Common man is screening the footy with contactless ordering which makes it the perfect place to be! I had a Margherita pizza which was delicious. Friday night is usually heaving with the after work crowd making it super loud but given covid it’s much quieter now which is kind of nice as it means you can actually catch up with friends and hear each other!
Recent
Something possessed me to try a chicken salad at Common Man today which was kind of nonsensical as the purple patch area outside was serving frozen chambord cocktails and had fun lawn games set up. Nothing against my healthy salad but I’ll definitely be back for one of the cool events they run out there, perhaps bottomless brunch or outdoor trivia they seem to do these really well
Further update
I met some friends for lunch last week for a quick steak sandwich which absolutely hit the spot. It’s the second time I’ve had this here and not much has changed other then the presentation of the fries, consistently delicious!
Update
I met some friends here for diner as they were staying at the nearby Travelodge hotel. Having been only once before for dinner and that being during daylight savings it was quite a different experience on a dark night and decidedly more quiet.
I liked the look of two salads on the menu and the staff actually let me merge them which was quite yummy but the food took a long time to come. Having the shops open after dinner was very handy too
Original review
I used to work about three metres from this place so I've eaten here plenty of times. Recently I went to the ballet at the exhibition centre so popped in here for dinner prior. It's a good pre-show option as it's quick and nearby. We were told to order at the counter which I think was due to it being so close to Christmas and really busy as every other time I've been it's table service.
I had calamari and a house made iced tea both enjoyable. It was certainly a very popular venue of a Friday night
We came to The Common Man for their annual Superbowl party. With their prime location on the wharf, and their enclosed front garden is the perfect spot for themed events, especially when the weather is good. This year they held a tailgate style party with big screens, cocktails and an Americanthemed menu. We had some delicious beef brisket with cornbread and spicy beans. It was fantastic, but the brocollini was a strange choice, and I think something like coleslaw would have suited the theme better. We also chose chicken and waffles, and this was fabulous. Drenched in maple syrup, the chicken was crispy and spicy, and it was very tasty. The food was served in cardboard trays which is understandable considering it was an outside event.
Drinks were plentiful, staff were friendly and the vibe was electric as the crowd enjoyed the game. I would love to come back to enjoy a meal at their inside restaurant to see if the standard is still as good. Overall, it was a fun time.
The Common Man was the venue for our company Christmas party and it was one of the better venues we’ve attended for n recent years. Plenty of inside and under cover areas and sun worshipers were also catered for. They put on a food stations including a gourmet bbq with lamb cutlets, chicken skewers.
, fish and chips, pasta, roast beef rolls and roving canapés. Simple drink selection which is probably down to work than the venue but still plenty of beer and wine going down nicely. Gourmet gelato and sorbet and I was one happy foodie.
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Previous Review
The fact that The Common Man is opposite a temporary ice skating rink might be why it's made some move to embrace winter like many of the other bars in South Wharf tonight. Mulled wine, a central fireplace and plenty of heating seemed to bring the crowds in. There were cocktail special which is why we were there. Who doesn't like a $12 Absolut cocktail! We chose the Swedish Vanilla Mule which sure had a kick to it. The Absolut Pear Crumble had a cloudy Pear juice with popcorn topping and given how much I love cloudy Pear (and apple) juice it was a winner. Although we weren't dining we did check out the food on the table next door and the burgers looked really good. They have a lunchtime special which sounds good $29 for a main and drink... nice. It was quite an eclectic bar with a caravan, vertical garden wall, bricked out bar etc but it made for an interesting view from any vantage point.
We ordered the chicken Parma, schnitzel, spaghetti bolognese & common man Friday special - pork ribs. Food was delicious but my favourite was the chicken Parma! The chicken was juicy and crispy 👌🏻 Definitely coming back 🙂
Saturday lunch - shared some salt and pepper calamari and cauliflower deep fried - food was great, location was great, service friendly and attentive and beer was cold what's not to like. Happily go back anytime.
...and we're back! 2018 is upon us and with the new year comes refreshed determination to find Melbourne's best parma. We've got some interesting things in store for you this year that I am super excited about, so be sure to stay tuned!. I've got a bit of a love/hate relationship with South Wharf. There are some great stores, some fantastic restaurants & pubs and the formerly-Hilton-now-Pan-Pacific hotel overlooking it all is a great spot for a staycation in the city... However it lacks a soul. It all seems so sterile and inorganic that I have trouble willing myself to venture to that part of town.
