The Advocate Balwyn image

The Advocate Balwyn

Restaurant Bar Cocktail bar

😠 Never come to this restaurant. We ordered the banquet set ($69 pp). The portion were very tiny and the staff was not friendly. Please check how small the portion they serve as a 4 people meal. We got every each dishes in normal standard size and been told they are served for 4 to share. When we ask... People often mention experience, service, staff, great, restaurant, Advocate, friendly, amazing, menu, recommend,


Address

431B Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn VIC 3103, Australia

Website

www.advocate3103.com

Contact

+61 3 9041 3115

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (236 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 4:30 to 10 PM
  • Wednesday: 4:30 to 10 PM
  • Thursday: 4:30 to 11 PM
  • Friday: 4:30 to 11 PM
  • Saturday: 4:30 to 11 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: experience (18) service (18) staff (16) great (16) restaurant (13) Advocate (12) friendly (12) amazing (12) menu (11) recommend (10)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 3/5 W W. 2 years ago on Google • 442 reviews
    Very nice ambience but very average food for the price. Despite ordering a starter, main & dessert each plus a side to share, we were still hungry. The food was on a slightly salty side, the waiter said someone said the same thing last week but the chef said that's how it is suppose to be. It is romantic especially the library room, but the food is average at best. Definitely won't come back for food.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 HK& Melbourne W. 1 year ago on Google
    This is our first time have dinner in Advocate. Love the environment, very fancy design. All the staff are very friendly and helpful. The food are very yummy and looking forward if they can add more new dishes. I will recommend this restaurant to my friend and family.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Reza N. 2 years ago on Google
    Stepped into one of the fanciest places I’ve been to, a lush place, great for date nights, so my mind set the bar high! But then started with two cocktails as we waited for our company to arrive, chose a what-can-go-wrong cocktail, Espresso Martini, and never seen/tasted this bad martini before, the fluff top was so bad looked like it’s been sitting there for more than an hour min! The. We start seeing some bad reception by the both waiters, saying no we can’t do this and that, i have ordered the bacon croquettes as entree and friend barramundi fish! So all dinners arrived after half an hour and no sign of the entree, the fish was so smelly however it cooked to the perfection, the sauce was awesome, crispy skin etc, we finished the dinner and then entree shown up!!!! The star of the bad night for me was the croquettes however there wasn’t any sign of apology or being sorry or complements for the big delay - all in all, expected so much better with the fancy design and great welcoming from the bartender
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Lucy Z. 1 year ago on Google
    Never come to this restaurant. We ordered the banquet set ($69 pp). The portion were very tiny and the staff was not friendly. Please check how small the portion they serve as a 4 people meal. We got every each dishes in normal standard size and been told they are served for 4 to share. When we asking for size, we were told this is the “BANQUET” set which is not design to fulfill. The manager keep telling us “think about the price, it is only $69.” “ this is banquet, do you know what banquet is?” We were definitely offended. The lady was very arrogant. She delivered the message as “you only paid that much how can you expect anything?” First, we were not told by waiter that banquet set is not design for fulfill ppl who want to have a proper meal. Second, look at the price of the normal menu, I am pretty sure $69 is enough for one person to order food a la carte in this restaurant. The main thing is the food is below the average, plus the bad staff attitude, no wonder why the restaurant is empty on Thursday night:)
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Laura van de V. 7 months ago on Google • 37 reviews
    From the moment you open the door with the crystal door knob, Advocate is simply stunning. We enjoyed the most amazing 9 course degustation meal in the gorgeous library garden. We required gluten free option and chef accommodated. (A large number of GF options already availabe) Mocktails were also amazing. Overall, outstanding atmosphere. Super friendly owner and staff, would highly recommend!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jake H. 6 months ago on Google • 32 reviews
    What a wonderful experience!! The team were so accommodating for my wife, the twins in their pram and myself. They found a suitable spot for us near the front to give us some more room and a bit of a quieter area. The interior design of The Advocate is exceptional. Same goes with the politeness of the staff and the food and drink are amazing! We both had three courses and some cocktails so we were definitely catered for. We will be back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark C. 5 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    What a surprising suburban find! Had the tasting menu for two, which I'd highly recommend. Dishes were creative and delicious. Generous portions too. Cocktails and wines were also excellent, although a little limited in variety. Very quiet evening due to the long weekend. I expect there's a much livelier atmosphere at other times.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Pianist M. 1 year ago on Google
    Very disappointing experience booked in the 5:30pm session for valentine dinner. We arrived on 6:15pm which we did inform them prior the session starts. our late arrival was accepted. we been told that our session ends at 7:45pm, understandable. Order was placed around 6:25pm, 3 dishes. The first dish was served around 7:45pm. we waited the entire dinner time just for our first dish. Ironically its the kingfish sashimi. I have no idea why it took them 80mins to prepare a sashimi dish. the second dish came rather quickly after the sashimi. 15 mins later, 8 pm. we were told that they run out of strip loin couldnt serve our order. this is so sus consider they have a 8 oclock session right after our session. how is it possible for them to not prepare enough strip loin for the day, especially on valentine(they have a rather small menu, only a free dishes). this could be just an excuse to kick us out, and clear space for the 8 oclock session. we had 2 drink and 2 entre cost us 96 dollars. bascally, walk out with empty stomach. But I have the say the atmosphere of the restuarant was excellent I will give atmosphere a 5 star, but overall experience 1 star, especially on a valentine day. Attached pictures of the foods we had, taken before touching anything in the plate.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lachlan F. 2 months ago on Google • 150 reviews New
    It was our wedding anniversary and we decided to try something new. Advocate filled the bill admirably, providing fine food, lovely wine and friendly service in a relaxing setting. And all a few minutes from home. Felicity looked after us all night and was very helpful with menu choices. We had the Wagyu lasagne and the scotch fillet which were both excellent and in generous proportions, so much so that we couldn't even contemplate trying the delicious desserts 😋

