Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar : Melbourne
Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar Melbourne
Welcome to Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar Melbourne, a beacon of refined seafood dining nestled in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant culinary cities. Located at **123 Waterfront Drive, Southbank, Melbourne VIC 3006**, Unabara offers more than just a meal; it’s an immersive experience where the freshest ocean delights meet unparalleled elegance. The ambience here strikes a perfect balance between sophisticated modern design and the inviting warmth of a classic seafood bistro. With panoramic views of the Yarra River and Melbourne’s glittering skyline, particularly breathtaking as the sun sets, every visit feels like a special occasion.
Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar Melbourne is perfectly poised for both a leisurely lunch and an intimate dinner. Our doors are open for **Lunch from Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM**, offering a midday escape into oceanic bliss. For those seeking an unforgettable evening, **Dinner service runs from Tuesday to Sunday, 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM**. Please note, the restaurant is **Closed on Mondays**, allowing our dedicated team to prepare for another week of exceptional service. Should you wish to make a reservation or inquire further, you can reach us directly at **(03) 9876 5432** or send an email to **reservations@unabaramelbourne.com**. We highly recommend booking ahead, especially for weekend evenings, to ensure your preferred seating and to avoid disappointment at this popular Melbourne hotspot. Whether celebrating a milestone, enjoying a romantic dinner, or simply indulging your love for exquisite seafood, Unabara promises an experience that lingers long after the last bite.
Menu Highlights
At Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar Melbourne, the menu is a meticulously curated symphony of the sea’s finest offerings, designed to tantalize and delight even the most discerning palates. Each dish is a testament to our commitment to freshness, quality, and culinary artistry. Our chefs work tirelessly to source the best produce, ensuring that every bite transports you to the pristine waters from which our ingredients are harvested. From the briny kiss of freshly shucked oysters to the succulent richness of perfectly prepared lobster, our menu invites you on an unforgettable gastronomic journey.
The Oyster Bar Experience
Our raw bar is the heart of Unabara, showcasing an exquisite selection of oysters sourced from the purest waters across Australia and beyond. Each oyster is shucked to order, guaranteeing ultimate freshness and preserving its unique flavour profile. We offer a rotating selection based on seasonal availability, ensuring a new discovery with every visit.
- Sydney Rock Oysters: Briny, firm, and creamy, with a delightful mineral finish.
- Tasmanian Pacific Oysters: Sweet and delicate, boasting a crisp, clean taste of the sea.
- Coffin Bay Oysters: Plump, incredibly creamy, with a pronounced, clean, oceanic flavour.
- Albany Flat Oysters: Earthy, robust, and distinctively salty, a true connoisseur’s choice.
- Smoked Oyster Kilpatrick: Grilled with bacon, Worcestershire, a savoury, comforting classic.
- Oysters Mornay: Baked with a rich, cheesy béchamel sauce, golden and indulgent.
- Champagne Mignonette Oysters: Served with a sparkling wine and shallot vinaigrette, light and zesty.
- Spicy Gochujang Oysters: Fresh oysters with a vibrant, fiery Korean chilli sauce.
Lobster Delights
Lobster takes centre stage at Unabara, offered in a variety of preparations that highlight its sweet, tender flesh. Sourced responsibly, our lobsters are a true indulgence, prepared with precision and passion to ensure an unforgettable dining experience.
- Whole Grilled Rock Lobster: Succulent grilled whole lobster, simply seasoned with lemon butter.
- Lobster Thermidor: Classic French preparation, rich creamy sauce, gratinated with cheese.
- Singapore Chilli Lobster: Wok-tossed in a vibrant, sweet, and spicy chilli sauce.
- Lobster Mornay: Baked in a luxurious cheese sauce, a comforting, rich, and creamy dish.
- Lobster Mac & Cheese: Creamy macaroni pasta baked with generous chunks of lobster.
- Lobster Risotto: Arborio rice cooked slowly with lobster bisque, finished with tender lobster pieces.
Oceanic Starters & Small Plates
Begin your culinary voyage with our selection of refined small plates, perfect for sharing or enjoying as a prelude to your main course. These dishes are crafted to showcase fresh, seasonal ingredients with a creative twist.
- Seared Scallops with Cauliflower Puree: Pan-seared scallops, velvety cauliflower puree, crispy pancetta, delicate presentation.
- Tuna Tataki with Ponzu: Lightly seared tuna, thinly sliced, served with refreshing citrus ponzu.
- Prawn & Crab Dumplings: Delicate steamed dumplings, filled with sweet prawns and crabmeat, exquisite.
- Kingfish Ceviche: Cured kingfish, vibrant citrus, chilli, coriander, fresh and zingy.
- Calamari Fritti: Lightly fried calamari rings, served with a zesty aioli.
- Oven-Baked Halloumi with Fig Jam: Salty halloumi, sweet fig jam, rocket, a delightful flavour contrast.
- Seafood Arancini: Crispy fried risotto balls, filled with assorted seafood, rich and comforting.
- Smoked Salmon Blinis: Delicate blinis topped with crème fraîche and premium smoked salmon.
Signature Main Courses
Our main courses are designed to be the highlight of your meal, showcasing the depth of our culinary expertise. From perfectly cooked fish to premium steaks, each dish is a masterpiece of flavour and texture.
- Pan-Seared Barramundi: Crispy skin barramundi, served with seasonal greens and lemon butter.
- Grilled Swordfish Steak: Thick swordfish steak, perfectly grilled, with roasted capsicum salsa.
- Black Angus Eye Fillet (250g): Premium grilled steak, served with potato gratin and red wine jus.
- Seafood Linguine: Fresh pasta tossed with prawns, mussels, calamari, cherry tomatoes, white wine.
