II.II.VI

Melbourne’s Flinders Lane is no stranger to bold openings, but few spark curiosity quite like the city’s latest addition: II.II.VI (read: Two-Two-Six). From the minds behind Ministry of Crab, this immersive, fire-fuelled restaurant is redefining contemporary Australian dining—one flame-kissed dish at a time.

Tucked beneath the historic Invicta House, II.II.VI pays homage to its address with a Roman numeral moniker and an ancient approach to cooking: fire. Here, everything—design, technique, and flavour—is rooted in flame. Guests enter through a dramatic tunnel beneath a striking bull sculpture, stepping into a moody subterranean world where primal elements meet polished finesse. Think: plush oxblood leather, deep blue feature stone, Deco-inspired lighting, and a centrepiece bar that commands the front lounge.

The 115-seat space marks the next chapter for Melbourne-based restaurateurs Harsha Kumarasingha and Jayantha Warnakula of H&J Restaurants. Their vision was to channel the elemental beauty of fire and express it through a refined lens suited to Flinders Lane’s ever-evolving dining landscape. With a custom Parilla grill, robata, and charcoal oven fuelling the kitchen, flame isn’t just a feature—it’s the foundation.

At the helm is Executive Chef Kerry Lam (Koko at Crown, Calia Group) alongside Head Chef Haitham Richani (Gradi Group, Barmah Park). Together, they draw inspiration from Japanese robata, South American asado, and Basque flame-cooking, bringing together bold flavours with global flair and technical precision. Carefully sourced produce from Romaro Farm, Mount Zero, Westholme, and Mayura Station underpins every dish, ensuring quality and sustainability sit front and centre.

Before the full dining experience launches later this month, II.II.VI is teasing diners with a bar menu that showcases its fire-first approach. Highlights include freshly shucked oysters with lime mignonette and tosazu jelly, cast iron bread—blistered and smoky—served with olive oil butter; Glacier 51 toothfish with champagne sauce; premium Australian steaks from Westholme and Mayura; and a native twist on nostalgia with a Davidson plum chocolate mousse.

The atmosphere? Intimate, cinematic, and charged with energy. Designed by Air Studio, II.II.VI transforms its former silk factory surrounds with a tactile palette of leather, stone, and steel, while soft lighting and deep hues create a space that feels like an exclusive underground supper club.

Open from Wednesday to Saturday, 5pm until midnight, II.II.VI isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a ritual. A descent into fire, flavour, and finesse. Melbourne, get ready to feel the heat.

Location: 226 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000

Phone: (03) 9092 5226

Link: https://www.226.au/