Charcoal Lane - Melbourne

Charcoal lane is run by Mission Australia to provide on-the-job hospitality industry training for Aboriginal youth. The restaurant is spacious with plenty of room between tables. The menu is unique with a strong emphasis on wallaby, kangaroo, emu and lamb although a vegetable dish is also available. Kangaroo and emu are hard to cook well, but the chef did a great job. The emu was still moist and tender. The kangaroo sirloin was char-grilled with a strong emphasis on charcoal and smoky flavours which is how they do it in the outback. It arrived a little cool which was unfortunate as it was a great dish. The vegetables chosen were very interesting with a range of flavours and textures which nicely complemented the meat. There is an extensive well-chosen wine list and pages of different brands of spirits. Cocktails are a speciality. The deserts looked very interesting, but we were already full after the main courses. The background music was a tad louder than background and the service was a little slow, but that didn't detract from a good night out. The dishes are quite reasonably priced. On-street parking is not too hard to find.

We read about this place in the Lonely Planet Guide. Emu kabanos and kangaroo fillet and a host of other goodies all fully explained to us by superb staff. The story behind this enterprise together with its enduring successes for Indigenous people is heartwarming and deserving of support. A real gem!

Charcoal Lane was our first dining stop in Melbourne. Their status as a teaching restaurant got us there. The food enchanted us. Our server was a trainee and while he couldn't answer all of our questions the managers in duty did. Favorites included the kangaroo tenderloin entree and barramundi and emu main dishes. Thank you Charcoal Lane for a fabulous experience!

Atmosphere a little austere, but wonderful food with friendly service. I can highly recommend trying it out.

This truly was the highlight of my trip to Australia. The food was delicious and beautifully presented and the setting was lovely. The staff was warm and engaging. I had foods I had never tried out before and they were done to perfection. I highly recommend this place. Thank you for one of the best meals of my life!