The Best Private Dining Rooms in Melbourne

Fun and vibrant Italian is the name of the game at Russell Place diner, Marameo. The venue, which describes itself as an Italian dinner party, is well-loved for its lunch specials, such as $15 cacio e pepe, and an absolutely banging chicken Caesar sandwich. 

However, what you may not know is that Marameo is also an ideal spot for a private dinner party — regardless of the size. The Private Dining Room hosts 24 guests, the Marble Table can accommodate 16 people, or go big and book the Main Dining Room for up to 100 guests standing. The chef’s choice menu will take you on a journey through breads, salumi, cheeses, pastas, steak and so much more.

Suzie Q serves Chinese food with a generous helping of playful contemporary flair. The downstairs space is excellent for big groups, and we love dining at the bar, but the upstairs private dining room is an absolute stunner. Located in the mezzanine — overlooking the rest of the restaurant — up to eight diners can sit around one large table before heading into the adjoining karaoke room.

Suzie Q boasts some of the best value-for-money set menus around town, making dining with a group so much easier. Starting at $65, Suzie’s Banquet includes spring rolls, dumplings, buns, honey chicken, steamed fish and char sui barbecue pork. Mrs Q’s $75 feast includes additions such as roast duck and salmon sashimi.

Moon Dog’s three-storey, 800-person, wild west-themed bar in Footscray’s former Franco Cozzo building is nothing but fun. You’ve got a downstairs free-to-ride bucking bull, pool tables, a kids’ play area, a rooftop and seven different function spaces.

The Sheriff’s Office private dining room holds eight–12 people, the Pianola Bar can hold 40–100 people (and has its own private bar), the downstairs lounge fits 30–50 folks, the Pool Hall can accommodate 40–150 people, and you can even hire out the entire second-floor Honky Tonk bar, which holds 100–350 people. Drinking and dining packages also abound — with a strong emphasis on Tex-Mex eats, Moon Dog beers and playful cocktails.

If you want to get out of town this silly season and really impress your guests, head to Jackalope Hotel’s opulent fine diner. Up there among Victoria’s best, this Mornington Peninsula venue boasts a menu as impressive as its enviable decor.

For an unforgettable luxury experience, host your celebration at the hatted restaurant, where you will begin with oysters and caviar, before savouring Southern Rock Lobster and other seasonal delights on the tasting menu. With access to the restaurant’s acclaimed wine list, this will be a private dining experience to remember. And because more is always more at Jackalope, you can amp up your evening with additional upgrades includes roaming caviar bumps, a five-tier champagne tower, a live shucking oyster bar and a glamorour cocktail hour.

Most folks know about the Rooftop at QT — which can be booked out for large-scale events — but there is also a secret, smaller adjoining rooftop bar located atop the Melbourne hotel, known as the Secret Garden. This private party space can be found via a separate entrance, and it features scalloped umbrellas, garden beds, live food stations, a barbecue grill menu and damn fine city views.

Those looking to go all out can even upgrade their menu with live station add-ons, including a burrata bar and rotisserie station. Pair this all with spritzes and signature cocktails, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a summer party.

With a sleek fit-out and a fresh, vibrant menu, New Quarter is a spot that suits just as well for a midweek casual lunch as it is for a big end of year celebration. While not strictly private, you can book out two large long tables in your own semi-private, comfortanle section of the restaurant for an intimate and tasty meal.

Self-described as a neo-Vietnamese restaurant, the menu presents refined takes on classic dishes, which maintain the fragrant and spicy flavours of Southeast Asia. There are several set menus to choose from, which feature signature dishes as the moreish bahn mi fingers with whipped chicken liver pâté, duck floss egg noodles, roast chicken with pickled chilli sambal and chocolate fondant with five spice and mulled wine.

Looking for a private dining room outside the CBD? In the heart of Kew, this charming neighbourhood restaurant pays homage to chef-owner Joseph Vargetto’s southern Italian heritage, while embracing a touch of modern European flair. It’s a warm, art-filled space designed to transport you straight to the stylish eateries of Italy, and a wonderful option for your next event.

The smaller private dining room, Est, seats 30 for dinner or wine tastings, while the larger space, Ovest, accommodates 44 seated, or 80 standing. The two spaces can even be combined for larger events. Or consider booking the restaurant’s cocktail bar, Bar Bianchetto, for an intimate, romantic dinner party surrounded by draped curtains, where you’ll be treated to gourmet snacks and a curated cocktail list. 

Fitzroy’s Poodle is a good time, no matter how you choose to experience it — be it when you pop by for an a la carte dinner, late-night cocktails and snacks, or champagne on the patio. Its upstairs private dining room is also perfect for those wanting a moody lunch or dinner away from the raucous downstairs crowds. 

