Gayle and I arrived at our Southbank Hotel in Melbourne mid-day after a flight to MEL from Launceston, plus the ride into town. We were hungry and it was just a short walk to the many places to eat along the Yarra River. There were lots of folks out on this nice day, but also because the Moomba Festival and Formula One was in town. We walked a bit and randomly decided to try out Bearbrass. On this long trips, the food choices run together, and for our Australia vacation, I remember a lot of fish and chips, burgers, and other casual pub fare. Whatever Gayle and I chose hit the spot, along with beer and wine of course. We both thought that initial service was a little off, but picked up well after a bit of a wait. read more

We had breakfast at this little gem on Melbourne. Everything was delicious and fresh. I'd eat there again if I was in the area. Located right on the Yarra River in Melbourne. Give them a try when in Melbourne. Happy eating and Alooooooooha. read more

See all

It was dinner time. After a walk on the Riverwalk a decision was made to come here. After a quick glance over the menu we decided on pizza. They are "personal" pan pizzas...enough for one. There is a variety of different pizzas on the menu. Great for ordering them all if in a large group and just sharing. My group (well two of us!) ordered the garlic pizza and the margarita pizza. Both were delicious! The margarita pizza had a delicious red sauce! The flavors and seasonings were phenomenal! The garlic pizza was equally delicious! It tasted like cheesy garlic bread! Both pizzas were cooked to perfection and had a great "crisp." I would absolutely return! read more

Bearbrass - Garlic pizza - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

If only our experience was better here then they could have got four or maybe five stars I book a month prior as we live a couple of hours away. The location was great as we were off to see a show at the arts Centre which is only a short walk from here. We arrive a bit early and we're told to come back as we would have to wait 15 minutes until the lunch menu started. So we came back and we're out at a table where it hard started to rain. So we got shifted. Second table better but obviously not in high on there serving regime. So we waited 20 minutes to order a drink. Which took 15 minutes to arrive. Then ordered lunch which was also slow. We basically got our food an 45 minutes to an hour after arriving. Even having to ask for a bottle of water on arrival is pretty average really. In a more light. The food was delicious and it wasn't only because were we're starving but it was really good. We shared a couple of starters and then had our own mains. All of the dishes were goood. Boa buns with pork belly were crispy pork and soft bun. The beetroot hummus was light and refreshing. The chicken wings were spicy and not too hot. And all of the mains were really nice. Overall I would return here with out a second thought about it as the food out weighs the service and let's face it, it could have just been one of those days when they were short staffed or just slow. read more

See all

I enjoyed drinks here on a sunny evening. It's great to sit in the outdoor patio area and watch the world pass by. The view over the Yarra and city skyline is really lovely. I ordered a sharing platter with added chorizo and that was just the right partner for a chilled Rose wine. Service is responsive, attentive and respectful - at the same time informal, friendly and relaxed. It was a very enjoyable time. I would come back here, thank you. read more

Bearbrass - Shared platter with added chorizo. - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Went to Bear Brass for cocktails before lunch, I indulged in Ultimate Bombay (Gin) Martini, and my associate has the Ink Gin Goblet, both highly recommend, and reasonably priced. Bear Brass we recommend for locals and visitors to Melbourne, Australia, we've eaten here on occasion, and the next time we do, I will post a review. Centrally located on Southbank, alongside the Yarra River, we sat in the Riverside garden on the promenade. Great atmosphere and welcoming and friendly staff... Should be noted: businesses have extended premises onto the promenade owing to the covid19 operating limitations, depending on when you visit, is dependant on whether the outdoor bar area is still open, it's probably a fair bet that while we are still dealing with coronavirus, the outdoor area may still open. read more

Bear Brass scraped the four star entirely due to their amazing staff - seriously they were all so friendly, chatty, engaging and helpful - not just to is I was watching them help other around us - this team is customer focused! The drinks & lunch menu offered plenty of choice, we had both the meat platter and the vego platter some dishes popped more than others, the chicken meatballs and wings were our favourites, the scallop was very good too, as was the grilled haloumi. Best of all at the moment they are decked out and have specials for Pimms in the 'Spring garden' to celebrate race season - which creates a nice atmosphere. read more

Bearbrass - Meat sting plate - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

