Mate’s TableExplore today’s trending events, happy hours, and dining experiences inMelbourne
SpecialHead Chef Georgina's answer to a cold night on High Street: Cape Grim wagyu beef cheek, braised low and slow until it falls apart with caramelised onion and a green peppercorn sauce. Served with a glass of house red wine. $40, every Wednesday & Thursday through winter. Come in from the cold and pull up a chair.
SpecialCelebrate Father’s Day with the whole family. Settle in for lunch or dinner, order the banquet or go full à la carte, and let the table do the talking. This year we’re marking the occasion with two specials made for sharing — lamb ribs and beef short ribs, on the menu for Father’s Day only. Bring the family. Bring an appetite.
EventDoju × Lana Dinner 18 August | $165pp For one night only, this August, we’re welcoming Alex Wong, Executive Chef of Lana at Hinchcliff House, into the Doju kitchen. Alex’s cooking has always been shaped by curiosity. After years leading some of Sydney’s most celebrated Italian kitchens, he’s now looking closer to home, reconnecting with his Chinese and Vietnamese heritage through Rue de Saigon pop-up dinners. A shared menu inspired by tradition, shaped by different cultures, and built on the ingredients and techniques we both believe in. Book now.
EventHops & Hoppers 2026: Sri Lankan Streat Eating Tour, First friday of each month! Hops & Hoppers is back in 2026, and we’re kicking things off on Friday 6 February with a pairing we genuinely love — Sri Lankan food and Mornington Peninsula Pinot Gris. Join us as we explore outstanding Mornington Peninsula Pinot Gris from Quealy, Stonier, Ocean Eight, Polperro, and Even Keel, and see how these wines dance with the flavours coming off the grill. On the menu, a deliciously smoky Lankan seafood barbecue. Think fresh fish cooked in banana leaf, along with prawns, octopus, scallops, punchy sambols, lacy hoppers, and fragrant curries. On the bar, it’s a deep dive into Mornington Peninsula Pinot Gris — whether you’re already converted or just curious. Most excitingly, it’s a rare chance to relax and chat with the winemakers themselves: Kathleen Quealy (crowned the “Queen of Pinot Gris” by James Halliday for her pioneering work at T’Gallant in the 1990s), and her son Tom McCarthy (Quealy Winemakers), Aaron Drummond (Stonier Wines), Sam Coverdale (Polperro and Even Keel Wines), together with Mike Aylward (Ocean Eight), who both led the charge in promoting the pairing of Mornington Peninsula Pinot Gris with South-East Asian cuisine many years ago. And it wouldn’t be Hops & Hoppers without a little hops — our refreshing rice lager will be pouring, alongside cocktails to round out the offering. No tickets. No RSVP. Just drop in between 5–8pm. All food and drinks are ordered and charged on consumption at menu prices.
EventFrom Berlin to Melbourne: Ma-Makan Pop-Up at Boire | Sun 8 Feb For the first time, Ma-Makan (Berlin) is popping up in Melbourne. A homecoming cook-up at Boire, North Melbourne, where the chef returns to cook for friends, family, and the city that started it all — sharing the flavours and stories shaped over years in Berlin. 📍 Boire, North Melbourne 🗓 Sunday 8 February ⏰ 10AM–4PM Seats are limited. Bookings are live now.
EventJongga x Chae CHAE teams up with global kimchi leader Jongga for a year of immersive culinary experiences: Elevate Your Banchan (Dec 2025–Jul 2026): Explore how Jongga kimchi transforms everyday meals through innovative banchan pairings. Roll Up Your Sleeves (Jul–Aug 2026): Hands-on kimchi workshops co-hosted with Jongga, teaching traditional methods and fermentation secrets. Discover Jongga (Oct–Nov 2025 & Jul–Aug 2026): Dive into the history, heritage, and global impact of Korea’s most beloved kimchi brand in a special exhibition. Experience authentic flavors, rich culture, and hands-on learning — all celebrating the artistry of kimchi.
