Restaurant

Captain Melville

34 Franklin St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 28 people

Updated

Find Captain Melville

34 Franklin St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

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HoursMonday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Captain Melville

Duck off Franklin Street into Melbourne history for tap beers and hearty pub staples cooked with genuine care. Behind the front porch and exposed-brick booths lies a stone-walled courtyard framed in climbing vines—a sheltered spot to share a meal away from city noise. Regulars come through for generous chicken parmas and burgers, alongside less expected plates like rich kangaroo pie and emu starters. Group tables run comfortably, with kitchen orders delivered together in sync, making an easy retreat over buttered mash and pints.

  • Historic Multi-Zone Space: Exposed brick, wood accents, and a leafy stone courtyard offer three distinct areas tucked away from city traffic.
  • Native Game & Pub Classics: Serves native game specialties such as emu starters and kangaroo pie alongside classic burgers and parmas.
  • Coordinated Group Dining: Communal tables accommodate large groups and private functions, with dishes paced to arrive together.

What's On at Captain Melville

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Captain Melville

Why Melbourne locals and visitors choose Captain Melville for group celebrations, heritage atmosphere, and distinctive dining.

  • Synchronised Group Meal Service

    Captain Melville coordinates group dining and large functions so that all dishes arrive at the same table together, ensuring smooth gatherings for corporate and personal celebrations alike.

    Food was great and everything came out at once, which is nice when you have 20 people.

    Haileye90
  • Turnkey Large Functions in Central Melbourne

    Spacious dedicated event spaces and attentive event coordination make large group bookings and professional gatherings effortless in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.

    We ran a professional networking night there very recently with 130 guests and the venue and staff were brilliant.

    Jacob in Melbourne
  • Distinctive Native Australian Game Menu

    Set apart from conventional pub dining, the kitchen prepares authentic Australian native game specialities alongside hearty classics, featuring house-made kangaroo pies and emu.

    The drinks and food were both excellent, especially the Mac’s Beef Burger, the Kangaroo Pie, the Buttered Mash with rich red wine jus, and the Salt & Pepper Calamari.

    Barry Ng
  • Adventurous Dishes Paired with Classic Pub Fare

    Guests can enjoy inventive native proteins alongside well-executed burgers and pub staples, backed by a wide selection of tap beers and friendly service.

    Tried Emu for the first time lol. We had a wagyu burger, emu and chicken burger. A side of cauliflower popcorn. Excellent experience with this pub

    Bolo Bolo
  • Historic Courtyard Sanctuary in the CBD

    Preserved historic stone architecture, exposed brick walls, and trailing vines provide a serene courtyard sanctuary away from busy city streets.

    With stone walls, climbing vines, and greenery everywhere, it felt like stepping into another world entirely. Peaceful, timeless, and far removed from the busy city streets just outside.

    Ashlee Jayde
  • Multi-Zoned Heritage Layout

    The venue features three distinct atmospheric zones—including a front porch, interior booths surrounding the central bar, and a dining hall opening out back.

    With 3 separate seating zones, with different atmospheres, definitely an interesting addition to their reasonably priced selection food & beers on tap.

    Daniel Ting

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful, attentive hospitality details that go beyond standard pub service

  • Portion-Size Double Check Before Cooking

    When a party of four ordered an unusually large amount of food, kitchen and floor staff proactively checked in before cooking to make sure they were aware of the generous portion sizes, preventing unwanted waste and overspending.

  • Complimentary Draught Beer Tastings

    Bar staff offer complimentary tasters of draught beers before ordering, helping guests confidently select the right pour from their craft and imported tap range.

  • Discreet Patron Safety Check-Ins

    Floor staff actively monitor solo guests and patrons on dates to quietly ensure customer safety and well-being, offering discreet check-ins throughout the evening.

  • Above-and-Beyond Personal Assistance

    Staff assist patrons facing unforeseen mishaps with extraordinary generosity, including quietly sourcing emergency replacement clothing when an accident occurred.

Before you head over

Practical advice on bookings, ordering, and menu highlights based on guest experiences.

  • Book Ahead for Groups

    If you are heading in with a group or during peak evening hours, reserve a table in advance to secure well-positioned seating across the venue's dining areas.

  • Mind Portions and Dietary Needs

    The kitchen serves substantial portions and accommodates dietary requirements easily, with staff proactively confirming order sizes to prevent over-ordering.

  • Explore Native Game Offerings

    Step beyond conventional pub staples to sample distinctive Australian native game dishes featured on the regular menu, including kangaroo pie and emu.

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