Review Ivanhoe Tavern - Ivanhoe

Worth the wait post Covid, on a night celebrating myself and my partners birthday. Phenomenal service as always, Emilio's advise is always spot on with meat selection and cooking techniques. 10 stars. Best steak house in Melbourne. Family run and owned, and it feels like your enjoying your meal just like your with family.

Had a booking for 18 people that was cancelled by another restaurant on the day due to covid. I contacted Emilio to see if Ivanhoe Tavern would be able to cater for such a large group with only a few hours notice. Emilio was lovely to deal with and made it work under such short notice. We were served a set menu and everyone complimented the food and service. Thank you for a great evening and making it happen! We'll definitely be back.

The steak was amazing! Perfectly juicy, tender and melt in your mouth. The entree and the side salads were delicious as well. Service was outstanding from all the waiters, waitresses and the cook. Highly recommended!

Amazing as always!!! Took mum there for her birthday last week, first time back since covid and couldn’t fault it! Have been there quite a few times and not only is the food fantastic the service is always beautiful and super friendly! Lovely wait staff and chef Emilio is super friendly and makes you feel like a VIP all the time. Even gave mum a complimentary bottle of wine for her birthday. Would recommend to anyone looking for a great range or steaks (plenty to choose from) and yummy deserts! Thanks chef and team, look forward to coming again soon 🙌👌🏼🥩🍷

One of the best places for good stalls in Greater Melbourne. Quality and prepartion of the meat is excellent. Great choices for starters and desserts. The staff and chef are really nice and friendly, giving a lot of attention to each patron.

Steak and lamb cooked to perfection. Sides were good too.

had a really rough week and stopped in for some comfort food. Staff from front of house to back of house were absolutely delightful. The ribs were positively devine, the salad too and also the chips. Highly recommend if you're looking for a hearty meal that you may need to be wheeled out after eating.

Instantly inviting and despite this being our first time here we felt like we had been going there for years. We left with full bellies, satisfied taste buds and the perfect night at the hands of wonderful waiters, chef and attentive owner/manager. As for the steaks.. A+

We have been eating here for years and it just keeps getting better and better ! Emilio and his staff are always welcoming , set menu is the way to go so you can enjoy some awesome appetisers along with the best steak I've ever eaten and such yummy desert !! Well worth every cent !!

I have to say it would have to be one of Melbs best steak place, excellent service atmosphere, the owner and staff are so friendly, its a must for anybody who appreciates quality and the prices are reasonable

Best steaks in Melbourne. Perfectly cooked & succulent meat. Thanks to all the staff for your wonderful service and friendly approach. Ohhh and the bottle of vino. �. Great to see we have the the best steak house in Melbourne in our local area. Highly recommended!!! 10x10 !!!

First time at the restaurant but definitely not the last. Best steak dinner I’ve ever had. And the staff are amazingly welcoming. Highly recommend ��

I've been to quite a few steakhouses in Melbourne over the years and can honestly say Ivanhoe Tavern consistently serve up the best steaks I've ever had. Emilio and his team provide fantastic service and he always makes the time to come over and engage with his patrons. Like most people, I enjoy a mustard or sauce with any steak, but here I make the point of enjoying the flavours and juices by just sprinkling a slight bit of salt and let my tastebuds enjoy the steak itself. Magnifico

Would give you 10 stars if I could - the staff are so friendly and Chef came out more than once to check that we were happy with our meal. The prawns and porterhouse were both cooked to perfection and how wonderful to find a restaurant that is byo. A wonderful atmosphere and a lot of fun. Thank you so much.

Everything was superb from the service to the food and the Steak, Emilio was great company and very funny, was a pleasure attending and the food was probably the best I've had. Definitely will return �

Best steak in town. Always a great place to bring friends an have an amazing time. Thanks Emilio you have done it again

My first visit here last night, hubby highly recommended it. Wow! Absolute perfection! Customer service was fantastic, steaks are to die for! They can be pricey, but you get exactly what you pay for. Definitely one of the best I've had! Do yourself a favour and give them a go.

