I have always heard of this place as being highly rated for excellent Chinese food however never managed to pay a visit until we received a gift to dine here, and wow am I kicking myself for never trying this sooner! As soon as you step into the premises, the staff are all so welcoming and attentive. I can only echo what other reviewers have said and agree the service is second to none. I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant where I haven't had to get the attention of staff. And the food, wow! Everything was beautiful, we had the summer tasting banquet and we cannot fault any of the dishes. The coral trout was cooked to perfection, eye fillet was so tender and the veg was so simple yet wonderfully complimented the special fried rice and eye fillet. Dessert could be selected from a wide range from crepe to ice cream to something more traditional like milk pudding. We were spoilt for choice! We went with the almond pudding and the baked chestnut crumble. The custard pudding in the bake was really nice and not too sweet. Overall it was a wonderful night out, we will definitely be back and telling family and friends about this place.

8/9/23 update. Reading some reviews posted since my last visit, there were diners whose experience at Flower Drum did not meet their expectations, and others whose experience exceeded their expectations. Flower drum is definitely not cheap, and is not your everyday suburban Chinese cheap eats. We were there for lunch today, a 3 course lunch special for $80 per person. Yes, other Chinese restaurants cook similar dishes but what Flower Drum does better is subtle. 1. Tables are well spaced apart and you can have conversations without having to listen to conversations from other diners, 2. I have never felt rushed to order or finish my meal. Staff were attentive and not overbearing. 3. Food quality - consistently good and not "hit and miss". For example, the crispy skin chicken is always succulent and never dry. A "must try" Melbourne institution that is famous for its fresh Cantonese style dishes. If you don't know what to order or can't decide, just ask your wait staff and they will organise for you. The wine list here is extensive and if your pockets are deep and you feel like getting a special bottle, we'll, chances are they will have something to match your food.

We came here to have my birthday lunch, to be honest, I'm not very satisfied. After sitting down, the waiter came with the menu and handed it to my husband, then turned around and asked me "do you still need the menu?" I'm shocked, why not? I didn't deserved to have a look at the menu? Food that we ordered tasted nice, but nothing fancier than any other Chinese restaurants. However the portions for each dish were so small, we had two adults and two kids both under 5, after spending more than $300 I didn't even feel full. Disappointed, won't recommend.

The annual award winning 15 chefs hat restaurant lives up to its reputation. Fabulous environment for vivacious celebrations, superb food and friendly talented staff. Amazing crab, scallop and shrimp dumplings, stuffs crab shell, Jade tiger abalone and pepper eye fillet. Yummy.

Amazing atmosphere, the customer service was immaculate. We came as a group of four, when we ordered the mains they served it all to us all equally instead of just picking at the dish. Our favourite was definitely the Peking Duck! Definitely would recommend going back and trying out more of there dishes 🙌🏼 The drinks were also amazing, a restaurant always worth visiting.

The food in this restaurant is very authentic. The menu is quite extensive and contains lots of choices for live seafood. The service at this place is impeccable. Every dish is served in individually-sized portions. Everything we ordered was very tasty. It was an excellent meal.

Ordered the Chef's Signature Banquet (6 courses) with the matching wine menu. The courses were all prepared well and the wine went really nicely with each. The selection was well balanced with both sea food and steak being offered, topped with a fresh desert. I would say Flower Drum is erring on the side of being slightly too expensive for the offering, but is still an excellent dining experience. The atmosphere and staff were very hospitable.

So far this is one of the best Chinese restaurant with five star service. I can feel the warm welcome from the supervisor, it was very sincerely and the dedicated waiter was following the service procedures. Given i worked in five star restaurant many years ago, I can feel its very professional. The only suggestion I could give is when introducing the wine, normally the person who tasted the wine needs to wait to be the last pouring glass, but that’s just a minor thing. Also I can feel serving waiter doesn’t take customer orders, needs to wait for the supervisor, but it could be better if the serving waiter could acknowledge that client wants to make additional order and inform the supervisor. Overall the place deserve a five star, food is top quality, nice environment and good service. Definitely recommend friends and family members to visit and try out more often.

