Looking for a special steak experience in Melbourne that also doubles as a top date night selection? The Meat & Wine Co has landed on Collins Street, and it has arrived with more theatre than almost any steakhouse opening Melbourne has seen in years. We enjoyed a long lunch and experienced the standout Butter-Aged Southern Range Rib Eye - an absolute showstopper, plus other highly impressive dishes. Service is impeccable. The brand's 14th Australian venue and first Melbourne "Safari" concept, this 220-seat flagship trades on the drama of its "African Sky" design as much as it does on its famous flame-grilled beef — and after dining there ourselves, we can say the fit-out alone is worth the visit, before a single course even arrives.
A Lush, Occasion-Worthy Fit-Out
Designed by international studio COOOP.co, the "African Sky" concept centres on a large-scale draped ceiling installation lit with theatrical technology that shifts colour and mood from a warm daytime glow into a deep twilight blue as the evening progresses. It's a genuinely immersive touch, and it sets The Meat & Wine Co Collins Street apart from the standard dark-timber steakhouse template. For us it was a highlight to dine in such a theatrical and impressive setting - you are here not just for the food but for the "experience".
Multiple private dining rooms cater to the corporate and client-entertaining crowd this stretch of the CBD is built for (I always notice a large number of corporates during lunch periods at their restuarants), while the main room still feels intimate enough for a celebration dinner or a date. Sitting among Collins Street's luxury retailers and corporate towers, this is a venue built for occasion dining, and the room delivers on that promise before the food does. We were given a tour and checked out all the intimate private dining rooms - a real feature of this new flagship restaurant.
More Than Just a Steak Experience
Yes, the steak programme is the headline act — three provenance tiers spanning grass-fed Monte, long grain-fed O'Connor and Mayura Station Wagyu, all finished with the brand's 35-year-old signature basting over a proprietary high-temperature grill. The Butter-Aged Southern range Ribe Eye was "melt-in-your-mouth" perfection. But what struck us most on our visit was how strong the menu is beyond the beef.
The Mozambican Peri-Peri King Prawns arrive with real heat and char, a nod to the brand's South African hospitality roots. The skewers are an elite way to start a table sharing the meal — smoky, well-charred and built for passing around. Aged Beef Tartare is a highlight for tartare lovers. The Baked Hokkaido Scallops with XO Mushroom Butter were a genuine standout: plump, sweet scallops under a savoury, umami-rich butter that we'd happily order as a dish on its own.
Lamb Cutlets are a hero dish and stunningly presented. Kangaroo Skewers with blackcurrant are a striking part of a strong skewers offering. A Tasting Plate is super rewarding with several hit dishes to be enjoyed. And the Truffle Mac & Cheese deserves its own paragraph — a blend of Parmesan, Gruyere, Cheddar and Mozzarella, finished with truffle and chives, it's easily one of the richest and most indulgent sides on any Melbourne steakhouse menu right now.
Save room for dessert. The signature Chocolate Fondant is the obvious closer here — warm, oozing and rich enough to share, and a genuinely satisfying way to end a meal that has already covered a lot of culinary ground.
Who It's For
The Meat & Wine Co Collins Street is built for corporate dinners, client entertaining, celebrations and dates that call for a bit of spectacle. If you're after a low-key weeknight steak, this probably isn't it — but if you want a night where the room, the lighting and the plates all feel like an event, this new Collins Street flagship delivers.
The Details
Address: 88 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Seats: 220
Signature dishes: AGED Wagyu Tartare, Mozambican Peri-Peri King Prawns, Blackcurrant Kangaroo Skewers, Baked Hokkaido Scallop with XO Mushroom Butter, Truffle Mac & Cheese, flame-finished Beef and Pork Ribs, Chocolate Fondant
Best for: Corporate dinners, celebrations, date nights, client entertaining
Explore More Melbourne Dining
Looking for more ways to plan your night around The Meat & Wine Co Collins Street? Check out our guides to the Best Steak and Meat Restaurants in Melbourne, the Best Melbourne Bars for a pre-dinner drink, the Best Melbourne Restaurants with a View, and our Top 10 Hot Restaurants to Take Your Date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Meat & Wine Co Collins Street located?
The restaurant is located at 88 Collins Street in the Melbourne CBD, in the heart of the city's commercial and luxury retail precinct.
What is the "African Sky" design concept?
African Sky is a design concept created by studio COOOP.co, drawing on the colours and atmosphere of African savannah landscapes. Its centrepiece is a draped ceiling installation with theatrical lighting that shifts from day to twilight tones throughout service.
What are the must-order dishes at The Meat & Wine Co Collins Street?
Beyond the signature steaks, standout dishes include the Mozambican Peri-Peri King Prawns, the Blackcurrant Kangaroo Skewers, Baked Hokkaido Scallop with XO Mushroom Butter, the Truffle Mac & Cheese, and the Chocolate Fondant for dessert.
Is The Meat & Wine Co Collins Street good for special occasions?
Yes. With its immersive lighting design, multiple private dining rooms and premium steak programme, it's well suited to celebrations, client entertaining and date nights.
Does The Meat & Wine Co Collins Street have private dining?
Yes, the venue includes multiple private dining rooms designed for corporate dining, client entertaining and celebration-led occasions.