Melbourne has no shortage of bottomless brunch options, and the packages vary enough that comparing them properly takes more than just checking the price. This page focuses on how to choose between packages once you already know roughly how the format works. If you need the basics first, our explainer on how bottomless brunch and dinner work covers session lengths, drink inclusions and RSA rules in more detail than this page does.
Start with what you actually want from the morning
Bottomless brunch packages tend to fall into a few broad types: drinks-led (a shorter food menu with an emphasis on sparkling wine and cocktails), food-led (a fuller shared menu with a simpler drinks list), and balanced packages that try to do both reasonably well. None of these is objectively better, but knowing which one you want before comparing venues makes the decision much faster. A group celebrating a birthday with an early start might prioritise the drinks list, while a group meeting for a long, unhurried Sunday catch-up might care more about the food.
Comparing packages by what actually matters
| Factor | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Session length | 90 minutes is tight for a food-led brunch; two hours suits a larger shared menu better |
| Drinks list | Check whether cocktails are included or cost extra, since this is the biggest driver of perceived value |
| Food format | A shared banquet style suits groups; an individual brunch plate format suits smaller tables with different tastes |
| Dietary flexibility | Ask directly rather than assuming; shared banquet menus are sometimes harder to adjust than individual plates |
| Minimum numbers | Some of the best-value packages only run for tables of four or more |
Total cost, not just the headline price
The advertised per-person price for a bottomless brunch rarely tells the whole story. Some venues add a service charge or a card surcharge that only becomes clear at the bill. Others charge extra for premium add-ons, top-shelf spirits, or a later finish time if your table wants to extend the session. Before booking, it is worth asking what the total will come to for your group, including any charges that are not in the headline price, particularly if you are splitting the bill evenly across a group with different drink preferences.
Richmond and beyond
Richmond has long had a reasonable spread of bottomless brunch options, including the bottomless format that JAMU on Palmer Street ran during its time trading, alongside venues further along Swan Street and Bridge Road. The format is not unique to any one suburb, though, and plenty of venues across inner Melbourne run comparable packages, so it is worth weighing up whether a Richmond venue genuinely suits your group better than something closer to home, rather than assuming the best option will be local.
A short checklist before you book
- Confirm the exact session length and what time your table needs to be seated by
- Ask whether the drinks list is genuinely open or capped per person
- Check if a deposit is required and what the cancellation terms are
- Confirm dietary requirements can be accommodated across the shared menu, not just in theory
- Ask about service charges or surcharges that are not shown in the headline price
- If your group might run over time, ask what happens, rather than finding out on the day
If brunch is not quite the fit
An evening sitting is not the same product as a weekend brunch, even at the same venue: the drinks list shifts toward wine, beer and cocktails, the food is usually heavier, and the sitting tends to be booked as a banquet rather than as plates per person. A long Sunday lunch is a third option again, and bottomless is only one of several ways to do one. Our explainer on how bottomless brunch and dinner work sets out the mechanics of both before you commit to a booking.