So pumped to find a good place actually open on New Year's Day! Given that it's my birthday, I'm all too accustomed to disappointing meals at hotels, so this was a real treat. We had the 7-course tasting menu and dishes ranged from perfectly good to actually quite nice, although I wouldn't say there were any real stunners. Started with a tuna tartare served on a sesame cracker, then an apple-pork salad, corn fritters with sweet chili sauce, chicken dumplings, lamb bun with chili mayo, an asian slaw, crispy skin salmon with rice, and flank steak with papaya salad served as lettuce wraps. Anything with sauce stole the show (the salad and dumplings, in particular), and the lamb bun was also pretty great. Flavors were lovely although in some of the dishes could have been ramped up a bit (tartare, flank steak). They offered some delicious yuzu pastry bites at the end and we added an order of the Vietnamese coffee ice cream. The ice cream was outstanding, but would have preferred more ice cream and less whipped cream and fried dough. Ambiance is gorgeous - very sleek and hip, but still intimate and comfortable. Service was the true star of the meal - best service we've had in Melbourne so far! Pacing for the tasting menu was quite good and all the servers were attentive and knowledgeable. Thank you for allowing me a delicious lunch on a foodie's worst nightmare of a birthday! read more

Dined here recently with a pescatarian friend and we were very happy with the food and the service. We had sashimi, roasted cauliflower, cod and greens - everything was great. The staff were friendly and helpful, even with the noise - this place is constantly packed and pretty loud (I wouldn't say it was a great place for a first date). Would definitely return to try more of the delicious dishes. read more

Excellent original food. Good thoughtful service. Music is too loud (as usual) very lively place for a city lunch

Get the steamed spinach dumplings. Get 'em!! And sit at the bar, it's fun to watch the chefs at work! I'm so glad we skipped the lines at Chin Chin and found this delight! read more

Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Lucy Liu has been on my list for a long time and I am so happy to finally cross it off! I'll admit, despite the rave reviews, I kind of thought that a restaurant with this namesake would be anything less than impressive. Boy was I wrong! After waiting longer than anticipated to be seated on a busy Saturday night, (we didn't have a booking) we popped into the bar for a cocktail. I went with the aptly named Tokyo Drift and it was a nice twist on the Pisco sour. Then we were seated and the fun began! We were advised by our server to get several dishes which seemed like it might be too much, even though we were both hungry. After sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen and taking in all the wonderful sights and smells, this was definitely the right choice. Starting with tempura soft shelled crab in a betel leaf salad and calamari with pickled papaya and hot mint salad, it was obvious that this was going to be a good-good night. There was a lot of heat packed in both dishes but the delicate flavours still shined through. The crunchy crab was delicious with the betel leaves and peanuts. The papaya salad paired well with the calamari, which was cooked tenderly. Then came the large main of crispy fried Sichuan duck along with the side of Asian greens prepared with garlic and chilli. The greens were cooked and garnished perfectly in a light hoisin sauce. The duck we watched as they pulled from the oven, rested and then sliced half the bird with beautiful, crispy skin. It was heaven! Lastly, with one more cocktail from the menu, a Negroni style drink just hit the spot. I couldn't find a flaw in their amazing menu and I can't wait for the next reason to return. read more

I love this place! It's very swanky and has an amazing scene. We went early with kids and it worked well but they don't have a kid menu so be prepared. Try the soft shell crab pancake, the chicken bun and the short ribs! Great service. Phenomenal! read more

Incredibly inventive Asian fusion in stylish settings. My group enjoyed several different small plates, and they all tasted phenomenal. Plus, presentation was mostly pleasing to the eye. We loved the cocktail Tokyo Drift! Definitely try it. The waiters were very helpful with suggestions on what to order. They also let members of our group pay individually. Highly recommended. We were fortunate to get in without reservations. Located near art alleyways, such as AC/DC Lane. read more

