7 Unique Dining Experiences In Melbourne That You Have To Try in 2021

7 Unique Dining Experiences In Melbourne That You Have To Try in 2021

Calling all foodies – experience Melbourne’s food scene like never before with our list of the best and most unique dining experiences the city has to offer.

 Credit: Hunter and Bligh

Written by, MEGAN MCCLELLAND

As the culinary capital of Australia, you can bet that eating out in Melbourne doesn’t have to be boring. Known for its innovative approach to both food and dining, the city is full of unusual dining experiences to appease the hungry appetites of foodies looking for that something extra to go with their food.

If you’re in search of cool dinner places to seriously impress your date or experiential restaurants to catch a glimpse of the quirkiness that Melbourne has on offer, we’ve found the top dinner venues around the city to fulfil your strangest desires.

Naked For Satan

Starting off simple, meet Naked for Satan. It’s Fitzroy’s answer for a youthful crowd pining for a fiesty vodka-pouring, pintxos-serving rooftop bar. This Basque-inspired bar has a 40-strong list of foreign and local vodka’s, almost 15 beers and a healthy dose of Australian wines. Accompanying a stand-out drinks menu is their pintxos, tapas-style appetizers which are more than welcome at seriously cheap prices. Each pintxos is served with a toothpick that doubles as a billing device: when you’re done, just show the waiter your collection and you’ll be charged either $1 or $2 for each toothpick. With stunning views of the Melbourne skyline, Naked for Satan is the perfect spot for a drink and a nibble for groups looking to dine out in Melbourne.

More info

 285 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, VIC 3065

TRAPT Bar and Escape Room

We seem to be in the midst of a nation-wide obsession with fear and thrill-inducing experiences – and TRAPT Bar and Escape Room is no exception. Located in Melbourne’s CBD, TRAPT is an immersive experience that will help you escape reality with unique adventures to choose from. You can follow the yellow brick home in the Wizard of Oz , get rich or die trying in an abandoned gold mine in Cave In or test out your magical skills in Alchemy. After all that fun, you can cool off after your adventure with TRAPT’s completely licensed bar, boasting cocktails to match each escape room experience, a huge range of martinis and other spirits.

More info

The Basement,377 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3004

IceBar Melbourne

If Melbourne isn’t cold enough for you, shiver your way into IceBar in the city’s east and enjoy a drink surrounded by expertly sculpted ice. Open from midday Thursday to Monday, IceBar is permanently -10 degrees Celsius and serves up your favourite drink of choice – appropriately served in ice glasses. Once you’re in IceBar, there is no time limit for your stay – in fact, they ask that you try and stay as long as possible if you want to break their record of eight hours in below freezing temperatures. Don’t worry if you haven’t come prepared for the occasion, IceBar will provide snow capes, ugg boots and gloves if necessary.

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The Atrium, Federation Square, Melbourne VIC 3000

Dinner in the Sky

Since 2008, Dinner in the Sky has been elevating dining experiences across the world, boasting Michelin-star dishes, a spotless safety record and incomparable views. Suspended 50-metres in the air by crane, Dinner in the Sky is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for 22 diners who are served by a head chef, sommelier and waitstaff. Promising five-star luxuries, fine foods and first class service, Dinner in the Sky is a heightened sensory environment creating an exceptionally unique culinary experience. You can enjoy this service in eight hour blocks and tailor it to suit your needs whether it’s for a team lunch or a gourmet feast. With Dinner in the Sky, the sky’s the limit.

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Melbourne CBD, 3000.

The Croft Institute

When you think of Melbourne, you might think of the Australian Open, the cold weather or perhaps its iconic laneways sparkling with vibrant graffiti and eccentric inhabitants. As one of Melbourne’s first laneway bars, Croft Institute is a themed bar at the heart of the latter. Mimicking a possessed medical science lab, Croft Institute is spread across three levels – the ground floor is an imitation old school science lab where bartenders experiment with cocktails to your liking. Above this, you’ll find hospital rooms that double as bathrooms; while the second is a large gymnasium space with a turf bar – where the real party happens.

More info

21 Croft Alley, Melbourne VIC 3000

Easey's

Easey’s takes burgers and beers to new lengths on a train carriage overlooking Melbourne City. This unique burger joint can be found five storeys up in an old-school train carriage that is fixed to a roof and decorated with graffiti and classic orange and brown train seats. With a menu boasting indulgent comfort food and well-stocked with local beer, Easey’s provides a relaxed atmosphere, great food and a retro soundtrack making it a must-try foodie experience in Melbourne.

More info

3/48 Easey St, Collingwood VIC 3066

Silver Clipper Dinner Flight

If you’d like to enjoy your dinner with a panoramic view of Melbourne, hop on board on one of the first plane models in the world – the DC-3, affectionately known as the Gooney Bird. Fresh off the production line from August 1945, this DC-3 is now used to transport diners across the sky. Recreate the elegance of travel from the mid-1900’s and dine in style within this historic airliner. It truly is an unforgettable dining experience. For 70 minutes, you can fly across Port Phillip Bay and watch the sunset over the city of Melbourne while enjoying an award-winning dinner.

More info

Essendon Airport, 72 Hargrave Ave, Essendon Fields VIC 3041