Melbourne’s most revered fine dining experience, where theatre meets philosophy.

Vue de Monde: Dining Above the Clouds

Perched high on the 55th floor of the Rialto Tower, Vue de Monde is the crown jewel of Melbourne’s dining scene. From its black marble interiors to the soft glow of the open kitchen, everything here is deliberate. The skyline stretches endlessly around you, grounding the experience in a sense of scale and stillness. It’s fine dining with gravity — intimate, elemental, and unmistakably Australian.

Chef Hugh Allen’s vision carries on Shannon Bennett’s legacy with a youthful confidence, blending native produce and modern technique with total precision.

The Menu: Nature Refined

Each course is a sensory journey through Australia’s landscape. Marron with native herbs, emu tartare, wattleseed pavlova — every element tells a story of place. Ingredients are sourced sustainably and presented with minimal intervention, allowing texture, smoke and acidity to lead the way. The meal unfolds as a narrative rather than a list of dishes, with the chefs themselves serving and explaining each course.

It’s intimate and deliberate, yet never cold. The open kitchen invites conversation, breaking the barrier between performance and participation.

The Experience: Beyond the Plate

Service here feels almost telepathic, orchestrated but human. The wine list is monumental, covering old-world icons and new Australian innovators, with pairings that enhance rather than overshadow. Every element — from the handcrafted cutlery to the kangaroo leather tables — ties back to the story of Australia’s environment and artisanship.

Vue de Monde remains Melbourne’s benchmark for fine dining. It’s not just about food or luxury, but about emotion, intention and awe. The kind of experience that lingers long after the lights of the city fade below you.