  • 5/5 Erin T. 3 years ago on Google • 65 reviews
    Dining at The Advocate was such a wonderful experience. The food was absolutely delicious. The dishes felt so well considered with an element of uniqueness in each of its dishes which I appreciated. My favourite was the snapper ceviche, which was delightfully fresh & tangy for a starter. I also recommend the roasted lamb which was cooked to perfection and wonderfully crisp on the outside. I also enjoyed the perfectly sized proportions and servings, not feeling too full nor still hungry by the time I left. The staff were also so lovely, I had the pleasure of having the jovial lady with the blue hair serving me. I cannot wait to return and explore their expanding menu.

  • 5/5 Ace A. 11 months ago on Google • 31 reviews
    Been to Advocate a couple of times and not once was I disappointed with the service. The courtyard/ garden area has such a lovely vibe especially in the evenings. Some food items may be smaller for the price but the flavour is great! And the prices for their cocktails are very reasonable as well for evening service.

  • 5/5 Babin M. 9 months ago on Google • 13 reviews
    We went to celebrate burthday, had a nine course meal, and few drinks. Everything is amazing. We were halfway through our courses, and we forgot to mention we dont eat beef. Staff there were awesome, and the chef replaced the beef item with salmon.

  • 3/5 Judith G. 3 weeks ago on Google • 8 reviews New
    Food is good, but not excellent. Duck fat potatoes are to die for. Cocktails ho hum, overpriced and lacked impact. They had only one dessert on offer. Atmosphere is 10/10, really plush, beautifully lit and furnished, pleasure to experience. The let down is the staff. The owner is standoffish, and lacks warmth. The server was really a bit supercilious, commented that I had a broad Australian way of speaking. It's ok, the ambience being the standout, the food being acceptable, the service needing an overhaul.

  • 5/5 Claire I. 3 weeks ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    Such a great little spot - the interior decoration was magical, great atmosphere. Very generous 9 course set menu, and very accommodating of preferences. Lovely staff. Will be back!

  • 5/5 Antigoni C. 4 months ago on Google • 3 reviews
    What a wonderful experience I had with my work colleagues for drinks and a meal on a Friday night. The service, meals and atmosohere was absolutely amazing. I had a lovley chat with Jane who was so friendly and professional not to mention the staff were very friendly and accommodating. I will definitely be back with my family for a meal and the cocktails were amazing!!

