ORDERED: 🦪 Oyster ($8.00) 🍴 12 course menu ($230.00) 🍹 Pineapple spritz ($14.00) REVIEW: I was reading somewhere that IDES is a place where the food pushes boundaries, so don't expect perfection from every dish! ♥ I found this to the true, with the sugared nori on top of the scallop. The bounce of the sweetness against the umami flavour was divine! Other standouts included the melt-in-your mouth beef with caviar and the creamy daintree chocolate dessert with a peanut centre. The food in general was delicious, filling and worth it for an occasion. ❌ In saying that, the mustard baked, black seafood dish was not a vibe, and I wish to never be within tasting presence of it again. 💀 📖 The service was friendly enough, but from a restaurant of this calibre, I do wish there was more storytelling. Tell me where the fish is from and when it arrived! Tell me how the chef came up with the concept of the refreshing tart! Let me experience the journey so I can appreciate my food more. Especially the price is almost at $250pp, I want to know about the quality of the produce and the effort and creativity behind its conception. 🤗 🗞 Would've also loved to see a menu of the night, whether virtual or otherwise. The moment the waiters left the table, I forgot 80% of the ingredients they mentioned, so I couldn't look out for them while I was tasting the dishes 🥲. As someone else has mentioned on Google, IDES take cash but can't provide any change. 😐 I'm not sure what the surcharge is for debit cards, but the credit card surcharge was at 1.5%. Nonetheless, I don't think that's a particularly fair way of taking payments.

Managed to get a last minute reservation here - thankfully it isn't completely booked out on a Sunday night. The food, service and wine were all super nice. We didn't get all of the courses, however, it was still super filling. Each course packed plenty of flavour and the dessert was fun to unpack. Definitely recommend giving this place a go!

We had birthday dinner there. It’s a set menu. Nice food, interesting combination, but beautiful. Very tiny restaurant, hard to book in. We had French champagne, which is very disappointing, seemed it’s a small measure, and it’s NOT cold. Not my favorite champagne (sparkling wine. But it’s not cheap $49/glass) During the meal, one staff came over and recommended some wine for us to try. My friend sampled that, but when after I paid the bill, left the restaurant, I found that we were charged by that wine. But it’s just a sample. 🤷‍♂️ And we did not go back, but it’s not a good experience. P.S. We paid $323. $95/ person. The rest is the wine. 2 glasses of champagne, 1 red and 1 white. They charged the samples wine 🍷

Had a great evening here, the food was extraordinary as was the overall ambiance. The cool dark ambiance of the dining area is an escape from the usual chaos of the street outside. I've posted the menu at the time and a few of the pictures, it's the only place you can eat Australia! Staff were amazing, wine and Sake parinings were spot on and perfectly complimented the dish (highly recommended). There is a sense of magic, drama and theatre to the dining experience at Ides, saying much more would be spoiling it... go experience it for yourself!

Ides in Collingwood, Melbourne was AMAZING! I could not find fault in any of their current degustation menu, the selection of the dishes flowed well 👌 The restaurant's Wagyu-Butter spread in the jar for the bread was so seductively TASTY! The smokyness blend of that butter is not what you would commonly find in many restaurants dining out. Fave mentions were the starters caviar tart, the salmon & mini russian pancakes, the toothfish mains (which was absolutely cooked to perfection and tasted so well!). We loved the Australia Dessert which we found quite special as not many restaurants/places promote Australia 'visually' as a map image, especially if you've dined around the world and travelled into Melbourne. Its such a Nice reminder of what a beautiful and lucky country Australia really is. We also ordered the 'Black Box' dessert which appeared on the Masterchef Show a few years back. Love the concept and the amazing flavours that went with it. The venue is intimate and small but cosy. We could tell that there were new staff working on the floor that night by the speed of bringing out the dishes, and wiping down the tables instead of allowing us/patrons to pause to enjoy each meal downtime. However with the current hospitality skilled-shortage climate, Im glad there was enough actual staff working to serve us instead of waiting awfully too long for each dish to arrive! I dont think its a reflection of the menu and food itself and would gladly visit IDES again!

