A trip to the MCG isn’t complete without sorting out where to eat, whether you’re grabbing a pre-match feed before the first bounce or settling in for a proper dinner after the final siren. The precinct around the G, stretching from East Melbourne through Richmond and Jolimont, has grown into one of Melbourne’s most reliable eat-streets, built to handle everything from a quick bite before kick-off to a long, relaxed dinner once the crowds have cleared.
This guide covers the 7 best restaurants near the MCG, what each one specializes in, and how to pick the right spot depending on your plans for AFL match day.
Top 7 Restaurants Near the MCG: A Quick Overview
Before the full breakdown, here is a side-by-side look at the top dining spots near the MCG and what each one does best.
| Restaurant | Best For | Cuisine |
| Sassy Italian | Authentic Italian dining with an easy tram ride to the MCG | Italian |
| Geppetto Trattoria | Home-style Italian directly opposite the MCG | Italian |
| The Tippler & Co. | Relaxed share plates and drinks a stone’s throw from the ground | Modern European |
| Roccella | All-day Italian dining across from Fitzroy Gardens | Italian |
| Farmer’s Daughters | Farm-to-table dining with a strong Gippsland story | Modern Australian |
| Nomad Melbourne | Bold, shared-plate Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes | Middle Eastern / Mediterranean |
| Sher Singh | Refined North Indian dining near Wellington Parade | Indian |
Each restaurant brings something different to match-day dining. Your best pick depends on how much time you have before or after the game, and whether you’re after a quick, energetic feed or a proper sit-down meal.
1. Sassy Italian
Sassy Italian has built a loyal following as one of Melbourne’s go-to spots for honest, flavor-packed Italian cooking, and it’s a smart choice on AFL match days for fans who want a proper meal before jumping on public transport to the ground.
On game nights, the walk, tram, or train into the city from Sassy Italian gives you plenty of time to settle in, eat well, and still make it to your seat before the opening bounce, without the queues and rushed service that busy footy-day venues right next to the stadium often deal with.
Why Sassy Italian stands out:
- Handmade pasta dishes prepared fresh using traditional Italian methods
- Wood-fired pizzas with classic and specialty toppings
- A wine list built around Italian regions, paired to match the menu
- Family-friendly seating with a relaxed, social atmosphere
- A calmer alternative to packed stadium-adjacent venues on match day
Sassy Italian keeps its menu focused on quality over complexity, letting fresh ingredients carry each dish. For fans who’d rather eat well before the game than fight the pre-match crowds, it’s one of the most dependable choices in Melbourne.
Contact Detail
- Address: 1 Dryburgh St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia
- Phone no: +61 3 4420 9785
- Email: info@sassyitalianrestaurant.com.au
- Book Table: https://sassyitalianrestaurant.com.au/book-table/
2. Geppetto Trattoria
Geppetto Trattoria has been serving hearty, home-style Italian food from the same East Melbourne address since 1981, and sits directly opposite the MCG, making it about as close to the ground as dining gets on game day.
Key features of Geppetto Trattoria:
- Handmade pasta, risotto, and daily seafood specials
- A family-run kitchen with the same recipes since 1981
- Fully licensed with BYO wine also available
- A private function room for bigger group bookings
- A genuine walk-across-the-road distance to the MCG gates on match day
Geppetto Trattoria suits fans who want unpretentious, home-style Italian food and the shortest possible walk to their seat afterward. It’s an easy, satisfying pick for a pre-match dinner without the formality.
Contact Detail
- Phone No: +61 3 9417 4691
- Address: 78a Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
3. The Tippler & Co.
The Tippler & Co. brings a relaxed, rustic-chic bar and eatery to East Melbourne, only a stone’s throw from the MCG, making it a favourite for a casual bite before or after a game.
What makes The Tippler & Co. a strong choice on match day:
- A share-plate menu built around European-inspired dishes and seasonal produce
- A solid line-up of craft beers, wines, and cocktails suited to a pre-game drink
- Both stand-up and sit-down options for flexible match-day bookings
- A relaxed, plant-filled setting overlooking Yarra Park
- A short walk from Jolimont Station, easing the trip to and from the ground
The Tippler & Co. is a strong pick for fans who want a casual, sociable spot to gather before a game without needing a full sit-down dinner.