Amazing staff, food and overall fabulous experience. Highly recommend. =D

Emilio and his staff go above and beyond!! Truly fabulous food and superior service. Cannot wait to go back!!

First went there more than 35 years ago. Emilio has updated but has not lost sight of the old traditions. Sensational mouthwatering meat cooked how you like it. Great warm and friendly service and the host always goes out of his way to ensure everyone is happy.

Steak cooked to perfection! Friendly staff. Thourghly enjoyed dining there.

Our first visit last night to this fabulous restaurant. Fantastic service and the food was amazing - it certainly won't be our last visit. Thank you Emilio and staff we had a great night.

Great Steaks I had the Kobe Scotch and it was cooked to perfection impeccable service sorry Rockpool this is my new Steakhouse from now on

Unfortunately we would not recommend this restaurant, for entree we had lamb ribs with barely any meat on them and burnt to the crisp, along with chevapis which were average. Each ordered a steak which I could of probably cooked something better at home, definitely not worth the price. The sides are also underwhelming, we asked for some roasted vegetables which was a few pieces of mushroom and broccoli For $17. No atmosphere and very dim inside.

The experience and food is very underwhelming for the price. Ivanhoe tavern is trying to be upmarket, but fails. The whole menu is way too expensive, the quality of steak was poor came out too fast and hadn’t rested or been seasoned what so ever. If you are willing to pay what they are charging go somewhere better

Very nice steak and establishment. I liked how the owner/chef would walk around to introduce himself and see how everyone was. My steak was cooked perfectly just was not as charcoal flavoured as i would have liked. The fat was not crispy but was certainly not off putting. Maybe a little bit overpriced and the selection of beers was minimal.

The food is nice, although not amazing. I think for the price and that they specialise in steak I expected more. Unfortunately the steak was not a highlight.

The staff are very welcoming and service was great. I had the eye fillet medium rare and enjoyed every bit of it. The peppercorn sauce is hot as it should be. Most of our table had the scotch filet cooked differently and they all enjoyed their meals. The wine selection was fantastic. I’ll definitely be returning.

Emilio is a bighearted fellow. The steaks and sashliks he makes are juicy, tender, and deliciously fills the belly. Susan, the waitress, is a polite, friendly and cheerful lady. The food is always spectacular, and arrives amazingly fast, yet does not lose a single bit in quality for speed. <br/><br/>My partner and I have always had an <br/>amazing time there. The cheerful atmosphere Emilio and Susan bring, the food they create, all contribute to the 5+ star rating. Thanks so much guys for the awesome experience!

Great steakhouse, the wagyu steak is a must, perfectly cooked. Full of flavour. We had a mixed platter for entrees, everything was brilliant. The sausages are a great starter. Service was great, definitely coming back.

A bit overpriced, decor and furniture looks aged, the waitress looked inexperienced and was too eager to please.  It had good cuts of steak but couldn't see aged steaks on menu.  Worth a try but wouldn't go back again.

This was a really disappointing experience.<br/>Over priced for what it is with food quality, service and ambience. <br/>You would be better buying a $60 steak from the butchers and cooking it yourself. <br/>We went on a Saturday night and at about 9.30pm we had paid the bill but we were finishing our drinks and the staff started to stack chairs around us getting ready for close (closing time on the door said something along the lines of 'open till late'). We left not long after that when they took my drink from under my nose when I wasn't even finished with it.

