Gilbees — Restaurant in Melbourne

A limited menu, good effort with the service and atmosphere!

We came as ‘walk ins’ without knowing the place. We got a table for 4 outside next to a heater (cold night) We ordered one of everything on the menu as we were very hungry… the drinks came very quickly, as did the olives which were delicious! The next few dishes took a long time… we had tickets to a show. The heater was turned off!!! It got very cold… we were asked to share our table. They ran out of oysters! It took some time for the heater to be reinstated and the next dishes to arrive. When we enquired if we could hurry up the food, we were told that the chef ‘cooks it when he feels like it’! We all hoped he felt like it soon! The only substantial item was the swordfish schnitzel which was on a bed of divine coleslaw…. We all agreed that we should have ordered one each of these! The saving grace was that it also came with a bowl of chips (extra cost) For a tiny start up tapas bar it is okay… but for dinner, I don’t...

📍Gilbee’s, Abbotsford - 4.4 ⭐️ out of 5.

We had such lovely wine here and delicious food!

We had the: ➖Focaccia with whipped butter ($7) ➖Choux bun with Comte cream ($8) ➖Grilled octopus skewer with lojo mojo rojo ($13) ➖Scallops (~$8) ➖Charred leeks with Agrodolce and hazelnut ($18) ➖Cauliflower with pecorino and currants ($19) ➖Agnolotti with brown butter, celeriac and shiitake ($32) ➖Date molasses cake with crème chantilly and miso butterscotch ($14)

The standout for me was absolutely the agnolotti, it was SO soft and fluffy, and I’m just obsessed with brown butter. It was so good we ordered this twice 😝.

The charred leeks was also so delicious, as was the focaccia.

The grilled octopus skewer wasn’t my fav, I probably wouldn’t order again. But that’s just because everything else was so yum and this was just okay.

We were in the garden out the back which is so cute with fairy lights, a bar, and heaters, but I was still cold unfortunately.

Overall 4.4...

One of the best wine bars in Melbourne!

I had a great experience at Gilbees with my friends, the staff were super friendly and accommodating, as well as knowledgeable on their wine selections and pairings.

We came on a Thursday night, and I would recommend you coming here then, as they have their "local" specials on Thursdays. $45 for a set course of delicious, locally sourced seafood goodness! I won't spoil it, but pictured in my review is their grilled octopus, which is delicious and super tender, and their dessert; which is their very unique take on a sticky date pudding, but it isn't.

Great place overall, for a large or small group, or even for a date night! Delicious food, great wine selection and great atmosphere, I can't recommend this place enough!

Can't wait to go back for...