Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne

Rockpool Bar &Grill is a beautiful steakhouse restaurant inside the Crown Towers Melbourne. It is offering the best cuts of steak and wine list is incredible. The interior design is lavish and luxurious. I personally love this venue and have had dinner there multiple times as a large or small group. What I noticed over time is that quality of food and service as well as a wait time for meals are a draw of luck, you can leave amazed or disappointed. Atmosphere is always nice. Food is generally cooked with excessive amounts of salt, so ask for a low salt option if it is an issue for you. I would recommend this restaurant for a formal fine dining or business lunch or dinner.

This was our second time dining at Rockpool this year — and somehow, it was even better than the first (and we didn’t think that was possible!). The oysters were fresh and delicious, and the cold flathead dish was an absolute standout — perfectly balanced and full of flavour. The duck fat potatoes were golden and crispy, the mushrooms were rich and comforting, and every cocktail was a work of art. The service was exceptional — warm, attentive, and seamless from start to finish. Rockpool continues to raise the bar. Already planning our next visit!

Had the pleasure of dining at Rockpool Bar & Grill while in Melbourne — and it lived up to the reputation. From the moment I walked in, the service was top-tier and the atmosphere had that perfect balance of elegance and comfort. The quality of the food was unmatched — every dish was perfectly cooked and full of flavour. The steak? Melt-in-your-mouth. The sides and sauces? On point. Wine list? Impressive. It’s definitely a premium experience, but it’s worth it for the quality and service you get. Perfect for a special night out or if you just appreciate elite dining. Can’t wait to go back.

My partner and I celebrated our anniversary here last night, and it was nothing short of amazing. From the moment we walked in, the staff were incredibly polite and attentive, but a special shout-out goes to Michael—he was exceptional. He practically curated our meal for us, and every single recommendation was spot on. The food was absolutely delicious, but the standout dish had to be the steak tartare—easily one of the best we’ve ever had. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making our special night even more memorable. We’ll definitely be back!

I’ve been here several times now and the notabile things to mention is the consistency of service food and atmosphere. Considering the quality of everything received the menu is actually well priced. As for the drinks it’s in another category of its own, the barman here is a magician. Well done team, looking forward to returning again soon.

Rockpool Bar & Grill delivered an absolutely outstanding dining experience. From the moment we walked in without a reservation, we were accommodated seamlessly, being seated at the wine bar without any hassle. The service was exceptional, with our server, Mee, going above and beyond to ensure we had a great night. For entrées, I had the ceviche, which was nothing short of amazing—fresh, vibrant, and perfectly balanced. My partner had the calamari, which was beautifully cooked and full of flavor. For mains, I opted for the fillet steak (medium rare), and it was cooked to absolute perfection—tender, juicy, and exactly as it should be. My partner had the oyster blade steak, which was equally impressive. We paired our meals with a selection of sides: mushrooms, potatoes, and the cucumber salad. Each dish was fresh and full of flavor, complementing the steaks wonderfully. The quality of the ingredients truly stood out. The combination of impeccable food, next-level service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere made this an unforgettable experience. A well-deserved 5 stars, and we will definitely be back!

The truffle dishes were outstanding – so fragrant and rich, they truly elevated the entire meal. The steak was cooked to perfection and paired beautifully with the truffle flavors. Incredible food, excellent service, and a wonderful atmosphere. Highly recommend!

We got married on Sunday and this was a perfect dinner date to start our married life (and a few days off!). Thank you to the beautiful staff for being so welcoming and for answering all our menu questions without making us feel silly! The food was excellent and the steak unmatched ! No more photos because we enjoyed ourselves too much.

As a carnivore, you say Australia, I say wagyu. Rockpool delivers. Unpretentious, this is the steakhouse for the Crown casino complex and it delivers a solid steakhouse experience. To start, the crudo of Hiramasa king fish, yellowfin tuna, king George whiting and Coorong yellow eye mullet with fresh horseradish, finger lime and trout roe is very good. Each fish displays it's natural texture and flavor; the king George whiting, firmer, oily with a pronounced flavor, the yellow eye mullet, soft, very oily with a market sweetness. Pearls of the fingerlime brighten up the dish as the roe adds an oceanic wash. The wood fired wagyu sausage, also good eats. Similar in texture and seasoning of a beef bratwurst, fatty, juicy, it pairs beautifully with the briny capers and sherry vinegar sauce. Now the beef (shared), The wagyu from David Blackmore, is excellent. Close in grade to a Japanese A4 with bright fat and even marbling but thanks to dry aging, excellent beefy flavor and bold umami notes. The 58 day dry aged sirloin has a upfront sweet beefy flavor finishing with nutty, bleu cheese funk and a tinge of sourness. Great sear, even cooking. Two grass fed options also sampled. The 58 day, dry aged, Bone in rib eye from 36 month old cattle and the 72 day, dry aged bone in rib eye from 60 month old cattle. Both with the characteristic grass fed beefy metallic flavor, both with great complexity thanks to dry aging. Both well cooked, juicy, chewier than the wagyu. The first with more mild notes and less yellow fat, the second, much beefier with very yellow fat cooked crisp. At the sweet spot of dry aging, very beefy flavor backed by muted sour notes, and a pleasing mushroom and bleu cheese funk Sides are large and meant to be shared. The wagyu fat sautéed russet potatoes obviously makes the perfect pairing. Rich, earthy with good salinity. Very good Australia centric wine list. Resort pricing. Worthy example of Australia's beef and fitting to its resort location. ***Traveler notes for Australia: Gratuity - Optional. 10 percent for exceptional service. Always leave it in cash. Exercise restraint as many locals do not want American style tipping culture in Australia to become a thing. Weekend and holiday upcharge - You pay more on weekends and holidays to offset the higher mandated minimum wage. 10 percent is standard. It will always be printed on the menu. Credit card fee - A service charge of 1 - 3 percent is added if paying by credit card.

