The New Year is just around the corner, which means holidays are here. And you’ll be looking for ways to celebrate the big night. So, whether you’re a hotel guest or an inner-north local, you’ll be needing just the right venue to suit the mood. That could be a laid-back restaurant or the latest hotspot in Moonee Ponds.
Here are some of the best bars and restaurants in Moonee Ponds, not just for New Year’s Eve but all year-around too.
Saros Bar & Dining
If you are after a bar and restaurant that oozes style and makes some of the best food in Melbourne’s inner northwest, it simply has to be our own Saros Bar & Dining. Located on the ground floor of The Sebel Melbourne, this elegant venue features New York-style booths and European-inspired tapas. Plus the wine, spirits, and cocktails menus will match any palate.
At Saros, guests can enjoy full meals or share plates at friends and family get-togethers. The rich menu features anything from pan-fried smoked mozzarella and saffron linguini to lamb ribs with sticky red wine glaze and rolled pork belly for all meat lovers.
For many locals, the modern Mediterranean cuisine made with Victorian produce is a game-changer and it’s what makes them repeat customers. If you are not into wine, Saros Bar & Dining is also known for its amazing cocktails, whipped up by friendly and attentive staff.
With such amazing food and drink selection and a relaxing atmosphere, it’s worth making Saros your Friday night ritual. If you can’t go to New York, you’ll find a little bit of the Big Apple in Moonee Ponds best restaurant, Saros Bar & Dining.
Location: Ground floor, 41 Homer St, Moonee Ponds, VIC 3039
Hours: Check the website here
Bekka
Falafel anyone? Some of the best Lebanese food can be found in Bekka, a contemporary Lebanese restaurant paying homage to the Beqaa Valey of Lebanon.
The story of Bekka began after couple Richard and Suzanne Pavlov, both second-generation Lebanese Australians, took a trip to Lebanon and were taken aback by the wholesome cuisine and hospitality of the locals.
Inspired by their trip, the couple opened Bekka, a mezze-style restaurant in the heart of Moonee Ponds, serving authentic Lebanese dishes. From homemade falafel and moujadara (lentils, rice, and fried onion) to battata harra (fried potatoes with garlic, coriander and chilli) and makaneek (spiced beef and lamb sausages), Suzanne and Richard have stayed true to their Lebanese roots.
Besides the mouth-watering recipes, guests can enjoy the pleasant interior design made modestly with arabesque tiles and lush green leaf pots resembling Lebanon’s green landscape.
Location: 22 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds, Victoria
Hours: Tue – Fri 12pm-2pm & 5pm-9pm; Sat 5pm-9pm
Chiba
Looking for a sushi place in Moonee Ponds? You may be a lover of Japanese food, vegetarian or vegan, or even gluten-free. Chiba on Hall Street has options to suit everyone’s tastes and dietary requirements.
Since freshness is key to Japanese cuisine, Chiba uses nothing but fresh ingredients and high-quality produce, resulting in interesting and flavour-packed food.
The extensive menu is not short of anything, from sushi boat platters and handcrafted sushi to mains like Tatsuta Age (deep-fried marinated chicken thigh fillet topped with Bento salad) to Bento (a traditional Japanese meal box with sashimi, teriyaki, tempura, rice and other titbits, Chiba will exceed your expectations in any aspect.
The venue is always packed, so it’s best to call and mak a reservation in advance.
Location: 41 Hall St, Moonee Ponds, VIC 3039
Hours: Tue 5.30pm-10pm; Wed-Fri 12pm-3pm & 5.30pm-10.30pm; Sat-Sun 5.30pm-10.30pm
Angie’s Kitchen
Located nearby, in Moonee Ponds Central Shopping Centre, you will find Angie’s Kitchen, a modern Cantonese restaurant serving authentic Asian flavours every day of the week. Opened in 2020, the small Chinese restaurant has already become a local hotspot, attracting curious passers-by and hungry shoppers.
The Shanghai-themed interior boasts plush green velvet booths and Chinese-style lanterns. Guests can pick from a variety of mouth-watering dishes on the menu, such as their popular steamed pork, prawn and mushroom shao mai (pork dumplings), Peking duck rolls or mains like their roast duck, topped with lychees, mint and plum sauce or a Sichuan spicy chicken with dry chilli.
Don’t eat meat? You’ll have tons of vegetarian options, like their crispy eggplant or steamed veggies with oyster sauce, fried rice with mushrooms or wok-fried spinach noodles with mushrooms and vegetables.
You see, you don’t have to go to Shanghai for authentic Cantonese cuisine, Angie’s Kitchen brings Shangai’s delicacies directly to your table.
Location: 75/21-31 Hall St, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
Hours: Mon-Sun 11.30am-9pm
Marcelleria
When hunger strikes and you want nothing but perfectly cooked steak, head down to Marcelleria (Butcher’s shop), one of Melbourne’s most desirable meat restaurants. Located along Hall Street Dining Precinct at Moonee Ponds Central, Marcelleria is a meat lover’s paradise, serving anything from Dry Aged Australian steaks and gourmet sausages to skewers, sides and, of course, its signature burger selection.
Kick off your dinner with garlic bread and perfectly cooked greens, followed by chicken or lamb skewer to prep you for the main. Even vegetarians can fill their bellies at Marcelleria with scrumptious dishes like eggplant parmigiana, veggie burgers, all kinds of salads, mashed potatoes, sweet potato wedges, and more.
Location: Ground Floor, 21/31 Hall St, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
Hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-9pm
Mango Lounge
Locals know Mango Lounge in Moonee Ponds as one of the best places to chill out during the weekends. Whether you are a jazz, deep house, rock, soul, disco or funk music lover, at Mango Lounge bar, you’ll get the chance to listen to your favourite sounds and maybe make a move or two as Mango Lounge is host to some of Melbourne’s biggest and best DJs.
The sophisticated venue has been entertaining locals and new visitors for 20 years, and it’s still one of the favourite local hangouts for families and friends get-togethers.
Don’t miss out on trying their delicious selection of cocktails, such as Daphne, Negroni, The Apple Thief, Spicy Mumma and passionfruit Mojito. Cocktails are not your thing? No worries. Mango Lounge offers an extensive list of wines and spirits including Yal Yal Rd Pinot Noir.
Location: 17 Hall St, Moonee Ponds, VIC 3039
Hours: Wed-Sun 5pm-1am
Holmes Hall
Located in a heritage-listed former supermarket, you will find Holmes Hall, a pub like no other in the Monee Valley. What used to be a worn-out supermarket is now turned into a warm, cosy and dynamic space with 300 seats.
You can still see some of the original timber beans and worn red tiles out front, but the place today looks nothing like a derelict supermarket. Holmes Hall boasts a carefully curated menu, 20 craft tap beers on tap and a wide selection of all-Aussie wine and cocktails made with native ingredients.
Come summertime, beer lovers get to enjoy the large beer garden or the cosy booths and two pinball machines inside for more intimate outings. Whether you are looking for a pint to quench your thirst or are hungry for some pub classics, stop by Holmes Hall. You won’t be disappointed.
Location: 11-17 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds, VIC
Hours: Wed-Thu 5pm-late; Fri-Sun 12pm-late
Conclusion
With so many delicious choices, you can never be hungry or thirsty in Moonee Ponds. The ‘old hood’ has bars and restaurants on every corner. From trendy cocktail bars and laid-back pubs to top-notch restaurants and sophisticated lounge bars, Moonee Ponds has a bit of everything for everyone.
