Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton opens with local-inspired dining at Fico

The newly opened Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton has brought fresh life to a prominent corner of Lincoln Square, a site that had sat dormant for several years. In this case, the wait appears to have
paid off.

Positioned on the corner of Swanston St, the hotel is a collaboration between IHG Hotels & Resorts and Pelligra, offering a new take on hospitality in Carlton while overlooking the greenery and daily rhythm of Lincoln Square. The setting gives guests a front-row seat to one of Melbourne’s more picturesque inner-city parks.

The 107-room hotel features a curated collection of artworks, including Indigenous pieces, helping ground the space in local context and cultural reference. Alongside its accommodation offering, the hotel also includes function and event spaces, a fully equipped gym, and its signature restaurant and bar, Fico.

Named after the Moreton Bay fig trees that frame Lincoln Square, Fico draws directly on Carlton’s Italian identity while interpreting the neighbourhood’s traditions through a more contemporary lens. Facing onto the park, the venue is filled with natural light and leafy outlooks, creating an open and welcoming dining room.

The menu has been built around locally sourced produce, with ingredients prepared in-house and shaped by seasonal Victorian offerings. From farmers and butchers to distillers, there is a clear focus on supporting local producers.

Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton general manager Anna Marie Lennon said the team had been central to shaping the venue’s identity.

“Our colleagues create a vibe, they are essential to creating the overall guest experience,” she said.

That values-led approach is evident in the tone of the hotel, with a sense of welcome carrying from reception through to the restaurant floor.

In the kitchen, executive chef Patrick Chung and food and beverage manager Chris McNally have worked closely to bring the concept to life. Open 24 hours a day, the kitchen has been positioned as the heart of the venue.

Attention to detail runs through the menu, from refining the right shoestring fries with truffle oil and parmesan to shaping traditional potato gnocchi with sage burnt butter using techniques drawn from the owners’ Italian family heritage.

The broader result is a menu that feels confident without being overly complicated. Dishes range from roasted chicken with plum purée and tarragon jus to barramundi cooked over fire with caponata, pickled green olive and capers.

Fico also leans into a little theatre. A vermouth trolley offers a curated drinks experience, while the scroppino, made tableside with lemon gelato, prosecco and limoncello in large silver bowls, adds a lively finish to the meal.

Looking ahead, a rooftop bar and pool are expected to open in time for summer, adding another layer to the precinct and broadening the appeal of the venue for both hotel guests and locals.

Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton is located at 701 Swanston St, Carlton. •