Restaurant
Magnolia
295 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia
Find Magnolia
295 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Magnolia
Sydney Road gets its French bistro fix stripped of all white-tablecloth stuffiness. Snag a counter stool by the open kitchen to catch the line plate roast spatchcock and shuck oysters in real time. Chef Mia turns out a changing menu built around classical technique and crisp balance—think pepper gougères, duck liver parfait, and vegetable plates given serious care. Those with dietary requirements get dedicated vegan courses instead of quiet afterthoughts. Ask the head somm to pour a bottle from the low-intervention cellar, or drop by on the monthly Sunday lunch run for long afternoon pours.
- Open Kitchen Dining: Guests can sit at the front bar counter to watch the kitchen team prepare and plate courses up close.
- Accommodating French Menus: Full vegan and vegetarian set menus receive the same technical attention as classic bistro plates.
- Tasting and À La Carte Formats: Features flexible à la carte ordering, chef tasting courses, and thoughtful non-alcoholic drink pairings.
What's On at Magnolia
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose Magnolia
Contemporary French cuisine, open-kitchen craftsmanship, and warm neighborhood hospitality
Front-Row Open Kitchen Experience
Guests can watch the meticulous preparation and plating of contemporary French dishes directly from bar seating and front tables.
The chef was meticulous with her preparation and presentation of all the dishes. It was fantastic to watch!
amber davey Refined French Fare Without Pretension
The bistro marries high-level culinary refinement and thoughtful wine pairings with an approachable, unpretentious dining room energy.
fine dining but in a very cool, relaxed atmosphere
Fitzroy Guy Dedicated Vegan and Vegetarian French Menus
Diners with plant-based requirements receive dedicated, carefully curated multi-course menus rather than simple omissions.
Was so excited to eat at a French restaurant that did vegetarian food well and had plenty of options.
Caitlin M Flexible Formats from Prix-Fixe to À La Carte
Magnolia offers both multi-course chef tasting selections and à la carte dining, complemented by non-alcoholic mocktail options.
Both the food and drinks are standout, weather you want the set menu for 2 or à la carte for 8, magnolia will look after you.
Jord Banga Celebratory Milestone Gatherings
Attentive hospitality and bespoke event focus create seamless, memorable birthday and anniversary celebrations.
Food was absolutely incredible and our waitress was so so lovely and made my birthday dinner so special.
Brooke Intimate Dining Room Ambience
The cozy dining rooms evoke the intimate, welcoming feeling of being hosted for dinner in someone's home.
The vibes were great - we sat in the backroom area and it felt like we were plopped into someone’s adorable house.
Katie Taschuk
Most popular items
Signature French bistro classics crafted with precision and seasonal ingredients
Spatchcock
Everything was tremendously balanced, and the spatchcock was cooked skilfully.
Olivia B Oysters
The scallops and oysters are incredibly fresh
Jord Banga John Dory
the John Dory was definitely the highlight, so fresh and full of flavour.
Nicola Hofmaier Duck liver parfait with fig
The duck liver parfait with fig was table slapping good
Gym Junkie Gourmets
Other favorites
Complementary cocktails, curated non-alcoholic pairings, and thoughtful starters
Sidecar with earl grey tea
And do try the sidecar with earl grey tea. I’m not usually at cocktail person but this was an elegant start to a wonderful meal.
Margaret Nixon Mocktails and non alc drinks
providing mocktails and non alc drinks
Emily Unkovich Fennel salad
The highlights were definitely the fennel salad and the spatchcock.
Olivia B Goats cheese tart
The crunch of the mini cucumber slices on the goats cheese tart is a texture combo I’ll be thinking about for days.
Margaret Nixon
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality touches that elevate French dining in Brunswick
Open Kitchen Counter Views
Guests seated in the front dining room or along the bar can watch the chef meticulously prepare and plate each dish up close.
Tailored Vegan & Vegetarian Courses
The kitchen actively caters to dietary requirements with dedicated vegan and vegetarian set course options tailored to classic French dining.
Considered Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Guests avoiding alcohol are accommodated with dedicated mocktails and non-alcoholic beverage options alongside the wine program.
Personalized Milestone Dining
Special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries are met with thoughtful hospitality and personalized service that elevate milestone meals.
Before you head over
Insider guidance on seating, timing, and menus to get the most out of your visit
Share Dietary Preferences Early
Inform the team of vegetarian or vegan requirements in advance to enjoy tailored set menus and dedicated plant-based courses without compromising the bistro experience.
Request Bar Seating for Kitchen Views
Reserve a seat at the bar or front dining room if you want a direct view of the chefs in action preparing and plating each course.
Plan for an Unrushed Pace
Allow ample time for your reservation or communicate pre-event schedules in advance, as the multi-course tasting format is designed for an unhurried, leisurely pace.
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