Where To Dine and Drink Before And After The Australian Grand Prix
The big race is coming back to Melbourne on Sunday, 24 March. Whether you’re soaking up the excitement right at the track, or joining in the festivities around the city across the four days, these are our favourite spots to fuel up before, after, and during races.
Botanical Hotel
169 Domain Road, South Yarra, 3141
With its prime position opposite Melbourne’s iconic Royal Botanic Gardens, Botanical Hotel offers something for everyone, from lunch and dinner served daily across its bar and brasserie, to grab-and-go breakfasts and picnics. Open from 8 am – late, every day, the venue offers a sharpened focus on quality, seasonal food, warm welcoming service, and a considered global wine list.
Bookings: via Botanical Hotel
Castlerose
67 Palmerston Cres, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Nestled underneath the din of the streets at 67 Palmerston Crescent sits South Melbourne’s new restaurant and bar, Castlerose. From 4 pm, descend a spiral staircase to access the newly opened elegant, dim-lit space, which takes style cues from the sophistication of 20th-century dining. With architecture by Co:Aika, the use of dark timbers, marble, and Italian terrazzo evokes the opulence of grand European venues, providing an elegant setting for enjoying meals, snacks, and late-night drinks post-Grand Prix.
Bookings: via Castlerose
Lona Misa
234 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
South Yarra’s iconic plant-based, Latin-inspired restaurant, Lona Misa, is led by renowned chef and culinary director, Shannon Martinez, and head chef Pamella Tomio. Open for both lunch and dinner, diners can choose from either the a la carte menu or $89 seasonal tasting menu which serves up favourites including roasted poblano and parmesan croquettes, anticuchos, ‘steak’ tartare, and champiñones españoles.
Bookings: via Lona Misa
Studio Amaro
168 Chapel St, Windsor 3181
With a menu designed to share ‘family-style’, perfect for pre or post race, the Italo-eatery puts a Melbourne twist on Italian classics, serving up dishes including homemade sourdough focaccia, whipped ricotta, fried mozzarella, rigatoni arrabbiata, snapper all’acqua pazza, and rockmelon granita, and a daily panini selection available for takeaway lunch. In keeping with its namesake, Studio Amaro offers an extensive list of bittersweet amaros, alongside a list of classics, spritzes, and more unusual cocktails. Thursday to Saturday night, the underground 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 spill well into the night.
Bookings: via Studio Amaro
Pipis Kiosk
129A Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park VIC 3206
Opening in stages between late 2020 and early 2021, Pipis Kiosk is a former beach shack reimagined by co-owners Jordan Clay and Tom Hunter into a two-part venue: takeaway window and refined dining room. 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.
Moonhouse
282 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183
Celebrate the race wins at Balaclava’s iconic art-deco silhouette, Moonhouse. Gather your friends to share plates, bottles, and laughs over a Chinese-inspired feast, featuring dishes including kingfish crudo, pan-friend mushroom bing, supreme fried rice, wok-tossed seasonal greens and half-roast chicken. For $59pp, indulge in Moonhouse’s weekend yum cha, with vegan and kids menus also available. Those looking for something sweet, indulge in Moonhouse’s mandarin sorbet, Jasmine tea pudding, or green apple sorbet.
Bookings: via Moonhouse
Tokyo Tina
66A Chapel St, Windsor VIC 3181
Make Tokyo Tina your pit stop this Grand Prix and indulge in a modern Japanese feast. Located on Chapel Street in Windsor, just a short trip from the track, relish in the flavours of Tokyo with baos, buns, rice, and noodles, with wine and cocktails for pairing. Starting at $76pp, go all in with Tokyo Tina’s set menus, highlighting crowd favourite dishes including spiced edamame, pork and kimchi gyoza, green beans, and dorayaki with chocolate cream.
Bookings: via Tokyo Tina
New Quarter
Ground Level, 79 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121
Dine pre or post-race at New Quarter, where the exquisite flavours meet the track excitement. Just a hop, skip, and jump from the track, New Quarter’s neo-Vietnamese menu includes plates perfect for sharing including duck floss egg noodles, banh mi fingers, and friend chicken sandos. For those looking to conclude their experience with a sweet victory, opt for coconut granita, Vietnamese coffee cream with caramel, or Starward ginger-whisky cake.
Bookings: via New Quarter
Firebird
223 High St, Windsor VIC 3181
This Grand Prix season, Firebird will be revving up the grill with its crowd-favourite dishes. Whether you’re gearing up for a race or celebrating the wins, Firebird’s woodfired Vietnamese-inspired menus are curated for any group and occasion, including scotch quail eggs, bun cha bites, beef carpaccio, prawn broken rice, and wood-roasted market fish. For those after something extra special, opt for the Endless Lunch menu on weekends and indulge in endless oysters and fries, with the option to add bottomless booze for $35pp.
Bookings: via Firebird
Hanoi Hannah
186 High St, Windsor VIC 3181
Hanoi Hannah’s street-eat favourites are perfect for a quick pre or post-race bite. From rice paper rolls, to banh mi, to pho, options are plentiful, with something on the menu for everyone in your racing crew. Looking to watch the race at home? Hanoi Hannah’s Entertaining is suitable for any size gathering, with a variety of ready-to-serve packs and platters on offer, featuring Hanoi Hannah’s crowd favourite bites. The packs are available for same-day pick-up or delivery within a 20km radius.
Bookings: via Hanoi Hannah
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”. With its warm and rustic charm, an impressive wall of wine, and a delectable menu including Italian favourites from gnocco fritto to San Daniele Prosciutto and homemade pastas, Officina Gastronomica Italiana is the perfect Italian haven for Ferrari fans, heading to the Grand Prix, offering a classic Italian fare encompassing rich heritage and conviviality of Italian cuisine.
Bookings: via OGI
Akaiito
349-351 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Fine-dining Japanese, Akaiito, is situated off Melbourne’s Flinders Lane, with Its brand new offering and concept, ‘Omakase at Your Table’; a chef-led experience is brought to life by a brigade of expert Robatayaki & Sushi Chefs, led by Head Chef Winston Zhang. The two new menus: an ‘Aka’ five-course degustation ($178pp), and a seven-course signature ‘Kojin’ experience ($228pp), showcase expertly prepared dishes of high-end Japanese cuisine, using native Australian ingredients. With a maximum of 30 patrons per evening, diners will embark on an incredibly intimate culinary journey, with each course served and intricately explained by the chefs, bringing the heart and soul of the menu to the forefront.
Bookings: here
Luci
472 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Just a quick tram ride to the track, Luci is a contemporary Australian restaurant, set inside the grand hall of Melbourne’s historic Equity Chambers building in Melbourne’s CBD. Its Art Deco-styled dining room – designed by award-winning architect Bates Smart – provides a sophisticated backdrop to a contemporary Australian menu with Italian accents. Luci is housed within the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street Hotel and adjoins sister venue, The Douglas Club, on the ground floor.
Website / menu: https://lucimelbourne.com.au/menu/
Main image credit: Jana Langhorst