The Waterside Hotel Is Set To Open This Weekend, Here’s What You Need To Know

From dive to diva, The Waterside Hotel is set to open this weekend, gracing the corners of King and Flinders streets with seven storeys of knock-off goodness. 

Behind the opening is the Sand Hill Group, the powerhouse behind The Espy and Garden State, completely refurbishing the old dame, which dates back to 1853, when she was the first port of call (well, pub) off the Yarra.

At the street level, the venue pays respect to its heritage—you can expect to find a classic laid back vibe offering traditional pub fare and pouring cold frothies. It's seven different levels, with seven different vibes. 

The venture reflects the changing face of Melbourne, and the changing needs of its punters. Upstairs, the transformation becomes apparent: Past/Port, a sprawling adventure into South East Asian flavours, transports you beyond the pub and into the heart and soul of what contemporary Melbourne dining is all about.

Past/Port’s nostalgic flavours call back to executive chef Sarah Chan’s roots in a menu that is both deeply personal and reflective of the changing face of Melbourne. 

“Being born in Malaysia myself, and doing studies in Singapore, the menu is derived from a collection of food memories and a little bit of my own heritage,” Chan tells us. 

An ode to Asian traditions and a celebration of contemporary Australia, Past/Port blends culinary traditions—and the result is exciting. Sarah’s personal highlight dish is Sarawak laksa; a deeply nostalgic nod to her hometown roots, the dish will feature as an off-menu weekday special until sold out. Sarawak Laksa also happens to be one of Anthony Bourdain's favourite meals in the world—which is a pretty serious endorsement. 

There's a special preorder menu too, with exclusive ‘showstoppers’ that bring an element of further theatre to the experience. From lobster with salted egg yolk popcorn or Singapore chilli mud crab to a 600g O’Connor ribeye with an array of house condiments. These are bold, vibrant dishes that are perfect for sharing. 

Chan has poured her soul into the food: “Growing up around slow-simmered curries, sambals pounded by hand, and family feasts prepared with painstaking detail, I learned early that food is memory, love, and tradition on a plate,” she says.

The venue is a bold bet on where Melbourne hospitality is headed, and we are excited for the journey that entails. 

The Waterside Hotel and its restaurant Past/Port opens on Friday, 14 November at 508 Flinders Street, Melbourne CBD. We’ll catch you there for knock-offs.

Main Image Credit: The Waterside Hotel | Supplied