Blog

You are currently viewing The Best Spots for Casual Dining in Melbourne

The Best Spots for Casual Dining in Melbourne

If you’re after some of the best spots in town to enjoy a casual dinner for your next event, you’re in luck. We’ve gathered our top function rooms Melbourne has to offer so you can sit back, relax and appreciate some good food and company.

1. Simply Spanish, Exclusive Hire

Bringing the flavours of Spain to Bourke Street, Simply Spanish is a hidden gem in Melbourne CBD. The bright colours of the neon lights and wall tiling, mixed with funky beer pendant lights, reflect a fun, light-hearted atmosphere. Equally as colourful is the Spanish cuisine and tapas on offer, featuring a paella that has won multiple awards worldwide. A function room that provides a cosy casual dining experience with a capacity of 50 guests, Simply Spanish allows you to truly soak up a fun occasion with Spanish music to dance the night away to.

  • Venue: Simply Spanish
  • Address: Shop 10/555 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
  • Capacity: 50
  • Event Type: Private dining, Private parties, Meeting workshop, Networking venues, Wedding

2. Vegie Tribe, Exclusive Hire

Enjoy two stories of light and bright casual dining right in the heart of the CBD with Vegie Tribe. The white walls combine with the funky mural artwork and hanging greenery to create a light-hearted atmosphere, perfect for a celebratory lunch or dinner. Enjoy a plant-based menu focused on healthy, nourishing meals and fresh produce. Both the upstairs and downstairs function rooms have a variety of banquet or booth seating to suit your dining needs, with a combined capacity of 115 guests. Relax and enjoy good company at your next casual dining experience with Vegie Tribe.

  • Venue: Vegie Tribe
  • Address: 34-36 Little La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC 3000
  • Capacity: 115
  • Event Type: Private dining, Private parties, Networking venues

3. Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar, Exclusive Hire

Perched on the corner of Lygon Street in Brunswick East sits Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar, an old bank now converted into an eclectic and vibrant Japanese restaurant. The old stripped walls combine with modern Japanese murals and an eclectic mix of Japanese industrial and art deco. The two storeys hold a variety of function rooms available to choose from, with the entire venue available for exclusive hire for up to 156 guests. Dine with a views of the bustling Lygon Street in the Upstairs area, or enjoy booths or long banquet seating in the Semi Private Dining area. With a menu inspired by shared Asian street food, Kumo embodies the ethos of an izakaya; a meeting place to bond with a focus on homeliness. This welcoming, relaxed atmosphere creates the perfect backdrop for your next casual dining function.

  • Venue: Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar
  • Address: 152 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057
  • Capacity: 156
  • Event Type: Private dining, Private parties, Networking venues, Wedding

4. Death or Glory, Level Two Venue Hire

Prahan’s eclectic hidden retreat, Death or Glory provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of Chapel Street. The second level is a tropical getaway with a cheeky Melbournian flare, complete with wall murals, fairy lights and an assortment of lounges and bench seating. Including both the Tropical Bar and Gallery function rooms, the upstairs exclusive hire has the capacity for up to 100 special guests. Enjoy a mix of local wines, tropical cocktails and an array of ice cold beers on tap, with an assortment of pub classics to keep everybody satisfied. No matter whether you’re hosting a birthday or work dinner, or just want an excuse to catch up with friends, Death or Glory has you covered.

  • Venue: Death or Glory
  • Address: 218 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3181
  • Capacity: 100
  • Event Type: Private dining, Private parties, Networking venues, Presentation, Studio, Team away days

5. BearBrass, Dining Room, Front & Bar

With a stunning view of the Yarra River overlooking the city, BearBrass is not one to miss. Located on Southbank right on the banks of the Yarra, enjoy the picturesque view and a relaxed atmosphere. BearBrass offers a variety of function rooms to choose from, all with a riverside view. Dine in the undercover Bar Terrace complete with fairy lights, garden and the river right on your doorstep. Or, if you’re looking to move indoors, booth seating and a long banquet table provide plenty of cosy options to choose from. If you want to keep the celebrations going after your meal, then you’re in luck; BearBrass offers WaterTaxi services to keep you transported in style.

  • Venue: BearBrass
  • Address: GR3A/3 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006
  • Capacity: 100
  • Event Type: Private dining, Private parties, Networking venues, Wedding

6. The Kilburn, Whisky Room

Located on the intersection of Burwood and Glenferrie Roads, The Kilburn lies within the heritage listed Commercial Bank of Australia. The Whisky Room takes a modern, premium approach to the building’s heritage charm, with weatherboard walls painted a navy blue and touches of gold. Enjoy a variety of velvet booth seating, and an impressively large spirits collection to match. A function room that combines a relaxed atmosphere with sophisticated furnishings, The Kilburn ticks all the boxes. And, if you’re wanting to add a unique experience to your next casual dining event, why not book a whisky tasting or cocktail making class for dessert?

  • Venue: The Kilburn
  • Address: 348 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
  • Capacity: 30
  • Event Type: Private dining, Private parties, Networking venues

7. Undercover Roasters HQ, Exclusive Hire

Conveniently tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Victoria and Church Street in Abbotsford, Undercover Roasters HQ provides the perfect escape for your next casual dining event. The venue is for exclusive hire, accommodating up to 150 guests with both an indoor dining function room and an intimate courtyard space available to suit any celebration. The lush greenery and velvet chairs will keep you feeling comfortable and relaxed, with a broad selection of coffee and tea, perfect for any caffeine lovers. No matter the occasion, Undercover Roasters has something for everyone.

  • Venue: Undercover Roasters HQ
  • Address: 449 Victoria St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
  • Capacity: 150
  • Event Type: Private dining, Private parties, Conference, Meeting workshop, Networking venues, Presentation, Wedding

8. INDU Dining, Private Dining Room

A hidden gem tucked in the historic Collins Quarter building on Collins Street, INDU Dining is the perfect choice for your next event. Celebrating Sri Lankan cuisine with a focus on using the best available local produce, INDU provides a feast rich in flavour. With a capacity of 40, this function room feels cosy and intimate. The modern interiors, with exposed brick and a gorgeous ombre feature wall, combines with the moody downlighting to create a space perfect to dine and enjoy good company.

  • Venue: INDU Dining
  • Address: 86A Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
  • Capacity: 40
  • Event Type: Private dining, Private parties, Meeting workshop, Networking venues, Presentation

When it comes to finding the best casual dining function room Melbourne bookers can trust HeadBox to help find the perfect space for a memorable event. So let’s get started – contact the HeadBox team today!

FAQ’s

1. Who can use HeadBox?

Anyone! Whether you’re a corporate booker looking for a private dining room, meeting room, Christmas or EOFY party venue or you’re a social booker looking for the perfect spot to host your birthday party, hens night or wedding – HeadBox has you covered.

2. What is HeadBox?

HeadBox connects corporate and consumer bookers with venues and suppliers and is the easy way to book, manage and deliver everything in one place. No long searches, no stress, no hidden costs.

3. How do I submit an event brief?

Submitting an event brief is an easy process. Our intuitive brief builder will take you through a series of questions collecting all the necessary details needed to host a great event. We want to know details such as where your event will take place, on what date, how many people are attending, and what your total budget is. Once you submit this information, relevant and available venues will respond to your brief!

4. How long will it take for venues to respond?

Our venues are super quick to respond! You should receive responses or a proposal within 24-48 business hours.

5. What are the top 5 things to consider when choosing a venue?

The cost, the location, style, capacity & catering options.