess is to compliment the share plates, in the spirit of sharing different wines with different flavors.

Location: Basement/141 Flinders Ln, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9650 3155. For many contented diners, Coda is opening of Coda more than 13 years ago was their first experience of how delicious Asian fusion cooking can be. And although there are dozens of eateries balancing Thai with Chinese ingredients or Japanese techniques with a Korean pantry, few do French-Vietnamese with the sophistication of this restaurant.

You and you date will feel like you've been transported to another universe at this underground bar. The current European and Asian food is full of vibrant and fresh flavours, while the intimate atmosphere provided by the dark wood, dim lights, and clever split layout ensures complete discretion. As an appetiser, have some freshly shucked oysters with split crab and nam Chong dressing.

Coda Restaurant, located in Melbourne, offers a unique eating experience by mixing French and Vietnamese culinary effects. Situated in the heart of the city, it boasts a complicated yet relaxed atmosphere best for both intimate dinners and group gatherings. Known for its innovative fusion dishes and expertly curated wine list, Coda showcases a menu designed to marvel and pleasure.

Coda's French-Vietnamese fusion menu is all about innovation and carefully balanced flavours. Nab the crispy tapioca and prawn betel leaf with kaffir lime and green chilli for starters, and chase it down with Beijing crispy aromatic chicken with plum salt. The rum-roasted pineapple and Thai basil sorbet with whipped mascarpone cream and Sablé Breton are also absolutely insane.

A true Melbourne institution, sleek and chic Coda is widely agreed to be one of the city’s best. Always buzzing with its own special brand of energy, not only is this the place to be seen on a Friday night (or any other night for that matter) – but you’re guaranteed a brilliant meal in the process. Trust us, the yellow fin tuna alone is worth the wait.

Coda offers an impressive collection of French-Vietnamese and modern Asian dishes for families to enjoy. Those in the mood for a lighter dish can choose king prawn spring rolls, shucked oysters, lamb cutlets, blackened quail, and more. Otherwise, the larger options of the menu include char-grilled spatchcock, barramundi, and yellow duck curry.

Located right in the center of Melbourne’s Flinders Lane, Coda has been a key part of the city’s restaurant scene since it opened in 2009. The restaurant serves a menu that mixes French and Vietnamese flavors, with meals meant to be shared. The setting is lively and stylish, decorated in a simple yet modern style with industrial elements.

Within seconds upon entry, you feel as though this hidden laneway restaurant is hugging you hello. Is it the warm lighting, the perfect temperature, the sectioned layout or the fact you are below footpath level and feel like a two penguins in a burrow?. The answer is D: all of the above.

Coda exploded onto the Melbourne food scene five years ago with its rockstar appeal and still draws in the crowds. In a laneway basement with a minimalist fit-out and an energetic buzz, Adam D'Sylva's diverse menu offers a double act of vibrant Asian and classic French cuisine.

For a slightly more casual option, (and if you love modern Asian cuisine), I would highly recommend Supernormal (Japanese), Lucy Liu (multicultural Asian) and Coda (French-Vietnamese). All have great fit outs too.

Pop in pre-theatre for some scallops and a glass of wine, or do your next special occasion here. Coda is supremely versatile, and one of Melbourne’s best.

Coda has established a presence at the end of Flinders Lane, but it is not apparent what it entails. Cultures of contemporary Asia coming together?