Overview
Attention Carnivores, news is just in that Victor Churchill, the highly acclaimed butcher shop and exclusive steak restaurant in Armadale, has announced plans to open its second Melbourne location next year. Victor Churchill is set to bring its renowned butchery skills and fine dining experience to Crown Melbourne in mid-2027.
The beloved butcher was established way back in 1876 in Woolhara, Sydney, and in 2009, the Puharich family changed the store's trajectory, making it the elevated brand it is today. Anthony and his father, Victor, a fourth-generation butcher, have since expanded the brand and achieved international acclaim with their signature blend of butchery, theatre, hospitality, and design.
"Victor Churchill has always been about more than just meat — it's about storytelling, craft, and creating unforgettable moments," said Anthony Puharich, CEO. "We're thrilled to bring this philosophy to Crown Melbourne, where we can offer guests one of the most distinctive dining experiences in the country. This new venue will blend the heritage of Victor Churchill with the energy of a contemporary grill room, with every detail designed to feel bold, intimate, and magnetic."
The new venue will mark the emergence of a partnership between Anthony and Rebecca Puharich and acclaimed chef Monty Koludrovic, who has worked in kitchens across Australia, the UK, and the United States, including at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar and The Dorchester Hotel.
"Anthony and I have been close friends for almost twenty years, and I am thrilled to be coming home to Australia and to be working with the Puharich family on a project of this scale and significance. We really couldn't script it any better. Victor Churchill has earned a reputation as one of our nation's most premium butchers and luxury food destinations, and I look forward to contributing to that legacy come 2027," says Koludrovic.
Victor Churchill is slated to open at Crown Melbourne in mid-2027, with Ed Domingo, Crown Melbourne CEO, saying, "This exciting new partnership brings together two icons of luxury and dining in what will be an architecturally stunning space overlooking the Yarra. We can't wait for our guests to experience the distinctive theatre and exceptional quality of Victor Churchill right here on Crown Melbourne's famed riverwalk."
"Crown Melbourne is more than a destination. It is an institution at the heart of Melbourne's culture and energy. To be part of its evolution and next chapter, and to introduce Victor Churchill into this iconic waterfront resort, is genuinely exciting. I have always been drawn to opportunities that allow us to think creatively and contribute meaningfully, and there is something incredibly inspiring about playing a role in a place that has long shaped Melbourne's hospitality landscape. The next chapter of Crown Melbourne promises to be extraordinary, and this partnership feels like a natural and exciting progression for Victor Churchill," says Puharich.
"From our original Woollahra store to our Melbourne home in Armadale, we've reimagined what a butcher shop can be. Now, with Crown Melbourne, we're taking the next bold step: a dedicated bar and grill that will set a new benchmark for extraordinary dining. This is more than an expansion — it's an opportunity to share our craft with locals and tourists in a setting that celebrates world-class experiences. The Victor Churchill brand is ready for this moment, and we couldn't be more motivated to deliver something exceptional."
Images: Kristoffer Paulsen.
Victor Churchill is set to open at Crown in mid-2027, with further details around the concept and design to be released soon. If you're after a meaty meal in the meantime, check out the best steak restaurants in Melbourne.