Ombra weekends introduce $68 shared lunch with drinks on Bourke Street
Ombra has introduced a new weekend dining format on Bourke Street, launching ‘Free-Flowing Weekends’ from Saturday, 11th April 2026. The offering centres on a $68 per person shared-style lunch paired with 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks.
The new format operates across Saturday and Sunday lunch service, running from 12pm to 3pm. It forms part of a broader shift in the venue’s approach, with an emphasis on accessibility, extended trading hours, and a refreshed food and beverage experience.
The menu is structured as a multi-course shared offering designed for group dining. It begins with focaccia and olive oil, alongside giardiniera, mortadella with green olive and pistachio, and stracciatella with currant agro dolce.
Diners then receive rigatoni alla vodka with buffalo mozzarella, followed by a choice of pizza shared between two guests. Options include margherita with tomato, fior di latte, pecorino and basil, king prawn with zucchini, tomato, garlic and rocket, or pork sausage with fior di latte and cavolo nero. The meal concludes with Venetian carrot cake served with limoncello and mascarpone.
Guests may also order additional items from the existing a la carte menu, which remains available alongside the set offering.
Free-flowing drinks and seasonal sourcing shape Ombra weekends
The drinks component includes a rotating selection served across the 90 minutes. Cocktails on offer include the Pesca Bianca with peach, fino, suze and prosecco, the Mid-Morning Americano with Campari, coffee and sweet vermouth, and the Sunday Spritz with bianco vermouth, anise and mint.
In addition, the beverage list features beers such as Wanderer Pale Ale and Moretti Lager. A changing selection of prosecco, white, rosé and red wines is also included, designed to align with the menu.
At the same time, Ombra has increased its focus on ingredient sourcing and seasonality. The kitchen is working with local producers, including Ramarro Farm and Day’s Walk Farm, to shape dishes around available produce. This approach reflects a broader direction linked to the venue’s ownership group.
The venue has also moved to an all-day weekend trading model, operating continuously from midday through to late service. This shift supports the new dining format and extends accessibility across the day.
The physical space remains unchanged, with updates focused on the menu and overall experience. The venue continues to operate as part of the Florentino precinct, maintaining its Venetian-inspired identity.
Ombra’s concept draws on cicchetti, which are small savoury snacks traditionally paired with wine. This format reflects a style of casual dining associated with Venetian hospitality, where food and drink are consumed throughout the day.
The venue includes a ground-floor wine bar featuring wines from the Veneto region, alongside an upstairs dining room overlooking Bourke Street.
Location: Ombra, Bourke Street, Melbourne
Dates: From 11th April 2026
Time: Free-Flowing Weekends available 12pm to 3pm, Saturday and Sunday
Access: $68 per person, bookings required
