Gilson

Q: Does Gilson offer gift cards?

Gilson does offer gift cards which you can purchase here .

4.3

567 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 booking

No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

9 Dec 2023

19:00

Booked 47 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$A40 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.
Private party contact
info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au: (03) 9866 3120

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
Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Gift card

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Experiences

$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 567 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3

4.3 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.2Service
4.2Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Energetic

Diners' Choice Awards

Melbourne
Hot spot
Melbourne
Most Booked
Inner City South
Great for brunch
Inner City South
Good for groups
Inner City South
Great for creative cocktails
Inner City South
Hot spot
Inner City South
Great for outdoor dining
Inner City South
Lively
Inner City South
Most Booked

567 Reviews

N
Nikegan
Sunshine Coast
5 reviews
2.0
5 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Service was unwelcoming but food was simple and good
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AG
AndrewG
Melbourne
10 reviews
3.0
10 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
It’s Xmas party/drinking time, the place was pumping so whilst the service was really poor, staff were being run off their feet so forgiven. Food was great though and reasonably priced. I’ll definitely go back but next time will avoid going there in the height of the silly season.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Best food in Melbourne. Our waiter Sammy went above and beyond
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SP
SharonP
Melbourne
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The service & food was fantastic & great value for money. Unfortunately it was a bit loud inside but we were able to move to an outside table so it was much better
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T
Table21
Melbourne
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Our wine arrived at the table before pre dinner drinks and after waiting 10+ min for my pre dinner beer after the other drinks arrived I was told that it was not available. I ordered calamari with romanesco sauce. The calamari arrived with no sauce. When we asked about the missing sauce the waiter came back from the kitchen with aioli as the romanesco sauce had run out. Most restaurants I visit would normally come back to the customer and let them know something was unavailable and not make the decision on behalf of the customer to present a meal not as described on the menu.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Disappointed, disappointing. I'm actually so bummed as we are from Perth and there are so many other places we love going to when in Melbourne. This was my first time and I wish I'd done more research before booking Gilson. The service was appalling, the cocktails way to sweet, the food lousy and sitting outside an awful idea when no blankets or heaters available. Our waitress, Alice, didn't check on us the food arrived cold and the salad I thought I was ordering and qualified was nothing like what we got. I am in Customer Experience and I chose to take the time to write this recommendation to share how last night was for us and do not recommend eating here.
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SS
ShellaS
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 1 December 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I have been here a few times with bookings and no bookings, it was very lovely.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 28 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The flatbread and white anchovies were spectacular.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Sydney
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 24 November 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Bad food a presentation worst burrata ever, I was waiting for more
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JM
JohnM
Melbourne
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 19 November 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Too noisy. But food great and good people. Easy place.
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MP
MikarlaP
Victoria
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 18 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Did not appreciate the 15% surcharge. This is not America
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HR
HonR
Melbourne
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on 14 November 2023
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Really disappointed in the service. I’ve been many times and the service was awful last night. Waiter was rude would hover and made us feel awkward for not being ready to order after only sitting down for 5 minutes and greeting each other. Also watched me finish my drink and before I even put my glass down or had my last sip was in front of me staring at me uncomfortably and said another drink without even giving me the chance to finish peacefully. Also once the bill came she shoved the eftpos machine in my save and blatantly asked and expected a tip. Alto which I replied not tonight thanks. Has really turned me off using gilson for future client meetings/ VIP lunches and personal dinners/ lunches etc
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AP
AnthonyP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 12 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
generally the staff and venue always very good visit frequently
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RP
RiccardoP
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 12 November 2023
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Oysters not fresh, scallops over cooked hard and tasteless, capricciosa very soggy far too much sauce on base. Caccio e pepe not too bad, prawn linguine decent very heavy on the lemon and parsley though. Went to pay bill went through items we had which took what seemed like an eternity and in my haste to GTFO of there I just paid and left asap. While I was walking to car thought, wait that was way too much for what I ordered. Went back in and discovered I was charged for another table. Was expecting a beautiful Sunday lunch on a nice day. Total let down. Only plus was initial waitress who served us.
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C
Chels
Melbourne
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on 11 November 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Gilson is usually my go-to long lunch, spritz’s in the sun on a gorgeous weekend - it never strays too far from hitting the spot everytime. The service on this visit could have been a little more friendly/energetic. Servers both seemed half asleep.
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GB
GabriellaB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 6 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
3rd time i have been to gilson and still cannot get enough! It is the best food, best vibe and the staff are always so lovely.
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s
sophk
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 2 November 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
Very young crowd and I'm only 50yrs old. Overly noisy . Cocktail was delicious , food was ok. Service was also ok.
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EP
EmmaP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 29 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The staff were so attentive, polite and lovely. The food was exceptional and the service was fast.
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R
Ruth
Melbourne
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 20 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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P
