A darkly elegant European brasserie by Scott Pickett, built for indulgence and late-night dining.

Chancery Lane: Sophistication Below Street Level

Hidden beneath Little Collins Street, Chancery Lane feels like a secret you want to keep. The room glows in amber light, all leather, brass and polished wood, a nod to old-world European glamour reimagined through Melbourne’s lens. It’s intimate but alive, with energy that builds as the night goes on. This is where you come to eat well, drink better and lose track of time.

Pickett’s brasserie is unapologetically indulgent — confident, measured and built for people who appreciate detail. The service is sharp, the mood rich, the intent clear.

The Food: European Roots, Melbourne Confidence

The menu reads like a love letter to French technique. Start with oysters and champagne or a perfect steak tartare sharpened with cornichons and mustard. The signature duck and black truffle pithivier is theatre on a plate, its golden pastry giving way to slow-cooked richness. Pastas are handmade, meats are roasted over flame, and every sauce feels anchored in a lifetime of craft.

There’s comfort here too — confit potatoes layered like architecture, whole fish in beurre blanc, and desserts that recall old-school luxury, from chocolate soufflé to tarte Tatin. Every dish is precise without losing its warmth.

The Cellar and the Setting

The wine list is one of the city’s best, heavy with Burgundy, Barolo and Victorian producers who share the same obsession with depth and restraint. Cocktails lean timeless — a martini, a negroni, a smoky old fashioned — made by bartenders who understand the rhythm of a proper dining room.

Chancery Lane isn’t a restaurant you stumble upon; it’s one you plan for. It’s where you dress up a little, settle in and remember that some nights deserve more than a quick meal — they deserve ceremony.