Contact Detail
- Phone No: +61 492 891 971
- Address: 58 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
4. Roccella
Roccella offers all-day southern Italian dining across from Fitzroy Gardens, giving fans a flexible option whether they’re after an early breakfast before a day fixture or a wood-fired pizza after the siren.
Notable Roccella features:
- Handmade pasta and 72-hour sourdough wood-fired pizzas
- All-day service from breakfast through to late dinner
- A wide range of gluten-free and vegan options, including a dedicated GF pizza base
- An extensive Italian wine list to match the menu
- A warm, family-friendly setting suited to a pre-game group booking
Roccella suits fans who want the flexibility of all-day dining around a match, without being locked into a strict dinner-only booking window.
Contact Detail
- Phone No: +61 3 9416 1700
- Address: 158 Clarendon St, East Melbourne
5. Farmer’s Daughters
Farmer’s Daughters brings the paddock straight to the plate, with a menu built around Gippsland produce and a genuine farm-to-table story, making it a heartier option for match day.
Core strengths of Farmer’s Daughters:
- A menu sourced almost entirely from Gippsland farmers and producers
- Hearty, produce-driven dishes with a strong regional identity
- A striking, farmhouse-inspired dining room in the CBD
- Regular seasonal menu changes to reflect what’s fresh
- A relaxed but polished setting suited to a pre-match group dinner
Farmer’s Daughters is a great fit for fans who want a proper, produce-driven meal before heading to the game rather than a rushed pub feed.
Contact Detail
- Phone No: +61 3 9116 8682
- Address: 95 Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD
6. Nomad Melbourne
Nomad has become one of Fitzroy’s most talked-about restaurants, known for its bold, shared-plate approach to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, and it makes for a lively pre or post-match dinner for a bigger group.
Notable Nomad features:
- A constantly changing shared-plates menu built around bold spices
- Wood-fired cooking that shapes much of the menu
- A buzzy, energetic dining room suited to a lively celebration
- A well-regarded natural wine list
- A social dining format that works well for a table of mates before or after the game
Nomad suits fans who like to try something different and don’t mind a table crowded with plates to share on match day.
Contact Detail
- Phone No: +61 3 9021 5240
- Address: 187 Flinders Ln, Melbourne CBD
7. Sher Singh
Sher Singh brings refined North Indian dining to East Melbourne, close to Wellington Parade, offering a more elegant alternative for fans who want to make an occasion out of match day.
Sher Singh key highlights:
- A menu inspired by Mughal cuisine, featuring slow-cooked curries and tandoor-fired dishes
- An elegant, richly decorated dining room designed around Indian royal heritage
- A Private Dining Room and Main Hall suited to larger group bookings
- Signature dishes like butter chicken and garlic naan, generously portioned
- A short distance from the MCG, ideal for a sit-down meal either side of the game
Sher Singh suits fans who want a genuinely different, occasion-worthy meal near the ground rather than the usual pub or pizza options.
Contact Detail
- Phone No: +61 451 984 484
- Address: 166 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
How to Choose the Best Restaurant Near the MCG
Picking the right restaurant near the MCG depends on more than just proximity. A few practical factors can guide the decision, especially on a busy AFL match day.
Start with your timing before the bounce: If you’ve only got 45 minutes before kick-off, a spot within walking distance like Geppetto Trattoria, The Tippler & Co., Roccella, or Sher Singh makes more sense than somewhere requiring a tram ride. If you’ve got the afternoon free, Sassy Italian or Farmer’s Daughters reward the extra travel time with a calmer, more relaxed meal.
Consider whether you’re eating before or after the game: Pre-match, venues near the ground fill up fast and turn tables quickly. Post-match, a slightly further venue like Sassy Italian, Farmer’s Daughters, or Nomad Melbourne gives the crowds around the MCG time to thin out before you sit down.
Check the group size and formality:
- Bigger groups tend to do well at Roccella or Sher Singh, where private rooms and all-day service suit larger bookings
- Couples or smaller groups often prefer Sassy Italian or The Tippler & Co. for a more relaxed meal
- Fans who want a big, social table usually enjoy Nomad Melbourne for its shared-plates format
Factor in AFL match-day crowds: AFL match days, especially finals and marquee fixtures, are some of the busiest dining windows of the week in this precinct. Restaurants near Jolimont, Richmond, and East Melbourne fill quickly in the hours before the bounce, so booking ahead, even just a day or two out, makes a real difference to avoiding a long wait.
