La Madonna unveils Melbourne’s only all-caviar degustation
Melbourne’s French-Italian La Madonna restaurant is giving diners a reason to reach for the pearls, both on the plate and styled for the evening, with the launch of Caviar After Dark, Melbourne’s only degustation menu dedicated entirely to caviar.
Available for a limited time, the five-course experience places premium caviar at the centre of every dish, with a menu by Michelin-trained executive chef Jacopo Degli Esposti offering an elegant exploration of flavour, texture and technique.
Each course heroes the nuance of Anna Dutch Caviar, a premium, sustainably-produced black caviar, ranging in flavour profile from the Baerri Caviar, delivering a strong, classic flavour suited to caviar lovers, to the Oscietra Caviar, which delivers a smoother profile.
Highlights on the menu include bluefin tuna tartare brightened with basil coulis and topped with Anna Dutch Baerii caviar, and a winter-warming spaghetti generously finished with caviar and lemon butter, while dessert creatively incorporates house-made negroni caviar spherified from La Madonna’s own barrel-aged negroni, presented in an oyster shell.
“This new, limited-time menu is perfect for foodies looking to indulge in a little bit of luxury and uniqueness yet with familiar flavours, while still enjoying an intimate, welcoming and approachable restaurant setting,” Degli Esposti said.
The menu was shaped in collaboration with caviar expert Glenn De Leonardo, whose deep understanding of provenance, sustainability and flavour has informed the selection and presentation of the Anna Dutch range throughout the degustation.
"Caviar is a product where quality and traceability genuinely matter," De Leonardo said. "Working with one of the world's best producers in Anna Dutch Caviar, and seeing the time, technique and origin story of the caviar translated into a menu like this, where caviar is truly the hero across every course, is something very special."
Set within the striking surrounds of La Madonna, located on level three of Next Hotel Melbourne, the experience leans into the restaurant’s balance of elegance and warmth, where polished dishes meet a more relaxed, European-style hospitality.
Caviar After Dark will be available 5:30pm-9:30pm Tuesday-Saturday from 12 May until 31 July, 2026, for $220 per person, with optional wine pairing for $110 per person.
For more information about Caviar After Dark and reservations, visit lamadonna.com.au/specialoffers/caviar-after-dark/
Caviar After Dark Menu
Amuse bouche
Oyster Raviolo
Leek velouté, caviar
Tuna, Basil, Caviar
Australian bluefin tuna tartare, ‘Anna Dutch Baerii Caviar’, basil coulis
Spaghetti au Caviar
“Gragnano IGP” spaghetti, “Anna Dutch Baerii Caviar”, lemon butter
Marron, Celeriac, Caviar
Champagne sauce
Oyster (Chocolate) Shell & Negroni Caviar
About La Madonna Restaurant & Bar
Nestled on level three of Next Hotel Melbourne in the city’s Paris end, La Madonna is a modern French-influenced Italian restaurant that blends refined technique with the simplicity of quality produce. The menu features standout dishes like scampi cappelletti, wild fish carpaccio, and caviar spaghetti, alongside a 150+ bottle wine list. Set against a backdrop of moody lighting, curved banquettes and a striking gold chain chandelier, La Madonna offers a warm yet elegant dining experience suited to every occasion, from quick bites to milestone events. lamadonna.com.au
