Dinner and a movie has been the date to span the ages, and now we’ve got a new way to blend the two. FoMo Cinemas, a Blade Runner-themed movie theatre and restaurant has landed in Brunswick and it’s bringing the silver platter to the silver screen. 

Housed in the purpose-built East Brunswick Village precinct by Banco, FoMo Cinemas is the latest joint venture from Melbourne screen entrepreneurs, Barry Peak (Valhalla/Cinema Nova) and Natalie Miller AO (Longford Cinema/Cinema Nova), combining a long-held dream of the pair to combine the best of the silver screen with an elevated in-cinema food offering.

With a total capacity of 392 seats across six state-of-the-art theatres, FoMo will serve up some of the biggest films alongside a menu of comforting and delicious snacks, hot food, classic cinema fare, and deli sandwiches, all designed by head chef Darren Collier (Spitjack). 

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In talks with Collier, the chef notes some unique challenges associated with the concept. 

“One of the things that attracted me to the role at FoMo was the unique concept, especially unusual parameters and considerations for the food. I wanted the food to have a familiar cinema/fast food diner feel, while focusing on using fresh produce and making the food in house.

It’s important for me that the food is delicious but also clean, with considered flavours that stand up against other venues that provide something similar.

On top of that, the food has to be practical; easy to eat, makes little noise or mess and can be grappled with in the dark. These were the very specific and unique challenges of this environment.”

While Australians may be used to in-cinema food and dining thanks to Hoyts Lux theatres and Event Cinemas’ Gold Class, FoMo isn’t charging a premium price for the premium experience, with direct-to-seat ordering available via QR code for all patrons. 

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Don’t expect your usual Gold Class style at FoMo, however. Collier and his team have translated years of traditional restaurant training into the very niche demands of the on-demand dinner service.

“There is a standard restaurant style service that we base the kitchen on; someone stands at the pass and calls orders and each section has a responsibility to ensure they are prepped, ready and responding to the call. 

The kitchen is organised in a traditional restaurant fashion, however we also have an extremely high volume of orders at peak times, over 100 orders can come in the kitchen within 20 minutes.” 

Collier continues, “We still try to cook this to order, which can certainly increase the wait on orders going out. We are still trying to find that balance with what is achievable and what the customer expects, but we want to offer great quality food in a very challenging environment and will continue to push what is possible.”

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As for those handy gadgets, “Oh, and we also have a conveyor belt that runs behind the candy bar to send the food out.”

The future of cinema is looking bright in Melbourne and wider Australia, with a newly-opened, 11-screen Palace Cinema debuting in Moonee Ponds last year, and the IMAX drawing huge crowds since reopening in Sydney. 

If you’re heading to FoMo (that’s Food and Movies, not Fear of Missing Out) make sure you check the tram schedule – there’s no pre-movie ads to be found here, with the team instead opting to feature trailers and a custom reel that includes movie trivia, quizzes and classic movie moments; a celebration of the very ritual of cinema-going. 

Collier is not just working at the Brunswick theatre, he’s an enthusiastic cinephile too.

“When I think of watching something here, I get very excited about how it all comes together. Having the choice to watch your movie on the big screen, in a very luxurious seat while ordering locally produced drinks, food and candy; what’s not to be excited about?”

FoMo is open now at 5 Bluestone Wy, Brunswick East. Check session times and menus at the FoMo website here; fomocinemas.com.au

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