Food was excellent, concept and open kitchen created a great atmosphere. For us, two stars dropped for a few reasons: - I’m normally not one who cares for service, however the food and experience was eclipsed by one wait staff who was a bit insincere - a lady in a suit who was a bit awkward to talk to. She asked questions like it was part of a script without much enthusiasm or interest, which made us feel a little uncomfortable. My partner doesn’t like sparkling water, so we normally order tap water when we eat out - midway through the meal this staff member poured us sparkling water, however we just thought it was an honest mistake so didn’t say much about it. At the end of the meal we were charged $16 for sparkling water we didn’t order. Additionally, when it came time to pay, the number on the machine was correct, however after tapping the card, the number also increased to a further $8 above the previous price without any warning of surcharges. Everyone else (other wait staff and the amazing chefs) was excellent and very kind, and I’d normally be more than happy to pay a bit more / tip for the experience and the amazing effort the staff put forward, however all we could think about and remember in the end is the hidden costs and charges. I know the amount probably a bit petty when dining in a restaurant like this, but the principle itself made us feel a bit uneasy. Not a place we really felt relaxed in in the end. Unfortunately won’t be coming back, but hope it was just a bad day for this staff member and that everyone else has a great experience.

ORDERED: 🍴 Sensory Menu ($285.00pp) Favourites from: Entree: 🍪 Marigold, carrot, finger lime & bergamont Mains: 🍈 Heirloom Melons, Victorian almonds, Ajo blanco 🦀 Mud Crab, Asparagus, Spring Garlic, Chawanmushi Dessert: 🍨 Rainforest cherry, koji, Davidson Plum sorbet, Saltbush Petit Four: 🍄 Shiitake Fudge, white truffle I paid $310.00pp which included the Sensory Menu, a cocktail, and the credit card surcharge. REVIEW: 😎 I won't touch on the food individually because it might change when you go! 💝 However generally speaking, the food was delicious. There's a couple of elements working together on each dish (5 snacks, 5 mains, 2 desserts + petit fours) which is pulled from places all around Australia, each ingredient fresh and high quality. 🍬 I'm talking sweetness from the crab, the team taking advantage of seasonal fruit, to the plump and juicy marron. Textures were taken into consideration, where the mud crab was paired with a snappy asparagus, or the whiting that had crispy beans. I found that the food at Amaru started off strong and continued to blow us out of the water after that. The soft to crispy textures in the last dessert - rainforest cherry, davidson plum and saltbush - lingered long in our memories after that. 📈 Service was extremely personable and friendly! We got to meet so much of the team behind the food, who came out to introduce the collaborative dishes. They're passionate about the food, and I had a great chat with one of the chefs in training who recommended I give BBC Food Science a try. 😋 💘 I've fallen in love with Amaru and hope you do too! It's a great place to celebrate an occasion.

Thoughtfully crafted eye candies in a moody and comfortable setting with professional service. For me, this is an expensive but rewarding food journey. For $285pp you will get 5 snacks, 5 savoury and 2 sweet courses and petit fours. Each of the bite size snacks has its own distinct, sometimes unusual, flavour profile. I do wish there were more, especially that cheese and pepper biscuit, topped with crunchy carrots and tangy finger lime. As for the savouries, there are a few easy crowd pleasers. A light and refreshing Ajo Blanco to start. Crab with a silky tofu-like skin and texture is lovely. Duck aged for 25 days cooked to perfection with a lovely, flavourful skin, served with a very rich broth. I also really enjoy bread simply served with cultured butter with an added dash of honey mead vinegar. So delicious, we asked for a second serving with any healthy misgivings, simply brushed aside. Desserts are not an afterthought. The camel milk mousse is deliciously silky and light with bursts of cold from the sorbet and pops of tanginess from the marmalade. Instead of alcohol, I paired the degustation with the in-house ferments and cordials. I really appreciate the knowledge imparted on how these ferments were made - the patience, the experimentations, the thoughtful combinations, the multi-step journey invested in these creations. In particular, the simple honey mead with lovely floral notes, with a hint of bitter kumquat leaves. And the darkly raspberry and pur-eh combination that goes so well with the duck. It makes alcohol -free dining a very viable, fun option. Service is professional and approachable. I very much appreciate the well spaced tables. They could have put in a lot more paying customers which would have detracted from the luxurious intimate experience.

