There’s no doubt we are spoilt for choice when it comes to private dining rooms in Melbourne. From hidden gems to iconic settings and panoramic views, or even entire venues that transform into private function spaces, there is something for everyone (and every occasion).
We’ve rounded up some of our top picks including the famed Grossi Florentino ‘mural room’, Pipi’s Kiosk with views of Port Phillip Bay, Yum Sing House tucked away in a Melbourne laneway, upstairs at Southside gem, Moonhouse and many more.
Botanical Hotel
169 Domain Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
Botanical Hotel has been in operation since the mid-1800s and was taken over by long-time Hotelier, Publican and Restaurateur Rabih Yanni in 2019. Over five years, with chef Sam Hopkinson, Botanical Hotel has evolved into a dining destination, focusing on premium beef, ethically sourced seafood and a bold wine list. Botanical Hotel serves lunch and dinner daily, as well as a selection of grab-and-go breakfasts. Along with premium dining in its brasserie and private event spaces, the bar also features regular DJs and happy hour from 4pm–7pm, Sunday to Thursday.
Spaces include:
- Alfresco – 16 seated 30 cocktail
- Lounge – 50 cocktail
- Archer Room – 44 seated, 70 cocktail (pictured above)
- Archer Room & Lounge – 120 cocktail
- Private Dining Room – 24 seated
Grossi Florentino
80 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC, 3000
Surrounded by the regal elegance of the 1928 establishment, Grossi Florentino is fit with three private dining spaces. Each is steeped in history spanning almost a century, providing a charming and timeless atmosphere to every occasion. The interiors are complemented by the romantic menu powered by Guy Grossi making this one of the best, and most luxurious spaces available for private dining in Melbourne.
Spaces include:
- Private Dining Room: 8 pax
- Ideal for smaller birthday events and corporate functions
- Wynn Room: 30 pax
- Ideal for mid-size birthday events, corporate functions and small wedding receptions
- Mural Room: 70 pax
- Ideal for large milestone birthdays, corporate functions and medium-sized wedding receptions and ceremonies
Website: florentino.com.au
Bookings via florentino.com.au/florentino
Park St Pasta & Wine
268 Park St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
South Melbourne’s friendly neighbourhood, osteria, is located in a historic corner building and serves up a seasonal menu of Italian fare inspired by the 20 regions of Italy. Pasta is handmade in-house ‘fatto a mano’, with a tidy selection of Italian, international and local wines to match. The venue delivers an intimate bar and interior dining room with a newly renovated second dining room upstairs, doubling as a private event space – The Lombardy Room. Outside, you’ll find an exterior terrazzo area and an undercover parklet on Perrins Street.
Spaces include:
- Dining Room – 30 seated
- The Lombardy Room – 32 seated
- Parklet – 32 seated
Freyja
477 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Freyja, offering a sophisticated, ‘New Nordic’ approach to Australian dining offers guests a Private Dining Room in the basement of the historic heritage-listed Olderfleet on Collins Street. A continually evolving menu led by Michelin-cred Chef Jae Bang and the contrasting heritage and minimalist interiors brings a contemporary and elevated take on Scandinavian hospitality traditions. The dining space can be sectioned off to accommodate intimate experiences of up to 24 guests, or opened up for larger feasts, catering for up to 65 seated guests. The restaurant has several options for lunch and dinner – banquet menus with drinks can cater for most dietary requirements.
Capacity: 10 – 24 pax, 65 max
Website: freyjarestaurant.com
Booking: freyjarestaurant.com/private-events
Studio Amaro
168 Chapel St, Windsor 3181
Commune Group’s latest day-to-night Italian-inspired restaurant and basement bar, Studio Amaro brings a taste of retro to Chapel Street, with Head Chef Daniel Migliaccio’s sharing plates, amaro liqueurs, vinyl tracks and retro-style interiors. Book your semi-private dining experiences downstairs at the basement bar, where Thursday-Saturday, the DJ booth vibrates with disco and soul, soundtracked by a rotating lineup of DJs spinning sweet tunes, some on vinyl, whilst conversation, laughter and shots spills well into the night. Private functions are also available for groups of 16+ with package options including basement bar, ground floor exclusive or whole venue hire. With a set menu designed to share ‘family-style’, the Italo-eatery puts a Melbourne twist on Italian classics, serving up dishes including homemade sourdough focaccia, whipped ricotta, fried mozzarella, rigatoni arrabbiata and rockmelon granita. In keeping with its namesake, Studio Amaro also offers an extensive list of bittersweet amaros, alongside a list of classics, spritzes and more unusual cocktails.
