Dessous — Restaurant in Melbourne

ORDERED: 🥔 Potato Rosti, beef tartare, white miso ($10.00 each) 🦀 Spanner Crab doughnut, salmon caviar ($19.00 each)

🦑 Char-grilled squid, sambal, salted egg aioli, potato bread ($27.00) 🦴 Roasted bone marrow, sticky rice, thai herb salad ($22.00)

🥩 Butchers cut, tempura pickled onion rings, caramelised onion jus (Market Price) 🥒 Grilled zucchini, buttermilk and garlic dressing, chilli oil ($16.00)

🍰 Pandan cake, coconut sorbet, sorrel ($13.00)

I paid $80.00 here which included a mocktail. The Orange Creaming Soda was a sweet liquid joy.

REVIEW: 🔊 Dessous is located on basement level to the same entry as Hazel that has an incredible sound system. You can feel the bass thumping as you wind down the stairs! Lighting is dim which exudes a level of intimacy. As the bass envelopes conversations (you might need to raise your voice a bit), it all leads itself into a fun and casual time.

❤ Favourites of the night were the fried aspects of Dessous. I'm talking about the Spanner Crab which we rolled our eyes back for, potato bread that we appreciated within the Char-grilled squid dish, and the tempura pickled onion rings. I appreciated how the batter is thin and none of the fried aspects were oily. The spanner crab is phenomenally light and a memorable piece of art. Could have gone for 2 of these as an entree and been incredibly happy. 🥰🤩🥰

❌ I don't need to hear about the butchers cut. For people who like leaner meats, they'd appreciate this cut more but I prefer my meat to be melt-in-your-mouth fatty which this was not. 😢 ➖ Wasn't a fan of the bone marrow dish either, which quickly gelatinised. With sticky rice that didn't provide much flavour and didn't meld well with the bone marrow, it was overwhelmingly rich and the texture was a bit off. The thai herb salad did a great job trying to break through the oily gluggy nature though... 😊👍

👋 Service is frantic but while they're with you, they're good. Trying to get their attention outside of bringing food to your table is a mission. We opted to stand nearby the entrance when going to pay for our bill. Perhaps they were understaffed on the night we were there, but I'm sure an extra pair of hands would've been much appreciated to manage the volume of diners...

Flinders Lane is packed with incredible restaurants—many of them hugely popular—but on a recent walk down the strip, I discovered that some of the lesser-known spots are just as buzzing. One of those hidden gems is Dessous.

Tucked underneath its sister restaurant Hazel, Dessous is located in one of Flinders Lane’s oldest buildings and feels like a secret waiting to be found. Designed by The Stella Collective, the space oozes intimacy and old-world charm, layered with modern flair. Think plush velvets, deep greens, and dark timbers. It’s moody, cosy, and utterly inviting. One detail I loved? The tiny high windows that only show the feet of passersby—making you feel even more tucked away from the outside world.

We came as a group of five and kicked things off with cocktails (which the staff kindly replaced when I accidentally spilled mine—amazing service!). The menu initially felt a little overwhelming, but our waitress helped guide us through with great recommendations.

We started with oysters, then shared a variety of small plates: Abrolhos Island scallop, spanner crab donuts, pork katsu sandos, ox tongue skewers, and flank steak skewers. For mains, we ordered the grilled pork jowl and chargrilled squid. Every single dish was packed with flavour—we demolished everything. The cuisine leans heavily Thai-inspired, so there’s a definite kick to most of the dishes. If you’re spice-shy, this place may not be for you… but if you love bold flavours, you’ll be in heaven.

Our top dish? The pork katsu sando—simple, but perfectly executed.

Price-wise, Dessous sits on the higher end, but it’s 100% worth it for the quality of both food and service. A beautiful dining experience in a hidden corner...

Ladies and gentlemen, if you're looking for a meal that will take your taste buds on a journey they'll never forget, look no further than Dessous restaurant in Melbourne. This place is the real deal, a culinary gem that should be on every food lover's bucket list.

First and foremost, I have to give a shoutout to Gurli, the waitress who served us during our visit. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and had a true passion for the food and drink on offer at Dessous. Her recommendations were spot on and her service was top-notch - she truly enhanced my experience.

Now, let's talk about the food. Oh my, the food! The standout dish for me was the pork hock croquette - crispy on the outside, with a creamy, flavorful filling that practically melted in my mouth. It was a true masterpiece, and I'm still dreaming about it days later. But really, every dish I tried was expertly prepared and bursting with flavor.

The atmosphere at Dessous is equally impressive. It's cozy and intimate, with dim lighting and a stylish decor that makes you feel like you've been transported to a chic bistro in Paris. The wine list is extensive and impressive, with options to suit every palate and budget.

All in all, Dessous is now my number one restaurant in Melbourne. The food, the service, the atmosphere - it all comes together to create an unforgettable dining experience. So if you're in the mood for an incredible meal that will leave you feeling satisfied and delighted, head to Dessous and let Gurli and the team take care of you. You...