great opener, lousy closer Had V day dinner here with my wife, service was very good all the wait staff were friendly and attentive, things went well until the last dish before dessert. The Good: tasty appetizers, lots of different flavours, my fav main dishes were the Marron - cooked to perfection and also the Coral Trout. It lost 2 stars for me due to the followings: - Last dish before dessert was the Quail, mine was over cooked and burnt bit too much on the outside, my wife doesn't eat quail so we had it substituted, only to know later it was a vegetarian dish, both dish was underwhelming, the final main dish is one of the most important dish before dessert - i think quail prepared this way is hard to get it perfect, Squab may be a better substitute ofcoz there is the higher price tag - 2 serves of dessert plus 2 sweets after, way too sugary for any degustation menu, you end up feeling sugar bombed - wine paring was on the sweet side, 5 out of 7 of my wine paring were sweet wines

We had the pleasure of experiencing the sensorial menu at the chef's table. We are avid enthusiasts of fine dining, and thus, we find ourselves comparing this restaurant to other esteemed establishments such as Vue de Monde, Attica, Brae, and Lume. Overall, it stands on its own in the same category, which is a remarkable accomplishment. However, within that league, there is room for improvement. It is an exciting restaurant, and we eagerly anticipate its continued evolution and growth. We were very pleased with the service, which was prompt, efficient, and more welcoming than in other restaurants. It is refreshing that a restaurant of this calibre does not resort to gimmicks such as ants on the meal or liquid nitrogen to impress its customers. These trends are becoming outdated, and it seems that other restaurants have not received the memo. The remainder of my review will focus on areas where an already excellent restaurant could further improve. For instance, the establishment itself could have an additional layer of sophistication. It is a lovely and comfortable space, with no faults. However, it is not as opulent as other restaurants. Attica has a terrace, Vue de Monde has incredible views from the 55th floor, and Brae is situated amidst nature. This establishment, on the other hand, is a typical neighbourhood restaurant. Even the decor and lighting could be improved. Regarding the cuisine, it is an intriguing experience. The flavours can be experimental, and it is common to find items on these types of menus that one may not enjoy. That is to be expected. However, I missed some form of theatrical element to the dining experience. Vue de Monde offers a cheese cart with 70 varieties, and their outback fire-baked bread is prepared in front of the guests. Attica provides grilled seafood cooked at the table and a journey to a pop-up market in the backyard. Both restaurants have memorable "wow" moments. Regrettably, Amaru presents a series of dishes without any particularly striking or memorable elements. On my next visit, I would opt to skip the non-alcoholic drink pairing. Many of the drinks were honey-based fermented beverages, which, in my opinion, detracted from the enjoyment of the food. The final point to note is the lack of character. Vue the monde is an urban chic luxury establishment. Attica is a pop culture restaurant. Brae is a local organic farmhouse. Amaru is... a fine dining restaurant

Amaru - I’m absolutely blown away. No words can describe the quality food, drinks & service of this place. The kitchen is completely open, the chefs do bring out their own dishes themselves and make the experience so valuable. 10/10 experience of pure value - $220 per head for 14 courses plus $150-$250 for a wine pairing. Worth every cent.

You had me at "Duck Ferrero Rocher Balls". What a journey. An intimate and sophisticated experience not for those unwilling to allow their senses rein supreme. The attention to detail, and dedication to perfection cannot be overlooked at Amaru. They do specify to set aside at least 2.5 hours, but I'd recommend more, don't rush it.

We had a fantastic dining experience for our anniversary. The food and service were impeccable. The presentation of all dishes was eye-catching and had a complex array of flavors. The entire menu was designed from light to hearty, allowing the palate to savor a variety of flavors. We thoroughly enjoyed every dish on the menu. This restaurant comes highly recommended; we'll certainly be paying another visit.

Overall very creative and flavorful establishment, we really enjoyed the food and service here. In terms of product we were almost amazed by the watermelon radish, it had an extremely rich taste and layers as our first course, you could almost experience the different flavors and textures as you chewed. Also we really enjoyed the marron as our main dish, which was a pleasant surprise. Matching with a sweet wine making fabulous dessert even better. I will recommend this restaurant to you and family dining.

