A kingdom where meat is the monarch, Charcoal Grill On The Hill is a Melbourne Institution, and the…read morebest venue in the city for steak. Be warned, it isn't for the light hearted: cases of meat will catch your gaze as you enter, and make sure you order your steak rare or medium-rare (you may get some strange looks otherwise). Melbournians and visitors travel miles to sample some of the quality steak that Charcoal Grill On The Hill delivers. Call ahead and book a table to be sure that you'll get a seat. While the entrees and desserts are worthwhile, they pale into insignificance when compared to the main event: the steak. My advice would be to get a simply get a premium cut; the sizes vary from the modest (300g) to the enormous (900g). Add a bowl of coleslaw for the sweet flavour, and a serve of fries (because you need chips with steak after all) are the perfect accompaniments. Charcoal Grill On The Hill also boasts an impressive wine menu. The staff are extremely helpful when it comes to choosing the perfect bottle of red to go with your steak.

Wow. Well. What can I say about Charcoal Grill on the Hill that hasn't already been said by someone…read moreelse in some glowing review. If you love steak - and I mean LOVE steak - this is one of two places in Melbourne that I (so far) insist you MUST go to. It's not cheap, but if it takes you a little while to save up to go here, you still won't regret it. This is an up market but minimalist restaurant. There is not fluff and decoration, it is all about the steak. The menu is short, and covers the essentials. When you order your steak (I had the scotch fillet) don't be afraid to order at least one degree rarer than you usually get (e.g. rare if you normally get medium-rare). When you're eating meat of this quality, all you'll notice is the flavour and the melt-in-your-mouth magic of perfectly cooked steak. While the steaks are served on a plain white plate, there is a minimalist salad and some fries brought out to the table to share. No, there isn't a large variety of sides available, however if that's what you are after there are plenty of other places you can go to, particularly the abundance of creative modern Australian restaurants. Grill on the Hill is for when you want to focus all your attention on steak. That slightly charred, flavourful outside and the meltingly tender, juicy meat on the inside. The restaurant itself is quite intimate with a simple white and (reddish) color scheme, it's quite small. Recommend for groups of 2 to 4 people. The wine list is also astounding, and there are some great cheeses on the dessert menu here too. On both counts be prepared to spend a bit, but the staff are incredibly helpful and happy to discuss the (constantly changing) wine and cheese list, and make recommendations if need be. If you are a regular, they will remember you and go out of their way to cater to your preferences.

I have since gone back two more times!…read more The steaks and salad are the best parts but I also tried the homemade baked lemon tart! It was nice but next time I think I will save room for the king prawns instead. I was able to speak to the chef upon this visit and learned that he chooses the meat every morning carefully and spends hours preparing it himself. He then spends time getting the grill ready and that can take hours too. Sooo much passion and knowledge go into cooking a single steak. Def going to go back again soon. So happy I stumbled to this place and almost don't want to share it as it might get too busy and run out of tables when I go. My own selfish little slice of meaty heaven.

I don't know what it is about Zagars which keeps me coming back. Maybe it's the rustic and homily…read morelook and feel of the restaurants dining area or maybe it's the always delicious reasonably priced eye fillet steak which melts in your mouth. Either way this is by far the best steak in this part of Melbourne. Be warned though this is a small two man show so service can be a bit laissez-faire so be prepared for a bit of a wait if there are a few tables (generally packed on weekends so book ahead).

They have a dining rewards program that gives you $10 for signing up and $15 for your birthday. I…read morelove loyalty programs. Celebrated my birthday here. It was great! The service was attentive and the atmosphere was warm and very inviting. The food was good as well. The burger was phenomenal while the steak was just ok. It was the Aged Rib Eye. Looking around after we realized everyone knew to add salt to their steak. They give you a complementary birthday dessert as well. Really have to appreciate places that know how to make the customer feel valued!!! I would go back for sure to get the burger and give the steak another shot.

Isn't worth the return with so many other great options in the area. Just ok food and service…read more We had a party of six for dinner and the only available time was 4:15. We took it because we had just flown in that morning and couldn't/didn't want to stay out late. Interesting thing is the restaurant was half full the entire time so we didn't understand why there wasn't availability any later. Enough of that, on to the food. Appetizer sampler was ok. Nothing stood out. Calamari, mini sausages, pork belly, bruschetta, salad. Wouldn't order again. Regular and garlic breads for another appetizer. Ok but nothing to make me order again. Lots of meat options and I chose the filet out of preference and suggestion by the waiter. Cooked well but the cut of meat was just ok. Good sized portion and in this case, as it should never be with a good cut of meet, the peppercorn sauce came in handy. Side salad instead of "chips" (fries) which wasn't anything special. Service was slow and we didn't have one consistent waiter.

Went here for the $95 menu sampler and I was very impressed. I was concerned that in general it way…read moreoverpriced ($13 mock tails and $60 ribeye) but all in all it was very high quality. The service was excellent. Steak Diane was something different. Nice and vinegary sauce, went beautifully with the aged steak. Many of the melas were very gastronomic, which I liked. Blobs of purres and such and always a great combination of taste and colour. I recognized some of the wines. The mark up on wine was nearly 300%! Will be back, without the wine.