OtherOSOZAI is here. Thursday 3 September Join us at CIBI in Melbourne as we celebrate the launch of our new cookbook, OSOZAI – Everyday Japanese Home Cooking. Written by CIBI co-founder Meg Tanaka, the book shares the everyday Japanese dishes we love to cook at home and at CIBI, along with stories, family recipes and the philosophy behind our way of living and eating. Join us for a relaxed evening as we celebrate the launch of OSOZAI—sharing a few stories behind the book, a small tasting inspired by its recipes, and the wonderful company of everyone coming together to mark this special occasion. 📖 Book Launch 🕕 6:00–8:00pm Book + Event Ticket includes: • A copy of OSOZAI • one drink and petit tasting • Plus, the first 300 copies purchased through CIBI will receive a navy tote bag and original bookmark, while stocks last. We’d love you to join us.😌 Tickets available now via our website.👆🏻✨💙
EventFrom the Ground Up: Three communal feasts at Bar Idda | Multiple dates Across three special Thursday evenings, settle in for a relaxed communal dinner featuring thoughtful plant-based dishes, matched Sicilian wines, and a warm, shared table experience. Expect generous plates, flowing wine, and music setting the tone as the evening unfolds. Tickets include a three-course dinner plus dessert, with the option to add matched Sicilian wines or order from the menu on the night. Dates: 21 May 20 August 29 October Dinner runs for approximately three hours. Please note: Due to the nature of the set menu, additional dietary requirements cannot be accommodated without prior notice. Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred.
Special6 Weeks x 6 Noodles 27 July to 6 September We love noodles in every shape and style — so we’re celebrating with a six-week showcase of some of our favourites. Each week, we’re hand-rolling, steaming and boiling our way through a full-on noodle obsession. And because noodles deserve good company, we’ve lined up a selection of drinks designed to pair perfectly with each bowl. Book now.
EventSpirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise until Dec 31 If you thought you’d experienced all the dining options Melbourne has to offer, think again. For a great night out, the Spirit of Melbourne Cruising Restaurant offers a truly unique experience. With an all-inclusive four-course meal (inclusive of beverages) and a vibrant atmosphere, you’ll enjoy delectable food whilst cruising down the Yarra River by night. Take in stunning views of the city and the cosmopolitan culture that makes up Melbourne. There are multiple choices for the main course, allowing you to select the dish that best appeals to your tastebuds. There’s vegetarian options as well. Boarding and check-in starts at 7.15pm and closes at 7.30pm sharp. Alternative days can also be arranged for groups of 30 people or more. Book now.
Event🎟️ 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲: 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐇𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐱 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐫 📅 𝐒𝐚𝐭, 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 Chef Joe Hou of Michelin-starred Angler (San Francisco) is flying in to join Victor Liong at Lee Ho Fook - and together they're creating something truly special. Think Peking duck, slipper lobster, mudcrab - and plenty more surprises that exist for one night only. Explore the full program of experiences and book now!
Event𝑭𝑹𝑬𝑬 𝑩𝑬𝑬𝑹: 𝑵𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑻 𝑰𝑺 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝑨 𝑮𝑬𝑵𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑪 𝑴𝑨𝑹𝑲𝑬𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑻𝑹𝑰𝑪𝑲 1 to 4pm on Saturday the 1st of August Benchies are hosting the ＯＩＳＨＩＩ ＢＬＡＣＫ ＬＡＵＮＣＨ with our mates Tamura Sake Bar spinning beats and cooking meats. 🆆🅷🅰🆃'🆂 🅿🅾🅿🅿🅸🅽🅶: 🖤𝔽ℝ𝔼𝔼 𝕆𝕀𝕊ℍ𝕀𝕀 𝔹𝕃𝔸ℂ𝕂 ℂ𝔸ℕ 𝕆ℕ 𝔸ℝℝ𝕀𝕍𝔸𝕃🖤 🍢𝕐𝔸𝕂𝕀𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕀 𝔹𝕐 𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔸 𝕋𝔸𝕄𝕌ℝ𝔸🍢 🎶𝕍𝕀ℕ𝕐𝕃 𝔻𝕁 𝕊𝔼𝕋 𝔹𝕐 𝔽𝕌𝕄𝕀 𝕋𝔸𝕄𝕌ℝ𝔸🎶 Oishii Black is our new ＤＡＲＫ ＲＩＣＥ ＬＡＧＥＲ brewed with kinako powder to create a nutty, roasted malt character but bone-dry finish perfect for the colder weather.
SpecialYamagen Bento $75 | Always On the Menu The bENTO everyone’s eyeing off. A generous selection of Yamagen’s most celebrated premium bites and signature dishes, paired with a glass of traditional sake. Thoughtfully curated, beautifully presented and guaranteed to arrive with a few jealous glances from neighbouring tables. Generous enough for two. Sharing optional. book now!
EventThe Wine Classification by The Real Review Tuesday, September 22 • 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM Celebrate this year's The Real Review Classification at Victoria. The Real Review Classification celebrates the most consistent fine wines of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand wines with at least a decade's track record of top performance. Join Huon Hooke and Stephen Wong MW at Victoria. Book now!
