Wurundjeri cooking visionary unveils years-long passion project – complete with MCG cricket pitch clay plates.
Five-star culinary heavyweight Hugh Allen has finally let the cat out of the bag on his long-awaited solo venture, announcing plans for Yiaga – a boundary-pushing dining destination plonked squarely in the leafy surrounds of Fitzroy Gardens.
The much-talked-about restaurant concept has been percolating in Allen’s brain for years, with the seasoned chef declaring his ambitious new food temple will deliver a multi-course tasting menu showcasing native Australian ingredients when doors swing open next year.
Yiaga
- By chef Hugh Allen
- Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
- Opens spring 2025
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“I’ve always envisioned creating a serene, distinctive restaurant that enriches both guests and our team—a space that celebrates Australia’s beauty and bounty,” Allen said, revealing how he stumbled upon the derelict pavilion during Melbourne’s first COVID lockdown.
The weathered site has a storied past, first popping up in 1908 as tearooms before expanding in the roaring ’20s. A devastating fire in the ’60s torched the original digs, with the replacement building hosting various food spots before sitting empty for nearly a decade.
Allen isn’t mucking around with the rebuild either, teaming up with heavyweight Aussie architect John Wardle to resurrect the space using almost exclusively Victorian materials. We’re talking burnt earth clay tiles, bricks inspired by surrounding tree bark and – in a delightfully Melbourne flex – ceramics crafted from the same clay as the hallowed MCG cricket pitch.
The Melbourne-born chef, who cut his teeth in top kitchens around the globe, has lofty ambitions beyond just feeding punters fancy tucker. Once the joint finds its feet, Allen plans to transform Yiaga into a full-blown “campus of gastronomy” hosting monthly talks, educational sessions with food experts, and hands-on workshops.
“We want as many people as possible to feel connected to Yiaga, whether visiting for dinner, attending a talk, or participating in a workshop,” Allen explained, excitedabout finally bringing his passion project to life in his hometown.
For those keen to experience what promises to be one of 2025’s most talked-about openings, the wait continues – but foodies can expect more updates as the build progresses toward that spring launch.
For more information on Yiaga, head here.