Spaces include:
- Semi-Private: 10 pax
- Basement Bar: 16-40 pax
- Ground Floor: 80 pax (seated)
Whole Venue: 120-160 pax (standing)
Website: studioamaro.au
Bookings via: studioamaro@communegroup.com.au
Moonhouse – Upstairs
282 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183
Moonhouse, a Chinese-inspired bistro is another venue by Commune Group with its own Private Dining Room for any event or occasion. Perched above the main restaurant at the heritage-listed venue, sits Upstairs at Moonhouse. A private dining and event space with private entrance, toilets and fully equipped bar. Moonhouse offers a curated set menu of its best dishes, plus canapes and can cater to dietary requirements. This space seats up to 28 guests for a sit-down event.
Capacity: 28 pax
Website: moonhouse.com.au/upstairs
Bookings: moonhouse@communegroup.com.au
Tokyo Tina – Tokyo Private
66A Chapel St, Windsor VIC 3181
The new dining room Tokyo Private, which is located next to its sister restaurant Tokyo Tina, accommodates up to 28 diners and was designed by Commune Group’s design team, Ewert Leaf, in the form of a luxurious Japanese train carriage from the 1970s. Revellers and sophisticated diners alike may make the dining area their own and enjoy the famous Tokyo Tina hospitality before getting their Karaoke on. The Japanese-inspired cuisine, which will change seasonally, is meant to be shared and will accommodate all dietary restrictions.
Capacity: 28 pax
Website: tokyotina.com.au/tokyotinaprivate
Bookings: Contact tokyotina@communegroup.com.au or 03) 9525 2774
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Neighbourhood Wine
1 Reid St, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
Fitzroy North’s beloved wine bar and bistro, Neighbourhood Wine is a paean to straightforward cooking, seasonality and beautiful hospitality, offering a private dining experience for up to 120 guests. Perfect for those wanting to celebrate over hearty French and Italian-inspired dishes, and bottles of internationally-sourced lo-fi wines.
Spaces include:
- Private Dining Room (12 pax)
- Best suited to intimate celebrations
- Sunset Room (40 seated, 60 standing)
- Ideal for mid-sized events, corporate functions
- Partial Venue – excluding Sunset Room & Parklet (80 seated, 120 standing)
- Perfect for larger celebrations and corporate events
Website: neighbourhoodwine.com
Bookings via enquiries@neighbouhoodwine.com
Old Palm Liquor
133B Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057
Brunswick’s much-loved Old Palm Liquor, represents modern dining in a contemporary atmosphere. With something for everyone’s tastes, the entire venue accommodates up to 150 guests across three distinct areas, the front room, the garden room and the vine-covered courtyard. Ideal for any mid-year celebration, the space can be divided for smaller functions or opened to accommodate larger events. The combination of Head Chef Almay Jordaan’s seasonal, fire-licked, modern South-African dishes, globally-sourced lo-fi wines and the interconnected 70s style dining spaces makes for a perfect end of financial year celebration spot.
Capacity: 120 seated, 150 standing
Website: oldpalmliquor.com
Bookings via events@oldpalmliquor.com
Luci
472 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
An exclusive, semi-private space set on the side of the heritage-listed main dining room, Luci’s Lungo Table offers privacy without being removed from the bustling restaurant vibe. Perfect for champagne luncheons, intimate dinners, boutique events and celebrations. The bespoke group menu is offered, with the flexibility to add canapes, pre-dinner cocktails and a cheese course served by the cheese trolley to the dining experience. Luci’s Long Table can accommodate 34 seated guests. Featuring double height ceilings, refurbished oak panelling, and bespoke marble tables and flooring, its elegant and warm ambience provides the perfect backdrop for every occasion. Packages start at $99 per person and showcases the local and regional producers and is supported with expert wine pairings from both local and European vineyards by in-house sommelier, Keir Vanner.
Website: lucimelbourne.com.au
Capacity: 34 pax
Bookings: lucimelbourne.com.au/events/#event-form
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Roccella
158 Clarendon Street East Melbourne, VIC 3002
As an iconic community venue, Roccella is trailblazing the Italian cuisine market to offer a real slice of heritage combined with modern flare. As a sought-after spot for private parties, weddings, and corporate events, Roccella can accommodate events with up to 150 guests and offers two purpose-built function rooms: The ‘East Melbourne Room’ boasts a spacious and elegant design with natural light and views of Fitzroy Gardens, and ‘La Cantina’, which offers the choice of private, cosy, or open seating and a view into the theatrics of the busy kitchen. For group bookings of 10 or more there are also two set menus on offer, Il Pranzo Della Domenica — A selection of antipasti, pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert, where the team feeds you until you can’t ‘fare una passeggiata’, and Giro Pizza — A Chef’s selection of non-stop pizza.
