Introducing Yiaga: chef Hugh Allen’s ambitious first restaurant, years in the making
Renowned chef Hugh Allen today announced plans for Yiaga, a bold new dining destination in the heart of Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens, slated to open in the second half of 2025.
Allen said: “I’ve always envisioned creating a serene, distinctive restaurant that enriches both guests and our team—a space that celebrates Australia’s beauty and bounty. While exploring locations in 2019, I discovered a derelict pavilion in Fitzroy Gardens during the first COVID-19 lockdown. It reminded me of my childhood visits, and I knew this was the place for the restaurant I had always dreamed of.”
Yiaga sits on Wurundjeri country and will serve a multi-course tasting menu highlighting Australia’s abundant culinary landscape, from exquisite local seafood and wild game to rare native berries. Allen and his team are currently deep in menu research and development, collaborating with incredible craftspeople, producers, and makers.
Yiaga aspires to be more than just a dining establishment. The long-term vision includes hosting monthly talks, educational sessions with local and international experts, and various workshops.
“Once we’re fully operational, we aim for Yiaga to become more than just a dining experience. We want as many people as possible to feel connected to Yiaga, whether visiting for dinner, attending a talk, or participating in a workshop. Ultimately, we would love and envision Yiaga evolving over the years into a vibrant campus of gastronomy,” continued Allen.
The site, originally built in 1908 as tearooms and expanded with a dining room in the 1920s, was irreparably damaged by fire in the 1960s. The second building, constructed shortly after, has housed various hospitality businesses until being left vacant for nearly a decade. For over 100 years, this site has been a place of hospitality in various forms.
Allen is collaborating with renowned Australian architect John Wardle and his team to bring Yiaga’s vision to life. Wardle, known for his passion for using local materials and working with skilled craftspeople, shares Allen’s commitment to creating a space that harmonises with the natural surroundings of Fitzroy Gardens while showcasing exceptional Australian design across all disciplines.
Yiaga is being built using nearly all Victorian materials, from burnt earth clay tiles lining the continuous dining room wall to the bricks inspired by the texture of the surround tree bark, through to ceramics made from the same clay as the cricket pitch at the MCG. Each element has been designed to harmonise with Fitzroy Garden’s natural environment. Allen and the Yiaga team are thoughtfully considering and curating every detail from the restaurants build through to ingredients being used in the menu.
Allen added: “Being born and raised in Melbourne, I’ve always known that one day I wanted to open a restaurant here. Working and traveling around the world has only deepened my connection to this city. This project has already been an incredible journey, and I’m deeply grateful for the support of so many talented individuals. I can’t wait to share more as the build progresses.”
Yiaga is set to open in spring 2025.
YIAGA
Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
Website: yiaga.au
Instagram: yiaga.au
