Meet Marlowe: Fish Lane’s Newest Addition with a Nostalgic Twist

Fish Lane has just welcomed a brand-new fixture, and trust us, you’ll want to be first in line to say hi. Now open for lunch and dinner, the crew behind Rick Shores, Norté, Sueño, Southside and Central have opened Marlowe, an elegant Australian bistro with a big heart.

Set inside a gorgeous 1938 heritage building (the old Merivale Flats), Marlowe channels old-school charm with intimate dining rooms, cosy bar corners, and a vibe that feels like dropping by a friend’s house…if your friend happens to be a class-act chef. The team has carefully preserved the building’s Art Deco grace by simultaneously restoring statement details and upscaling the luxury on offer with layers of walnut timber and polished chrome.

Marlowe isn’t just one room either; it’s a whole experience across two levels. Expect cosy nooks for date nights, roomier tables for group celebrations, and four enclosed sunrooms that have been transformed into dreamy little hideaways for two. Upstairs, a terrace with its own bar looks out over Fish Lane, perfect for impromptu drinks or spontaneous walk-ins.

If you’re wondering what’s on the menu, rest assured that Head Chef and Co-Owner Ollie Hansford is serving up nostalgic comfort food with a modern twist. That’s everything from prawn cocktail tartlets to yabby-topped surf & turf, and a rhubarb trifle that’ll take you straight back to Sunday lunches when you were still at the kids’ table. And if that’s not piquing your interest, they also have a custom-built woodfire hearth and a raw bar where you can watch oysters being shucked before they hit your plate.

And to wash it down? Try choosing from a 200-strong wine list championing the best of Australia (with a cheeky nod to Champagne), plus nostalgic cocktails like the Marlowe Martini, where Tasmanian gin meets macadamia-infused Oloroso.

Warm, generous, and a little bit nostalgic, Marlowe is all about good food, great drinks, and creating memories. Now open Thursday to Saturday for dinner from 5pm-9pm and Tuesday to Saturday for lunch from 12pm-3pm, Marlowe always has room for one more.

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