Top 12 quirky restaurants in Melbourne for a memorable dining experience
If you were given the chance to choose, would you rather have your food served by a regular waiter – or by someone dressed as a witch, with your meal tossed into a cauldron and your drink poured into a goblet?
Sounds odd? Sure, but for some, it’s just a regular dinner with a little whimsical twist to make the experience more fun, memorable, and just better.
Quirky restaurants in Melbourne are not uncommon. If anything, this city has a habit of turning the most ordinary dining experience into something unique, or maybe weird.
Don’t be afraid to try something different – check out where you can live out the fantasy dinner party of your dreams!
1. Mjølner
– Media credit: Mjølner
Website: https://mjolner.com.au/melbourne
Address: 106 Hardware St.
Phone: +61383939367
Operating hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Friday and Saturday 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Sunday 5:00 am – 10:00 pm
If you’re a sucker for everything Viking, you should check out Mjølner. Once you get inside, you’ll be situated in a place with heavy Nordic motifs–horned drinking vessels, carved axes, and torch-like lighting.
From the moment you sit down, you’ll be presented with a selection of knives to choose from to use with your meat. That already sets the tone right.
The menu is hearty, mostly revolving around protein-heavy dishes, like venison loin, bone marrow, and even a whole trout dish.
The dishes rotate seasonally, but nevertheless, the whole idea and the dining experience that comes with it are ridiculously fun.
And what’s a Viking experience without the drinks? They offer over 600 types of whisky, and the cocktails often come with a smoky or spiced twist.
Pro tip:
It’s best to visit as a group. The serving sizes here are big – it’s worth sharing with company!
2. Tzaki
– Media credit: Tzaki
Website: http://www.tzaki.au/
Address: 31 Ballarat St, Yarraville
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
- Thursday and Sunday 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tzaki is an Athenian-inspired restaurant with a menu that leans into traditional, wood-fired Greek cuisine, such as lamb shoulder, grilled octopus, and flaky spanakopita.
The interior is inspired by a Greek kafeneio with terracotta pots, textured stone finishes, and warm lighting.
The dishes are best for sharing, which suits the social yet intimate energy of the place. There’s also a seasonal fish that’s cooked on an open flame, for that extra bit of interaction.
For wines, they have an extensive list from Greek producers, which – get this – is surprisingly rare in Melbourne. Cocktails also have their Mediterranean twists on them, like incorporating flavors such as fig syrup and mastiha.
Pro tip:
You can ask about the off-menu specials. They often serve traditional family-style recipes that aren’t listed.
3. AFLOAT Melbourne
– Media credit: AFLOAT MELBOURNE
Website: https://www.afloat.melbourne/
Address: 2, Flinders Walk, Melbourne
Phone: +61396291547
Operating months: September to June
AFLOAT is a floating restaurant that seasonally pops up on the Yarra River; they typically operate from September to June annually.
Each time they open, they transform into a new international theme with a full venue redesign – from the menu to the interior styling.
Some of their themes in the past include a Mexican beach club, a Miami poolside, and an Australian summer house.
Some things remain constant despite the theme changes, like the DJ sets, cocktails, and brunch sessions.
Pro tip:
If possible, get a table on the second floor. It’s less busy and the views are better.
4. StoryVille
– Media credit: StoryVille
Website: http://www.storyvillemelbourne.com.au/
Address: 185 Lonsdale St.
Phone: +61399939034
Operating hours:
- Monday 12:00 am – 7:00 am
- Tuesday 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Wednesday 12:00 am – 3:00 am and 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Thursday 12:00 am – 5:00 am and 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Friday 12:00 am – 6:00 am and 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Saturday 12:00 am – 9:00 am and 3:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Sunday 12:00 am – 10:00 am and 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
If you want to relive your childhood fairy tale, StoryVille will take you on an experience like no other.
Aside from the food and inventive cocktails, each part of the venue is themed. The downstairs bar resembles a fantasy forest, surrounded by overgrown, glowing mushrooms and hanging plants.
Meanwhile, the upstairs level, named “The Library,” features enchanted bookcases and velvet seats.
