On September 2 2024, Morena Melbourne opened its doors at 71 Little Collins Street, offering two distinctive Latin American dining experiences: Morena Restaurant and Morena Barra. Located side by side, these venues promise to bring the vibrant and diverse flavours of Latin America to Melbourne’s CBD, offering a unique culinary journey to diners.
A formal dining experience at Morena restaurant
Morena Restaurant provides a more formal and immersive dining experience, inviting guests to explore the culinary diversity of Latin America. Spanning two levels, the restaurant features a balcony seating area with views over Little Collins Street, enhancing the dining atmosphere. Open from Monday to Saturday for both lunch and dinner, diners can choose between an à la carte menu or a tasting menu, complemented by two wine pairing options—one focusing on Latin American wines and the other on international selections.
The restaurant’s ground floor showcases an open kitchen with a fully seated Chef’s Table, allowing diners to witness the culinary magic up close. Upstairs, the main dining room offers a more intimate setting. Executive Chef Alejandro Saravia and Group Head Chef Samuel Rivas have crafted a menu that celebrates Latin American ingredients without merely replicating traditional dishes. The focus is on innovation and the use of diverse ingredients from across South, Central, and North America. Traditional Latin American cooking techniques, such as wood and charcoal-fired asador, are also prominently featured.
Highlight dishes at Morena Restaurant include the Braised Andean ollucos with smoked oca cream and preserved oca, Seared Marlin ceviche with tamarillo coconut tiger’s milk, aji panca oil, Alfonsino tiradito with aji Amarillo kosho, fermented mandarin emulsion, and Suckling goat with aged mole, morita chilli salsa, and nasturtium. These dishes showcase a blend of traditional and contemporary flavours, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of Latin America. While different cultures, this restaurant concept and menu reminds us of the successful Asado restaurant in Southbank.
Morena Melbourne’s vibrant all-day dining options
Next door to Morena Restaurant, Morena Barra offers a more casual, all-day dining experience inspired by the lively cantinas found throughout Latin America. The atmosphere here is more relaxed and vibrant, mirroring the dynamic street food culture of Latin America. The menu at Morena Barra also features both à la carte and chef’s selection options, with each dish highlighting its country of origin. This approach allows diners to experience a wide range of Latin American cultures, from Venezuela to Peru, Colombia to Chile, and Argentina and beyond.
The ceviche selection at Morena Barra provides a culinary tour of Latin America, featuring dishes like Peruvian market fish ceviche with the traditional ‘Tiger’s Milk’, Mexican Kingfish Aguachile, and Colombian-style King Prawn Ceviche with clamato sauce. Other notable dishes include Abrolhos Island scallops with parmesan cream, Ox Tongue Anticucho with dried Peruvian chillies, and Peruvian Lomo Saltado.
Morena Melbourne restaurantant
Morena Barra Melbourne restaurant
A celebration of Latin American beverages
Across both venues, Morena Melbourne’s beverage program focuses on Latin American wines and spirits, curated by Sommelier Pablo Toledo. The wine list includes distinctive varietals from across the continent, such as Argentina’s Torrontés and Malbecs, Chile’s Carmeneres, and Uruguay’s Tannat and Albarino. Morena’s signature cocktail, the Morena Sour, combines Barsol pisco quebranta, blood orange syrup, and oloroso, capturing the spirit of Latin American mixology. The drinks menu also features an extensive selection of Piscos from Peru and Chile, South American rums, agaves, and a range of other spirits and beers, including Cusquena Lager from Peru.
Morena Melbourne’s fusion of culture through design
The design of Morena Melbourne has been thoughtfully crafted to reflect both its urban setting and Latin American roots. Morena Restaurant draws inspiration from the architecture of the Caribbean coast of Mexico and Central America, featuring curved corners, neutral tones, and raw materials like cobblestone, reclaimed timber, and cane. In contrast, Morena Barra evokes the lively atmosphere of Latin American cantinas, with a semi-open kitchen, vibrant greenery, and a tropical feel accentuated by large ceiling fans and art deco-inspired floor tiles.
A culinary landmark in Melbourne
Morena Melbourne, part of the Renascence Group led by Executive Chef Alejandro Saravia, aims to bring the rich and diverse flavours of Latin America to the heart of Melbourne. The opening of these two venues offers Melburnians a unique opportunity to explore new ingredients, flavours, and dishes from across the continent, in settings that evoke both the elegance and vibrancy of Latin American culture. Morena Melbourne is now open for bookings, inviting diners to embark on a culinary journey through Latin America right in the heart of the city.
Have you tried Morena Melbourne yet? We’d love to hear about your experience or what other restaurants you love so we can cover it in Melbourne food.
