Restaurant
Marmelo
Ground Floor/130 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Marmelo
Ground Floor/130 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Marmelo
Marmelo channels coastal Portugal through wood smoke, market seafood, and Iberian fire in the Melbourne CBD. Grab a stool at the kitchen counter right opposite the open grill—the chefs talk you through each plate as it lands. Regulars steer straight toward the salt cod croquettes and the brothy Arroz de Marisco packed with crustacean sweetness, before closing out on the wood-fired olive oil cheesecake.
- Chefs Counter Front Row: High-top counter seating directly fronts the wood oven and charcoal grill, where chefs explain dishes in real time.
- Wood-Fired Iberian Repertoire: A menu built around charcoal and flame, featuring salted cod croquettes, Arroz de Marisco, and wood-fired olive oil cheesecake.
What's On at Marmelo
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose Marmelo
Why discerning diners choose Marmelo for wood-fired Portuguese dining in Melbourne CBD
Dedicated Portuguese Wood-Fired Craft
The menu centers around the charcoal grill and wood oven, crafting distinctive dishes like grilled octopus in Goan curry, wood-roasted rib eye, and Arroz de Marisco.
Marmelo is a love letter to Portugal and wood-fired cooking—executed with elegance and soul.
Adriano Di Prato Front-Row Kitchen Counter Engagement
Guests dining along the open kitchen counter enjoy front-row views of the hearth and direct preparation insights from the head chef.
sitting by the counter directly in front of the kitchen, we were sitting right in front of the head chef and got some interesting insights into each dish.
Jim E Unrivaled Milestone Celebrations
From milestone birthdays to celebratory gatherings, guests experience seamless hospitality marked by thoughtful surprises and attentive timing.
The service was impeccable, with the staff going above and beyond to make the night feel special.
Kristien Ashley Impressive Hosting for Guests
Diners entertaining guests from abroad or interstate find a sophisticated dining room that showcases regional Iberian dining at an elite level.
This time we dined with friends from overseas and they were equally as impressed and I'm always happy to show what Marmelo does best, great food and impeccable service.
Natashia Ting Pampered, High-Touch Hospitality
Floor staff maintain a rare balance of warm attentiveness and culinary fluency, ensuring diners feel completely looked after.
First time being in Melbourne and definitely pampered by Marmelo. Food is exquisite, comes with a warm service and high-end decor.
Chrisabel Olivia Sensory Discovery & Standout Sweets
Unexpected Portuguese flavour profiles and signature desserts—such as the wood-fired olive oil cheesecake—leave a lasting impression.
The deserts though are an absolute star. They give you flavours and textures I have not thought possible.
Winston Appleyard
Most popular items
Wood-fired seafood and Portuguese coastal classics
Salted Murray Cod Croquette
The salted Murray cod croquette was super unique and I loved this.
Eat with Josephine Seafood Rice (Arroz de Marisco)
For mains, the seafood rice was definitely the showstopper - generous with seafood and packed with flavour.
Eat with Josephine Grilled Octopus with Goan Curry
Then came the grilled octopus with Goan curry, lime, cassia, and green beans—a dish full of depth, balance, and unexpected delight.
Adriano Di Prato Grilled Kingfish
Grilled kingfish ($58) is perfectly cooked with a charred crisp skin, in a creamy but light Portuguese broth (caldo verde) and topped with cubes of piquant Portuguese pork sausage (chourico).
Ming
Other favorites
Complementary sides, starters, and traditional sweets
Olive Oil Cheesecake
Now… if you take one thing from this: get the olive oil cheesecake. Please make room for it. It’s light, fluffy, and honestly so, so good.
Eat with Josephine House-Cured Olives
The house cured olives are a wonderful start.
Kate Smithwick Pudim Abade de Priscos
It is so incredibly silky smooth and sweet, I almost ordered seconds.
Stephanie Rose Baker Bleu Sourdough with Coppertree Farm Butter
The crispy crust, airy crumb with a subtle tangy flavour was perfect. The butter was smooth and glided into the sourdough's crevices, making it one of the better bread & butters I've had.
Jasmine (Jas.eats)
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful culinary interactions, milestone recognition, and open-kitchen craft that distinguish the dining experience at Marmelo.
Direct Head Chef Counter Engagement
Diners seated along the open kitchen counter receive personalized dish walkthroughs directly from the head chef, who brings plates out and shares preparation context and ingredient provenance.
Milestone Celebration Gestures
Guests celebrating birthdays receive thoughtful complimentary touches from the kitchen, such as chocolate with cherries and tailored hospitality that elevates milestone dinners.
Tableside Service Theatrics
Front-of-house staff perform engaging tableside presentation rituals, including dedicated service theatrics when serving signature dishes like the salted Murray cod croquettes.
Front-Row Woodfire Counter Seating
Counter seats are positioned directly opposite the roaring charcoal grill and wood oven, allowing diners to observe the skill and finesse of live fire cooking firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to make a reservation?
Yes, Marmelo accepts reservations, though walk-ins can sometimes find spots at the bar counter if visiting without a booking. Booking ahead is recommended for peak weekend dinners.
What is the kitchen counter seating experience like?
Counter seats directly facing the open kitchen provide a front-row view of the wood-fired grill and oven, with opportunities to interact with the chefs as they prepare each dish.
Are there vegetarian options available?
Marmelo offers a dedicated separate vegetarian menu alongside its seafood and wood-fired meat selections.
How large is the signature seafood rice dish?
The seafood rice (Arroz de Marisco) is very substantial and generously portioned for sharing between two or more people; diners often recommend pairing it with smaller starters rather than multiple heavy mains.
Which desserts are recommended?
Diners consistently highlight the light, fluffy olive oil cheesecake and the traditional Portuguese egg tarts (pastel de nata) as memorable ways to finish the meal.
Explore more places in Melbourne
Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.
Similar places
More places for the flavours and food you enjoy.
- De BarcelonaHawthorn · Spanish, Coffee, Dessert, Restaurant, Cafe, Takeaway
- Tinto Spanish Restaurant HawthornHawthorn · Spanish, Restaurant, Bar, Wine Bar
- MoVida Next DoorMelbourne · Spanish, Restaurant, Bar, Wine Bar
- The Garden of Good & EvilCheltenham · Spanish, Bar, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant
- Sebastian RestaurantWilliamstown · Spanish, Restaurant
- Yokoso Izakaya Moonee PondsMoonee Ponds · Japanese, Spanish, Restaurant
Discover more in Melbourne
Explore another side of the city's food and drink.
- Okra Sri Lankan CuisineCarlton · Sri Lankan, Restaurant
- Baker D. ChiricoCarlton · Bakery
- The social sutraWerribee · Cafe
- Farm ViganoSouth Morang · Italian, Restaurant
- New Age PizzaDoncaster East · Pizza, Restaurant, Takeaway
- Cafe D'lishCaulfield South · Coffee, Cafe
- Noi Pizzeria PrestonPreston · Pizza, Italian, Restaurant, Takeaway
- Sally's PizzaKangaroo Flat · Pizza, Restaurant
- The Hardware SociétéMelbourne · Brunch, Coffee, Cafe, Restaurant
- Box Seafood RestaurantMelbourne · Seafood, Restaurant
- BoosaBentleigh East · Coffee, Cafe, Restaurant
- La Petite TourBox Hill · Ice Cream, Dessert