Every Wednesday to Sunday, when the clock strikes at 11 PM, StoryVille becomes a nightclub called the StoryVille Afterdark, where you can enjoy creative cocktails inspired by popular fairy tales.
Some of their signature creations are named “Goblet of Flames,” “Polyjuice Potion,” and “Down the Rabbit Hole,” arriving in props like teapots or potion vials.
Pro tip:
StoryVille Afterdark is composed of day-specific themed parties with special menus and activities. Just visit their website to choose the best theme for you.
5. Easey’s
– Media credit: Noe Mikami
Website: http://easeys.com.au/
Address: 3/48 Easey St, Collingwood
Phone: +61394172250
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Burgers are easily one of the comfort foods of many. What if you can enjoy it inside an actual repurposed train carriage mounted on a rooftop?
This setup alone is incomparable, as you’ll get to enjoy a hearty meal with a beautiful view of the city.
As a burger joint, Easey’s menu includes burgers stacked with triple patties, mac and cheese fillings, and even doughnut buns if you want something sweet and savoury. To go with that, there are also loaded fries, fried chicken, and rotating specials.
To pair your meals with, there are craft beers, milkshakes spiked with whisky or rum, and cocktails.
Pro tip:
We suggest booking a reservation if you plan to come at 4 PM onwards, as the place gets busy and crowded at sundown.
6. Attica Restaurant
– Media credit: Attica Restaurant
Website: http://www.attica.com.au/
Address: 74 Glen Eira Rd, Ripponlea
Phone: +61395300111
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
Attica is an intimate, fine dining restaurant that redefines modern Australian cuisine by turning native ingredients into flavorful dishes.
The chef-owner is a pioneer of bush-to-table dining, which means they use foraged seeds and seasonal produce to create flavorful dishes.
They serve inventive tasting menus that consist of about 11 courses and wine pairings. These typically include emu liver parfait, crocodile ribs, kelp-wrapped marron, and more.
The dishes may seem gimmicky, but each one has a purpose and is rooted in the chef’s stories. It’s more of an upscale experience, so expect it to be on the pricier side.
Pro tip:
You can book a reservation up to 90 days in advance, so it’s better to join the waiting list as soon as it opens – they fill up quickly.
7. Witches in Britches
– Media credit: Witches in Britches
Website: https://www.witchesinbritches.com.au/
Address: 84 Dudley St, West Melbourne
Phone: +61393299850
If you’re more into goth, Witches in Britches is a long-standing theatre restaurant that blends live performances and dining into one dark, humorous night out.
The venue is styled like a haunted castle with dungeon decor and staff dressed like witches. At the center of it all is the live stage where various acts are performed, such as comedy, magic, musical numbers, and more.
These shows change throughout the year, and guests can enjoy them at a long, banquet-style table. Sometimes, the performers randomly pull an audience member into the performance!
The food served is part of a dinner package, which typically includes a three-course set menu. There’s also a bar that serves themed cocktails throughout the night.
Pro tip:
The shows get crazier, especially during the Halloween season. Time-limited potions and dark desserts are also added to the menu during this time, so make sure you book in advance to secure a spot.
8. Munich Brauhaus
– Media credit: Munich Brauhaus
Website: https://munichbrauhaus.com.au/
Address: 45 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf
Phone: +61390810534
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 12:00 am
- Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
If you want to experience an authentic German Bierhalle while in Melbourne, Munich Brauhaus is the place to go. It’s basically a venue dressed as a traditional German beer hall that brings the Oktoberfest energy to the city all year round.
The menu, interior design, and live performances are meant to evoke the feel of a Bavarian feast – we’re talking about oversized portions of German classics, long timber tables, and steins of beer.
Some of the dishes served are pork knuckles, schnitzels, bratwurst, and many more. Their signature offering is the “Munich Platter,” a massive sharing board loaded with hearty sausages, crispy pork belly, and sides like sauerkraut and mash.
Of course, what’s a classic German beer hall without the drinks? Munich Brauhaus offers a large selection of German beers, both on tap and bottled.
Live entertainment is also a big part of this place, with oompah bands performing on weekends and scheduled games like yodel-offs.
Pro tip:
Try to come on Saturdays for the “Bavarian Feast” package. This includes a set menu, live music, and unlimited stein refills.
