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Modern Italian · South Yarra, Melbourne

Gilson South Yarra Menu: All-Day Italian Dining on Domain Road

Full guide to Gilson South Yarra — the modern Italian all-day restaurant at 171 Domain Road, South Yarra, Melbourne. Open 7am till late, the kitchen serves wood-fired pizzette, seasonal pasta, grilled mains and a brunch menu that has made Gilson a neighbourhood staple near the Royal Botanic Gardens. Set menus start from $70 per person for groups of eight or more.

171 Domain Rd, South YarraModern Italian · All-DayOpen 7am till lateWood-fired ovenTerrace with Botanic Gardens viewsSet menus from $70pp
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Set Menu Classic$70pp
Set Menu Premium$90pp
Baked EggsPrice on menu
Grilled OctopusPrice on menu
Roast Half-ChickenPrice on menu
Jump to: About Gilson All-Day Menu Set Menus Signature dishes Dietary options Private dining Location & hours FAQ
About Gilson South Yarra

A modern Italian neighbourhood eatery on Domain Road

Gilson occupies 171 Domain Road in South Yarra, steps from the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Tan — Melbourne's premier urban running and walking circuit. The restaurant is run by Jamie McBride, who previously founded the acclaimed Melbourne cafes Mammoth and Barry, and his partner Loren McBride.

The kitchen takes its cues from Italian simplicity: seasonal produce cooked with care over a wood-fired oven, house-made pasta, quality antipasti, and classic brunch dishes. The philosophy is neighbourhood hospitality — a place to linger over a Seven Seeds espresso in the morning, share a long lunch on the terrace, or settle in for dinner with wine from an Italian-forward list.

The dining room features marble tables, wicker chairs and a warm, powder-pink and white palette. Upstairs, Privato is a private dining room for up to 32 guests with a treetop-view balcony and open fireplace.

2016Opened
7amOpens daily
32Privato capacity
$$Price range
Quick answers

Common questions about Gilson's menu and dining

Four things visitors most often want to know about Gilson South Yarra.

Cuisine
Modern Italian — all-day

Seasonal produce, wood-fired oven, house-made pasta and brunch classics alongside dinner mains.

Set menu price
From $70 per person $70–$90pp

Shared set menus for groups of 8 or more. Two tiers available; arranged at booking.

Best for
All-day dining, group bookings

Walk-ins welcome; ideal for brunch after the Tan, lunch with the Botanic Gardens view, or an evening out.

Private dining
Privato — up to 32 guests

Upstairs room with private balcony and open fireplace. Contact info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au for event packs.

Browse the menu

Jump to a menu category

All-Day Brunch4 itemsStarters & Small Plates3 itemsPasta & Pizzette2 itemsMains3 itemsSweets & Pastries3 itemsDrinks5 itemsSet Menus (Groups of 8+)2 items
The full menu

Gilson South Yarra — all menu categories

All dishes sourced from published reviews and the restaurant's official website. Individual a la carte prices are not publicly listed by Gilson — see note below.

About pricing. Gilson South Yarra does not publish individual a la carte prices online. Menu items shown are sourced from published reviews (Timeout Melbourne, Broadsheet) and the restaurant's own website. Set menu pricing of $70pp and $90pp is as stated on gilsonrestaurant.com.au (reviewed May 2026). Confirm current prices directly with the restaurant before visiting: (03) 9866 3120 or info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au.
Set menus & group dining

Gilson set menus for groups of 8 or more

Groups of eight or more guests dine from shared set menus, arranged at the time of booking. Two pricing tiers are available, both confirmed on the official website as of May 2026.

Set Menu — Classic$70pp

  • Multiple shared courses (starters through dessert)
  • Seasonal Italian ingredients
  • Arranged at time of booking
  • Minimum 8 guests

Price confirmed on gilsonrestaurant.com.au as of May 2026. Menu content rotates seasonally.

Set Menu — Premium$90pp

  • Extended shared courses with premium ingredients
  • Additional course selections vs. Classic tier
  • Arranged at time of booking
  • Minimum 8 guests

Price confirmed on gilsonrestaurant.com.au as of May 2026. Menu content rotates seasonally.

Signature dishes

Most-noted dishes at Gilson South Yarra

These are the dishes most often highlighted in published reviews of Gilson. Menu items rotate seasonally — confirm current availability with the restaurant.

