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Restaurant

Dear Barbecue Buffet

level 1/401 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 64 people

Updated

Find Dear Barbecue Buffet

level 1/401 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9077 0722
HoursMonday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM Thursday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM Friday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About 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.
RestaurantBuffetBarbecueRestaurant

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

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

Reserve Ahead or Visit After 9 PM

Dinner rushes fill up fast and the dining room gets intensely smoky, leaving clothes smelling of the grill. Book your table ahead to skip the wait, or arrive after 9 PM if you prefer a quieter room with less smoke.

Weigh the Late-Night Trade-Off

A late-dinner discount runs on Friday nights, but arriving right before closing means several buffet trays and cooked dishes may no longer be replenished. Aim for the sweet spot between 8:30 PM and 9 PM for a complete spread.

Clarify Dietary Layouts

Halal signage applies specifically to the chicken and beef selections, but pork dishes and skewers are also served across the shared buffet layout. Check dish labels carefully if you have strict dietary requirements. Reserve your grill today to secure your spot.

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