Lunch Venues for Hire in Melbourne

Booking costs of lunch venues average $3000 minimum spend per event. Costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Extra charges may apply for custom catering, decor, or event planning services. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in Melbourne, based on Tagvenue data from August 2026:

Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated August 2026), the best options include:

• Entire Venue at Frontside Food & Wine in Port Melbourne - rated 5/5
  Our user said: ‘The venue was amazing, aswell as the food and drinks. You’re really getting what your paying for.’

• Private Dining Room at Aunty Kim's in Collingwood - rated 4.9/5
  Our user said: ‘Staff are incredibly helpful, the venue itself is beautiful and the food was amazing...’

• Berth Upstairs at Berth in Docklands - rated 4.8/5
  Our user said: ‘The food was wonderful and we received generous portions for our guests.’

You'll find lunch venues in various sizes, from smaller spots to larger venues; keep in mind that the type of space and your chosen layout will affect the capacity! Below you can see the typical venue sizes in Melbourne, together with the standard prices in each size range, based on Tagvenue data (August 2026):

These are the venues within 200 m from central Melbourne, available to book on Tagvenue:

• Lonsdale St at Father's Office on 249 Little Lonsdale Street - 100 m from centre.
  Our user said: ‘1. Food is good 2. Booking team is very friendly and helpful...’
• Beer Hall at Cookie on 252 Swanston Street - 150 m from centre.
  Our user said: ‘Excellent communication. Friendly and helpful staff on the night. Excellent and plentiful food and drinks.’
• Dining Room at The Moat on 176 Little Lonsdale Street - 200 m from centre.
  Our user said: ‘From the beginning, Rosie was responsive and helpful, & allowed us a lot of flexibility with our booking.’

Based on Tagvenue data (as of August 2026), users looking for lunch venues most commonly go for these venue types:

Smaller lunch venues usually fit up to 45 guests seated. Here are some great options in Melbourne, based on Tagvenue data as of August 2026:

• River Terrace at Hophaus, rated 4.8/5 - terrace for 30 guests
  Our user said: ‘The space was great. Service and Food was excellent...’

• Private Room - Top Floor at Slices Doreen, rated 4.7/5 - dining room for 40 guests
  Our user said: ‘the set up was exactly what we needed and the view was perfect.’

• Pink Delight Private Dining at Father's Office Downtown - Flinders Lane, rated 4.9/5 - dining room for 22 guests
  Our user said: ‘Plus, it felt more personal and intimate when they took the time to print our logo on our entrance and menu.’

You can secure a lunch venue in Melbourne on short notice, however your success will hinge on several factors. Firstly, consider the day of the week, as weekends, particularly Sundays, are peak times for brunches and lunches. Weekdays generally offer more availability during lunch hours. You should also consider the time of day. Lunch reservations peak between 12 pm and 2 pm. Consider earlier or later slots for better chances. Popular restaurants in trendy areas may be fully booked, while casual cafes or pubs in quieter suburbs could have more openings.

If you want to improve your chances of finding lunch venues on short notice, try the following strategies.

Contacting restaurants directly allows you to inquire about last-minute cancellations or bar seating availability. Online venue marketplaces like Tagvenue can help you make immediate bookings. Also, many cafes, pubs, and casual eateries operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also discover hidden gems or restaurants in less touristy areas, which may be more accommodating to last-minute diners.

Here are a few of some great affordable lunch venues in Melbourne: 

• The Oxford Scholar - Enjoy your lunch at this venue near the Melbourne Central Station. Sit down to dine at this historic venue with your guests and savour dishes based upon locally sourced and fresh produce. Available from AUD$500 per hour.
• Seamstress Restaurant & Bar - Hold your event at this historic restaurant in the Chinatown district, specialising in pan-Asian cuisine. This Supervenue offers packages for events from AUD$AUD$15 to AUD$65 per person. 
• P.J. O'Brien's Southgate - Enjoy your lunch at this iconic Irish pub in Southgate. Available for hire from AUD$35 per person.