The Observatory at Garden State Hotel
101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Room Layouts & Capacity
Amenities & Extras
Food & Beverage
Audio Visual Equipment (AV)
Other Amenities & Extras
Reviews for Garden State Hotel
Cansu Parlak
It’s definitely a spot we consider worth the 45-minute wait. Whether it’s a girls’ night, a team gathering, or a spontaneous after-work beer, this place has become one of our go-to favorites in the city center. What keeps us coming back is not just the vibe, but the food and drinks. The menu is satisfying without being overly complicated , flavorful, well-seasoned, and generous in portion. The dishes pair perfectly with their ice-cold beers, which always hit the spot after a long workday. It’s the kind of place where comfort food meets a lively social atmosphere. When it’s busy (which is often), service can slow down a bit, and since we usually arrive hungry after work, timing matters. But the quality makes up for it. Now, if you’re looking for a quiet dinner with soft background music, this probably isn’t it. The music is loud, the crowd is energetic, and conversations happen at full volume. It’s vibrant, slightly chaotic, and very much alive. But if you’re craving bold flavors, cold beer, and a dynamic city vibe, this is absolutely one of the top spots downtown. The ambiance is youthful, warm, and buzzing with energy. It’s the kind of place you choose when you want good food, good drinks, and a fun night out, not silence.
Natasha Lara
Such an amazing space! The atmosphere is so calm. Service & food was incredible - we particularly loved the pizza! Great place for lunch with friends, or even with kids! The natural vibes & layout with all the plants definitely gives it a unique touch.
KANYA CITTASTHIRA
While the place is quite new and it was buzzing with crowds and live music, the food were very average. Lamb shoulder - meat was too dry. Sides coleslaw - feels like packaged one from supermarket Pork chop - way too dry (overdone) Service - pretty much non existent. Not sure if its because weekend after NYE. Or it’s usually that busy hence staff were just way too busy to serve. We asked for tap water and glasses, was told to go to the bar ourselves. The staff at the bar was not helpful when we asked where we can get bottle of water and glasses. Our table was still wet and sticky from previous guests. We had to wait over half hour until we can get staff to re-wipe table. Ordering and payment all done via QR code. Very loud music, so quite difficult for chat/talking.
aaron taranto
Absolutely disappointing experience from start to finish. The bar itself was overcrowded, drinks took forever to arrive, and the atmosphere felt more chaotic than enjoyable. What really ruined the night, however, was the attitude of both the staff and security. The bouncers came across as unnecessarily aggressive and seemed more interested in intimidating patrons than helping them. A simple question was met with a rude response, which immediately set the tone for the evening. Unfortunately, the staff weren't much better. Customer service appeared to be an afterthought, with several employees acting dismissive and uninterested whenever assistance was needed. For the prices being charged, you'd expect at least a basic level of professionalism and respect. There are plenty of other venues that value their customers and know how to create a welcoming environment. I certainly won't be returning and wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a good night out.
Jay Thompson
My wife and I visited last week to grab a bite to eat before the cricket, and we just wanted to pass on some positive feedback. The food and service were fantastic. We also had a great chat with the security guard out the front — he was friendly, professional, and very welcoming. The entire security team were excellent as well and helped create a great overall experience.
Other spaces at this venue

Balcony Dining Room

Rose Garden



