Docklands chef builds on family legacy with Latin steakhouse success

A Docklands chef with deep Colombian roots is carving out a name for himself in Melbourne’s hospitality scene, with his Latin-inspired steakhouse earning growing recognition less than a year after opening.

Juan Berbeo, owner and chef of Berbeo Bar & Grill on Merchant St in Docklands, says the journey to opening his own venue has been years in the making, shaped by family tradition, hard work and a determination to build something meaningful in Australia.

Mr Berbeo grew up in Colombia in a family with more than 50 years of culinary tradition, where food was central not only to daily life, but to the way people connected.

“I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember, long before I ever thought about becoming a professional chef,” he said.

After moving to Australia, he started again from the ground up, learning the local industry while adapting to a new country and language. Over time, he built experience in some of Melbourne’s best-known kitchens, including Rockpool and MoVida, before finishing his final role as head chef at Pastuso.

Those years, he said, were crucial in shaping his approach to hospitality, leadership and quality.

Mr Berbeo and his team eventually took the leap into their own business, first launching a Colombian street food concept aimed at introducing traditional flavours from Colombia to a wider Australian audience. That early venture helped them grow a following and gain recognition, including media coverage in both Australia and Colombia.

In June 2024, they opened Berbeo Bar & Grill in Docklands, marking a major shift in concept.

The venue is now positioned as a Latin-influenced steakhouse, centred on premium cuts, fire cooking and a casual but refined dining experience, while still staying true to its Colombian roots.

One of the things Mr Berbeo told Docklands News that he was most proud of was the restaurant’s direct relationship with Sher Wagyu, which he says gives the team full confidence in the quality of the product being served.

The restaurant has already begun attracting broader attention. Berbeo Bar & Grill has been listed in the Good Food Guide, where it received a score of 14 out of 20, and was also featured in Qantas’ in-flight magazine as one of the places serving one of the best steaks in Australia.

For Docklands, the story is another sign of the precinct’s growing food identity, with local operators continuing to invest in distinctive hospitality experiences rather than generic dining offers.

Mr Berbeo is also candid about the pressures of running a business, saying the work takes resilience, long hours and constant effort.

But he says the commitment remains strong.

“We’re putting everything we have into this project, and we’re committed to growing, improving, and building something meaningful within the Australian hospitality scene,” he said.

As Docklands continues to evolve, Berbeo Bar & Grill is helping show how personal stories, cultural heritage and local ambition can come together on the plate.

Berbeo Bar & Grill is located at Shop 7/850 Collins St (main entrance on Merchant St). •