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Table Setting - Bistra, Carlton, AU-VIC

Bistra

4.9 (145)
$41 to $100
Australian
157 Elgin St, Carlton, AU-VIC 3053

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 16 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • 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

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What 145 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

    Best Ambiance

  • 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

    Great for fine wines

  • Inner City North

    Romantic

  • Inner City North

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bistra in Carlton Melbourne is a "hidden gem" known for its "incredible food" and "outstanding service." Guests praise the "cozy and delightful" ambiance with a "European feel." The menu is "clever" and "well-presented," offering a "great combination" of flavors. Highly recommended for a "perfect experience."
145 Reviews
  1. Frank

    New South Wales3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Bistra is a cosy and delightful bistro in Carlton Melbourne. It offers delicious food and good service. Great for couples or friends gathering as it has excellent ambiance & vibes. Highly recommended.

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  2. Joanna

    San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Second time here and it was just as fabulous. Really clever menu and very well cooked and well presented food. Highly recommended

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  3. Rowdy

    Sydney1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Stunning meal from start to finish. All the food, all the service down to each table touch & help from the somm was fantastic. Eye fillet (and best peppercorn sauce I've ever had) was amazing, whilst the rainbow trout was melt in your mouth delicious. All of the smaller plates were awesome, we had a delightful bottle of Samuel Billaud Chablis, and the banana cake was decadent and a beautiful end to the meal. I probably prefer a little bit darker lighting, but it wasn't necessarily bright - that's more of a personal preference. Seated upstairs and was a touch quieter, but the atmosphere was still on point. Great restaurant and will definitely be back!

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  4. George

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional on every level. Delicious food, attentive service with a cosy European feel. Great combination of intimate, friendly and relaxed. Will definitely return.

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  5. Asha

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everyone was lovely and I felt very welcome. Bistra is so beautiful :)

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  6. Lisa

    San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely perfect experience from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel so welcome and cared for. The food was beyond excellent, everything we ordered was perfectly cooked, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. Also the food came out quick! The service was attentive without being intrusive, and the ambiance was warm and very comfortable. You can tell they pay attention to every little detail. We will definitely be back to try other food on the menu.

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  7. Jonathan

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 26, 2025

    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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  8. Sarina

    Melbourne2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    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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  9. 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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  10. 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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FAQs

Bistra is rated 4.9 stars by 145 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 16 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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