The European

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Reviews (17)

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anna32
#1 in Templestowe Lower VIC
541 reviews · 77000 points
verified email - 16 Jan 2015
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

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Time and time again I find myself returning to The European. There is something about it that draws you back.
Service here is impeccable. The waiters are attentive without constantly hovering about your table. Not sure how they manage it, but somehow they are never too far away when you want them and quick to respond with a ready smile and thoughtful reply.
The atmosphere is sophisticated and classy, but not hard or shiny. It has a warm homely feel to it.
As for the food, the menu is an appetizing read with all bases (meat, fish, vegetables, dairy, sweets & wine) covered, and when it comes to your table it smells, looks and tastes fantastic. What I particularly like is the fact that the core menu changes each season and the specials menu offers additional variety in between.
The bill is mid-range, which I consider an absolute bargain considering the quality of the food, restaurant service levels etc.
One of the institutions of melbourne, and definitely well deserved.

verified email - 14 Jan 2014
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
5.0

Top notch food top notch service with friendly and very efficient staff
The food was amazing. With all "classy" restaurants price was steep, but considering what you pay for a pub meal definitely worth the money. Very filling and very tasty.
Very busy when we went for dinner yet staff were still on the ball and very efficient.
Give it a try. I want to go back for the coffee as I have heard it is the best going!

verified email - 08 Apr 2013
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
5.0

Ahh, The European! My favourite restaurant to go to when i am in Melbourne. You really feel like you are in a cafe in Europe when you step inside this beautiful restaurant.
The service is top notch, very personable. The food is out of this world! My favourite is the Beef Wellington, gorgeous...

robertn6 10 Apr 2013

Sounds like it's worth a try.

verified email - 17 Jan 2013
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

I am going to admit it, I have been here before, and the only reason I returned was because the spagetti marinara was to die for.

The first time around I was in heaven and couldn't express how great it was. One of my pet hates creeped up though...when I asked for parmesan (yes, on my seafood dish, stop judging me!) the lady came over with her little grinder to do it for me. That is lovely that you want to help, but I want more than you are willing to give me, so you should just give the customers some shaved stuff so they don't feel akwards telling you "a little more please".

Second time around was the same parmesan stand-off, but this time I made her grind until I had enough and that was so time. Maybe her wrist pain will prompt her to tell her boss that the staff would save a lot of time if they were not grinding parmesan over clients pasta dishes....

Anyway, enough about that. The food was amazing, again! I know where to come when I want a fresh bowl (order the main, as the entree will be very small) of perfect seafood pasta. Yum!

verified email - 16 Sep 2012
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
5.0

We booked this restaurant before heading to a show at the theatre next door. The atmosphere is great, buzzy friendly place. The staff were really polite, knew their wine and food menu. The service was quick too, which I always look for. The inside of the place was very French. As was the wine list. Not a huge food menu, mainly all day breakfast and a few other things. I had the mushroom risotto. It was beautiful. Highly recommend that dish. The French wine was divine too.

Approximate cost: $30

robertn6 10 Apr 2013

European and I like it. Good review.

verified email - 04 May 2012
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

So far I have been there twice. First time I when there just for Breakfast and Coffee. The breakfast was amazing plus the latte that I have ordered was excellent. I ended up was really full. Satisfied!! The second time, I went there just for sweets and coffee. Love this place!

verified email - 26 Feb 2012
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
3.0
Value Rating
1.0

Came here after a late night out for a friends birthday. They're one of few restaurants that are opened late in Melbourne, which is why we decided to come here. Should have done some research beforehand because this is not your average restaurant. The cuisine is very different - e.g., they had like smoked eel and foie gras. The prices were very high as well, chips in a cup were $10! My friend and I shared the gnocchi with ricotta cheese. For the price, we felt that the dish was way too small even for one person. The gnocchi was panned fried and very tasty but I've had better.


The staff were very friendly and the service was very good though considering there were 12 of us there and it was 2am in the morning. The restaurant itself was small and the furnishing had a lovely vintage feel to it.
 The atmosphere seemed very posh and sophisticated as well.

Overall, good experience but I don't think I would be back, just because their menu wasn't really my cuppa tea and I felt for what you got, it was very expensive.

Approximate cost: $25

verified email - 19 Jan 2012
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

Was seated in the crampy 2 seater table in the hall way up the back of the restaurant. This was not the most awesome position. However, the food was oldfashioned big rustic serves full of flavour. I was very full and well impressed. Would definitely go back.

Approximate cost: $28-$40

17 Dec 2010
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
3.0
Value Rating
3.0

nice ambience and a feeling that we have arrived at somewhere sophisticated. food was generally good however i left somewhat wanting more to the experience. maybe the food although was good, did not quite match up to the lovely atmosphere

Approximate cost: $35

verified email - 20 Aug 2010
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

Had an absolutely lovely dinner here with some family and friends from interstate who also enjoyed it immensely. Great steaks and salads and extensive wine lost. Good desserts and coffee, attentive waiters. Had a table near the door which is never the best but I suppose someone has to have it! I would go back definitely.

Approximate cost: $20-40

verified email - 03 Aug 2010
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

This has become our family place to celebrate with a great meal. Fantastic food - a mix of exotic and familiar. Really fantastic friendly service and just the right level of service - not too clingy or too absent. Loved the whitebait. Brother and his partner love the black pudding. We all try to have different things and take tastes of everyone's dishes. It is a bit pricey but the quality more than matches the cost. Can also be very noisy and a little cramped. A great place for a special occasion.

verified email - 27 Mar 2010
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

This is quite simply the best place to have breakfast in Melbourne.

If you haven't been, then you should add it to your to-do list.

The staff are always professional and friendly. Service is quick and the outside tables are a great option if you have a pram.

We've tried almost everything on the menu and we cannot fault any of it.

Highlights are the Eggs Benedict and the Tom Cooper Salmon with pancakes.

It is not a cheap eat, but worth the extra you'll pay.

The coffee is excellent and consistent.

Approximate cost: $22 per head

verified email - 02 Nov 2009
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

Enjoyed a coffee and dessert before our show started next door. Dessert was yummy and the hot chocolate was delicious! It was late in the evening and the heaters were on making it very cosy to sit on the side of the street.

verified email - 24 Aug 2009
Service Rating
1.0
Quality Rating
2.0
Value Rating
1.0

Dined here for lunch. Having a chefs hat rating I would expect it to me an excellent experience. Steak was ordered medium- it looked like it was still alive! Staff members looking after our table was most unfriendly, we felt like we were an inconvenience to them

Approximate cost: $30

verified email - 16 Jan 2008
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

Coffee here is good. Very nice surrounds facing Parliament. The restaurant has a very european decor inside. Didn't get to try the food this time around, but will definitely head back next time.

verified email - 10 Sep 2007
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

The European is a fantastic spot for a intimate dinner, you will feel like you are in a European city. The breakfasts are also wonderful, sitting at a table in the morning sun is a great way to start your day.

Approximate cost: $15

verified email - 06 Aug 2007
Service Rating
2.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
3.0

The European is a beautiful restaurant, small and cosy with a definate European feel to it (no surprise there!). Our wine waiter was lovely and was very helpful with his suggestions. Our other waitress was not as helpful. Their menu is not fabulous for vegetarians who don't eat fish or those with milk and/or gluten allergies. They will change things for you if necessary, but considering the prices, this isn't a place you'd go to except for a special meal and removing the dairy from a risotto does tend to make it less than special. Good for those without dietry issues, a great wine list and a good pre-theatre menu.

Approximate cost: $30

robertn6 10 Apr 2013

Should try this place.