I visited Melbourne last year and Lucy Liu is my favorite restaurant in the city. I would actually put it up as one of my top 5 places I've visited in 2015. Luckily I had my cousin who is a local chef take me around the city and he was definitely on point with this place. This restaurant gives off that exclusive feel and the dishes are incredible! My party consisted of 3 Americans and 2 Australians and we entered the restaurant from a back alley and was greeted with a neon Lucy Liu sign upon entering the doors of the restaurant. With a party of 5 on a weekday after the lunch rush, we were seated quickly. It's an open layout with a mix of wooden booths and tables around and an open kitchen. It has a hip Asian fusion vibe with a minimalistic touch, speakeasy environment. When we got to our seats we looked at the menu and we were all unsure on how to order. Being newbies our server recommended we let Lucy choose, which the table has to all agree on having the kitchen choose our plates for us. We went with this route and it was a flat rate of $55 per person for 5 plates, but from my understanding the prices went up. We were all a bit hesitant but we promised each other that we would be open and try all that was given to us. And the cool thing too was that not everything that would be given to us would be on the current house menu, so it had a nice twist to it. Going with Lucy choosing for us, the server asked if there are any food allergies and luckily he did bring this up because there was a nut allergy in the party and they were able to cater to us. So when one by one the plates started to come out it may seem like they are small portions but don't fret, they increase as each course came out. They start off with small bites, to dumplings, to a regular plate, and the larger portion dishes. Every dish that came out was 5 out of 5 stars in my book. [Plate 1 - small bite] = Tuna, onion with soy & ginger on top of a fresh betel leaf was very tasty. It looked like a small portion but it was full of good flavor. [Plate 2 - dumplings] = Peking duck dumplings were delicious. I'm a fan of peking duck so having that packed into a dumpling is delightful. [Plate 3 - small plate] = The Green papaya salad was surprisingly addicting. I'm not a fan of salad or papaya at that, but the added beans, tomato, dried shrimps and hot chili had a unique combination and texture that I really enjoyed. [Plate 4 - larger plate] = BBQ baby barramundi. For us Americans, we had no clue what it was but we were amazed with this fish dish. The barramundi didn't have a fishy taste and the added mango salad and chili dressing was a nice touch the whole dish. They way it was BBQ'ed was great because there was a lot of fish meat to it. [Plate 5 - larger plate] = Not listed on their menu we had a plate full of wagyu beef and they were very generous giving us 2 plates of it for the 5 of us. This finely cooked meat was a great concluding dish to our dining experience. The meat melted in your mouth that brought happy tingles for your taste buds! Even though you may spend a little more to eat here, it's definitely worth it. I'd recommend this place in a heartbeat. read more

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Just like its namesake, Lucy Liu is geared up and packing a mean punch. Lucy takes signature Melbourne elements with its tiny laneway entrance and Asian fusion cuisine, and adds its own twists that result in an all day dining and drinks venue. The experience starts right at the entrance, a narrow passageway off to one side of Oliver Lane lit solely by a glowing red neon sign spelling out the name. A door at the end opens up into a small greeting area before reaching the main dining area. The design takes on a large open dining hall style with a bar area to one end and the kitchen along one side. Wooden slats and panels adorn the walls and ceiling and combined with some large square concrete pillars the space mimics architecture and design found throughout southern China. Seating is a mixture of rows of small tables, communal benches and bar seating along the kitchen. Continuing the intricate details that make the venue, the menus are a single page spread with spectacular 3D hologram-style artwork on the back. The food menu is divided into a number of sections; Small Bites and Tastes, Dumplings and Buns, Plates, Larger, Sides and Sweets. Highlights include the Kingfish sashimi with green chilli, hot mint and toasted coconut, Barramundi and scampi dumplings with chilli, ginger and spring onion sauce, Sticky pork belly with palm sugar caramel, young coconut salad and red chilli and the Roasted beef shortrib with rendang curry, coconut, herbs and pickles. For those that can't decide, there is the option of a 5 course or 7 courses random tasting menu. There is very much a trend of chilli throughout most of the dishes, but it is used in moderation to provide a gentle warmth or tongue tingle rather than to set your mouth on fire. Individual spice tolerances may vary. Dessert options include a Ginger creme brûlée, Chocolate dulce de leche and Black sticky rice with coconut, jackfruit and sesame icecream. The full bar allows the offering of an extensive beer, wine and cocktails. Staff can also offer a wine matching with the dishes. Service is excellent with surprisingly few waitstaff for the number of tables, but it just works. Table wait times are also minimal courtesy of its secluded entrance. Melbourne has no shortage of Asian fusion cuisine and Lucy Liu manages to stand out with its quality menu and experience. read more

Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Lucy Liu joins the long list of compatriot dining venues along the burgeoning Flinders lane scene albeit a little removed. It's located in Oliver lane, an offshoot of Flinders. Lucy Liu takes a modernist Asian fusion approach to their food. I was going to say dining as well, but how does one one dine in a "modernist Asian fusion" fashion? One simply dines. Come to expect a sharing style arrangement for food and menu items. Again, a similar formula to many, the menu is divided into smaller and bigger items. The menu is a good size; neither too short or too overwhelming long, weighed down by the burden of choice. Expect trippy 3-D Hologrphic place mats and drink menus, but a nice inside, and a great drinks list to go with the food. Service is attentive but done in the casual vein and removed from the uppity toff style. The barramundi dumplings are tasty and fresh, as are the pork styled gyoza that were on special of my time of visit. Oysters are available with a ponzu dressing, and nearly every small item apart from this comes with a green nim jam sauce. It is pretty tasty though. The kingfish sashimi is nice, though I'd have much preferred it with the foam only and not the roasted coconut shavings. Tempured soft shell crab is pretty good, and great for collecting extra flavours With all these flavours and spice, I can definitely recommend the Emerrich Knoll Grunerveltiner from Wachu. It's a little off dry, but good for the spices and punch of the food it's combined with. For main dishes; the lamb shoulder is moorish and slightly more European and citrus glazed crispy duck are probably the best. If you want a more traditional china town approach, order the flounder and Asian greens. All in all great food, and fun service from the staff. read more

I had heard of Lucy Liu when it was just opened and have been meaning to get there earlier. I went tonight for the first time and am so happy I didn't delay it any longer. The service was beyond expectation and the food was incredible. I enjoyed each dish we ordered and they even altered options to create a vegetarian option. The lucy liu wine was also a great choice from the menu with a Riesling like taste I would suggest this to those that love a white with dinner. Im not a big dessert person but seriously guys I suggest everyone try the Choclate Dulce De Leche with blood orange foam- this was perfect and so different. Great service, great atmosphere and perfect for sharing. 100% from me. read more

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Loud, Bustling, Busy, Rushed. Thats what Lucy Lui felt like to me. If you're in a hurry - come here, because the waiters will literally drag you from the table to get you out of this place. If you want to take your time and enjoy your food and company, this is NOT the place. Translation - If your in your 20's - come here. If your 35 and over - Dont! read more

Dining in the middle of winter on a Friday night in the CBD is often fun. Despite the weather and or the footy fans. This night wa no exception. The service was stellar, the mains and entreés tasty and delicious, sadly the deserts prevented me from a giving 5 stars otherwise it was a FANTASTIC night. I especially enjoyed the manger/owner's input who is it seems very hands on thank you for a fabulous night! read more

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Entered this place via a back lane, and along a fire escape tunnel. I wasn't sure if it was open, so I checked my Yelp app. Its a quiet back door entry. Sneak in and find yourself in Lucy Liu. At early lunch today it was mostly empty. The staff were frantically preparing like there was no tomorrow. Perhaps they were expecting a crowd in the evening. There probably is a crowd here every night. Maybe there is no tomorrow. The service was way over the top, like the waiters had enough energy to serve 50 people, but they just had me and a couple of old guys. So much energy! Took my choice of a seat, near the kitchen. Lots of staff there busy with food preparation. My meal came out quick. I was slow to choose though. Its hard to tell the size of the dishes, and the style is made to share, typically with drinks like a Tapas bar. The theme is asian. I did get a clue from the waiter about what to order after one false start. Stick to the left hand side of the menu for a sole diner. Choose maybe three items. Rice if you want, its a big serve. Choose a small plate, maybe a bun or a taster. I chose papaya salad and a chicken bun which wasn't necessary with the rice. But I loved it. The quality of the food here is very high. The rice was perfect, the papaya salad was satisfying and the chicken bun was delightful, sweet like a dessert. The quantity was perfect for me. Water was served up seamlessly. This place has a style all of its own, and the staff live and breathe it. An amazing experience! A bit over the top for me just wanting a quiet lunch. The price is at the top end of this bracket. If you want a special experience, try this. read more

A very vibrant restaurant with a mix of modern and "Warehouse" decor. Service was impeccable. There were several servers catering to our needs. Seems like it is an"All hands on deck" approach which suits the busy staff, who were energetic, courteous and efficient. We chose "Let Lucy Chose". She did Great - Oysters, Sashimi, Rice Balls, Beef Curry, Grilled Salmon and a Salad. All was very good. Our favourites were the Sashimi and the Beef. For dessert I had the Chocolate Mouse with Strawberry Foam? OMG It was just Awesome. Loved this place and will recommend AND Return! read more

Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Awesome place! Great food and friendly staff. Tip: sit at the bar facing the kitchen and get tips from the chef himself. read more

This place is simply amazing Don't be fooled this restaurant is not about the actress Lucy Liu, it's about a fantastic dining experience of Asian Fusion On this visit (yes there will be more!) we sampled the prawn dumplings, the barramundi and scampi dumplings, Peking duck dumplings, pork belly and wagyu beef. Yes I know that's s lot but you have to understand, the food is just superb There is a great story around how the restaurant was named and you will love the $2 dollar shop type 3d place mates from the Shanghai markets which also act as the menu. Staff are very friendly and enjoy the easy visible kitchen and chefs at their best I highly recommend you visit Lucy Liu and of course enjoy a Tsingtao beer to end the experience read more

Love this place! Had the express lunch to make things easy, $29 per head including a drink(alcoholic included). read more

I had heard that Lucy Liu was the new hot spot in Melbourne, but on this short trip over didn't think to make a booking or even try knowing how busy it would be and knowing I hadn't left enough time at all - despite all this when we were looking for dinner on a Saturday night, i saw the red neon sign beckoning me down the ally way and thought "hey, why not, let's see if they've got any tables left!" and would you have guessed it they had ONE table left for 3! (Admittedly it was only for 1 hour but that worked perfectly for us.) The decor is so cool; more smooth and less grungy/hipster than other popular asian eateries Lucy Liu has a touch of elegance. The staff are all very well informed, polite and efficient as well as having warm, friendly personalities. The drinks menu was substantial and although we didn't have them the cocktails that were going out of the bar looked absolutely beautiful. We had a number of small dishes to share..the stand out were the duck dumplings. Absolutely devine! Although portions were for 2, they kitchen altered to order to suit our table of 3 which was lovely. The quality of the food was absolutely outstanding and I will be making a booking for next time i am there so we can sit down and enjoy a number of courses - and highly recommend you make a booking too! read more

I had been looking forward to having dinner at this place for some time. On Friday night I took my partner there on our date night and it did not disappoint. For dinner we chose the "Let Lucy decide" 5 plate option which consisted of 5 pre-selected dishes that were delicious. I particularly liked the kingfish salad option. The beef was really good too! The 5 dish did not include dessert. We ordered the Vietnamese coffee ice-cream with Chinese doughnuts....sooo good. Thanks to the waiter for suggesting this and the wine. A great experience. read more

We got super lucky with Lucy Liu, trying to find a place for a quick bite before a show at the Regent Theatre. We had seen the line outside Chin Chin and decided to try our luck, on a Saturday night without a reservation. The staff were really friendly and set us up with a table with at would be free for only an hour. We agreed to the terms and took a seat in the groovy venue with awesome lighting and tracks. The wine list had a good range of wines by the glass, and the service staff were very chatty and attentive. We ordered four dishes between three people (including greens) and it was plenty. They did 1.5 size plates so we had enough for three (normally they are about enough for two). We went by the waiter's recommendations and had the Pork buns, the Peking duck dumplings and the drunken chicken as the main part of our meal and I cannot speak highly enough of the tasty, textured meal we had. I am only sad that it was over so quickly. Will definitely come back, with a reservation next time! read more

As the newest restaurant in town, Lucy Liu does not disappoint. It was packed on a Monday night so try to make a reservation especially if you're in a large group. My colleagues and I were lucky to get the last table for a group of 5 when we arrived at about 6.15pm. The wait staff were hip and trendy looking but not too cool for school and certainly not pushy when it came to ordering. We tried nearly all the entrees and they were all excellent but the Korean chicken spare ribs and the eggplant miso tempura were the stand outs. The pork hock main, served Peking duck style with pancakes and condiments was hands down the star of the night. Great place for a couple, group of friends or a work dinner. read more

We came in hungry and just went to town on this place. We parobably orderd something like 8 dishes between us. The most memorable would probably have to be the drunken chicken and the steamed cod. The cod was made Chinese style with soy sauce and oil with cilantro. Very good. The atmosphere is a little hipster-ish (do they have hipsters in Melbourne??? Even if they do, they're probably not as douchey as the ones in California) and young but the service is attentive and the food is delicious. read more

Had a girls night out with a couple glasses of Veuve. LOVED that they sell it by the glass and not just the bottle as my girlfriends opted out of champagne. Ordered several small plates to share and couldn't even pick a favorite. Such a variety in flavor. The server was spot on in their recommendations!! And the atmosphere is just gorgeous. read more