Amaru is an elegant fine dining restaurant nestled amongst the High Street Armadale shopping district. The ambience inside is modern and quiet with lots of space between tables. We were treated to a fifteen course degustation accompanied by a lovely bottle of Rhone Valley wine. Each course was small and delicate stimulating the full spectrum of our taste buds. They were brought out one at a time with a description provided by the chef who had prepared them. The creations were interesting and deliciously tasty. Staff were friendly and attentive. If you are a foodie who enjoys innovative food, you must try Amaru.

Great experience at Amaru We had a sensory menu for two people which was a great experience! :) the service was amazing, everyone was very accommodating and caring throughout the whole meal. We initially thought we wouldn’t be full by the end of the meal but left feeling really full which is good. Some dishes were a little bit too salty to our liking - however, most dishes were well put and well made. We really enjoyed understanding how the different ingredients that you don’t often use in your daily food come together to create a great flavour. They always came out every dish to explain the dish as well which I thought was quite nice. My favourite was probably the shiitake fudge which was pretty life changing and the seafood menus were also great - I’m not the biggest seafood person but it was a pleasant experience. Shiitake mushroom fudge was AMAZING. we had 0 expectations for it but was amazed. We were charged for water and all the water refills that we didn’t ask for which we weren’t aware of (probably our mistake as well when we sat down and didn’t clarify) which was probably one factor we were shocked at after the meal - however, overall a great experience. Thank you for your service

The chefs, waitstaff, and sommeliers collaboratively unveil and deliver the menu, guiding us through each course with precision and care. The finest Australian produce and some of the best culinary techniques Ive ever seen. Each dish is meticulously crafted.. ART on a plate! We had the Sensory Menu $285pp this includes 5 snacks, 7 courses and petit fours

One of the top restaurants in town that you shouldn't miss it.During my visit, I chose the Sensory Tasting Menu which includes 8 courses. The quick highlights of the day include Great Ocean Road Duck Liver, Coral Trout, Shark Bay Scallop, Air Dried Kangaroo, Dry Aged Quail. Regarding the desserts, I like Wagyu Beef Caramel and Native Mint Chocolate which is full of lemon favour. Besides, grilled banana and Brioche are also the great attractions after the main dishes too.

Absolutely amazing!! Amazing menu, food was absolutely delicious with the most gorgeous presentation a bonus as well with the chefs coming out to explain each course with such great detail! Awesome wine list as well, my partner and I had a wonderful time and will back in the future!

Fine dining without pretension. This is one of the finest restaurants in Melbourne, and showcases the beauty of native Australian food and ingredients. Don’t miss the wine pairing, it’s executed flawlessly and worth the splurge.

Amazing dining experience. Satisfied!

What an extraordinary dining experience made special by the efforts of the kitchen and serving staff, they were so friendly and couldn't do enough for us. Especially enjoyed been sat at the chef's table which let us appreciate all the work that goes in to each course. Favourites on the menu were Duck Liver Rose, Shark Bay Scallop, Air Dried Kangaroo, Dry Ages Quail and was lucky enough for Clinton to make me my personal favourite, Shitake Mushroom Sundae which I really appreciated and gave him a few tips on the perfect Yorkshire Pudding :)

Service is great and food is amazing, taste and presentation is really good. The best fine dining place I ever have so far. Every single thing they serve is mind-blowingly good and the non-alcoholic beverage pairing is a must!

One of my favourite and memorable dining experiences. The tables are well spaced, giving you the feel of an exclusive dining experience. The flavours were deep and complex, with each dish surprising the tastebuds. The care and attention to detail, as well as the chefs coming out to personally serve and explain each dish, really elevated the culinary journey. I would continue to come back in the future to celebrate special occasions! Must book well in advance.

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Had the chef's counter sensory menu paired with non alcoholic drinks. Lisa was tentative, warm, and acknowledged. Each dish was tasty with layers of flavours. The home made drinks went so well with each dish. Thank you Amaru! Will see you again when I'm in Melbourne.

