Gimlet

Restaurant · Melbourne

Gimlet

Restaurant · Melbourne

33 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Highlights

Gimlet at Cavendish House is a stunning homage to classy dining with its marble bar and luscious offerings like oysters, caviar, and expertly grilled meats.

33 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia Get directions

gimlet.melbourne

@gimlet.melbourne

A$200+

@infatuation

"Prolific restaurateur Andrew McConnell’s most glamorous project is this sprawling, opulent ode to dining of decades past. Sink into one of the heritage-listed 1920s building’s many burgundy leather booths, or sidle up to the central bar for the best martini in the city—at once dry and creamy, paired with three types of olive that complement its changing temperature. Tartare is mixed tableside, oysters pair with seaweed butter, and hulking T-bone steaks are charred over coals. Come any time from midday to midnight, and for any occasion from a big-dog business lunch to a dalliance in a dark corner to a late-night craving for a fancy cheeseburger. Can’t get a table? Try Apollo Inn, a bar with superb snacks, or Supernormal, a longstanding modern Asian diner known for its lobster roll. Both are by the same crew as Gimlet, and both are just up the road. photo credit: Earl Carter" - Ellen Fraser

Gimlet at Cavendish House - Review - City - Melbourne - The Infatuation

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@infatuation

"Prolific chef-restaurateur Andrew McConnell’s latest show-stopper is Gimlet, a refined bar and eatery in a grand 1920s building with comfy burgundy-leather booths and a house martini that’s quite possibly the best in the city. Expect perfectly executed Euro-centric dishes like tartare served table-side, oysters with seaweed butter, and dry-aged t-bone steaks. Other McConnell spots include Supernormal, a neon-lit Asian diner known for its lobster roll; the more formal Cutler & Co; wine bars Cumulus Inc. and Marion; and The Builder’s Arms, a fancy pub. Don’t leave town without eating at one of these." - ellen fraser

The 33 Best Restaurants In Melbourne 2023

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@eater

"Chef and restaurateur Andrew McConnell owns several beloved institutions in town, including upscale butcher Meatsmith to wine bar Marion. His most recent venture, Gimlet at Cavendish House, is his masterpiece. With its black marble bar, chandeliers, and curved banquettes, it’s all about old-school elegance and excess. Start with the eponymous gimlet cocktail, and then go all out with the caviar service and southern rock lobster wood-roasted in saffron rice. Or if you come for lunch, the steak tartare prepared tableside has the perfect amount of theatrics to make any weekday more exciting." - Audrey Bourget, Sharlee Gibb

The 38 Essential Melbourne Restaurants

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G S

Google

We recently visited Gimlet to celebrate our anniversary, and overall, it was a lovely experience with a great first impression. From the moment we arrived, the staff were warm and welcoming—they congratulated us on our anniversary right away, which set a positive tone for the afternoon. The lunch was beautifully done—great flavours, elegant presentation, and a relaxed atmosphere that made it feel like a special occasion. The service was attentive, and the team consistently acknowledged our celebration, wishing us a happy anniversary multiple times throughout our visit and even as we were leaving. However, while the kind words were appreciated, we were a little disappointed that there wasn’t any small gesture to mark the occasion—no special dessert, note, or even a candle. Especially in a fine dining setting where these thoughtful touches often elevate the experience, it felt like a missed opportunity to make the moment truly memorable. That said, we’d still recommend Gimlet for its beautiful setting and quality food. Just a bit more attention to personal touches would take it from great to exceptional.

Chang Guan

Google

Gimlet is a great restaurant with great food, professional services and friendly staffs. The ribeye steak is great. You can feel the crunchy texture of the surface and the soft texture inside. Meanwhile, the side vegetables are also great as it’s grilled and soaked in the grease of the meat. The pasta with prawns is also great. Full of flavours and good portion. The staffs are very friendly and took our coats once we stepped in the restaurant. A decorated ice cream was served which is really a surprise as it’s a special night for me and my partner.

YUN C

Google

I think the food could be better, nothing special nothing impressive. I could have same things in other restaurants with reasonable prices. Appetizers and Entree are great but main courses are disappointing. Fish was too dry and capsicum in the steak was too strong, I barely tasted meat. But the meat cooked very well, it was juicy. And the aioli potatoes were too dry. Atmosphere is great, busy and cozy, and service is okay. Staff are just professional not personal connection.

Google

This has become our favourite restaurant in Melbourne! Staff are friendly, attentive and accomodating. She gave us great recommendations and we enjoyed the food and experience at Gimlet. The cocktails were also amazing! Would definitely be back here :)

Toyah

Google

We came to Melbourne from Brisbane and had the most incredible time. Our section waiter was fabulous and every single FOH member who interacted with our table was so friendly, cracked a couple of jokes and helped make it even more memorable. Thank you to the team at Gimlet and particularly the chefs - who I’m sure work crazy hours - that cooked the incredible dishes. They made one of the best bits of tenderloin I’ve ever had. We got the set menu which I would absolutely recommend for first timers because it’s a great range of flavours, textures, makes for a more varied experience and takes out the guess work. The cocktails were incredible (highly recommend the Fig & Rhubarb Negroni - if that’s your thing). I will definitely be returning next time I visit Melbourne. Thank you again to the whole team!!

Louis Schreier

Google

Well well well… Is it expensive? Yes. Is the service good? Definitely. Is the food good? Of course it is. The journey begins with state of the art appetisers and entrées. The main courses tend to be rather homely and simple but of course delicious. Dessert is always a must so don’t even try and pretend you are too full. Perfect place to take your mum for her birthday and spend your hard earned dollars. The seasonal menu gives you a good reason to revisit with your girlfriend.

Danni Zhou

Google

Reserved this famous Melbourne restaurant for anniversary dinner. It located in Cavendish House with a very nice atmosphere. The service was impressive to details. Miguel even remembered that I had a scarf and reminded me when I left. Since it’s one of the highest ranking steak house as well, we tried the T-bone steak which was significant. The taste of the pork cutlet was a bit underwhelming, but all the rest dishes were very delicious. We ordered two mains, and it revealed that we weren’t able to eat all, just the steak would fed us well. Good place to spend the Amex dining credit.

Kitchen Insider

Google

The meal I had here tonight was technically executed 90pc perfectly.. a pretty high score from your fussy as a spoiled cat reviewer. The design of the menu was excellent. The drawback is that the meal is deliberately and necessarily banquet cookery. It's a big room for high-end a la carte service. It's not a criticism. It was a terrific meal, with only a somewhat sodden salad a minor quibble. McConnell is a terrific composer of restaurant symphonies. And this is one. Reliable. And that's a very prized and vital component of his success. Come here and be looked after and very well satisfied. Perhaps not wowed.