Where to Eat and Drink at Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019
The 2019 Comedy Festival runs from March 27 to April 21 and features more than 600 shows. Each one is a convenient excuse to catch a pre- and post-show dinner at one of the CBD's many good restaurants. We've pulled the best eateries together and included a few bars, if you really want to make a night of it.
Read more:
What the Comedians Are Seeing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Best Restaurants in Melbourne
Best Restaurants on Flinders Lane
Best Late-Night Eats in Melbourne
Best Restaurants in Melbourne CBD
Restaurant
Butchers Diner
Chequerboard floors and a meat cabinet create an authentic American diner experience at this fast-casual, hole-in-the-wall burger joint. The menu honours timeless American classics like the Reuben sandwich, chilli dog and cheeseburger. More adventurous carnivores might enjoy a black pudding and devilled egg burger.
Restaurant
Meatmaiden
Go ahead and order up an American barbeque feast.
Restaurant
Bomba
Head to the roof and order as few or as many tapas items as time allows. Just don't skip the 36-month-old Joselito jamón Ibérico.
Restaurant
SPQR Pizzeria
These wood-fired pizzas come out in a flash, so there's no chance of missing your show.
Restaurant
Cumulus Inc.
This all-day eatery is open whatever time you need it, with a flexible menu that works as well for snacking as for a full meal.
Restaurant
Coda
Bookings are essential at this eternally popular French-Vietnamese restaurant. Aiming for an early pre-show timeslot will help.
Cafe
The European
Equally suited to a pre-show dinner or late night dessert.
Restaurant
Palermo
250- and 450-gram meats cooked asado style.
Bar
Garden State Hotel
Four storeys to suit all needs. Pre-show drinks, dinner or a cocktail or two after the show.
Restaurant
Pastuso
Sit by the Argentinian grill for a show in itself. Open from midday, so there's no rush.
Restaurant
Supernormal
Make sure to reserve at table at this Japanese hotspot from Andrew McConnell.
Restaurant
Maha Restaurant
Shane Delia's modern Middle Eastern restaurant is set menu only – perfect for big groups before a show.
Restaurant
Kisume
Sit at the sushi bar for a quick pre-show bite, or head to the upstairs Chablis Bar, which packs 80 choices.
Restaurant
Tonka
Sit at the bar for a pre-show cocktail and snack or reserve a table in the restaurant to enjoy the modern Indian menu.
Restaurant
Mamasita
A taco and tequila bar that's a perfect pitstop for groups before seeing a show.
Restaurant
Movida
Like Bomba, this Spanish restaurant's tapas format makes controlling the length of your meal easy. Reservations are recommended for a pre-show dinner or drink.
Bar
Cookie
A beer hall, cocktail bar and Thai restaurant in one. A good option at any time of day or night.
Bar
Arbory Bar & Eatery
Enjoy a drink and burger on the Yarra before the show. If the weather permits of course.
Restaurant
Hutong Dumpling Bar CBD
Some of the city's best dumplings, paired with a BYO policy. Perfect.
Bar
Whitehart
Catch a drink at this indoor-outdoor bar and enjoy the stars.
Restaurant
Shanghai Village
Fifteen dumplings for $10 – a no-brainer for a cheap pre-show dinner.
Bar
The Carlton Club
A multi-storey bar open late serving cocktails. Perfect spot for a drink after the show.
Bar
Rooftop Bar
A favourite among locals, ideal for a pre-show drink with a view.
Bar
Heartbreaker
The cherry-red neon sign at Heartbreaker is a beacon for late-night punters chasing a good time. With pre-batched cocktails and classic rock on the jukebox – there’s only one result here. Wear your dancing shoes in case.
Bar
Gin Palace
Sink into the velvet sofas and choose from an extensive list of gin-based cocktails for a fancier post-show drink.
Bar
Section 8
DJs playing in an old shipping container. Head here after the show for a drink with friends.
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