Mate's Table
Subscribe
Create
Share with the community

What would you like to make?

Add a recommendationShare a place worth gathering around.Create a guideBuild a useful list for your city.
For business

Restaurant

Cognoscenti Food & Wine

1628A Burwood Hwy, Belgrave VIC 3160, Australia

Recommended by 30 people

Updated

Find Cognoscenti Food & Wine

1628A Burwood Hwy, Belgrave VIC 3160, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 8203 8490
HoursMonday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Book Now

About Cognoscenti Food & Wine

Cognoscenti delivers polished fine dining to Belgrave—saving you the drive into Melbourne's CBD. Diners head up the hills for fresh oysters, Queensland prawns, and 48-hour slow-cooked beef short rib, backed by a cellar list full of local Victorian pours. Thursday nights bring an unpretentious steak, chips, and red wine deal, while birthday and anniversary tables often get surprised with warm madeleines and custom chocolate piping. It wraps up neatly over Basque cheesecake with a charred top and delicate lemon curd.

  • Hills Fine Dining: Belgrave locals skip the weekend trek into the city for fresh oysters, snapper crudo, and thoughtful Victorian wine pairings.
  • Thursday Steak Night: A popular mid-week staple featuring sliced steak, chips, and a poured glass of red wine.
  • Celebration Touches: Milestone dinners regularly arrive with warm madeleines and chocolate script piped straight onto the plate.
RestaurantRestaurant

What's On at Cognoscenti Food & Wine

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Cognoscenti Food & Wine

Discover why diners choose Cognoscenti Food & Wine for intimate date nights, group celebrations, and refined local dining in the hills.

  • City-Caliber Dining in Belgrave

    Locals and visitors can enjoy top-tier fine dining and curated wines in the Dandenong Ranges without making the trek into central Melbourne.

    We’ve been coming here for years so we don’t have to travel to the city for a night out.

    Siri | Melbourne Hotspots

  • Ideal Pairing for Hills Outings

    Positioned right in Belgrave, the restaurant pairs seamlessly with a scenic day trip or an evening visit to the adjacent Cameo Cinema.

    Next to the Cameo Cinema and around the corner from the Puffing Billy steam train, it’s the perfect place to combine a daytrip or weekend getaway in the Dandenong Ranges.

    Siri | Melbourne Hotspots

  • Warm Ambience for Special Milestones

    Couples dining for anniversaries and romantic evenings are welcomed with warm hospitality and an intimate, unhurried atmosphere.

    It strikes the perfect balance of elegance and warmth, and every time we leave with smiles and full hearts.

    Rekha Yeddu

  • Personalized Celebration Gestures

    Celebratory dinners are elevated by thoughtful touches, including warm madeleines personalized with chocolate piping.

    We were also surprised with a lovely extra touch of madeleine cakes on a plate with the words “Happy Anniversary” in chocolate piped onto the plate.

    Maria Pintaudi

  • Dedicated Thursday Steak Night

    Midweek diners can take advantage of a dedicated Thursday promotion pairing perfectly sliced steak and chips with a glass of red wine.

    We booked in for the Thursday night steak , chips and glass of red deal . The food was delicious.

    Rebecca Giles

  • Seamless Menus for Large Groups

    Multi-course set menus provide generous portions and seamless execution for large group gatherings and private milestones.

    More than enough food across the three courses for 12 people and superb service throughout the night.

    Brendan King

Core culinary highlights and signature favorites from the kitchen

  • Fresh oysters

    oysters? Absolutely stunning — fresh, clean, and briny, they’re worth every bite and set the tone for an exceptional meal.

    Rekha Yeddu

  • Thursday night steak deal

    We booked in for the Thursday night steak , chips and glass of red deal . The food was delicious.

    Rebecca Giles

  • House bread

    however if you are going I highly recommend the bread. Honestly they should make it a main meal I could've smashed 10 of those bad boys.

    warrickw

  • Beef short rib

    The set menu was extensive and included a 48 hour slow cooked beef short rib.

    Brendan King

Other favorites

Indulgent desserts and crafted cocktails to complete the dining experience

  • Madeleines

    The madeleines were a lovely touch to end the night.

    Brendan King

  • Sticky-date pudding

    Best sticky date pudding I've had!

    Suzanne King

  • Moulin Rouge cocktail

    The Moulin Rouge cocktail is an absolute must-try — incredible taste and very well balanced.

    Irina

  • Basque cheesecake

    Dessert was the perfect finale: the Basque cheesecake was rich yet light, with a gorgeous burnt top and served with just the right touch of sweetness

    Kaeli Haines

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality gestures and elevated dining moments in Belgrave

  • Personalised Anniversary Madeleines

    Celebration dinners receive custom-piped chocolate messages such as 'Happy Anniversary' accompanied by fresh madeleines or complimentary surprise plates.

  • Candlelit Birthday Dessert Gestures

    Guests marking birthdays are presented with a complimentary celebration dessert adorned with a candle, delivered with space for the table to sing.

  • Seamless Dietary Group Hosting

    Fixed multi-course group menus accommodate varied requirements seamlessly, providing dedicated vegetarian and gluten-free plates without disrupting the table.

  • Curated Thursday Steak & Wine Inclusion

    Mid-week dinner visits feature a dedicated Thursday night special pairing sliced steak and chips with a complimentary glass of red wine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cognoscenti offer weekly dinner specials?

Yes. Cognoscenti offers special mid-week features, including a popular Thursday night steak, chips, and glass of red wine deal, alongside happy hour specials like half-price oysters.

Can the kitchen cater to vegetarian and gluten-free dietary requirements?

Cognoscenti regularly caters to various dietary needs, offering an array of vegetarian dishes and options that accommodate gluten-free and dairy-free dining.

Does the venue offer anything special for birthdays or anniversaries?

The restaurant welcomes celebrations for birthdays and anniversaries, with staff frequently adding thoughtful celebratory touches such as madeleines with chocolate piped messages or dessert with a candle.

Do I need to make a reservation in advance?

Yes, reservations are accepted and recommended, especially for special occasions and group set menus, though walk-ins have occasionally been seated without a booking.

Explore more places in Melbourne

Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.

Discover more in Melbourne

Explore another side of the city's food and drink.

Browse all Melbourne venues