Impossible to fault such a beautiful native menu, meticulous staff, our waitress was the most wonderful we added a tip. Playing is beautiful, food taste and quality even more so. Most definitely would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a wondrous night of beautiful exquisite food

Fantastic food, good service but not much atmosphere. Very small portions. When I got the bill, there was a credit card surcharge added, told them I was paying cash, they said no problem but we don't have change. So unless you have exactly the right amount of money, then expect to be slugged extra. I paid just over $400 all up as a single diner and they still squeezed more out of me. Should be bloody ashamed of themselves.

The service was impeccable and each dish was exceptional. Thank you for providing such a stellar experience for our second anniversary celebration. The staff have an incredible attention to detail and the atmosphere is cosy and intimate.

Had an amazing dinner. Great service. Waiters were super knowledgeable and was on point. Food though was in small potions had enough potions for big boy. Had all the cocktails. The martini not the biggest fan of. Can probably get better views for the price paid. Still happy customers.

If you're in search of an unforgettable dining experience, look no further than this exquisite restaurant. The menu is full of native dishes that are truly a work of art. The staff is meticulous and helpful in every way, and our waitress was simply wonderful, making our evening even more special. We were blown away by the beautiful ambiance that transports you from the bustling street outside into a cool, dark sanctuary. The wine and sake pairings were perfectly matched to complement the exquisite flavors of the food. There's a sense of magic and drama in the air, making for an unforgettable experience that should be savored and enjoyed. The caviar tart was our absolute favorite, but the pork was also a highlight and expertly prepared. The black box presentation was stunning, but the taste was only so-so. Still, overall, this restaurant is not to be missed, and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a wondrous night of exquisite food. If you're planning a romantic date or anniversary, this is the perfect place to create some unforgettable memories. We were left speechless after trying all 5 courses, and the wine pairing couldn't have been more spot on. Truly an amazing experience that we can't wait to repeat! Alex

The best wines I have ever had. So good. Amazingly delicious food to match. Phenominal ambiance. Fabulous night all in all.

We had the One Day Sunday menu to cap off our weekend in Melbourne and although it’s somewhat of an experimental menu that changes each week, we weren’t disappointed - but weren’t blown away either. Staff were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the dishes served. Overall, an enjoyable dinner!

Such beautiful presentation, ambiance and the most attentive and engaging service I've had. Each dish was so beautifully presented and the degustation was so well executed with the right amount of timing of each time the dishes came out. The honey and flaxseed sourdough here are so amazing - crusty hot bread with the softest inside, pairing so with the mouth watering smoked wagyu fat butter. Each dish was quite delicious but the mains were okay for us as it was a bit different to our usual taste.

Our dinner was impeccable - the service was attentive, the pairings were unique and very well selected (our servers were very knowledgeable), ambience was fantastic and modern, and most of all, the food was absolutely delicious (I'm still craving that smoked wagyu fat butter). Thanks IDES for a wonderful experience.

Very nice course meal. You don't choose, it's 1 course menu that you can add some items (see menu +$). Place is small, I think you'll need booking. Would be a good dating/anniversary place. My favorite would be the caviar tart. Couldn't taste the cauliflower, but it's yum. 💯 I loved the pork too, but would prefer it in simpler sauce (they used sweet n sour sauce, which I think made it weird #StillGoodTho). The black box tasted so-so. But I loved the presentation. (Taste base, I like Australia better)

Amazing experience⭐️ Chef Peter dishes are very technical yet burst in flavours. Staff are very attentive of their service and attention to details. Well done to the team of IDES. You guys rock!

So Great and delicious

Ides only has a preset menu which changes regularly but the food is actually a small cog in the whole Ides experience. Warm, dimly lit with lots of black the effect is theatrical which is a very good thing. A five course menu is on offer with things like steamed marron or slow cooked Celeriac with truffle slices. Ides is not a cheap night out but if you want that something special this is highly recommended.

Fabulous night with my wife, for my birthday. We first went to Ides upon their opening 3 years ago, and were impressed. This second time, I was blown away. A single oyster served as an amuse bouche was the best oyster I've ever eaten. The beef cheek was to die for. And, if you're a drinker, get the wine pairing - it was masterful. 10/10 from us - and thanks to the Ides team for a great night. We'll be back.

