VenU restaurant

Reserve your table at our award-winning restaurant

Sit back and enjoy seasonal dishes prepared by our culinary students, and professional service from our hospitality and events students.

Book online

VenU is our student-run restaurant at Footscray Nicholson Campus. The industry-standard facility provides a simulated work environment for hospitality students to refine their skills under the guidance of our expert teachers.

In the past, VenU has been awarded Best Training Restaurant at the Restaurant and Catering Victoria Excellence Awards.

VenU restaruant interior. Inside are various decorated tables and chairs.
Student chefs preparing a dish. One is squeezing a piping bag.
Hospitality students standing in VenU restaurant, smiling at the camera
A salad dish prepared at VenU restaurant
A dessert cake prepared at VenU restaurant
VU student chefs standing behind a set of prepared dishes, smiling at the camera
Outside of the VenU restaurant looking in through the windows. The restaurant is illuminated with customers sitting at all of the tables.

Opening hours

We're open 10am—12pm Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays for coffee (excluding public holidays).

VenU offers mid-week lunch and dinner options with a changing menu that features a variety of dishes based around seasonal produce. Monday and Tuesday morning tea is also available, with coffee and cake. Operating dates and time below.

Special events & functions

VenU offers seated format dining with the option of hiring out a private function space. Contact us at [email protected] or 03 9919 8708 for function packages.

Special events such as Christmas in July, high teas, cocktail parties and student-led events are delivered throughout the year.

European farm-to-table buffet brunch & dinner series – 5 & 12 June 2024.

Book a seat for 5 June 

Book a seat for 12 June

High tea at VenU Restaurant – 19 June 2024.

Mouth-watering treats for all High Tea lovers.

Book a seat

Dining in the Dark – 19 June 2024.

A unique dining experience aimed to stimulate the senses. A fundraiser for the Fred Hollows Foundation.

Book a seat

Charity dinner – 27 June 2024.

A six-course degustation menu, paired with matching wines all prepared by guest chef Stuart McVeigh, Group Executive Chef of Pickett & Co.

Book a seat

Location

Level 1 Building D, Footscray Nicholson Campus
Corner of Nicholson and Buckley Streets, Footscray
Entrance via Albert Street

Find us on Google Maps

A map demonstrating where VenU restaurant is located in VU's Footscray Nicholson campus.
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A young man and woman in chef uniforms smile while adding sauce to a platter
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About the restaurant

VenU provides seasonal dishes prepared by our apprentice chefs, and professional service from our hospitality and events students.

The licensed restaurant features:

  • a main dining room that seats 100 guests
  • a function space for 50 guests
  • à la carte, café and bistro dining
  • menus featuring seasonal and local produce
  • a selection of local wines and craft beers.

Hot and cold drinks are available to order with lunch and dinner.Â