Think about the budget: Casual, share-plate spots like The Tippler & Co. suit a lighter budget, while Sher Singh and Farmer’s Daughters sit at a slightly higher price point for a more polished night out. Matching the restaurant to your budget keeps match day stress-free.
Taking a few minutes to weigh these factors makes it far easier to land on the right restaurant for game day, rather than settling for whatever still has a table free an hour before the first bounce.
What Makes Sassy Italian Stand Out on Match Day
Sassy Italian stands apart from other restaurants near the MCG through its focus on genuine Italian cooking paired with an easy run into the city on game day. The kitchen prioritizes fresh, handmade pasta and traditional recipes over shortcuts, so every dish reflects real Italian technique, whether you’re eating before the first bounce or well after the final siren.
The restaurant’s relaxed dining room makes it one of the easiest venues to bring a group together on AFL match day, from die-hard fans who want a proper meal to family members happy with a good pizza. It’s designed to feel welcoming rather than rushed, which works well for anyone treating match day as a chance to properly catch up rather than squeeze in a hurried feed before the bounce.
Beyond the food, Sassy Italian pays close attention to service and consistency, even on the busiest fixture days. Regular guests know what to expect: fresh ingredients, generous portions, and a team that treats every table with care regardless of how big the game is. For anyone looking for a dependable, flavour-focused meal on the way to or from the MCG, Sassy Italian remains one of the strongest choices in Melbourne.
Final Thoughts
The precinct around the MCG makes AFL match day easy to plan around, whatever kind of dining experience you’re after. Whether you want classic Italian comfort, a relaxed share-plate dinner, or something more refined, this list covers the full range.
Sassy Italian, Geppetto Trattoria, and Roccella lead the way for Italian comfort close to the ground. The Tippler & Co. and Nomad Melbourne offer a lively, social alternative for a group before or after the game, while Farmer’s Daughters and Sher Singh cover a more polished, occasion-worthy meal well.
Take a little time to match the restaurant to your timing, group size, and how far you’re willing to travel from the G. When in doubt, book ahead, AFL match days are some of the busiest dining windows on the Melbourne calendar, and the best tables near the ground go quickly.
FAQs
What Is The Best Restaurant Near The MCG?
Sassy Italian and Geppetto Trattoria are consistently popular choices near the MCG. Sassy Italian is known for authentic, family-friendly Italian cooking, while Geppetto Trattoria has served the East Melbourne area since 1981, directly opposite the ground.
Are There Good Italian Restaurants Near The MCG?
Yes. Sassy Italian, Geppetto Trattoria, and Roccella all serve Italian cuisine near the ground, ranging from family-friendly comfort food to all-day wood-fired dining.
What Is The Best Option For A Casual Drink And Bite Before The Game?
The Tippler & Co. is a top pick for a relaxed pre-match drink and share plate, sitting only a short walk from the MCG in East Melbourne.
Which Restaurant Is Best For A Lively, Social Match-Day Dinner?
Nomad Melbourne suits groups well, thanks to its bold shared-plates menu and buzzy, energetic dining room in Fitzroy.
Is There A Farm-To-Table Option For Match Day Near The MCG?
Yes. Farmer’s Daughters is built entirely around Gippsland produce, offering hearty, produce-driven dishes with a genuine regional story.
What Restaurant Offers Refined Indian Dining Near The MCG?
Sher Singh is a standout choice for refined North Indian cuisine, with a menu inspired by Mughal cooking and private dining options suited to a proper occasion.
Do I Need To Book In Advance For AFL Match Days Near The MCG?
Yes, strongly recommended. AFL match days, particularly finals and marquee fixtures, are some of the busiest dining windows of the week in this precinct, and popular restaurants can fill up fast.
What Is A Good Option For All-Day Dining Around A Match?
Roccella is a strong choice, serving everything from breakfast to late dinner across from Fitzroy Gardens, making it flexible for both day and night fixtures.