Semi fine dining restaurant serving modern Australian dishes. It's a set menu with additional a la carte dishes. From what I heard the menu is often updated. The dishes are cooked to perfection providing interesting flavours that blows our expectations. Can't recommend highly enough. Food - 10 Service - 9 Vibe - 10 Price - $$$$

Belated birthday lunch for a very special friend. We went for the 4 course menu with boozy pairings. Ambience was was beautiful. The service was knowledgeable and passionate with each course being presented with a flourish. The hammer for the dessert added an element of fun.

Atmosphere, food, service all absolutely top class. Cocktails were beautifully balanced and wine list had a good variety. We had an incredible experience at IDES and both said we would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great fine dining experience.

Went for the steak night on a Wednesday, great deal to offset the high price of drinks. The steak was cooked perfectly with amazing flavours and a slightly hint of charcoal coming through. The chips seasoned well and crispy while the asparagus was cooked to perfection and really popped with the addition of the cheese. We also got the fried Quail which was a banger.

As per many reviews, the food was amazing. Small portions but amazing food. Probably the worse customer service and experience I’ve had in a restaurant of this calibre. 200 per person felt overpriced. I’ve been offered a Good food voucher from my friends and the good food website advertised Ides March as a place that accepts the vouchers. They didn’t accept them as it wasn’t compatible with their Credit card payment system. The staff was quite unapologetic and cold when explaining to us that it was good food problem to wrongly advertise their restaurant. It is a fair point and I agree with the manager on that point although the whole experience felt cold. it feels like they care more about getting the most money out of each tables.

Disappointing experience especially considering the price point. Our waiter Liam was blunt and standoffish from the get-go. He didn’t introduce himself which is expected at a restaurant of this calibre, was inattentive with replenishing water and when ordering drinks, he didn’t like being questioned regarding recommendations. Our drinks also all came at different times, some of them after the first 2 dishes and we had to follow up on the missing drink. This is unacceptable service when paying over $200pp. The drinks themselves were mediocre too, wouldn’t recommend the charred pineapple spritz or the amaretto sour. The food itself was good and hence a 3 star review. The steak and fish were perfectly cooked but salty. The pork belly was tender but very oily and where’s the crackling ?? The desserts were the only dishes that couldn’t be faulted - the mango parfait with sorbet and honey was refreshing and the black box was obviously a highlight. A real shame this place didn’t live up to expectations…

Incredibly disappointing experience considering what we paid. I do recommend visiting at all. I didn’t find the service even remotely close to what would be expected at a restaurant like this. The waiters were cold and didn’t make much of an effort - when they did I honestly just felt uncomfortable. We had both asked for sparking water and the waiter couldn’t even get that right, serving still and then back to sparkling - no apologies. Did they think we didn’t notice?? The 7 course meal was served within one hour and 15 minutes so naturally, it was not an enjoyable experience. After dessert, we felt immediately rushed out, being handed the bill without asking. We would have liked to enjoy another drink. Nope, $500 spent on a one and a half hour awkward experience. May I note that it was the last booking of the night so no seating afterwards. I guess they just wanted to go home. The atmosphere of the restaurant didn’t help either. The whole vibe was just awkward really. The only good thing I can really speak of is the food, but it is absolutely not worth it.

Last night we celebrated an early Valentines dinner at IDES. IDES offers a one of a kind dining experience with their 7 course meal of 17 dishes, which pushes the boundaries of traditional dining. The scampi was a standout dish, it was succulent, tender and flavoursome. Other notable dishes were the fried scallop barramundi and short rib steak. All the flavours were balanced really well and each dish was exquisitely presented. The fun and interactive black box dessert was also a highlight as you’re given a hammer to smash the box, revealing a colourful dessert inside and adding a nice touch to the experience. However, some other dishes were a bit too experimental for us. We felt pumpkin based course (which looks to be a new dish as we haven’t seen any reviews on it) had too many contrasting flavours and textures which we did not enjoy. The liver tart was also much too heavy on the liver paste such that it was difficult to finish. While staff explained the dishes as they were presented, it would have been nice to have had a menu to refer to throughout the night. Overall, a unique dining experience. The creavity and attention to detail in each dish makes it worth trying. ⭐️ Our rating: 7/10

We came here on a Sunday evening. We had the One Sunday menu which was $140pp. We added oysters to our meal and champagne. Food was delicious and the service was excellent. The venue and fit out needs some work but other than that we had a lovely experience.

