Melbourne’s steak scene has a juicy new contender—and it’s bringing vinyl and Wagyu, along with milk punch cocktails along for the ride.
Common Cuts has quietly opened on Russell Street, directly opposite the Old Melbourne Gaol, carving out a niche as a craft-led city grill that leans as heavily into atmosphere as it does into premium cuts.
A New Steakhouse Lands on Russell Street
The venue comes from Clove Group and lands somewhere between a classic steakhouse and a late-night listening bar, with DJs spinning vinyl from Thursday through Sunday.
Step inside and the mood eases you into the meal: deep burgundy walls, walnut timber tables and low, plush seating set the tone, while a long bar stretches down one side of the room. At the back, a dedicated DJ booth lined with records signals that this is a place to hang back at.
In the kitchen, owner Reki Reinantha teams up with head chef Anita Hermanto (Kisumé, Society) to deliver a menu built around high-quality cuts without the accompanying eye-watering price tags.
Steak frites start at $28.50—a rarity in Melbourne right now—while the top end features full-blood Wagyu and A5 Kumamoto for those looking to splurge. The team works closely with local suppliers including O’Connor Beef and Sher Wagyu, butchering in-house and cooking over a hibachi grill for a smoky, charred finish.
The product is a menu that balances accessibility with indulgence, from a 220g Margaret River Wagyu flank to a richly marbled M9+ scotch fillet.
(Un)Common Cuts Beyond The Steak
There’s a clear push to broaden the offering with dishes like squid ink tagliolini with Moreton Bay bug, a wagyu brisket lasagne layered with bone marrow and a sharply seasoned steak tartare served on toast. Even the burger leans premium, with the option to upgrade to A5 Wagyu if you’re feeling particularly decadent.
Behind the bar, things get playful. Drinks are led by Will Lozen (Rockpool, Aru), who has built a menu that swings between sharp, fruit-driven signatures and dessert-style pours. The “Resident DJ” mixes gin with plum and peach, while the “J City Pop” blends sake with melon and wasabi.
Then there’s the raved-after milk punch series—arguably the most unexpected part of the menu—featuring clarified cocktails inspired by desserts, from hojicha tiramisu to strawberry cheesecake and mango sticky rice.
The vinyl-led concept ties it all together, tapping into Melbourne’s long-standing love affair with music-driven venues, while giving the traditional steakhouse format a contemporary edge.
Common Cuts is now open at 380 Russell Street, with lunch running Thursday to Sunday and dinner service throughout most of the week.