9. Naked for Satan
– Media credit: Naked for Satan
Website: http://www.nakedforsatan.com.au/
Address: 285 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Phone: +61394162238
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm – 1:00 am
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Naked for Satan is one of Melbourne’s iconic rooftop bars. The whole concept is inspired by 20th-century Russia and a mythic distiller known as “Satan,” who operated during the vodka prohibition.
This is probably the reason why the place is known for its creative vodka flavors, including jalapeño, black cherry, espresso, and more.
One of the main offerings here is the pintxos – these are Basque bar snacks skewered with toothpicks and displayed buffet-style. It’s perfect if you want to try different flavors without ordering a whole meal.
The rooftop menu, on the other hand, is more refined with mains like seared scallops, wagyu skewers, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder – best paired with their specialty vodkas and cocktails.
Pro tip:
We suggest visiting Naked for Satan during their happy hour (Sunday to Friday 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM) to score discounted drinks and cocktails.
10. Fondue Chalet
– Media credit: Fondue Chalet
Website: https://fonduechalet.com.au/
Address: Russell St Ext
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Saturday to Sunday 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
Did somebody say cheese? At Fondue Chalet, the whole menu is about melted French cheese served with various dippers like meat, crusty bread, and potatoes.
For dessert, you’ll enjoy it the same way as you did with the main – a velvety chocolate fondue with marshmallows and fruits.
Fondue Chalet runs only during the winter months, and the dining experience takes place inside a private lodge with a fire pit in the center to warm you up. It’s a popular spot among friend groups and families.
Aside from the food, guests can also order alpine-themed drinks like warm mulled wine, spiked hot chocolate, and cocktails. There’s also a select list of red and white wines.
The place is just a nice and cozy way to enjoy Melbourne’s colder nights.
Pro tip:
The place only accepts large groups of six or more, so make sure you meet this requirement and reserve a dome early in the season, as they are in high demand.
11. Rice Paper Scissors
– Media credit: Rice Paper Scissors
Website: http://ricepaperscissors.com.au/
Address: 15 Hardware Ln
Phone: +61396639890
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
- Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Inspired by the street food scene in Southeast Asian countries, Rice Paper Scissors brings the rich food culture to Melbourne’s small plate dining concept.
Such a scene creates an energetic and social atmosphere that encourages sharing, just like how they do it in Southeast Asia.
The dishes rotate occasionally, but some of the classics that you’ll never see missing from the menu are sticky pork belly, Thai fried chicken, and crispy barramundi – all paired with housemade sauces and served in banana leaf platters.
They’re also happy to take care of your food if you have allergies or dietary restrictions, so feel free to let them know upon ordering.
The drinks are Southeast Asia-inspired, offering options for both drinkers and non-drinkers.
Honestly, many visitors come back not only for the delicious food and unique experience, but also because of the warm and welcoming staff!
Pro tip:
The banquet dining is famous among first-timers and groups, as it lets you choose your own food combo, and the portions can be adjusted according to your party size. It also comes with bottomless rice!
12. Tippy-Tay
– Media credit: Garden State Hotel
Website: https://tippytay.com.au/
Address: Garden State Hotel, 101 Flinders Ln
Phone: +61383965777
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Tippy-Tay redefines a classic Italian dining experience by leaning heavily on theatrical and maximalist design. Walk inside a mix of pastel tiles, mismatched plates, and hanging pennants.
Yes, it may look wild at first glance, but it oddly works together. Add to that the disco-Italian sound that fills the air, which the staff occasionally dance to.
So, expect that it can get a little loud and festive in there.
Classic Italian dishes are served with a little bit of a twist, just like the pizzas with puffed crusts and handmade pastas. The food is always served fresh with generous portion sizes.
The most memorable touch here is the build-your-own Negroni station. You can choose your own base, bitterness level, and aromatics, then watch it all come together on a rolling drinks trolley.
You may not find Tippy-Tay as the place for quiet conversations, but one thing is for sure: it’s definitely one for celebrations.
Pro tip:
You can book a seat for a group of up to 30 people. This comes with banquet menus, flowing cocktails, and a semi-private chef’s table – perfect for special celebrations.