Thank you Ides for the incredible experience. My partner took me here for my birthday and it was mind blowing! Service people were so kind and great with conversation and the food was sooo delicious.

Creative dishes. Felt bit salty for couple of dishes but they are perfectly fine with matched wine. Hence suggest to have paired wines.

Wonderful evening. Loved how the staff care so much about what they present and service that was exceptional whilst maintaining a casual feel to the evening. I can’t adequately describe the food … just have book an evening. Thanks again.

Sunday lunch is the best, great portion and variety of dish. Service is efficient and staff are professional. Chef is very thoughtful and menu changes regularly for Sunday lunch.

Amazing flavours, especially the wasabi sauce for the steak and the trout. So bloody yummy! A great experience that everyone should try.

Innovative food, excellent wine list, dark wood and brass accent decor. Has a high end vibe but doesn't take itself too seriously. Punches above its weight and price tag in the fine dining scene.

Booking in advance as seat are limited. As soon as you sit down you'll know you are in for a fine dining like experience. Set menu plus optional if your are really hungry. Great selection of world wine offer in bottle or by the glass. Or you can order sake if wine is not for you. I spent 3.5hrs in the restaurant but it felt shorter as you are introduce to the next course with perfect timing. Recommend for anyone looking for a fine dining like experience on the outskirts of Melbourne CBD.

SO GOOD, we enjoyed our food & wine experience immensely, up there....or above Lume & Attica. Worth EVERY dollar. Food, tasty, creative & delicious. Sommelier SO GOOD, had Pear Cider with dessert after an Amazing Chablis. Service, there but not in your way, Perfection. DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR AND EAT & DRINK HERE SOON.

Excellent all round. Waiting staff exemplary.

Good service and enjoyable menu of food overall :)

Came here for a Biji Dining X Ides pop up. Delicious progressive fare showcasing the best of the two chefs. Highlights were the tomatoes in rosemary oil, the ajo Blanco, snapper Pani Puri, fried zucchini flowers with a dusting of chaat masala and clams... And the dessert which was a rice pudding with rhubarb and coconut. This was also visually stunning.

Amazing experience here last night!! Was really looking forward to seeing Pete from MasterChef but unfortunately we missed him, something about Disney on ice? All in all, I was left speechless with the menu and all 5 courses, the wine was paired perfectly. Highly recommend!

Ordered at home for my partner's birthday. He is a former chef and was in heaven. I really enjoyed it. The flavours were refined, the combinations were extremely clever and overall it was a very pleasureable experience. Hat off to Gunn and staff. Thanks Kate.

Superb. Hidden behind a black frontage with nothing but a white name light. When you step inside it's an intimate environment, dark and relaxed. Service and food are fantastic. The oyster with chorizo a standout. Proteins were treated with a lot of respect. Faultless and highly recommend. Being a European chef in Perth it once again hit me how far behind Perth is.

Was a wonderful experience! The food was unbelievably delicious and the flavours incredible! Service was attentive, friendly and extremely knowledgeable! Highly recommend doing the all the add-ons! A “must visit” restaurant!

Excellent fine dining experience with great service, interesting innovative dishes, and dietary requirements well catered for. Great for vegetarians. Wine list and sommelier service particularly good. Overall the whole experience was very memorable - highly recommended.

It was far back when I dined in at IDES on my birthday. Their food left such a great impression to me that I would say it left me in awe and filled with much hope that I get to dine in at IDES once again. IDES brings a friendly gastronomical vibe yet crawling curiousity, elegant yet quaint vibe. I could fondly remember the highlight of my experience, there was a dish that they did with the baby cos lettuce as a side to an entree that left such a great impression till this day, that first bite to it gave such a great flavour bomb. It was at that moment I knew that my senses are in for a ride. Props to the kitchen team who stitched up that dish and made the whole dining experience an unforgettable moment. Honestly, I really can't wait to dine here again soon.

Went for Sunday lunch yesterday. Ides has adhered to the social distancing and the spacing between each table is definitely 1.5m apart. Love the food and especially the dessert which is named as " Australia " .

Amazing restaurant and service. The meals are interesting and very cleverly put together, specially the desert. Highly recommended!

