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Restaurant

Magnolia

295 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia

Recommended by 25 people

Updated

Find Magnolia

295 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia

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HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 6:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About 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.
RestaurantModern FrenchRestaurant

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the restaurant accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets?

Yes. The kitchen caters thoughtfully to vegetarian and vegan diets, featuring dedicated vegetable courses and full plant-based modifications alongside regular menus.

Are dishes served à la carte or as a set menu?

Guests can order à la carte dishes or opt for a multi-course chef's set menu, depending on preference and party size.

Are non-alcoholic drinks available alongside the wine list?

Yes. Magnolia offers curated wine selections alongside non-alcoholic options, including mocktails.

Can you sit by the kitchen to watch the chefs cook?

The intimate front dining room features open-kitchen bar seating where you can watch the chefs prepare and plate each dish, alongside traditional dining tables.

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