Best of est | Australian Hospitality Venues to Visit in 2025

Maison Bâtard by Mitchell & Eades | Photography by Lillie Thompson

Grounded in place, atmosphere, and history, we showcase six must-visit Australian hospitality venues for 2025. Each project draws on diverse influences—from Japanese restraint to the natural tones of the Australian landscape—to create distinctive, immersive, and design-led spaces with lasting impact.

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Maison Bâtard by Mitchell & Eades

Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong Country / Melbourne, Australia

A refined celebration of heritage and hospitality, Maison Bâtard brings French grandeur to the heart of Melbourne. Set within the storied walls of 23 Bourke Street, the four-level venue is the result of an eight-year restoration, led by Chris and Sarah Lucas in collaboration with Melbourne-based architects Mitchell & Eades and Mills Gorman Architects.

Every detail of the design speaks to craftsmanship and permanence. The ground floor pairs travertine and marble inlay floors with dark timber panelling and vaulted taupe ceilings, anchored by a 13-metre open kitchen. A curvaceous Calacatta Paonazzo benchtop and aged smoked mirror backdrop add depth and drama to the space. The basement offers a more decadent palette—red velvet-lined walls, Jacques Garcia lighting, and a sculptural Verde marble bar designed for late-night cocktails and live music.

Upstairs, French oak herringbone floors and Parisian chandeliers define the salon-style first floor, while La Terrasse reveals a landscaped rooftop courtyard by Paul Bangay, centred around a 50-year-old maple tree.

“In the spirit of classic French styling, we have honoured the heritage, grandeur, and charm of the original building and imbued it with a modern edge and vivacity,” Mitchell & Eades principal Sam Eades says. “This philosophy has informed every aspect of the design for Maison Bâtard, where texture, luxury, and comfort play pivotal roles,” principal Hayley Mitchell adds. Described as a love letter to Melbourne, Maison Bâtard is a compelling new addition to the city’s hospitality landscape.

Maison Bâtard by Mitchell & Eades | Photography by Lillie Thompson

Central by J.AR OFFICE | Photography by David Chatfield

Central by J.AR OFFICE

Turrbal Country / Brisbane, Queensland

Designed by Brisbane-based architecture studio J.AR OFFICE, Central is a bold ‘multi-sensory’ dining experience where design meets theatre. Inspired by the energy of 1980s Hong Kong, the space draws guests into the action, with tiered seating encircling a brightly lit open kitchen.

Set within a historic basement, the design honours the site’s layered past. Subterranean Brisbane Tuff-clad walls frame the space, while a precise datum line divides the ‘cave-like’ space, contrasting the raw, unlined upper ceiling with the materially-rich lower volume.

Monolithic granite plinths ground the interior, while operable mesh dividers, designed by local textile artist George Park, soften the space. Prioritising durability and impact, materials were selected to withstand the intensity of daily service, with the design favouring areas where guests engage most directly.

Central is more than a restaurant—it’s an immersive, high-intensity ‘performance’, where every detail plays a role in the choreography of the space.

Central by J.AR OFFICE | Photography by David Chatfield

+81 by Derlot

Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong Country / Melbourne, Australia

+81 is a refined Japanese dining experience designed by Derlot’s director Alexander Lotersztain. Inspired by his time living in Tokyo, the restaurant takes its name from Japan’s international dialling code and is guided by three core Japanese principles: ishou (permanence and harmony), omotenashi (the art of Japanese hospitality), and ichigo ichie (treasuring each moment).

The deep blue palette was inspired by traditional Japanese indigo dye. Natural timbers and custom lighting set the tone at the entry bar, leading to a dramatic 12-metre kappo counter framed by a waved stainless steel wall. Each element—from custom stools to the boulder-like maître d’ station—enhances the immersive experience.

The private dining room centres around a lacquerware-inspired table and bespoke seating, softly lit by a custom washi paper pendant from Kyoto-based lantern maker Kojima Shouten. A vinyl lounge that nods to 1970s Japanese listening bars completes the space. At the corridor’s end, a digital artwork by Rodrigo Rabaco blends cyberpunk and neo-futurist influences found in iconic films such as Ghost in the Shell and Blade Runner. “Our vision was to create a space where design, curation, and culinary artistry come together to transport guests to Japan through all senses,” Lotersztain reflects.

+81 by Derlot | Photography by Florian Groehn

Bar Julius by SJB

Gadigal Country / Sydney, Australia

Tucked away behind the entrance to The EVE Hotel Sydney, Bar Julius is a vibrant new addition to the Surry Hills Village precinct. Designed by SJB, the bar reimagines classic bistro elements with a modern Australian sensibility, layering rich textures, bold colours and playful details.

A vaulted ceiling and formal dado define the architecture, creating a balance of order and whimsy. Suspended just above the walls, the ceiling features a kaleidoscopic installation by artist Louise Olsen, infusing the space with colour and movement. “The design called for a statement piece—something bright, colourful and full of energy—so Louise was the perfect fit,” SJB director Adam Haddow says.

Materiality plays a key role in Bar Julius’s warmth and richness, with Australian timbers like Jarrah and Ironbark, layered red-toned marbles, and deep blue-grey accents. Inspired by an iconic Australian artwork, Grace Cossington Smith’s ‘The Lacquer Room’ (1936), the space captures the comfort of a neighbourhood bar with the expressive spirit of contemporary Australian design.

Bar Julius by SJB Architects | Styling by Joseph Gardner. Photography by Anson Smart

Marmelo by Mitchell & Eades

Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong Country / Melbourne, Australia

Housed within Melbourne’s historic Russell House, Marmelo is shaped by texture, narrative and material integrity. Once a Victorian-era botanic pharmacy and later Melbourne’s first broadcasting studio, Mitchell & Eades thread the site’s rich past throughout the design. Grounded in the natural, tactile qualities of local materials—clay, water, and cobblestones—Marmelo lifts cues from the imperfect, expressive beauty of Portuguese design.

Light and openness define Marmelo’s upper level. A sculptural marble bar and sweeping banquette set a welcoming tone, while a bespoke wood-fired oven and glass wine room anchor the dining space. Upholstered banquettes, handcrafted tiles, and artworks by Lucy Rolef and Ben Mazey bring richness and tactility to the space.

Descending the chartreuse staircase reveals Mr Mills, a more intimate, atmospheric space inspired by the rhythm and flair of Portuguese performance culture. A moody bar and semi-private dining room unfold in a palette of mirror, velvet and timber, framed by artworks by Nick Thomm and Dion Horstmans.

Marmelo by Mitchell & Eades | Photography by Anson Smart

Bar Tilda by FK

Gadigal Country / Sydney, Australia

Located on the ground floor of The Sofitel in Sydney, Bar Tilda draws on rich tones, natural materials and a strong connection to place. Designed by FK, the intimate cocktail bar blends understated elegance with a distinctly Australian sensibility.

Working within the constraints of the original building, the design embraces low ceilings and existing hotel services to craft a space that feels grounded and inviting. A palette of deep reds and burgundies nods to the Australian landscape, while travertine brick-line pavers reference the site’s mid-century history as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest brick building in the 1960s. A central banquette encourages relaxed conversation, anchoring the bar’s softly layered interiors.

Bar Tilda also pays homage to classic hotel bar culture with a nostalgic twist, featuring a curated whisky collection housed in a mid-century-inspired armoire. Balancing sophistication with warmth, Bar Tilda seamlessly transitions from daytime lounge to after-dark.