You know the kind of person that just doesn't have a memorable face. They may be quite good looking, you may even have had a good chat with them at a party or something, only to not recognize them the next time you meet. Well I think Bear Brass is a bit like one of these people. Bear Brass has an outdoor seated area facing the river, with heating for winter and shade cloth for summer. It also has a gas fireplace, marble bar and a water feature. But still something about this bar will leave you wondering if this was the place you vomited in the toilets last weekend or was it the club down the way? This is because, while being a swanky place that serves up cocktails and mount zero olives, Bear Brass is really one of those classic modern dining bars that offers a flashy mix of everything that sounds good, but is really just an expensive exploration into mediocrity. Regardless, Bear Brass is a decent venue. And like the unmemorable person, you may realise that they are both good looking and slightly funny - but you still won't recognize them the next time you meet. read more

Bearbrass - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

Describing itself as a 'modern restaurant and bar', Bear Brass is one of those generic riverside bars that you can find anywhere in the world. Ergo, it's a decent enough place for a bevy or a meal - Bear Brass serves breakfast, lunch and dinner - but is hardly one of Melbourne's more memorable establishments. I found myself at Bear Brass on St. Patrick's Day where the overspill of patrons from nearby P.J. O'Brien's ensured that Bear Brass was full to bursting for most of the night. After a recent makeover Bear Brass is interestingly designed: all exposed wooden beams, glistening steel benchtops and aged-just-so concrete pillars with more than a hint of Darling Harbour's unfailingly flashy bars aesthetics wise. Service is punctual, drinks predictably expensive for such a prime Melbourne location, and the crowd can probably best be described as city boys and girls. Not really my kind of place but if you fancy a drink somewhere modern and professional on the river, Bear Brass is as good as any. read more

Bearbrass - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

I stopped in for a late breakfast on my last day in Melbourne. There was no one near the front of the restaurant and there was no indicator of whether I should wait to be seated or just pick a seat. I found a waitress and she told me to just pick a seat. I was able to quickly order a coffee/latte, which, along with a glass bottle of water, came shortly after. For breakfast, I decided on the Eggs Atlantic - kind of like Eggs Benedict, but with smoked salmon and avocado. This, too, came pretty quickly. It looked good for about a second, and while in the process of trying to take a picture, fell apart. The hollandaise started sliding off of the eggs and the eggs started sliding off of the salmon. While I know this doesn't affect the taste, I would like to have everything stay in place while I eat it. This wasn't anything spectacular and the salmon lacked any real smoked flavor. I also got a big hit of lemon juice from the hollandaise. After finishing my breakfast and latte, I was once again stumped on whether I walk up to pay or wait for a check. I sat around for a while hoping to get a waitress' attention or to observe what other diners were doing. I did see one person walk up to pay, but it seemed like it was more of a "we're tired of waiting and we want to pay and get out of here" thing. Taking a cue from them, I did the same thing. I'm still not sure what the proper thing to do was... I love that the restaurant is opened up to the outside and is right on the river, making it a perfect spot for people watching. My server was really friendly (even after I had to bug her for my check). It's also really close to the Eureka Sky Deck if you're planning on heading over there. read more

Bearbrass - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

BearBrass is my to go place for a lemon tart and cider fix. Add some beautiful views of the Yarra River and a little sunshine and that's what I call an amazing day. I have a tendency to lose track of time here, it's just so easy to keep ordering a drink and watch the sun go down. Plus the service can get a little slow as the crowds start coming in, but that's usually not a big problem. The staff are always happy to recommend a dish, or drink, if you can't make up your mind. I should mention they have a pretty good menu with lots of choices. I often like getting a few small tasting plates, making sure to leave some room for dessert. Of course, I highly recommend the lemon tart, and it seems to be the only dessert that runs out often, unfortunately. read more

Bearbrass - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

My work enjoyed their annual christmas dinner here a couple of years ago. With an open bar and a three course meal, our party had a great night, although the space was a little small for our group of around 40 girls. Otherwise this is a great bar for enjoying a glass of wine with a view. The outdoor table tops and benches are a perfect place for passing the time, people watching, and catching up with friends. The bar is busiest on Friday evenings when city workers stop in for Friday night drinks, so get there early to to grab a great spot on the patio. They make great cocktails, and have a diverse wine and beer selection too. Try a cucumber mohito crush - its my favourite for something refreshing read more

Bearbrass - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Extremely bad service today. Disinterested waiter who brings me not one but two dirt glasses cover in lipstick, drops them on them in the table and walks away. He has a serious attitude and I'm sorry to say but he's a queen with no style or class. Food is average and well over priced, but it's the Queen waiter who just ensured this post and the fact that I'll never be back. read more