This restaurant is very old school and traditional service. You need to tell staff to keep food well paced as they assume everyone wants to sit there for hours. Food has small portions, completely overpriced and unsubstantial. I've eaten here many times, and each time, I have the same experience. Unless you've got deep pockets, there are many other places that are about 1/4 of the price and better. We spent around $250pp for lunch.

We been here for wedding dinner la . Atmosphere are good. Especially very funny staffs. We booked vip room . We have some vegan family but they also organized very well ! Apart from price was expensive,but good service made our good wedding dinner . Definitely recommend for event and celebration,will come back ..

There is a very good reason why Flower Drum is a Melbourne institution. This wonderful restaurant has been serving terrific food since the mid 1970s. We were very well looked after by our waiter - the very hospitable and professional Barney. At the young age of 73, he's also been looking after Melbourne locals and visitors here for many decades. He made a great night even more memorable! We have dined here a few times over the years and Flower Drum has never disappointed. Here are a few photos from our recent visit. Thanks once again Flower Drum. We will be back soon! :-)

I was just looking for a nice Chinese place to go in Melbourne with my friends. Searched “Chinese food Melbourne” and this came up. I had no idea that this place was one of the most renowned restaurants in Melbourne. After seeing the prices and the absolutely impeccable service it’s clear why it is a Melbourne Institution. The food was absolutely amazing, the wagyu beef was so soft it melted in your mouth, I just wanted more. I also loved the Mango dessert. The service is like no other. I would love to go back and order everything that I didn’t get to order. To anyone that is complaining in the other reviews that this place is expensive, yes it might be but it is definitely worth it. You’re not only paying for the food, but for the service and everything else that comes with it. When you go to a place like this, money doesn’t matter, just let your wallet be free!

Treated myself to an 'Out of This World' experience last night at Melbourne’s ‘Flower Drum’ – This is a high end traditional Cantonese restaurant that has stood the test of time. Why? Consistently meticulously prepped Cantonese food that’s wheeled out on trolleys, and my Peking duck was prepared at the table with a few quick manoeuvres by the expert waiter. It’s practically performance art as you dine, not bad. Food was full of flavour and tasty, and a work of art. The Flower Drum’s mantra is a dedicated service that combines great food, fine wine, impeccable service for a unique dining experience each and every time – and it delivers in spades. This is not your everyday restaurant, but a special occasion spot to impress the family or out-of-town guests or simply treat yourself. Very highly recommended 👏👍😊

We had the chefs signatures banquet. The food was absolutely delicious, everything on the menu was so yummy. The steak just melted in your mouth so tender, my personal favourite the mud crab, it was sensational. The service was first class special thanks to Barney & Jackie who looked after us. Great night had by all.

I loved their service. They took very less time to serve the food on my table. The waiter was really good and friendly. When I tasted the food it was just mind-blowing. This restaurant is worth writing feedback. The ambience is also very chilled and relaxed. You will love the food here as well as the place. I strongly suggest everyone trying out this restaurant.

Heard about the great Cantonese food so we’re very excited to try it. This restaurant is definitely catered to the big groups but is still good for just a pair. Do note - this is NOT fast Chinese. This is slower, more catered to the bigger tasting menu, 90-minute experience where everything is served for you table side. We decided to order a la carte as opposed to the tasting menu which we ended up loving. We had the - Dim sum: Prawn har gao (with and without chives), jiaozi pork and chicken (pan fried dumplings), and the Berkshire beef siu mai. All were great but the pork jiaozi was by far our favorite. Peking duck wrapped in a pancake (2 per order). This was ok. The skin was a little too thick, not providing the best texture against the pancake sleeve. Also seemed a little small for the price. Singapore noodles. This was our favorite dish by far. Sizable. Amazing flavor. Lots of shrimp, pork, eggs, and veggies with vermicelli noodles. Highly recommend. Great food, just note the above because if you’re looking for a faster experience, this is not the place for you.

