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Restaurant

Secret Kitchen Chinatown

222 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 50 people

Updated

Find Secret Kitchen Chinatown

222 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9988 7778
HoursMonday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Secret Kitchen Chinatown

Secret Kitchen delivers an upscale Cantonese feast in Chinatown, anchored by live seafood tanks, push trolleys, and rare roast goose. Moody lighting, dark wood, and booths set an old-world tone across the bi-level space. Dim sum devotees arrive early for weekend sessions—steamers of prawn siu mai and crispy calamari roll out fast alongside tableside-sliced duck crepes. Banquets draw large groups sharing whole lobster and crisp pork crackling, capped off with fresh Portuguese egg tarts.

  • Trolley Dim Sum & Live Seafood: Push carts weave between tables with fresh dim sum, while front tanks hold live Australian lobster, crab, and market fish.
  • Specialty Roast Meats: A rare find in the CBD, turning out crisp-skinned roast goose alongside tableside duck preparations and shattered-crackling pork.
  • Group & Banquet Dining: Spacious booths, upstairs seating, and private dining rooms easily accommodate banquets and large family gatherings.
  • Peak Weekend Sessions: High weekend demand makes reservations essential for the timed 80-minute yum cha seatings.
RestaurantChineseRestaurant

What's On at Secret Kitchen Chinatown

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Secret Kitchen Chinatown

Why diners choose Secret Kitchen Chinatown for vibrant yum cha and premier Cantonese banquets

  • Effortless Large-Group & Family Gatherings

    Secret Kitchen easily hosts large gatherings and visiting families with roomy table settings that keep everybody well looked after.

    They can comfortably accommodate big tables (we’ve done groups of 10 without any issues), which is something I really love.

    Jaz Explores

  • A Go-To Setting to Impress Clients and Guests

    The polished atmosphere and refined Cantonese banquet dishes make hosting clients and honored companions completely stress-free.

    I love bringing clients and friends there. You will not be disappointed .

    Andy Cheung

  • Live Seafood Tanks & Refined Service

    Diners enjoy fresh live seafood selected right from the on-site tanks, complemented by attentive suit-and-tie floor service.

    Impeccable suit & tie service - high quality ingredients like the fish is fresh in the tank at the point of ordering.

    Ken Rjay

  • Showstopping Tableside Duck Crepes

    Special occasion banquets feature celebratory culinary presentations, including signature duck crepes crafted directly at your table.

    One of the highlights of the evening was the duck crepes, which were masterfully prepared right at our table, a real showstopper and absolutely delicious.

    Stevie G

  • Bustling Traditional Push-Cart Dim Sum

    During bustling lunch services, roaming push carts circulate directly through the dining room so you can immediately select steaming dim sum.

    they have the yumcha push carts roaming around the restaurant where you can just grab anything you want!

    Jecael Maree Kaw

  • Structured Weekend CBD Yum Cha Sessions

    Structured daytime seatings in the heart of Chinatown provide fast dish delivery for an efficient yet abundant CBD feast.

    80 mins dining time for each tables which is fair given that it is located in the heart of cbd.

    matt hk

Signature roast meats and premium live seafood crafted for special occasions

  • Roast goose

    The roast goose was a standout, beautifully tender with crispy skin.

    Ijaykay

  • Peking duck

    the Peking Duck is served with that perfect, glossy finish and deep, savory flavor that I dream about.

    Linh Nguyễn

  • Australian lobster

    Visited here for lobster and didn't get disappointed. It's just what I expect to experience and food quality was on par with its price and serving is attentive and nothing short of greatness. A safe place to try Chinese+Australian Lobster combination.

    Mingsen Xu

  • Duck crepes

    One of the highlights of the evening was the duck crepes, which were masterfully prepared right at our table, a real showstopper and absolutely delicious.

    Stevie G

Other favorites

Dim sum sides, savory starters, and authentic desserts to complete your meal

  • Portuguese egg tarts

    We had a chat about our favourite dishes, and I’d told her mine was the Portuguese egg tarts.

    Belle Tan

  • Salt & Pepper Squid

    Salt & Pepper Squid – 5/5: Perfectly crispy, fresh, and coated with a flavourful seasoning.

    Sophie Nguyen

  • Mixed Steamed Rice Rolls

    Mixed Steamed Rice Rolls – 4.5/5: Served with two fillings: vegetables and crispy prawns. The rice roll was silky smooth, and the prawn filling was fresh with a light crispy texture that made it even more enjoyable.

    Sophie Nguyen

  • Durian pudding

    Desserts are legendary, especially durian pudding.

    Trà My Nguyễn Thị

Beyond the menu

Memorable hospitality details and personalized dining touches at Secret Kitchen Chinatown

  • Tableside Duck Crepe Preparation

    Specialty duck crepes are prepared tableside right at your table during banquet celebrations.

  • Colourful Jelly for Visiting Kids

    Attentive service includes welcoming children with smiles and bringing out colourful jelly to the table.

  • Surprise Take-Home Portuguese Tart Gift

    Floor staff surprised a guest with a complimentary takeaway box of Portuguese egg tarts after discussing favourite menu items.

  • Manager Check-Ins & Suit-and-Tie Hospitality

    Dining floor staff deliver suit & tie service alongside personal visits from the restaurant manager to check in on anniversary celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make a reservation for yum cha?

Booking ahead is strongly advised, especially for weekend yum cha sessions. Unreserved walk-ins frequently face lengthy waits or may be turned away during peak rush periods.

Is there a dining time limit for yum cha?

Weekend yum cha seatings typically operate with a dining limit of around 80 minutes (1 hour 20 minutes) per table to keep sessions flowing smoothly.

How does ordering work during yum cha?

Yum cha dishes are served via traditional push carts roaming between tables alongside à la carte ordering. Items are categorized across tiers like small, medium, large, and specialty chef plates.

Can Secret Kitchen accommodate large groups and families with children?

Yes, the venue accommodates large parties with spacious round tables capable of seating groups of 10 or more, along with high chairs that affix to regular dining chairs. Space between aisles can be narrow, so prams are often parked near the front.

Are there weekend or holiday surcharges to be aware of?

Yum cha pricing is at the higher end for Melbourne Chinatown, with diners noting weekend and public holiday surcharges (such as a 10% weekend surcharge) as well as card processing fees.

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