A dress code should be in place and enforced if you're going to present the establishment as a high end steak restaurant. My boyfriend and I were dressed up for a nice evening when a couple of guys in shorts, tees, hats, and sandals got seated next to our table. Not only were they under-dressed but they were rude to wait staff. This alone soured our dining experience. The food and drinks were okay but weren't good enough to stand out above the poor atmosphere.

Probably one of the best steaks I've ever had! The restaurant is dark and moody in a beautiful way! Service is prompt and very professional. Was a little disapointed in the wine selection by the glass, all the reds that we tried we quite acidic tasting. But apart from that the food was fantastic! Started off with a Steak Tartar to share between 2 which was presented on 2 individual plates which was greatly appreciated! For the main I had Cape Grim Dry Aged Vibtage 60 month old grass fed 250g Fillet cooked Meduim/Rare and shared sides of Sauteed Mixed Mushrooms with Garlic and Pangrattato and Boiled Mixed Greens with EVOO and Lemon! All the food was delicious and plentyful. Definitely worth the money for a special night out! Ps. Dont fill up on the bread! Haha

My husband and I went for my birthday tonight, 6/9/2019. It was a very nice affair. From the staff, our server Lauren was perfect very lovely. The food was delicious. Great Bloody Mary!

This place was pricey but stunning, I had the 200g wood fired steak with the Mac and cheese on the side. With a bottle of red wine Was stunning but a little overpriced the steak melted and I could have cut it with the spoon, the surrounding were stunning, in a cool ambiance. The service was first class with the staff making excellent recommendations. I was nervous going to Rockpool because of the reputation, but it's not overrated and was an amazing experience and one I would recommend

I was out in the city for a day of shopping and I had a craving for caviar. Since I was in the area of Crowne I decided to check out Rockpool Bar and Grill. The tables near the windows were already booked but my friend and I were given a comfortable booth that was only lacking due to it being so dark in the area. I ordered a sparkling water, a cosmopolitan and 30 grams of the Osietra caviar. My friend ordered a toasted gruyere sandwich. I was asked by the server whether or not I was enjoying my drink and when I said it was a bit sugary he promptly offered to have it remade and when the new drink was delivered I was happy with the outcome. The presentation of the sandwich was simple but cute and was apparently scrumptious. The caviar was brought out on a sad little plate of ice. The accompaniments were freshly made and their presentation was standard but acceptable. There was also toast and blinis for the caviar. The caviar itself was good but not even close to the best that I have had. Rockpool has two caviar options, both black caviar, and I chose the bigger of the two caviars. I like a nice plump and round caviar. The caviar was not as plump as I prefer and was not as delicious as I was hoping for it to be. 30grams of caviar = 180$. Tipping is not standard in Australia and I was a little shocked that upon paying I was asked if I wanted to leave a tip. Being used to tipping I felt pressured into leaving a tip. I suppose I would be more comfortable if there was just a set precedent of tipping or not tipping. The cocktails are around 27$ per drink which I think is a bit overpriced. I am glad that I took the time to check out this restaurant but I will not be returning.

Great service and selection of wines and menu items. It's a comfortable upscale restaurant with excellent +9 grade Wagyu beef, lobster pasta, onion rings, and Champagne!

Man, this place is great, the decoration is modern and each table has its own LED candlelight. 3 of us shared scallop and we each had a braised beef, a corned wagyu and a steak with Dutch sautéed potato side, plus a shared passionfruit sorbet (none of us had alcohol, that's a shame because there's way too many police enforcing). What about the highlight? Service. We addressed by name during each service and they are keeping our water glass full. The only downside (or only reason I don't give a 5 star) is the service is bit too slow for my liking. Anyway, I definitely recommends here, but call bartender and get yourself some booze next time.

