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Higher Ground Melbourne

4.2
4.2
911 Reviews
$41 to $100
Modern Australian
Top tags:

Higher Ground is a multi award-winning venue by the Darling Group.

Not quite a cafe, not quite a restaurant, we offer innovative fare for breakfast and lunch, alongside specialty coffee and a wine list featuring varietals from close to home.

On the corner of Little Bourke Street and Spencer Street, only a stones throw away from Southern Cross station and Tram stop 120 and 96, sits a dining experience quite unlike any other.

Make a reservation

2 people
May 2022
Mon
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7:00 pm
Booked 52 times today
Experiences are available.

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Modern Australian, Australian, Dining Bar

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon–Fri 7:00 am–4:00 pm
    Sat, Sun 8:00 am–4:00 pm
    Dinner
    Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (03) 8899 6219

  • Website

    http://darlinggroup.com.au/venues/higherground

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Private party facilities

    EVENTS@HIGHERGROUNDMELBOURNE.COM.AU

  • Private party contact

    events@highergroundmelbourne.com.au: (03) 8899 6219

  • Location

    650 Little Bourke St Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

  • Area

    Melbourne CBD

  • Cross Street

    Spencer Street

  • Parking Details

    Spencer Street Multi story parking is just across the road.

  • Public Transit

    Southern Cross Station - 50m<br />Tram No. 96 - 20m

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Outdoor Smoking Area, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Higher Ground $70 Chefs Menu

    $70.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Higher Ground's unique 4 course shared Chefs Menu displays the finest seasonal produce, flavour delivered simply, using various techniques to give guests the ultimate Higher Ground experience. Groups of 10 or more must go on Chefs Menu.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 911 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.2Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 3.9Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Melbourne

    Most Booked

  • City Centre

    Brunch

  • City Centre

    Sunday Lunch

  • City Centre

    Modern Australian

  • City Centre

    Most Booked

Sort by

Filters

  1. MS

    MollyS

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    Great food, service and atmosphere. Quite loud but easy enough to have a conversation

  2. BP

    BrettP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had an excellent lunch at Higher Ground. Food and service were both very good. Lovely venue and highly recommend.

  3. JG

    JessicaG

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious dinner I’m such an ambient space, service was so attentive. We loved our cocktails. Bathrooms were a touch untidy but otherwise a fantastic experience

  4. RM

    RachelM

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great atmosphere, food and coffee was good. Will definitely be back!

  5. d

    dorriepancake

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall3food4service4ambience5

    the breakfast size is too huge, wish there is small/medium size option. the hotcake syrup should be separated. its too sweet with all the syrup absorbed by the cake

  6. RP

    RamaP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Good food and a nice place to have your to go brunch.

  7. C

    Chantelle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing place and the food was delicious. Highly recommend!

  8. P

    Prudence

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely staff with amazing food and coffee. Happily return again.

  9. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 May 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    The ambience was gorgeous. The food stylish and inventive and our waitress was a delight very patiently listening to my Autistic son's very different taste in food.. altering the ricotta hotcake signature dish to his idea of pancake heaven. Maple syrup and fried eggs ! He commented that the cheesy ricotta cakes were sublime his way..

  10. SD

    StevieD

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 May 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Went for Mother’s Day early breakfast. I’m a caffeine addict and order strong coffee’s. The coffee here was great. The food was nice. Different to what you might find on an average breakfast menu. Great flavours. Service was good considering it was busy. You expect to wait a bit longer for food on special days. Ambiance was nice not too loud. Bit pricey but you know that before you get there. Overall good experience. Would recommend.

  11. R

    Rimpoy

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 May 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    Recommended to book online in advance. Tables are so close together that you can hear single words the next tables are saying. Staff are not very attentive and helpful.

  12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent; good food; good service; fair price for the quality.

  13. RF

    RobynF

    Melbourne

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 30 April 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    We had to wait awhile for our table to be ready but. Service was great

  14. DN

    DoreenN

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 April 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We came to celebrate my nieces graduation..we were looking for some classy for brunch…omg elegance to say the least…food amazing…Tiana our table host awesome…she was an absolute star for our table of 10….her smile never left her face…Thankyou… We will definitely be back….

  15. A

    Alexa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic menu and atmosphere, be sure to book in advance

  16. CO

    CharlotteO

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Chefs menu was amazing. Very good value for money.

  17. L

    Lilly

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 28 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My first time at Higher Ground- absolutely thrilled with the experience that we had! Food was delicious, service was friendly and efficient. I’ll be back!

  18. MW

    MichaelW

    Melbourne

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 April 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    Haven't been to Higher Ground for some time. Still busy and offering a memorable experience. Great space, excellent service and great food. We were having a very late lunch and I struggled to find anything on the menu that really jumped out at me. I didn't want a big meal and would have preferred a few more options. Having said that, I settled on reuben eggs and they were excellent. Really enjoyed spending time in this wonderful space again.