The intimate private space can comfortably sit 20 people for a spread full of contemporary European eats. The crew can even bring out the AV equipment if you so wish to give a cheeky presentation during your event. If you need a slightly bigger space, Poodle’s upstairs lounge and bar can host between 30 and 40 guests.

St Kilda’s Stokehouse is home to fabulous seafood dishes, uninterrupted views of the beach and some of the classiest dining rooms in Melbourne. First off is the Palm Room. The space accommodates up to 40 people for lunch or dinner and offers magnificent views of the palm-lined promenade.

If you’re after something more intimate, Stokehouse has its smaller Cellar Room that holds a tidy 15 people for a sit-down meal. The space features copper and timber finishes and includes a dedicated staff member to attend to your guests, offering a unique semi-private dining experience.

At Akaiito on Flinders Lane, you can eat your way through the extensive à la carte menu or try one of the luxe omakase experiences at the bar. Alternatively, if you want to dine in one of Melbourne’s most interesting and multi-sensory private dining rooms, book the Tsukiyo Dining Room, which accommodates between six and 12 people. 

It’s equipped with projectors that shine down scenes of nature onto the table and surrounding walls. The visuals are designed to complement the dishes served, so you may start under the moonlight and conclude in a field of flowers.

Fleet, sitting on top of Vibe Hotel Melbourne, boasts views over Flinders Street Station and the Yarra River that can be enjoyed no matter the weather, thanks to the retractable roof and array of indoor seating.

Located 22 levels high, Fleet is a great option for elevating your end-of-year celebration, as it offers several signature event packages. Both the spacious terrace and the intimate indoor lounge can accommodate approximately 16 people sitting or 25 standing. The packages include the likes of canapes, cocktails on arrival, and luxe add-ons such as an oyster bar, martini trolley and a charcuterie corner.

In early 2023, the small Collingwood brewery Molly Rose stepped things up a few notches, taking over the two adjoining Wellington Street buildings to create a sprawling new home with a suite of supercharged offerings. It introduced a new Chef’s Table experience, a massive beer garden and a luxe private dining room.

The large, light-filled space is found upstairs and can seat up to 30 people (or accommodate 50 standing). Being a brewery, the room has a bar with beer taps and a tasty range of local wines and spirits. Food-wise, the team will curate a special, tailored menu, ranging from canapes to shared-style feasting. 

For one of the most exclusive private dining experiences in Melbourne, head to Chris Lucas’ Kisume. There are many different ways to experience private dining here, from The Chef’s Table, to the Chablis Bar and to the Hanza, Kuro and Chika dining rooms. Whether you want to sit at the intimate sushi bar and try the restaurant’s intimate omakase experience, or host a larger function, Kisume will delight with spectacular Japanese food. 

A selection of set menus are available, including the option to add sake and wine pairings. Work your way through fresh sashimi, assorted sushi, wagyu ribs and Murray Cod with ginger ponzu, before finishing off with refreshing strawberry sorbet, topped with finger lime and shiso.

Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca started as a mere pop-up sandwich shop, and has now grown into a two-storey restaurant and bar that serves up some super saucy Italian grub. It’s also a great place for a group, with several lively spaces that can be booked out for private functions.

This includes the Ballroom, which seats 35 people (or can take 45 standing), as well as Vince’s Bar, bursting with old-world Italian charm, with a capacity for 25 people standing. When you book the bar, you get your own bartender and exclusive access to the sun-soaked (but also weatherproof) terrace overlooking Gertrude Street. Those hosting big parties can also combine the ballroom and bar together, or even hire out the whole venue.

Taking up the space beneath the century-old bones of Invicta House, II.II.VI (that’s ‘two two six’, for those playing along at home) is a subterranean dining room built on serious firepower. This moody, 115-seat dining room draws on cross-cultural fire-cooking rituals, reimagined through a produce-driven, modern Australian lens.

Such a dramatic space — with custom art deco-inspired lighting, plush oxblood leather banquettes, deep blue accents and a glowing stone bar setting the tone — lends itself well to private dining, so gather 12 guests and secure a reservation now in the private dining room. You can choose between a two- or three-course menu that might feature the likes of Westholme Eye Fillet with tuna dressing and Glacier 51 Toothfish in champagne sauce.

This beloved Fitzroy wine bar sits within a legendary Aussie crime boss’ old underground casino. Alphonse Gangitano left this spot back in the 90s, and it was left untouched for about 20 years, until the current team took over and made it into a true drinking and dining destination in Melbourne — keeping most of the building’s charm and original features intact.

Nowadays, you’ll find southern Italian eats on the seasonally changing menu, alongside a 300-strong wine list. The team also created one of the best private dining rooms in Melbourne, where up to 12 guests can sit around an antique black walnut table, treating themselves to excellent food and wine. Larger parties can also book out the Sunset Room, the Main Bar, or even the whole venue.

