Bistra

Name: Bistra
Address: 157 Elgin St, Carlton, AU-VIC, Australia, 3053
Telephone: (03) 9000 5607
Price range: $41 to $100
Rating: 4.9

4.9 (134)

$41 to $100

Australian

157 Elgin St, Carlton, AU-VIC 3053

Make a booking

2 people

23 May 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Neighbourhood gem
Charming

Bistra is an Australian bistro serving quality food and wine; our fare draws its influence predominantly from British, French and Italian cooking and technique, and yet it is quintessentially Australian. You can expect generous, memorable plates championing seasonal ingredients and an extensive list of wines.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Australian, Bistro
Hours of Operation
Mon, Wed, Thu 17:30–23:00 Fri, Sat 12:00–23:00 Sun 12:00–22:00
Phone number
(03) 9000 5607
Website
http://www.bistracarlton.com.au/
Dress code
Smart Casual

Location
157 Elgin St, Carlton, AU-VIC 3053
Area
Carlton
Cross Street
Rathdowne Street
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Private Room, Wheelchair Access

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Experiences

Set Menu (payment due at restaurant)
$95.00 - $120.00 per person
Multiple dates available
For tables of seven or more guests we offer a choice between the following three menus: Three Course 'Choice Of' Menu - $95 Per Person Four Course 'Choice Of' Menu - $120 Per Person Three Course Sharing Menu - $110 Per Person The three and four course 'choice of' menus are individually plated, whereby guests select from three entree and four main course options on the day. The pasta and dessert courses are set by the kitchen. The sharing menu is served down the middle of the table. When selecting your menu on the next page, please be aware that the whole group must participate in the same menu. Indicative Menus for Autumn 2025: Three-Course ‘Choice Of’ Menu: $95 Per Person Bread & butter to start, a choice of entrée and main course, and dessert set by the kitchen. Spinach & Ricotta Dumplings, Butter, Sage Chicken Liver Pâté, Traditional Accompaniments Squacquerone, Heirloom Zucchini, Honey, Herbs Cabbage Roll, Rice, White Bean Ragu, Tomato Sugo Sommerlad Chicken, Creamed Corn, Jus Porterhouse, Peppercorn Sauce Rainbow Trout, Roe, Buerre Blanc, Sorrel (+$10) Mains Served with Fries & Lettuce Vanilla Cake, Strawberries, Thyme Custard Four-Course ‘Choice Of’ Menu: $120 Per Person Bread & butter to start, a choice of entrée, a pasta mid-course set by the kitchen, a choice of main course, and dessert set by the kitchen. Spinach & Ricotta Dumplings, Butter, Sage Chicken Liver Pâté, Traditional Accompaniments Squacquerone, Heirloom Zucchini, Honey, Herbs Campanelle, Jerusalem Artichoke, Chestnut, Brown Butter Cabbage Roll, Rice, White Bean Ragu, Tomato Sugo Sommerlad Chicken, Creamed Corn, Jus Porterhouse, Peppercorn Sauce Rainbow Trout, Roe, Buerre Blanc, Sorrel (+$10) Mains Served with Fries & Lettuce Vanilla Cake, Strawberries, Thyme Custard Three-Course Sharing Menu: $110 Per Person A menu designed to share, served down the middle of the table. This comprises bread & butter to start, shared entrées and main course, and dessert set by the kitchen. Baked Scallops, Garlic and Parsley Butter Squacquerone, Heirloom Zucchini, Honey, Herbs Chicken Liver Pate, Traditional Accompaniments Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings, Butter, Sage Porterhouse, Peppercorn Sauce Rainbow Trout, Roe, Buerre Blanc, Sorrel Mains Served with Fries & Lettuce Vanilla Cake, Strawberries, Thyme Custard

What 134 people are saying

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

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.9Service
4.8Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

Melbourne
Australian
Inner City North
Best Overall
Inner City North
Best Food
Inner City North
Best Service
Inner City North
Good for business meals
Inner City North
Great for fine wines
Inner City North
Romantic
Inner City North
Good for special occasions
Inner City North
Australian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Bistra shines with "fantastic cooking" and "uncomplicated food," offering an "extensive, discerning" wine list. Patrons rave about the "warm and attentive" service and "cozy" ambience. The venue is praised as "one of the best in Carlton," perfect for both special occasions and casual meals. A must-visit for food enthusiasts!

