Where to eat and drink in Southbank during Now or Never festival

Checking out the free installations along the river? Find the best spots to eat and drink in Southbank.

People sitting by the river at night watching flames erupt from towers with the city skyline in the background.
The view into a restaurant from the Yarra Riverwalk, showing a large central bar with staff, the words Marmont in cursive font displayed high on an external glass wall.

Marmont

Californian-inspired but uniquely Melbourne with good food, great music, and unbeatable views.

Restaurant interior with wooden floors, tables and chairs, windows looking onto greenery and moody lighting.

Hacienda Cocina Mexicana

Brash, loud, bold and fun, delivering honest Mexican food and great cocktails.

A restaurant table with plates of Indian food arranged on it, two glasses of wine, cutlery, cloth napkins, and a person seated on a banquette behind the table.

Kolkata Cricket Club

A modern Indian restaurant inspired by the vibrant flavours of Kolkata and fine Bengali cuisine.

A view of the Melbourne city skyline from the window of a restaurant on the other side of the Yarra River, table and chairs in the foreground.

Commune Wine

A revival of approachable wine and beverages, taking inspiration from the creative neighbourhood.

Restaurant interior with large tables, overhead lights and staff at pass.

Bar Bouni

Family-forward Lebo-terranean cuisine in the heart of Southbank’s Arts Precinct.

Sunset view from Ponyfish Island Bar women at tables looking happy and drinking.

Ponyfish Island

A floating bar on the Yarra River under the Southbank pedestrian bridge.

Hand holding a large glass of red wine in one hand, a fork over a large piece of meat on a plate in the other.

Left Bank Melbourne

A versatile venue catering to both large and small groups for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Range of Japanese dishes, viewed from above, and hands using chopsticks to select food items.

Sake Restaurant & Bar

This luxurious dining space at Hamer Hall offers premium Japanese dishes and sake.

An antipasto wooden platter of sliced hams and salami, cheese and olives.

Teatro Gastronomia

Teatro is synonymous with a Italian marketplace and a true spectacle of gastronomy.

The interior of Gradi showing a large dining room with tables set for guests.

Gradi at Crown

Authentic, excellent and premium Naples-style pizza and loads of Italian classics.

Terrace with set tables, bathed in red; river to left.

La Camera

Classic Italian food overlooking the river at Southbank.

An espresso martini and a lavender coloured cocktail with dried citrus garnish with a bunch of wattle in the background

Yarra Botanica

Yarra Botanica is a floating bar and eatery on the Yarra River, celebrating Victorian producers.

Dining table filled with trays of fresh meats and vegetables, waiting to be cooked in the hot pots at the centre of each table.

Ten BBQ & Hotpot

Dine on all-you-can-eat hotpot and Korean BBQ.

Restaurant table at night with city buildings lit up in the background.

The Deck

Modern European restaurant at Southgate with great city views.

People seated at a riverside beer bar outside area, under cover.

Hopscotch

Riverside beer bar with 30 beers on tap and an in-house microbrewery.

Nobu's backlit marble bar with stools and shelves filled with bottles and glasses.

Nobu

Renowned for its innovative Japanese cuisine, stylish decor and city skyline views.

Looking down at plates of food that include steaks, burgers, salads and fries on a wooden restaurant dining table.

Melbourne Cellar Door / Dukes Distillery

A South Wharf spot for great food, drinks, and weekly specials.

A table set with a Chinese banquet.

Spice Temple

Modern Chinese, specialising in regional cuisine and dishes designed to share.

Protagonist cafe tables and chairs in the Arts Centre Melbourne forecourt.

Protagonist

Cafe offering drinks and bites in the Arts Centre Melbourne forecourt.

A selection of colourful gelato tubs in a fridge each with toppings.

Cups n Cones

A vibrant and enticing dessert destination providing a delightful gelato experience.

An outdoor restaurant table with plates of food and glasses of wine, with three people around it eating and interacting with each other.

Bistro Guillaume

Transport your senses to a Parisian heaven.

A traditional-style Italian pizza with buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto, a glass of rose wine in the background.

D.O.C Pizza & Mozzarella Bar

This Southbank addition to the D.O.C family serves up an afternoon and evening Italian menu.

Last updated on Thu 18 Jun 2026

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