I've been here probably 3- 4 times over 5 year period and always had good experience except for last Father's Day.<br/><br/>We had 4 dishes, 3 steaks and a chicken.<br/>Two scotch fillets and a rib eye.<br/>Scotch fillets were good medium rare<br/>Rib eye / medium rare was full of fat<br/>Chicken was tough and way overpriced<br/><br/>This is the issue, there are two type of orders, Mains and Sets.<br/>If you order Mains you do not get entree, desserts or coffees,these are called Sets and the cost $20 extra.<br/>We ordered mains and decided to then ask for a<br/>Couple of deserts, pancake and a small mouse in a glass probably the size of two shot glasses.<br/>To my disgust they charged us an extra $40 for these desserts!!! Lol<br/><br/>I queried this exorbitant charged and they told me because I ordered desserts the entire meal becomes Sets even if you do not get entrees or coffees! I advised that waitress need to inform customers of these charges at time of desserts. Owners didn't care and said I was in the wrong. Meal cost almost $300 for 4 people.<br/><br/>If I had some extra time I would write to the ACCC about this scam.<br/><br/>Biggest scams! Will never be back and will inform everyone to stay away !<br/> <br/>BE WARNED!!!!

This is one of my favorite places to go for a steak when I don't want to gamble on a new place. Know exactly what you are going to get and it's great quality at a reasonable price. Definitely worth a try.

Where do I begin, Tonight was a special occasion as it was my dads birthday and after hearing so many good things about this hidden Gem I had suggested to come down and try it out for ourselves as Dad and the family wanted to have good quality Steaks. <br/><br/>Boy oh boy did we get what we came from, There isn't really any negatives about the food or the service, the only critique that I would suggest to the owner Emilio, would be that, the restaurant is a bit dim, it could do with the place being a touch more lit up. That just comes down to personal preference.<br/><br/>But overall, 10 out of 10! The staff from the moment we entered made myself and the gang all feel very welcomed service was absolutely fantastic, the waiters went above and beyond to make sure that we were all satisfied and I for one can vouch for that. <br/><br/>The food itself was absolutely mind blowing, everything was to perfection from the appetisers to the mains and so on. Flavour was well balanced on the steak seasoning was even and the list just goes on. Overall this is a place that I WOULD DEFINITELY considering going to on any night/day (they also do a lunch service), will be looking forward to my next sitting !! <br/><br/>Recommending to all family and friends. p.s. the front of house (waitresses) are so darn cute!

Love the set menu. Entrees, sides and desserts are all delicious. Oh and of course the meat as well! Have been back there multiple times for different cuts and sauces. Will be back again soon

Well where do I start with this? After driving past several times, I've always wanted to try and finally managed to on a Saturday night. Getting a table wasn't an issue on short notice. <br/>We arrived at 8pm and were seated at the only empty table there. The place is quite small and barely fits 30 guests at most. You feel like you're in the kitchen as it is right in front of you. After being seated and asked how the menu worked, we ordered a steak each. Cabbage and rocket salad were complimentary as they should have been because both tasted awful and lacked flavour. Barely 15 minutes after ordering our steaks, they came out. Much to our shock horror because both scotch fillets did not appear to be rested long enough. The steak lacked flavour and I had to season it myself at the table. It was also was very fatty. I did not like the sauces either, bernaise tasted a lot like a hollandaise and you could have been mistaken to be at breakfast. <br/>One of the worst steaks I've had in Melbourne and overpriced. You can get a lot better steaks for a lot less. <br/>Definitely won't be back here. Save yourself the trip.

Have been here a few times and always love it. It's my go to place when I need an awesome steak and they never disappoint. Menu is simple and the place is tiny but the meals are to die for, though very expensive (but the best steaks always are, right?).

What a fantastic place with great food and lovely people.  Have been here several times and each time it's been outstanding.   The Tiger Prawns and Chevaps are a must try.

Absolutely amazing meal. My husband and I visited last night, for the first time in 20 years for me to have a steak! My husband visits frequently and the owner/chef recognises him when we arrive, which is a nice touch. The staff are incredibly helpful, and also really lovely. Husband had the porterhouse which was as unreal as ever, and I had the eye fillet - on recommendation from the chef for my first steak in so long. It melted in my mouth and was the most delicious meal I have had in a while. The sides complimented it perfectly. The chef was kind enough to give me the mushroom sauce in case I was a little funny about the taste of meat but I didn't use the sauce as the steak's flavour shouldn't be covered up. Cannot wait to return!

