• The Conservatory Located atop the sparkling Crown Casino atrium, The Conservatory is Melbourne's most luxurious and indulgent restaurant and buffet, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. It also boasts stunning views of the Yarra, has light and bright lavish decor, which makes the dining experience feel all the more special.
• Conservatory, Melbourne: See 1,083 unbiased reviews of Conservatory, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #156 of 4,798 restaurants in Melbourne.

The Conservatory restaurant offers an array of international cuisine, with a series of different culinary stations, each offering a unique dining experience.

Southbank is one of Melbourne’s most prized possessions, and for good reason. The area is a melting pot of people from all walks of life, which brings with it cuisines from all walks of life (sort of like Melbourne, in a nutshell).

This truly is the place to wine and dine, and appreciate the twinkling city skyline against the Yarra River. So, we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best restaurants in Southbank that you need to check off your bucket list.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

You’ll all be familiar with this one. Dinner By Heston has to be one of the top restaurants in the world, let alone Southbank.

This spot really does live up to all the hype though, we think because of such a unique voice that comes out through each dish. Undoubtedly, the most well-known menu offering is the Meat Fruit; a mandarin, chicken liver parfait with grilled bread. Another favourite is the Roast Pork Chop, with smoked hispi cabbage, pickled onions, cider & Robert sauce. For a sweeter alternative, the smokey pineapple Tipsy cake is as pretty as it is good to eat.

Nobu

Experience Japanese fine dining that stays true to the origins of the cuisine, while bringing something very elegant and new to the table.

Nobu understands that simplicity is sometimes the best, and this is truly exemplified through their iconic Hiramasa Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, Tuna Tataki with Ponzu dressing, or their Beef Tataki with Ponzu and Garlic Chips.

Meat Wine & Co

Meat Wine & Co is an all-rounder. With just really great steak and a wide selection of wine, what’s not to love?

The most luxurious of all steak cuts, the Rib-Eye, is the softest most buttery thing you will ever put in your mouth. This is paired beautifully with the rich peppercorn or mushroom sauce. Meat Wine & Co’s Mac & Cheese is also stupidly good; made of rigatoni, charred cauliflower, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, truffle, and a panko crust—this one will blow you away.

The Conservatory

Located atop the sparkling Crown Casino atrium, The Conservatory is Melbourne's most luxurious and indulgent restaurant and buffet, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. It also boasts stunning views of the Yarra, has light and bright lavish decor, which makes the dining experience feel all the more special.

Rockpool Bar & Grill

Another killer on our list is Rockpool Bar & Grill. With locations in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, Rockpool has made a name for itself, for its uncompromising selection of premium sourced beef from Australia’s best producers.

The wine selection is also outstanding, showcasing a range of different wines from multiple vineyards, featuring large and small producers. The venue offers a luxurious yet relaxed environment, where you can savour your meal with wine in hand.

Crown Casino Melbourne Restaurants Conservatory Menu

Koko

Yet another Japanese restaurant on our list, but hey, we just couldn’t leave this one out.

Koko offers a ‘Hagi’ teppanyaki set, which features a starter of Amuse-Tsuki Dashi, a specially curated selection of sashimi; Australian beef tenderloin, tiger prawns, scallops, calamari and salmon; seasonal grilled vegetables, rice and miso; and to finish it off is an icy green tea ice cream.

Bistro Guillaume

Inspired by neighbourhood bistros in Paris, Bistro Guillaume offers the quintessential French experience, brought to you by acclaimed chef Guillaume Brahimi. In this vibrant yet casual setting, enjoy French delights such as duck confit with haricots and preserved lemon; Lakes Entrance John Dory with caper and raisin vinaigrette; Portarlington mussels, crème fraîche and pomme-frites; or the half Bannockburn chicken and Paris mash. Enjoy the views of the Yarra while you savour these exquisite delights.

Saké Restaurant and Bar

We’ve talked about this restaurant a lot, and for good reason. Saké is located in the iconic Hamer Hall and looks out onto the riverwalk.

Some fabulous menu options include their beautiful sashimi platter, hiramasa kingfish and popcorn shrimp with yuzu dressing. The restaurant serves premium Japanese saké and shochu varieties, alongside colourful cocktails using the very best ingredients, house-made syrups and an extensive range of wine and beers.

Gradi At Crown

Another addition to the 400 Gradi family, is Gradi at Crown.

Acclaimed chef Johnny De Francesco was crowned World Pizza Champion in 2014 for his Margarita. You know this means that you have to try the works of the masterful pizzaiolo that give us an unforgettable Napolean style pizza experience.

Long Chim Melbourne

Long Chim presents a fusion between traditional Thai classics, with modern interpretations of the cuisine.

Each dish is beautifully crafted; some of which include the hot and sour seafood soup, the roast duck fried rice, and the heavenly soft shell crab with chilli black pepper coriander.

Red Emperor

Red Emperor is traditional Chinese cuisine that has been brought into a modern setting.

This restaurant has been around for more than 23 years, but it has still found a way to remain relevant. Indulge in your Yum-Cha cravings, which run throughout the day, or settle into a delightful a la carte meal for dinner. The restaurant also features an alfresco terrace which overlooks the Yarra River.

The Atlantic

At The Atlantic, you can expect nothing short of an impeccable culinary experience from beginning to end.

Located in Crown Casino, this waterfront seafood restaurant offers an indulgent menu of fresh, local and sustainably-sourced seafood. Taste your way through their Atlantic Seafood platter, freshly shucked oysters or the seasonal market fresh crab.