Capacity: 150 pax
Website: roccellamelbourne.com.au
Bookings via roccellamelbourne.com.au/functions-booking-form
Officina Gastronomica Italiana
532/534 Malvern Rd, Prahran VIC 3181
Located in the heart of Prahran, the beloved Italian espresso bar has recently reopened as Officina Gastronomica Italian, doubling its footprint and adding a dinner service to its menu, with a focus on Italian artisan wines and pasta made “fatta in casa”. Ideal for smaller groups, dine by the fire in Officina Gastronomica Italiana’s private dining room or transport to the quaint courtyards and bustling back streets of Italy in the outdoor courtyard, providing the perfect place to sit and sip on an Italian spritz or espresso. With its warm and rustic charm, impressive wall of wine, and delectable menu including Italian favourites from gnocco fritto to San Daniele Prosciutto and homemade pastas, Officina Gastronomica Italiana of
Capacity: 14 pax
Website: ogi.com.au
Bookings via: ciao@ogi.com.au
Pipis Kiosk
129A Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park VIC 3206
Set on the idyllic Albert Park foreshore and with unparalleled views of the bay, Pipis Kiosk is the ideal location for any celebration. While its views delight year-round, chef Jordan Clay’s seafood focussed menu is just as impressive, taking cues from the seasons in both its produce and how its preparation of ingredients. The wine list, created by Hunter, leans into local drops, as well as wines by the glass available on Coravin, which guests can sip on as they watch the sunset over the sea.
Capacity: 50 seated, 100 standing
Website: www.pipiskiosk.com.au
Bookings via: hello@pipiskiosk.com.au or 03 9041 2814
Akaiito
349-359 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Japanese fine dining restaurant, Akaiito, located on Melbourne’s bustling Flinders Lane offers full venue hire or private dining room experiences for any occasion. For events with up to 12 guests, guests can book Akaiito’s Tsukiyo Visual Dining Experience – an intimate, private dining room where the table comes to life through visual projections accompanied by a seasonal Kojin menu to heighten the senses. Alternatively, book out the full venue and choose from either a three or five-course set menu.
Capacity: 30 pax
Website: http://www.akaiitorestaurant.com.au/
Bookings: Enquire via contact form
Ototo
Underground Basement of Akaiito Restaurant, 349-359 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Speakeasy underground bar, Ototo, is the perfect venue to drink, eat and celebrate under the dazzling red thread of fate. Private events with up to 120 guests and sit-down dinners up to 60 guests are available in this space. Ototo offers a curated set menu of its best dishes, or a selection of canapes and can cater to dietary requirements.
Capacity: 120 standing, 60 seated
Website: ototo.com.au/functions-events
Bookings: Enquire via contact form
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Backroom Bar
234 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, VIC 3141
A hidden nook, located on the famed Toorak Road in South Yarra, Backroom is a subterranean bar that lends rock soul and art deco charm reimagined with eclectic art; it’s a space for all seasons and reasons. From casual events at the bar to intimate themed celebrations, the space suits any occasion, from canapes to more innovative vegan cuisine.
Capacity: 80 people
Bookings: Enquire via contact form
Lona Misa
234 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, VIC 3141
Enter a timeless scene with Latin-loved persuasions: a home where seasonal and flavourful fare collide with bistro dining. With a myriad of private dining spaces to suit any event, Lona Misa is a lively, modern space perfect for group dining events, larger meetings and events.
Capacity: 50 people
Bookings: Enquire via contact form
Bansho
Shop 1, 960 High Street, Armadale, VIC, 3143
Bansho is a new French-Japanese neighbourhood restaurant discreetly tucked away on High Street, Armadale. Taking its name from a Japanese-Buddhist expression meaning ‘all-encompassing’, Bansho delivers an experience that seamlessly blends the timeless elegance of French and Japanese cuisine, with a la carte dining, separate sushi and sashimi menus.
Capacity: 40 people
Bookings: via OpenTable
Yum Sing House
22 Sutherland Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Yum Sing House is a contemporary pan-asian restaurant and karaoke bar, tucked away in the laneways of Melbourne’s inner CBD. The dining space encapsulates the vibrance and romance of the 1960s Hong Kong era, fused with Melbourne’s modern attitude. Yum Sing House offers an extensive a la carte menu and for groups of 8 or more, a feed-me menu showcasing the head chefs’ favourite dishes.
Capacity: 125 standing or 90 seated
Bookings: via Sevenrooms
