Where to eat near the MCG and Marvel Stadium

Heading to a finals footy match at the MCG? Check out these top city restaurants for pre or post-game feasting.

When are the AFL finals?

The 2025 AFL Finals Series runs from 4 to 27 September.

When is the AFL Grand Final in 2025?

The MCG will once again host the AFL Grand Final, on Saturday 27 September 2025.

The best restaurants near the MCG

Geppetto Trattoria

Geppetto Trattoria is conveniently located right across the road from the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This traditional Italian restaurant offers plenty of pasta and antipasto dishes to fill up on before the game. An East Melbourne institution, Geppetto has a full vegan menu and gluten-free options.

The Tippler & Co

Only a stone’s throw away from the Melbourne Cricket Ground is leafy local The Tippler & Co. This hip bar and eatery has an ever-changing food and drinks selection. Indulge in dishes like sweet potato arancini or charcuterie boards before heading to the match. If you’re after something heavier, there’s porterhouse steak or pan-fried gnocchi.

The Duke of Wellington

Take it to the next level and head to the rooftop at The Duke of Wellington for craft beer and a pub meal. Watch the crowds pass by as you hoe into a tasty parma or charcuterie board. One of Melbourne’s oldest pubs, The Duke has a lively beer garden and sport is front and center on the big screens. It’s a 15 minute walk to the ground, or there’s a tram right outside the door. 

Riverland Bar

Riverland Bar is ideally placed for a footy trip. Nestled by the Yarra River below Fed Square, with a bit of luck the weather shines and you can have a swift one by the water before the game. Load up on moorish share plates or grab some pizzas and a spritz to fuel your short walk to the ‘G. 

Robata

Sit under the neon lights at Robata for the game day special. When you dine in your footy colours before the match, your first round of beers is on the house! Tuck into sashimi, yakitori and more flame-grilled Japanese delights before you make the short 15 minute walk to the 'G.

Time Out

Situated under those iconic orange umbrellas and sparkling lights at Fed Square is Time Out. Sip a cocktail or two outside before the game. Or feast on modern delights like Angus beef burgers, fresh grilled salmon and warming pumpkin and feta pizza. Breakfast is served until 3pm, so a pre-game brunch complete with mimosas is definitely not out of the question.

Where to watch the footy in Melbourne

Not heading to the game? Find a spot to watch the AFL Grand Final.

The best restaurants near Marvel Stadium

Did you know Marvel Stadium is home to a massive tropical beer garden? This palm tree-lined oasis is open on event days. Pop into Moon Dog Doglands for a pre-footy parma. Then grab a craft beer or cocktail from the glowing 360-degree bar. The Jungle Room terrace is also open daily for meals. Think pub staples like Wagyu burgers, steak sangas and chicken wings.

Friends of Fire

You can't get much closer to the action than a restaurant inside the stadium! Friends of Fire specialises in fire-grilled dishes infused with Aussie flavours. Think king prawns drenched in fermented chilli butter, dry-aged rib eye with chimichurri and smoky pork ribs. For a dash of dinner theatre, book the hotseat at the grill to see the chefs prepare your meal over the flames.

Steakhouse Grill 66 

Who said footy night can't also be steak night? Level up your pre-footy feasting with a feed at Steakhouse Grill 66. As you can imagine, the steaks here are impeccable. Dining with a group? Order the Wagyu tasting combo to sample the best cuts with all the sides. Fresh seafood, slow-cooked ribs and caviar-topped Kobe beef round out the menu.

Higher Ground

One of Melbourne's most beautiful brunch locations, Higher Ground is your best bet for a delicious pre-game feast. The heritage-listed space isn’t all style over substance, though. Try perfectly plated hotcakes garnishes with edible flowers, peanut butter waffles and blue swimmer crab dishes. It's also open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday!

Brim CC

Trade the hot chips and pies for a selection of nourishing dishes at Brim CC. Dig into stacked plates of seasonal roast veggies, delicious chicken and mushroom gyoza, katsu ramen and sweet treats. Vegan and gluten-free options available.

Spicy Korea

Step into Spicy Korea and be met with an abundance of authentic Korean dishes. We're talking, steamed dumplings, spicy fried chicken, traditional bulgogi beef, kimchi rice and much more. Pair with your choice of soft drink, beer and even soju. If you're looking for bang for your buck, this place is your go-to!

Urban Alley Brewery

You don’t need to drive out to the ‘burbs for a legit brewery experience. Urban Alley at The District Docklands has the capacity to produce 1 million litres of beer a year, and their unique eco-model means your sips are super sustainable. Settle in for a pre or post footy signature bev in the loft style surrounds and order from a menu of burgers, pizzas and steaks. You can leave your car here and walk, it's only 15 minutes from Marvel.

Berth

Look for the modern glass building jutting out into the water on Newquay Promenade at Docklands. This is where you’ll find casual dining at Berth. The menu covers classic dishes like steaks, parmas and knockout gnocchi. There are panoramic views of bobbing boats, city buildings and Marvel Stadium. From here it’s just a short stroll along the water to get to the game.

Cargo

Situated in the heart of NewQuay in Docklands right next to Berth, Cargo is an airy eatery and beer garden. Get that breeze through your hair as you soak up the waterside Dockland views. With an emphasis on share plates, Cargo is the ideal spot for group dining. Load the table with paellas and pizzas for everyone to dive into. Or you can get snacky things like polenta chips and fried cauliflower to go with a couple of spritzes.

Old Man Pho

Nothing warms you up after a cold match like a steaming hot bowl of pho. Old Man Pho is another District Docklands eatery that dishes up comforting homemade Vietnamese fare. Start with the banh mi sliders and order the namesake chicken or beef pho topped with fresh herbs. Or try one of their Central Vietnam local specialities customised to your tastes.

Ilza

Located just outside Gate 6 of Marvel Stadium, it’s practically impossible to miss the first bounce when you eat at Japanese cafe Ilza. The cafe’s home-style chicken katsu sandos on fluffy white bread are a Docklands sensation. Looking for something substantial to see you through the whole match? Choose from a variety of bowls such as salmon don or curry menchai don, or go straight for char-grilled teriyaki pork ribs.

Krabby’s Crab Boil

It’s hard to be crabby at Krabby’s, even if your team just lost. Located right at Marvel Stadium, this seafood restaurant is the perfect post-event spot to keep the good times rolling. It’s raucous fun and seriously messy but above all, it’s delicious. Throw on a paper bib and tuck in to the seafood boil, freshly steamed in your choice of flavour-packed sauce. Or order a bucket of yabbies and some salty Cajun chips on the side. 

Hightail

Diner, bar and grill, watering hole – however you describe it, Hightail is definitely worth a drop in. This huge space is filled with mountains of tap beer, an extensive wine list and enviable cocktail menu. The food is everything you want it to be –  scotch fillet steak, salt and pepper squid, chicken parmas and more. You’re sure to find your happy place at Hightail, less than 10 minutes walk away from Marvel Stadium.

The Hof Downtown

Footy and beers, an iconic combo. This giant German beer hall gives old school Bavarian dishes a modern update. The Hof is just a few minutes walk from Marvel and you won't leave hungry with these hearty mains and shared bites. Take a seat at the long tables and try the crispy pork knuckle served with sauerkraut. And don't forget a stein of German lager and a pretzel. Prost!