Restaurant
Emerald Hotel
415 Clarendon St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
Find Emerald Hotel
415 Clarendon St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Emerald Hotel
Forget sleek gastropub overhauls—the Emerald Hotel sticks to crisp white tablecloths, fabric serviettes, and zero pretension. Up front, screens keep punters anchored around cold tap beer. Out back, full table service takes over the dining room. Regulars come for thick eye fillets with Béarnaise—notably plated with sides and sauces included instead of billed as extras. Midweek brings another ritual entirely: Wednesday dinners hum to live New Orleans brass from Stevenson's Rockets, where drop-in players still step up to jam.
- Live Wednesday Jazz: Midweek dinners feature live traditional New Orleans jazz sets by Stevenson's Rockets, where visiting brass players frequently jump up to jam.
- White-Linen Bistro Dining: The rear dining room pairs fabric serviettes and white tablecloths with generous mains that include sides and sauces at no extra surcharge.
- Family-Run Hospitality: Longstanding hands-on family ownership delivers attentive floor service well suited to multi-generational family milestones and team lunches.
What's On at Emerald Hotel
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Dine at the Emerald Hotel
From white-tablecloth bistro dining and generous classics to legendary Wednesday jazz sets, experience genuine South Melbourne pub hospitality—book your table today.
Live Midweek New Orleans Jazz
Wednesday nights transform the bistro into an authentic jazz hall anchored by Jo Stephenson's live traditional New Orleans jazz ensemble.
Great food and great live Traditional New Orleans Jazz music on a Wednesday night...make sure to book if you want to catch Jo Stephenson's Jazz band...a really enjoyable night
David Baggs Guest Jam Sessions With Stevenson's Rockets
The midweek music programming features an interactive community atmosphere where visiting jazz enthusiasts can join the band for impromptu jams.
If you love jazz music, book yourself in for a Wednesday night and enjoy a wonderful performance by Stevensons Rockets. You can even get up there and jam with them.
Linda Richardson Inclusive Bistro Mains Without Extra Surcharges
Unlike modern venues that unbundle sides and sauces with add-on surcharges, bistro mains arrive fully accompanied with house pepper sauce, salad, and chips.
No charge for your sauce & no charge for your side, which most establishments charge these days.
Mark Pedersen Synchronized Group Dining & Private Events
Corporate lunches and private functions operate with tight synchronization, delivering dishes simultaneously and punctually for the entire party.
The food was absolutely delicious, with every dish arriving together and right on time. It’s rare to find that level of coordination and care
Richard McCarthy Hands-On Hospitality From the Lewis Family
Longtime owner-operators maintain genuine personal connections across generations of diners, creating a familiar, welcoming presence.
both my wife and I are always made to feel welcomed every time we return to the Emerald Hotel by their staff and by the Lewis family.
Joseph Seguna Old-School Charm That Feels Like Coming Home
White linen tablecloths and attentive, unpretentious hospitality evoke the comforting ease and warmth of returning home.
Returning to The Emerald Hotel after many years away felt like coming home.
Paula, Harrison
Most popular items
From midweek New Orleans jazz to classic bistro cuts and comforting pub staples, book your table now for a proper feed in South Melbourne.
Live Wednesday Jazz
If you love jazz music, book yourself in for a Wednesday night and enjoy a wonderful performance by Stevensons Rockets.
Linda Richardson Eye Fillet Steak
The eye fillet steak with Béarnaise sauce was absolutely perfect—cooked exactly to my liking and full of flavour.
Paula, Harrison T-Bone Steak
TBone with Pepper sauce, a salad & chips for $39:50, great value.
Mark Pedersen Corned Beef
The corned beef today was excellent.
Robin Virant
Other favorites
Secondary treats, event services, and pub hospitality extras that round out the Emerald experience.
Lemon Tart & Ice Cream
The desert menu was also tempting, settling on the lemon tart & ice cream.
Mark Pedersen Private Dining Room
We had a lovely team lunch at The Emerald in the private dining room.
Lisa B French Champagne
The food was amazing oysters sausages french champagne.
Sally Ireland Complimentary Front Bar Pizzas
the complimentary pizza's were very much appreciated
Steve B
Beyond the menu
Old-school hospitality details that set the Emerald apart—book ahead to secure your spot for dinner or jazz.
Midweek Jazz Jam Sit-Ins
Diners visiting on Wednesday nights can do more than listen to Stevenson's Rockets—guest musicians are invited to step up and jam alongside the traditional New Orleans brass band.
Crisp White-Linen Settings
The back dining room departs from casual counter dining by setting every table with pressed white linen tablecloths and fabric serviettes.
Inclusive Steak Sauces and Sides
Hearty bistro steaks arrive complete with steak sauces, dressed salad, and chips without the extra surcharge commonly added at modern venues.
Post-Race Bar Hospitality
Patrons watching sports and race days in the front bar enjoy hospitable extras, including complimentary trays of freshly baked pizzas brought straight to the tables.
Before you head over
Essential practical advice for dining reservations, live jazz evenings, and group events at the Emerald Hotel.
Book Ahead for Wednesday Jazz
Wednesday nights featuring live New Orleans jazz from Stevenson's Rockets pack out regularly. Reserve a table in advance if you want dinner alongside the music, and take advantage of street parking right outside the venue.
Match Your Space to Your Dining Style
Choose the front bar for casual drinks, smaller bar meals, and sports across the plasma screens, or reserve in the dining room for a white-linen bistro meal where steak cuts come with sauces and sides included at no extra charge.
Plan Large Gatherings and Dietary Needs
For milestone celebrations, team events, or club meetings, book the private dining room to ensure synchronized meal timing across large parties. Take note that while classic pub fare is generous, plant-based menu choices remain limited. Reserve your table ahead to secure your preferred date.
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