Dining is more than food, it is about an experience that stays in memory. Many food lovers in Melbourne find that experience at Aru Restaurant, a modern Asian-inspired dining spot that blends tradition with creativity. Just as places like Entrata Restaurant bring a unique charm to Italian cuisine, Aru focuses on innovation while respecting heritage. The chefs at Aru Restaurant designed the menu to surprise guests, combining Asian influences with the elegance of Australian produce.
What is Aru Restaurant Menu?
The Aru Restaurant menu offers a modern Asian-inspired collection of dishes that blends traditional flavors with innovative techniques. Located in Melbourne, Aru showcases fire-driven cooking methods, serving starters like oysters and wagyu skewers, larger plates such as smoked duck and barramundi, and desserts with tropical notes like pandan custard and coconut sorbet. The menu is seasonal, using fresh local produce to create new experiences, while its design encourages sharing plates, making dining at Aru both social and flavorful.
Owners Info
Adipoetra (Adi) Halim owns The Aru Restaurant, while chef Khanh Nguyen shaped its creative foundation and co-owned the venue until 2023. Today, the kitchen is led by head chef Nico Koevoets, ensuring the menu continues to deliver bold and innovative Asian-inspired flavors.
Location
The Aru Restaurant is served at Aru Restaurant, located in the heart of Melbourne at 268 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. The restaurant offers a modern dining space with stylish design elements, creating the perfect setting to enjoy its Asian-inspired dishes crafted with local Australian ingredients.
How Aru Came to Life
Aru is located in Melbourne, Australia, a city known for its multicultural dining scene. The restaurant is managed by chef Khanh Nguyen, who is also known for his work at Sunda Dining. Aru opened in 2021 and quickly attracted attention for its bold flavors and use of fire-based cooking. The aru restaurant is crafted with the idea of sharing plates, bringing people together in a warm and lively atmosphere.
The restaurant’s design combines modern architecture with earthy tones. Guests feel both comfort and sophistication, creating the perfect backdrop for enjoying food that fuses history and innovation.
How Aru Shapes Its Menu
The chefs at Aru believe in respecting ingredients while experimenting with techniques. The menu showcases smoked meats, grilled seafood, fresh vegetables, and fermented touches that highlight Asian traditions. Every dish tells a story, connecting Melbourne diners to Southeast Asia and beyond.
The aru restaurant is not only about taste but also about creativity. Seasonal produce plays a big role, meaning the offerings evolve with the availability of fresh local ingredients. This makes every visit unique.
Dishes at Aru Restaurant Menu
The menu offers a variety of dishes in categories such as starters, mains, and desserts. Guests often begin with small bites before moving to larger plates for sharing. The aru restaurant is divided into sections that make it easy for diners to explore.
Wagyu Skewers
The wagyu skewers are tender, smoky, and perfectly seasoned, offering a rich start to the dining experience.
| Dish | Wagyu Skewers |
|---|---|
| Description | Tender, smoky skewers with rich flavor and perfect seasoning. |
| Price | AUD $18 |
Oysters with Asian Flavors
These oysters are fresh and zesty, topped with bold Southeast Asian notes for a refreshing bite.
| Dish | Oysters with Asian Flavors |
|---|---|
| Description | Fresh oysters topped with zesty Southeast Asian-inspired notes. |
| Price | AUD $22 |
Crispy Pork with Dipping Sauce
The crispy pork is golden and crunchy, paired with a tangy sauce that balances fat with spice.
| Dish | Crispy Pork with Dipping Sauce |
|---|---|
| Description | Golden crispy pork served with a tangy, spiced dipping sauce. |
| Price | AUD $24 |
Smoked Duck
The smoked duck is juicy and aromatic, with fire-driven flavors that highlight the chef’s signature style.
| Dish | Smoked Duck |
|---|---|
| Description | Juicy duck infused with fire-driven smoky flavors. |
| Price | AUD $45 |
Barramundi
The barramundi is grilled to perfection, flaky and light, enhanced with herbs and subtle spices.
| Dish | Barramundi |
|---|---|
| Description | Grilled to perfection with fresh herbs and delicate spices. |
| Price | AUD $42 |
Beef Short Ribs
The beef short ribs are slow-cooked and charred, delivering deep smoky richness and melt-in-the-mouth texture.