Superb degustation, 6 stars!

Amazing place to dine-in near Melbourne suburb. The food is also delicious and qualitative. The staff at IDES is also humble and polite. I'd highly recommend this place for the first date.

Amazing food and staff . They helped us decide a wine without trying to oversell us. They explained each dish to deliver detail. Only tried the sample menu but will be back for the larger course

We visited last Friday to celebrate our special occasion and IDES lived up to its reputation. Every course was meticulously crafted by skilled artisans and delivered ceremoniously by a team of friendly and professional waitstaff. Special thanks to Lousie who provided excellent service to our table without being intrusive. We will visit again to celebrate our next occasion and we would recommend others to do the same

Visited for the Sunday lunch for $80pp. To be honest, I want exactly sure what they meant on their website by "family share style dishes" but we were excited to give it a go. The venue itself is stunning with a great relaxed feel, we even commented on the great music playing as we sat. The food was good right from the started of cornbread and a tomato and salmon salad. Next course is where we realised what share style meant when there were 5 different plates on our table all with very bold flavors. Individually every dish was delicious, my only comment here was that there were such strong flavours, I wasn't sure what to eat when. For example, the pickled radish with egg, although delicious I wasnt sure what flavors to have before or after. In all honesty, that was my only feedback for a fabulous dining experience. Mains were so fresh, delicious and very very generous portion sizes. The" black box" served for desert ? and I'll say no more so you can experience that for yourself. Overall loved this place and it was great to have something just a little bit different at a fine dining establishment. Very very happy I chose this for a birthday surprise lunch.

Worth it...

So beautiful. I had an absolutely fantastic experience here. Delicious food and drinks with exceptional service. I cannot wait to go again.

Loved it!

Dinner was ok but not amazing, I love fine dining food but every dish was too rich and not in a good way, I struggled to finish most of my dishes. The beef cheek was not enjoyable at all. In comparison to other restraunts in this price range it wasnt on par. I would suggest bringing some freshness to the courses.

Delicious, interesting and a lot of fun. FANTASTIC service.

A friend treated my brother and I to a home delivered brisket n taties, with the black box for desert. I didn't pay for it, but I certainly enjoyed it a lot. The beef was an adventure of taste and texture, the black box full of fantastic surprises. Well done, and respect, to both kitchen, and friend.

Went here for my birthday recently and wasn't disappointed. We had the full menu which was a dizzying array of dishes. Everything was pretty much spot on and packed a punch. Additionally we found that the amount of food was perfect and didn't leave us feeling too full as a lot of these tasting menus do. Service was fantastic whilst understated. Would definitely love to go back once the menu has moved on.

Wonderful restaurant, flawless service and food, an absolute must!

Fantastic, friendly service, beautifully presented food. Lovely, comfortable setting. Wish I could give more than 5 stars!

Excellent service and beautiful dishes that are both wonderfully balanced and unique. I would definitely highly recommend!

We were in town for a weekend and wanted to finish it off with a lovely meal. We weren't disappointed, from the moment we arrived we were made to feel very special and the food was outstanding. We opted for the 4 courses which were all excellent, with two extra options which we also opted in for. The ambience was dark and mysterious and the service was dramatic and exciting. The tastes where wonderful, some spicy some sweet. Highly recommend.

The "March, Ides Menu" was delivered on our behalf, to our son and his Fiance last night to celebrate their recent engagement. The meal looked amazing from the photos that they sent. Fantastic value as well. Thank you so much for making their night an experience.

Service was excellent. Food is above average. Atmosphere is awesome. Enjoyable experience to have.

Great place to celebrate our first dinner out since C19 started. The dishes were delicious and the portions were great too! The yuzu drink is amazing. And loved the smashing.

Fantastic evening and a real journey through original, beautifully executed Australian food. Unusual wines chosen for their character rather than their price tag also created some of the most exceptional pairings I’ve experienced. At each course both food and wine were distinctly enhanced by one another, with an effect far more than the sum of its parts. Smart without being stuffy, intimate without being claustrophobic but most of all; delicious, beautifully presented food. Outstanding.

Excellent food. Other the pork main (which was just a tad too dry), every other dish was memorable. The service was also top notch. Can't wait to return again.

