Restaurant
Dear Barbecue Buffet
level 1/401 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Dear Barbecue Buffet
level 1/401 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Dear Barbecue Buffet
Swanston Street, level one—this is where Melbourne lands for serious, unfussy barbecue without CBD price tags. Tables fill fast with diners loading grills with sizzling LA Galbi, original fried chicken, and skewered fishcakes pulled from the oden bar. Night owls slip in past 9 PM to dodge the thickest dining-room smoke, making a beeline for the fried sweet potato balls stuffed with salted egg. Everything winds down over soft-serve ice cream piled into cones straight from the machine.
- Extensive KBBQ Spread: Pile the tabletop grill with marinated cuts like LA Galbi alongside crisp fried chicken, sushi, and rotating sides.
- Street Food Counter: Grab skewered fishcakes straight from simmering broth or snack on sweet potato balls filled with salted egg and cheese.
- Late-Night Hours: Hit the tables after 9 PM for an easier walk-in, shorter lines, and noticeably less smoke in the room.
What's On at Dear Barbecue Buffet
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Dine at Dear Barbecue Buffet
Generous KBBQ cuts, comforting street-food staples, and easy late-night dining on Swanston Street.
Expansive KBBQ and Cooked Selection
Dear Barbecue Buffet delivers an expansive all-you-can-eat spread spanning marinated meats, hot cooked dishes, sushi, and endless sides. Reserve your table to experience Melbourne CBD's most generous grill feast.
all-you-can-eat menu that includes a wide variety of KBBQ cuts and marinades, hot dishes, sushi, and endless sides.
A&J _ Accessible All-You-Can-Eat Pricing
Diners secure full access to quality barbecue cuts, hot dishes, and desserts at an accessible, budget-friendly price point. Book your session to enjoy uncompromising value right on Swanston Street.
Great range for such a cheap price!
Mel B Dedicated Street-Food Oden Bar
Guests can dip into a dedicated hot-broth oden station stocked with skewered fishcakes, bringing authentic night-market warmth to the buffet experience. Book your grill to dive into this rare street-food highlight.
oden bar stocked with fishcakes on skewers for those street food cravings
A&J _ Craveable Specialty Fried Snacks
Beyond traditional barbecue cuts, the buffet serves up crave-worthy Asian street snacks like crispy chicken and sweet potato fried balls. Reserve a table to sample every hot specialty snack.
sweet potato fried balls with salted egg or cheese
Mel B Late-Evening Grill Sessions
Arriving past 9 PM allows late-night diners to bypass peak crowds and enjoy a calmer, less smoky atmosphere. Secure your late-evening booking for an unhurried grilling session.
Personally I prefer to visit after 9 since it is better, I don’t have to “fight” with smoke.
Angga P. Arnaya Central Swanston Street Access
Positioned directly on Swanston Street, the restaurant combines central city convenience with welcoming background tunes. Book your spot for an easy, central CBD barbecue gathering.
prime location and music is pleasing, too.
Divine Daguasi
Most popular items
Customer-favorite barbecue cuts, street food stations, and sweet finishes
Ice Cream Cones
I also liked that they provided cones for the ice cream.
Angga P. Arnaya Fishcake Skewers (Oden Bar)
They even have an oden bar stocked with fishcakes on skewers for those street food cravings 😍
A&J _ Sweet Potato Fried Balls
Also love their sweet potato fried balls with salted egg or cheese.
Mel B LA Galbi
Would not mind eating their original fried chicken, and their la Galbi.
Mel B
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make a reservation?
Yes, reservations are accepted. Booking ahead is recommended during busy peak hours, as walk-in guests may encounter a wait for a table.
Are halal options available?
The buffet serves both pork and items labelled halal, such as chicken and beef. Because pork is prepared and served in the restaurant, diners observing strict dietary or halal standards should take note.
What kinds of ready-to-eat dishes and sides are included?
Alongside Korean barbecue meats, the buffet includes cooked hot dishes such as fried chicken, sushi, an oden bar with skewered fishcakes, and street-food sides like sweet potato fried balls.
What should you know about dining late versus peak hours?
Peak dinner hours can get very busy and noticeably smoky. Visiting later in the evening, such as after 9 PM, typically means smaller crowds and less smoke, though some buffet selections may run low as closing approaches.
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