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Gilson, South Yarra, AU-VIC

Gilson

4.4
4.4
291 Reviews
$40 and under
Italian
Top tags:

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.

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9:00 pm
Booked 45 times today
Experiences are available.

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Breakfast, Pizzeria

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon–Fri, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (03) 9866 3120

  • Website

    http://www.gilsonrestaurant.com.au/

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive Chef

    Andy Lockyear

  • Catering

    Gilson's main dining room can on occasion be exclusively hired for events.<br />Weddings, birthdays, corporate events, fashion showings, engagements.<br />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.

  • Private party contact

    info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au: (03) 9866 3120

  • Location

    171 Domain Rd South Yarra, AU-VIC 3141

  • 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

Experiences

  • Large Group Booking

    $65.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Bookings of 8+ TO START - Antipasti & Wood Fired Flat Bread MAIN - Selection of Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta SIDES - Iceberg, Radicchio & Herb Salad , French Fries with Aioli DESSERT - Shared Tiramisu +5pp

What 291 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Inner City South

    Hot Spot

  • Inner City South

    Most Booked

Sort by

Filters

  1. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing food

  2. MJ

    MoniqueJ

    Melbourne

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food2service3ambience1

    Went to Gilson for lunch, and very disappointed. Asked what the market fish was and told maybe flathead tails, I will check and the waiter never came back. The fries were under cooked. It was over priced for what it was. Very noisy. Make sure you sit side by side or outside. We are locals and won’t be going back in hurry.

  3. S

    Suzie

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a great night out!

  4. c

    cathyb

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Brilliant as always. Delicious fresh food, beautifully prepared . Thank you

  5. Z

    Zafi

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 13 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Gilson is an amazing restaurant! The food is fantastic, the staff are lovely! Would recommend to anyone.

  6. CK

    CrystalK

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 11 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a wonderful night at the Gilson, the food is just delicious. I would recommend everything on the menu, especially the prawn pasta, argh, the burrata, flatbread and mushroom pizza. They also had some new wines I hadn’t tried before and they were perfect.

  7. UM

    UrshM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love this place...oufff - always so authentic and tasty! The cacio di pepe pasta is the best..

  8. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    7 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience5

    Feeling like the calibre of service is rapidly declining. Quality of food is always wonderful, but I found wait staff to be non attentive and not particularly friendly.

  9. PK

    PeterK

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 June 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience2

    My partner and I were looking forward to this special occasion. The noise was outrageous particularly from two groups of patrons practically out of control. I thought, well perhaps, this was just bad luck. The final straw was both of us waking up with upset stomachs. We asked to settle the bill, we were told somewhat abruptly by our waiter that they were on a break. Another staff member said they would get the bill to us. This did not happen. We had to ask again. I’ve never before written a review here nor made a complaint. I will not return nor recommend Gilson to my friends. 400 bucks for deafening noise and bad food, no thank you. Peter

  10. BS

    BrandonS

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 June 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Food was great, the restaurant had a good vibe about it. The flat bread was fantastic along with the buratta. Lamb rugu pasta, pepperoni pizza and lamb cutlets were great too.

  11. E

    Emma

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We loved our meal and the service was excellent. They were very accommodating with our special requirements too.

  12. MC

    MariaC

    Sydney

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 2 June 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Great food, good service, would definitely recommend, but noise level is very high

  13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 May 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience2

    Food wise was amazing, service was decent too but the music was so loud that I couldn’t really hear my partner talk! Besides that would definitely recommend!

  14. EZ

    ElenaZ

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 29 May 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    Very tasty food, price is good, just inside a bit too noisy.

  15. BP

    BecP

    Melbourne

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Food was incredible and the staff were lovely, but only attentive, but made our table of four plus baby, feel very welcome in amongst an energetic Friday night crowd!

  16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 27 May 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    All the staff were great and so attentive!

  17. ML

    MLucci

    Melbourne

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    After reading some negative reviews, I dined at Gilson's with an open mind and was truly wowed! The service was quick and friendly, the food was delicious and fresh, no long waiting times for food to arrive in fact it all came at a very reasonable time. Our waiter who I think may have been the manager, was polite and friendly. I dined with 2 friends on a Thursday night and to my surprise full house busy and bustling which I thought the staff would not keep up but I was pleasantly surprised at how all the staff worked really hard with a smile. Highly recommend !!!

  18. BT

    BevanT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 May 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Always an enjoyable venue for a quick lunch or early dinner. The staff are excellent

  19. B

    Benn

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 May 2022

    overall4food4service2ambience5

    Lovely food, however they did miss something in our order.

