Sydney Burger Favourite Mary's Is Opening Its First Permanent Melbourne Venue Next Week

Burger fiends of Melbourne, the wait is finally over. Legendary Sydney crew Mary's is just days away from opening the doors to its first permanent local venture, and will unveil its new Franklin Street restaurant on Monday, January 20.

Now with four Sydney outposts under their belts, co-owners Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham are bringing their American-style burgers, decadent fried chicken and general loose vibes down south. And, unlike their one-day kitchen takeover at Leonard's House of Love and two-month kitchen residency at cocktail bar Fancy Free, this time, it'll be a permanent fixture.

The CBD venue is set to be Mary's biggest yet, boasting space for 140 punters, a cosy mezzanine level and — perched dramatically from the roof — a supersized, custom wrought-iron chandelier, hung with over 24,000 dead rose stems. You'll find the cavernous space tucked down a laneway, marked simply by a glowing red light.

The vegan burger

The venue's grungy, rock 'n' roll attitude is alive and well here, as is that penchant for unapologetically big-flavoured fare and top-notch vino. The menu showcases familiar favourites like the signature Mary's burger, the fried chook and the much-loved mash and gravy, alongside a handful of site-specific creations solely for the Melbourne crowd. In especially happy news for herbivores, a full vegan offering is also being dished up, mirroring the smash-hit plant-based lineup that debuted at Mary's Circular Quay outpost last May — including the above burger.

True to form, there's plenty of love here for excellent wine, with a 100-strong list curated by much-lauded Mary's wine director Caitlyn Rees. Expect a lineup that's a little bit left-of-centre and very fun, shining a spotlight on the industry's young guns and emerging winemakers.

And, as is custom with a Mary's venue, there's a high-octane soundtrack to help bring it all to life.

Find Mary's Melbourne at 167 Franklin Street, Melbourne from Monday, January 20. You'll be able to book a table only if you have eight or more guests.

Images: Mary's Pitt Street by Kitti Gould.