Since the news first broke in March that Hugh Allen – Vue de Monde's critically acclaimed executive chef – would be launching his very first restaurant right here in Melbourne, we've been eagerly counting down to its opening date.
And now, that day has finally come: Yiaga (an Indigenous word meaning ‘to seek and find’) is officially open to the public. Located in the heart of East Melbourne's lush Fitzroy Gardens, it has taken up residence in an old pavilion that was originally built in 1908 as a tearoom and expanded with a dining room in the ’20s. It had been vacant for nearly a decade before Allen, in collaboration with renowned Australian architect John Wardle and his team, took over the venue and began a stunning transformation.
Now it's a space that beautifully complements the lush garden setting, with an open dining and kitchen area, a rich and earthy colour palette, and terracotta tiles that emulate the bark of nearby elm trees. There's also a beautiful Tasmanian blackwood timber cellar by Ross Thompson, a custom-built table that furniture designer Vivienne Wong made using a cypress branch from the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens and even the Yiaga branding has been created to symbolise local specimens of Australian flora.
The restaurant itself – which seats 44 diners, including an eight-seat semi-private dining area – will showcase Australia's abundant diversity of native ingredients and top-quality produce. Think pasture-fed Blackmore Wagyu, dive-foraged wakame from Victoria's coast, dairy from Gippsland and coral trout direct from Queensland. The innovative multi-course menu will be ever-changing, with Allen and head chef Michael McAulay (along with the rest of the culinary team), in a constant state of experimentation and development.
On the drinks front, expect alcoholic pairings that showcase some fantastic Aussie gems, boutique producers and special collabs; while the non-alc option will be crafted daily to perfectly align with the menu.
And it's not going to be somewhere to just have lunch or dinner; it'll also be a space for learning, community and meaningful exchange. Allen has plans for workshops and ‘Yiaga Sessions’ – a monthly discussion with local and international experts.
“It has been a lifelong dream of mine to open a restaurant from scratch, a place that truly reflects me, my team, and our journeys,” said Allen. “There’s no better feeling than being able to do it right here in my hometown, surrounded by one of Melbourne’s greatest landscapes.”
Yiaga is now open in Fitzroy Gardens for dinner Thursday to Saturday and lunch Friday to Sunday. You can make a booking via the website.
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