A perennial Melbourne favourite for good reason, Supernormal has been winning hearts with lobster rolls, twice-cooked duck, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder for over a decade. It’s also where you can have one of the most lively private dining experiences in Melbourne. 

Kick it off with a long lunch or dinner for up to 40 guests in the private room downstairs, and follow it up with karaoke. The team has a huge tele and all the gear required to keep the dancing and singing going til late. Just make sure everyone has had enough liquid courage to avoid any awkwardness.

In a two-level subterranean space beneath sibling Yugen Tea Bar, sits the luxurious Japanese restaurant Yugen Dining. It’s a multi-faceted drinking and dining destination with a dramatic aesthetic and an impressive commitment to detail.

This is especially true for Yugen’s six-seat omakase bar and series of private dining rooms — including the nine-person Golden Orb, which is suspended in mid-air. Within the orb, one of the finest private dining rooms in Melbourne, guests have a choice of either the chef’s set menu or an impressive sashimi platter made for sharing. If your group is larger, you can book the golden-curtained area, which has a capacity for 20—26 guests. It allows for privacy while still feeling immersed in the energetic larger venue.

The StandardX hotel, part of the Standard International brand known for its lifestyle hotels in cosmopolitan hotspots like New York, Miami and London, has quickly become a chic hang-out spot in Melbourne. Melbourne’s own Hecker Guthrie has infused the hotel’s 125 rooms and public spaces with a contemporary yet unpretentious aesthetic.

Macrame-clad pillars, a fireplace in the lobby and a warm colour palette also give the entire property a cosy charm, making it the ultimate spot for a very cool end-of-year celebration. Hire out the On Top Rooftop with stunning views of the city and space for 60 people standing, the semi-private Loft space for an intimate 20-person party, or inquire about hiring out the entire sixth floor of the hotel.

From the mind of Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kisume, Grill Americano, Society) comes the 80 Collins venture, Yakimono — a two-storey Japanese diner with a street food menu that’s fuelled by fire. An ode to the late-night izakayas of Tokyo — where Lucas spent three years living and working — it’s serving a fresh riff on Japanese street eats, melding classic flavours with a touch of Melbourne flair.

Private dining-wise, groups of up to 14 can hire out The Corner Room, backed by iridescent windows that throw all kinds of coloured light throughout the space. The aesthetic space is adjacent to the part of the restaurant that features the open kitchen, allowing you to enjoy the upbeat atmosphere from the comfort of a private space.

On one of Jason Jones’ trips to Paris, he stumbled upon three rules of Parisian dining worth abiding by. Keep it simple. Serve it till late. And never shirk on the fries. Thus Entrecôte was born — Jones’ famed French restaurant modelled closely on the Parisian restaurant L’Entrecôte.

Delight in some of the best French food in Melbourne and some of the city’s finest steaks here, either in the main dining room, out on the terrace or in its private dining room — Le Salon Prive. Here, the walls are lined by floor-to-ceiling wine fridges and wood panelling, and the room boasts an impressive white marble bar where your own personal bartender can whip up drinks for you and your guests all day long. It holds either 30 guests seated, or 50 for a cocktail canape party.

From the minds behind Sunda, this top Melbourne restaurant draws culinary inspiration from those early days of trade between Indonesian seafarers and northern Australia, championing the flavours of Southeast Asia, Japan and China, alongside our own native ingredients.

The private dining room, Banda, is furnished in rich spotted gum and surrounded by bottles of fine wine, and seats 12 people with direct access to its terrace. Seating 30 people, the terrace area can also be booked in addition to the private dining room. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience, go for the babi guling — a Balinese-inspired suckling pig — an exclusive offering for private events at Aru.

Located on Bourke Street, Bottega, which has been serving Italian classics for over 20 years, is one of your best Italian options if you’re roaming around the CBD. The soft leather seatings and comfortable vibe make it perfect for a romantic dinner or a few lunchtime drinks.

It also boasts three private spaces that can hold up to 60 people. Overlooking the tree-lined street below on Bourke Hill, Bottega overs a classic Melbourne experience, with beautiful Italian fare including antipasti, house-made pastas, generous mains and irresistable desserts such as the tiramisu with gianduja.

This Gertrude Street pub has existed in various forms over the years. But its 2018 renovation saw it become a timeless locals’ pub with enough style to impress your mum. When it comes to both food and design, the venue has a contemporary British feel about it.

During this refurb, it also updated its two private dining rooms. The Bowery Room has its own open kitchen and bar, windows overlooking the tree-lined Gore Street and a striking neon artwork. The large space holds 60 people for seated events. The Private Dining Room is more intimate, holding up to 19 diners seated, or 30 for a cocktail party, and boasts an impressive vinyl collection and drinks cart curated for each party’s tastes.