Check out Australia’s first dine-in cinema

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
hero media
Australia’s first-ever dine-in cinema has opened in Melbourne.

What do you get when you combine good movies and great food? The answer is FoMo Cinemas, the latest venture from Barry Peak (Valhalla/Cinema Nova) and Natalie Miller AO (Longford Cinema/Cinema Nova).

Located within the recently opened East Brunswick Village precinct in Melbourne, FoMo is a film lover and foodie’s dream come true. And it’s the first of its kind to open on Australian shores.

MoFo Cinemas in Melbourne
Each theatre features state-of-the-art sound design technology. (Image: Tony Lee)

Already being compared to New York’s famous Nitehawk Cinema, FoMo invites guests to enjoy the latest blockbusters from around the world, with food from a comprehensive dining menu delivered mid-film. Did someone say the perfect date night?

Made up of six theatres with a total capacity of 392 seats, FoMo is set to serve up some of summer’s biggest films with a side of fresh flavour.

Each cinema is fitted with state-of-the-art sound design technology and high-quality projection for an immersive and exciting experience. Two of the cinemas even feature 3D capabilities, while the largest, a 114-seat auditorium, offers 4K laser resolution on a screen measuring more than 10 metres wide.

FoMo Cinemas in Melbourne
FoMo is Australia’s first dine-in cinema. (Image: Tony Lee)

FoMo opened its doors on 18 January and has screened new releases including The Holdovers, Ferrari, The Beekeeper, The Iron Claw, Priscilla and Mean Girls.

Barry Peak, co-founder with Natalie Miller AO, describes the project as “cinemas run for movie lovers by movie lovers. Like us." Adding, that “there’s no obligation to eat anything, but you’d be crazy to miss out."

MoFo Cinemas in Melbourne
Order local beers or a tasty cocktail at the bar. (Image: Tony Lee)

So, what’s on the menu you ask? Well, head chef Darren Collier is hoping to spoil guests with his carefully curated menu. Think antipasto, cheese boards, New York-inspired sandwiches, burgers, pizza and a delectable dessert platter.

Classic cinema snacks will be on offer too, such as popcorn, choc tops, ethically sourced chocolate and chips from bespoke local companies. FoMo’s bar is also set to excite, with local beers on tap and specialty cocktails available.

MoFo Cinemas in Melbourne
Choose your meal from a carefully curated menu. (Image: Tony Lee)

Food can either be pre-ordered or bought during the film, with a cash-free interface located within each theatre chair, avoiding any distractions for other movie-goers. Orders are sent straight to the kitchen and delivered promptly and discreetly.

Guests can also say goodbye to those dreaded pre-movie ads. Rather, interactive quizzes and trivia will entertain, plus movie history and classic cinema moments.

FoMo Cinemas in Melbourne
The foyer’s design is inspired by the movie Blade Runner. (Image: Tony Lee)

East Brunswick Village was completed in October 2023 and opened in early 2024. Designed to be self-sustaining, the precinct features a number of apartment buildings surrounded by an apiary, kids cubbyhouse, veggie gardens and a private rooftop with CBD views.

An expansive pedestrian laneway acts as a community hub of retail and entertainment, which FoMo Cinemas now calls home. Other businesses popping up include Bridge Road Brewery, Rumi Restaurant, Taycoya Japanese Restaurant and Siconi Gelato, making for the perfect evening out.

Brunswick is also one of Melbourne’s most vibrant suburbs, with plenty of restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes dotted along its streets.

FoMo Cinemas in Melbourne
Get delicious food delivered directly to your seat. (Image: Tony Lee)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
View profile and articles
national gallery of victoria
Melbourne

Your guide to the ultimate Melbourne weekend

Here's how to turn your next work trip into a Melbourne city break, with market lunches, rooftop bars and gallery visits fitting neatly around the odd meeting or two.

Read more
External view of Kirk's Wine Bar in Hardware Lane Melbourne
Melbourne

This is the best Aussie city to visit in winter – it’s even better than Hobart

Come winter, Melbourne doesn’t hibernate – it elevates. Here’s how to make the most of this city’s cool-weather culture.

Read more
22 of the best accommodation in Melbourne
Melbourne

22 of the best accommodation in Melbourne

From chic boutique hotels in the ‘burbs to quirky stays in the city and dreamy cottage conversions, here are some of Melbourne’s best accommodations.

Read more
The Snowtunnel
Melbourne

The world’s first rotating Snowtunnel is coming to Australia

An all-new Aussie invention is bringing year-round snow Down Under.

Read more
hero media

From hot springs to tasty treats: your wellness guide to Gippsland Lakes

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
    Continue
    Rest and recuperate in the East Gippsland region, a haven of natural hot springs, seasonal festivals and really tasty things to eat.

    It’s about this time of year that the buzz of the summer holidays is well and truly behind us, and the pressures of the day-to-day are starting to pile up. The solution? A proper weekend escape, ideally one with a focus on rest, relaxation and total reset.