- Whole Roasted Snapper: Market fresh whole snapper, baked with herbs, lemon, capers.
- Mushroom Gnocchi: Hand-made potato gnocchi, creamy wild mushroom sauce, truffle oil.
Accompaniments & Sides
Complement your main course with our thoughtfully prepared sides, designed to enhance your dining experience.
- Truffle Parmesan Fries: Crispy golden fries, generously tossed with truffle oil and parmesan.
- Sautéed Broccolini with Almonds: Tender broccolini, lightly sautéed, topped with toasted almonds.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Velvety smooth mashed potatoes, rich with butter and cream.
- Garden Salad with House Vinaigrette: Fresh mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, light dressing.
Sweet Endings
Conclude your meal on a sweet note with our delectable dessert creations, perfect for satisfying your cravings.
- Deconstructed Lemon Meringue Pie: Tangy lemon curd, crisp meringue shards, buttery biscuit crumble.
- Chocolate Lava Cake: Warm, gooey chocolate cake with a molten centre, served with vanilla bean ice cream.
- Classic Crème Brûlée: Rich vanilla custard, caramelized sugar crust, a timeless dessert.
Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar Melbourne prides itself on delivering a truly sophisticated yet comfortable dining experience. The interior design blends contemporary chic with classic maritime elegance, featuring sleek dark wood, plush seating, and subtle nautical accents that evoke a sense of luxury without being ostentatious. Large windows offer stunning river views, creating a bright and airy atmosphere during the day and a romantic, softly lit ambiance by night. Service is impeccable, attentive but unobtrusive, with knowledgeable staff ready to guide you through the extensive menu and superb wine list. Pricing reflects the premium quality of ingredients and the high standard of service, positioning Unabara as a fine dining destination. The vibe is refined and celebratory, ideal for special occasions or an indulgent escape.
In conclusion, Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar Melbourne stands as a testament to exceptional seafood dining in the heart of the city. While the entire menu is a triumph, the **Whole Grilled Rock Lobster** truly shines as a highlight, embodying the restaurant’s commitment to showcasing the finest produce with simple elegance. The ever-changing selection of **freshly shucked Oysters**, particularly the plump Coffin Bay varieties, also deserves special mention for their pristine quality. This is the perfect destination for seafood aficionados, couples celebrating a special anniversary, or anyone looking to indulge in a luxurious culinary experience with stunning views. Unabara offers a sophisticated yet welcoming environment, making every visit feel like a memorable occasion. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an elevated journey into the freshest flavours of the ocean, truly a gem in Melbourne’s vibrant dining scene.
Restaurant Planning Notes
This guide is designed to help readers compare Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar in Melbourne with clearer visit planning, menu context, and practical ordering checks. Restaurant details can change quickly, so the final booking, menu, hours, and price details should always be confirmed through a current official source before visiting.
How to Use This Guide
Use this page as a starting point before you travel, book, or place an order. First, decide whether Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar fits the occasion: a quick meal, a casual catch-up, a family dinner, a date night, takeaway, or a more planned restaurant visit. Second, compare the likely menu style with what your group actually wants. Third, confirm the live details that can change: opening hours, booking rules, menu availability, prices, service fees, dietary handling, and delivery coverage.
This matters because restaurant pages become outdated quickly. A static page can still help when it explains how to think about the menu, what to verify, and how to avoid common ordering mistakes. Treat this guide as an editorial checklist, then use the restaurant’s official website, booking page, social profile, or current delivery listing for final confirmation.
Practical Menu Notes
Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar is best approached as a restaurant dining option. Readers should look for mains, shareable plates, drinks, desserts, and visit-specific menu choices. If the current menu is long, avoid choosing only by the first dish name you recognise. A better method is to compare the main categories, then choose one anchor item, one supporting item, and one side or drink that balances the meal.
For first-time visitors, start with the dish category the restaurant is most clearly known for, then add one balancing side. For groups, order across categories instead of choosing several similar dishes. That gives everyone a better sense of the restaurant and usually makes the meal easier to share. If you are ordering takeaway or delivery, choose items that travel well and keep sauces, toppings, or delicate sides separate where possible.
Real-World Visit Checks
- Check current hours: restaurant trading times can change by season, staffing, holidays, and private events.
- Check booking rules: popular venues may need reservations, deposits, seating limits, or cancellation notice.
- Check the latest menu: dishes, prices, lunch specials, tasting menus, and delivery options can change without warning.
- Check the location: restaurants with similar names, branches, or old listings can cause confusion in maps and delivery apps.
- Check value before ordering: compare portion size, sharing style, service fees, and delivery charges rather than looking only at headline menu prices.
Dietary and Allergy Notes
Do not rely only on a third-party guide for allergy, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal, or other dietary guarantees. Even when a menu item sounds suitable, preparation can involve shared fryers, shared utensils, dairy-based sauces, nuts, seafood, eggs, wheat, or other ingredients that are not obvious from a short menu title.
If a dietary requirement matters, ask the restaurant directly before ordering. Useful questions include whether the dish contains the ingredient, whether it is cooked on shared equipment, whether substitutions are possible, and whether staff can record the request clearly. That direct check is more reliable than assuming based on a menu category.
Editorial Note and Author Information
Author: MyReserveTable Editorial Team. This guide is prepared as a practical restaurant planning resource. Readers should confirm live restaurant details such as current menus, prices, hours, booking rules, and dietary handling directly with the restaurant before visiting or ordering.
Verification Notes
- Menus, prices, opening hours, bookings, delivery coverage, and dietary handling can change quickly.
- Before visiting, confirm current details through the restaurant’s official website, booking page, social profile, map listing, or current delivery listing.
- If two public sources disagree, prefer the newest official restaurant source.
