Gilson

Name: Gilson
Address: 171 Domain Rd, South Yarra, AU-VIC, Australia, 3141
Telephone: (03) 9866 3120
Price range: $40 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

713 Reviews

$40 and under

Italian

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2 people

16 Jan 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 80 times today

Experiences are available.

Lively
Good for special occasions
Good for groups

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
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.

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

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Experiences

$65pp Classics Group Shared Menu
$65.00 per person
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.
$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.
$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.

What 713 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
4.4Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Melbourne
Most Booked
Inner City South
Great for brunch
Inner City South
Hot spot
Inner City South
Great for outdoor dining
Inner City South
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Gilson impresses with "excellent Italian cuisine" and a "first-class" ambiance. Known for consistent quality, it offers a diverse menu and "friendly service." The vibrant atmosphere is perfect for social dining, though it can be quite noisy. Some guests noted service delays, but the "delicious, fresh food" remains a highlight.

713 Reviews

C
Christine
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Caught up with girlfriends for a late breakfast and Gilson did not disappoint. Fun, buzzy atmosphere with yummy food. Would definitely recommend!
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B
Bindy
Melbourne
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Our first drinks (Aperol and Lemoncello Spritz) were both flat. They then replaced them and the second ones were not flat. We ordered Burrata, the tomatoes and flat bread. The Burrata and Tomatoes arrived 10 mins prior to the flat bread by which time the Burrata was then cold. We ordered the Calamari which looked like a plate of the “old scraps”…. The pieces were TINY (like they were the scraps) and then the rest of the plate was full of crumbs batter. The Gnocchi was cold when it arrived also. The fries were exactly the same as the calamari, the majority were off cut crumbs. In the past I have loved the food at Gilson and frequented there specifically for the Burrata, bread etc etc. unfortunately I think I’ll be looking for a new venue. Very disappointing
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j
john
Melbourne
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 8 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Gilson's contuinues to be an excellent Italian restaurant and is our favourite .The service ,food and ambience is first class and never disappoints
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P
Patrick
Sunshine Coast
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 5 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
As always very good. Would be nice to see a little more variation on the menu but regardless, it’s a good place
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A
Amanda
Melbourne
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on 3 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Food was pretty standard, we were rushed to order but then waited a very long time for our mains. Don’t like being asked for still or sparkling water and charged $11 for a bottle when you say still without being told it was a bottle.
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A
Anton
Melbourne
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on 31 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The service was good and the staff was friendly. The food was really nice and the coffee was good as well. Highly recommended, and only a quick stroll to the botanical gardens.
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D
Deb
VIP
Melbourne
6 reviews
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on 30 December 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
Food was good but service was terrible. We had to wait about 45 minutes between entree and main. And service completely ignored our section of the restaurant . We had to wait 20 minutes after finishing our wine to try and get someone’s attention to order another. Finally had to go up to counter and ask for service. After we complained we did have attentive service. Also the lighting was way too bright in the restaurant. Could have even turned the lights off as it was a sunny day. But definitely needs mood lighting
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R
Ross
Melbourne
10 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on 28 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Gilson's has improved since our last visit one year ago. Although we chose pizza and oysters the range of fare on the menu looks very good. Service was spot on, fast and efficient. We decided to take an outside table as the noise level inside on a busy Saturday night was a bit too much. Overall, very good, we'll visit more often.
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C
Campbell
Melbourne
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 28 December 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Very nice food and fast service. Would recommend the gnocchi and the When the lights go down cocktail.
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L
Lavaniya
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 27 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I have eaten at the Gilson many times and it is always very busy! Despite this I always get good and friendly service and I have not had to wait too long for my food.
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FAQs

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

Gilson is rated 4.5 stars by 713 OpenTable diners.