    East Gippsland delivers all three in spades. Here, you’ll find charming towns, natural scenery alive with wildlife and easygoing experiences – think steamy hot springs and idyllic lakefront stays that practically force you to unwind.

    The Gippsland Lakes are one of the region’s highlights, a sprawling network of glassy waterways with a seriously calming atmosphere. Spend a few days here, and you’ll be well and truly recharged.

    Here’s where to eat, stay, explore and unwind for a wellness-focused weekend in this gorgeous region.

    Getting there

    aerial of lakes entrance
    Visit lakeside villages like Lakes Entrance.

    East Gippsland is a patchwork of towns, each with its own personality: coastal gems like Marlo and Mallacoota, lakeside villages including Metung, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance and a smattering of inland communities.

    From Melbourne, getting to each is easy. The region can be reached by car in around four hours, just a smooth drive along the Princes Highway.

    If you’re driving to or from Sydney, many of the towns sit along the legendary Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive, which winds its way through Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Marlo and Mallacoota.

    Having a car makes exploring the region a breeze, as you can pull over at farm gates, take scenic detours and go at your own relaxing pace.

    Winter delights

    Bruthen Medieval event at East Gippsland Winter Festival
    Experience that East Gippsland Winter Festival. (Credit: Naomi Rahim)

    Winter is a particularly good time to visit. The East Gippsland Winter Festival is a raucous celebration of wintery food, drink, music and experiences, taking place over an entire month and in different towns.

    Expect re-enactments, games, roving performances and fiery displays at the Bruthen Medieval event. Feast your way through regional bites and watch live wood carving and a hotly contested dumpling-eating competition in the waterside town of Metung. Head to Lakes Entrance for one of the festival’s signature events, Lakes Lights: Gardens of the Galaxy – a slightly cosmic and totally mesmerising display of lights. Or book a seat at the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge Long Lunch. This long-table feast stretches across the entire bridge, with sweeping river views and top-tier local produce.

    Where to stay

    Metung Hot Springs
    Rejuvinate at Metung Hot Springs.

    Metung is also a much-loved destination for natural hot springs – warm mineral pools believed to restore and detoxify the system. Here, you’ll find a network of tranquil springs fed with water sourced 500m below the surface, all at varying temperatures but with a healthy mix of soothing minerals and trace elements. Each looks over the stunning surrounding lakes, only adding to the sense of serenity.

    Extend the relaxation by booking into Metung Hot Springs. The property is home to a collection of glamping tents – either perched on the hillside or overlooking the lagoon – that deliver after-hours access to the springs. These are no ordinary tents; expect plush linens, beautifully curated furnishings, warm service and a complimentary gourmet breakfast delivered daily.

    Alternatively, book a night or two at Idle Lake House – a gorgeously appointed hideaway in Lakes Entrance. The aesthetic is moody, modern and very cool, and the property is situated right on the water’s edge with floor-to-ceiling windows that immerse you in the surroundings.

    Where to eat

    table spread at Sodafish in east gippsland victoria
    Sit down at the floating restaurant, Sodafish. (Credit: We Are Explorers)

    Given its wealth of fresh seafood and exceptional produce, East Gippsland is home to a vast selection of eateries, with options to suit all tastes and budgets.

    For something a little bit fancy, Sardine Dining in Paynesville is a must-visit. The hatted restaurant serves a seasonal seafood-focused menu made with premium local ingredients, while the adjoining wine bar is a top spot for a regional drop and a light snack.

    If you’re after a relaxed bite, Sodafish in Lakes Entrance is your best bet. This floating restaurant sits right atop the water, with a vibrant and fresh menu centred on locally caught seafood. Anything off the menu is delicious, but the whole roasted snapper and locally sourced fish and chips are standouts.

    Or luxuriate with a long afternoon at the nearby Slipway. This waterfront dining precinct hosts a mix of vendors serving casual food, craft drinks and regionally made goods.

    Exploring the great outdoors and local culture

    wild koala in the tree
    Keep an eye out for the locals. (Credit: Tyson Mayr)

    No wellness weekend would be complete without immersing yourself in the beauty and tranquillity of East Gippsland’s outdoors.

    Head to Raymond Island – a small island just off Paynesville – to spot local koalas along the Koala Trail. This two-kilometre stretch is one of the few places where you can see koalas doing their thing in their natural habitat, with more than 200 living on the island. Leave the car in Paynesville; the trail can only be accessed on foot.

    Next, explore the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail, which starts in Colquhoun and ends in Lakes Entrance. Across 23 kilometres, you’ll spot native flora and fauna (including lace goannas) and pass by remnants of the tramway that once serviced timber workers in the area.

    Finish up your East Gippsland jaunt with a visit to Gunaikurnai Cultural Hub. The centre houses an Aboriginal Art Gallery displaying contemporary works by Aboriginal artists, and a Bush Cafe serving breakfast and lunch classics and excellent cakes. Pick up a slice and a coffee for your trip back to the city.

    Start planning the ultimate wellness escape in Gippsland Lakes at visitgippsland.com.au.