Dined and dashed at the Rockpool winebar on my lunch break so I can only critique their bar menu which boasts fairly priced small plates and substantial mains ranging between $6 to $40. Bookings aren't required so it's nice to know there's a classy venue along Southbank you can get a table on the fly. I ordered the cured ocean trout served on bruschetta as a starter. I was a big fan of the pickled onions despite it being a simple dish no bigger than my thumb. For my main, I went with the wagyu beef bolognaise & hand cut fettuccine. The sauce was tasty, the natural sweetness of tomato juices were evident, it complimented the A-grade beef and the pasta was devine. An honorary mention for nailing the perfect sauce to pasta ratio. I couldn't pass up the chance to try their hand cut chips with house ketchup and onion rings as well. I preferred the onion rings, the batter was light and crunchy with tasty seasoning. The basis of the restaurant's appeal is the fact that every true Melbournian knows that Rockpool (and Neil Perry) are the pride of the Australian culinary universe. The only flaw I have to call out was regardless of how many wait staff in white coats were walking around, we had to flag down service to order another round of drinks.

Amazing food and service. Rockpool is a wonderful dining experience. The staff are friendly and accommodating of requests. The food is delicious, fresh, rich and full of flavour. This is my go to restaurant for a special occasion.

Really lovely from start to finish. I've been here twice, once for a fancy-shmancy work lunch and the other for a flash cocktail and a hamburger. Visit #1: Entered the lovely restaurant and we were whisked to our table with a view of the Yarra. I sat down with the men at the table in my understated, black dress- and before I could even think about putting my serviette on my lap a waiter was in the wings with a black serviette being replaced with the standard white as to not get lint on my dress. I was already very impressed. For lunch, I opted not for the de rigeur steak and went for the herb and parmesan crusted hapuka. Yum, a really delicious fish (not unlike halibut.) We had a few sides of vegetables, and I especially liked the pumpkin and sweet potato with burnt butter. We had several bottles of wine, and they were very nice, and I can only expect wildly expensive. The service was very good and it was a very enjoyable meal. And, we rubbed shoulders with Eddie McGuire and James Packer- as you do. Visit #2: The main goal here was a burger... As a former San Francisco resident, I was intrigued by the mention of the oh so acclaimed and savoury Zuni burger and pickles. The atmosphere was again lovely, and we walked right in on a Friday night to sit at a table near the bar. Our waiter was excellent, and I started off the evening with a refreshing gin and tonic. Had a bowl of the chips- they were okay, but not as crispy as I would normally like. The burger was very nice, but almost too big. It was very yummy and the bun was good, but a little undercooked since I did ask for medium-well. I'll ask for it to be "well done" next time, as I don't like a really runny burger. All in all it was very nice, and I certainly be back. For all visits, take a look at the balance sheet before coming in to dine!!

On the face of it Rockpool Bar and Grill should be one of the best gastronomical experiences you could have in Melbourne. After all, Neil Perry's original Rockpool in Sydney is considered one of the best restaurants in Australia. The design and decor of the restaurant is one of the most stunning you will ever see. You get to see oysters shucked and massive legs of charcuterie hanging up as you walk through to the restaurant. You also get to see the chefs at work with an open kitchen. The service is really good and the menu looks pretty immense. However, I will always judge a restaurant by the food that I have. 2 of the 3 sources of oyster were pretty good but one was just unbelievably salty (you wouldn't want that salty in your mouth - it was just unpleasant). As for the steaks, all I can say is that I've had way better. For example, the Meat and Wine Co and the Italian do a much better steak. For such a large price-tag and being such a great looking restaurant, I expected way more.

We had a corporate lunch event here. The staff were well organized and attentive. The food was also very good. Good steak, but somewhat fatty for a filet. I would come back here for food or to host another event. The private room is somewhat private, somewhat quiet, but not completely isolated. During lunch the restaurant wasn't too busy so it was completely workable.

What an experience! We loved going here. First off, we asked for seats in a great location next to the window and they were happy to oblige. Off to a great start. Then, we wanted some wine, but didn't want to spend a lot. The waitress recommended we talk to the sommelier but we were a little hesitant because of our price concern. The sommelier was lovely! She spent several minutes with us going into detail about the wines and never once pressured us to consider higher priced wines. When ordered the meal, the waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and helped us narrow down the choices to things that would suit our tastes and her recommendations were perfection. I started with the vegetable passata and my husband got the crudo platter. Mime was a perfect balance of delicately blended vegetables with burnt butter and Parmesan. Yum yum yum. The crudo included five different types of fish covered in lemon and oil. 4 of the 5 fish were great, one of them was (for lack of a better word) fishy. Mains were a t-bone with potatoes roasted in waygu fat and a fillet with pumpkin and sweet potato in a garlic yoghurt sauce. Absolutely incredible! We'd order all of it again in a heartbeat. For dessert (somehow we found room) I had the chocolate pudding tart with chocolate sorbet and my husband had the chocolate bark. What a great way to end the meal. Both of them would be any chocolate lovers dream! Absolutely a 5 star restaurant worthy of its reputation.

For those who dont know, Neil Perry is one of the most renowned chefs in Australia. Not in a tv chef kind of way, but in a renowned chef and restauranteur kind of way. Rock pool is his first venue in Melbourne. The focus of the restaurant is using top quality, locally sourced in season ingredients. The beef is dry aged on the premises, and you can taste it. This is a great restaurant for special occasions or going out on a romantic dinner for two. The restaurant is huge, but it still feels like you are in an intimate setting. Be sure to make reservations for the weekends, otherwise good luck getting a table. If you are trying to get in last minute, they do have a bar menu available so check that out. The food is top notch. Full flavours from simple dishes is what makes rockpool so successful. Be sure to have your wined paired with your meal by the service staff too.