Polly
Melbourne
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on 19 October 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great location. We had a window table inside on a warm night which was perfect. Food was good, service even better. Great crowd too.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 16 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Celebrated my birthday last night at Gilson, food was amazing but staff were so if and attentive and had such a nice evening. Have booked to come again for another round of birthday celebration with another group of friends next Tuesday :)
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LC
LauraC
Victoria
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 13 October 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Loved the food, wine, clientell, staff and energy here. Will definitely be back.
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E
Emine
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 13 October 2023
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Wouldn’t go there again, nor recommend it to anyone. Got there was seated and not given any menus or even offered to order any drinks. Got told we couldn’t order till 12. No one took our orders for anything till 12:30. When we did end up ordering The food wasn’t great.
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J
Jess
Victoria
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 8 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing atmosphere and food was divine! Will certainly be back :)
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C
Claire22
Melbourne
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 8 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food, excellent service, beautiful ambiance
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T
Tasha
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 7 October 2023
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
The antipasto was ordered as entree was delicious but to be honest the pizza and pasta were quite disappointing, especially for the price. Pasta was undercooked and the sauce on pizza taste like tomato paste straight from the tub.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 6 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great dining experience, our waitress was excellent and attentive. Food was great, although slightly overpriced for what we received, however it was great quality. Will definitely return
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I
Isabelle
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 6 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A lovely meal in an ambient location. We had a great time.
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JR
JouharR
Sydney
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on 1 October 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Old menu was better Took away their best pastas.
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m
milijanad
Los Angeles
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on 30 September 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything was great expect they forgot about our mains, service is great they were very apologetic about it. They also need bigger bathrooms
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B
Briar
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 30 September 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Pizza was really good but the rest of the food was terrible. The pasta we got was undercooked so we sent it back and it took them way too long to bring a new one out, we’d finished all of our food by the time it came and it still wasn’t cooked properly. The food is poor, pizza is good though. The waitress was also really rude when we went up to pay.
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A
Anonymous
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 29 September 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Food was average. Wait staff not very helpful. Very loud and overcrowded restaurant
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I
Iain
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 26 September 2023
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
My partners favorite dinner spot, so i took her out for a what suppose to be a nice dinner. 2 out of the 4 dishes we couldn't eat as they were way over cooked. Minute steak and calamari. They were both taken from the table barely touched with no comment from the waitress. I assume it was an off night and maybe its usually better but then to spend $140 was a bit rich.
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CM
CatherineM
Hawaii
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on 25 September 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
Food average - main ingredients like chicken unavailable on lunchtime menu and pasta undercooked. A smile would have been nice from the waiters.
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J
Jordyn
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 24 September 2023
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 5
We had a really disappointing experience at Gilson last night. This is our regular place and we haven’t had a bad time there until last night. We hope that next time we come it’ll be how it normally is. Thanks guys
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A
Amazing
Melbourne
4 reviews
vip
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on 21 September 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Very upset to see the iconic menu has changed and the most popular dishes are no longer served :((
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JR
JacquiR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 19 September 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food and beverages are always fantastic. Great atmosphere inside and out. Perfect place to take friends and family.
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E
Eleni
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 17 September 2023
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Well overpriced food. Service was terrible. Our food came out before our drinks. And when the drinks came it was the wrong order. Waiters were completely overwhelmed, you could see they were taking on more customers than they had capacity for. Almost every table around us had the wrong orders or weren’t getting their food on time. The lady that seemed like a Manager was unapproachable and avoided any interaction with customers, while the waiters were running around trying to cater to customers. Wouldn’t dine here again.
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CT
CarolynT
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 16 September 2023
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Hi I came here to celebrate my birthday and I was really disappointed with the service last night, when we had questions regarding the food and bill, different waitresses were giving inconsistent information and it seemed that no one was attentive or cared. Regards, Carolyn
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A
Alana
Melbourne
3 reviews
vip
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on 16 September 2023
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Dined at Gilson a few times and last night was really disappointing. Waited over 30 minutes for 3 cocktails, we had eaten all our entrees and plates had been cleared by the time we received drinks. Poor service, had to wave down the waitress multiple times. Also ordered a bottle of wine and had to refill our own glasses. Food was delicious as always but with a 15% surcharge on the weekend, feel as though the service was really lacking
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FAQs

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

Gilson is rated 4.3 stars by 567 OpenTable diners.

Gilson does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

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