Chef David
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Discover the cozy atmosphere of Chef David, offering authentic Sichuan and Asian fusion dishes on Elizabeth St in Melbourne.
level 1/462 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Chef David
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Overview
Chef David is a vibrant Sichuan restaurant situated in Melbourne’s bustling Elizabeth Street precinct. This dark, funky venue brings traditional Asian cuisine to life with a daring twist, offering an extensive drink menu from beer and cocktails to fine wines and hard liquor. Known for its exceptional 4.7-star rating, it invites guests to experience authentic Sichuan flavours alongside Asian fusion delights in a setting that pairs culinary artistry with lively entertainment such as live music.
The menu features standout dishes like spicy braised crayfish and Peking duck served with a modern flair. Service options include dine-in, takeout, delivery, and no-contact delivery, accommodating various dining preferences with ease. Family-friendly features, wheelchair-accessible facilities, and a welcoming bar area add to the restaurant’s appeal. Located at level 1/462 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Chef David is a destination for both locals and visitors seeking a dynamic and memorable meal.
Gallery
Real shots of the food, atmosphere, and signature dishes at this location.
Local favorites
Guests are drawn to Chef David for its vibrant atmosphere, creative Sichuan fusion dishes, and excellent service options that suit every dining style.
Enjoy a lively ambiance with live music enhancing the dining experience at this funky and stylish restaurant.
A wide selection of cocktails, beer, wine, and happy hour drinks complements the traditional Sichuan and Asian fusion cuisine.
With high chairs and a kids' menu available, this spot caters well to families looking for a relaxed dining outing.
Features wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom, and seating to ensure comfort and convenience for all guests.
Offering dine-in, takeout, no-contact delivery, and standard delivery options to suit any preference or schedule.
Delicious late-night dining options allow guests to enjoy flavorful Sichuan dishes beyond typical hours.
Free and paid parking lots nearby make visits easy for those arriving by car in central Melbourne.
With a 4.7 rating from over 2700 reviews, the restaurant is praised for flavorful dishes and an inviting vibe.
Experience
Perfect for immersive dining experiences, Chef David caters to a variety of occasions from casual lunches to lively late-night dinners enhanced by a robust beverage selection and contemporary vibes.
This Melbourne hotspot shines for those craving authentic Sichuan flavors infused with modern Asian twists. Ideal for gatherings where sharing plates, vibrant cocktails, and energetic live music bring people together in a stylish setting. — FoodPlacee editorial note
Gather friends or family to share iconic dishes like spicy braised crayfish and Peking duck while enjoying the upbeat atmosphere and live music.
Enjoy a flavourful and satisfying lunch from an extensive menu including vegetarian options that cater to every palate.
Take advantage of late-night dining with bold Sichuan specialties and exciting happy hour drinks in a funky, intimate setting.
With a kids’ menu, high chairs, and accessible seating, it’s a welcoming spot for family dining infused with authentic Asian flavours.
Savor Chef David’s signature hot stews and cold dishes from the comfort of home with convenient takeout and no-contact delivery options.
Plan special evenings with advance bookings ensuring seamless seating and attentive table service.
Guest sentiment
A snapshot of what local diners frequently mention about this location.
"Food in itself was really good, the skewers and the bao bread with fried crab I highly recommend. Cocktails are not great in my opinion, they could improve that. Service is quick and good, lovely design very modern and contemp. However the bathrooms were horribly dirty for such a nice restaurant."
"You’ll be like “Wowww” when you visit this place. The food was alright. It’s designed like a bar and dining on the other side. Good place to catch up with friends. We got the fried rice (big portion), but it was salty. The scallop and oysters are alright. Salt and pepper squid is so good. 6.5/10 for food. Vibes 9/10."
"This multi-story restaurant offers an expansive and vibrant dining experience. They specialize in grilled fish, and while it may be a bit on the pricier side, every bite is well worth it. The dish is thoughtfully served with delicious skewers on the side and a refreshing plum juice, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a culinary treat, the care in presentation and taste here makes it a standout choice for any food enthusiast."
"The fish here was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was absolutely on point—every bite was perfection. I love this spot! The three-floor dining area is impressive, and the vibes are just amazing. Can’t wait to come back!"
"Well worth the hype, Chef David has it all— super funky, cool decorations, great vibes, the most friendly service, delicious cocktails and a great array of flavourful Sichuan fusion dishes We tried the- ▪David's Signature Sweet Sour Tomato Grilled Whole Barramundi - $78 ▪Truffle Wagyu Fried Rice with 63 degree egg - $28 ▪Salt Pepper Squid - $29 ▪Sweet Sour Eggplant - $25 ▪Tempura Soft Shell Crab Bao - $19 ▪Tamago Yuzushu (Amaretto, yuzushu, butterscotch, lemon, yuzu, orange bitters, egg white) - $25 ▪Pina colada (Rum, coconut liqueur, pineapple, lime, coconut milk, cream) - $25 The fish is their most popular for a reason, it was SO GOOD. So flavourful and every mouthful has you wanting more. Worth noting that there’s still bones and some scales on the fish, so although it’s very very delicious, be careful when gobbling it all down! I would definitely recommend ordering their signature grilled barramundi as well as a serve of their wagyu truffle fried rice. The fried rice was very fragrant, with a generous serve of wagyu cubes. Like true authentic Sichuan style, the peppercorn is quite overpowering leaving a numbing taste, especially in the eggplant. All the dishes were fantastic, the drinks were super tasty and all the staff were friendly and patient. Worth visiting on a fun night out!"
"good quality food and great service! they have quite a large menu to choose from where the staff is morr than ready to help with any questions or recommendations food was tasty and i recommend the dumplings! the lighting overall is quite dark and intimate and they had smooth jazz playing in the background making it quite a nice spot for a date night out"
"Popular for its fusion food set in a cyber punk restaurant, this is a place where the traditional meets the futuristic. Here the menu is large and made for sharing and if you're a noob like me, the Grilled Fish Set is a great place to start. Just be warned, $99 is for one type of fish and when they sell out it's $119 for the barramundi so get in early because I can see the value for money at the cheaper price but for the more expensive, I'm not so sure. With one of us sweet and the others spicy, we settled on their signature sweet & sour tomato basting which was exactly that. As the fish boiled, the tomatoes melted away leaving a great sweet, sour and tangy flavour that was delicious. We chose to add quail eggs, beef roll, duck's blood and seafood stick to our hotpot fish but to be honest it only needed the eggs which were soft and creamy and added great texture to what was fall-off-the-bone barramundi. The other additions were pointless and added nothing to the flavour of substantially of the dish. The Cow Throat Skewers were definitely different - think a cross between calamari with a beef jerky flavour. They were fun as were the chicken skewers but again, add in two average bowls of rice and I think the serving sizes were a tad tiny for three people and at $40 each. It's a decent meal for three people but because the barramundi falls away into the sauce, you don't really feel like you've eaten a whole fish.. another main is definitely recommended. Not a cheap venture if going beyond the set menu but a fun time and a great atmosphere for something a little bit different."
"Went there to celebrate a mate's birthday, and it did not disappoint. I like the dark setting. The call button and charging spots on the table were so handy. It'll be great to have more restaurants having that! I mean, we're always on our phones. I thoroughly enjoyed the skewers on the hot plate and the fried rice. The garlic cucumber was so fresh and fragrant. The only disappointment was that they served us a dish when we had already wrapped up our dinner. We had to ask for a refund for it. All in all, I am super happy and would recommend you all to try again."
Visit info
Weekly hours below — always confirm with the business before holidays or special events.
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Questions answered
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