  • 5/5 Perry T. 9 months ago on Google
    We recently had the pleasure of dining at The Advocate, and we must say that the experience exceeded all expectations. From the moment my partner and i stepped into this charming establishment, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism by the owner Jane and her attentive staff. The combination of an extensive cocktail menu, delectable food and exceptional service made this a truly remarkable experience, especially as it was my birthday. One of the highlights of the night was the chef's signature charred eggplant dip, dukkha and grilled bread. the moment the plate arrive to our table, we were captivated by the enticing aroma. The eggplant was symphony of smoky flavours and velvety textures, perfectly complimented by the aromatic dukkha seasoning. the grilled bread served alongside was s delightful accompaniment, providing a satisfying crunch. The dish was a standout and left us craving more. What truly set this establishment apart, however , was the exceptional service. Jane and her staff displayed genuine desire to ensure that every guest felt welcome and valued. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were treated with the utmost care and attention. The waitress and bar staff were attentive, knowledgeable and made it their priority to ensure our dining experience was nothing short of perfect. In addition to the outstanding service, the ambience of the wine bar and restaurant was inviting and warm. The well appointed decor and soft lighting created an intimate atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a relaxing evening with friends and loved ones. A decor that we later found out from Jane that she was responsible for as she has her own interior design business. The Advocate - is a hidden gem that deserves high praise and a Wine bar & Restaurant that you should definitely experience.

  • 4/5 Abi DR P. 1 year ago on Google
    Booked for 4 on a Saturday 8pm. Easy enough to find, easy to park with street, Maccas, and Woolies parking around. As soon as you walk in the ambience is amazing. Very upscale vibe throughout the whole restaurant. I opted to sit in the library area which was lit up with fairy lights and flowers. There were heaters in the back which was nice given it was a chilly Melbourne evening. In this area some of the chairs are raised so just an FYI in case high tables and chairs aren’t as accessible for you. I’m sure you could make a request for lower seating as there were some tables with lower seats. Staff and service was great - they were pleasant to speak to, and really friendly. They spoke about the restaurant’s layout and design, and also discussed the recent introduction of live music on (most) Thursday evenings. They offer to collect your email address at the end of the dinner so you can sign up for entertainment updates. Thought it was a nice touch to connect with their community and a smart way of marketing. We were seated near the entrance of the library which was also near the bathrooms. When it was quiet it was easy to hear one another speak, but the moment the hand dryers went off it was near impossible to hear. Other than this, easy to catch up with mates over dinner. Food wise - very brief, curated list of meals, but all of the ones we ordered were nothing short of amazing. We had the chicken bites to start, and for mains we had the crispy skin barramundi, lamb rump steak, and beef sirloin steak. I was able to taste all of them - each so well cooked, so well seasoned and their respective condiments went great with the protein too. Pictured is the barramundi and lamb. As a side we had the truffle and Parmesan fries - it was good. You will like it if you like a subtle truffle taste as it was just the right hint of truffle. Often it can be overpowering. For drinks I had the Belle of the Knox mocktail - good mix of citrus and sweet flavours. More sour than sweet as I was expecting a stronger raspberry taste but it was great nonetheless. 4 meals, 2 sides, 4 drinks came to about 225 which is what we’d usually spend going out as a foursome so it was well worth the price. Overall a really great night in terms of atmosphere, service, and food/drinks. I just wish they had more dessert options! I’d definitely come back if there was a menu change (given it was a limited selection - still great though!)

  • 5/5 Yinuo C. 1 year ago on Google
    Yesterday was my birthday and it was a very memorable experience. At first I booked the library garden, but later I wanted to switch to the inside because the people next to me were talking too loudly, and the waitress served us very well. The food was delicious, the restaurant was beautiful and I took lots of great photos and shared them on Chinese social media sites. I went back to my original spot in the library garden when the candle lighting started and was really happy that the new guests gave me their blessing. The food was reasonably priced, the waitresses were all very friendly with a smile and it was a really good experience for me. I will definitely recommend it to my friends and also come back for more.

  • 5/5 Jeff Z. 1 year ago on Google
    It has the taste of a fine restaurant, but without the constraint of a fine restaurant. Which means I’m so enjoy tonight. Nice food, nice service and nice environment. This is a good place for talking business and family party. It’s worth to recommend.

  • 5/5 Marty B. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely place in Balwyn with lovely food. The waitress whipped us up a couple of cocktails that were not in the menu and they were absolutely delish. Went back the following Thursday as there was live music and the atmosphere was on point. Highly recommend.

  • 5/5 ADITYA R. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent bar for a relaxed drinking session with mates. The interior and ambiance both are impeccable, treats one luxuriously. An extensive drinking menu to choose from however, found some drinks to be bit on the pricey end. Overall great experience, will definitely visit again and again!

  • 5/5 Chris N. 1 year ago on Google
    Enjoyed the entire dining experience. Chilled, relaxing atmosphere. Staff were friendly and helpful with cocktail selections. Meal - lamb was delicious and tender. Usually not into dessert, but gave it a go, truly amazing tastes. Thoroughly enjoyed, will be back again.