Everytime we go to the Australia Open, we visit Flower Drum and it has been consistently good every single time. We have been around 5 times since 2019, and have left impressed after every visit. The service is exceptionally and so is the food. Not surprised by all the awards!

Hands down one of the best food nights out ever!!! Unbelievable service, unbelievable food. 10/10 for every single thing I put in my mouth. Highly recommended

Cost: $230 for 4 Food: 4.5/5 Value: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Ordered: 3 x 2 course Lunch tasting banquet (3 entrees and 3 mains), paspaley pearl meat, sliced tofu with pumpkin sauce Highlights: Paspaley pearl meat, almond biscuits High standard of food, and cheaper than expected. We were all full despite only ordering 3 sets - the crispy-skinned chicken in particular had a huge portion given that it's supposed to be for one person. I enjoyed the flexible ordering system; custom portions are allowed. The set menu is good value (comes with fried rice, vegetables, almond biscuits), but I would go a la carte for the more interesting items that showcase what this place has to offer: some items like the peking duck and barramundi fillet were fine, but not really better than what you can find at most (cheaper) places.

Restaurant Review: Flower Drum Location Located in the heart of Market Lane, Melbourne, Flower Drum boasts not just a prime location but also an experience that has earned its legendary status. This Cantonese restaurant has been an integral part of Melbourne’s dining scene for over four decades. Occasion The occasion was no less special than my daughter’s 21st birthday. What better way to celebrate this milestone than to indulge in an evening at a place that itself stands as a monument to culinary excellence? Ambience and Atmosphere Walking into Flower Drum, you’re immediately struck by an atmosphere that marries traditional elegance with modern sophistication. While the restaurant has undergone several facelifts over the years, what has remained constant is its charm and character. The new bar area is a testament to the owner’s dedication to staying contemporary without compromising on the restaurant's original essence. Service From the moment we walked in, we were pampered with what I can only describe as unparalleled service. The staff is so attentive that your tea will never have the chance to grow cold. They operate with the kind of efficiency and attention to detail that has become increasingly rare in the hospitality industry. Food Quality and Presentation The quality of the food is uncompromisingly exceptional. From the selection of the ingredients to the meticulous presentation, each dish sings a song of culinary mastery. They claim to offer only the freshest and the best, and they absolutely deliver on this promise. Cleanliness and Hygiene Cleanliness is often an overlooked aspect when dining out, but not at Flower Drum. The establishment was immaculate, down to the sparkling glasses on our table. Value for Money The experience comes at a Fine dining price tag, but every dollar spent feels entirely justified by the end of the meal. Menu and Drinks You’re spoilt for choice here. The menu is extensive, catering to a variety of dietary requirements, making it a haven for food lovers of all kinds. Their wine list, which includes extensive Australian and overseas collections, is thoughtfully curated to pair wonderfully with the dishes. Special Comments Full disclosure, I’ve known the owner for over 40 years. While this might make me a bit biased, it’s hard to argue against the consistent quality and innovation that Flower Drum has maintained over these years. It’s more than a restaurant; it’s a Melbourne institution. Recommendations Given the restaurant’s popularity, make sure to book your table at least two to four weeks in advance. If you haven’t experienced Flower Drum yet, you’re missing out on a culinary journey that sets the bar for what fine dining should be. I wholeheartedly recommend this place for anyone who values the pinnacle of food, atmosphere, and service.

Had a really great experience at Flower Drum! Service was great, had a quiet dark atmosphere. Had the 6 course and the 5 course menu. I'd definitely revisit, but there was an insane amount of food. It was definitely worth the price as every dish was amazing. The highlight was the Jade Tiger Abalone Crystal Noodles for me. I've labelled the photos to describe what the courses contained. Didn't take photos of the desert, but we had Baked Chestnut Sago Crumble(This was great with amazing white cream) Almond Cream with Sesame Dumplings (This was amazing - reminded me of a dish I had when I was younger)

Exceptional, creative Chinese food with great staff - Derek was perfect - recommended some great dishes and our wine glass was never empty. The crayfish omelette was incredible as was the mud crab with vermicelli. Duck pancakes a standout as always.