134 Reviews

P
Patrick
Tampa7 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Casual formality. The service my wife and I experienced was some of the best service we have experienced in Melbourne - on par with Vue de Monde or Society, but much less pretentious. Both of our meals were excellently prepared. Check out the wine list. A solid selection of good wines without breaking the bank.
Is this helpful?
t
tom
Richmond6 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great little place. Snappy service. Probably underestimated the fact that the steak was JUST the steak on a plate. Maybe suggestion of some sides might have averted my dimness😏
Is this helpful?
C
Cheri VIP
Melbourne10 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is a little hidden gem, the service staff are very attentive and friendly. The food was excellent with very different and interesting ingredients. Good wine list and the pre dinner drink selection great. Would recommend but book ahead you wont be disappointed.
Is this helpful?
J
Jack
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 11 May 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Just brilliant. Thanks so much for looking after us.
Is this helpful?
S
Sav
Melbourne3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 7 May 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic as always. Staff are great Food and wine list excellent A must if you’re in the area.
Is this helpful?
L
Liz
London2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 May 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
If I could score bistra 100/10 I would. Every course seemed to get better and better. I would particularly recommend the starter special which was the French onion soup and was the best soup I’ve ever eaten. Steak was also brilliant and the vanilla cake for desert was *chefs kiss* Can’t wait to go back
Is this helpful?
S
Sarah
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 26 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our first time at Bistra and it definitely won't be our last. The food was absolutely incredible where the team have managed to compliment and accentuate the flavours of every single ingredient. We were after a bottle of wine but something different to what we usually offer. After discussing with our server, we ended up with a beautiful bottle that complimented everything we ordered perfectly. Loud noises were well absorbed, so it felt like there was restaurant ambiance but you weren't yelling to hear each other. Absolutely worth visiting.
Is this helpful?
A
Alexandra
San Francisco2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 7 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a beautiful experience at Bistra. Everything was perfect - the setting, service, food and atmosphere. The occasion was a special one, and the experience was elevated thanks to the wonderful service we had, and delicious food. Highly recommend and will be returning for sure.
Is this helpful?
CP
CarlanP
Sydney2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 5 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Classic Melbourne hospitality done right - fantastic, uncomplicated food combined with stellar service. The space is also designed so beautifully. It's cosy, but not cramped and was perfect for our table of four to enjoy a long lunch. Will be back again and again - even if it's just for the best vodka martini I've had in ages.
Is this helpful?
N
Nat VIP
London2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 2 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Just outstanding! Service=impeccable, wine=delicious and interesting, food=amazing ingredients, flawless prep, and just wonderful. I will be back! Particularly nice to talk to Joe--one of the co-owners--who is just a fantastic human being. Thank you!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bistra is rated 4.9 stars by 134 OpenTable diners.

Bistra does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

23 May 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

157 Elgin St, Carlton, AU-VIC 3053

Additional information

Cross Street
Rathdowne Street
Area
Carlton
Hours of Operation
Mon, Wed, Thu 17:30–23:00 Fri, Sat 12:00–23:00 Sun 12:00–22:00
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Australian, Bistro
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Private Room, Wheelchair Access

Website
http://www.bistracarlton.com.au/
Phone number
(03) 9000 5607

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Bistra

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Additional information

Gift card

Experiences

Set Menu (payment due at restaurant)

Menu

What 134 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Bistra restaurant rated?

Does Bistra offer gift cards?

Is Bistra currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information

Gift card