When you see a place like that, fronting a beautiful view , you might think tourist trap...think twice the breakfast we just had with my wife was stunning... eggs and avo were delicious, well made, and a very good portion. My fresh apple and céleri juice home made , and cafe spot on. Price reasonable to have such a view . Not sure for lunch or diner, but breakfast was really nice. (Below the view from the place, not the food , we ate it already :) read more

Bearbrass - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

This week I had the pleasure of stumbling into a very cool restaurant called Bearbrass. After a long day of being in the city, it was exactly what was needed. As we walked up, I was thrilled to see that the staff were checking each person to make sure we were all vaccinated before allowing anyone to enter. WE entered and the place was jamming with good music and beautiful aromas that flowed from the restaurant. it was a quick stop for us, but the atmosphere changed my mood into one that was more relaxed and enjoy the surroundings. We ordered two dishes that made me want to lick the bowls. We started with the Fried Calamari with chorizo, parsley, coriander, lime, and firecracker mayonnaise. I have never tasted calamari this yummy in my entire life. A second dish was needed to make sure it was really this good. We also received Polenta Chips with aioli and parmesan. Once again, it was not what I expected and not like traditional chips at all. It was deliciously cut in the cutest squares that fit perfectly in my mouth. For drinks we had beers and I ventured into trying the Ink Gin Cocktail that included blueberries, lemon, and aromatic fever-tree. All was fantastic. I am looking forward to scheduling a dinner there very soon. The best part about the entire time was the great staff person that served our food. She had the most amazing personality that kept me smiling and happy. I highly recommend this great restaurant, you will be surprised. read more

Arriving on a sunny Sunday morning we were looking for big brunch to get us through the day. This place didn't disappoint. And while they seemed busy when e arrived our order still arrived promptly. I had scrambled eggs on toast with bacon tomato, hash brown, chorizo, all served on sourdough toast. Yummo! My wife had poached eggs and mushrooms and tomato. We shared our bacon, and it was all capped of with a delightful fresh orange juice. We loved it, we will go bak for sure. read more

Bearbrass - Great view for breakthrough! - Pizza Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Menu is limited. Food is below average. Service is friendly but not abundant. Fish tasted like cat food. Fries were delicious and very hot! Burgers were over cooked and salty. We couldn't send the food back because we couldn't get the attention of the largely absent servers. Pizza was average. Location is excellent! read more

Mystery and intrigue surrounds this place, featuring a prominent location within the uber daggy and dated south-gate area.' I've been wanting to come here for some time now, as fellow work colleagues choose this as a frequent go-to spot, and talk about it a lot. To be fair, there's not much by the way of competition. It's the type of venue that's busy all day long. To start, I've necked a pint of Heineken, in record time, which even by my standards is fast. The menu is a plenty with snacking dishes, or in their terms "something smaller" So one is never really at a loss for a quick pick me up snack, etc. Whether this be from the wide range of pizza, lamb kofta's, fries, bread and dips, grilled Saganaki, or Chorizo, chat potatoes, or even some olives. Olives are always good. Bear Brass is also open for breakfast. In terms of venue, it serves it's purpose well, but it doesn't need to be swish, swank and uber stylish. an adequate selection of beers and cider on tap, and by the bottle, as well as wine. I can only hope that here at bear brass they're making the most of their La Mazzarocco espresso machine- as I've not yet tried the coffee here. Bear brass is a great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon, or perhaps a work break, and it is, indeed a popular venue. You may find yourself, when outside, however, fighting for room or a free space; the outside dining section is prime territory. Ah Finally my food arrives. I suppose it's been a long while since I was a customer proper, (aside from ordering drinks that is) I'm so used to being in work mode that the reverse side of the coin is odd. I'm impressed by this dish; the sauce is rich and deep and flavoursome. Better than some by miles. The Kofta element itself (meatball) is let down by being too herby and tannic. It doesn't need to be seasoned when it's combined with a sauce that excels. The flat bread is great. Cocktail jugs are on special after 3pm on Sundays, with 9-10 choices to choose from, all are amazing. I Think it's $16? Anyways, Bear brass, you've hit the spot. read more

On a typical weekday you can find Bear Brass is packed to the brim with pastel shirted accountants waiting for their takeaway latte. I guess that means their coffee is good.. or reasonably priced? I wouldn't know, I don't drink coffee. Not a super exciting breakfast menu, but not bad. I had the basic breakfast: it was basic and I liked it. I noticed the menu said they are open for a late breakfast on Saturdays (til 3:00pm I think). Good to note if you also live in the cbd. I can never seem to find a late breakfast when I want one. read more

