The Best Private Dining Rooms in Melbourne

Whether you’re marking a birthday, engagement, or simply a why-not group festa, take the evening to the next level by booking out a private room at these top Melbourne restaurants. It’s a win-win: you get to access all of their cracking food and wine (without any of the clean up) while also enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of an at-home dinner party. Some even have semi-private spaces that allow you to celebrate and converse freely while basking in the energy of the wider restaurant.

So, if you're looking for an event space to celebrate a special occasion, we've gone ahead and found the best private dining rooms in Melbourne.

Park Street Pasta & Wine

Park Street Pasta & Wine has the perfect private dining room if you want to throw an event with a medium-sized group of people and would rather sit away from other diners. Seating up to 32 people, their upstairs dining room is often used during busy dinner periods, but can be booked out for private functions and events. Surround yourself in authenticity of their green-painted walls and Italian art prints as you sip of some of the finest wines to ever dance on your taste buds and tuck into their delicious shared plates and pastas. Bellissimo!

Capacity: 32 people

268 Park Street, South Melbourne

Neighbourhood Wine

This room is filled with history. Originally an illegal gambling den that was shut down by police over 30 years ago, Neighbourhood Wine's private dining room seats up to 12 around an antique black walnut table, where private gambling sessions took place. Now, it can be booked for intimate private events, seating a minimum of eight people and maximum of 12. There's an impressive wine wall behind the head of the table, and the old-school decor and style of this culture-rich building will make you feel as though you're in the ring yourself...although you're not, you're enjoying a divine seasonal sharing menu with your family and friends.

If you're planning on organising a larger event, you can also book the Sunset Room, which got its name from it's gambling days, where it was originally home to the roulette wheel and snooker table. Or, you can book out the entire venue, for a party extra grand.

Capacity: 12 people (Private Dining Room), 60 people (Sunset Room), 150 (Full Venue)

1 Reid Street, Fitzroy North

Akaiito

Akaiito pulls out all the stops when it comes to their private dining room in Melbourne. osting just up to 12 people, this isn't just a room to share a meal in, but a Visual Dining Experience – wherein the table comes to life through visual projections accompanied by a seasonal menu that's bound to heighten the senses. This Japanese fine dining restaurant is bound to impress all of your guests not only through the mesmerising private dining area, but also through the exquisite food that copious amounts of time and effort is put into.

For something a bit bigger, such as a corporate event, book out the full venue and choose from either a three or five-course set menu.

Capacity: 12 people (Visual Dining Experience), 30 people (Full Venue)

​349-359 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Officina Gastronomica

For an intimate lunch or dinner with friends and family, Officina Gatronomica's private dining room is perfect. You can enjoy authentic Italian food and wine in an intimate setting, with their private dining room in Melbourne seating up to fourteen people, or book out their beautiful courtyard if the weather is looking pleasant, so you can feel as though you're sitting in the beautiful courtyards of Italy itself. Embrace the ustic charm as you indulge on picks from the impressive wine wall and indulge in every bite of their homemade pasta.

Capacity: 14 people

​532/534 Malvern Road, Prahran

Freyja

Freyja has numerous private dining options for those looking to throw any type of event. With a maximum capacity of 65 people, you can throw a birthday bash, or have an intimate dinner with 10 of your closest friends. Offering a sophisticated approach to 'New Nordic' dining, Freyja is a restaurant like no other. Their private dining room in the basement of the historic heritage-listed Olderfleet on Collins Street, offering a unique and intimate experience. It can be sectioned off for smaller events, or opened up for larger ones.

Capacity: 65 people

​477 Collins Street, Melbourne

Poodle Bar & Bistro

Poodle Bar & Bistro’s fresh take on European bistro food and relentless good times atmosphere has made it one of Fitzroy’s trendiest places to eat. Upstairs they have an intimate private dining room, decked out in handsome art deco style, that’s sequestered from the hubbub of the main bar. Expect sleek slatted wooden ceilings and glistening fixtures around a long table that can be customised in length. All that’s left to do is decide whether you want to start on champagne or cocktails.

Capacity: 20 people

81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Bahari The Hellenic Palate

Masterchef alumni Philip Vakos’ modern Greek restaurant, Bahari The Hellenic Palate, has cemented itself as a Richmond favourite for its lively ambience and traditional recipes cooked with a contemporary touch. Downstairs is a rustic diner while upstairs is an airy, coastal-vibes space that can be booked for private lunches and dinners. Sporting three large windows overlooking busy Swan Street alongside private bathrooms and a cocktail bar, it’s an ace way to gather over their delicious Greek dips, small plates, grilled meats and colourful salads.

