Good Food Guide 2022: 10 of Melbourne's best private dining rooms

Aru

The second restaurant from Sunda chef Khanh Nguyen is all about share plates (think egg noodles with black garlic, or whole flounder with seaweed butter) making it a great option for large groups. Parties of up to 12 can book the private dining room known as Banda, and groups of up to 20 are able to book The Terrace. Larger groups can book both spaces.

268 Little Collins St, Melbourne, aru.net.au

Sebastian

The 14-seat private room at this beachside restaurant juts directly off the main dining space, but thanks to padded fabric walls, it's quiet, cosy and feels completely secluded. Guests are required to dine off a set menu, but with options like crispy fried mussels with fermented chilli aioli or smoked chicken a la grecque, doing so is no imposition.

26 Esplanade, Williamstown, sebastianbeachgrill.com

Gimlet

Groups of eight to 12 can book the Palm Room, the private space at Andrew McConnell's lavish CBD diner Gimlet. Prices start at $130 per head for three courses (plus appetisers like gnocco fritto with bresaola and parmesan), but diners are encouraged to level up with extras like the caviar service, lobster off the grill or dry-aged rib eye for the table.

33 Russell St, Melbourne gimlet.melbourne

Carlton Wine Room

Private diners are spoiled for choice at this Carlton gem, which boasts three separate spaces for various group sizes. The Faraday Room has space for 18 and features a separate 'arrival room' for pre-dinner drinks. The Drummond Room seats up to 20 and you can control the record player. The bluestone cellar, underneath the main dining room, can accommodate up to 22 guests.

172-174 Faraday St, Carlton thecarltonwineroom.com.au

Poodle

This luxe art deco restaurant can accommodate groups from 20 to 200. Upstairs, there's a private dining room which can seat 20 and a cocktail lounge with space for 40. Both spaces can be booked for groups of 75. If you do want to gather with 199 of your closest friends, the entire venue (upstairs and downstairs) can be booked for private events.

81-83 Gertrude St, Fitzroy poodlefitzroy.com.au

Bar Lourinha

Downstairs at Matt McConnell's tapas bar it's all couples cosied up over Spanish snacks. But upstairs, there's a private room large enough to seat 40 guests. There are a range of meal packages to choose from (including a couple for cocktail events) – our pick is the signature menu which may star classics like the kingfish pancetta and pipis in manzanilla butter.

37 Little Collins St, Melbourne barlourinha.com.au

Chancery Lane

Chef Scott Pickett's Eurocentric CBD bistro has a range of private dining options to suit different group sizes. Named for the stunning 19th century French chandelier that hangs over the table, the Chandelier Room seats up to 10 and comes with dedicated wait staff. The Archways Room and the Cellar Room seat 18 and 12 guests respectively, but can be combined for a party of up to 40.

430 Little Collins St, Melbourne chancerylane.com.au

The Lincoln

After Super Ling fell victim to extended COVID lockdowns, owner Iain Ling decided to turn the space into a private dining room for his pub-next-door The Lincoln. Called The Lincoln Arms, there's space to seat around 30 guests. Set menus (either $55 or $75 per person) are required, but having a kitchen onsite means there's also opportunity to create something bespoke – just ask.

138 Queensberry St, Carlton, hotellincoln.com.au

Auterra Wine Bar

At Auterra, a new wine bar by Amaru restaurant's Clinton McIver, there's a private dining room with space for 12 diners, and a rear courtyard which can also be hired exclusively with space for 28. At the time of print, both spaces were still under construction (they're slated to open in spring) and set menus yet to be nutted out – but watch this space.

1160 High St, Armadale, auterrawinebar.com.au

Etta

The rear courtyard at this neighbourhood restaurant is the perfect place to gather with groups of up to 14 if you're after something private, however groups of up to 10 can gather comfortably around the Chef's Table in the main dining room. The whole front bar can also be booked – it seats 20 comfortably but has a larger capacity for stand-up events.

60 Lygon St, Brunswick East, ettadining.com.au