Was let down by our visit. Steak wasn't as delicious as I remembered them 4 years ago in Perth :( Moreover, no baby chair or children booster chair.

One of several restaurants belonging to Crown casino in Melbourne. The service was excellent. The hamburger with Aussie Wagyu beef was good. However the steak with 60 month old cow, aged for 58 days was outstanding, full of beef flavor. The accompanying Bearnaise sauce, mustard, mustard seed etc. were nice but the beef by itself tasted best. They also have fresh fish from different areas: Murray cod, King George whiting, coral trout, and mullet.

So far on entry very suductive and welcoming Seating staff very apealing Waiters absolutly charming and helpfull .drink menue very substantial. Great wines food menue would be pleasant to most tastes. We will see what the food is like ive ordered pork belly ribs and duck On the arrival of our mains.what we ordered is exactly what we received ;pork ribs ,,and duck. Any rxtras where exactly that extra at an additional cost. All up expensive night for what we received though food was nice .found parts of the duck not cooked completely. Other than this all was ok .

We had the wagyu beef and it was fabulously done despite it leaking more blood than usual for a medium rare treatment. The sides we ordered - roasted pumpkin and sweet potatoes, brochhioloes and onion rings - complemented our mains very well. The fish dishes (writings and flathead) were great - tasty and well prepared. Love the extremely extensive wine list. We had the French syrrah which went very very well with our topside steaks. Desserts did not disappoint too. The chocolate donuts and the chocolate moouse rice cracker were great ways to end the delightful evening dining experience. The wait staff were very efficient - sometimes to the extent that it felt mechanically expedient without too much personal connection involved

Went here with some locals and was expecting a really great dinner. Instead it was RUDE waitresses & over priced food. The best part about the evening was the company that joined me. The Crown is a gorgeous hotel, the restaurant looks pretty but for the size of the plate and the price that you pay it doesn't add up and I've dined in some very nice places. I could not believe how Jon-accommodating the waitress was. I get that servers in Australia are not known for being that great but this was the worst I experienced during the month I stayed here. I wouldn't return

Once again, Rockpool impresses! I'll get a negative out of the way. The hostess who sat us, brought us to a table right next to/in front of a servers working station. I hate sitting next to them. They are noisy, brighter than the rest of the restaurant, and lack intimacy/ambiance. I advised her that I didn't like sitting next to the server stations, and she looked at me blankly and motioned to the table right next to it. The rest of the restaurant was relatively empty at this point. My look must have said it all, as she said "let me see what else I can do". She then sat us one table away from a servers station, on the opposite end of the row of tables. So apparently, she couldn't do a lot. I felt she was dismissive, and really didn't give a shit. The hostess is the sole reason for the 4 stars instead of 5. What a horrible person to have as the starting lineup of your restaurant. However, our experience improved after the introduction of our server, and our interaction with the Sommelier. Servers still seem to sound like they are reading a script, as descriptions and "lessons about beef" are dished out at every table without any personalisation or variation. I suppose the upside is this creates consistancy. We enjoyed the last bottle in stock of a vintage of one of our favourite reds. While that was decanting, we had a glass of champagne and some oysters. I've said it before, I love the classic steakhouse martini, Grey Goose with Blue Cheese stuffed olives. This is not an option here though, and a it's a shame, borderline a sin. We shared the sashimi sampler, a wagyu t-bone with an (un)healthy bowl of bearnaise sauce, and several sides. The mac and cheese is to die for. The onion rings were soggy, and we sent them back to be replaced by a healthier vegetable side.

Had a bad experience at dinner at Rockpool this week... waitress and manager both treated me like I was lying when I told them the burger was great but the onion rings were oily. Ignored the compliment and then questioned whether I knew what an onion ring should taste like. I call this 'guest-blaming' and it's a damn shame that it happens. Way too often than it should. It all started with the waitress asking how the food was, 2 minutes into the meal. "The burger's great. The onion rings are oily. Each bite all I can taste is oil." I soon wished that I had said nothing about the $9 side dish. "Well they are cooked in oil." Woah. Then she argued with me for the better part of 3 minutes while I was taking bites of my burger. I just wanted a nice burger with the odd munch of a side dish. The manager eventually comes over and continues the discussion while I eat the second half of my burger. I wasn't aware I would have two additional guests enjoy my burger with me, bite by bite. Ben the manager made it no better. I will continue to eat at the always friendly Sydney Rockpool. It ain't broke. Perhaps Ben the Melbourne Manager should also visit up there to learn how they look after customers so they always feel welcome. It seems to be a fine art.

