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Restaurant

Cordelia

180 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

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Find Cordelia

180 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

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HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Cordelia

Cordelia strips the dining-room stiffness out of Rathdowne Street, pairing sharp technique with an easy coastal focus. Carlton regulars treat the warm Falco milk bun as mandatory, tearing into it to mop up every drop of rich bug bisque. Coals char octopus skewers swiped through saffron aioli and blister whole rainbow trout glazed in burnt buckwheat honey. Carnivores get a private pipeline to Myall Springs organic sirloin seared with a thick fat cap. Downstairs, an intimate basement nook channels a Japanese listening bar for drinks before dinner.

  • Exclusive Organic Sirloin: The kitchen holds exclusive restaurant access to Myall Springs organic sirloin through family ties, serving tender cuts with a thick fat cap.
  • Signature Glazed Milk Buns: Warm Falco milk buns brushed with kombu agro dolce are an essential companion for soaking up bug bisque and tamarind dashi.
  • Basement Listening Bar: A subterranean basement hideaway serves cocktails and negronis to vinyl tunes before guests head upstairs for dinner.
  • Seafood & Handmade Pasta: The menu heroes ocean flavors with coal-fired rainbow trout, tender skewers, and handmade casarecce tossed with Moreton Bay bug.
RestaurantMediterraneanRestaurant

What's On at Cordelia

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Cordelia

Explore what distinguishes Rathdowne Street's refined neighborhood bistro—reserve your table to experience it firsthand.

  • Seafood-Leaning Precision & Textural Balance

    Cordelia's kitchen showcases seafood-forward plates and handmade pasta alongside sweet-and-savory Falco milk buns designed to swipe every emulsion clean.

    A fish-leaning (but not fish-limited) place that is ridiculously good at everything they do.

    Justas Pipinis

  • Design-Forward Ambiance

    Pale green washed walls, soft mood lighting, light timber furniture, and flowing breezes create an uplifting dining room aesthetic.

    Being in the space genuinely lifted my mood and made me excited for every course that arrived.

    Clare D

  • Intimate Setting for Celebrations

    An intimate interior layout and warm lighting establish an unhurried, comfortable setting built for date nights and celebrations.

    small yet spacious venue that adds a cosy and intimate element to the dining experience.

    Max Klay

  • Attentive, Well-Informed Floor Hospitality

    Attentive floor staff pair prompt table maintenance with nuanced dish and wine recommendations that put diners at ease.

    cleared plates promptly and was very educated on the menu and able to make good recommendations.

    Steve

  • Subterranean Japanese-Inspired Listening Bar

    A hidden basement cocktail lounge provides a moody, vinyl-inspired hideaway for pre-dinner negronis before heading upstairs.

    The intimate bar downstairs transports you to a Japanese listening bar- it’s a MUST

    Alix Brennan

  • Accessible Bar Seating for Walk-Ins

    A welcoming bar setup allows solo visitors and impromptu arrivals to enjoy curated wine and snacks without a booking on busy nights.

    Dropped into Cordelia on a busy Saturday night and was kindly accommodated as a solo diner at the bar without a reservation.

    AD

Menu standouts backed by repeated diner acclaim

  • Falco Milk Bun

    The Falco milk bun with kombu was also a highlight — fluffy, savoury and definitely worth ordering.

    Piggy Eatalot

  • Moreton Bay Bug Casarecce

    Had both the Moreton bay bug pasta and the zucchini pasta - both brilliant.

    Charlie

  • Octopus and Merguez Skewer

    The highlight for me was the Octopus and Merguez Skewer. I’m usually not big on lamb but it wasn’t too gamy here, and the saffron aioli tied it all together beautifully.

    Mashi_soyo

  • Myall Springs Organic Sirloin

    I've never had a sirloin so tender, with a thick fatty cap. It's the perfect balance between flavour and lean pieces. Cooked skilfully.

    Jasmine (Jas.eats)

Other favorites

From house twists on classic aperitifs to textured salads and desserts, these supporting plates and drinks round out the Cordelia table.

  • Rye and Maple Donut

    And the rye and maple donut was the standout dessert for me. I’d absolutely order that again!

    Piggy Eatalot

  • Yellow Negroni

    To start, I ordered their take on a Negroni — a striking yellow twist on the classic red cocktail — and it tasted just as good as it looked.

    Clare D

  • Chocolate Tart

    The chocolate tart was a perfect sweet ending. The orange zest really cut through the richness of the chocolate, which I loved!!

    Wishar

  • Mustard Greens and Goat's Curd Salad

    I really enjoyed the mustard greens and goat’s curd salad - it had lots of crunchy textures, nicely complemented by the creamy goat’s curd.

    Wishar

Beyond the menu

From subterranean aperitifs to tableside kitchen visits, thoughtful touches elevate every course—reserve your table to experience them firsthand.

  • Tableside Chef Visits

    Head chef George regularly emerges from the kitchen to chat directly with guests, adding warm, personal hospitality to the evening.

  • Subterranean Listening Bar

    An intimate subterranean listening bar downstairs transports guests into a Japanese-inspired vinyl lounge for pre-dinner negronis before dining.

  • Careful Dietary Craft

    The kitchen delivers thoughtful dietary attention with standout gluten-free pasta and imaginative creations like their Earl Grey dessert.

  • Welcoming Solo Walk-In Hospitality

    Solo diners dropping in without reservations are warmly accommodated at the bar counter with full access to the savory menu and warm milk buns.

Before you head over

Practical tips to navigate reservations, pacing, and ordering—book your table now to experience Carlton's premier modern bistro.

  • Reserve Ahead for Weekend Dining

    Weekend tables fill up quickly, so reserve your spot in advance. If visiting on a whim, solo diners and walk-ins can often find a stool at the bar.

  • Order Milk Buns for the Sauces

    Pair your pasta and saucy seafood mains with the glazed Falco milk buns—they are essential for mopping up every drop of rich bisque and dashi.

  • Start Downstairs in the Basement Bar

    Arrive early to kick off your evening downstairs in the intimate basement listening-bar nook with a pre-dinner cocktail before heading to your table.

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