Eastern Bell — Restaurant in Melbourne

This was more than a dining experience to me.

Sorry if this review is a bit long, but I have to write it this way… I have been meaning to visit this place with our Chinese foodie friends for a long time (20 years to be more precise). And every time we fancied a Chinese meal, we’d end up at a trending, hyped up restaurant… But tonight, I decided on coming here because I wanted to experience (and to share that experience) with my foodie friends who’ve never been to an old school Chinese restaurant.

-Picture this, it’s the 1970s or 1980s, when most Aussies were starting to try out new foods from around the world. Some of these foreign foods were a bit scary to Western tastes, so the chefs had to adjust the ingredients to make it more appealing to people who were going to eat these foods for the first time. -And that’s how millions of Aussies fell in love with Chinese food back then.

As more Aussies got more adventurous with Chinese food, so did many restaurants. And as time passed, the old school restaurateurs retired, or the new owners replaced the food with either modern or authentic Chinese food. -And that’s a good thing if you’re levelling up your culinary experience (or a just like tasty food). But to eat Chinese food like eating it for the very first time again is a truly and amazing nostalgic experience… and the one of the very few restaurants that has been able to do that is Eastern Bell.

The food wasn’t the only highlight. The ambience, vibe, lighting, décor, cleanliness felt warm and comforting. The waiters were saints – Vince and Mark. Although it was my first time at the restaurant, Vince and Mark looked after us and every other customer as valued regulars.

The food was good proper old school Chinese fare, and it all came out piping hot, beautifully presented and that first bite took us all back in time. (even one of the guests who’s a Millennial started reminiscing about the 70s and 80s!)

The lemon chicken as succulent, the eggplant and mince dish was sublime, the sweet and sour pork was as authentic old school as you can get. The veggies were super fresh and cooked to perfection. The salt and pepper calamari were devoured instantly. -And the crispy duck will be on my hitlist again– Sorry no pics because most of the food was attacked before anyone could pick up their phones.

Sure this place is not as ‘authentic’ as the many Chinese restaurants in Melbourne, nor is it virally trending on Instagram or TikTok… but it sure is a proper decent old school Chinese restaurant that can’t...

Come for the prawn toast, stay for the bow ties

Eastern Bell isn’t so much a restaurant as it is a time machine with spring rolls. Step through the door and boom — you’re back in the 70’s or 80’s, where bow ties on waiters were standard issue and white linen tablecloths ruled the dining scene. Honestly, it’s got the class of a high-end RSL… minus the pokies.

But here’s the kicker: while the décor hasn’t moved on in decades, the food is timeless. Fresh, generous, made with care (and probably a lot more love than the new “Instagram-friendly” spots around town). This is why Eastern Bell is still standing strong while trendier places fade faster than a TikTok fad.

Yes, it’s a little on the pricey side for Chinese, but given Balwyn rents and the fact you’re basically paying for dinner and a nostalgia trip, I’d say it’s fair. The service is just as polished as the tablecloths — warm, friendly, and capped off with that glorious hot towel moment at the end. Pure theatre.

Takeaway is great, but nothing beats dining in. We’ve only just moved to the area and already we’re semi-regulars — our 1-year-old included. She doesn’t hand out Michelin stars yet, but the way she demolishes the prawn toast says plenty.

Locals, don’t overthink it. Go. Eat. Enjoy. Places like this deserve to be kept alive — and when you’re wiping your face with that steaming hot towel, you’ll be silently nodding “cheers” in...

We revisited the Eastern Bell Chinese restaurant in Balwyn last Saturday evening, pleased to know that the food there still very good, we ordered sesame prawn toast , prawn cutlets, spring rolls as entrees and West Lake Beef Soup and Hot & Sour Soup. For mains, we had the Salt and Pepper Prawns which were crispy outside, fresh and succulent inside with full of flavour. Another dish was the Gong Baw Pork , the meat was tender and the dark sauce was really tasty with the steamed rice. All food servings were in decent portions, we ordered a pot of Chinese tea really went well with the meals. Although the restaurant was busy, the service was still attentive. Later, Nicholas, the manager came over and we had a pleasant chat. We will definitely come back again with some friends and a bottle of wine to savor more of their delicious food. Note:- entry is via steep stairway from the front door, but later we found out that customers with mobility issues can come in from the back door via back lane from Kalonga road, and it’s only one step to that level. Next time we can drop our friends at the back of the restaurant first , then park the car at the main street or side street as not many car spaces at rear of...