Whats new in Melbourne for 2024

February 28, 2024

Without a doubt 2023 was a big year in Melbourne, with a plethora of new hotels opening, shooting the city to the title of largest hotel inventory in Australia. 

Looking forward into 2024, Melbourne continues to deliver, with several exciting new hotel and event spaces opening. Plus there’s a flurry of construction underway, set to deliver more hotels, venues, and a reimagined arts precinct to open beyond 2024, furthering the city’s appeal as a top destination for business events.

Meanwhile, the city’s globally renowned dining scene is  set to expand this year, with big name restauranteurs preparing to launch fantastic new venues.

Exciting new hotels and event spaces coming in 2024

One of the most anticipated hotel and meeting venues opening later in 2024 is 1 Hotel & Homes in Melbourne’s Seafarer’s Precinct, that will transform a once-forgotten stretch into a vibrant riverside destination for business events and incentive reward trips.

1 Hotel & Homes’ ethos is anchored in respect for and preservation of the lands, waters, and traditions that surround it, which is in perfect alignment with Melbourne’s number one ranking as Australia’s most sustainable city in the 2023 Global Destination Sustainability Index.

Once open, this sustainable luxury hotel will boast 280 guest rooms and a 1000-seat function space, environmentally-responsible hospitality, a wellness spa and gym, spectacular lobby bar and waterfront views. It will also be the only hotel in Melbourne’s CBD to be serviced by a 3,500sqm public park.

TFE Hotels has also announced it will begin operating the soon-to-be-rebranded 273-room Vibe Hotel Melbourne Docklands (formerly the Sheraton Four Points) from 8 April. This hotel offers seven beautiful conference rooms, incredible leisure facilities and floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the Yarra River, waterfront and City of Melbourne. It’s also only a short stroll to event venue Marvel Stadium, shopping, harbourside dining and entertainment.

Other new hotel offerings coming soon include the revitalised five-star Lyall Hotel South Yarra, set to open a new level of elegance and sophistication when it opens its doors early 2024, while the 125-room eclectic StandardX will open in the heart of Fitzroy in February.

Expect some big splashes in Melbourne’s already impressive restaurant offerings

There are exciting new multicultural foodie experiences on the horizon, only fitting for a city with a reputation as the culture capital of Australia.

Excitement is already building for the spring opening of the $10 million French-themed restaurant, Batard, by well-known Melbourne restauranteur Chris Lucas, the mastermind behind iconic venues such as Chin Chin.

Housed in a Victorian-era terrace on the ‘Paris End’ of Bourke Street, Batard will span three levels plus a rooftop, oyster bar on the ground floor and a moody new basement space for late nights.

The hardest part about wonderful new dining experiences opening in Melbourne is deciding where to go.

It’s not only Chris Lucas adding credentials to Melbourne’s renowned dining scene - Sydney billionaire Justin Hemmes is opening his first Melbourne restaurant in heritage-building Tomasetti House on Flinders Lane later in the year, showcasing contemporary Chinese cuisine. 

Visitors can also look forward to the opening of an Italian market hall, Mercato Centrale, housing 23 artisans over two levels in the city’s heritage-listed Macpherson building on Collins Street. While fine dining star John Rivera’s Filipino-inspired restaurant, Askal, recently opened its doors in the CBD, with private dining options available for events.

As the perfect complement to Marvel Stadium’s exciting new $225 million refurbishment, new restaurant Friends of Fire (and bar Amphora on the second level), will open in March along the stadium’s promenade. Showcasing American menus highlighting Southern, New England and New York City-style food, as well as cutting-edge vegan options, the restaurant and bar will have a combined capacity of 1,350 people. 

On top of these delectable upcoming openings, 2023 also welcomed some brilliant new restaurants to Melbourne, including the lux Reine & La Rue housed in the original 1890-s neo gothic stock exchange, complete with a magnificent Cathedral Room that can seat up to 110 guests for private functions. Atria, located on the 80th floor of the new Ritz-Carlton Melbourne added to Melbourne’s premium dining scene.

Image: Reine & La Rue

In November, a new food hall opened at the iconic Queen Victoria Market, offering visitors a range of exciting bars, cafes and restaurants celebrating Melbourne’s multiculturalism. And Melbourne welcomed its first female and proudly Aboriginal cocktail bar and restaurant to Chapel Street – Interlude.

Ask the Melbourne Convention Bureau for free advice and support

Melbourne is a city that is constantly changing, evolving and innovating. On top of all these exciting future developments, business event planners are already spoilt for choice when it comes to the city’s unique and state-of-the-art venues, accommodation options, rich culture and accessibility. 

The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) offers free support to business event planners considering Melbourne for their conference, meeting, event or incentive program. Get in touch, submit an event enquiry or find out more about how MCB can help with your next business event.