Thank you to the wonderful staff and owner for our very perfect dining experience!! Food was amazing, presentation was 10/10 and taste was delicious. We were really impressed by the new refurb that had taken place in the restaurant, looks fantastic! <br/><br/>Thanks again Emilio, we will back!!

Can not fault! Lovely staff, the chef came to talk to us. Excellent wine selection and advice, it's the most delicious steak I've ever had. <br/>Literally everything was amazing, salads, mash potato, entree, everything!! Definitely worth the price!!

very very disappointing experience..... never again ... over rated  and over priced food.... even charges for sauce... disgusting.... rude waitress and very discriminative.... empty restaurant, asked for a particular table and was bluntly refused, and the next person who walked in- was offered that table.... poor food quality... more fat than meat... when complained to emilio, was deaf ears.... but on a serious note : not worth the money - there are more place with better steak and smiling services and NOT RUDE STAFF AND MANAGEMENT...the restaurant is also full of smoke - AVOID AVOID AVOID

Recently went here on a voucher and loved it so much we bought several more. We found the food and staff to be much better on nights that were later in the week. We especially enjoyed the polenta chips and burgers. One of the male managers was particularly outstanding- he walked among the tables to check things were going well and gave us a free round of drinks when our salad came without egg. Drinks are also very reasonably priced. Will be back!

The Trough visited ITCGS last night for the first time and came away highly impressed.<br/><br/>The restaurant was packed -always a good sign, but the wait staff were stiĺl atttentive and efficient which is an even better sign.<br/><br/>The eye fillet (300gm) was high quality and beautifully cooked. It came as ordered, medium rare with mash and a side of rocket salad and pepper sauce. The sauce was very peppery as it should be, but as it was served as a separate side it stood back respectfully from the steak which was left in its rightful centre stage position. The rocket salad was a very nice touch, served with shaved parmesan, walnuts, peppers and a balsamic dressing.<br/><br/>There was a chart of pictures produced on request while ordering showing what the various levels of cooking options from rare to well done looked like. The cooking lined up with the pictures very well, so the guidance and information for diners was accurate, which should inspire diner confidence.<br/><br/>My dining companion's lamb chops were also a hit and he was close to gnawing the bones in tribute until the Trough convinced him he was neither a celebrity nor in the jungle.<br/><br/>Due to time pressures we just had the one course but the Trough would be keen to explore the Starters and desserts another time. At $40-60 per main ITCGS is not cheap but taking account of quality it is good value.<br/><br/>Trough rating - 4.5 Snouts.

TERRIBLE. This place is over priced and the service is terrible. The steak was over cooked and the sauce with the chicken was watered down. The waitress was rude, uninformative and did not check on us to see if we enjoyed the meal or wanted more drinks. Furthermore, the waitress did not explain the menu. As a result we ended up paying for a desert that we never received. When we complained about this, we were told that we should have known how the menu worked. Very disappointed. Will never return here and would not recommend at all.

People who don't like this place are either cheap, have no sense of taste or put to much stock into the size of a side portion as opposed to the purpose of the restaurant, which is steak. Emilio took over from Barb and Ozzy many years ago and it's maintained its high quality food, friendly atmosphere and great service. Definitely a place to visit if you're in Ivanhoe and need a quality steak.

A meat lovers delight where the glass cabinet of uncooked steaks clearly shows how serious these guys are about their meat. Call ahead if you are a vegetarian and they will look after you well!

Not good. Didn't like this place bit one bit. The owner was so full of himself. He is the chef and also takes the payment which makes me think he doesn't trust his staff. Bland steak, small serves, boring sides. Don't bother everyone.

BEST STEAK I have eaten in a very long time. Cooked to perfection. Staff were very friendly also. I'll defiantly be heading back there.

We went to Ivanhoe Tavern on Sunday night to celebrate our recent engagement. The service, entrees and steaks were amazing, as usual. We go to Ivanhoe Tavern often, as we have always had a great experience and love the food.<br/>Emilio came out to the table to say 'hello', and to make sure everything was cooked to our liking. Excellent!