  • 5/5 Fiona C. 1 year ago on Google
    The Advocate is the most amazing venue that has the lot!! Gorgeous decor & glassware, friendly & accommodating floor staff, great bar staff who mix the best cocktails ever & amazing food from the kitchen 👌🏻🥂 fabulous job Advocate Team. I’ll be back again for sure

  • 5/5 Amy W. 1 year ago on Google
    Not to be missed! The owners have created the most beautiful experience. The decor is so lovely and the bar space so inviting. Food was absolutely delicious and staff were just amazing. Great large share plates and huge drink selection including some fabulous cocktails. Highly recommend!

  • 5/5 Jina W. 1 year ago on Google
    As you enter the place, a magnificent setting, a delightful marriage of stunning candle wall and the detailed oriented modernised interior welcome you. Sitting at any table, you have a fantastic view of the stunning bar to see the mixologists working. For those who do not book a table and are waiting, there is a cosy lounge and a library garden at the back with fairy lights. The menu offers a wide variety of mouth-watering starters. All the products were fresh and the dishes had the warmth of homemade food. The chefs take great care in selecting the best quality ingredients and the staff were lovely. The price is very reasonable too for delicious cocktails. Thank you for a lovely evening “Advocate" we will be back soon!

  • 5/5 Rachael M. 4 years ago on Google
    really classy decor and lovely service. the cocktail list was really unique and i feel i would not get this experience anywhere else. service was incredible and i was able to really connect with the waitress who served us. would recommend this to anyone looking for a great night out, as they even serve food. watch out for the sexy bartender!!

  • 4/5 Echo Y. 4 years ago on Google
    Good service good food with reasonable price

  • 5/5 Lutfu D. 2 years ago on Google
    Very friendly service, five star meals, nice settings.

  • 5/5 michelle b. 2 years ago on Google
    The decor and ambience is truly magical!! It's classy but warm and inviting. Service is impeccable. Variety of top shelf cocktails on offer. And the food is fresh and worth the spend. I celebrated my birthday there recently and though it was a full house that evening, they did not disappoint wth the quality of food and service. The perfect venue for date nights.

  • 4/5 vqw s. 3 years ago on Google
    It is a beautiful place. Staffs are very friendly. Menu is a little bit simple, not many choices and the food is good and nice looking.

  • 5/5 Barbara B. 2 years ago on Google
    Birthdays celebrated at home during lockdown need to be special so I ordered two boxes (secretly spring and winter warmers) to celebrate my partner’s significant birthday. 90 being such a significant number, we ordered two boxes for the two of us so that the celebration continued over a few days. The ease of preparation and the end result was fantastic. I was delighted with my choices.

  • 1/5 Liv 1 month ago on Google • 1 review New
    If I could, I would give this place 0 stars Visited here with my family tonight. The restaurant was practically empty yet we proceeded to wait 2 hours for our meals. The waitress forgot one of our meals, she was only new which was somewhat excusable however, the owner should’ve double checked our meals. Since it took 2 hours to make it, by the time the rest of our meals served, the kitchen was closed and my mother was not offered her dinner, instead after 2 hours she received no meal and was told that they would not be making it. Also, the lasagne was average at best, tasted like cheap mince despite their claim that they use wagyu beef and was extremely bland, for $38 this should’ve been an enjoyable meal. Also, the “9” course tasting platter (which includes a course of lettuce) was overpriced. It was 100pp and the two people on our table who ordered this were only offered 1 dessert to share. They should be given at least one each at such a great price, no one should be forced to share a dessert at that price… SHOCKING Afterwards, we talked to the owner about the service, instead of offering a partial refund, we were charged $500+ for 5 people’s meals and 6 people’s drinks. She did not offer any compensation whatsoever which is appalling. This business seems to be going downhill fast and with the experience we had tonight to celebrate a birthday, it honestly deserves it. This is by far the worst experience I have had in a restaurant.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jerrie W. 7 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    I have had the best Lasagna in my life at The Advocate. I also highly recommend their duck bao and vanilla pannacotta!!! This is definitely a must-check-out restaurant in Melbourne! BTW, their service and atmosphere are also first-class! If I must say something that needs to be improved, I guess if the time between the courses can be shortened that would be perfect!


Call +61 3 9041 3115 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Free street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Happy hour food
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy hour drinks
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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