Bar Bambi — Restaurant in Melbourne

I’m visiting Melbourne from interstate and had been looking forward to visiting Bar Bambi for a few months now.

Our reservation (two ladies) was at 7:30pm and at 8pm we couldn’t even hear each other. The music was incredibly loud the waitress could barely hear our food order. We were seated in front of the bar. I sat with my back against the bar and consistently got pushed and knocked into by other customers waiting to buy a drink at the bar or passing to get to the toilets. It’s a very narrow walkway: between the dinner tables and guests passing that area.

The speakers were also very above the dining table. I would suggest, unless it’s a a conservative music level when diners are dining and having conversations, they should remove the dining option if they wish to have a blaring nightclub/bar feel at 8pm. Perhaps they need to revisit what concept they’re going for. If it’s called Bar Bambi, perhaps keep it as a bar and what you’re good at, instead of offering a full 3 course set menu and have blaring music and an area where the dining and bar clearly can’t function at the same time.

Besides the atmosphere and the bar/dining concept being an issue, the food was hands down the most disappointing part of the night! We ordered, Burrata, Arancini Balls, Lamb Ragu and Egg Parmigiana. We also ordered a bottle of spelling water.

The Lamb Ragu didn’t taste like lamb at all, and so we couldn’t eat it. We had a bite each of the lamb and it was chewy and had a fat on the ends of each piece. It was so bad we had to send it back (and neither my friend or I have ever sent any food back in our 35 year dining history). We also had one spoonful each of the eggplant parmigiana and our entire mouths felt like we had a spoonful of straight salt. I had to run to the bathroom to rinse out my mouth as the salt aftertaste lingered in my mouth. Again, we sent this dish back. The manager did come around on this occasion to ask if he could replace it. Given we hadn’t eaten much as this stage, we said yes. He later came back and said they don’t have any of them left, so we opted for the meatballs instead as we were starving at this point. The meatballs came out and we asked for Parmesan cheese. As we were eating our meatballs, I went to add some Parmesan cheese when we discovered a black live big swimming around the cheese bowl. We were both stunned and immediately called over the waiter to show her, she apologised and took the cheese bowl away. The meatballs tasted microwaved and we both felt sick after seeing the bug.

We then just wanted to leave and get out of there and our bill was incorrect as well.

I also visited the toilet before we left the venue and I felt extremely uncomfortable. The toilet area is small, narrow, dirty and filled with large groups trying to use the toilets. I think we all know what large groups do in the toilets together. The toilet was more popular than the bar at one stage. Honestly, I’m sad that I wasted a good Saturday night at Bar Bambi when there are so many other amazing “restaurants” to dine at. It’s a real shame as I think the place has so much such potential, and it’s constantly hyped up on social media with influencers etc. but it’s definitely a let down of a venue. I used to be a fan of Eve nightclub and I think that was a well run venue. Perhaps they need to go back to what they do best, being just a bar/nightclub and not offer food as it’s terrible.

I wish the team every success in the future as I would never want to send negative feedback, but I think a lot of work needs to be done to make it anywhere as good as all the other amazing restaurants in Melbourne. Including, finding good staff with smiles. They all appeared young and didn’t look happy to be there, hence creating an...

I wasn’t going to write a google review after our experience at Bar Bambi as I believe the purpose of feedback is for organisations to improve practice so contacted them directly with my feedback, but when my emails were left ignored I thought perhaps they may take more notice when listed publicly. To be honest I was embarrassed to bring my guests to experience what we did. The tables were crammed so tightly I felt as though I was having conversations with the people on the next table. At one point someone’s bottom was literally resting on my friends shoulder whilst he spoke to someone at the table next to us. The noise level was beyond unpleasant. Not from music but from people talking, you literally couldn’t hear the people on your own table. There was obviously no planning for acoustics. The wait staff were borderline rude and had little knowledge of the menu or cocktails. Some of the food was delicious. We enjoyed the burrata, and the chicken and the rocket salad however the presentation on those catering silver platters cheapened the whole experience. Also 3 arancini balls for a party of 6 was poor form. We understand and respect table sitting times but perhaps the main meal needed to arrive earlier. We were literally still chewing our food when the bill was thrown on the table and we were asked to clear out. Whilst providing feedback to our waiter another wait staff came to talk to him. He turned around and started speaking to her whilst I was mid sentence!! I was lost for words. We moved to the bar area for a while and had intended on having a few more drinks, however the constant rush of staff running through that area with food to deliver to the dining section was an annoyance (perhaps kitchen placement wasn’t a consideration when in the planning stages) it also made me think that my food was brought to me after having 50 other patrons in the bar breathe all over it! Then to top it off 3 kitchen staff wheeled 3 giant bins of waste right through our conversation in the middle of the bar area. No back door?? How revolting! With so much choice for fine dining in Melbourne, I highly doubt I will be back to Bar Bambi based on this experience. If you are looking for a place to be seen and take a selfie, Bar Bambi is the place for you, but for a true Melbourne dining experience or in fact just a pleasant experience, don’t waste your time. I hope that this feedback can assist Bar Bambi in improving the experience for future patrons. It’s such a shame because I do believe the concept they have is great, their practices however totally let them down. If return customers is something they are interested in perhaps these issues should...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Bar Bambi, and I must say, it was a truly divine experience. From the moment I stepped inside, I was captivated by the space's attention to detail and exquisite design. The ambiance was reminiscent of the chic bars you would find in New York or Europe, instantly transporting me to a world of elegance and sophistication.

The interior of Bar Bambi is a testament to the owners' impeccable taste. The brass splash backs behind the bar added a touch of glamour and luxury, perfectly complementing the overall aesthetic. The gorgous floor tiles were visually stunning, adding a sense of opulence to the space. Every corner of the bar was meticulously curated, creating an atmosphere that was both inviting and enchanting.

The staff at Bar Bambi were simply excellent. Their professionalism and attentiveness made me feel welcomed and well taken care of throughout my visit. They were knowledgeable about the menu and provided valuable recommendations, enhancing my dining experience even further.

Speaking of the food, it was nothing short of magnificent. The menu at Bar Bambi boasted an array of delectable dishes, each prepared with the utmost skill and creativity. From the appetizers to the main courses, every bite was a burst of flavor that delighted my taste buds. The chefs at Bar Bambi clearly have a passion for their craft, and it showed in every dish that graced my table.

To complement my meal, I indulged in the lemonchella, and I must say, it was amazing. The zesty freshness of the lemon paired with the smoothness of the liqueur created a refreshing and delightful concoction. It was the perfect way to round off an already exceptional dining experience.

I would like to extend my congratulations to Daniel and Nick, the masterminds behind Bar Bambi. They have truly created a superb venue that stands out in its attention to detail, culinary excellence, and overall ambiance. Bar Bambi is a hidden gem that has successfully captured the essence of upscale bars found in cosmopolitan cities.

My visit to Bar Bambi was a remarkable experience. The space itself is a work of art, with its exquisite design and attention to detail. The staff were attentive and friendly, adding to the overall sense of hospitality. The food was magnificent, and the lemonchella was simply amazing. If you're looking for a place that transports you to a world of sophistication and elegance, Bar Bambi is the perfect...