A brand new Californian-inspired restaurant and bar is now open at Crown Melbourne. The restaurant, Marmont, is spearheaded by Australian DJ and restaurateur Grant Smillie and occupies the former Rosetta site along the river walk, seamlessly blending dining, music, and ambiance.
Smillie, renowned for his international DJ career and ownership of venues like Ponyfish Island, has returned to Melbourne after 12 years in Los Angeles.
At Marmont, he collaborates with head chef Mark Tagnipez, formerly of Supernormal and EP & LP, to deliver a modern dining experience. The menu features a “deep snack menu” and “all-day grazing,” allowing patrons to enjoy small plates akin to a wine bar before progressing to larger dishes.
The venue’s ambiance is enhanced by a curated music selection, eschewing mainstream playlists in favor of classic tracks and live performances. Smillie emphasizes that Marmont is “more than just a bar,” offering guests views of the Yarra River and a dynamic indoor-outdoor space suitable for any time of day.
Crown Melbourne had initially announced plans to open ‘The Henley,’ a bar inspired by the Henley-on-Yarra Regattas, at the site as part of Crown’s redevelopment efforts.
However, in a strategic shift, Crown partnered Smillie to introduce Marmont as part of its approach to revitalising its dining precinct, aiming to infuse fresh energy and diverse culinary experiences into Melbourne’s Southbank area.
Marmont officially opened its doors on 14 December and is now accepting bookings.
