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Gilson, South Yarra, AU-VIC

Gilson

4.5
4.5
683 Reviews
$40 and under
Italian

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 73 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Lively
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for outdoor dining
Nestled within the Domain Road enclave in South Yarra with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens sits Gilson.

Gilson’s intimate dining room is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week and caters for large groups and private dining events.

Gilson offers an all day menu focusing on Italian cuisine and seasonal flavours.

A neighbourhood favourite due to its relaxed setting, friendly staff, fabulous drinks list and dishes such as the ‘avocado bruschetta’ for breakfast, the ‘Seafood Linguine' for lunch or dinner, and a 'tiramisu' for dessert.

Wood fired pizza is also available for lunch and dinner cooked in the custom built oven.

Gilson's brunch service is available for walk-ins with reservations available from midday.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $40 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Breakfast, Pizzeria
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (03) 9866 3120
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Andy Lockyear
  • Catering
    Please contact our helpful events team info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au
  • Private party facilities
    Our upstairs light filled private dining room overlooks the tree tops providing the perfect venue for your next seated or standing event.With its own private balcony and open fire place the space lends itself to events all year round. An intimate and flexible space. For details and enquiries visit our website.
  • Area
    South Yarra
  • Cross Street
    Park Street and Anderson Street
  • Parking details
    Street parking is available on Domain Road, Birdwood Avenue and Park St. Also available on surrounding streets.
  • Entertainment
    Borrow our bocce set and play in the sunshine on the bocce court across the road.Gilson is located walking distance to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Moonlight Cinemas and the National Gallery of Victoria.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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Experiences

  • $65pp Classics Shared Group Menu

    Multiple dates available
    Bookings of 8+ feast on our favourite dishes from our antipasti, pizza and pasta menu. Reserve your spot now and let the fun begin. TO START - Antipasti & Wood fired flat bread MAIN - Selection of wood fired pizza & pasta SIDES - Iceberg, radicchio & herbs, fries Choose to add shared tiramisu on the day +$5pp Please Note: a 15% service charge is applied on weekends and a 20% service charge is applied on Public Holidays. This offering can be tailored to accomodate all dietary requirements. Please make a note of dietaries at the time of booking.
    $65pp Classics Shared Group Menu photo
  • $85pp Premium Shared Group Menu

    Multiple dates available
    Bookings of 8+ experience a feast of our flavour packed favourites with fun and relaxed dining. TO START - Wood fired flat bread, Antipasti, Calamari fritti MAIN - Cacio e Pepe, Pappardelle w. Lamb Ragu, Dry-aged Porterhouse SIDES - Iceberg, radicchio & herbs, Fries DESSERT - Tiramisu Please Note: a 15% service charge is applied on weekends and a 20% service charge is applied on Public Holidays. This offering can be tailored to accomodate all dietary requirements, please make a note of these at the time of booking.
    $85pp Premium Shared Group Menu photo

What 683 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Melbourne

    Most Booked

  • Inner City South

    Great for brunch

  • Inner City South

    Child-friendly

  • Inner City South

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Inner City South

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Gilson offers a vibrant dining experience with "absolutely delicious food" and "excellent service." Popular for group gatherings, it boasts a diverse menu, including standout wood-fired pizzas and fresh salads. While some find it "a bit noisy," the lively atmosphere and attentive staff create a memorable setting for special occasions and casual outings alike.

683 Reviews
  1. Sylvie

    Tasmania

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Paced to perfection. Top team. Crisp and delicious small plates.

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  2. Vicky

    Melbourne

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great except for the public holiday surcharge of $30

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  3. Sarah

    Victoria

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 October 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    We were very disappointed with the service on Sunday 27 October from start to finish. We were ignored and left waiting to be seated at 6.45pm then had to get the attention of staff multiple times to order food, to order to drinks and finally to get the bill. We had to initiate everything and the staff clearly showed in their reactions that they were too busy to assist and brushed us off without any explanation or apology. To be perfectly honest, I have never had such terrible service in Melbourne restaurants and cafes. We felt invisible, ignored and a bother to the staff! Perhaps Gilson was short staffed on Sunday night and overwhelmed with the service? However, they should have told us or just said something along the line of … ‘we apologise for the delay, we are busy but will attend to you shortly’. I brought friends from the USA and it was embarrassing to have to apologise to them for the dining experience. Needless to say they asked me about leaving a tip and I said absolutely not!

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 October 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    Way too many tables and not enough staff! We had to flag down a waiter after sitting for 30 mins without anyone coming over to take our order. Wrong food was delivered and staff were not friendly at all

    Is this helpful?

  5. Alan

    Melbourne

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 October 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    We walked out after being seated for 20 minutes with no one serving us, staff would walk past and you'd ask to take an order to be told that you have to wait for your server. Understand it's a cramped restaurant but the outdoor seating was pretty much on top of each other to the point you couldn't have a conversation. That strip of restaurants has become very basic.

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  6. Sandy

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 26 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We love Gilson for the delicious, fresh food and excellent service. Never had a bad experience there. However we were really taken aback that we were charged a whopping 15% weekend surcharge on a Saturday. We are happy to pay the already high prices for the above standard service and food, however the surcharge makes it ridiculously expensive. Restaurants have always been open on weekends, in fact that is probably their most busy and lucrative time. Why do us customers all of a sudden have to pay a “penalty” for visiting on weekends???

    Is this helpful?

  7. Louisa

    Melbourne

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 October 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was amazing. Ambiance was amazing and vibey. Entrees was mid. Pastas we’re delish

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jamie

    Melbourne

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 25 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Always love the food, sat outside on the benches up the top, seats weren’t the comfiest, found my self slouching heaps. But nothing to complain about really

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  9. Patrick

    Sunshine Coast

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Good experience. The acoustics are such that it is quite noisy (a bit more than it should be) but overall a good place for lunch

    Is this helpful?

  10. Elizabeth

    Adelaide

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 16 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Lovely staff, nice wines on offer. Antipasto options are delicious is a little pricey

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Gilson offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (03) 9866 3120.

Gilson is rated 4.5 stars by 683 OpenTable diners.

Gilson 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
7:00 pm
Booked 73 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Gilson

171 Domain Rd, South Yarra, AU-VIC 3141

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Park Street and Anderson Street
  • Area
    South Yarra
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $40 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Breakfast, Pizzeria
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street parking is available on Domain Road, Birdwood Avenue and Park St. Also available on surrounding streets.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Andy Lockyear
  • Entertainment
    Borrow our bocce set and play in the sunshine on the bocce court across the road.Gilson is located walking distance to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Moonlight Cinemas and the National Gallery of Victoria.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (03) 9866 3120
  • Catering
    Please contact our helpful events team info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au
  • Private party facilities
    Our upstairs light filled private dining room overlooks the tree tops providing the perfect venue for your next seated or standing event.With its own private balcony and open fire place the space lends itself to events all year round. An intimate and flexible space. For details and enquiries visit our website.
Gift card

Gift card

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

Send a gift card
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