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Table Setting - Bistra, Carlton, AU-VIC

Bistra

4.9 (139)
$41 to $100
Australian
157 Elgin St, Carlton, AU-VIC 3053

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 14 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
Bistra is an Australian bistro serving quality food and wine; our fare draws its influence predominantly from British, French and Italian cooking and technique, and yet it is quintessentially Australian. You can expect generous, memorable plates championing seasonal ingredients and an extensive list of wines.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • Cuisines
    Australian, Bistro
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Wed, Thu 5:30 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Neighborhood
    Carlton
  • Cross street
    Rathdowne Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Gender Neutral Restroom, Private Room, Wheelchair Access
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Experiences

  • Bistra Welcomes Corner 75

    A$90.00 per person

    Aug 4, 2025 only
    Bistra welcomes Sydney's newly relaunched Corner 75 for a celebration of Hungarian-Australian dining. Schnitzel and strudel and more in collaboration with Daniel Puskas and Alice Tremayne. Delicious wines by the glass. One night only. The $90 per person Hungarian-inspired menu will include three courses served in a shared style, in addition to several menu supplements available as add-ons. Dinner will be served across two seatings, early (5:30PM-6:15PM) and late (8PM-8:45PM), with a seating duration of 120 minutes per table. Due to the nature of the event we are unable to accommodate gluten free, dairy free, or vegan dietary requirements. Vegetarian alternatives can be arranged on request, and should be noted on booking.
    Bistra Welcomes Corner 75 Photo
  • Set Menu (payment due at restaurant)

    A$95.00 - A$120.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    For tables of seven or more guests we offer a choice between the following three menus: Three Course 'Choice Of' Menu - $95 Per Person Four Course 'Choice Of' Menu - $120 Per Person Three Course Sharing Menu - $110 Per Person The three and four course 'choice of' menus are individually plated, whereby guests select from three entree and four main course options on the day. The pasta and dessert courses are set by the kitchen. The sharing menu is served down the middle of the table. When selecting your menu on the next page, please be aware that the whole group must participate in the same menu. Indicative Menus for Autumn 2025: Three-Course ‘Choice Of’ Menu: $95 Per Person Bread & butter to start, a choice of entrée and main course, and dessert set by the kitchen. Spinach & Ricotta Dumplings, Butter, Sage Chicken Liver Pâté, Traditional Accompaniments Squacquerone, Heirloom Zucchini, Honey, Herbs Cabbage Roll, Rice, White Bean Ragu, Tomato Sugo Sommerlad Chicken, Creamed Corn, Jus Porterhouse, Peppercorn Sauce (+$10) Rainbow Trout, Roe, Buerre Blanc, Sorrel Mains Served with Fries & Lettuce Vanilla Cake, Strawberries, Thyme Custard Four-Course ‘Choice Of’ Menu: $120 Per Person Bread & butter to start, a choice of entrée, a pasta mid-course set by the kitchen, a choice of main course, and dessert set by the kitchen. Spinach & Ricotta Dumplings, Butter, Sage Chicken Liver Pâté, Traditional Accompaniments Squacquerone, Heirloom Zucchini, Honey, Herbs Campanelle, Jerusalem Artichoke, Chestnut, Brown Butter Cabbage Roll, Rice, White Bean Ragu, Tomato Sugo Sommerlad Chicken, Creamed Corn, Jus Porterhouse, Peppercorn Sauce (+$10) Rainbow Trout, Roe, Buerre Blanc, Sorrel Mains Served with Fries & Lettuce Vanilla Cake, Strawberries, Thyme Custard Three-Course Sharing Menu: $110 Per Person A menu designed to share, served down the middle of the table. This comprises bread & butter to start, shared entrées and main course, and dessert set by the kitchen. Baked Scallops, Garlic and Parsley Butter Squacquerone, Heirloom Zucchini, Honey, Herbs Chicken Liver Pate, Traditional Accompaniments Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings, Butter, Sage Porterhouse, Peppercorn Sauce Rainbow Trout, Roe, Buerre Blanc, Sorrel Mains Served with Fries & Lettuce Vanilla Cake, Strawberries, Thyme Custard
    Set Menu (payment due at restaurant) Photo

What 139 people are saying

Bistra 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

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Melbourne

    Australian

  • Inner City North

    Best Overall

  • Inner City North

    Best Food

  • Inner City North

    Best Service

  • Inner City North

    Best Ambiance

  • Inner City North

    Good for business meals

  • Inner City North

    Great for fine wines

  • Inner City North

    Romantic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bistra is a delightful dining destination praised for its "magnificent food" and "outstanding service." Guests enjoy a "wonderful atmosphere" and the "world-class" culinary offerings, including standout dishes like the French onion soup and thyme custard cake. With an "extensive, discerning" wine list, Bistra ensures a memorable experience worth returning for.
139 Reviews
  1. Jonathan

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waitress was outstanding with the way she showed and explained everything to us from the menu to the drinks to the specials and communication during our experience. Will definitely be coming back with others in to experience it for themselves also

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  2. Sarina

    Melbourne2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had such a lovely evening. Food was perfect. The advice at the table was wonderful. The wine was exactly as it was described. The pacing was ideal and the personality of the whole experience was one of care and friendliness and warmth. Wouldn't hesitate to go again or recommend.

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  3. Ian

    Victoria1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My wife’s birthday request for French was tested. But….once there magnificent food magnificent service with a menu that could stretch to a few genres including French. Happy wife, happy customers! Will be back for sure!

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  4. Madeleine

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredibly welcoming, great vibe, moody lighting and music. Service was so so excellent, our water glasses were never empty! Attentive to special requests and sensory accommodations. Mains came out perfectly after entrees, leave enough time for the crumble (20-30 mins), and the thyme custard cake was divine.

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  5. Lisa

    Melbourne2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous food, wonderful atmosphere. Pate and trout a real highlight. Love this place.

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  6. Patrick

    Tampa / Central Florida West7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Casual formality. The service my wife and I experienced was some of the best service we have experienced in Melbourne - on par with Vue de Monde or Society, but much less pretentious. Both of our meals were excellently prepared. Check out the wine list. A solid selection of good wines without breaking the bank.

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  7. tom

    Virginia7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great little place. Snappy service. Probably underestimated the fact that the steak was JUST the steak on a plate. Maybe suggestion of some sides might have averted my dimness😏

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  8. Cheri VIP

    Melbourne10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a little hidden gem, the service staff are very attentive and friendly. The food was excellent with very different and interesting ingredients. Good wine list and the pre dinner drink selection great. Would recommend but book ahead you wont be disappointed.

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  9. Jack

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Just brilliant. Thanks so much for looking after us.

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  10. Sav

    Melbourne3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic as always. Staff are great Food and wine list excellent A must if you’re in the area.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bistra is rated 4.9 stars by 139 OpenTable diners.

Bistra 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.

  1. Home
  2. Australia
  3. Melbourne
  4. Inner City North
  5. Carlton

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 14 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Bistra

157 Elgin St, Carlton, AU-VIC 3053

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Rathdowne Street
  • Neighborhood
    Carlton
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Wed, Thu 5:30 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • Cuisines
    Australian, Bistro
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Gender Neutral Restroom, Private Room, Wheelchair Access
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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