  1. 1Baked Eggs (kale, broccoli, dukkah, feta)All-day brunch icon, vegetarianSee menu
  2. 2Garfish on Toast with Eggplant PureeWood-oven sourdough, signature starterSee menu
  3. 3Grilled Octopus with Eggplant CaponataClassic Italian antipastoSee menu
  4. 4Potato Focaccia with StracciatellaWood-fired, vegetarianSee menu
  5. 5Cone Bay Barramundi in Herby BrothSustainable fish, gluten-freeSee menu
  6. 6Roast Half-ChickenWood-fired, free-rangeSee menu
  7. 7Custard and Rhubarb Jam DoughnutCounter pastry classicSee menu
  8. 8Wood-Fired PizzetteSeasonal toppings, rotatesSee menu
Signature spotlight

Six things that define the Gilson dining experience

All-day

Breakfast to dinner, seven days

Unlike many Melbourne restaurants that anchor to one service, Gilson runs a full kitchen from 7am until late — brunch dishes, lunch plates, and an evening Italian menu all from the same kitchen and wood-fired oven.

Wood-fired

Wood-fired oven at the heart

The wood-fired oven is central to Gilson's menu — it chars the sourdough for garfish toast, finishes the half-chicken, bakes the rotating pizzette and gives the kitchen its signature warmth and flavour.

Italian seasonal

Simple Italian with local produce

The kitchen's philosophy is classic Italian restraint: good seasonal produce, minimal intervention, and dishes that would be at home in a northern Italian trattoria as much as on a Melbourne street. House-made pasta and fresh, "nose to tail" ingredient sourcing.

Location

The Tan and the Botanic Gardens

Gilson is a favourite post-run destination for Tan regulars and a go-to for visitors to the Royal Botanic Gardens. The terrace — overlooking treetops with the Gardens behind it — is one of the better outdoor dining spots in inner Melbourne.

Coffee

Seven Seeds specialty coffee

Seven Seeds, based in Carlton, is one of Melbourne's most respected specialty roasters. Gilson has served Seven Seeds since opening — single-origin espresso and batch brew available all day alongside the full food menu.

Private dining

Privato — upstairs for 32

Privato is Gilson's upstairs private dining room: light-filled, with a private balcony and open fireplace. Available for lunches, dinners, product launches and celebrations. Set menus from $70pp; contact the restaurant for an event pack.

Dietary options

Vegetarian, gluten-free and dietary considerations at Gilson

Gilson's Italian-focused menu includes several naturally vegetarian dishes and is adaptable for dietary requirements. The kitchen can accommodate gluten-free pasta on request.

If you have a serious allergy or specific dietary need, call ahead on (03) 9866 3120 — the team are noted for attentive, friendly service and can advise on the current menu.

  • Vegetarian: Baked eggs, potato focaccia, ricotta fritters, avocado toast, rotating pizzette, pastries
  • Vegan: Avocado toast, non-alcoholic drinks, vegan wine options — confirm with staff
  • Gluten-free pasta: Available on request
  • Gluten-free mains: Barramundi and roast chicken are naturally GF — confirm preparation
  • Halal / kosher: Not certified — confirm with restaurant
Private dining

Privato — Gilson's upstairs event space

Privato is the private dining room above Gilson's main floor, suitable for events from intimate dinners to product launches and celebrations.

Capacity & features

Up to 32 seated guests

Light-filled with treetop views, a private balcony and an open fireplace. Available year-round for lunch (12pm–4:30pm) and dinner (6pm–11pm) services.

  • Seated dinners and long lunches
  • Product launches and presentations
  • Weddings and special celebrations
  • Private balcony and open fireplace
Booking

How to reserve Privato

Contact the events team directly for a full event pack including current set menu options, minimum spend requirements and availability.

  • Email: info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au
  • Phone: (03) 9866 3120
  • Event enquiry form on gilsonrestaurant.com.au
  • Set menus from $70pp (as of May 2026)
How Gilson compares

Gilson South Yarra vs. other Melbourne dining options

A like-for-like comparison of Gilson against two Melbourne benchmarks in different brackets, so you can position the restaurant quickly.

FeatureGilson South YarraVue de Monde (Melbourne)Cumulus Inc. (Melbourne)
CuisineModern ItalianModern French-AustralianModern Australian
SettingNeighbourhood cafe-restaurantRialto Tower, formalCarlton, casual
All-day diningYes — 7am till lateNo — dinner focusedYes — 7am till late
Set menus$70–$90pp$200–$280ppA la carte / set
Private diningPrivato (32 pax)Private rooms availableNo dedicated room
Outdoor seatingTerrace, Botanic Gdns viewLevel 55 viewsStreet-level seating
CoffeeSeven SeedsBar EconomicoSt Ali / in-house

Vue de Monde and Cumulus Inc. are used as reference points only. Pricing is indicative; confirm directly with each restaurant. Gilson set-menu prices confirmed on gilsonrestaurant.com.au, May 2026.