SpecialRoll Call $39 | Tue–Thu 5:30–6:30pm The secret’s out… Take your place at the counter, where hand rolls are crafted to order just inches away and Japanese-inspired cocktails are poured. Inspired by Tokyo’s backstreet dining culture, Roll Call is made for slipping into Yamagen after work, settling in at the counter and soaking up the buzz. Join us Tuesday to Thursday, 5:30pm–6:30pm, and choose any two hand rolls with a Japanese-inspired cocktail for $39. Spanner Crab, Wagyu Beef or Green? Spicy Sake Marg, Ume Martini or Sparkling Sake? Start wherever you like. Book now.
EventJoin us at Made in Casa for our Lunch Special, available Monday to Friday Back to reality… but lunch just got better. 🍝🍷 School holidays are over, routines are back, and we’ve got the perfect excuse to make your weekdays a little more delicious. 🍝 Pasta + a glass of wine – $35 🥩🐟 Meat or Fish + a glass of wine – $45 Whether you’re back at work, catching up with friends, or simply exploring the neighbourhood, take a well-deserved lunch break with authentic Italian flavours! Book now!
SpecialSpaghetti Club | Now Open for Tuesday Lunch New Lunch Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 12:00pm – 3:00pm We've expanded our lunch service and are now open from Tuesday to Friday, giving guests another day to enjoy lunch at Spaghetti Club. Our lunch menu features a selection of fresh handmade pastas, snacks and Italian favourites, perfect for a quick business lunch or a relaxed afternoon catch-up. Book now!
SpecialSteak Night Mondays Available Every Monday from 5:00pm Monday nights have officially arrived at Windsor Wine Room. For $32 per person, guests receive 250g Rump Steak, Fried Potato Hash and an Iceberg Salad. Guests can also add: Café de Paris Butter or Pepper Sauce + $3 Glass of Good Old Days Shiraz + $8 Book now!
EventMeet Gertrude x Lunar by Hikari Collaboration Monday, August 17 • 6:30 PM - 9 PM Join us for one night only as Gertrude takes over the Lunar by Hikari kitchen for an elevated Filipino–Japanese dining experience. Your ticket includes a delicious four-course feast, with drinks available to purchase throughout the evening. The Lunar by Hikari team will also be serving a specially curated drinks menu inspired by the flavours of our Filipino–Japanese menu. Book now!
SpecialDISUKO is now serving lunch every Wednesday to Friday Available Wednesday – Friday | 12:00pm – 3:00pm With two new offerings designed for the city lunch crowd. Build Your Own Bento Mix and match your favourites to create a lunch that suits your appetite. Ramen Month Three signature ramen bowls available throughout July. Rich broths. Long noodles. Perfect winter comfort. Book now!
EventProvenance: Black Kite Commune Lunch in Melbourne CBD Sat, 15 & 28 Aug For two dates only, Black Kite Commune, Michael Nunn and Itinerant Spirits come together, celebrating the producers, flavours and stories of Western Victoria. Your ticket for $125 pp includes: 🥂 A cocktail on arrival 🍽 Four courses by Salt Kitchen 🍸 Four matched cocktails by Black Kite Commune, crafted with Itinerant Spirits 🎙 Hosted by @tayla.distilled of @vicdistilled with Mick Nunn, James Fairlie and Jess Clayfield sharing the stories behind every course and pour. Two venues. Two dates. You choose. Seats are limited. Please email bookings@blackkitecommune.com
SpecialTUESDAY & WEDNESDAY $35 STEAK NIGHT Midweek dinner, sorted. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, Executive Chef Ben John served up MBS4+ Wagyu rump cap with peppercorn sauce, crispy frites and salad for $35, while Sommilier Shirin Harvison pours a rotating weekly wine-by-the-glass special to match. When: Every Tuesday & Wednesday Time: From 5pm Location: Bistro X Booking link: Here
EventMaster the Art of Chocolate with Pidapipó: A Hands-On Experience Saturday, August 29 • 10 AM - 12 PM Join Pidapipó's master chocolatier for a hands-on chocolate-making masterclass where you'll learn to temper, mould and craft your own chocolates. Enjoy guided tastings, a welcome hot chocolate, and take home your handmade creations, a Pidapipó chocolate bar, and a copy of Gelato Eight Days a Week. Book now!
SpecialIntroducing Tipsy Spice Club Our new bottomless lunch on Saturdays & Sundays 🔥 $85pp for 5 courses and 2 hours of bottomless drinks, your weekend just got so much better. Book your spot now.