I get so disappointed when I read reviews about Rockpool and people mark it down because of the price. Neil Perry is one of the most well known chefs in Australia and Crown Casino is the hub of tourists, celebs and gamblers. Combining those two elements means that you are going to get an amazing meal in an amazing establishment and it's true what they say, you get what you pay for. From the windows you can see the flames on the hour on the banks of the river and the ambience inside the restaurant is perfect for a date or celebration. The mood lighting ensures that you will look a lot better than you normally do.. The tables are elegant as is the candlelight and wine glasses. I have been here 6 times now and the service is always flawless and appropriate. They aren't pushy about the food and the kitchen will comply to most requests from the picky eaters. Although sometimes devastating if they remove your favourite dish, they change the menu frequently which means there is always something different to try. The steaks are cooked well and delicious and the mac and cheese is the best i have ever tasted. I don't generally save room but it's a rule when I come to Rockpool because the desserts are honestly the most amazing tasting creations. Last time we had lemon curd doughnuts which put me in a sugar induced love coma for at least a week. My boyfriend and I save our pennies and come here twice a year and I would pay twice as much for the experience I have every time. I know I'm gushing now but it really is that good!

We ended up here for Sunday lunch as we had to cancel our 3 week in advance booking, due to bad weather, driving and a sporting event all coinciding to delay us past our booking time. Let me say this in the end was a good thing. I suspect that Rockpool would have been very noisy and busy if we had eaten on the Saturday night. The food great and the service impeccable we enjoyed ourselves immensely. My only niggle was the duck, it was a tad cold and not very moist. But a small complaint as the rest of the food of which we ordered far too much was great. The deserts especially divine and the free sample of desert wine to help us decide a deal clincher. We will visit again , but probably on a Sunday for lunch, because it is easier to get in.

Service is first class! I have to say I enjoyed the entree a lot more than my steak (main). The oysters were succulent, the scampi on watermelon salad was light and refreshing and the abalone pasta was so tasty.

I am a carnivore, through and through and you probably can imagine my delight when rockpool was on the company client lunch agenda! Coming into the restaurant, you are greeted as if you are the most important person in the place, although the establishment is cratered with patrons. Sitting down, the familiar 'cow' menu is provided along with a superior wine list. To my delight, the boss ordered a fine white along with a Cabernet. Our clients were excited about the steak choices and we proceeded to order our appetisers (grilled seasoned prawns, gnocchi, and other delights) and I ordered the fillet, RARE. I must admit, the appetiser was amazing and the steak, tender and on the mark, perfectly rare. Overall, a true baseball home run by rockpool! And oh yes, the client meeting went superbly well too!

Yum wayu burger, the octopus is very flavorful and fresh and I'm not a mac and cheese person but this one was great the cheese sauce was super tasty! delish. Service is great, if you seat at the bar section (it's basically the same thing as the restaurant, u wouldn't be able to tell) and you can pick from both menus. A bit pricey but u get quality and service!

Great restaurant spoiled by acting cheap! When you have a $500 bill for dinner for 4 one does not expect a 1.25% surcharge for paying by credit card. There are three reasons for cc surcharges: you are a small mom & pop store and cc fees eat into your slim margins, you are a street trader and can't afford the banking set up fees or you want to have more cash receipts for some reason only known to your accountants. Which is it Rockpool? $70 400gm steak that was just OK was massively overpriced, wine selection great but only average vintages and also overpriced. Salad good, charcuterie good (overpriced). Petit Fours are not petit fours but cupcakes - ask to see them before you order them. Staff smart and efficient. Spoken English not strong with all the staff made ordering and questions a little difficult. My wife is allergic to molluscs, we had to explain what a mollusc is and how that is different from a crustacean. Not what I expect I a high end restaurant, especially one, ironically, called Rockpool.

We've always made it a point to visit so-called the best steakhouse in any cities we visited. In Melbourne, Rockpool got our attention. To be able to compare steaks from various steakhouse around the world, I will always order the highest grade ribeye. Unfortunately, the $119 Blackmore Wagyu ribeye (marble 9+) at Rockpool was an utter disappointment. I've had Blackmore Marble 7 and 8 several times at other places and they definitely falls into the category that 'melt in your mouth'. Hence, we definitely not expecting anything less with Blackmore Marble 9+ at Rockpool. I thought the waiter took my order wrongly but He confirmed that Rockpool only served Marble 9+ ribeye. Service was average. Took abt 20 minutes to get the menu, another 10 minutes to take our order, and another 30 minutes to get our food. Morton is still top on our list. Maestro in LA is average. Prime@leMeridienin Kuala Lumpur never let us down.

I don't really know what to say about this place. I will start by saying it is way overpriced for the quality of the food. I have no problem at all with an expensive meal where it makes sense but this place simply does not. The $59 steak was mediocre at best. It was very salty with very little flavour beyond that. The salad was ok but lacked any sort of originality and was pretty bland. It was a very underwhelming experience. I would recommend you choose somewhere else. It's not worth it.

This restaurant has to be one my favourite restaurants. As far as it's high rating, it's definitely worth it. From the beautiful ambience, the lovely style of the decor, the impeccable service (not so in your face, but yet they are always there attending to your water, bread, drink needs, etc). And you don't feel like you're in a stuffy high star restaurant...it's very comfortable. The quality of the food is amazing. Unfortunately I went there over a year ago now and don't recall what exact dishes we had. But I do remember that the flavours were unique and exquisite. The portion size was perfect for tasting several of the dishes with entrees and mains. And the flavours were just incredible. Highly recommend this restaurant and we will go back...when we have a couple of hundred dollars to spend.

