Restaurant
Attica
Ben Shewry's Ripponlea restaurant, open since 2003, serving a multi-course modern Australian menu built around native ingredients, and a long-time World's 50 Best entry.
Flower Drum
Fine dining Cantonese restaurant in a Chinatown lane, open since 1975, known for Peking duck carved at the table and highly choreographed service.
At a glance
- Type
- Fine dining Cantonese
- Area
- Chinatown, Melbourne, Australia
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- flowerdrum.melbourne
Why we recommend it
Flower Drum is widely regarded as a Melbourne institution and has been serving Cantonese food for half a century. It opened on 26 May 1975, founded by Gilbert Lau, and took its name from the 1961 film Flower Drum Song. The first premises were in a converted car park on Little Bourke Street, and the restaurant moved to its present home at 17 Market Lane, just off Bourke Street in the Chinatown precinct, in 1985. In 2003 Lau sold it to his staff; the current owners are Anthony Lui, who is also head chef, William Shek and Patricia Fung.
The food is fine dining Cantonese. Peking duck is the best-known dish, served from a trolley with pancakes kept warm over a small flame. Other dishes noted by critics in recent years include xiao long bao made with fresh mud crab, a wallaby tail and lingonberry soup cooked in a clay pot, barramundi noodles with tangerine zest and dried pork sausage, and whole mud crab in XO sauce. Regulars also ask for lemon chicken, which the kitchen will make on request.
Service is the other reason to come. Six to eight waiters may look after a single table, a staff member is assigned to clearing plates during the mud crab course, and regular guests are greeted by name. In 2019 Jason Lui, the operations manager, refreshed the menu and brought the restaurant onto social media, and he runs the floor. The restaurant has received two hats in the first edition of The Age Good Food Guide in 1980 and has been named that guide's Restaurant of the Year more than once.
Tables are often booked months ahead, especially at weekends, so reserve through the bookings page on the official website as early as you can. There are also private dining rooms for groups, which can be enquired about online. Budget for a high-end meal.
Flower Drum suits celebrations, business dinners and anyone wanting a classic Melbourne dining experience. The entrance is through a foyer on Market Lane, a short walk from the Bourke Street side of Chinatown, and the restaurant is in walking distance of Parliament and Melbourne Central stations. Allow two hours or more for dinner. For enquiries, call +61 3 9662 3655.
Flower Drum FAQs
Where is Flower Drum?
At 17 Market Lane, Melbourne, just off Bourke Street in the Chinatown precinct.
When did Flower Drum open?
On 26 May 1975. It moved to Market Lane in 1985.
What should I order?
Peking duck served from a trolley is the best-known dish; whole mud crab in XO sauce and crab xiao long bao are also noted by critics.
Do I need to book?
Yes. Tables are often booked months in advance; book through the restaurant's website.
Who owns Flower Drum?
Anthony Lui, who is also head chef, William Shek and Patricia Fung, who bought it from founder Gilbert Lau in 2003.
Are there private rooms?
Yes. Private dining is available and can be enquired about on the website.
What is the nearest station?
Parliament and Melbourne Central stations are both within walking distance.
How can I contact Flower Drum?
Call +61 3 9662 3655.