Restaurant
Dessous
Basement/164 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Dessous
Basement/164 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Dessous
Down a flight of stairs on Flinders Lane sits a dark basement retreat for high-proof pours and Southeast Asian heat. Low ceilings, table lamps, and pavement-level windows showing street shoes overhead—it shuts out the CBD rush immediately. The kitchen works with acid, charcoal, and funk. Regulars map the table around octopus gildas before splitting plates of char-grilled squid and rich duck curry. Floor staff pace the room quietly, even dividing bowls of mushroom coconut broth to share on crowded Friday nights. Dinner wraps on miso caramel crème brûlée.
- Subterranean Laneway Setting: Tucked beneath Flinders Lane with low ceilings, warm table lamps, and high street-level windows framing foot traffic above.
- Thai-Accented Bar Fare: Bold bar plates pairing punchy spice with clever technique, from sambal-slicked squid to spanner crab donuts and duck curry.
- Intuitive Floor Service: Staff read the room with ease, accommodating dietary needs and splitting shared broths without missing a beat.
What's On at Dessous
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Dessous
Whether you seek a moody basement date, spontaneous pre-theatre bites, or an intimate milestone feast, reserve your table downstairs at Dessous.
Subterranean Romantic Escape
Descending into this basement hideaway reveals a moody, atmospheric retreat illuminated by warm table lamps, ideal for immersive date nights and romantic dinners.
Atmosphere is so romantic. A bit dim but its ok cause they got table lamp.
Sarah P Vibrant, Border-Blurring Plates
The kitchen delivers unexpected, punchy Southeast Asian flavor profiles that elevate standard cocktail bar dining into an exciting culinary journey.
my top 2 dishes of the night were the char grilled squid with sambal and salted egg aoli & curry of minced duck, eggplant, and ginger.
Alisha Gunnut Seamless Pre-Theatre Dining
Situated conveniently along Flinders Lane, Dessous offers efficient and flavorful early dining that comfortably accommodates curtain calls.
Had dinner before a theatre show and really enjoyed it.
Michael Price Effortless Walk-In Flexibility
Welcoming hospitality and a flexible floor setup make it effortless to stop in for spontaneous dates and casual evening drinks without feeling pressured.
Perfect for unplanned date nights....they also helped us get a table for two...with no prior reservation.
Prateek Ghosh Intimate Milestone Gatherings
A cozy basement layout pairs with personalized attention to comfortably support small private groups marking birthdays and key milestones.
The atmosphere was so cozy and perfect for my intimate group of 8.
Rachel Teh Bespoke Elopements and Celebrations
Dedicated event coordination and kitchen care ensure elopement dinners and milestone celebrations receive flawless dietary accommodation and hospitality.
We recently hosted our wedding dinner at Dessous after our city elopement at the Old Treasury Building and it was absolutely amazing.
Aliza Strock
Most popular items
Subterranean snacks and Southeast Asian plates that define the Dessous experience—book your table downstairs to taste them yourself.
Spanner Crab Donuts
YOU MUST TRY THE SPANNER CRAB DONUTS. To die for 🤤
Jade DALLAS (Embodiment & Breathwork) Char-Grilled Squid with Sambal and Salted Egg Aioli
char grilled 🦑 squid with 🌶️❤️🔥 sambal and 🍳 salted egg aioli were super unique - love it!
Faa Papon Smoked Duck Leg 'Hung Lae' Curry
The Smoked Duck Leg ‘Hung Lae’ Curry was a standout—aromatic, comforting, and absolutely delicious.
William Pham Octopus Gildas
I could eat 7 octopus gildas!
Jemima Pestell
Other favorites
Distinctive desserts, specialty sips, and thoughtful broths that complement the subterranean bar experience.
Miso Caramel Crème Brûlée
To top it off the miso caramel creme brûlée was delectable and a great way to end the night.
Alisha Gunnut Orange Creaming Soda
The Orange Creaming Soda was a sweet liquid joy.
Jasmine (Jas.eats) Mushroom Coconut Broth
top score on the mushroom coconut broth (which divided to two sharing bowls as we wanted to share).
Annie B Wine List
The wine list was also quite excellent.
Doug Schairer
Beyond the menu
Attentive gestures and personal accommodations ensure every subterranean evening feels seamlessly cared for. Book your table downstairs for an intimate evening.
Birthday Candle Presentation
Desserts arrive styled with candles to mark birthdays and milestones, adding an intimate, celebratory flourish to dinner.
Split-Bowl Dish Portions
During busy services, floor staff proactively divide shared dishes like the mushroom coconut broth into individual bowls for the table.
Gracious Drink Replacements
When an accidental spill happens at the table, attentive staff replace the cocktail swiftly and without fuss.
Tailored Dietary Accommodation
Staff patiently tailor menus for high-needs tables and diverse dietary requirements across group gatherings and elopement dinners.
Before you head over
Practical advice on ordering portions, timing your arrival, and navigating the subterranean space—reserve your spot below to secure the full experience.
Reserve Ahead for Dinner & Shows
While impromptu drop-ins can occasionally score bar seating before a theatre show, the intimate basement room fills quickly on evenings and weekends. Securing a reservation is the most reliable way to lock in your table.
Structure Bites Around Shared Mains
The menu splits between single-bite taster dishes—such as spanner crab donuts and skewers—and generous shared plates. For two people, order two to three tasting bites followed by a pair of substantial mains to balance the kitchen's punchy chili heat.
Factor in Pacing on Peak Nights
The kitchen and floor staff manage heavy CBD dinner rushes, which can occasionally stretch cocktail prep or bill settlement during peak Friday and Saturday service. Give yourself comfortable buffer time, and book your table now to enjoy the basement unhurried.
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