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.
Vue de monde
Shannon Bennett's tasting-menu restaurant on level 55 of the Rialto Towers, serving contemporary Australian cooking with views across the city.
At a glance
- Type
- Contemporary Australian tasting menu
- Area
- Melbourne CBD, Melbourne, Australia
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- vuedemonde.com.au
Why we recommend it
Vue de monde is the restaurant founded by Shannon Bennett in 2000. It began in Carlton, spent six years in Normanby Chambers in the city, and in 2011 moved to the 55th floor of the Rialto Towers on Collins Street, the building's former observation deck. The name itself has a story: it is grammatically irregular French because of an error Bennett made when he registered it.
The kitchen is led by executive chef Hugh Allen, who worked at Noma in Copenhagen before joining and has appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia. Dinner is a tasting menu that changes over time. Dishes that have featured include marron, rock oysters with wasabi-leaf oil, Western Australian black sea snails, aged wagyu, wagyu brisket with shaved truffle, a golden beetroot sorbet, and a macadamia tofu topped with smoked eel. Cheese also has a place on the menu. The tasting menu cost A$360 per person in 2025, so this is firmly a special-occasion meal.
The setting is a large part of the appeal. Guests ride a mirrored lift up the tower, and the dining room looks out over the city from 55 floors up, with views that critics have praised at any time of day. The interior includes street art by the artist Rone. The wine list is long and high-priced, and the restaurant notes that Penfolds Grange is available for birthday celebrations. Service has been described by reviewers as young, friendly and polished. The restaurant closed temporarily in 2023 for renovations before reopening.
Bookings are essential and are made through the website. Enter from 525 Collins Street or by the escalators from Flinders Lane and check in at the Rialto South Tower concierge desk. Parking is in the Rialto basement car park, entered at 476 Flinders Lane; at weekends the car park is closed to the public but open to Vue de monde guests, who should use the security intercom at the entrance. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible. Groups of 13 or more are handled by the separate Vue Events team.
Vue de monde suits couples and anyone marking an occasion, and is best kept for an evening when you can give the meal several hours. For enquiries, call (03) 9691 3888 or email [email protected].
Vue de monde FAQs
Where is Vue de monde?
On level 55 of the Rialto Towers, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne. Check in at the Rialto South Tower concierge desk.
Do I need to book?
Yes. Bookings are essential and are made through the restaurant's website.
Who is the chef?
Executive chef Hugh Allen, formerly of Noma in Copenhagen. The restaurant was founded by Shannon Bennett.
What is the menu format?
A tasting menu that changes over time and focuses on Australian produce.
Is there parking?
Yes, in the Rialto basement car park entered at 476 Flinders Lane. At weekends it is open to Vue de monde guests via the security intercom.
Is Vue de monde wheelchair accessible?
Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.
Can large groups book?
Groups of 13 or more are handled by the Vue Events team at [email protected].
How do I contact the restaurant?
Call (03) 9691 3888 or email [email protected].