The car parks at Melbourne Airport are busy

The car parks at Melbourne Airport are busy this week The Value Car Park is nearly sold out Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. If you do have a car park booking, please arrive 30 minutes earlier than usual and have your QR code ready for a smooth entry and exit. Due to ongoing construction in the Terminal T1 T2 T3 car park pick-up and drop-off areas, passengers should plan for potential delays of up to an hour during peak times if you are being dropped off by a loved one, taxi or Uber. To avoid congestion, we recommend using the equivalent pick-up and drop-off facilities at nearby Terminal 4 car park, which is a 10-minute walk to and from Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Simply drive to the Terminal 4 Car Park and proceed to Level 2 for drop-offs or Level 1 for pick-ups. Thank you for your patience while we are building your airport.

Melbourne Airport unveils new $20 million dining precinct inside Terminal 1

Seven new cafes and restaurants have opened inside Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 1 dining precinct known as The Square, including local favourites Rustica, Pope Joan, Veneziano and ST. ALi.

Other venues in the new $20 million space include Mobo Moga – owned by Gary Mehigan, The Local Taphouse – run by Stomping Ground Brewing Co, and The Grace Wine Bar and Eatery.

Restaurants in the 2,400smq2 precinct open as early as 4:30am, serving travellers up until half an hour before the last Qantas domestic departure.

Melbourne Airport Chief of Retail Jai McDermott said the exciting redevelopment builds on the city’s food culture, connecting travellers to some of Melbourne’s finest cafes and restaurants.

“Melbourne is widely regarded as Australia’s foodie capital, so we carefully selected food and beverage operators that showcase our city’s finest coffee, food and bars,” he said.

“The redeveloped dining precinct is designed to reflect our city with brands people know and love featuring food and cuisines that can be found in the CBD, Richmond, Collingwood, St Kilda and South Yarra.”

Mr McDermott added the new space, directly after Qantas security screening, encourages guests to dine-in rather than eating at communal tables like a traditional food court.

“There’s something for everyone inside The Square with restaurant-style service, and grab-and-go options, creating an elevated dining experience featuring fantastic views of the airfield,” he said.

“We’re excited to unveil the new eateries in the lead up to Christmas as we anticipate strong passenger numbers over the festive season.”

The Terminal 1 Square redevelopment created around 120 jobs during construction and 160 ongoing hospitality roles.

The Square compliments other hospitality upgrades in the terminal, which also features the nation’s most modern Hungry Jacks, Sushi Jiro, Liv Eat and Icons Victoria. About each venue:

Rustica - Established in 2012 by renowned Baker, Brenton Lang, Rustica delivers artisan breads and pastries baked using traditional sourdough techniques. Rustica’s flagship bakery and café is in South Yarra.

Veneziano – Coffee is king at Veneziano with some of Australia’s most acclaimed baristas linked to Veneziano cafes across the country. The airport venue sells traditional breakfast and lunch options plus takeaway coffee beans for home use or gifting.

Pope Joan – The menu features fresh, seasonal meals with a wine list from Victoria and beyond. Pope Joan first opened its doors in Brunswick in 2010 and quickly gained popularity among foodies in Melbourne.

ST. ALi – One of the pioneers of specialty coffee in Melbourne! ST. ALi in The Square is the second airport venue for the group following a successful launch inside Terminal 2. ST. ALi is an industry leader in direct relationships with farmers, in-house roasting and expert coffee brewing.

Mobo Moga – Owned by renowned chef Gary Mehigan, Mobo Moga is a modern Asian restaurant that will combine the best of Victoria’s products and deliver a changing menu of classics and innovative Asian dishes.

The Local Taphouse – The same team behind The Local Taphouse in St Kilda and Stomping Ground Brewing Co presents The Local Taphouse in Terminal 1. Featuring 60 taps and sweeping views of the airfield, the new venue boasts Melbourne Airport’s most extensive beer list.

The Grace Wine Bar and Eatery – Described as “an expression of Melbourne” with carefully curated dishes and an enchanting ambience. The concept is owned by famous Melbourne chef Ray Capaldi. The venue will offer travellers a gourmet selection of Victorian sourced grazing and cheese boards, seasonal offerings and an extensive wine and cocktail list.