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Gilson, South Yarra, AU-VIC

Gilson

4.4
4.4
462 Reviews
$A40 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.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 70 times today
Experiences are available.

Dining areas

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

    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

  • Neighbourhood

    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, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • Large Group Booking Shared Menu

    A$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 DESSERT - Shared Tiramisu +5pp Please Note: a 15% service charge is applied on weekends and a 20% service charge is applied on Public Holidays.

What 462 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
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Inner South

    Hot spot

  • Inner South

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Inner South

    Lively

  • Inner South

    Most Booked

Sort by

  1. SimonC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    Food and service excellent. Very noisy, better for a younger demographic 25=35.

  2. Jenny

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Gilson was recommended to us and we weren’t disappointed. Food, drinks and service were outstanding! Plentiful serves meant we couldn’t fit in dessert which we will have to return for. Only downside was the noise level - had to shout to each other across he table to be heard.

  3. TammyL

    Gold Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food! This would be our favourite lunch time restaurant. Very authentic Italian food. Love it

  4. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    Lovely restaurant with terrific food and service. But it’s extremely noisy.

  5. MelissaH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Brilliant service Amazing food Great space Reasonably priced

  6. Chelsea

    Melbourne

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    My third time at gilson and the flavours seem to be different this time around - feels very bulk produced rather than fresh to order vibe. Don’t get the octopus they e changed it and it’s actually horrid :)

  7. HelenM

    Exclusive

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food1service2ambience3
    I come here often for coffee but had a very dissapointing sunday brunch with sourdough toast extremely difficult to cut through and a poached egg that was rock solid.

  8. RitaK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience3
    Amazing food! Great location, gives those Italian vibes!!

  9. SaltherGal

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Visiting from Sydney we had the best food we'd had for the whole weekend in Melbourne - and the other food elsewhere was great too. Superb ragu. Awesome salad with the carpaccio. Great wine list - reasonably priced..

  10. NatalieS

    Melbourne

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Food was great as always however service was a little slow & being hit with a 15% Sunday surcharge at the end is a bit annoying, this should really just be built into the normal prices to cover additional weekend wages.

  11. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience2
    Food was really poor, my partner left half of his meal. A steak was hard to chewed and was served with a salad, that was made with withered leaves. Calamari starter was awful too.

  12. Melbdining

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience2
    Foods overall was lovely, especially silly the pizzas although the music level was too extreme! And I’m a young person who enjoys music but my ears were ringing upon leaving the restaurant :( Also, the rocket salad that was served with the calamari was old! Wilted, dry and inedible.

  13. Ratto

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall2food3service3ambience3
    15% surcharge for a Saturday night on a 200$ meal. Yea no worries

  14. OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    3 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience1
    Didn’t realise there was a 15% service charge on a Saturday

  15. Roberttttttttttttt

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 25, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    Great antipasti, wine and service. Mains pasta (Linguine with Lobster & Chili) - No flavor and overpriced. Chef should taste it before sending out.

  16. Marci

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, service and atmosphere! Overall a great dinning experience

  17. MadeleineF

    Melbourne

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall3food3service1ambience1
    This is the second time I have dined at Gilson, the first time was really pleasant as we were able to get a table outside. For this occasion we had to sit inside and now i understand all the bad reviews on google for the service and the the NOISE, oh the NOISE!! I advise against sitting inside, it’s horrendous. It was so loud I had to cover my ears at times as I was becoming SO overstimulated and frustrated as I couldn’t hear my friend. Having to yell to have a conversation, and leaving with a sore throat is so unnecessary… how about some more sound proofing??? The food was average, as the many other reviews mention, it was all (and we ordered 4 dishes between 2 ppl) very oily and not particularly fresh or very tasty. Very good Italian food is all about simplicity, I struggle to understand how you get it so wrong. The service was absolutely insufficient at best. The wait staff were not attentive - which all your other reviews say. They are rude/dismissive and just honestly look bloody bored! I had to ask over 5 times to get SALT, and it didn’t work so I got up myself and took another shaker. Our water ran out, no top up, this is very basic stuff guys!! Quite laughable that you’re missing such simple things. You are on the premium side of casual restaurants in the area, and therefore charge modest prices, up your game - read your reviews and take note. Whomever does your marketing/recruiting/managing needs to be sacked because they aren’t utilising real customer experiences in the hundreds of reviews - resulting in your very poor score compared to your competitors. Lazy just honestly a turn off - would not return. Cheers!