Ate here with friends for (my) first time. Overall, I loved it. Service was superlative. Food was excellent. Wine list is beyond description good. So, why didn't I give it 5 stars? I eat in many places around the world, and I just can't get past the prices I'm finding here in Aus on this trip. It's not that things aren't good -- they are! But these prices are crazy. That said, here's what I had... I started with an Alaskan King Crab salad. Although it could have used a bit more crab meat, the meat was fresh and fabulous. My main course was a wagyu beef t-bone cut, cooked very rare (by my request). The meat was lovely dark and crisp on the outside and red red red in the middle, just as I like it. The seasoning was spot on. Just the right amount of salty goodness on the outside without being a salt bomb. All three of us dining went with beef main courses, preceded by varied entrees. So, I paired our food with a lovely tempranillo wine from Spain's Rioja region. The sommelier provided useful tips to his wine selection, and I went with one of his suggestions. It was a fabulous example of the grape. Lovely cherry fruit character with a bit of mocha and vanilla to go with it, balanced with a food-friendly acidity that I love. I rarely order dessert, but on this occasion I had a lemon curd doughnut dish that was positively fantastic. Sounds amazing, right? Still just 4 stars? Yeah, sorry. I know it is the market around here that drives these prices, but it is plain too much. Wish I could say otherwise.

Over the years I have found not only comfort but solace in frequenting the Queensbridge end of the Crown Casino as Neil Perry's Melbourne properties occupy the corner of the entertainment complex. Rockpool Bar & Grill was the first member of the Rockpool Group of properties to be established in Melbourne and to this day, it remains a shining light in the sometimes dull dining scene along the Southbank Promenade. As you enter the restaurant, your senses warn you of impending death as the lights are noticeably dimmer compared to the pedestrian thoroughfare in Crown which gives a moody yet sensual vibe as you walk past cases of meat carcass and seafood. You have the option to dine in the wine bar, which is where you can order the fabled Wagyu burger which is all of the rage at all hours of the day or continue into the grand dining room, which we opted to on this occasion. Some natural light was protruding from the blinds that give you a protected view of Southbank Promenade and fortunately for us we were provided a table next to a window so that when conversation ultimately diminished to a murmur, we were able to watch the comings and goings of the human beings outside. Whilst pondering both the multi-faceted food menu but also the comprehensive wine menu, we ordered a round of steak tartare with chips ($25) which has always been at the top of my list for quality and taste of any steak tartare that I have ever had. Although I really enjoy the complexity afforded to the tartare at Movida, the simplicity of the tartare here combined with being able to scoop it up with large hot chips has always appealed to my basic instincts as a carnivore. As I missed by trip to Adelaide to see watch the cricket and tour McLaren Vale in November 2012 because of a leaky pipe at home, I am biased to wine from that region at the moment to make up for lost time. I selected a 2010 Kay Brothers Amery Block 6 Shiraz ($145) thinking that a big and bold, if not earthy wine would match well with the steak tartare. The server was happy to send over the sommelier to consult however since we were going to just enjoy the one bottle (amazingly, I know) I didn't think it was necessary this time around. That match turned out to be a success and the tartare tasted brilliantly and was enhanced by the young wine which was not decanted. After much deliberation about the menu, I ordered a Cape Grim 350g rib-eye on the bone (grass fed and dry aged for 36 months) simply to add a bit of variety in my diet as I had dined at the Rockpool Bar & Grill in Sydney the previous week and enjoyed a David Blackmore full blood wagyu then and also as the last course in my recent trip to Vue de Monde. A bit of variety is good and I wasn't disappointed with the cut, or the way it came out. Oddly it seemed to be more than 350g of steak and for the most part it was already cut up into smaller morsels for me. On its own, the steak was a bit dry however a multiplicity of sauces are provided (which I refused) but when paired with the Kay Brothers Shiraz, it was nice. One of the signature side dishes is the Macaroni and Cheese ($15) which was ordered along with a Tomato salad ($9) to accompany my steak and the duck ($39) which was ordered by my dining companion. The Neil Perry interpretation of Macaroni and Cheese is a comfort food that although would add weight to my already expanding waistline quickly, would make the ultimate discomfort and associated ridicule completely worth it. Given that the restaurant is in the Crown "Entertainment Complex" has its disadvantages. There is more of a transient dining crowd which leads to more drama, excessive noise and more outrageous behaviour as the result of the patrons - my observations are not just constrained to this visit. I could tell that service was not too enthusiastic and was probably a bit overworked even though the guests were all herded into one part of the restaurant. You don't always have to take your chances with the masses in the formal dining room. The wine bar serves a comprehensive and intriguing menu including freshly shucked oysters, the aforementioned David Blackmore Wagyu burger and Jamon Iberico. Sometimes simplicity is best and not just simply the easiest.

