Restaurant
ARU Restaurant
268 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find ARU Restaurant
268 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout ARU Restaurant
ARU trades white-tablecloth stiffness for open-hearth heat, running Australian native ingredients straight into Southeast Asian craft. Counter diners perch along the timber bar—close enough to catch the kitchen’s rhythm and fire. Regulars point newcomers toward the 14-day dry-aged duck with crackling skin, followed by claypots of broken rice folded with braised pork cheek. Settle in with warm forbidden rice sourdough and spiced cultured butter before trusting the sommelier with the set menu pairings.
- 14-Day Dry-Aged Duck: 14-day dry-aged duck finished on the open wood hearth for crisp skin and deep caramelization.
- Wood-Fired Hearth Dining: Bar seating set directly against the live ovens for a front-row view of hearth cooking.
- Forbidden Rice Sourdough: Warm house sourdough baked with forbidden rice, matched with palm sugar and spiced cultured butter.
What's On at ARU Restaurant
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose ARU Restaurant
From signature dry-aged duck to front-row hearth seating, explore why ARU defines Melbourne fine dining—book your table today.
Signature 14-Day Dry-Aged Duck
ARU's dedicated 14-day dry-aging program concentrates flavor and yields exceptionally crisp skin over live hearth flames.
The 14-Day Dry Aged Duck at Aru is the best we’ve had in Melbourne, crispy, tender and so yummy.
Demetria “Demi” Lee House Forbidden Rice Sourdough
The kitchen bakes an inventive forbidden rice sourdough served with whipped palm sugar and house-spiced cultured butter.
Highlights were the forbidden rice sourdough with spiced cultured butter, easily one of the best bread and butter combinations I’ve had in Melbourne.
Gourmet Guide Immersive Hearthside Counter Dining
Bar counter seating places guests directly in front of active wood-burning ovens with direct chef interaction and live-fire views.
You get to watch your food being freshly prepared with care and precision, and it also gave us the opportunity to speak with the chef and gain a deeper understanding of each dish and its preparation.
Natan Cascarino Sommelier-Guided Tasting Menus
Staff and sommeliers navigate multi-course set menus with precise wine pairings that spotlight regional Australian and international producers.
Incredibly talented staff who knew every inch of the set menu and wine pairings.
Tabitha Mitchell Flawless Milestone Celebrations
Attentive front-of-house staff tailor milestone birthdays and anniversaries with seamless course pacing and personal hospitality.
The service was warm and attentive, and the whole experience felt really special.
Seamus Uncompromising Date Night Confidence
Couples rely on the moody timber dining room and dependable kitchen execution for memorable evenings out.
One of the best meals my partner and I have ever had, easily.
Jake Kraweckyj
Most popular items
The wood-fired courses and inventive plates most frequently celebrated by diners.
Clay Pot Broken Rice
The clay pot broken rice with braised pork cheek was rich, comforting and deeply satisfying.
Gourmet Guide 14-Day Dry Aged Duck
The 14-Day Dry Aged Duck at Aru is the best we’ve had in Melbourne, crispy, tender and so yummy.
Demetria “Demi” Lee Forbidden Rice Sourdough
We absolutely loved the sourdough and the smoked butter, it’s addictive!
Natan Cascarino Spanner Crab Toast
Would recommend trying the duck, spanner crab toast (highlight for sure!) and papaya salad!
Clare
Other favorites
Inventive desserts, tailored cellar selections, and balanced craft cocktails that round out the experience.
Caramelised Cheesecake Mille Feuille
The Caramelised Cheesecake Mille Feuille was the perfect finish to our meal.
Demetria “Demi” Lee Chocolate Banana Pavé
the dessert was also heavenly, the chocolate banana pavé.
Jake Kraweckyj Cocktails
Cocktails deserve a mention too. Beautifully presented, well-balanced, and not overly sweet — exactly what you want alongside a menu like this.
Stefani Shi Sommelier Wine Pairings
The sommelier was also very lovely with providing wine-pairings for our mains.
Demetria “Demi” Lee
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality and culinary engagement elevate every visit—reserve your table to experience it firsthand.
Front-Row Chef Interactions
Guests seated at the bar counter look straight into the active wood-fired hearth and can converse directly with the chefs about dish techniques and preparations.
Tailored Celebration Details
Birthday celebrations and milestones are marked with personalized gestures, including custom dessert lettering and surprise treats.
Curated Pre-Show Timing
Servers synchronize multi-course set menus with theatre schedules so guests enjoy an unhurried dinner and depart right on time.
Considerate Dietary Care
Set menu offerings are attentively tailored to suit individual dietary preferences without compromising course pacing or presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you dine here before catching a show?
Guests catching an evening performance can inform the team ahead of time; staff have accommodated show schedules with coordinated course pacing.
What are the most popular signature dishes to order?
Diners frequently highlight the dry-aged duck, forbidden rice sourdough with spiced butter, spanner crab toast, and claypot broken rice with braised pork cheek. Tasting menus are also widely chosen.
What is it like sitting at the bar counter?
Counter bar seating places you directly in front of the open wood-fired hearth and ovens, allowing you to watch dishes being prepared and chat with the chefs, though you will feel warmth from the fire.
Are the portion sizes filling?
Portions can appear modest at first glance, but multi-course tastings and ordered selections are satisfyingly filling, and staff can advise on proper ordering quantities.
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