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The European, Melbourne, AU-VIC
animated flamesBooked 33 times today

The European

4.7 (1333)
$41 to $100
European
159 Spring St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

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2 people
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
19:30

About this restaurant

  • Great for fine wines
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Open every day for dinner, and Tuesday to Sunday for lunch, The European offers a welcoming ambience with warm, generous and knowledgeable hospitality - a beacon of Melbourne dining at its finest. Located on Spring Street, 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 walk-ins every day from 12pm at our City Wine Shop, with our full menu being offered at both venues, 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, 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.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • Cuisines
    European, Contemporary European, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 12:00–17:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–00:00
  • Phone number
    (03) 9654 0811
  • Website
    https://www.theeuropean.com.au/
  • 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
  • Location
    159 Spring St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000
  • Area
    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

Private dining

Menu

The European's menu was last updated on 14/06/2024.

View menu on restaurant's website

What 1,333 people are saying

The European 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

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

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Inner City

    Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The European is a cherished Melbourne institution offering "excellent food and wonderful professional service" in a charming bistro setting. Known for its extensive wine list and classic dishes like "perfect spaghetti marinara" and "superb ravioli," this welcoming venue is ideal for pre-theatre dining. "Highly recommend this Spring St institution."
1,333 Reviews

  1. Robert

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food menu was not too extensive but was suited to most tastes. Reasonably priced when considering the high quality of food, wine and attentiveness of the wait staff. Will be back soon.

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  2. Tilda

    New York City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a gem of a place, food was sublime - excellent for a long lunch. Thanks to all the staff as you really were so great

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  3. Corrie

    Melbourne2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 21 May 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    We booked 3pm early dinner. Seating was great but, very cold inside. Food was good. However, we felt rushed from start to finish. No sooner had 1 of our guest finished their meal, it was taken away BEFORE anyone else had finished. Last guests were still eating the whole flathead when waiter came back a few times to try and collect the rest of the guests meals. We thought we were being rushed because of the next seating but, no one was in the restaurant til we left @ 530pm. Put a sour taste in our mouth. We've been to this restaurant quite a few times over the years due to the location to Princess Theatre. I think we won't go again, lots of other restaurants now near the area to explore.

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  4. Jessica

    Canberra2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 18 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First class service, excellent food and well-curated wine and drinks. So nice not to have loud music and novelty/gimmicky surrounds to create ambiance - just a traditional, warm and comfortable room that you can actually have a conversation in. There is a reason this place has been around forever - it knows what it is and what is does best - all class!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Scott

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 17 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food, great wine, great service. We had an amazing night at the European and will definately be back.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Angelina

    Melbourne12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 16 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The spaghetti marinara is as perfect as usual. Great entree

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  7. Nicole

    Victoria1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 10 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We absolutely loved everything about our lunch at the European. The food was delicious, the service impeccable & the ambience just perfect. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend.

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  8. Claire

    London5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 4 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious as always! Sipping a vino while enjoying some lunch was perfect after theatre

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  9. Meredith

    Melbourne1 review

    3.0

    Dined on 2 May 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Fabulous wine list. Quite disappointed with the meal. Poorly seasoned and very sinewy shared 750g beef. Most was left on the plate but none of the service staff asked why.

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  10. Jennifer

    Sydney5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 1 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a pleasure to dine here. Excellent service & the food was wonderful. Ravioli was superb.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The European is rated 4.7 stars by 1333 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. Australia
  3. Melbourne
  4. Inner City
  5. Melbourne CBD

Make a booking

Google Map for The European

159 Spring St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Bourke Street
  • Area
    Melbourne CBD
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 12:00–17:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–00:00
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • 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
  • Website
    https://www.theeuropean.com.au/
  • 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
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