Eureka 89

Overview

If you're a sucker for next-level degustation dining, Eureka 89 is the place to do it. Simply bypass the tourist-clad Skydeck for a seat on level 89, where you'll get a degustation menu paired with an uninterrupted panoramic view of the city.

Eureka 89 aims to fulfil the fine dining prophecy, from the red-carpeted entrance to the window-side seating and every foam, gel and dust in between. Diners are seated right up against the floor-to-ceiling windows and can enjoy the luxury of dining within a very comfortable radius of personal space. In the low, red-tinged light, you barely notice the other diners; low chatter and the clinking of wine glasses make up the soundtrack.

With all that skyline swagger, you might expect the food to pale in comparison to the spectacle of it all. Thankfully, it's just as worthy of your attention. Choose a five-, six- or seven-course tasting menu curated by award-winning Executive Chef Renee Martillano.

With over 20 years of experience, Martillano's career began in Perth in the highly disciplined brigade of international competition chef, judge and vice-captain of the Australian Culinary Team Adrian Tobin. She is an accomplished chef in her own right, winning gold in the worldwide Salon du Culinaire culinary competition in 2009. She then progressed to Chef De Cuisine in a kitchen of 50 chefs at the Perth Convention Centre. Since moving to Melbourne, Martillano has been instrumental in increasing Eureka 89 from two to three hats in the international restaurant guide Gault and Millau.

The menu at this towering venue is ever-changing and adapts to the seasonal produce available to Martillano and her team. Each course has an optional wine pairing with expressions from Australia and beyond. The menu differs month-to-month, but options could include marron with fennel and baby leek, Flinders Island lamb with a fine potato gratin, butter-cooked squash, mint gel and parsnip foam, Rannoch quail with cime di rapa grape and pea, as well as a cheese and a sweet course.

Eureka 89 offers evening dining from Monday to Sunday with seatings at 5.30pm and 7.15pm and selected Sunday afternoons for lunch service — subject to availability — with seatings at 12pm and 12.30pm. Make your reservations on the website. Guests of Eureka 89 can enjoy complimentary access to the Melbourne Skydeck on the day of their booking. Head to the website for more information.

Updated October 25, 2023.

Images: Eugene Hyland