  20. a

    aliciam

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    One of the best meals I’ve ever eaten food was so so nice and so was drinks

  21. SD

    StephanieD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Hands down, best restaurant in Melbourne! The food was immaculate, the serve was great, the owner was awesome. Nothing to fault!

  22. E

    Elle

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Can't go wrong! Great service and food as always!

  23. S

    Siennar

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful layout and kind staff ❤️ Appreciated the birthday candles!

  24. DH

    DanielaH

    Melbourne

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It is a nice restaurant, amazing food the steak was so good 😊. Hardly recommended!!!

  25. J

    Jeffrey

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 May 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    The food ambiance and service were very good. We had a great evening.

  26. A

    Arexa

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 May 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    Went there for lunch, food was delicious. Can’t wait to go back. The only thing which isn’t a complaint, they did take a while to bring our menus. Other than that, highly recommend.

  27. M

    Mungo

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 May 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    Everything excellent from greeting to leaving, except the noise level which was, for us, too loud, the music and the other patrons just made it hard to have a conversation.

  28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great food , service etc a little too noisy ( music )

  29. SF

    ShaunF

    Melbourne

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 May 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    It was an enjoyable evening. Unfortunately I reacted a little to the pasta meaning it is unlikely to be home made. I didn't ask this in advance so its my fault

  30. KB

    KaniezB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Booking was easy. Inside was noisy so we sat outdoors. Service was prompt and good. Food excellent!!

  31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 April 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience3

    We were told we had 20 mins left on our table after our food just arrived and we were 1 hour into the booking

  32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Get the lobster pasta!

  33. E

    Ellate

    Melbourne

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 April 2022

    overall3food2service3ambience3

    Wasn’t worth the hype. Basic food, expected better.

  34. C

    Cath

    Melbourne

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 April 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Always good food and service at Gilson. Good value for money

  35. a

    amotherofpearl

    Melbourne

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our lunch was outstanding. Food was standout and suited both adults and kids

  36. SW

    StevieWalls

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 April 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Great space and ambience. Delicious food, good wine and great staff. We had a great time in there. Cacio e pepe was tasty AF.

  37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 12 April 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Beautiful food, lovely outdoor atmosphere, great staff and service. Hard to fault this place on any of that, other than pricing (it’s a bit much for what you get, but I suspect it’s a location thing?). Inside was cluttered with seating and very loud so we requested outdoor at the last moment, and were happily accommodated. Definitely will return.

  38. CK

    CrystalK

    Melbourne

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 8 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food is just superb! We enjoyed the most delicious tomato fettuccine and prawn tagliatelle. The burrata was amazing also along with the wine. There is a great vibe in a there and a nice feel. Highly recommend.

  39. RL

    RogerL

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 April 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    Someone once told me the only time to eat greens is while you're waiting for your steak to cook. This held true for 38 years until I ate at Gilson. What a joy the greens were. Broccolini, brilliant. Zucchini, zesty. Tomatoes, totally tasty. But then the steak came out....and WOW, Juicy, cooked medium rare to perfection. Melt in your mouth Porterhouse that got even better with a big swill of Shiraz. Rockpool who? Steak this good makes me wish vegetarians could just give beef one more shot. This was a business meal and we have an intricate ratings system for our work lunches. This is the first resturant we've tried that has achieved 10/10 status. Not only was the food simply brilliant but the staff were amazing (I'm sorry I can't remember her name but she was wonderful; friendly and helpful!). The vibe is bang on and had it not been for a client meeting we had to go I would have settled in for the afternoon and sunk a few more bottles of vino. Bravo Gilson, bravo!

  40. DJ

    DianaJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolutely delicious food and amazing service. We will definitely be back!

FAQs

Gilson does offer delivery in partnership with Deliveroo. Gilson also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (03) 9866 3120.

Gilson is rated 4.4 stars by 291 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9:00 pm
Booked 45 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Gilson

171 Domain Rd South Yarra, AU-VIC 3141

Additional information

  • Cross Street

    Park Street and Anderson Street

  • Area

    South Yarra

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon–Fri, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 pm

  • 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

  • Website

    http://www.gilsonrestaurant.com.au/

  • Phone number

    (03) 9866 3120

  • Catering

    Gilson's main dining room can on occasion be exclusively hired for events.<br />Weddings, birthdays, corporate events, fashion showings, engagements.<br />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.

  • Private party contact

    info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au: (03) 9866 3120

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