Food are super awesome. High price come with standard of customer service and fine dining environment but double standard policy. Flower Drum requested dress codes as Business Smart but this is BS. I can see dude dining in jean and t shirt. Please remove your stupid dress code policy.

We had another wonderful dinner at our favourite restaurant in Melbourne. The flower Drum is one of Melbourne icon restaurants we have dined here on numerous occasions & have always loved it. The restaurant is located at 17 Market Lane. The Flower Drum offers fabulous fine dining Cantonese cuisine however it's not cheap but is certainly worth the fine dining experience as the staff, food & atmosphere are absolutely outstanding.

What a night....What an experience! From the moment you step foot at the front door you know it's going to be great. The young doorman opens the door for you with a warm welcome and guides you to the lift. Once the door slides opens the wonderful staff are there to take our coats, and soaking umbrellas from the rain... that had not dampened our night at all. We are among the first dinners to arrive (and the last to leave) we are taken to our seats in the middle dining area of the restaurant. The decor is simple yet elegant, the table set beautifully. Our waiter Derek and the Maître d quickly show us the beverage list. By this time of course, the girls had their handbags over the back of their chairs. Because you know, that's where they go right?? No! They both got a small table for their bags to rest on. How amazing is that! A few weeks ago when we made the reservation, we decided on having the Chef's signature banquet. Each dish is paired with a wine, so that is 5 different wines. And we can tell you that each one was amazing, as was every dish. From the very first mouthful til the very last. The serving size is exactly right. The tastes and textures spot on. Yes, it is expensive (you don't have to have the Chef's signature banquet though, their menu is extensive)...But it is so well worth the experience. The service is outstanding, which makes it even more well worth it. Great food and great service, the two go hand in hand. Will we go back again?....You better believe it!!!

One of the best Asian restaurant in Melbourne. Highly recommend anyone to try their live seafood, price is on the expensive side but that's expected at an award winning restaurant. Service is up the level as well with very knowledgeable and polite waiters. Wide variety of good wine is also available. Finally booking is recommended as they do tend to be booked out for the night.

If you have money to blow, this is the place.(I surely don't, but it was my bday) I mean, it's a little cheekily overpriced but everything was premium quality and presented beautifully in a quick but well-timed manner. It was very theatrical too e.g Peking duck and Toffee Apple dessert. If someone mentions Flower drum now, I'd recall their service and the feel of the room more than the actual food. It's only because having eaten at too many Chinese restaurants, I've had better peking duck before(here, hardly any fat ratio) and had better Truffle fried rice, while also prefer my fried rice with "wok hei" aka breath of the wok. Both at half the price. Only letdown was the Toffee Apple dessert with the apple still being hard. Was expecting it to be cooked a tad softer at least. Should've gotten banana fritter. Overall, very experience-worthy!

Excellent Cantonese restaurant with very good service. Our waiter, Andy was very courteous and patient with our 2 noisy kids, and was very helpful in suggesting orders for our kids and family. I have eaten in many chinese restaurants all over the world, and quality of service, dedication and professionalism expressed by their staff and especially Andy tops them all. The food was also very good. Their Roast Duck was one of the best I have tried, and perhaps on par with the famous London Fat Duck. Also excellent was their Beef rice noodles. I would definitely go back to eat there everytime I visit Melbourne, and would recommend my friends to as well.

Impeccable for a high-end Chinese Cuisine meal, we greatly enjoyed the Autumn Tasting Menu and the wonderful attentive service throughout. Very decently priced for the calibre of the food, our highlight was the Abalone to start, followed by the Toothfish. Slight criticism on the duck pancake course, the pancakes were pretty thick and doughy detracting from the succulent duck meat. Also with a choice of dessert to finish it is possible to make a wrong choice and finish with something that sounds good on paper but underwhelming on arrival. Should have gone with the banana fritter - least you know that'll always be good!

The most famous Chinese restaurant in Australia never lets you down! The food and service is always of the best standards. I will usually always have the set menu when I dine here as it showcases the signature dishes but they are so good you will always want to come back for them again. I can't fault anything about the drum and always get excited for my next visit.