Location & hours

Getting to Gilson South Yarra

Gilson is at 171 Domain Road, South Yarra VIC 3141, on one of Melbourne's most pleasant restaurant strips. Domain Road runs along the northern edge of the Royal Botanic Gardens, making it a natural destination for a post-Tan brunch or a pre-gardens dinner.

The nearest tram is the Domain Road / Domain Road stop (Route 8 from the CBD). Street parking on Domain Road and surrounding streets; metered weekdays, free on Sundays in many bays.

Phone: (03) 9866 3120 | Email: info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au

Hours: All-day from 7am till late, seven days. Confirm seasonal hours before visiting.

  • Address: 171 Domain Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
  • Tram: Route 8 (Domain Road stop)
  • Parking: Domain Rd, metered or free Sundays
  • Near: Royal Botanic Gardens, the Tan running track
  • Reservations: Up to 12 in main room, walk-ins welcome
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Common questions

Gilson South Yarra — frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about Gilson's menu, location, hours and bookings.

What type of food does Gilson South Yarra serve?

Gilson South Yarra is a modern Italian neighbourhood restaurant with an all-day menu. The kitchen emphasises simple, seasonal Italian cooking using locally sourced produce, including wood-fired pizzette, house-made pasta, wood-oven mains, and an Italian-inspired cocktail list. Brunch dishes like baked eggs and garfish on toast sit alongside dinner items such as grilled octopus with eggplant caponata and roast half-chicken.

Where is Gilson South Yarra located?

Gilson is at 171 Domain Road, South Yarra, Melbourne VIC 3141, close to the Royal Botanic Gardens and the famous Tan running track. The restaurant features a terrace overlooking the treetops of the Botanic Gardens. Phone: (03) 9866 3120. Email: info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au.

What are Gilson South Yarra's opening hours?

Gilson offers all-day dining from 7am till late, seven days a week. The kitchen serves brunch, lunch and dinner. Private dining in the upstairs Privato room is available for lunch (12pm–4:30pm) and dinner (6pm–11pm). Confirm specific hours by calling (03) 9866 3120 or emailing info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au before visiting, as seasonal hours may vary.

Does Gilson have a private dining room?

Yes. Privato is Gilson's upstairs private dining room, seating up to 32 guests. It features a private balcony with treetop views and an open fireplace for year-round events. Suitable for seated dinners, long lunches, product launches, weddings and celebrations. Groups book from shared set menus. Contact info@gilsonrestaurant.com.au for an event pack and pricing.

How much do set menus cost at Gilson?

Gilson's shared set menus for groups of eight or more are priced at $70 per person (Classic) and $90 per person (Premium). Both tiers are arranged at the time of booking and cover multiple shared courses. The main dining room accepts reservations for up to 12 guests; walk-ins are welcome. Pricing is as published on gilsonrestaurant.com.au as of May 2026.

Does Gilson South Yarra offer vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes. The menu features several vegetarian options including baked eggs with kale and broccoli, potato focaccia with stracciatella, blueberry and ricotta fritters, and rotating wood-fired pizzette. Avocado toast is a vegan staple. Gluten-free pasta is available on request. If you have specific dietary requirements, call (03) 9866 3120 ahead of your visit to confirm current availability.

What coffee does Gilson serve?

Gilson uses Seven Seeds, one of Melbourne's most respected specialty coffee roasters. Espresso-based drinks and batch-brew filter coffee are available all day alongside the food menu. Seven Seeds is based in Carlton and is known for single-origin, direct-trade sourcing.

Can I get a table at Gilson without a reservation?

Walk-ins are welcomed in the main dining room for parties up to about 12 guests. However, the restaurant can be busy, particularly at weekend brunch and weekend evenings given its proximity to the Tan running track and Botanic Gardens. Booking ahead is recommended for groups and for Friday and Saturday evening service. Call (03) 9866 3120 or visit gilsonrestaurant.com.au to reserve.

Does Gilson South Yarra have outdoor seating?

Yes. Gilson has a terrace that overlooks the Royal Botanic Gardens treetops. The upstairs private dining room Privato also has a private balcony. The main dining room features marble tables, wicker chairs and a warm, Italian-neighbourhood atmosphere. The Domain Road location makes alfresco dining especially popular on warmer Melbourne evenings.

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