Flower Drum
6.6Friend Score / 10#20 of 20 Restaurants in Melbourne
Known forPeking duckshallot cakepearl meatdrunken pigeon
Melbourne's grand old Cantonese restaurant — five decades in a Market Lane dining room where trolley service, white tablecloths and a legendary Peking duck still define special-occasion dining. A friend sends you here for a milestone dinner, not a casual bite: book well ahead, dress up a little, and expect to spend properly. It remains worth it.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Sat 12:00–14:30 Mon–Sat 18:00–23:00 Sun–Sun 18:00–22:30 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Parliament Station, 4-minute walk; free Tram Zone trams on Bourke Street |
| Time needed | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to go | Weekday lunch for the same kitchen at a gentler pace and price |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
6.6/10- Value7.5
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level8.0
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- How expensive is Flower Drum?
- It's a genuine splurge — expect a few hundred dollars for two with wine at dinner. Lunch banquets and a more restrained order can bring it down considerably. Nobody leaves saying it was cheap; few leave saying it wasn't worth it.
- Is there a dress code at Flower Drum?
- Smart casual at minimum — it's a white-tablecloth room and most diners dress for the occasion. You won't be turned away for neat casual wear, but thongs-and-shorts would feel very wrong here.
- What is Flower Drum's signature dish?
- The Peking duck — carved and wrapped in handmade pancakes with plum sauce, ordered by practically every table. The dan dan noodles, pearl meat and whatever the waiters recommend off-menu are the other moves regulars swear by.
- Where exactly is Flower Drum?
- Up a flight of stairs at 17 Market Lane in Chinatown, just off Little Bourke Street. The discreet entrance is part of the charm — look for the sign and the lift lobby.
- Why is Flower Drum so famous?
- It set the benchmark for fine Cantonese dining in Australia across five decades, winning every award going and hosting everyone from prime ministers to visiting celebrities. The consistency is the legend — the kitchen and service standards genuinely haven't slipped.
- Is Flower Drum open on Sundays?
- Dinner only on Sundays, from 6pm. Monday to Saturday it does both lunch (from noon) and dinner services. The lunch sitting is the insider's way in when dinner is booked solid.
- Is Flower Drum too formal for kids or a casual dinner?
- It's old-school formal service, but Cantonese banquet culture is family culture — well-behaved kids are welcome and the staff are gracious. That said, if you just want casual dumplings, Chinatown around it has cheaper, looser options.
- How far ahead do I need to book Flower Drum?
- For a weekend dinner, think weeks ahead, not days — it's been booking out for decades. Weekday lunches are the softer target and honestly one of Melbourne's great treats. Call rather than relying on finding an online slot.
Nearby in Ask Melbourne
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- Pellegrini's Espresso BarCafé0.13 km · 2 min walk
- Hakata GensukeRestaurant0.13 km · 2 min walk
- BouvardiaBar0.14 km · 2 min walk
- CherryBar0.2 km · 2 min walk
Where to stay near Flower Drum
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