We really enjoyed our dining experience at Rockpool bar and grill. We went for a birthday celebration and I had booked for Friday night 9.15pm. The restaurant had a lovely ambience and romantic dim lighting which we really liked. The waitress was friendly and helpful when we explaining the menu. The only negative would be that we were served cold slice of bread. The second piece we got was lovely warm and fresh. We orders 2 eye fillet steaks - one aged more than the other. We decided to skip entree and ordered 2 sides - Mac and cheese and a roasted pumpkin. Next time we would order greens instead of 2 heavy Sides. They both tasted lovely with the Mac and cheese a winner. The steaks were really nicely cooked to medium rare, flavour some and we loved every minute we were there. We couldn't fit in dessert which was a shame but because it was a birthday , my partner got given a lovely cupcake with a candle on top. That was a lovely touch to end the wonderful dining experience. Highly recommend a visit if you're looking for a lovely evening or special occasion. Also do let them know when you're booking if it's a special occasion :)

We were lucky enough to receive a Rock Pool voucher of $100 for our engagement. We ordered entree & main, but must of ordered a side or two too many as we couldn't finish it all. Was a bit of a shame to leave behind some unfinished steak as it was one of the best I've ever eaten. A bottle of wine & $300 later we left. Although I was full, I couldn't help feeling guilty for wasting food as we passed a homeless man near Flinders station.

We didn't have the full Rockpool experience I guess. The full service restaurant was full so we sat in the casual dining area and we were offered the full menu and the bar menu. I chose to give the bar menu a go. I had the much mentioned wagyu burger, my partner had the prawn and asparagus salad and we got sides of chips and onion rings. The burger ($24) was well cooked, very rich, and well presented. It was a bit lite on the gruyere cheese, couldn't find the bacon unless it was minced in the beef and the pickle was well not very pickled. Can't really complain but didn't get too excited. The chips ($12) were crunchy and fat. The onion rings ($9) were oily and bland. The salad was an entree of the main menu so was a little small and had no wow factor for a $30 plate. Wine choices were good but the margarita cocktail was darn near empty and only meh. Service was a stand out and the restaurant had a great layout, love open kitchens, with a champion wine selection. Overall impression was it had class and delivered in stylish dining but was overpriced in product. Will I be back? Not for the casual menu but maybe might try the real steak one day. We'll see.

I came here a month ago for the first time for a girlfriend's birthday and was so impressed we decided to come back for mine. During Christmas it's super hard to get a booking however they don't take bookings for the bar area where we decided to eat. The menu isn't as extensive as the main area but I've had the Wagyu bolognese which was delish and this time went for the minute steak which I can't get over how tender the meat is! Especially for minute steak. For dessert had an affagatto and was definitely the best affagatto I have ever had. The ice cream is DELISH and so is the coffee. Back to the steaks I'm thinking about going there again in the future just to have one! Perfectly cooked and seasoned with great options for sides. Great vibe and atmosphere for catching up with mates! Love love love it

Terrible service! We were asked if we wanted to move from the regular table to the bar on several occasions after we told the hostess we just wanted a drink, and she told us it was fine to sit at the tables. They were pretty empty and the backhanded requests were so unprofessional and ruined the mood so we paid and left.

so this place is a little bitter sweet for me , we had a reservation but they made us wait for 20 minutes at the bar even though there were loads of empty tables when we got in the dining area . then they seated us next to the waiter prep area and our entire meal was filled with the constant chatter of the staff bitching about each other and the other diners. the food however was great, the steak was cooked perfectly , totally melted in my mouth- barely touched the accompanying sauces . the salad was totally overdressed though.

We recently had friends visiting home for Christmas from the States and before they could fly back, a group of us headed to Rockpool for a nice farewell. As soon as you step through the doors, tucked away in a quiet corner of Crown, far from the flashing lights and sounds of the casino floor, you feel like you're in a separate place entirely. It's quiet and the lights are low, if not possibly a little too low. We were seated at a large table in the most comfortable chair I've ever seen in a restaurant and promptly had our water filled. Our friends arrived soon after us and we ordered a round of drinks, starting with a mix of cocktails and beers around the table. Our Moscow Mule cocktails were delicious and as we perused the menu the very friendly wait staff offered any help if required. Wine was ordered along with our meals and before too long we had a table full of food in front of us. Most of us ordered steak and I personally had the grass fed rib eye, which was perfectly Rare and worth every penny. We all ordered sides that were quite large in size and were passed around the table for everyone to share. My personal favourite was the mac & cheese, which I find hard to resist any time I see it on a menu. We couldn't finish our sides, so we could definitely have ordered less of them, especially with large steaks to polish off. You could easily share two sides between three people, depending on what you ordered. As we all sank into our chairs, ready to fall asleep, the offer of dessert perked us all up. We didn't have room for it, but how could we resist? I ordered the chocolate bark, purely because I didn't think it would be too big (I was wrong!) and the creme caramel that was also ordered at our table was just as large. We ordered a few espresso martinis to finish off the night, which were disappointing, especially at $25 and not tasting like there was any espresso in them at all. Just when we thought we were done for the night snacks of candied corn puffs were brought out to nibble on, which pretty much just tasted like cereal, but were irresistible nonetheless. When it came time to pay the bill we were pleasantly surprised with the price and I left feeling far too full, but eager to come back again.