Grossly overrated and an overly expensive disappointment. A group of us celebrated a birthday at the tavern last night. My first impressions were immediately disappointing as I'd read rave reviews on google. However, it turned out to be a very cheap looking diner with very poor ambience, food and service.. On walking in you come to the big glass counter - just like like a take away counter with trays of steak - no presentation - just there on trays!<br/>The second thing that alarmed me was the waitress offering us a choice between still and sparkling water - showing us the two bottles. This is such a ploy to get people to spend more money. I asked for tap water and I got one glass - no one else was served any, of offered any.<br/>The menu took my breath away - firstly with a very limited selction and then with the prices - with an eye fillet costing $88., and other steaks ranging from $45 to $62 - this was going to have to be an amazing experience!<br/><br/> I understand that this meat has been well aged but that price is prohibitive (and they say "family friendly"). Our table ordered several steaks which were cooked as ordered - and were very tasty. That unfortunately was where the praise ends. we were offered a choice between a rocket salad and cabbage salad - both were absolutely terrible. The rocket (some of which was quite limpy) had a bit of shaved parmesan and some very large (stale) walnut halves with a drip of balsamic (no oil, no salt or pepper,) - so unimaginative, and so badly presented. The walnuts were dry and so large that it was just too much dryness in your mouth. The cabbage was really coleslaw and very soggy and boring. It appeared very limp, over dressed and pale so that even before tasting, it looked unappetising and just like it had come from a huge tub of pre-mix. The butter that came with the (very boring white cut up bread rolls) was terrible - it had dried garlic which felt like uncooked wheat in your mouth and a couple of herbs and It wasn't even 'real' butter. <br/><br/>The fish (Barramundi at $38) was over salted and overcooked. It seemed as though it'd been deep fried (not in batter) as the edges were so hard I couldn't put my knife through it. It was also quite a small fillet and the bland and overcooked rice had frozen or tinned peas and corn in it and was claggy (all 1/4 cup full). Even the cutlery was a letdown - we received 'special' steak knives which were pretty well worn in and didn't cut requiring us to 'tear' our steaks apart rather than cutting.<br/><br/>I am not a snob - but I have eaten far better food in much nicer, more stylish surrounds for a lot less money and a great deal more imagination and skill. If you just love steak - I still wouldn't recommend it as everything else is so below par that it would not be enjoyable for genuine food lovers.<br/>I would really like a real food critic to go there unannounced and let us know what they think, and the restaurant needs to re-assess what they do and how they do it. So disappointing.

Fabulous!. The best ribeye in Australia!!

Nice Steak Good Friendly Service Loved It Very Clean Place. Had the steak with salad loved it

Delish. Delish food, always enjoy when the chef comes out to greet during the main to see how the food was.<br/>Drinks a little slow but great nevertheless

Great Staeks But....... My wife an I dine out regularly and have dinned at the Ivanhoe Steakhouse a few times before. Last night my wife called to make a booking as I was parking the car. Told they were booked out, although we could see from the car that there were seats and tables available. Told to wait for half an hour and call back. We waited in the car for 15 minutes and about to head off to another restaurant, but decided to call again. Success! told they now had a table. The steaks in this restaurant have always been good, which is one of the reasons we decided to come back. However, last night was a bit of a disappointment. The steaks are still good, but the complimentary sides which come as part of the set menu, were virtually non existing. Twice requested some additional bread(happy to pay for it) but never arrived. On top of this I was charged $16.00 corkage fee, for one bottle of wine. Would I go back...... Maybe, or maybe not.

Great for a 50th!. Recently my husband turned 50, and to celebrate we had a dinner for family and friends at this restaurant. Emilio and staff were terrific, orchestrating the whole thing. The food was really delicious, and there was plenty of it! Emilio got the steaks just right - they were tender and juicy, too. The staff were very flexible and accommodating. I would not hesitate to recommend Ivanhoe Tavern for your birthday party.