| Dish | Beef Short Ribs |
|---|---|
| Description | Slow-cooked, charred ribs with deep smoky richness. |
| Price | AUD $48 |
Pandan Custard
The pandan custard is smooth and fragrant, a sweet tropical finish to a refined meal.
| Dish | Pandan Custard |
|---|---|
| Description | Smooth, fragrant custard with tropical pandan flavor. |
| Price | AUD $16 |
Coconut Sorbet
The coconut sorbet is cooling and refreshing, with a creamy tropical sweetness that cleanses the palate.
| Dish | Coconut Sorbet |
|---|---|
| Description | Cooling, creamy sorbet with refreshing coconut sweetness. |
| Price | AUD $14 |
Chocolate with Asian Notes
This dessert blends rich chocolate with hints of tropical fruit and spice, ending the meal on a bold note.
| Dish | Chocolate with Asian Notes |
|---|---|
| Description | Rich chocolate dessert blended with tropical hints and spices. |
| Price | AUD $18 |
Inside the Aru Menu
Here is a simplified table that highlights some popular choices often featured at Aru.
| Category | Dish Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Wagyu skewers, Oysters | Fresh, light, ideal to share |
| Larger Plates | Smoked Duck, Barramundi, Short Ribs | Fire-based, bold flavors |
| Desserts | Pandan Custard, Coconut Sorbet | Refreshing, Asian tropical influences |
The aru restaurant changes with the season, so diners can always expect new experiences alongside their favorite classics.
Drinks and Pairings
Aru is also known for its beverage list, which includes cocktails, wines, and non-alcoholic options. Many cocktails use Asian spices and fruits, adding to the cultural connection of the food. Wines are carefully selected to pair with both smoky meats and fresh seafood.
The drink selection adds depth to the dining journey, making the aru restaurant even more enjoyable.
Aru’s Social Style of Dining
Dining at Aru is a social event. Plates are shared, creating conversation and bonding over food. The restaurant offers both lunch and dinner, with some guests opting for the set menu to explore more of the chef’s creativity.
The staff plays a big role in guiding guests. They recommend dishes, suggest pairings, and explain the inspiration behind the menu. This makes every meal not just dining but also learning.
Comparison with Other Restaurants
Just as Sassy Italian Restaurant brings modern energy to Italian dishes, Aru blends traditional Asian flavors with modern techniques. Both restaurants show how food can be an art form, offering guests more than just a meal.
What makes Aru stand apart is its fire-driven cooking style and the way it reimagines Asian flavors for an Australian audience.
Opening Timing and Takeaway Services
The Aru Restaurant is available for dine-in at Aru Restaurant in Melbourne, with lunch service running from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and dinner service from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. On Mondays, only the dinner service is offered from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The restaurant remains closed on Sundays.
| Day | Lunch Hours | Dinner Hours | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Not Available |
| Tuesday | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Not Available |
| Wednesday | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Not Available |
| Thursday | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Not Available |
| Friday | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Not Available |
| Saturday | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Not Available |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed | Not Available |
Why Choose the Aru Restaurant Menu
The menu at Aru is for diners who love adventure. It combines smoky, charred notes with fresh and zesty flavors. Guests enjoy variety, from meat lovers to vegetarians, with plenty of options to choose from.
The aru restaurant is an invitation to explore Asia through an Australian lens, guided by skilled chefs who value innovation.
Customer Reviews
Here’s a collection of customer sayings about Aru Restaurant:
- “The food here is simply outstanding, every dish feels creative and full of flavor.”
- “Aru offers the best mix of Asian and Australian cuisine I’ve ever tried.”
- “The staff are welcoming and always guide you through the menu with passion.”
- “Dining at Aru feels like an experience, not just a meal.”
- “The atmosphere is cozy yet elegant, and the open kitchen is fascinating to watch.”
Conclusion
Food lovers who want more than a simple meal should explore Aru. The restaurant is a symbol of Melbourne’s diverse dining culture, offering both innovation and tradition on every plate. From starters to desserts, each dish is prepared with care and creativity.
The aru restaurant menu is a journey of flavor, culture, and storytelling. With its location in the heart of Melbourne and its focus on fire-driven cooking, Aru remains one of the most exciting dining experiences in Australia. For anyone visiting the city, a visit to Aru is more than recommended—it is essential.