Delicious food, great service, an A+ night out

We had been meaning to get to IDES for some time, and finally managed a booking to celebrate a significant birthday. The place was encouragingly full on a cold Tuesday night. We opted for the full 8 course degustation with matching drinks. The food was very good, while the drink matching took us to interesting places we probably wouldn't otherwise have been. The avocado was memorable for being a perfect specimen of its kind, while the chocolate box was a fun way to finish.

Beautiful food

Stunning restaurant with beautiful and theatrical dishes that inspire your senses. Intimate setting where you are well taken care of for a meal to remember. Absolutely worth a visit. Perfect for special occasions. Have been twice, once for lunch and once for dinner and they were both unique experiences. Can't wait to go back.

Fab little gem in Collingwood. Amazing food, intimate atmosphere and lovely service. Definitely will be back soon.

It's all your favourite foods, fried chicken, avocado, beef cheek, chocolate but elevated - a really fun twist on degustation

Amazing meal and service. The fish was definitely the best I’ve ever had. You won’t be disappointed.

This is my 4th visit to Ives and have been coming here since 2016. Admittedly we had a two year hiatus but are back again and boy has it taken it up a notch. Peter is the most humble guy you’ll ever meet (I’ve only met him a couple of times briefly) and not pretentious at all. A great business reflects a great founder and leader. Thankfully, that relaxed part is embedded into the ides culture. The staff are very welcoming, friendly, happy to have a chat and a laugh where it doesn’t feel forced. The food is magnificent as you’d expect and they helped us celebrate our wedding anniversary in style. I’m sorry it took me so long to come back - it won’t happen again. This is one of if not THE best restaurant in Melbourne.

Best breakfast in Ballarat and one of the best coffee places as well. Small and friendly with excellent service. A cut above many breakfasts available with healthy alternatives. I had the Webster's Breakfast with poached eggs bacon, mushrooms, tomato, and beans. Always a pleasure to eat hereGood coffee and quick on the brew. Nice atmosphere in the place

The best dining around Melbourne.

Little bit salty but it was nearly perfect. I would highly recommend ppl to try.

Belated birthday lunch for a very special friend. We went for the 4 course menu with boozy pairings. Ambience was was beautiful. The service was knowledgeable and passionate with each course being presented with a flourish. The hammer for the dessert added an element of fun.

Fantastic evening and a real journey through original, beautifully executed Australian food. Unusual wines chosen for their character rather than their price tag also created some of the most exceptional pairings I’ve experienced. At each course both food and wine were distinctly enhanced by one another, with an effect far more than the sum of its parts. Smart without being stuffy, intimate without being claustrophobic but most of all; delicious, beautifully presented food. Outstanding.

My husband surprised me for my birthday here and it did not disappoint. We had the full course degustation which was pricey but each dish tasted divine - they had complexity in flavour and the chefs demonstrated solid technique that went into every single little detail. We were full by the end of our degustation. Most dishes have a smoky undertone to it, so if you like smoked food, you’ll enjoy Ides! You must also try the Yuzu cocktail - it is AMAZING!

A super cool experience with a relaxed and friendly staff... Loved the pairings of food and wine.... Dessert was a fun surprise.

There are only two groups of diners at lunch time. Menu is good and well balanced. Although not very impressed in its form, it impressed in its flavour, especially the avocado fish roe, it kinda successfully manipulated your taste buds with its rare combination of chilli, roe and avocado to produce this sashimi like flavour, and freshness of the sea. Can’t argue that the asparagus are the best companion of the beans or the other way around. It’s rather refreshing with the proper amount of bush tucker flowers, Vue de Monde has a similar dish but of less balance of herbs and veggies. The salmon was charcoal grilled and sprinkled with some really nice seeds and spices making it a fake ‘red meat’ and very satisfying. Also the extraordinary combination of pork loin and oyster mushroom: juicy, tender, meaty. It’s just the emptiness of one side of plate made me wondered a while, maybe a good purée will make it look better ? Overall a low key fine dining with great service and food. Worth the money and a good place for a memorable conversation to happen. The last highlight is, they have a very rare and good orange wine, and I can’t remember the name, so ask them to try it out!

Special drink food Amazing

Went for our anniversary and had the special menu for the Australian Open. Food, drinks and service were all excellent