Overview
Butchers Diner is Melbourne’s answer to the classic all-hours American diner, with a distinctly local and elevated twist. Located just off the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets, this 24/7 venue is the brainchild of chef Con Christopoulos (of European and City Wine Shop fame), offering a no-reservations, meat-forward menu that draws inspiration from American grills, Japanese yakitori, and Euro-style charcuterie.
At its heart, Butchers Diner is about doing simple food really well. The menu includes a house-ground cheeseburger with all the right ratios, a rich dry-aged steak sandwich, spicy pork skewers, and rotating international specials like Filipino-style longanisa sausage or Korean fried chicken. There are also all-day breakfast staples, milkshakes, and veggie options like the eggplant sandwich or miso-roasted pumpkin salad—making it far more than just a meat lover’s haunt.
The venue’s interior blends stainless steel counters, red diner stools, and white subway tiles, giving it a retro-meets-industrial edge. Most seating is counter-style, perfect for solo diners, city workers, or late-night wanderers. A walk-up window adds extra convenience for those on the go.
Butchers Diner fills a unique niche in Melbourne’s dining scene—fast, high-quality, and always open. Whether it’s 11 AM or 3 AM, you’ll find something crave-worthy, made from scratch, and served without pretension.
Last update July 2025