Derek our server for the night was awesome, feels like meeting a long time lost friend as we both came from Hong Kong and talked a lot and he basically chose what we ate that night so it was his special “omakase” which was great. The price was below what u expected as well for the quality and quantity, would come back for sure if I stop by in MEL.

Flower Drum has been in Melbourne for many years. A two hat Cantonese restaurant. Oldest Chinese restaurant in Melbourne. The one difference is dishes are served individually.

I love flower drum. If you enjoy a succulent chinese meal you need to visit them. The food is always so fresh and delicious. The service is impeccable and personalised, I love the little conversations each of the team create with you.

Still rocks. Sublime Peking duck

Best Chinese i have ever had and that keeps me coming back time after time,

Wow what an incredible experience! I finally brought my mum here for her birthday lunch after years and years of her going on about how much she wanted to dine here, and it definitely lived up to all those years of hype & anticipation! As soon as you enter the premises you are gobsmacked by the beauty of the establishment, from the artwork, to the bar, to the traditional Chinese architectural inspiration, to all the framed Michelin stars on display. The service was also wonderful, our waiters went above and beyond to make our dining experience a memorable one, by explaining the dishes in detail, to providing advice on the food, wine, as well as travel advice for China - my mum & I are both now very keen to make a visit to China to try all the recommended local delicacies! We had the 2 course winter tasting lunch banquet menu, I don’t usually enjoy eating meat but these dishes were absolutely mouthwatering - the entrees of Peking duck pancakes and quail sang Choi bao - both were super tasty. The quail was juicy and full of flavour, the Peking duck tender and beautifully complemented by the plum sauce. For mains we had the barramundi which was buttery and melted in your mouth and the eye fillet which was perfectly tender and deliciously accompanied by the mushroom sauce. The mains were generously served with some delicious sides of steamed veg and fried rice - you could tell that even the fried rice was made with so much care and attention to detail. The meal was then finished with some Chinese tea and some yummy little almond biscuits. We certainly didn’t leave hungry!! Each dish had so many intricate layers and fresh flavours, and at only $55 per person is actually incredible value for such a sophisticated dining experience. This place really lives up to its reputation of elegance and of being a Melbourne institution. A must visit when visiting Melbourne, whether you’re a tourist or a life long Melbourne local like ourselves. Thank you so much to the Flower Drum team and hope to see you again.

Lovely place , lovely food and most importantly lovely people and service! Special thanks to the head sommelier Terrance for the professional and delicate wine pairing suggestion, the wine is sooooooo good. Super recommend this restaurant to everyone. The fried ice cream 🍨 and the fried apple 🍎 were so good that I could have it every day. My friends love the fried noodles and some of them love the soup so much . And last but not least , a secret tips is that you can kindly ask the server for a XO sauce! Which is the best sauce ever! You can dip it with Dim Sum or noodles or veggies, it is a magical sauce that only the insiders know. We love the restaurant so much that we would recommend to our friends and family or anyone visiting Melbourne 👍🏻🫶🏻🥳😋

Pricing is a bit on the high side. Wine top up took ages. Food is great though especially enjoyed their peking duck and scallops.

Best Peaking Duck in Australia still stands 🤤🤤🤤 The service from the Staff was perfect! They knew what I needed and was so pleasant to deal with. Every dish looked amazing and was cooked perfectly. Definitely a lovely experience to dine and this restaurant that has been around for a long time.