Quite disappointed given the rave reviews. My steak came well done, I ordered medium. It had a…read morebitter taste I wasn't expecting, and was anything but tender. The mash was so dry, and very heavy. It was chewy, and certainly not light and fluffy as it should be. Frankly it tasted like they just added water from a packet. Don't get me started on the water like, bitter peppercorn sauce. Awful. I didn't finish the meal in the end. Getting the attention of the wait staff was nigh on impossible, pleasant as they seemed. It's rare that I don't tip staff but I didn't interact with anyone beyond someone dropping the food in front of me and never coming back. Food did come out very quickly and the onion rings were ok, crispy, but still very greasy. The ambience in here is a bit weird. Families, work groups, noisy, dark, and decor like you're visiting your auntie Kay in her front room. I've not been checked on in thirty minutes. Might be something to do with the awful table tucked against a wall.... I definitely wouldn't recommend eating here. Maybe two years ago it was good, maybe I got it on a bad night, maybe it just sucks. I'm going with the latter. There are plenty of other options sound Melbourne to eat. This one definitely wasn't worth the $30 taxi ride out here from the CBD.

This was actually a pretty decent pub, particularly with the choice of beers they had on tap (being…read morea number of decent craft beers). It seems to be more focused on being a restaurant than a pub, though the front section is more of a bar (though they tend to have high tables and stools, which I'm not all that fond of). There is also a nice beer garden, and it looks like it has been recently done up, which is also pretty cool. Mind you, the beer garden is designed mainly for smokers so unfortunately there is no food out there (though that may have changed). However, I still quite liked this pub, though it did sort of lack a uniqueness that sets it apart from a great pub.

Great evening the food and service. This Argentinian/Italian restaurant specializes in grilling. I…read moreordered the short ribs and prawns and they were cooked to perfection and juicy with a nice sear on the ribs. Also had the corn pepper stuffed empanadas which was a nice starter. Shout out to Sierra, who was attentive and also shared my excitement about the food.

Palermo is an Argentinian themed steak house which features a charcoal type grill. Ironically, I…read moreordered the pig over the steak. It arrived grilled chunks and was juicy. I also ordered a side of asparagus in a cashew sauce which was grilled and delicious. The restaurant has that rich steak hour decor and ambiance. Service was friendly and fast at lunch. It is not a light meal.

Tasteless meat with no redeeming features, awful oil drowned fries, self-conscious, in-your-face…read morepresentation, extremely noisy venue so unable to have a conversation (the purpose of the visit). Wait staff disengaged. Extremely disappointing.

I like it at this location, other than the tricky parking (at peak times). It's two levels and no…read morematter which section you sit in, the service is usually really good and food is always nice. With that said, I'm not a big meat eater, so I usually either have the burger or salmon and I recommend both; each are really delicious. Everyone I've ever gone with loves the meat there too, and from the entrees to even desserts, it never really disappoints. I love the vibe in here; the decor is funky and the music adds a nice ambience, but you can still hear yourself think. I think the food is reasonably priced, and it's always a good meal here.

This is my favourite steakhouse in Melbourne. Extremely friendly staff. Emilio makes you feel like…read morefamily, and goes out of his way to make sure you have a special night. He cooks steak to perfection. As I understand he also cuts the meat himself too. I'd highly recommend the Eye Fillet set, cooked rare. Get the ribs for entree and your choice of dessert. The béarnaise sauce is fantastic with steak, chips and sides. Also, they make an unforgettable coleslaw/cabbage salad. I keep coming back because I love the fantastic food and family-like service!

3 months later I am finally getting around to writing my review for Ivanhoe Tavern Charcoal Grill…read moreSteakhouse. Not sure why it has taken me so long... perhaps because nothing was really SUPER amazing or SUPER bad about this place... for us anyhow. We had a pretty good normal kind of experience here... it was not mind blowing and I think the steak was a little undercooked. Service - very friendly and attentive. Food came out very quick. Bread & Butter beginning course - something in that butter was unique but we could not put our fingers on what it was - it was very tasty. I ordered the Scotch fillet and my friend ordered some the Graziers paddock choice rib eye. We both asked for medium rare. In a very short time the steaks were presented and looked quite good. My main issue was that mine was almost bordering rare (instead of medium rare) and my friends steak (which was ALOT larger) was pretty much rare... they had obviously cooked both cuts of meat for the same amount of time but due to the size of the rib eye that one came out rarer in the end. We both got a mushroom sauce also, I found it to be a little bit too creamy for my liking but my friend loved it and finished mine off very easy. Greek salad and chips were fine. All in all a very filling meal... the hospitality from the chef and waitresses was outstanding. My steak was pretty nice but I think my friends steak was a bit too rare, however he is not really one to complain about food while we are out (his choice I guess) so... I think I'll give 3 starts for this visit :)

One of the great steaks of the world. The stone grill allows you to cook your steak to perfection…read more A five star meal without the need for dress shoes and a tie. Great causal atmosphere with a friendly staff. Desert desert desert did I say desert?? Eat your heart out. We thought the steaks were good well wear your Homer Simpson stretch pants.

I have now been to Demazzi Stone Grill over 3 times and they have secured a top 10 spot on my…read moreburger list! They get better with every visit. 100% add Demazzi to your list, the travel to Essendon is well worth it. Milkshakes - OMG, one of the best milkshakes I have ever had, top 10 in Melbourne easy!

Very impressed! Came across this little treasure in the city. Quaint old Melbourne setting with…read moreindoor and outdoor seating. If you're looking for a fresh tasting grill then this is the place to go. The meat platter is big and has a great selection. Chicken shaslicks also tasted so good. All the meat tastes like it's straight from the butcher to the grill and to your plate. Staff are friendly. Service was good. Well recommended.

I only order a bowl of chips and some wine. Both were nice, but the by-the-glass price was a bit…read morehigh. The service was good considering I think only two were on. The grill looked good. I would like to come back for a proper dinner.