Capacity: 45 people

177-179 Swan Street, Richmond

The George on Collins

The George on Collins is where you go to feast on delectable modern South-East Asian cuisine in a grand, historic building. The sprawling space boasts several private dining spaces to accommodate all crowds, moods and moments, each with its own character and charm. The close and cosy Attic overlooks the main venue, allowing your group to soak in the atmosphere of the restaurant while having your own space, while the Den affords total privacy with its very own entrance and bar. For larger events go for the stylish Cellar, which features AV capabilities and room to mingle.

Capacity: 12 people (Attic), 26 people (Den), 45 people (Cellar)

162-168 Collins Street, Melbourne

Supernormal

Supernormal is a bastion of Melbourne’s upmarket dining scene; their signature lobster rolls, bao and peanut butter parfait is the stuff of legend. But you might not know that they also have an utterly private dining room – a charming, art-filled space that’s played host to countless special occasions. Start the evening with a tailored selection of the restaurant’s acclaimed mod-Asian food and end in spectacular fashion thanks to a 65-inch, Bose-powered karaoke system.

Capacity: 16 people

180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Aru

Contemporary Asian-Australian restaurant Aru is one of Melbourne’s most acclaimed openings in recent years, a relaxed restaurant with a fine dining edge. Executive Chef Khanh Nguyen marries South-East Asian flavours, ancient techniques and the finest Australian produce to dazzling effect.

Aru is the tastemaker’s choice for a celebratory dinner, made even better when experienced in their secluded private room, Banda. Furnished in rich spotted gum, it features a stunning wine wall and opens up onto a terrace which can also be booked.

Capacity: 12 people seated, with an additional 30 if the terrace is booked.

268 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Moonhouse

This moody and modern Chinese-inspired bistro, Moonhouse, is a new opening worth checking out, especially when it has an impressive private dining room upstairs. Seating up to 30 at a long table (lazy susans included) with its own kitchen, it’s a surefire ticket to a boisterous evening with friends. The Balaclava restaurant is by the group behind Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina and Firebird, so expect nostalgic Cantonese dishes cooked with contemporary flair. Big hitting snacks include a Hainanese chicken club sandwich and prawn toast dipped in rich bisque.

Capacity: 30 people

282 Carlisle Street, Balaclava 

Donovan’s

For a truly special occasion, iconic St Kilda restaurant Donovan's delivers refined European cuisine accompanied by sweeping ocean vistas. They offer two bookable spaces – the semi-private Library for up to 10 people, plus a private dining room for up to 26 that’s bound by floor-to-ceiling windows. Not only does it offer super views of Port Phillip Bay, it also sports an outdoor terrace for relaxed pre-dinner drinks.

Capacity: 26 people

40 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

San Telmo

San Telmo is a rustic-glam Argentinian restaurant is perfect for celebrations. Not only do they have an intimate private dining room for up to 12 people, but their menu – centred on lavish grilled meats and an extensive wine list – is made for sharing. Put your night in the kitchen’s hands with a set banquet that starts with empanadas and ends with dulce de leche crème caramel. The private space is in the centre of the restaurant, concealed behind a wall of wine, offering seclusion amid the lively restaurant atmosphere.

Capacity: 12 people

14 Meyers Place, Melbourne

Chancery Lane

European classics are cleverly reimagined at Chancery Lane, with dishes like sea perch mousseline with Avruga caviar and onion consommé topped with truffle parmesan. The alluring CBD bistro has three private dining options, each grander than the last. First, there’s the luxurious Chandelier Room, a sought-after space with dedicated service under a 19th century French chandelier. The expansive Archways Room sports an adjoining private atrium for pre-dinner drinks while the smaller Cellar Room offers a semi-private vibe.

Capacity: 12 people (Private Dining Room), 8 people (La Boca Private Dining Room)

430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

L’Hotel Gitan

This French gastro pub is a temple to good food and wine, plating up a flurry of steak bavette, duck liver parfait and cheese soufflé each day. For cosy get-togethers the Copper Suite at L'Hotel Gitan can be booked, seating up to 12 people around a custom redwood dining table as a mesh wine cupboard separates you from the main dining room.

Capacity: 12 people

32 Commercial Road, Prahran

Where to next? When the night is young, make your way to one of these charismatic cocktail spots or cosy pubs. If you’re partial to a post-dinner G&T, then make sure to hit up our favourite gin bars in Melbourne.