Breakfast
Mon–Fri 6:30 am–10:30 am
Sat, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 am
Lunch
Daily 12:00 pm–3:00 pm
Dinner
Daily 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Valet
Payment Options
AMEX, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Swami
Experiences
Breakfast Buffet
$47.00 per person
Prepaid
14 Jan 2025 - 14 Jan 2026
Start your day with a buffet spread of hearty breakfast classics. Savour chef-crafted omelets or poached eggs, freshly baked treats, and a vibrant selection of fruits, salads, and more. Seasonal specialties await daily!
Breakfast A La Carte
$14.00 - $28.00 per person
Prepaid
14 Jan 2025 - 14 Jan 2026
Looking for the perfect breakfast spot? Gather with family and friends and enjoy our a la carte menu. Book your table today!
Pre-Theatre Menu
$69.00 per person
Prepaid
Multiple dates available
Looking for a great place to eat before the show? Enjoy a 2 or 3 course dinner experience with our Pre-Theatre Menu. Book your table today, and make a night of it!
2 courses - $69 per person
3 courses - $79 per person
Includes a glass of house wine , beer or cocktail
Fresh baked Buttermilk Scones with Strawberry Preserve and Yarra Valley Clotted Cream
Sweet Bites
Vanilla Dream Macaroons
Assorted Petit Eclairs
Meyer Lemon Curd Chocolate Tart, Chocolate Feather (GF)
Kensington Pride Mango Pannacotta, Unripe Mango & Black Pepper Chutney (GF)
Seasonal Raspberry Petit Cheesecake, Caramelized Feuilletine
The Signature Teas
Ceylon green tea with lychee & ginger
Rose with French vanilla
Italian almond Tea
Refreshing pure peppermint
Bright, brisk & brilliant Breakfast Tea
Pure chamomile flowers
Freshly Brewed Coffee
What 265 people are saying
The Essence reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.
Overall ratings and reviews
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
4Food
4.3Service
3.9Ambience
4.1Value
Noise • Energetic
Loved For
City Centre
Great for brunch
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Essence offers a delightful dining experience with "fantastic food and service." Ideal for pre-theatre meals, it boasts a "great location in Melbourne" and "friendly, attentive staff." High tea is a standout, with "amazing" selections and beautiful presentation. Despite occasional service hiccups, Essence remains a "highly recommended" spot for quality dining.
265 Reviews
D
Doris
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 28 February 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 4
We were celebrating an 18th birthday and the experience was wonderful. The food was so good ,the staff couldn't do enough for us..definitely will be back
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K
Kathryn
Melbourne4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 22 February 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
We were there for a pre Theatre lunch, staff were attentive and professional, food was delicious and the package was good value. We'll be back for sure.
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R
Ragaie
Melbourne2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 16 February 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Excellent venue and the lady waiter (from Nepal) was really sweet. She couldn’t do enough for us. The food was also first class and served right on time booked, thus ensuring we weren’t late to watch our show at the Comedy Theatre. Will definitely go there again.
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J
Jennifer
Melbourne1 review
1.0
Dined on 11 February 2025
Overall 1
Food 1
Service 1
Ambience 1
We ended up eating somewhere else as after 3 phone calls and 3 times being told someone from the restaurant would contact me this didn’t happen.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Victoria4 reviews
2.0
Dined on 18 January 2025
Overall 2
Food 1
Service 2
Ambience 4
I took my granddaughter for high tea before we went to the theatre. There was way too much sweet food , the few savoury options were cold, stale sandwiches & just not nice
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J
Julie
Melbourne2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 2 January 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Rose & Bloom High Tea was delightful. Great service from friendly staff and beautiful presentation. Food was amazing with a great variety. We’ll be back for a return visit!
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L
Lisa
Melbourne1 review
2.0
Dined on 31 December 2024
Overall 2
Food 3
Service 3
Ambience 2
Disappointing, there was too much sweets not enough savoury. Not the equal half and half you’ve come to expect from a high tea. Didn’t get the rose’ or the special teas advertised and the presentation was not up to a high standard. They used thick cups and not fine china. But it was quiet and the price reflected what was delivered. The staff were pleasant just didn’t listen or know what was to be offered off the menu.
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C
Caroline
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 24 December 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
My experience memorable, the food superb, the service exceptional, the ambiance surrounded by Melbourne at her best to return to "The Essence" high on my agenda and a highly recommended #gold place to canvas visiting Melbourne as a place to visit.
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R
Richard
Victoria1 review
4.0
Dined on 19 December 2024
Overall 4
Food 5
Service 1
Ambience 3
Restaurant staff had no idea how to record my BonVoy membership number in their system when paying for the meal so I have not been credited with those points that were critical to avoid expiration of my current points total on 8 Jan 2025. This was the sole reason for dining there.
Very disappointing.
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J
Jason
New York City5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 6 December 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
My family and family friend had a great time. We were very well looked after and we all thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience.
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FAQs
The Essence is rated 4.2 stars by 265 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