Hopscotch

Hopscotch is Melbourne’s favourite urban beer bar.

They’re pouring 36 different flavours from the tap (yes we did say 36), an extensive cocktail and wine menu, and the best bar food around. Whether you’re pale, stout, dark, lager, Kolsch, wheat… they have them all. And if you’re overwhelmed with all the choice, tasting paddles are available for you to select four beers that will tickle your fancy.

ENA Greek Street Food

ENA is Southbank’s answer to authentic Greek street food.

The restaurant specialises in using simple, high-quality ingredients, and letting the freshness of these ingredients shine. yet top Their quality meats are cooked to perfection on a rotisserie over a coal fire pit, which can then be paired with fresh chips, chargrilled pita and dips.

The Merrywell

The Merrywell is a Southbank classic. This all American diner-inspired burger joint offers great burgs, shakes, sandwiches, rings as well as a plethora of other non-burger inspired things.

The vibe downstairs is comfortable and more cafe style, while the upstairs level is transformed into a casual nighttime bar setting at night. One little stand out would actually have to be the killer milkshakes; they look like they were taken out of a 1950’s diner commercial.

Crown Casino Melbourne Restaurants Conservatory New York

If you're looking for a little inspiration, here are all the awesome things to do during the weekend in Melbourne.

Image credit: The Merrywell ​Griffin Simm

Crown Melbourne started to open its restaurants doors for the first time in months last weekend.

The Herald Sun reports some of Crown’s most famous restaurants, such as Nobu, Gradi and Conservatory will be the first venues to open, after the complex resembled a ghost town while locals were in lockdown.

“It has been pretty quiet around here, which is something we’re not used to,” Crown executive general manager of food and beverage Enda Cunningham said.

“People are just happy to be out and about.”

The reopening is not without strict social distancing measures.

Diners must keep their distance from other guests and will have to use hand sanitiser before they step inside one of the restaurants, and the pokies are still on hold.

“We’re taking hygiene and physical distancing very seriously,” Mr Cunningham said.

“But it’s great to see that we’re finally coming back to life.”

Crown opens restaurants in Melbourne casino today
MELBOURNE: Crown will start opening restaurant doors today for the first time in month… pic.twitter.com/gNNkBJUzQT

— 9AM GM Daily News (@9AM_GM_News) June 5, 2020

Lawrence Ho sells his Crown sales

Casino tycoon James Packer has seen his potential exit from Crown Resorts go up in smoke after its single largest non-institutional shareholder, Lawrence Ho, sold his stake amid a high-stakes inquiry.

The New Daily reported in April that Mr Ho’s departure leaves Mr Packer in the firing line, with the possibility that regulators could force him to divest Crown’s casino interests.

Less than a year ago, Mr Ho’s Melco Resorts group signed a deal with Mr Packer to buy 20 per cent of Crown for $1.8 billion.

The first half of the deal went through, but it piqued the interest of regulators who demanded a look behind the corporate veil at Melco’s operations.

Mr Ho balked at that and took the regulator, the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, to court, only to have the judge tell him he had to comply with the request.

Mr Ho responded that he would not buy the second stake and on Wednesday sold the 9.9 per cent he did own to global investor Blackstone.

The move puts Mr Packer in a lonely position with 35 per cent of the company in his hands, his relationship with Mr Ho dissolved and without a formal board position at both Crown and his private CPH group, after he quit citing mental health issues in 2018.

He has also lost the guidance of long-time Packer family lieutenant, John Alexander, who has stepped down as executive chairman and will be gone from management later this year.

There are two factors driving the Ho exit, according to Monash University expert Charles Livingstone.

“Macau has been hit hard by internal travel bans and 80 to 90 per cent of its economy depends on gambling,” Dr Livingstone said.

That means Mr Ho will be very focused on saving his Macau operations.

Secondly, there is the investigation.

He wouldn’t want to have his business exposed to the investigation which could result in he, or even Crown, to be found not a fit and proper person to hold a gambling licence,” Dr Livingstone said.

“The NSW investigation wrong footed the deal and it will be followed by similar measures in Victoria and Western Australia.”

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Crown dealer loses unfair dismissal claim

A Crown Casino dealer who said he was bullied with emojis for uploading his “Pornostar” rap to a work Facebook group has had his unfair dismissal claim denied.

Harkirat Singh was sacked for refusing to work after claiming a colleague derisively called him “prawnstar” – something the colleague denied – on the Melbourne Crown casino floor in late 2018.

The Brisbane Times reported that six months earlier, Mr Singh had uploaded a music video of rap he wrote titled ‘Pornostar’ to a Crown employee Facebook group, where it was mocked by other employees.

“One particular comment to which Mr Singh took offence included an extract of certain lyrics from Pornostar, followed by the inclusion of a prawn and a star emoji,” the Fair Work Commission finding reads.

In late 2018, Mr Singh complained to his superiors that a colleague allegedly called him “prawnstar” and left him too distressed to continue working, but when it was suggested he take the rest of his shift off, he refused.

The casino dealer then refused to leave after being told his shift would be paid out, and also refused to participate in a discussion with a human resources representative about his welfare, even with a union delegate present.

The Fair Work Commission heard evidence that Mr Singh “shushed” his manager several times, refused to accept a letter confirming he would be paid for the remainder of his shift because it was without a letterhead, and was at one point surrounded by eight to ten security guards.