Overview
In Melbourne's fast-moving restaurant scene, some of the best bites and sips are here for a good time, not a long one. That's why, each month, we're scanning menus around town for standout specials worth your time, from seasonal happy hours and brunch spreads to limited-time dishes worth a detour. Here's what's on the specials board this month — get 'em while they're hot.
Limitless at Lexy
Lexy, Flinders Lane's glam Asian-fusion bar and restaurant, has launched a new bottomless drinks and lunch menu. For 90 minutes, you can enjoy free-flow signature cocktails, wine and tap beers for $69 — and if you're heading back to the office afterwards, you can add a seven-course set menu for an additional $30 that includes fresh Pacific oysters with red chilli granita, coconut and chilli oil, wagyu larb tartlet with cashew cream on a fried betel leaf and a crispy rice bibimbap lifted with perilla leaf, nori and egg floss. The menu is available Tuesday through Saturday, 11.30am–3pm. Find out more here.
New summer specials at 98 Lygon
East Brunswick's homely neighbourhood bistro 98 Lygon has unveiled new dishes — and an intimate new courtyard space — for summer. Overseen by Head Chef Brian Macalister (Builder's Arms Hotel), the seasonal selection features dishes like shell-baked scallops with wild garlic butter, a shallot tart tatin and market fish with leek beurre blanc. Making a night of it? Head in from 4–6pm daily for the new aperitivo hour, which brings a holiday-mode feel to the intimate new courtyard, with a complimentary snack for every two cocktails. Find out more here.
Sunday roast at Rufio
St Kilda rooftop hangout Rufio is putting a Latin twist on the classic Sunday roast — and it'll only set you back $30. Swing by from midday for your pick of smoke-roasted picanha, crispy pork belly or a vegetarian filet champignon loaf, plus sides like roast potatoes, chipotle pumpkin, sweetcorn salsa and a gluten-free Yorkshire pud. You can finish it with bone marrow jus or chimichurri, depending on your mood. Find out more here.
Christmas treats at Pidapipo
Once again, Pidapipo is going all-in on Christmas this year, kicking off with the return of its cult-fave Pandoro Gelato Cake. This year, it's sporting a raspberry chocolate exterior and an edible milk-chocolate bauble you can hang on the tree, while the inside is a full festive stack, layered with chocolate, cherry cream and sour cherry gelato, strawberry and cream gelato, redcurrant jam, redcurrant straciatella gelato and pandoro sponge. Those baubles, handmade from single-origin Dominican Republic chocolate, are also available to purchase individually, with packs of four sold in keepsake tins. And, throughout December, the gelateria will be scooping a whole slate of limited-edition flavours — think fig leaf and redcurrant swirl, mangomisu, lime and cucumber sorbetto and, of course, a Christmas pudding flavour — rolling out across all stores. Find out more here.
A grand festive feast at Collins Kitchen
Grand Hyatt Melbourne's Collins Kitchen is cranking its famous buffet into festive mode this December. Expect an all-you-can-eat spread that spans grill and woodfired favourites to fresh seafood, sashimi, festive desserts and a dark-chocolate fountain for good measure. It kicks off on Thursday, December 4, with lunch buffets on Thursdays and Fridays and dinner seatings from Thursday through Saturday. Get the details here.
Christmas hampers are back at Maha
Maha has brought back its much-loved Christmas hampers — a luxe heat-and-eat feast designed for two. This year's spread covers all the hits, from seafood starters, housemade dips, honey-glazed carrots and freshly baked Iraqi flatbread to heavy hitters like slow-roasted lamb shoulder and Turkish beef dumplings. Desserts keep the festive mood going, with Christmas pudding, rocky road, mixed Turkish delight and a ready-to-bake brownie mix. Hampers are $125 per person, with pre-orders open now and available for pick-up from Bar Jayda on December 23 and 24. Find out more here.