Slow service ruined our night however the food was excellent. I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. We were seated and served our wine quite quickly but when asked for tap water also were told there would be a few minutes wait on that...What the? Our attendant was polite and appropriate however there seemed to be only her and one chef around which didn't concern us greatly as the restaurant was not very full on a weeknight.<br/><br/>We ordered and waited...and waited. The chef (and I suspect owner) realised we had been waiting a while and did send over complimentary sides however as the delay was so long by the time our steaks finally arrived our appetite was lost. This was really disappointing as our steaks were so well cooked and delicious and we were unable to eat much. The servings were generous and the accompaniments and sides excellent. We appreciated both the waitress (who seemed as frustrated as we were) and owner apologising however left feeling that we would not return.<br/><br/>For the sake of some extra staff or whatever the issues in the kitchen were you would have impressed four potential repeat customers who would absolutely have recommended this restaurant to friends and colleagues.

Good old-fashioned steakhouse.. Been to this steakhouse a number of times now. Have always had a good steak (I recommend the wagyu porterhouse). Lamb ribs are typically superb (although have been a little salty on occasion), and chips are always good. Part of the appeal for me is that this establishment is like a throw-back to the '70's - from the waitresses right down to the old-fashioned crepes for dessert! The BYO is the best part - you can partner your steak up to one of your favorite expensive reds.

Just had the most amazing dinner here. Service was great, we got to literally pick the meat that we were going to eat! My partner had the 800g rib eye and I had the eye fillet- both cooked to perfection. We will be back!

Had the wagyu , cooked perfectly (medium) and the mash potato probably the best iv had. Keep up the great work, we will be back

Nice steak or chicken. Simple menu but very, very overpriced for what you get served on a plate.

Yeah ok.... 3 months later I am finally getting around to writing my review for Ivanhoe Tavern Charcoal Grill Steakhouse. Not sure why it has taken me so long... perhaps because nothing was really SUPER amazing or SUPER bad about this place... for us anyhow.<br/><br/>We had a pretty good normal kind of experience here... it was not mind blowing and I think the steak was a little undercooked. <br/><br/>Service - very friendly and attentive. Food came out very quick. Bread & Butter beginning course - something in that butter was unique but we could not put our fingers on what it was - it was very tasty.<br/><br/>I ordered the Scotch fillet and my friend ordered some the Graziers paddock choice rib eye. We both asked for medium rare. In a very short time the steaks were presented and looked quite good. My main issue was that mine was almost bordering rare (instead of medium rare) and my friends steak (which was ALOT larger) was pretty much rare... they had obviously cooked both cuts of meat for the same amount of time but due to the size of the rib eye that one came out rarer in the end. <br/><br/>We both got a mushroom sauce also, I found it to be a little bit too creamy for my liking but my friend loved it and finished mine off very easy.<br/><br/>Greek salad and chips were fine. <br/><br/>All in all a very filling meal... the hospitality from the chef and waitresses was outstanding. My steak was pretty nice but I think my friends steak was a bit too rare, however he is not really one to complain about food while we are out (his choice I guess) so... I think I'll give 3 starts for this visit :)

I was here tonight with my family for a birthday and honestly, the steaks were amazing! The staff were very attentive and we're conscious about whether we wewere happy with how they were cooked and offered a few times to get them cooked a bit more if we weren't happy. It was a lovely touch to be given bread with oil and balsamic vinegar before the food came out and the mash potato with jue was to die for!

Superb, stupendous steak. Had a lovely meal here the other night. Great selection of steaks. The salads that accompany them were just right and terrific chips. The best I've had in a long time. <br/>My Friend had the Mediterranean chicken, it was tender and very delicious. <br/>My scotch fillet was bursting with flavour, in fact it didn't really need the sauce I ordered to go with it. <br/>Lovely, friendly wait staff that served us promptly. <br/>Overall, a wonderful night and we'll be back soon!

