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The European, Melbourne, AU-VIC

The European

4.7 (1330)
$41 to $100
European
159 Spring St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Make a booking

2 people
21:00
Booked 13 times today

About this restaurant

  • 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.

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 Tue–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 1,330 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 offers "incredible food" and "excellent service," making it a "quintessentially Melbourne" dining experience. Known for its "lovely French bistro ambience" and "extensive wine list," it's ideal for pre-theatre meals. Guests praise the "attentive staff" and consistently "delicious" dishes, although it can get "a little noisy."
1,330 Reviews

  1. Nicole

    Victoria1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    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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  2. Claire

    London5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    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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  3. 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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  4. 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.

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  5. Robin

    Melbourne8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 27 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely food and superb service. Extensive wine list. Lovely ambience & great Spring St location

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  6. Tiffany

    Tasmania2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 27 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is really high stander restaurant, the wine list amazing, just randomly ordered 2 glasses was great. They know the wine very well. Escargot taste better than other place Must try Mozzarella ravioli and Octopus and fries and dessert Madeline are perfect. The staffs service very thoughtful outstanding.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Cameron

    Victoria1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 27 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Yep, book here for pre or post Show drink and food Negroni well mixed, ravioli Special with anchovy sauce couldn't be faulted.

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  8. Mauro

    Melbourne4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 24 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Pre theatre dinner was a great experience. Food awesome, attentiveness and knowledgeable of very polite staff added to experience. The only criticism (if any) it was a little noisy.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Ross

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 17 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and wonderful professional service. Great advice on a suitable wine which was excellent. Highly recommend for a sophisticated meal and environment.

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  10. Mana

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 15 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Incredible food, excellent service (thanks Olivia!) One of the best dining experiences I've ever had in Melbourne. We'll definitely be back.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The European is rated 4.7 stars by 1330 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

2 people
21:00
Booked 13 times today
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 Tue–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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