04 July 2023 The food is excellent, but today's jellyfish is not very tasty. Service was excellent, and Derek really gave the best quality of service. The price is on the high side, and the portion is small. 😂

I want to preface this review by stating that the service at the flower drum was exceptional. The staff are friendly and extremely efficient. However, this is where my praise ends. After much hype my brother and I finally booked a table to go to witness this fine dining experience. However what we were met with was overall disappointment. I know we are in unprecedented times and it is difficult for all, but from a food quality standpoint it was short of the mark. As an entree we ordered three different dumplings. There was nothing special about them and they seemed like something you would get from a yum cha restaurant. Then for main we got the peking duck which was very good. The duck was juicy with beautiful crispy skin. The crispy skin chicken was next. Although moist and tasty, it was mostly cold. Next was the wagyu "short ribs". Now I highlight this part because with the thought of ribs you think multiple. However, this wasn't the case and there was just one that was minutely cut to eat between two people. The sauce on it was much to be desired. The eye fillet was served next and was disappointed to be served more beans than beef. The sauce on the beef was an overkill of pepper and was not medium rare like we asked. With that we got a serve of scallop and truffle fried rice. But there was no scallops in the rice portions my brother and I got and it was truffle oil that was present not truffle itself. Overall we were met with a disappointing experience and the hype did not match the quality we received.

I'm having such a great time and great food.

Flower drum is truly an institution restaurant and is a gem that has stood the test of time, consistently delivering delicious and authentic Cantonese cuisine. Their menu boasts a wide range of traditional dishes that are flavourful and well-prepared. The Pearl meat was impeccable and was presented beautifully. Not to mention the staff are extremely friendly and attentive, offering excellent customer service experience that makes diners feel right at home. Shoutout to Terrance and Jeff ! Ensure to try their cocktails they are Delicious!! Overall, this old favorite Cantonese restaurant is a delightful destination for those craving authentic Cantonese cuisine and a warm dining atmosphere. It's a testament to their enduring quality that keeps patrons returning for more, year after year.

Wow. Absolutely fantastic lunch at Flower Drum. The food and service were incredible. Obviously expensive but you don't go there expecting anything less and the whole experience justifies the cost. Portion sizes are generous so you leave feeling super content. Highly recommend and can't wait to go back.

Some of the best dishes you will find anywhere in Melbourne and excellent service.

Flower drum is a Cantonese cuisine institution in Melbourne that is worth a visit. There is a slight feel of nostalgia when walking through the door but on the other hand there is a resounding feel of modern fine dining. Cantonese cuisine is interesting because of the many different flavours and techniques that don't get as much credit when compared to Japanese or French cuisine. Many dishes seem overly simple, but there is such a delicate touch at Flower Drum. The starters we ordered included a highlight in the Century Egg Scotch Egg, I personally found this really delightful. The crabmeat soup was also delicious and done really well. Many of the dishes here are common to lots of different Cantonese restaurants. The difference here is with the quality of produce, the level of service and also the attention to detail paid to each plate. Whilst it will not take the place of my go to Cantonese restaurant, it will always be my choice for the special dinners for special occasions.

Came here with a group of 11 for lunch. Although almost of the dishes were cooked well, I highly recommend the Seafood Soup Dumpling, Crispy Skin Chicken 🐔 Peking Duck 🦆and Lotus Leaf Fried rice 🍚. The steamed milk and ginger was okay, but inconsistent between each bowl (some had more ginger flavours than others). The broth in the soup dumpling was so clear yet intense chicken flavour, the skin on the poultry was crispy with tender meat and the fried rice was full of aromatic smell of the lotus leaves. Definitely true to its Cantonese roots. 👍🏼😋😋

Amazing quality food & friendly staff. My husband has been celebrating his big birthdays here from 18th, 21st, 30th to 4oth and every time the quality of food never fails us. We also go for our wedding anniversary aswell.

DO: Everything on the menu that you can afford. If you have no idea do the banquet or better yet, have a chat to the waiters and they'll sort you out. DON'T: Forget the wine list. TIP: There are a lot of "off menu" items. The Neil Perry crab Noodle is my fave. Ask the Waiters and say hello to the handsome Jason, the owner of Flower Drum

Very authentic and fast service :)

The best Asian mix in Australia bar no other ! This is THE place to go if in Melbourne for business or pleasure

unique food items and very tasty...attentive staff and great ambience

FANCY DISHES LOVE IT

good service, nice food.

I loved it. I’m not used to full service wait staff so that is worth the experience alone. I wish I knew how to make Cantonese steak that good, it was brilliant. The potato pear was so cool 😀

Had lunch here to celebrate my birthday and had delicious food and drink with great service from Derek ,, I will be back for some more duck pancakes that is for sure ,, can not fault the place at all

My wife and I had visited Flower Drum for dinner for the 1st time and I must say it was a superb experience right from the time we walked in until we left. Vincent was our waiter and his service and knowledge was fantastic. John the sommelier was very friendly and so was Brian the supervisor. I had the signature banquet while my wife had the spring tasting menu, both were excellent and more than enough to eat. We will surely return when we are next in town. If I could give the rating for the service out of 10, I would give a 12. Kudos Flower Drum 🌺 🥁 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Ordered through Providoor. Food was amazing! And very easy to prepare. Can’t wait to visit in person after lockdown

Excellent service from the minute you walk in. Yes, dishes can be quite expensive ($4.50 per one (1) pan-fried dumpling or Xiao Long Bao), but it's all worth it. My dad rates the pork pan-fried dumplings among the best he's ever had. That's saying something. Good drinks list as well. I

If you're looking for the best Chinese fine dining experience, then this is the place to go. Booking is required because they are busy everyday. Besides beautiful food, they also have many great wine and spirits.

I wanted to go here for so long and I ended up coming with work colleagues. They were so great - a big round table for our party of 12, with a lazy Susan in the middle. They catered for all our dietary requirements and allowed everyone to order as required. I had the salmon, steak and fried ice cream from the $65 summer menu. Was so tasty! Loved finishing off with tea and those yummy almond biscuits! Maybe the best salmon I’ve ever had. It was an expensive meal, but definitely perfect for a special occasion.

Foods are just average which don’t match the price. I went here to have dinner with my family and service was very slow.

We went here for lunch in a private room and were not disappointed. Warm greeting on arrival and great service throughout. Very attentive staff and really great food. Wines served with lunch were also great. The Chardonay was particularly very good. Would definitely recommend.

After so many years away from Melbourne, finally I was back there again. Flower Drum has always been good, a place where you won't find unpleasant surprises. Our highlights that night were baked crab shells, peking duck, sautéed pearl meat, double boiled soup, and braised wallabies.

I've always wanted to try the proclaimed "best Chinese restaurant Melbourne", and I finally did it tonight. What I can say is - I'm not disappointed, and I can see why this restaurants wins so many accolades and awards. The food and service is simply amazing. We ordered a few dishes to share, and each one of them were marvellous. This place well deserves a 5 star and I would certainly be back.

I had a great dinner and overall experience at Flower Drum. Staff were all very professional and welcoming, always ready to provide you with additional information and recommendations, without being intense at all. I had the Seafood Soup Dumpling and the Peking Duck wraps. Delicious and perfectly presented both! They have a diverse list of wines available to pair with your choice of food. The restaurant is clearly more expensive than others in the area, but I believe the quality of service and food - and the experience! - fully justify the difference.

When we want to celebrate we choose here!! The best service ever! Great food, great atmosphere, love this place. Thanks for all

Best Chinese food

Service was second to none. Warmly welcomed and acknowledged by staff, including those we walked by on the way to our table. Extensive wine list. We originally thought we would have a banquet but then decided against it as we were not super hungry. Soup followed by mains with rice was a great choice. We enjoyed watching the many staff attend to all dinner guests. Empty plates and glasses quickly whisked away, while others took pride in serving dishes to the tables. We will be back to dine again.

Perfect, as always!

Beautiful place and atmosphere . Food is also in good stardard. The steam fish , abalone with noddle, crab in shell are impressive. Lobster with noodle is fine. The dessert of red bean soup could be better.

Amazing! Simply outstanding food and service. Can't wait to go again

The service is amazing and I felt they went out of their way for the smallest of request.

We have been just the once for lunch to celebrate a special occasion. knowing all the hype and reviews, we had high expectations, especially as Cantonese cuisine (whether fine or street) is one of my staples . Without exaggeration, this place was disappointing in almost every way. I simply do not understand how it has garnered all these stars. The peking duck was at best average (there are much better specialist peking duck restaurants in Melbourne), with little complexity and the pancakes were not the paper-thin quality you would expect. Other dishes left an overall impression of being quite ordinary, but at extraordinary prices. If you are looking for an authentic taste, and not westernised chinese, this place is not it. It isn't horrible, hence two, rather than one star.

