The European

Name: The European
Address: 159 Spring St, Melbourne, AU-VIC, Australia, 3000
Telephone: (03) 9654 0811
Price range: $41 to $100
Rating: 4.7

4.7

1329 Reviews

$41 to $100

European

159 Spring St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Make a reservation

2 people

May 4, 2025

11:30 PM

Booked 20 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 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
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
Neighborhood
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

What 1,329 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

City Centre
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."

1,329 Reviews

C
Claire
London5 reviews
5.0
Dined today
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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M
Meredith
Melbourne1 review
3.0
Dined 2 days ago
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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J
Jennifer
Sydney5 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
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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T
Tiffany
Tasmania2 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
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.
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R
Robin
Melbourne8 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
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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C
Cameron
Victoria1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
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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M
Mauro
Melbourne4 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 24, 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.
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R
Ross
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on April 17, 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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M
Mana
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on April 15, 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.
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S
Stephen
Melbourne1 review
4.0
Dined on April 13, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
A favourite when I visit Melbourne from interstate. I got to know it some years ago when I made a point of having breakfast there. A restaurant with a long tradition and interesting fare.
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FAQs

The European is rated 4.7 stars by 1329 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

May 4, 2025

11:30 PM

Booked 20 times today

159 Spring St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Additional information

Cross street
Bourke Street
Neighborhood
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
$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

The European

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Private dining

Melbourne Supper Club

Siglo

Tea Room

The Cheese Cellar

Custom inquiry

Menu

What 1,329 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The European restaurant rated?

Is The European currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information