I came here for breakfast on a lovely Sunday morning. The service was attentive, but was brought down by the time it took to get an order on a plate. I also found the eggs I was served to be overlooked, and the avocado unmashed and lacking any seasoning. Probably caught the cook on a bad day, so will probably go there again just to be sure. read more

Came expecting a hearty breakfast and good service, was sadly disappointed on all accounts. Was seated promptly and kindly which set a nice tone but ended up waiting 40 minutes for any kind of food or drink to arrive. My breakfast (the onesie) consisted of a single over cooked rash of bacon, two frozen hash browns and over cooked poached eggs which were ice cold. To top it all off the cost of this meal definitely doesn't justify the quality I recieved. Bear brass needs to step up their service and quality standards if the expect to see me any time in the future. read more

Good service but tasteless food . Ordered pumpkin soup and fish of the day . Both disappointing . Not great for dinner menus . read more

Bear Brass is a great spot to enjoy a sparkling wine on a sunny day, with its close proximity to the Yarra River being a major drawcard. BB attracts plenty of corporate types, as the Herald Sun newspaper is situated literally in the building above, so you will probably be able to overhear some disgruntled journalists decrying the state of the industry if you eavesdrop closely enough. The food here is good and if you work in the city it is definitely as good as any spot to get your night started with a few drinks and a cheeky pizza. And its close proximity to the magical (see review) Ponyfish Island makes it the perfect place to eat before kicking on to soak up the sunset at PFI. read more

I popped by here with some girlfriends before the ballet on Thursday (no it's not a common occurrence.. but I'll leave that for another review) so we were on a time schedule of 45 min and notified the waitress as soon as we got there. I had the pork belly and couldn't finish it, though the top was crisp it was flavourless and there was so much gelatinous fat underneath it put me off. Our cocktails took so long to arrive we didn't have time to finish them. If the lychee martini wasn't so amazing they would have only received one star from me. read more

I'm rating BearBrass for drinks and general vibe as I haven't eaten there but friends I was with did and they enjoyed their meal. This is a great place to drink and drinks won't cost you a spare kidney (check out their daily drink specials, their bloody Mary on Saturdays are divine). The staff are really friendly and the Manager was really friendly and efficient. As the night progressed table service was a lot slower but maybe you get that anywhere on a Saturday night. My second time here and will definitely be back. read more

My wife and I had breakfast right after BearBrass opened at 8am. I had the Eggs Benedict on Turkish which was excellent. The staff are friendly and the prices reasonable (given the location!). Definitely recommended. Looks like they have a nice bar venue serving small and full meals at night as well. read more

We had a very unfriendly staffmember helping us at the bar. First he pretended that Martini Bianco as a pure drink wasn't a thing, while it was listed on the menu (and a very common drink in Europe). He looked as me as if I was retarded for even suggesting it. Finally, after 12 times of asking: 'don't you want spritz?' we got the desired drink. It turned out to be only a shotglass of Martini. After asking why it was that little they told us that in Europe you drink it with spritz and therefore we think it's more. I do believe we know how we drink our drinks when we're at home, thank you. I understand there can be misunderstandings, but don't treat your clients as idiots please. Also the 2 for 1 cocktails thursday apparently didn't include the classic cocktails, which we found confusing. read more

Mice- yikes. A mouse ran under my feet and staff saw it and told me that is normal they are everywhere- I disagree I have not seen them anywhere on this strip. Food was good grilled tiger prawns and bread trio and dips, but really mice running about in dining room- not acceptable. read more

Two stars for the quality of the food. Waaaay too much salt. The salt crystals were going "crunch" as we ate. So thirsty now!

Visited BearBrass the first time in awhile last night and was very pleasantly surprised. Although quite a chilly night,outside heaters did the trick. Had my old fav calamari which was delicious and my new fav $10 espresso martinis yum! Every Friday now they do them from 5pm til 7pm. Perhaps my new Friday after work haunt...... read more

Service was marginal at best. Food was tasty. Location is great. Outdoor patio is a nice spot for a cold beer on a hot day and watching the crowd walk by. There are better places around. read more

We stopped in for lunch on our last day in the city. The pizza and fish n chips were great. Service was friendly but a tad slow. Still an awesome experience. read more

This restaurant and bar has great potential but allows smoking in the eating areas. Extremely disappointing in this day and age.