Floating & Riverside bars on the Yarra

Cruising Food and Beverage Experiences

Spirit of Melbourne Cruising Restaurant

For those seeking an upscale experience on the water, look no further than the Spirit of Melbourne’s four-course dinner or weekend bottomless brunch cruise. The two-level boat seats over 100 guests and provides premier meals while cruising up the scenic Yarra and back down towards the picturesque Melbourne skyline.

The four-course dinner menu on board the Spirit of Melbourne cruising restaurant includes a seafood-based entree, guest’s selection from four main options and a delectable dessert platter, concluding with a board of Australian nuts, fruits and cheeses. Guests on board this Yarra River restaurant cruise are also served unlimited beverages from a selection of gourmet wine, local beer and a range of spirits to accompany their meal. There’s no better choice for dinner cruises in Melbourne!

This Melbourne cruising restaurant also offers a fantastic bottomless mimosa brunch cruise. Enjoy a two-tiered display of sweet and savoury finger foods, accompanied with endless mimosas, spritzes and other beverage options.

The Spirit of Melbourne creates all meals on board in its in-house kitchen. Guests are sure to be dazzled by the gourmet meals and spectacular views when dining at this Yarra River cruising restaurant in Melbourne.

Floating Bars

Arbory Afloat

Easily spotted just steps from Flinders Street Station, Arbory Afloat is a lively and vibrant beach-style venue that has emerged as a prominent social hotspot along the river. The venue reinvents itself with each season, showcasing a dynamic design and menu inspired by a vibrant and colorful coastal Spanish theme this year. The lunch and dinner menus at Arbory Afloat offer a delectable assortment of hot and cold tapas, oysters, charcuterie, premium pizzas, and Spanish-inspired classics that are sure to transport your taste buds straight to Ibiza.

The venue itself floats along the edge of the Yarra. Decorated with beach cabanas (available for rental) and even a small pool, Arbory Afloat captures the essence of paradise and beckons guests to a vibrant atmosphere on the Yarra River.

Yarra Botanica

One of the river’s newest additions, Yarra Botanica’s double-decker floating restaurant joins the Yarra’s lineup of creative dining options. The eye catching venue overflows with year-round greenery and showcases an array of locally sourced ingredients, including fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and beverages crafted by Victorian producers.

The menu brings a selection of sharable items including hot and cold starter snacks, sourdough pizzas, and most notably, grazing boards available for purchase by the metre. An extensive cocktail menu utilizes spirits from local producers Marionette and Gospel, ensuring that each drink delivers an authentic taste of Victoria.

Yarra Botanica’s innovative and inspired approach to dining, combined with its picturesque location on the Yarra River, make it a must-visit destination for food and drink enthusiasts seeking local flavor.

Unique Waterfront Venues:

The Boatbuilders Yard

Found on South Wharf, the industrial-style bar and restaurant is themed after the boat docks of an earlier time. Surrounded by river on three sides, the restaurant and event venue offers a distinctive choice for waterfront dining.

The establishment is particularly renowned for being the proud host of Juniperlooza, Australia’s inaugural festival devoted to gin. The Boatbuilders Yard showcases locally produced spirits and craft beverages, inviting gin enthusiasts for a weekend of exploratory tasting.

Beyond its exclusive events, The Boatbuilders Yard offers selections all day with dedicated brunch and lunch/dinner menus. Brunches can indulge in a unique spin on traditional breakfast items such as the “Morning After Tater Tots” and honeycomb waffle. Meanwhile, the lunch and dinner menu incorporates a South American-inspired theme, showcasing a range of barbecue and burger options.

To complement their meals, patrons can choose from a wide selection of wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails while admiring a panoramic view of the boats cruising up and down the river.

Ponyfish Island

One of Southbank’s favourite bars hides beneath the Evan Walker Pedestrian Bridge. Ponyfish Island, wrapped around a pillar of the bridge, may pique the interest of onlookers curious about the bustling scene in the midst of the river.

Ponyfish Island boasts a tasteful, tropical-themed design that creates an inviting space for friends to gather over drinks or light bites. The menu is limited but diverse, featuring a range of pizzas (including the kangaroo-topped “Australus” pizza), oysters, and a selection of bar snacks. The beverage menu is more extensive, offering sharable jugs and signature cocktails like the Ponystar Martini, as well as a curated selection of local and classic beers and wines.

The casual atmosphere during the day and cosy ambiance at night has cemented Ponyfish Island’s status as a beloved destination for Melbournians.

Riverland

Melbourne’s favourite riverside beer garden is open year-round for signature cocktails, local brews, and culinary traditions like burgers and pizza. Located just below Federation Square, the eye-catching destination consistently draws a crowd.

Special promotions such as the two-hour “Bottomless Pizza and Spritz” keep Riverland set apart as an attractive and original venue. Also notable is Riverland’s central location: just a short walk from Melbourne’s best entertainment venues like the Melbourne Cricket Grounds, the beer garden is a convenient destination for pre- or post-footy bites and beverages