  19. P

    Penelope

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 27 April 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    I love this place, food is amazing but arriving the last few times hasn't been a good experience. For this specific visit I stood in front of two staff members, one of who was clearly being trained, and ignored was uncomfortable. I am super happy to wait for you to finish but not acknowledging my existence until a very long conversation was done firstly made me think I was not at the right desk for being seated and secondly when I worked out I was in the right place was awkward and unwelcoming. It also is noteable because (a) its happened before and (b) people are much quicker when you are handing over your money. Each time I pay the staff are super happy to help you and do it very quickly.

  20. CZ

    CarlyZ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great experience and great food. Highly recommend!!

  21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful cafe and the food was delicious and service was great

  22. SG

    SharonG

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 April 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience4

    Your coffee is good Your service is ordinary No one doubled back or checked if we wanted anything else In all honesty no one enjoyed their meal :( I’m sorry we wouldn’t be back

  23. R

    Richard

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 April 2022

    overall2food2service4ambience5

    The staff were lovely. The food was average, and portion size for the price was too small - as was the coffee. It's a real shame, as the ambience was great and so was the service.

  24. HW

    HanW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 April 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Price a bit high The pancake a bit dried Better I ate before

  25. AT

    AlanT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Ohh, what a fabulous night and lamb Meal with vegetables and red wine ( Shiraz ) we had at the High Ground. Ambiance and service was perfect

  26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Adelaide

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Loved it! Calm atmosphere, stunning food and coffee

  27. A

    Ariel

    New England

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 April 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience3

    Very slow service and nothing was timed well. Staff said they were understaffed but it just seemed inattentive and unorganised

  28. KL

    KarinL

    Hawaii

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 April 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Beautiful food and building Service was slow but lovely staff

  29. s

    seven

    Sydney

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 April 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    The environment is great and beautiful, but the noise level is a bit too high. And honestly the ventilation is quite poor as the restaurant is filled with cooking odour.. The staff are generally nice and helpful, but the waiting time of the food is rather slow as we waited 45 mins to have the food delivered to our table ( we were told we have to wait for 20mins but the actual time doubled!) The hotcake is brilliant and it is definitely a must have dish if you visit Higher Ground. The cape grim flank is not as good as we expected , the flank is fairly cooked but not tender enough, and the sides are less than tasty.

  30. JH

    JohnH

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful breakfast in a beautiful setting. Can’t go wrong dining here.

  31. PS

    PakthidaS

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 April 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    The way to manage queue need to be improved. The counter is the only person who manage reservation, queue and payment which taking some time to handle.

  32. A

    Annie

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 20 April 2022

    overall3food5service5ambience1

    Good overall, but music does not suit - too loud and too energetic. We couldn't hear each other. Food and service was great.

  33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 April 2022

    overall1food3service2ambience3

    What is it about Restaurants that don’t split bills! This was a simple dinner with work colleges and you are expected to work out fund transfers yourself instead of the restaurant dividing the cost by 4 and processing 4 payments. As a result I will not go again

  34. BS

    BecS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely place to meet Friends for Brunch. The customer service was exceptional.

  35. F

    Fiona

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 April 2022

    overall3food2service3ambience5

    Sadly our drinks were barley warm, I feel that if your sugar doesn't dissolve then your coffee isn't hot enough. The chili eggs were so hot that my step dad couldn't eat them. The menu is also very limited.

  36. CF

    ChristinaF

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 April 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    I was a little disappointed to be honest. From the moment we arrived we we were told to wait behind a huge group of people when we had a reservation! Our server was great though. Food abs presentation was a bit bland and no longer as innovative.

  37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New South Wales

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 April 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience4

    Not really friendly staff when we walk into there.

  38. NC

    NathanC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 April 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience4

    We visited on 18/4. Unfortunately the food was extremely spicy and yet relatively bland. Service was reasonable for a busy morning. The venue is amazing with great ambience. Unfortunately there was nothing offered in the way of a bill discount after we provided feedback. Higher ground was disappointing on this occasion and did not meet the standards of other reviews that we have seen.

  39. SH

    SanniaH

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing food, great service, wonderful design. We will visit again if have time.

  40. LH

    LeisaH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fabulous food and the service was excellent. It was so lovely for our family celebration.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waiting staff wear masks

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Higher Ground Melbourne does offer delivery in partnership with Deliveroo. Higher Ground Melbourne also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (03) 8899 6219.

Higher Ground Melbourne is rated 4.2 stars by 911 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
May 2022
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
7:00 pm
Booked 52 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Higher Ground Melbourne

650 Little Bourke St Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Additional information

  • Cross Street

    Spencer Street

  • Area

    Melbourne CBD

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon–Fri 7:00 am–4:00 pm
    Sat, Sun 8:00 am–4:00 pm
    Dinner
    Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Modern Australian, Australian, Dining Bar

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking Details

    Spencer Street Multi story parking is just across the road.

  • Public Transit

    Southern Cross Station - 50m
    Tram No. 96 - 20m

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Outdoor Smoking Area, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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