The best Chinese cuisine for a very long time

Great food, great staff, lovely environment, great service

Ideal place for fine dinning, good Cantonese food and good service，should visit when you are in Melbourne.

Enjoyed the food here. it must be booked in advanced and is expensive too

Good Chinese restaurant

Had the summer banquet. Highlights included the abalone and Peking duck. Service was first rate.

Superb. Expensive but you get what you pay for

Excellent. First class.

(Translated by Google) Got the name ,,, (Original) 得過名，，，

Awesome food and excellent service. We can't wait till the restrictions are over and we can book a table again :)

I was fortunate enough to be invited to lunch at the Flower Drum. We had a fixed menu, which was like a mini dim sum -- lots of small dishes. The food was excellent, as one would expect from Australia's best Chinese restaurant. I liked the braised wagyu beef the best. The service, as usual, was impecable. Of course, rhe Flower Drum is not cheap, but fortunately I was not pickng up the bill.

I'd never been here but had always wanted to come to this well known Melbourne icon. It's an extraordinary experience with the food and service hitting very lofty heights. We had the six course banquet and found every dish absolutely superb. The service hit incredible heights. It'd be close to to the warmest and most professional service I've ever experienced. I can't fault the restaurant. It was truly excellent.

That's was absolutely fantastic experience

We've been going to Flower Drum for more than 30 years. The food and service are always exceptional. Never had a bad meal. Our favourite is the baked crab shell, pearl meat and the best Peking duck in Australia.

What a great experience all that time ago. Hope to be back soon after things open again.

This is Chinese food elevated to stratospheric heights. I had no idea Chinese food could be so exquisite. Do yourself a favour and visit , you won’t regret it

Tried the Spring tasting banquet and it was delicious! There is a choice of 3 entrees 3 mains and 3 desserts and you can have as many from each category as you like, you just pay a set price per number of courses you have. We had the exceptional Peking duck (complete with animal decorations in the hoi sin sauce) the sauteed beef, crispy skin chicken with spicy salt. One of us has banana fritter and there were almond cookies and tea or coffee to finish. The only complaint l could make is that our tea and coffee didn't make an appearance with our cookies and by the time we realised it wasn't coming we had to leave. Otherwise this was a fabulous meal with the impeccable service Flower Drum is known for.

nice food.

The food is really nice but it is also super expensive. Most of the food choices don't make full either

Great service. Delicious food, we tried about 12 different dishes over 2 nights. Absolutely AMAZING Peking Duck pancakes!

Best Chinese restaurant in Melbourne. Good quality ingredients. KGW (King George Whitings) is thinly battered and very moist. Peking duck is good ---meat with skin ratio is my type. Jade abalone , snow crab (stir fried with foie gras) etc are very fresh. Roasted squab is best in Melbourne.

Amazing dinner experience. Staffs are super nice and helpful. Really love it

Had the Chefs Signature Banquet. Excellent food, service and wine pairing was well done too. Not cheap but well worth it.

Excellent service from the minute you walk in. Yes, dishes can be quite expensive ($4.50 per one (1) pan-fried dumpling or Xiao Long Bao), but it's all worth it. My dad rates the pork pan-fried dumplings among the best he's ever had. That's saying something. Good drinks list as well. If you're after a special event, cross this off your bucket list.

Years ago, I had one of most memorable Cantonese dining experience in the world, however, second was a slightly missed the points in flavor, seasoning, presentation, service and its care. I had a lunch 4 course. Instead of full degustation though. I will go back for special occasion with special people.

Ordered the banquet and did not regret. Each course all had amazing hints of Asian flavours incorporated into each dish which gave me a new level in my tasting palate. The harmonious balance of umami, sweetness, saltiness and acidic was phenomenal. As someone from the Asian background I can proudly state that it was a great interpretation of asian fine dining.