We came here for a last meal before our flight back to Sydney, and it was amazing. Seriously, the food is insanely good. Really recommend the soft shelled crab pancake roll - so yum and great spicy hoisin sauce. We shared around 5 of their smaller dishes, and didn't feel the need for any of the larger dishes. They were all good. Didn't go for the dumplings, but the kingfish was great. They have a really well stocked bar. Staff are exemplary. They really cater to your needs and are friendly consistently through the night apart from the check in girl who seemed irked by something. The other staff, both bar and wait, more than made up for her. Go here. Eat well. Tumble down the road. read more

Have been here a couple of times and really loved it both times. Just selected the banquet, just amazing, let Lucy sort you out, you won't be disappointed. If they're serving the Szechuan wonton soup, count yourself extremely lucky! read more

Stopped here for a final drink after dinner at Coda. It capped the night nicely. Love the bright red lighted entrance. We happily sat at a table for a while fortified by the wonders of Laphroaig. The service was most polite and efficient and assisted us to solve several pressing local and national problems. read more

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This restaurant reminds me of chinchin for its modern take on asian cuisine and interior design. Chic and classy. Private and sharing tables are available but it gets quiet busy so booking in advance is recommended. To me most of the dishes are really similar to chinchin but has it's own unique twist on the flavours that make it different. Casual date night to catching up with friends, this is the perfect place to socialise read more

Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Went here recently for a team dinner when we were in town visiting clients. We ordered a variety of items and dug in family style. Our favorites were definitely the sashimi, dumplings, and Korean Chicken buns! By far one of our favorite meals that week! Looking forward to our next trip to Melbourne! read more

The food is amazing...grea service and awesome atmosphere. Thank you. I will be recommending and coming back. OMG fabulous, amazing food.

What a fun spot! Great service delicious 3d menu. We had the prawns yumo and spicy pork bites, KFC, scampi and fishy dumplings, the duck and it was all great. We had the pork pancakes as a main with the Asian greens and they were easily shared between the four of us. Attentive service without being pushy. Why not 5 stars - kind of same, same but different and for the $$ wanted to be really blown away with something different. read more

Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Lucy, Lucy, Lucy. What can I say about you, except for that I'm hooked. I'd originally steered clear as I was told by a friend everything was quite spicy, but I gave it a go one night and haven't looked back. The staff are fabulous, and catered so well to my lack of ability to handle spice, I can't speak highly enough of them. The menu is set up generally to share, but it still works out for me to get mostly my own plates while everyone else shares in the chill dishes. The Har Gao wasn't the best I've had (sauce /dressing was amazing, yuzu I think if I remember rightly from my first visit), but everything else has been completely spot on. My first visit I had the ocean trout soba salad, and I've found my new death row dish. So light, so tangy, so flavoursome. I've even been back for just that on my own - and in and out within 20 mins. Every time I've dined with others, the price has been really reasonable and we've left full - for around $50 each with minimal drinks, to $65 including a few more drinks. Fun Fact (besides the fact it takes me less than 2 minutes to walk here from home): if you get a chance, sit at the kitchen at least once. Watch the chefs at work and marvel in how talented they are, and watch your food getting plated and cooked. read more

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Awesome food, atmosphere and service. Came here w parents who were visiting for NZ and they loved it. Super Melbourne and super accommodating read more

Yellow fin tuna tataki, peeking duck dumplings, drunken chicken, Asian greens ... all AMAZING! Drank sauce with a spoon! Good service. Cocktails tasty also. Do not miss!!! read more

Had lunch today with family We had the crispy pork bun, shoft shell crab roll, wok tossed king prawns and the pork hock...The latter dish being the signature I think read more

This was the first meal I had in Australia. Very delicious food! Nice drinks! Awesome service! I'll give 10 stars if possible! read more

Food was awesome. Would definitely order again and try newer meals. Great customer services.. Amazing place and well talented staff

Amazing food Great service Awesome experience Would definitely recommend this restaurant to anybody trying to explore new flavors. read more

This place is great for a Saturday night out with friends. Food and atmosphere are fantastic. Highly recommend. read more

Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar - Busy Saturday night at Lucy Liu. Great food and atmosphere, highly recommend. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

What an amazing place to eat, i devoured everything we ordered. A great place to enjoy