Wheelchair accessible. All except the back portion indoors. Accessible bathroom available.
We came here for dinner on a 36 degree day. The set up of the restaurant is a high roofed open style warehouse. Basically, no Airton but you get natural wind in.
We were warm but it was comfortable.
Food was yum!
You go up to order at the bar. Food is brought out to the table. The staff would deliver drinks to the table where the guys weren't able to carry multiple glasses in their chairs. Really accommodating.
Not too much on food, but had a quick takeaway mocha after a shopping spree in the DFO and can't complain! Good service, not bad coffee. Can't say too much as we didn't get food!
Don't you hate it when you order som thing and have massive food envy with your husband. I struck gold when he found too much chilli in his sloppy joe. I switched my chicken burger with him quicker than you could say 'this is amazing potato salad' and had the time of my lunching life. I like my potato salad with gherkin but the celery gave it a nice crunch. He had the fries but whatevs, my potato salad was on point.
Doodiethefoodieblogger
+4.5
Great place to come out for a casual drink and some cheap eats. I had the soft shell crab tacos in the chicken tacos they were fantastic. Very relaxed environment
Everything about our sons wedding ceremony was perfect . The grassed area out the front of Common Man right on the water with the Melbourne skyline ( including blue sky on the day ) as the backdrop provided an exceptional place to have our sons wedding ceremony and take photographs. The Celebrant was a lovely young lady..Jess ( @weddingsbyjess ) who we would highly recommend. While the photographer was doing his thing we were well looked after with drinks and delicious platters that were served before the reception started at an adjoining venue. There was also live music which added to the atmosphere
The whole thing ran extremely smoothly .. it was relaxed but sophisticated at the same time and we thoroughly enjoyed oursleves
This bar is close to dfo. It has a large open room and some tables outside. You should order and pay at the cashier.
I ordered a burger and a latte. Latte is a little light to me. Burger is a Melbourne burger which is really big! The combination of beef and pineapple is so good! However, it is a little thick for me. But it is so delicious that I finished it all! Next time I will try their breakfast before 111:45.
Melbourne Epicurean Juror
+4
After checking out every eatery on South Wharf I finally settled at The Common Man and chose their Sausage Pizza (tomato, potato, pork & fennel sausage, rosemary, chilli) for $20 and I really enjoyed it (unusual when I'm personally not a great fan of pizza). The pizza was firm based without being dark brown around it's edges, the topping combination tantalized my taste buds. Table service was great - polite, friendly & efficient, but unfortunately kitchen service was a tad slow, my meal taking 25-30 minutes to be served after ordering with only 8 other customers being present - I wouldn't choose to eat there in their busier periods. Background music was at a suitable level to be heard over.
The Juror's Verdict: Food 4/5, Service Provision 5/5, Will I return: Yes, in due course.
Phill Jury (food critic & writer)
Gastrology recently explored the South Wharf Promenade on a gastronomic tour of six eateries. It was a delight to visit Melbourne’s oldest but newest riverside neighbourhood. The dining showcased the versatility of the dining precinct through the Progressive Dinner's five-course degustation which took us through the renowned Melbourne restaurants Akachochin, Bohemian, BangPop, Common Man and Meat Market.
Nice place and great location! Recommended!
Had just a coffee there and it was decent.
The ambience of the place is quite good, will definitely try more dishes next time!
Went for just a coffee, so cannot comment on the food. But the interior is good and the place is quite spacious, with a good high ceiling (something common in all the restaurants here).
The coffee? ... well it is just a Common man!
Great spot in the sunny weather with helpful friendly staff. Only movable downside was a dry brisket however the rest of the groups meals were fantastic. Great place for a weekend drink.
This is my local at the moment and I take my laptop and get some work done here at least once a week. The food is decent and the service very friendly - probably because I'm officially a regular now. I like the cruzy vibe, the fireplace and great location.
I had the chicken parma deal for lunch which was with a pot of beer and it was under $20. I liked that the chicken was quite thick and it was cooked nicely. The cheese was tasty as well. For the quality, price and the fact that it came with a beer, I don't think I could complain.
Quite a last minute quick decision and I'm glad we did. Lamb with harissa Babaganoush couscous and a delicious goats cheese pizza with pine nuts. Quick attentive and polite by the river. Pikes Mourvèdre Grenache Shiraz $86 good value by the river.
Coffee here has gone really bad. I think they changed brands or milk. It seems like instant coffee very watery and bitter. The food though, is excellent.
