Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Australia
  3. Melbourne
  4. Inner City
  5. Melbourne CBD
The European, Melbourne, AU-VIC

The European

4.7
4.7
1303 Reviews
$A41 to $A100
European

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 21 times today
  • Great for fine wines
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, The European offers a welcoming ambience with warm, generous and knowledgeable hospitality - a beacon of Melbourne dining at its finest. Located on Spring Street near the Princess Theatre, we offer classic bistro fare with substance and character to perfectly complement our extensive collection of wines, old and new world, available to enjoy with your meal.

We also welcome you on a walk-in basis next door at The City Wine Shop any day of the week, where you may simply pop in for a seat at the bar or grab a spot outside overlooking Parliament House.

We take the best seasonal produce available, cooking simple, classic foods. Nose-to-tail offal dishes are centred within our menu, utilising every part of the animal products in our kitchen. Drawing on our own in-house butcher and farmhouse cheeses matured by our friends at Spring Street Cheese Cellar, there is always something new to try on the menu at The European and City Wine Shop.
Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $A41 to $A100
  • Cuisines
    European, Contemporary European, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 12:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (03) 9654 0811
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Peter Sheldon
  • Private party facilities
    Looking for an iconic space for your next event? Spring Street Events looks after all the events within the much-loved family of businesses, including the European, Melbourne Supper Club, Siglo, French Saloon, Kirk’s, the Spring Street Grocer & Cheese Cellar. Feel free to visit our website: https://springstreetevents.com.au/ for more information.
  • Private party contact
    Jess and Sara: (03) 9654 0811
  • Neighbourhood
    Melbourne CBD
  • Cross Street
    Bourke Street
  • Parking details
    Limited metered street parking along Spring Street and Lonsdale Street
  • Public transit
    35, 86, 96 Tram - Parliament Stations
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wine

What 1,303 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Inner City

    Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The European offers "superb food" and an "extensive wine list," paired with "excellent service" in a charming, European atmosphere. It's perfect for pre-theater dining, with quick and professional service. Although occasionally noisy, it remains a beloved Melbourne institution with consistently "amazing food" and "friendly" staff. Highly recommended!

1,303 Reviews
  1. Theresa

    Chicago

    133 reviews

    3.0

    133 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    This was our first visit to The European. As pescatarians, we found the menu to be limited. Lots of meat options, however. We ordered the polenta chips, fish (Dory) main dish, the gnocchi. and broccolini. The chips, fish, and broccolini were very good. The pomodoro sauce on the gnocchi was disappointing, it did not taste fresh and was applied so heavily that it overpowered the gnocchi itself. There were a number of wines by the glass, but unfortunately not too many options for Australian and New Zealand wines. It was very noisy due to the pre-theatre crowd. Our server was friendly and attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  2. SUE

    Victoria

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Has to be my favorite Restaurant to go to when in Melb. Going to the Theatre next door and having an amazing expereince at the European does not get much better. The Ambiance of the Rest. and care by the Maitre'd and staff is superb. Well done and Thank you again for a wonderful dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Danni

    Melbourne

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent service, our meals were delicious. Great pre or post theatre experience

    Is this helpful?

  4. Richard

    Victoria

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    In a word - delightful! Quality ingredients, refined & well-constructed flavours, all skillfully cooked & presented. Staff were very welcoming and made effort to ensure you were well looked after. I highly recommend this restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Ivan

    Melbourne

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    An overall enjoyable experience with attentive staff and excellant food choices.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Ian

    Brisbane

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always terrific, Great place Strongly recommend this restaurant

    Is this helpful?

  7. Victoria

    Victoria

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Reliably excellent - service, food, wine and ambience all fantastic.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Dennis

    Victoria

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another delightful evening enjoyed at The European with great food and wine, moderately priced and served with attention to detail, humour and skill

    Is this helpful?

  9. Philip

    VIP

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Flathead was great, cooked prefectly, Schnitzel light and delicious, service great but it is really noisy. Worked great for pre theater dinner at the Princess.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Martin

    Sydney

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The European ALWAYS delivers. This is my favorite restaurant in Melbourne and it has become an annual tradition for us to visit after the tennis. As ever, the European delivered on this occasion. Always an unfussy, high quality, casual but high quality experience. Great wine and. classic bistro style menu that is well..European. We always have the Steak tartare and the blinis. The fish was amazing too.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The European is rated 4.7 stars by 1303 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 21 times today
Google Map for The European

159 Spring St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Bourke Street
  • Neighbourhood
    Melbourne CBD
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 12:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Price
    $A41 to $A100
  • Cuisines
    European, Contemporary European, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Limited metered street parking along Spring Street and Lonsdale Street
  • Public transit
    35, 86, 96 Tram - Parliament Stations
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Peter Sheldon
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wine
  • Phone number
    (03) 9654 0811
  • Private party facilities
    Looking for an iconic space for your next event? Spring Street Events looks after all the events within the much-loved family of businesses, including the European, Melbourne Supper Club, Siglo, French Saloon, Kirk’s, the Spring Street Grocer & Cheese Cellar. Feel free to visit our website: https://springstreetevents.com.au/ for more information.
  • Private party contact
    Jess and Sara: (03) 9654 0811
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo