Donovans

Donovans reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. A

   Ashley

   Melbourne1 review

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This place is always amazing. The staff are thoughtful and attentive without hovering over your table endlessly. The food was great as always and even being a mid night week it was a great atmosphere.
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Key West1 review

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We were welcomed from the moment we stepped through the door. The wine and our meal were outstanding. We had a great evening. The location was stunning.
   

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3. Q

   Qiong

   Melbourne1 review

   4.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   Last night, I dined at this restaurant for the fourth time, and while the food quality was outstanding as usual, I was disheartened by the unprofessional attitude of the server. She displayed a noticeable difference in how she treated Western and Asian customers, which felt quite discriminatory. Unfortunately, her rude service detracted from the wonderful dining experience we had hoped to enjoy with our friends.
   

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4. B

   Brendan

   London10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food and service must go to restaurant for celebrations
   

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5. M

   Mahela

   Melbourne1 review

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I went to Donovan's with my partner to celebrate my 30th birthday and was blown away. I love the concept behind the decor and the feeling of sitting in someone's living room, and were seated by the window with a view of the beach. For entrees, we ordered the chicken liver parfait and the beef tartare. The parfait was smooth and creamy and the addition of beetroot and radicchio perfectly balanced the dish. The tartare was finely diced and creamy as well. For mains, we enjoyed the seafood linguine and the duck gnocchi. Our server recommended entree sizes for the two of us and she was absolutely right. Both pastas were beautiful; the linguine al dente and the gnocchi soft and pillowy. For dessert, we ordered the bombe alaska as it is their signature. This is my only regret for the evening, not because it wasn't masterfully done but because it is huge (could easily serve four after a meal) and I'm not that interested in chocolate desserts. All of the other desserts on the menu looked amazing. I'll have to visit again soon to try them, as well as the spanner crab ravioli! The service was friendly, efficient and faultless.
   

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Melbourne3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 28, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was delicious. Service was great. Staff are friendly and professional.
   

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7. A

   Anthony VIP

   Melbourne11 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 28, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Absolutely superb as usual. Never a bad experience in 10 years. Wonderful staff, food and ambience. My go to choice in all of Melbourne
   

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8. K

   Kellie

   Melbourne2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 28, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We always enjoy the meal at Donovans The Gnocchi was amazing and the lamb shoulder was delicious. Always a favourite is the Bombe Alaska for two for Dessert is a must. The service was excellent. The only issue we had was some screaming children next to us.
   

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9. S

   Sally

   Victoria10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 27, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food , service was a little rushed . It was our anniversary and we go ever year loved it
   

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10. W

    Warren

    Melbourne1 review

    3.0

    Dined on February 23, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4

    We have been going here annually for 20 years, and there is an expectation of food, service, ambience that has taken a step the wrong way. There's been some subtle changes, and they are not all for the better. The staff now are less engaging, hurried, wore dirty uniforms, and couldn't confidently serve the dishes. Happy to say the food met all expectations, and it still has the 'family house' feel that makes it feel good. It is just the little things that you notice when they aren't there that makes it different.
    

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