Premium restaurants across Melbourne treat New Year’s Eve dinner as their most significant evening of the year. These venues deliver exceptional dining through expert preparation, quality ingredients, and celebratory settings that make the final night of 2025 a truly unforgettable way to welcome 2026.
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Rockpool Bar & Grill stands among the world’s best steakhouses, with its Sydney venue ranked #12 globally. The Melbourne location maintains this standard through an award-winning wine collection exceeding 3,000 bottles and dry-aged rare breed steaks prepared over the wood fire. Fresh oysters, premium caviar, and David Blackmore beef round out the luxury menu.
The Art Deco dining room offers two seatings on December 31st. Early bookings from 5:30 pm suit guests heading to fireworks afterwards, while later seatings from 8 pm allow you to welcome 2026 from your table. The Southbank location within Crown Complex puts you steps from the Yarra River displays, making this a premier choice for NYE dining in Melbourne. Private mezzanine spaces are available for group celebrations.
Why it stands out: International steakhouse ranking meets one of Australia’s most awarded wine collections, with traditional wood-fire techniques applied to premium cuts.
Saké Restaurant & Bar
Contemporary Japanese dining arrives at Saké Restaurant & Bar at Hamer Hall. The menu features Hiramasa Kingfish with Lime & Jalapeño Kosho, Miso Glazed Glacier 51 Toothfish, and 250g Blackmore Wagyu Scotch Fillet. The riverside location offers views of both the 9 pm family fireworks and midnight displays, with terrace and interior seating by the Yarra.
Why it stands out: The riverside terrace provides direct fireworks viewing, with robata-grilled dishes and curated sake pairings enhancing the New Year’s Eve experience.
Spice Temple
Executive Chef Andy Evans presents bold regional Chinese cuisine at Spice Temple. The banquet menu features stir-fried Wagyu brisket with baby eggplant, handmade dumplings, and spice-driven dishes designed for sharing. The Southbank venue sits steps from riverside celebrations, with Zodiac cocktails and extensive wine selections supporting the bold flavours.
Why it stands out: Authentic regional Chinese techniques meet private dining rooms, all within easy reach of the Crown’s riverside fireworks viewing.
7 Alfred
Collins Street’s 7 Alfred focuses on one thing: exceptional steak frites. The 220g Gippsland grass-fed scotch fillet arrives with beef-tallow fries and house-made sauce. Service is efficient, completing meals within 30 minutes for guests heading to nearby riverside areas. Laneway seating offers outdoor dining under warm summer skies.
Why it stands out: Regular menu pricing applies on December 31st, and the venue opens both NYE and New Year’s Day with last seating around 9 pm for relaxed, early-evening dining.
Celebrating NYE in Melbourne
These restaurants offer distinct approaches to New Year’s Eve. International steakhouses showcase premium beef expertise, contemporary Japanese balances delicate and robust preparations, regional Chinese encourages shared discovery, and focused European concepts deliver quality without fuss. Each NYE restaurant in Melbourne suits different celebration styles.
Book your table at Rockpool, or reserve early at these standout Melbourne restaurants as NYE packages typically book out fast.
*All venues practice the responsible service of alcohol. Drink responsibly.
