Ritz-Carlton Melbourne: Finishing touches are being placed on Atria restaurant, Cameo bar

Melbourne’s new fine dining restaurant will open 80-floors above the city next week, boasting million dollar views and food to match. Here’s what to expect.

Le Méridien Hotel executive chef Christian Graebner. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The finishing touches are being placed on the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne’s flagship restaurant Atria and bar Cameo, which open next Friday.

The 80th-floor fine diner, helmed by ex-Vue de monde chef Michael Greenlaw with culinary adviser Mark Best, will put hyper-local produce by small-scale growers centre stage – such as Oak Hill truffles, Mount Martha mussels and Blackmore Wagyu.

The Ritz Carlton restaurant Atria. Picture: Supplied.

The CBD has been heaving with new hotel restaurant openings since 2020.

Lollo and Warabi (W Melbourne), La Madonna (Next Hotel), Miss Mi (Movenpick) and Salted Egg (Quincy) all opened within the past three years.

LE MERIDIEN MELBOURNE

Christian Graebner can cook for a crowd.

The seasoned chef has spent most of his career in hotels, recently cooking for Marvel Stadium footy fans with catering giant Delaware North.

Now Graebner wears the executive chef hat at the city’s new Le Méridien Melbourne, opening Thursday at Bourke St’s old Palace Theatre and MGM Cinema site.

“We’re looking to recreate the golden era for which the hotel stands,” he said.

He’ll oversee underground hotel fine diner Dolly and all-day eatery Intermission, as well as pool deck bites and in-room dining.

Intermission, the hotel’s most accessible venue, will be whirring Axil coffee beans in the early hours and shaking martinis ’til late, with the kerbside alfresco seating a nod to the hotel’s Parisian way of life.

Atria culinary advisor Mark Best and executive chef Michael Greenlaw. Picture: Supplied.

“It’ll be French cafe by day and European wine bar by night,” Graebner said.

Croissants and patisseries, Cointreau-spiked canelés and madeleines will fill the front counter, with open sangers at lunch and petit plates (sized larger than a snack, smaller than dinner) rounding out the evening selection. Le Scoop, the hotel’s gelato cart, will be scooping six flavours for guests in the lobby and pool deck.

Le Méridien Melbourne, 20 Bourke St

Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, 650 Lonsdale St

FOUR TO WATCH

Dolly, Le Meredien

Intermission, Le Meredien

Atria, Ritz Carlton

Cameo, Ritz Carlton