  18. SummerL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    FOOD WAS AMAZING!!!! Ambient surrounding, wonderful service

  19. Steph

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 20, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    great food and a great restaurant to go back to a lot

  20. Sharon

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 18, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    food was very mid and nothing stood out. they kinda tasted bland and needed extra seasonings

  21. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    Lamb cutlet , was raw, pasta looked like it was canned food, and pasta was undercooked, asked for things , and never got them

  22. TZeats

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Usually would get a Pizza, but having an Italian with us we ordered a feast. Would recommend.

  23. MiaH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine, look no further than this restaurant. The ambiance is cozy and welcoming, and the food is absolutely delicious. The pasta dishes are especially noteworthy - each one bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. The waitstaff is friendly and attentive, and the prices are reasonable for the quality of the food. Highly recommended for a satisfying and satisfying meal

  24. OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Overall enjoyable food and atmosphere, can get loud but very cozy !

  25. PeterB

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 10, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    We really enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and beautiful food. It was a busy day and the lovely staff did their level best to look after us.

  26. LWazz

    London

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great meal, atmosphere and service.. nothing else to say 👍

  27. AndreaB

    Melbourne

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this place, customer service, food, ambiance, all excellent. Would definitely recommend, one of my favorites.

  28. SophieC

    Tropical QLD

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 3, 2023

    overall2food1service1ambience4
    Not a great experience, sad as my first experience was wonderful. Our table was forgotten about the entire evening, we chased several staff to pay our bill and to top it off there were several bones found in my lamb ragu pasta dish. I had this the previous time I came here and there wasn’t any hence why I chose to get it again!

  29. MJohno

    Melbourne

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We love the Gilson - can’t complain about anything!

  30. LeahG

    Melbourne

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience5
    The ambience was great. Food very good overall but value for money questionable. Flathead tail dish was in the menus mains list however exceedingly small and came with nothing accompanying. Left some of our party feeling hungry.

  31. OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    Honestly not worth the money. Poor quality food. Expected more

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Melbourne

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of my favourite restaurants. The food is fab and the waiters are so lovely.

  33. YumikoI

    Melbourne

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Very poor Service, poor food, poor ambience. Very disappointed.

  34. Stephani

    Detroit

    57 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Food was very good. Atmosphere very nice but very loud place. Great service.

  35. Copmb

    Victoria

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    overall3food5service1ambience3
    Delicious food, terrible service. Definitely best to sit outside.

  36. OpenTable Diner

    Amarillo

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely amazing food and service 10/10. We had a selection of food. All was amazing

  37. AngyL

    Victoria

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Our waiter was lovely, service great, food fabulous. Music slightly loud but bearable , not a fan of a $40 surcharge on a Sunday ( 15%) but will definitely be back on another day .

  38. AlixL

    Melbourne

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Good was fresh and beautiful. Drinks done stunning. And the vibes high.

  39. PETE

    Melbourne

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience2
    Gilsons was fine. OperTable was hopeless. Although my booing was confirmed by OpenTable twice by email, it did not register with Gilsons, so on arrival I had no booking, but email confirmation! Visit Gilsons with ear plugs, but book directly.

  40. LaurenT

    Melbourne

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great food and service. Was a bit loud and can’t believe they only have one female toilet!!

FAQs

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

Gilson is rated 4.4 stars by 462 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 70 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Gilson

171 Domain Rd, South Yarra, AU-VIC 3141

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street

    Park Street and Anderson Street

  • Neighbourhood

    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, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

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

  • 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.

  • Private party contact

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

Featured in

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