Conservatory

Overview

Walking into Conservatory in Melbourne's Southbank is almost akin to walking into the famous dining rooms at the grand railway stations of Paris. It's luxurious. It's intimidating. And you'll be left wondering what the hell you did to deserve being there. If opulence isn't your thing, dig your heels into the lavish white carpet, spin yourself around and head right on out before you catch a glimpse of the chocolate fountains. But if it does, you've found your place.

Conservatory opens its marble archways for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving up an all-you-can-eat buffet throughout. And it isn't just your average cheap, all-you-can-eat kind of experience. This Melbourne buffet is luxe.

For lunch, look towards wild-caught Queensland tiger prawns, Sydney rock oysters and blue swimmer crabs marinated in a sweet chilli dressing. Yes, you can pile your plate high with as much fresh seafood as you can manage. Alternatively from the land, you'll find dishes like grilled beef rump with lemon olive oil, roast chicken with field mushrooms and penne with pork fennel sausage and chunky tomato sauce. Pair it with a curried mussel and potato salad and you've got yourself a feast to suit your surroundings. 

From the dinner menu, expect to see dishes akin to crispy roasted pork loin, lamb leg roasted with honey mustard, thyme and parsley roasted pasture-fed beef rib eye or a selection of assorted sushi. Move around the buffet to also find a heap of curries and naan bread that comes straight out of the tandoor oven — be sure to watch on as the chefs make this fresh to order.

For sweets, head straight to the dessert bar which is always manned by one of the chefs. Here, you'll find chocolate cheesecakes, custard vanilla and rum chouquettes, coffee opera cakes and those famous chocolate fountains. If you're lucky, the chefs will also be toasting creme brulees to order. It can be mighty difficult to pace yourself when hitting a buffet like this, but these desserts are definitely worth saving room for.

You've also got an impressive (but still accessible) wine list that best be perused after you've made it over to the buffet for your first round of nibbles. Cocktails include house inventions such as a Rusty Toolbox with scotch, Grand Marnier, apricot brandy and sprite as well as all your classics. Crown's Conservatory is a classy joint (with a strict dress code), but it is also an all-you-can-eat buffet where you can truly pig out, working hard to get your money's worth.