Enjoyed every moment dining at this restaurant. The food was terrific, service was good, waiter was a little snooty.. little did he know how much we would order.. Wine was a tad pricey, but that didn't stop us.. just didnt tip as much!! I guess we werent dressed to the nines.. so they didn't want to bother with top customer service for us.. Bill came to $350 for two of us........ Isnt that good enough to deserve some decent treatment? Will go back again and see how we go :-

I love this place, this is the second time I've been and I thought everything was flawless. First time I had mango and duck. The service was so personal and professional. It's always a treat to go.

Servers barely speak English, they try to sell you filtered tap water and pass it off as spring water. When you object they get defensive and claim it's for the environment and that they don't want to ship water from around the word even though there is plenty of Australian spring water and their entire menu is shipped. Honestly food was just OK, too much salt in the Mac and cheese even though it looked amazing it was hard to enjoy. The super pricey Waygu was 5/10 tops. I probably won't be back.

So between everyone at our table, I got to taste both of their rib eyes, the t-bone, and the fillet mignon. Every cut was prepared perfectly. Each cut had a unique flavor and texture. Personally the rib eyes were my favorite, but choosing between these three is simply a matter of opinion. The sides were great as well. The roasted potatoes were OKAY, but nothing special. The Radicchio, Cos and Endive Salad with Palm Sugar Vinaigrette salad was nice - the different leaves all went together nicely, the dressing was balanced, but mainly the salad was acidic and light enough to cut through the richness of the rest of the meal. By far the best side was the Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato with Garlic Yoghurt and Burnt Butter. It was the perfect sweet and savory side. From the desert menu i sampled the pavlova, coconut sorbet, and dark chocolate mousse cake. All three were pretty good, but quite overshadowed by the rest of the meal. Service and environment were both fantastic. It's a great restaurant if you're willing to spend the money, as it is not cheap.

One of the best restaurants in Australia! Incredible food, fantastic atmosphere, and friendly and helpful staff! Definitely try the wagyu Bolognaise!

Glitzy Decor - it is by the casino, interesting crowd, great wine list, loved the recommended bottle and they made a great whisky sour. Sadly the food was pretty underwhelming for Melbourne. Did the most expensive wagu steak med rare - was good not great, mashed potatoes were so so, the Parmesan cole slaw was huge, Mac and cheese ok. Only delish was the grilled octopus. Maybe it was a bad night but I was really sad actually and went back to the hotel and ordered room service!

I always make it a point to visit the Rockpools in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Now that the AUD's gone down more than 20% against the SGD, the price is almost reasonable :) Server was really friendly, but she did not come across as being as knowledgeable as we'd like. Got the T-bone done medium, which came out a little more cooked than usual. Pace of food being served was just right, even though it seemed the servers were really busy scurrying around. Had the 2012 Massena 11th Hour Shiraz, which needed time to air, but turned out to be really good!

Neil Perry sure knows how to make an interior look nice and to price a menu. I have eaten here a couple of times now, and I am happy to say my second experience was better than my first. But still not what I had hoped for. The interior is fantastic, the service impeccable, the wine list fairly extensive and only moderately overpriced. The differing decanters seem to be code for how much the wine cost - our first bottle of shiraz at nearly 300 was decanted in to a beautiful long necked decanter that gave it some wonderful air. The second, at around 200 was decanted into a much shorter vessel, nevertheless a worthy receptacle. I think if I went any lower they pour out of the bottle :-) o well. To the meal - four flavours of oysters with a refreshing flavour and an accompanying dressing with some zing. They were lovely, but not outstanding - unlike Black by Ezard in Sydney recently which served possibly the best oysters I have ever eaten. The steaks. Well. O dear. Not sure about this - the menu of steaks is extensive, grain fed, grass fed, aged, etc etc., the price a little exorbitant, but not extreme - or so I thought. Ordering a rib-eye in the bone, visions of a nice thick steak and a bone to gnaw - I was very disappointed to get essentially half a steak, the bone and steak cut lengthwise to make two steaks from each rib. Naughty naughty, Mr Perry!! Please put on the menu - half a rib eye, then we will not be disappointed. The same steak at Black came complete, whole bone and whole steak - for the same price. Also, Neil, why do you insist on cutting my steak into pieces? I do not need my food cut up for me, at least not since I was 6 years old - can your chefs not tell when it is cooked without dismembering it? However it was well flavoured and nicely cooked, the range of condiments appropriate, the hot mustard truly nuclear - just how I like it! The sides were ok - the potato gratin under cooked for my taste, the onion rings, red onions battered and deep fried, unexceptional. The asparagus was lovely, however, as was the coffee to finish. So, all in all, certainly a great place for a business lunch or a special dinner - but to be honest I think we can do better for the money.

Excellent fast service, was half hour early for our booking but they were happy to accomodate.