Delicious and not common at all food! Daily special - slow cooked lamb on gnocchi-, the slow cooked duck with truffle risotto and the beetroot arancini were amazing.
Very friendly and helpful staff.
Came here for lunch and enjoyed the Margherita pizza and a glass of wine. Staff were friendly and didn't rush us which was nice. Food tasted good though the base was a little doughy.
Overall it was good if not a bit expensive for what it is. Though kinda expected for the area.
I've been coming here for years now and I thought I would write my inaugural review about The Common Man.
If you want a traditional value type style of breakfast, give them a try. Service is always super friendly and efficient.
Also, $2 coffee during the week between 8am and 11am.
I have never eaten from the lunch or dinner menu so I can't comment but I'm sure it's great.
Give them a try.
Visited today for a light lunch, the pork belly was absolutely amazing! Will defiantly be going again, great friendly & fast service & bright atmosphere. Yum!
Great service, excellent food and value for money!!! Will come back for sure!!!
Dale Stewart (Noliwarts)
+4.5
On Tuesday night we decided to go to south wharf for dinner, the prices at restaurants vary a lot. We wanted something a bit cheaper and saw that The Common Man had $10 Pizzas and they looked lovely. It is a big place that has good decorations. We saw that there was Funky Bunch Trivia and we have done it a few times before in Mordialloc and is always fun. We had a group of six of us and thought it would be a good night, the staff was very accommodating and made space for us. For drinks i had a Doppelbock Beer and it is very malty and dark. It is always nice to try something different. Kim had a alcoholic Ginger beer and it tasted like normal ginger beer, could not taste the alcohol at all. She really enjoyed it. For mains i had a Lamb pizza with shredded lettuce, pumpkin and other bits and pieces. It was amazing, the crust was crispy and the meat was tender. I would go back for it Kim had the Vegetarian burger on Brioche bread and it was massive. I could not take many photo as the trivia had started. If you get caught playing with your phone you loose points and we could not afford to do that. The trivia lasted about 2 hours and they have games as well. It costs nothing and you can win prices, first, second and third get prizes and second last wins two bottles of wine. We really enjoyed the night and I don't agree with the negative comments Urban Spoon. We will be back. If you enjoyed my pictures or my blog please click on the Top 100 Blogs Australia and vote. Kind E-Gards Dale Stewart
Epicurean Of Southbank
+4.5
...I can actually truthfully say that The Common Man has lifted its game. Now I will not only think of it as a "fun" place but somewhere that I look forward to visiting again for food, drink and service.
Great dinner. Staff were fast, helpful and accommodating to our dietary requirements (grilled) not battered or crumbed what came out was fantastic. Well done.
Nice atmosphere, esp with the fireplace. Reasonable food and prices
Good setting, good burger, good price. I was getting ready to walk away from Common Man scoffing after I saw their chalkboard sign spruiking their Thursday special -- fish & chips for $20. That's bloody expensive for fush 'n chups, not working man's prices. But it was Wednesday when I strolled by. And Common Man sells their house burger and a pot of inoffensive ale for $15 on Weds. I was shut out of the burger I was hoping for at the Bridge -- bludgers close their kitchen at 7:30, another example of why the Docklands stink. So I pulled up a seat at Common Man.
What a great burger they made for that $15! The bun with multi-coloured sesame seeds was stacked high with meat and toppings. There was 200+ gm of nicely-cooked and still slightly blood-drippy beef. Bacon, beetroot, thick tomato slices... No egg, but that burger didn't need it. I ate one of the hyped burgers at Andrew's in Albert Park the week before and it wasn't bad -- a lot bigger than this one. But if I had to choose between that and Common Man's, I'd go Common, for taste, presentation and setting. So much nicer to sit by the water than at a picnic table next to a street full of cars and trams.
Pretty good. I went here for a work lunch, after reading the reviews on this site my expectations were low. I got the wagu burger and it was pretty damn tasty, it was a good size too, I was very satisfied after finishing it. A couple of work mates got the Palmer, which looked good, and they said that was tasty too.
Overall I'd have to say the 60% score this place currently has seems a bit low, I would be more than happy to come back for lunch some time.
The only negative I would put is some colleagues had to wait a bit for their meals, but there were about 40 of us, so that should pretty much be expected.
One of the best seafood linguini's I've ever had!!
Love it. Head down here often for breakfast and love the place. Fabulous set up, food and super friendly staff. Would definitely recommend a visit.
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