Quirky And Unusual Dining Experiences In Melbourne

Melbourne is home to an incredible array of restaurants, including quite a few quirky dining experiences that are anything but typical. From tramcars to suspended tables, underwater events and theatrical dinners, these are the most unusual foodie experiences in Melbourne.

1. The Colonial Tram Car Restaurant

Bar, Restaurant, Australian, Vegetarian

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is an elegant dining experience unique to Melbourne. Behold the sights as you comfortably cruise around the city while enjoying a seasonal menu and quality Australian wines from the all-inclusive bar. Choose between the luncheon four-course meal, early dinner three-course meal and late dinner five-course meal as well as pre-theatre dining.

Dinner in the Sky

Hoisted 50 metres into the air, Dinner in the Sky is the most suspenseful gourmet experience in the world. The dangling dinner table seats 22 people along with the chef, sommelier and waiting team, who stand in the centre ensuring your experience is of the highest quality. Dinner in the Sky not only hosts events but can also be booked for private parties.

Secret Foodies

2. Puffing Billy Railway

Train Station

Experience the Puffing Billy Railway in style on board the daily Steam and Cuisine Luncheon. The charming three-hour journey has you seated within the heritage dining carriages and features a three-course meal or “natter platter” and local Yarra Valley wines. Along the way, you’ll see the iconic Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge, and you’re even invited to disembark and explore the picturesque Emerald Lake before relaxing with dessert and a cuppa as you return to Belgrave station.

3. Titanic Theatre Restaurant

Diner, Restaurant, Irish, Australian, Vegetarian

Relive the Titanic’s maiden voyage at a restaurant where your night is guaranteed to be a disaster. Travel in luxury in first class or journey below deck to steerage for a casual night of Irish camaraderie. No matter your class, you’ll receive a three-course meal before the ship of dreams inevitably sinks. Titanic also features roving performers and dramatic effects to keep you entertained throughout your journey across the Atlantic.

4. Lentil as Anything

Restaurant, Healthy, Vegetarian

Established in 2000, Lentil as Anything is unlike any other restaurant in that there are no fixed prices. Instead, the customer determines how much to pay. The vegetarian restaurant has a strong sense of community and values social inclusion above all else. From Mexican-spiced polenta to Sri Lankan uttapam savoury pancakes, the dishes are made with a generous dose of love from donated produce. Lentil as Anything is now located in St Kilda, Abbotsford, Footscray and Thornbury.

5. Easey’s

Restaurant, American

Easey’s is an American Burger joint and bar located on a rooftop in Collingwood where you can dine within graffiti-covered Hitachi M-class train carriages. The train schedule menu offers burgers, hotdogs, barbecue wings, milkshake-flavoured doughnuts and super cheesy macaroni cheese – and the best part is that you can climb on board and enjoy the view for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

6. Silver Clipper Dinner Flight

Restaurant, Australian

In-flight meals are universally recognised as downright horrible, but the Silver Clipper Dinner Flights is different. Departing from Essendon airport, you’ll be treated to champagne and canapes before taking flight in the DC-3 Gooney Bird where you’ll enjoy an elegant hamper meal specially prepared by the award-winning AAG Services of Melbourne, alongside a selection of wine. Following the 70-minute flight, you’ll indulge in coffee, port and fine chocolate in the lounge.

7. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Aquarium

Book your next corporate function or private party at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium and take your guests on an aquatic journey into the fathoms below. Choose between several event spaces, including the extraordinary 2.2 million-litre Oceanarium and the Coral Atoll, which can accommodate cocktail functions for up to 650 people. From the extravagant to the intimate, all events are presented with a highly personalised service – staff can even help organise an underwater proposal.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.