Best Restaurants in Southbank Melbourne
How long has it been since you last visited Southbank? The riverbank strip is lined with eateries for almost every occasion: fine dining, casual dining, affordable lunches, and costly degustations.
We’ve compiled a list of the best and most popular restaurants in the area.
Bresline Bar and Grill
The Breslin Bar & Grill, with its New York attitude and style combined with modern and classic technique, offers Melbourne the best an animal can offer. The Breslin Bar & Grill is a meat, sausage, curing, and terrine brasserie with a lot of attitude. The idea of using every part of an animal isn’t new, and it can be found in places like the Square, St. Johns, and every French provincial bistro. They make use of the entire carcass. This entails investigating primary cuts like fillet, sirloin, rump, and T-bone, as well as secondary cuts like brisket, shin, flank, ribs, and offal. Our changing specials and seasonal produce are also displayed on large chalkboards. In terms of the bar, they create a one-of-a-kind experience, from the classics to the extremes, employing cutting-edge technology to provide a service akin to that of a New York bar – fun, playful, and entertaining.
Address: 1 Southbank Blvd, Southbank VIC 3006
Phone: (03) 9686 2110
Hours: Mon-Sun 12 pm-10 pm
The Atlantic
Known for its modern cuisine, which focuses on fresh local fish and products.
The Atlantic restaurant in Melbourne opened its doors in 2011. The Atlantic’s persistent focus on excellence and seafood obtained from top Australian suppliers has made it a globally known name today, inspired by New York’s iconic meat packing area and flurrying fish markets of the past. The Atlantic is a popular venue for individual and group dining experiences, harvesting the finest of the sea and land for a menu of the greatest quality.
Everything The Atlantic undertakes is guided by an ocean-to-plate mentality. Return to New York’s famed meatpacking district, with the commotion of the fish markets adding interest and flavor to your perspective. Add in an unwavering commitment to perfection, the use of only the freshest ingredients, and the greatest culinary captains the ocean has to offer.
From the oyster bar and à la carte to the degustation menus, the Atlantic’s menus are designed to awaken the senses. This crop is supplemented by produce purchased from Australia’s top local and specialised sources. This spirit pervades The Atlantic, from its design and ambience to its service and cuisine, all of which are perfected in a spectacular waterfront setting. The Atlantic’s terrace, which overlooks the Yarra River and is right adjacent to the Crown Riverwalk, provides magnificent views of the metropolitan skyline.
Address: Crown Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9698 8888
Hours: Tue-Sun 12 pm-3 pm, 6 pm-10 pm
P.J.O’Brien’s Irish Pub Melbourne
P.J.O’Brien’s, located in the heart of Southgate, is one of Melbourne’s oldest true Irish pubs and a popular hangout for both residents and visitors. P.J’s has you covered every night of the week, whether you’re looking for a quiet beer, a hearty dinner, after-work beverages with freshly shucked oysters, or all of the above with some great live music. The lunch includes some fantastic Irish classics as well as gastro-pub favorites, all at reasonable costs. What’s not to like about a superb kids menu and some fantastic daily specials?
Address: Southgate Restaurant & Shopping Precinct, 3006 Southbank (VIC)
Phone: (03) 9686 5011
Hours: Sun-Thur 12 pm-10 pm, Fri-Sat 12 pm-1 am
Baci
Baci serves breakfast, lunch, and supper 24 hours a day. This family-run Italian café, which has an alfresco eating area on the Riverwalk, is perfect for informal dining at any time of day or night. For those on the go, takeout is also available.
Traditional Italian pizza, spaghetti, risotto, and other delectable main courses are complemented by a wide selection of Italian and regional wines.
All day, light foods such as coffee, pastries, and gelato are provided.
Whether you stop by for coffee and biscotti, dessert or gelato, or just a short drink at the bar, take in our spectacular Yarra River views at any time of day or night, all year long.
Address: Crown Riverwalk, Crown Melbourne, 21/8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Phone: +61 3 9682 0588
Hours: 24 Hours
La Camera
In Southbank’s riverbank trees, La Camera Southgate gives a taste of Italy. La Camera’s warm patio spaces are great for pre-theatre dinners, business lunches, or group get-togethers, with two balconies affording full views of the Yarra River and renowned Flinders Street Station. Vintage pictures, soft lighting, and booth seating provide a pleasant, yet dynamic ambiance inside this family-owned and run establishment that transitions from airy and casual by day to sophisticated by night. La Camera’s extensive menu features a wide range of authentic Roman-style dishes, all prepared with high-quality fresh and seasonal ingredients – think roasted pork belly stuffed with garlic and herbs, topped with salsa verde, braised vegetables, and toasted bread crumbs, as well as classic Margherita pizza slices.
La Camera has you covered whether you’re looking for a quick nibble before work, a place to host a business lunch, superb food in a convenient location for a family dinner, or a peaceful supper after the theater.
La Camera, located amid the riverfront trees on Southgate’s mid-level, has two balconies with amazing views of the Yarra River and the renowned Flinders Street Station. Vintage black-and-white images cover the inside, representing the history of the family who has owned and run the restaurant from its inception in 2000.
The cuisine is inspired by owner Lino Scidone and his brother, La Camera’s manager Paul, who go to Rome with their cooks on a regular basis to generate fresh concepts. Quality components, as well as fresh, seasonal food, are prioritized.
Address: MR2/3 Southgate Ave,
Southbank VIC 3006
Phone: 03 9699 3600
Hours: Mon-Wed Closed, Thurs-Sun 12 pm – till late
Red Emperor
For more than 23 years, Red Emperor Chinese Restaurant has been a favourite Southgate hangout in Melbourne. The restaurant, which was originally located on Level 3, now serves al fresco dining on the terrace, which overlooks the Yarra River. The romanticism of out-door eating is enhanced by panoramic vistas of Flinders Street Station and the Melbourne cityscape.
