I had an outstanding dinner at Gimlet and it was one of those experiences that reminds you why Melbourne’s dining scene is so highly regarded. From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere felt warm, sophisticated and effortlessly inviting. The room has a buzz without being too noisy, and it strikes a perfect balance between elegance and fun. The cocktails are an absolute must and deserve special mention. I ordered an Old Fashioned, and it was genuinely one of the best I’ve ever had… perfectly balanced, smooth, and clearly made by someone who truly understands the craft. Beyond the classics, the bar team are incredibly knowledgeable and happy to tease you with suggestions from their extensive and creative drinks list, which makes the experience even more enjoyable. The food was equally impressive. I started with the zucchini flower, which was beautifully executed and full of flavour. The country sourdough was excellent, well textured, and dangerously easy to keep eating. The duck liver parfait was rich, indulgent, and perfectly balanced, exactly what you hope for from a dish like this. The standout of the evening, however, was the Gippsland beef tenderloin, which was an easy 10/10. Cooked perfectly, full of flavour, and truly memorable. What really elevated the evening was the service. Dining alone can sometimes feel awkward, but the staff were incredibly welcoming and genuinely engaged in great conversation, which I really appreciated. Their warmth and attentiveness made the experience feel relaxed and personal. Overall, Gimlet delivers exceptional food, world-class cocktails, and outstanding service. I’ll absolutely be returning the next time I’m in Melbourne and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.

We tried several drinks 🍷 including sparkling and cocktails. Sazerac Framboise was a big miss - although the glassware was beautiful, the drink itself tasted like very strong alcohol mixed with syrup，unbalanced and unpleasant. Our favourite cocktail by far was the Gimlet 🍹.It was incredibly refreshing, with a light citrus sweetness and aroma - absolutely delicious and highly recommended 🌟. A nice bonus was that one serve could be split into two small glasses, which we really appreciated. For food, we ordered à la carte rather than the set menu. We ordered seven dishes for two people, ended up completely full, and even had to cancel one dish. Starters: Zucchini flower：The first bite was impressive with complex textures, but the second bite had a noticeable goat cheese flavour that I personally didn’t enjoy. Still well executed overall. Gnocco fritto：Great texture- crispy bread shell with filling and bresaola inside. okay Duck liver parfait ：I usually don’t enjoy liver, but this was excellent-not gamey at all, generous in portion, and perfect with the bread. Highly recommended 🌟 King George whiting：This was my least favourite dish.The two pieces of fish were cooked to completely different doneness levels. When we asked the staff, they said it was “meant to be that way,” but it honestly felt like an excuse. Strongly not recommended！ Mains: Gippsland beef tenderloin ：A classic, well-executed steak. Risotto al limone: The mushrooms were absolutely delicious, but the risotto itself leaned very light and fresh. Personally, I prefer a richer, tomato based flavour. We also ordered the Pink Fir potatoes：roasted baby potatoes with sour cream. Simple and fine, nothing memorable. The atmosphere was lovely，we sat by the window in a quiet spot with a nice street view, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

I was gifted a restaurant voucher for my birthday and went in with an open mind. Caitlin was fantastic — she showed initiative, professionalism, and genuine respect towards us. The team behind the bar and the kitchen staff were clearly doing their very best to deliver the level of service they believed would meet our needs. Rarely I received a properly cooked eye-filet from other places, but mine was just cooked to my liking! In a time when many places seem to show less care, this place made us feel truly comfortable and welcome. To me, service plays a vital role in the hospitality industry. Quality and pricing are important, Ultimately, it’s the quality of service that matters most to me and determines whether I return. Thank you team!

brought my mother to Gimlet for her birthday lunch and I don’t think we could have imagined it to be any better. i would like to applaud the wonderful service provided by the gentleman who looked after us. he was polite, attentive and certainly accommodating for such a special occasion. service was seamless, and wow! we felt right at home. food was spectacularly elegant. chicken was extremely juicy and packed with flavour, scallops were fresh, and the crackers accompanying the oysters were absolutely wonderful. great recommendations on our server’s end! Gimlet was the experience that everyone had raved about - we are delighted that we paid you a visit while in Melbourne. everything was great, and thank you for making my mother’s birthday an extremely special and memorable one.

It’s one of our best meals in Melbourne and we had a great time at Gimlet. We started off well with old fashion cocktail and Jack, our service staff + bartender, has been very welcoming and attentive towards our dining experience. Special shout out to Jack who made our lunch very enjoyable. The oysters and scallops were alright (not the best we had tried but good enough). But we hit the right main dish with the lobster in Saffron rice. The rice was well flavoured with the lobster jus and the fresh juicy lobster paired very well with their homemade sauce. Excellent choice and the most expensive dish didn’t disappoint. Finally, I had to say that the meal ended on the right note with the dark chocolate, caramel cream, jersey milk gelato - one of the best desserts I had tried in my life (highly recommended). Gimlet is always packed and busy. Do make advance booking if you could. We walk in two times to be able to get a chance to dine here on a weekday lunch.