The European

The European reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. J

   John

   Melbourne1 review

   3.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 2

   A lovely room which unfortunately was overwhelmed by the volume of noise. We found it difficult to hear the service staff or our own guests, continually requesting all to repeat what was spoken. The menu was fine, as we're our meals...expensive, to be sure, but the meals were tasty and well presented. Remembering the old European we found the lack of consistency with which tables had or had not been covered in white table cloths seemed to denegrate the finness expected with a fine dining experience. We may have left with a headache but also left with contented stomachs.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. J

   Jamison

   South Australia3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 4, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Always an absolute delight. Quintessentially Melbourne. An absolute must on your Melbourne bucket list.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. R

   Robert

   Melbourne1 review

   5.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   A terrific evening celebrating our son’s birthday. Service, food & wine were outstanding. Great night!
   

   Is this helpful?

4. RG

   RozG

   Melbourne5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The European is one of the few top quality restaurants open for lunch and dinner on Sundays. It has a lovely French bistro ambience and the food and wine is always excellent. We had whole flathead served on a butter and caper sauce. The squeeze of lemon gave it great tang as well. We had pomme frites and a salad of radicchio, pear and pecorino. I had a sheep's milk cheese as my "dessert" and my friend had the plum and almond tart which was delicious. We love coming here before or after seeing a play or film. Close to trams and trains, this is the ideal CBD eatery.
   

   Is this helpful?

5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Victoria1 review

   3.0

   Dined on March 1, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   The meals were small and expensive for what we had. Very loud but good atmosphere. Good service.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. A

   Adinda

   Melbourne1 review

   5.0

   Dined on February 22, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Honestly nothing to fault for our dining experience here. Place was packed and busy but still top tier service. Our waiter was so friendly and made nice small chats, good wine recommendations. Albeit busy, food came through super quick. The tartare was beautiful, and charred octopus was tender and generous. Nice selection of non-alcoholic options as well! Absolutely loved it and looking forward to coming back here
   

   • 

   Is this helpful?

7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Melbourne2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 22, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Loved it. Service was prompt, efficient, and friendly.
   

   Is this helpful?

8. B

   Brian

   Victoria2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 18, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Oysters were freshly shucked and delicious, whole Flathead, beautiful but simply prepared and also freshly delicious. A wonderful experience. Can’t wait for a return visit.
   

   Is this helpful?

9. G

   Greg

   Melbourne6 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 16, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Very enjoyable evening Good food Good value Gggggg
   

   Is this helpful?

10. T

    Theresa VIP

    Chicago134 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on February 8, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2

    This was our first visit to The European. As pescatarians, we found the menu to be limited. Lots of meat options, however. We ordered the polenta chips, fish (Dory) main dish, the gnocchi. and broccolini. The chips, fish, and broccolini were very good. The pomodoro sauce on the gnocchi was disappointing, it did not taste fresh and was applied so heavily that it overpowered the gnocchi itself. There were a number of wines by the glass, but unfortunately not too many options for Australian and New Zealand wines. It was very noisy due to the pre-theatre crowd. Our server was friendly and attentive.
    

    Is this helpful?