Bau Bau Dining — Restaurant in Melbourne

Bau Bau A Culinary Haven in Mount Eliza

If you find yourself wandering the charming streets of Mount Eliza, there’s one place you simply cannot afford to miss: Bau Bau. This unassuming Italian gem is not just the best restaurant in Mount Eliza—it may very well be the finest dining experience on the entire Mornington Peninsula.

A Symphony of Flavors: At Bau Bau, the food is nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish sings with the vibrant, authentic flavors of Italy, crafted from the freshest, most in-season, and locally sourced ingredients. The fixed-price three-course menu is a masterclass in Italian cuisine, with every course offering a choice that promises to delight and surprise.

Service that Shines: The service at Bau Bau is impeccable. The staff are knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They guide you through the menu with an enthusiasm that is contagious, ensuring that your dining experience is smooth, enjoyable, and utterly memorable.

Perfection in a Glass: Then there's the wine list—oh, the wine list. It's a curated collection of the finest vintages, perfectly paired to complement the exquisite food. Whether you're a connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, the selection here will leave you impressed and satisfied.

A Destination Worthy of Pilgrimage: Bau Bau is more than a restaurant; it's a destination. It’s the kind of place that makes you understand why people get so passionate about food. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, perfect for an intimate dinner or a leisurely lunch.

Lunch and Dinner Offerings: Dinner: For $120 per person, you get a three-course meal that includes house-baked bread and a range of luxurious supplements like oysters and caviar to elevate your experience. Lunch: From 12 pm to 4 pm, enjoy a two-course meal for $90 per person, offering the same high quality in a more succinct format.

A Constantly Evolving Menu: The menu at Bau Bau changes regularly, staying responsive to the most seasonal and ethical produce available. This ensures that no two visits are the same, making each meal a unique culinary journey.

Conclusion: In a region known for its culinary offerings, Bau Bau stands out as a beacon of excellence. It’s not just the best restaurant in Mount Eliza; it’s a contender for the best restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula. If you’re searching for an unforgettable dining experience, look no further. Bau Bau is where...

2nd time went to Bao Bao. Paid over $340 for two! First time paid over $400 for two. Looked at on-line menu before arriving & wanted a pasta dish. But when we rocked up for Sunday lunch menu had no pasta dishes. We chose the osso bucco with polenta & was very disappointed. When it came out there was a plate of oily meat - not osso bucco - no bone with marrow in it. And the polenta was virtually non existent beneath the meat. The sauce a dark brown & oily - wasn't the traditional tomato based sauce either. Portion was small for a main. I make a much better version of osso bucco! This restaurant is way over priced for the quality and portions that you get. Service between courses was also very slow & they got our entree order wrong which meant our main was even more delayed after getting the other entree. I simply won't be going there again & being ripped off. Very disappointed in deed. Supporting local is one thing but being ripped off is unacceptable - second time!

24/7/2025 This is in response to Clinton's, the owner of Bao Bao, to my above review. I still stand by what I said. My review was about the menu not reflecting what was on the internet i.e. no pasta dishes or other ones listed. And the mains on 2 occasions now, have been a BIG disappointment i.e. quality & portion don't reflect the price. The service is slow. Forgot to say that the chocolate tart was stodgy & I couldn't eat it all which I paid $24. My sister had another desert which cost her $24 also. My sister was charged $12 for a coffee - espresso. She ordered an espresso spiked with grappa. She was charged a separate amount of $24 for the grappa. She didn't order a shot of grappa & she certainly wasn't given a shot either. The entrees cost us $18 each for 2 arancini. 6 oysters cost us $42 (3 each). The meat dish which you wrongly call osso bucco (with virtually no polenta) cost us a total of $104. Plus 3 glasses of wine & mineral water. We go out to lunch at various venues and we don't complain about paying for good quality food at the right portions. But Bao Bao misses both of these and we won't...

I went here with my family for a special occasion, picking this place as it is new to our neighbourhood and wanted a fine dining experience. We had a female waiter who was very lovely and helpful (this is exactly what we wanted and appreciated her completely!), however the male who appeared to be an owner or manager seemed extremely disinterested. As a restaurant that is more up market, you would expect a high quality experience from all waiters. As served a drink, the male waiter laughed about a joke with another waiter. The entree and starters were fine. The seafood mains were very good, as was the spinach and ricotta dumplings. However, my partners Quail was raw on the bottom. My partner in no way complained, just wanted to let the kitchen know so future plates were not raw on the bottom. The male waiter did offer another plate however stated “this is how it’s to be served”. As a couple who have been to many high quality restaurants and have made quail, this was raw not slightly pink. When my partner rejected a replacement plate as he didn’t want to make a fuss, the waiter snapped and said “well what do you want then?”. Additionally, when we paid he put the receipt on the table along with the eftpos machine and just walked away as we awkwardly waited to leave. Although food was good, it was highly priced (we are not afraid to pay for high quality meals) and unfortunately these social interactions have put a salty taste to our dining experience. Additionally, the comments from the restaurant on the Google Reviews have also made me question how professional they truely are. Unfortunately, won’t be returning. I hope others have a lovely...