Let’s face it, there are heaps of places in Melbourne to grab a fancy bite to eat, but there are very few that combine quality food with spectacular views of the city skyline and Port Phillip Bay. If ever I’m pushed for time and need to take an out-of-towner for a tour of Melbourne, I’ll probably just start here – The Baths Middle Brighton.
After you walk up the stairs to the first floor restaurant, you will be wowed by the 180 degree views of the bay, made possible by several floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s Instagram heaven also, with plenty of photo opportunities of the yachts moored at Brighton Yacht Club or families fishing off the pier below.
Word to the wise, leave some memory on your camera phone for the food, because the menu is full of crowd favourites. Everything from Western Plains suckling pig and ox cheek to baby snapper that was probably plucked out of the bay earlier that day. If you’re as indecisive as I am, you’ll really struggle to work out what to order on this menu – maybe just leave it to one of the helpful wait staff to guide you in the right direction.
To start, we had the Soft Shell Crab, Coconut Yoghurt, Finger Lime and Apple Salad which was beautiful and refreshing, and the Twice Cooked Pork Belly with Caramalised Apple and Ginger Puree which had just the right amount of crunch. This was followed by a 500 gram Victorian rib eye which was cooked to perfection and the Tagliatelle Pasta with South Australian king prawns and Crayfish Bisque. The serving sizes for both were very generous and the seafood was delightfully fresh.
To finish, we tried the delicious Passionfruit Panna Cotta with Citrus Fruit, Coconut Sorbet and Vietnamese Mint which melted in your mouth, and the amazing Chocolate Fondant with Griottine Cherries and Mascarpone Cream, a must for any chocolate lover. Let me assure you, that was more than enough food!
No need to grab a burger on your way home, as is the case with other high-end restaurants, if anything, you’ll be needing a walk along the Middle Brighton pier to walk off this meal. Overall while this is a restaurant suitable for special occassions, it’s a shame not to enjoy the spectacular view more regularly, so I would highly recommend it for a relaxing place to visit on the weekends or during the week, when you want to enjoy the best Melbourne has to offer.
251 Esplanade, Brighton, VIC 3186
03 9539 7000
restaurant@middlebrightonbaths.com.au
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