A man accused of stomping to death university student Josh Hardy outside a McDonald's restaurant has appeared briefly in court.

Kyle Zandipour, who claims to be an investment banker, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday charged with murdering Mr Hardy in the early hours of Saturday, October 18.

The 28-year-old, wearing a grey suit and tie, smiled at his family as he was led into the dock.

Mr Hardy, a third-year arts student who lived at the University of Melbourne's Trinity College, died from head injuries sustained in the alleged attack.