Best restaurant I have tried in Melbourne so far. The service and the food is outstanding.

Impeccable experience, delicious and unique flavours in a relaxing setting. Food was some of the best I’ve had in Melbourne (desserts were outstanding) but the true stand out was the service. Each dish was intricately introduced by the incredibly passionate chefs, which added a story and extra depth to the meal. Good value, would highly recommend.

My mrs and I went for our first anniversary the service here is stunning attention to detail, food was splendid ! And also the wine matching was perfect! Definitely will go back and recommend everyone to come have a try ! They gonna open a wine bar down the road soon looking forward!

Absolutely perfect. Brought my partner here for his birthday and everything about our experience was flawless. The food, service, decor were faultless and not too pretentious. We must have been served by half the floor by the end of the night. Definitely recommended as a special occassion spot that can tailor to groups. Can't wait to find another reason to come back.

Nice but some dishes underwhelming like the bunch of green in the photo I've attached, felt like eating rabbit food haha overall nice experience though wouldn't mind trying again after a season change.

My second time here at Amaru. The food and service were perfect. We ordered the wine pairing, which I highly recommend. I love this place and the staff very much ♥️

Visited Amaru on our wedding anniversary. A good place to pick for a special occasion. Great ambiance and good food. You get to eat a tasting menu that has been carefully designed. Food was creative yet enjoyable to eat.

The entire experience is truly amazing, right from the ambiance to the menu. All ingredients used in dishes are so unique and fresh. The customer service is impeccable.

Amaru has always been a favorite degustation Melbourne restaurant we enjoy coming back on many special occassions to try out their lastest seasonal menu. Last month, it didnt disappoint. Everything was made and presented in top precision 🌟 Ingredients were fresh and service was execellent. Beautiful intimate restaurant for date nights.

What a journey!! The entire experience was impeccable from the moment we step there to the end. My wife and I had dinner with the tasting menu and wine pair for my wife’s birthday at the chef’s table. It was a delight to see how organized they were and how impressive they executed all the courses. Food and presentation were perfect!! They made sure to explain every single detail of the courses and the wines. Every course was a surprise and full of flavor. We tasted different elements and sensations during this tasting menu, we loved it. Thanks Amaru team for providing this outstanding experience

My husband treated us to Amaru for my birthday. We had the sensory menu with non-alcoholic drink pairing. It was one of the most pleasant fine dining experiences I have had in Melbourne so far. Food was amazing and every bit was full of effort and details. The drink pairing was such an exciting experience. The flavours were so interesting and they completed and complemented the whole menu perfectly. Lisa the lady who served us for the afternoon was very nice, professional and thoughtful. She’s one of the reasons we will go back in the future. Also thanks to a bunch of young talented chefs working so hard in the kitchen, especially head chef Cameron. We left with a very contented heart and tummy. Attached are my favourites from the menu.

What an amazing experience!! Definitely one of the best restaurants in Melbourne. Food was ridiculously delicious, service is outstanding. We will be back 😎

What an experience I had. From the food to the service and the chefs coming and explaining the ingredients in the food you're about to eat. Everyone is so professional at their craft. I went for my wedding anniversary and the ambience was so intimate. My husband added the wine pairing with his courses and it was fascinating to learn by the waiter about which region the wine comes from and it's history. I had the sensory menu and each bite was exquisite. It was a work of art. Well done to Clinton and the team for making it an awesome night. It's too hard to choose a favorite of the night. Each course complemented the other. Thank you.

First fine dining with my partner. Everything in this place is perfect. Staff are also very friendly. Will visit again!

An awesome experience! We got the signature menu at the chef's table and thoroughly enjoyed it. Food was outstanding and so creative. Staff were so friendly but not overbearing. The decor is also simple but elegant. Highly recommend if looking for a high quality fine dining experience in Melbourne!

We have never been to the actual physical restaurant, but during the lockdowns ordered several times. The food is brilliant, instructions are so easy and clear, you end up with fantastically looking gourmet dishes. After ordering from Amaru, we invariably got disappointed when we tried take home food from other really famous restaurants. Amaru is so much better! Highly recommend, looking forward to actually visiting the restaurant when Victoria is reopen again.