Wicked The Musical, Sunset Boulevard and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical are just a few shows taking over Melbourne theatres this year. With that packed show schedule comes an increasing number of restaurants offering special pre-theatre menus.
Pre-theatre menus are usually only served at certain times and consist of two or three courses for a fixed price. Often, the menu is designed to complement a specific show, with the restaurant not too far from its respective theatre.
Here, we’re sharing some of the best places in Melbourne to eat before a show. Conveniently, they’re all close to the city’s most popular theatres and with set seating times so you can be guaranteed you’ll make your performance.
Dolly Melbourne
Dolly is a restaurant and bar in the basement of Le Meridien Melbourne, serving old-world European cuisine. Its pre-theatre menu is available from 5pm to 6pm for $60 per person. You’ll get a choice of main — local snapper, beef tenderloin or celeriac and wild mushroom risotto — with a side salad and glass of wine.
The George on Collins
The George on Collins is next door to the Athenaeum Theatre and across the road from the Regent Theatre. Available Tuesday to Saturday evenings, the $65 pre-theatre menu includes entrees to share, your choice of curry for the table as a main and sides of rice and roti. The menu can only be ordered by ticketholders to shows at either theatre.
Gimlet at Cavendish House
While Gimlet doesn’t have a special pre-theatre menu, it is a popular option for before-show dining. You can order a la carte — the likes of raw tuna, calamari and celery heart salad and roast corn-fed chicken — before the performance. Or if you’re dropping by after the show on a Friday or Saturday night after 10pm, order from Gimlet’s Supper menu.
Morris House
Morris House’s pre-theatre dinner menu is available every day from 5pm to 6pm, though you can stay for 90 minutes. The $65 set menu includes your choice of entrée, a shared main course, three sides and a shared dessert. Choices for entress are baked goat cheese, chicken liver parfait and haloumi with pear compression and honey.
Nomad
Nomad Melbourne offers the same pre-theatre menu as its Nomad Sydney counterpart. It’s for dinner Monday to Sunday and for lunch Saturday and Sunday, with bookings lasting an hour. It costs $85 per person and requires a minimum of two diners. It features wood-fired flatbread you can dip in burrata, zucchini flowers and, to finish, an olive oil ice cream sandwich.
La Madonna
La Madonna’s pre-theatre dining is available daily before 7pm and will set you back $50. The restaurant at 80 Collins is a short distance from The Forum, The Princess Theatre and The Regent. The menu includes seasonal dishes and comes with a glass of prosecco, wine or beer on arrival. It’s recommended you arrive at La Madonna 1.5 hours before your show.
Yakimono
Another 80 Collins spot, Yakimono’s pre-theatre menu is available from Sunday to Thursday. For $55, you’ll get three courses, including dishes like wasabi dip with charcoal crackers, karage chicken and panko prawn rolls, as well as a cocktail or wine on arrival.
Kisumé
Kisumé puts on its pre-theatre menu from Tuesday to Thursday with one-hour seatings at 5pm, 5:30pm and 6pm. For $70, you’ll get your choice of two courses, alongside rice, miso soup and a glass of Chandon Blanc de Blanc. Dishes include crispy wagyu truffle, agedashi tofu and seasonal vegetable tempera.
Myrtle Wine Bar
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Princess Theatre and Regent Theatre are all under a 10-minute walk from Myrtle Wine Bar. The venue puts on its pre-theatre dining menu with hour-long seatings between 5pm and 6:30pm. The menu showcases Chef Chris Smith’s favourite dishes and includes a drink of your choice. NEED TO GET COST
Victoria By Farmer’s Daughters
Victoria By Farmer’s Daughters’ current pre-theatre menu runs from January to August 2024. For $79, you’ll get your picks from starters and mains, alongside sides, a dessert treat and a glass of Victorian wine or beer. The non-alcoholic option is $69. The menu features free-range chicken and pork terrine, minute steak with beetroot and grilled market fish.
Bar Margaux
French restaurant and cocktail bar, Bar Margaux, puts on its pre-theatre dinner menu from Tuesday to Saturday between 5pm and 6:30pm, with hour-long seatings. The $75 menu is designed to share. Dishes include steak tartare, cones de ratatouille and, to finish, crème brulee.
Related: 10 Pre-Theatre Menus in Sydney to Share Before a Show
Related: How Restaurants Are Making It Worth Your While to Dine In
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