Restaurant
Gimlet
33 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Gimlet
33 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Gimlet
Cavendish House stands as Melbourne’s benchmark—grand European glamour running on pure CBD momentum. Milestone crowds fill the dining room, while late arrivals snag barstools for the weekend supper cheeseburger. Wood fire drives the kitchen, turning out charred rock lobster and thick T-bone steaks. Diners in the know keep the pacing deliberate: start with fresh oysters, sip the house gimlet, and watch dessert get finished tableside.
- Cinematic Ambience: Cavendish House pairs heritage architecture with European bistro elegance, creating a vibrant dining room tailored for milestones.
- Wood-Fired Specialties: The wood oven anchors the kitchen, delivering whole wood-roasted prawns, rock lobster with saffron rice, and charred T-bone cuts.
- Signature House Cocktails: Bartenders mix a sour, lightly sweetened namesake Gimlet alongside a classic spirits and cocktail program.
- Tableside Finishing: Dessert features dining-room showmanship, with warm fruit presentations like Pears Foster finished and flambéed directly at the table.
- Weekend Late-Night Supper: Friday and Saturday evenings feature a casual late-night supper menu with cheeseburgers for evening bar guests.
What's On at Gimlet
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Gimlet
From milestone celebrations in the grand hall to late-night supper at the bar, secure your reservation early to experience Melbourne's benchmark dining room.
Unforgettable Milestone Celebrations
Whether marking an anniversary or an intimate birthday, the dining room pairs attentive, unscripted European service with thoughtful celebratory details that make high-stakes dining effortless.
A birthday dinner I'll always remember.
K K Cinematic Dining Room Atmosphere
Cavendish House provides a cinematic balance of high energy and vintage refinement, buzzing with CBD glamour while keeping dining tables comfortable and conversational.
strikes a perfect balance between classic European charm and modern Melbourne style
Mink Eats Tableside Dessert Showmanship
Dessert service steps into classic dining theatre with selections like Pears Foster flambéed and assembled tableside for a memorable finale.
tableside Pears Foster, which was a fantastic experience
Manusha Wewagedara Melbourne's Destination Culinary Standard
Regarded as an essential stop on the international dining circuit, the kitchen delivers wood-fired mastery, pristine seafood, and benchmark cocktail execution.
Easily one of the finest dining experiences in Australia!
E W Late-Night Weekend Supper Menu
Friday and Saturday late-night service unlocks a dedicated supper menu at the bar, featuring their celebrated cheeseburger well past traditional dining hours.
Defs check out the supper menu that they do Friday Saturday!
Lucy Flexible Set and À La Carte Ordering
Diners are not boxed into rigid formats; the floor team accommodates guests choosing dishes from seasonal set menus as individual à la carte courses.
any of the dishes on the seasonal set menu could also be ordered a la carte even though they weren't actually on that menu.
Anne G
Most popular items
The dishes and desserts guests consistently highlight across celebrations and late-night visits.
T-Bone Steak
The T-Bone steak was cooked to perfection and the condiments paired well with the steak.
Petrina Lewis Tableside Pears Foster
To finish the night, we had the tableside Pears Foster, which was a fantastic experience and ended the meal beautifully with its rich caramelized sugar notes.
Manusha Wewagedara Caviar Tart
We started with the Caviar Tart, which was incredible. I'm usually not a big fan of caviar, but it was smooth, balanced perfectly with the crème fraîche, and absolutely delicious.
Manusha Wewagedara Cheeseburger
And if you’re thinking of closing out the evening with their famous cheeseburger, just do it (we were so full but it was worth it).
Paolo Tarray
Other favorites
Secondary offerings and bar craft that complement the dining room experience
Berry Mille-Feuille
To finish, the berry mille-feuille was absolutely divine.
Mink Eats Affogato
The affogato was great value and the perfect end to our meal.
Anne G Country Sourdough
The country sourdough was excellent, well textured, and dangerously easy to keep eating.
The Hummel Old Fashioned
I ordered an Old Fashioned, and it was genuinely one of the best I’ve ever had… perfectly balanced, smooth, and clearly made by someone who truly understands the craft.
The Hummel
Beyond the menu
From tableside spectacle to intuitive service gestures, every detail at Gimlet is designed to pamper—reserve your table early to experience it firsthand.
Tableside Dessert Flambé
Desserts like Pears Foster and seasonal fruit are flambéed and prepared tableside right in front of diners.
Intuitive Gelato Splitting
Staff anticipate shared desserts by proactively dividing single gelato orders into two separate serves without being asked.
Milestone Celebration Touches
Special occasions receive attentive, unscripted care, including surprise candles on celebration desserts and warm anniversary recognition.
Seasonal Tasting Flexibility
Diners ordering à la carte can select individual specialty dishes directly from the seasonal set menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation to dine at Gimlet?
Reservations are highly recommended and often book out weeks or months in advance, but walk-ins can join a waitlist at the door or find bar seating, particularly for lunch or off-peak hours.
How large are the side dishes and portions?
Sides like the house salad and French fries come in very generous portions, so sharing just one side dish is often plenty alongside your mains.
Is there a late-night supper option?
On Friday and Saturday nights, Gimlet offers a dedicated late-night supper menu where you can drop in for casual bar bites, including their signature cheeseburger, late into the evening.
Are there tableside dessert experiences?
Yes, several signature desserts are prepared and finished directly at your table, such as the tableside flambéed Pears Foster.
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