San Telmo restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

I had the pleasure of dining at San Telmo, an Argentinian steakhouse in Melbourne, and I must say it was an unforgettable experience. My brother and I had made a reservation a week in advance, and as we stepped into the restaurant, we were immediately struck by the warm and inviting ambiance created by the soft, low lighting.

The menu at San Telmo is a celebration of chargrilled delights, and we decided to explore a variety of dishes. Our culinary journey began with the Empanada, a traditional Argentinian fried pastry that was generously filled with a flavorful combination of beef, olive, egg, corn, onion, and mozzarella. It set the tone for what was to come.

The Broccoli dish was a delightful surprise - fried to perfection and topped with shaved pecorino, adding a cheesy and savory touch. The Chorizo, a spiced pork and paprika sausage, was bursting with smoky and spicy flavors, a true taste of Argentina.

The Mejilla de Cerdo, pork jowl braised in apple and orange with crackling, was a wonderful blend of sweet and savory, and the crispy crackling added a fantastic texture contrast. The Zanahorias, chargrilled carrots with goat curd and hazelnut picada, were a revelation. The smokiness of the chargrilled carrots combined with the creamy goat curd and nuttiness of the hazelnuts was truly sublime.

The Repollo, a charcoal-roasted cabbage salad with pickled pear and aged white balsamic vinaigrette, was a refreshing and tangy interlude. The Chauchas, chargrilled green beans with almond hummus, pickled pumpkin, and sesame cracker, added an exciting crunch and depth of flavors to our meal.

Now, the main event - the steaks. We opted for the Entrana, O’Connor’s premium pasture-fed hanger steak (250gms) prepared medium, and the Bife de Lomo, O’Connor’s premium pasture-fed eye fillet (250gm) prepared medium rare. Both cuts were cooked to perfection, and the quality of the meat shone through. Each bite was a juicy, flavorful revelation, and the chargrilled finish added a wonderful smokiness.

To complement our meal, we enjoyed a glass of Argentinian Merlot, which proved to be an excellent choice, perfectly enhancing the flavors of our dishes.

Service at San Telmo was impeccable. The staff were knowledgeable, attentive, and passionate about the cuisine. They made us feel right at home, contributing to the overall enjoyable experience.

San Telmo is a culinary gem in Melbourne, and I can't wait to return on my next visit. I'll also be wholeheartedly recommending this fantastic restaurant to my friends in Singapore. It's a must-visit for anyone looking to savor the authentic flavors of Argentina in a warm and...

I’ve been meaning to share my thoughts for quite some time. Although it’s been more than a little while since my visit, the experience has stayed with me, and I believe it deserves a proper review.

From the moment we stepped in, the restaurant exuded a warm and inviting ambiance. We sat outside and the décor was tasteful, blending rustic charm with modern elegance, creating a cozy yet sophisticated setting perfect for a relaxed dinner or a special occasion.

Let’s talk about the star of the show — the steak. We ordered an extra skirt steak on top of the ribeye which came along with the chefs menu. They were cooked to absolute perfection. Juicy, tender, smoky and bursting with flavor, the meat was clearly of high quality and cooked precisely to our specifications. Whether you prefer it rare, medium, or well-done, I can confidently say that the chefs nailed it. The seasoning was just right, allowing the natural flavors of the beef to shine through, and the presentation was appealing without being overly fussy.

Complementing the meal, the drink selection was impressive. The cocktails were well-crafted, balanced, and refreshing.The wine list was extensive, with a good variety of reds and whites to suit different palates. The staff was knowledgeable and happy to recommend pairings, enhancing the overall dining experience.

The chef’s menu was ample enough to satisfy our appetites without feeling overwhelming. It offered a nice variety of options, showcasing the chef’s creativity and skill. Each dish from the ceviche to the flan was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and flavorful. It’s clear that a lot of care and attention to detail went into each plate.

Now, onto my favorite part — the dessert. The flan was exceptional. Creamy, smooth, and perfectly caramelized on top, it was a delightful end to our meal. It’s rare to find a flan that hits all the right notes, and this one did not disappoint. It was the kind of dessert that makes you want to linger and savor every bite.

Overall, my experience at San Telmo was truly memorable. The combination of perfectly cooked steaks, excellent drinks, thoughtfully curated menu, and a standout dessert like the flan makes it a place I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a quality steakhouse. The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure our needs were met without being intrusive.

While it’s been some time since my visit, I still think back fondly on that evening. If you’re in the area and craving a well-prepared steak with great accompaniments, San Telmo should definitely be on your list. I look forward to returning soon and exploring more of...

Booked for a Saturday evening for 2 pax. We had booked for 6:15pm. We were super late because of traffic and not being able to find parking. We got a call at 6:45 advising we still had the table until 8:15. We finally arrived around 7:15pm and they gave us two options. A) Have a short seating (as our table was booked from 8:15 and cooking the meat would take 45mins approx.), or B) sit at the bar instead and have the full 2-hour seating. We opted to sit at the bar and I’m so glad we did. We didn’t feel so rushed and it was a great experience making small talk with the really nice bartenders. All staff were accommodating and lovely.

Food wise - we ordered 2 cocktails - my partner ordered a Mojito (off menu) and I ordered off their menu - a Caipirinha (not pictured). It was fruity but not overwhelmingly sweet - good kick of alcohol too. The Mojito was also really nice - a decent amount of fresh mint is a big part of a good mojito for my partner and it hit the mark!

When you order, you are given condiments to eat with your food (chimichurri and salsa) which is great with your meats. We started with a ceviche, the pork jowl (Mejilla de cero), and the chorizo. Ceviche was incredibly fresh, pork jowl was juicy and delicious in orange and apple flavours, and the chorizo was spiced to perfection. Great starters to ease us into the meat heavy mains!

For mains we ordered the hanger steak (Entrana), and the lamb rump (Cordero). For sides we got the sweet potato in creme fraiche (Batatas), and the yellow potatoes (Papas). The meats were juicy and cooked just as we had asked - medium rare. You just cannot beat that smokey flavour! Tasted so good. It was filling enough with our potato dishes which were both also really great. Of the both of them, I preferred the Batatas more as the creme fraiche was a fresh break from all the meat. The texture from the almonds was also a nice addition. It also had purple yams in the dish.

I enjoyed every single thing we had that evening - which is super rare! We spent 280ish with the weekend surcharge but it was well worth it (and as expected).

BONUS POINTS for the mood lighting and aesthetic of the place. From the outside to the inside! I regret not taking photos but it just means I’ll have to come back!

Overall a yummy evening with really attentive and...