Mecca

Ph: (03) 9682 2999; MR3, Mid Level, Southgate, SOUTHBANK 3006 www.mecca.net.au

Modern Middle Eastern, $$$, * for Food
Open: 7 days Lunch: noon-3pm, Dinner: 6pm-10.30pm, Closed: New Years Day, & Boxing Day, Good Friday; Licensed; Cards AE, BC, MC, V, Seats inside 70, Seats outside 50, Private rooms 12

Mecca Has CLOSED For Business

Mietta's Review
In one of the loveliest positions in Southbank, Mecca has become a high quality establishment with good and reliable service. Co-owner and chef, Kath Claringbold worked for Greg Malouf and her strongly Middle Eastern influenced cooking gets better with time. The wine list is very good and represents reasonable value. Mecca is one of the best Southbank destinations. In early 2003, the team of owners here also opened Meccah Bah and Livebait at the New Quay Promenade at Docklands. In late 2004 they added Meccah Bah in Brisbane.

Other published opinions

The Age John Lethlean 14/2/06 score 14/20 "The service is friendly and professional, but hardly engaging. The place is just too busy. Mecca is still a reasonably good dining experience, but the sights and ambitions have dropped from when Claringbold ran the kitchen. And it probably helps if someone else is flopping out the corporate card at the end, as was the case the night we dined - work groups poured from the terrace. The same terrace you can see so comprehensively on their website."

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 15/20, 1 Hat "mecca is where you turn when you crave modern Middle Eastern flavours in a polished setting. Let yourself be lulled by smooth, self-assured service"

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 Pre and Post Theatre "Cath Claringbold's Southbank spot is a Melbourne benchmark for Middle Eastern and North African fare."

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 15/20, 1 Hat "MECCA may have an elegantly simple interior with zig-zag bar and tapestried banquettes, but the balcony with views across the Yarra is the place to sit and take in Cath Claringbold's modern Middle Eastern dishes. Double-draped tables are close enough to catch neighbours' goss and check which shiraz they chose from the tip-top wine list - part of the appeal of this stylishly relaxed eatery."

The Foodies' Guide 2004, Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'A real favourite of ours;the balcony overlooking the Yarra and the city is perfect for settling in for the night.Cath Claringbold has created a modern Middle Eastern menu with dishes such as kibbe,mezze,brik and tagines.Leave room for Moorish dessert.'

The Age Good Food Guide 2004 1 hat, score 15/20, excellent wine list, excellent bar

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004,'terrific dishes which leave the palate tingling.It doesn't hurt that they're served in colourful pottery, either.The dining room, too, ia as attractive as ever, with cream banquettes, good river views and a reliably chi-chi crowd, especially on weekends.'

Vogue Entertaining & Traveller, March April 2003

Sunday Age, Eat Streets, 'Summer fresh', Dani Valent

Herald Sun, 25/1/03, Craig Sherborne

The Age, 24/11/02, Sunday Life

The Herald Sun, dining out, Stephen Downes, 16/4/02, Score 17/20