The warm tones of crimson, burgundy, and gold on the inside provide the ideal ambiance for both formal corporate gatherings and private meals. Private event rooms may be created from the dining room. The smaller function rooms can accommodate up to 30 people, while the bigger ones can accommodate up to 60 people.
Their menu features tried-and-true Red Emperor favorites. These were created with a caring heart and great attention to detail by our highly trained chefs. They don’t use MSG and take pleasure in accommodating special requests and dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free. In addition to business occasions, their all-inclusive food and beverage packages are ideal for bigger family meals.
Many people believe Red Emperor’s daily yum cha to be one of Melbourne’s greatest. They take pleasure in producing every yum cha item in-house every day to assure freshness and excellence.
Address: M10/3 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Phone: +61 3 9699 4170
Hours: Mon-Sat 12 pm-3 pm, 6 pm-10 pm, Sun 11 am-3:30 pm, 6 pm-10 pm
Nobu
Experience the inventive flavors of Nobu, one of Melbourne’s greatest restaurants, in its contemporary, trendy settings.
The bar offers a large selection of excellent cocktails, sake, and wine, all while viewing gorgeous river views. The restaurant’s enduring popularity and loyal following are a testament to Nobu’s unique take on traditional Japanese cuisine.
Nobu Melbourne is ideal for every occasion that calls for something different. You’ll be astounded to see highly talented chefs transform sushi preparation into a feast of entertainment right before your eyes. Today is the last day to sample Nobu’s gastronomic pleasures. Lunch reservations are offered seven days a week, and dinner reservations are available every day.
Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, better known as Nobu, is the renowned and influential chef behind the Nobu and Matsuhisa restaurants.
Nobu’s professional desire dates back to the day his elder brother introduced him to his first sushi restaurant. He was destined for a career in the kitchen, he knew it.
Nobu worked in a Tokyo sushi restaurant for seven years after graduation before accepting an opportunity to build a restaurant in Lima. This was the birth of his unique style, which included Peruvian inspirations into his meals.
Nobu opened Matsuhisa in Los Angeles a decade later to outstanding reviews and rapid success. It was here that he met Robert De Niro and began their long personal and professional connection. They opened Nobu in New York City in 1994 at De Niro’s request, and it was an instant smash.
Address: Riverside at Crown, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank 3006 VIC
Phone: +61392925777
Hours: Mon-Wed 12 pm-3 pm, 6 pm-10 pm, Thur & Sun 12 pm-10 pm, Fri-Sat 12 pm-11 pm
Merrywell Burger Bar
Merrywell Burger Bar serves a variety of typical American-style burgers as well as some creative concoctions. All of our beef patties are crafted from 100% grass-fed cattle and meticulously cooked by Peter Bouchier butchers to ensure a delicious burger. The bottom level has all the ambiance of an American diner, with numerous options for dining – in the neighboring tiny bar, on the courtyard, or in a secluded corner.
The Merrywell is the ideal gastro-pub, with two storeys. The Merrywell 2.0, ‘Bite me,’ and the Buffalo Burger are among the mouthwatering, juicy beef patties on offer at the basement burger bar. There are also kid-friendly burgers and milkshakes that may be ordered with a shot of vodka. Upstairs, you’ll discover a choice of sharing platters, and from Thursday through Sunday, the DJs will be spinning the newest sounds as the sun sets.
Address: Riverside at Crown (Near Clarendon St, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Phone: +61 3 9292 5777
Hours: Sun-Thur 12 pm-9 pm, Fri-Sat 12 pm-10 pm
Spice Temple
Spice Temple is a contemporary Chinese restaurant that focuses on China’s lesser-known locations in terms of cuisine. Our meals are meant to be shared and eaten banquet-style in our intimate and sensual setting.
Spice Temple delivers modern Chinese food as you’ve never seen it before in Australia, thanks to our concept of combining world-class service with a profound appreciation for the greatest quality products.
Address: Spice Temple, Crown Towers Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC, Australia
Phone: +61 3 8679 1888
Hours: Mon-Tue Closed, Wed-Thur 6 pm-9 pm, Fri 6 pm-10 pm, Sat 12 pm-3 pm, 5:30 pm-10 pm, Sun 12 pm-3 pm, 5:30 pm-9 pm
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Inspired by the finest steakhouses of North America, Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne is a dining establishment that offers a polished yet easygoing experience, with an uncompromising focus on exceptional product – particularly the meat program – beef sourced from only Australia’s top farms, an amazing wine selection, and crisp and cheerful service… The cuisine is straightforward and easy, yet the setting is opulent.
Their meat is purchased directly from the ranchers and dry aged on site. The dry aging procedure is significant because it gives the beef a richer flavor than the more frequent wet aging in cryovac, which is actually just preserving the meat. This, however, necessitates a significant time commitment because we have a large amount of beef aging at any one moment. They feel that the three varieties of beef we offer are indicative of the best in Australia in their respective categories. Blackmore’s Wagyu, Cape Grim, and Minderoo are all part of the Rockpool philosophy of treating animals humanely. No growth hormones or antibiotic feed additions are employed. In today’s Australia, this is an unusual occurrence, especially with the conventional lot-fed cattle.
Address: Crown Casino, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Phone: +61 3 9081 0532
Hours: Mon-Tue Closed, Wed 6 pm-9 pm, Thur, Fri, & Sun 12 pm-2:30 pm, 6 pm-10 pm, Sat 6 pm-10