Awesome Wagyu!!. I have to say, I had the 400g Wagyu Porterhouse a few Sundays ago and it was great! Medium rare..perfectly cooked and full flavoured, I'll be having this steak again. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and a happy chef made this a night to remember.. thanks Emilio!!

Amazing steak. I just recently dined at this restaurant on the 16/2/14 with 6 friends and had one of the nicest well cooked steaks I've ever had. The rib eye on the bone was huge lived up to it's title (paddock to plate), I thought the price for the types of steaks on offer were very reasonable .The staff were very accommodating with everything we needed and the chef is a great character who made sure we were enjoying ourselves. This was my first time here and it wont be my last . Great place to catch up with friends or spoil a loved one.

Brilliant!. The food is magnificent! My steak was perfectly cooked and well priced. The starters where brilliant, highly recommend the chicken ribs, they were delicious! I was so full it was hard to make room for desert, but as always I did... Chocolate Crepes!!<br/><br/>The staff were very friendly and helpful. All in all a great night out! Highly recommend this place, we've been multiple times and it's always up to scratch!!!

We are very sorry to hear that some of our recent patrons had a bad experience at our Steakhouse.<br/>In regards to menu pricing, the menu is available online for everyone to view prior to dining at the Steakhouse, considering that all main meals are served with mash or chips or rice and a side salad at no extra cost, is rarely seen these days at any other steakhouse. In regards to portion sizes, all our steaks including our free range chicken fillets, are presented for viewing in our meat display fridge where all our customers are encouraged to select their own meat. Usually for large groups, we often provide complimentary bowls of chips, as was the occasion with this particular group if young people. In regards to steaks not cooked to your liking, Ivanhoe Tavern is happy to replace your steak with a new one, that is our policy, our wait staff regularly take every precaution during dinner service to make sure our patron's steak is cooked to their liking, as we'd rather our patrons to be happy with their meal than leave the Steakhouse feeling bitter and unhappy with their experience.

Worst place ever over priced <br/>Chicken dry and small <br/>Steak that raw it was (STILL KICKING)<br/>Chef is very rude and arogant wont be going back do not recomend at all

Ridiculously over priced, the portion sizes for the sides, (mashed potato and rice), is laughable, the chicken portion was so small that my fist was larger, (and it cost $30!!!!), and on our large table, most of the crazy expensive steaks were not cooked how they were ordered. We will never return because to pay over $50 for a steak that is less than amazing is not something we intend doing again. The chefs "secret recipe" herby butter for the bread was the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted. We'll go to the pub next time. The 2 waitresses were over worked and did a great job for the busy night they had to deal with.

Absolutely beautiful steak. 5 Star!!

I am writing this review as I sit in the restaurant, not because I'm bored but because we feel compelled to tell people of my excellent experience here. Excellent service, amazing food, and they go far beyond for their customers! The meat is of very good quality and we will be back!!

Amazing food, amazing service!. Awesome ambiance, personalized customer service, amazing food.<br/><br/>I had the Spinach & Aranchini balls with a side of mash (the mash was to die for),<br/><br/>My partner had the rib eye steak with pepper sauce & chips, cooked medium rare. It was a generous serving (700 gram with the bone), and was cooked to perfection - still deliciously pink & bloody in the middle how it should be. (see picture attached to review)<br/><br/>We also then ordered the chocolate crape which was also delicious. All up $120 which was a bargain considering the quality of the food. Emilio the head chef even comes to your table to ensure you are 100% satisfied with what he has served you.<br/><br/>Absolutely recommend, will be going there again & again without fail - and we live in the outer regions of the western suburbs! Worth the travel :)

OUTSTANDING!!!!!. We dropped in a few months back for a pre event drink and were so impressed we had to return! Emilio and his staff provided outstanding service. although Im not a steak eater I was assured by my carnivore husband that the steak was cooked to perfection, the chicken was delicious and the chips are the BEST in Melbourne, if not the world! Our Gluten Free guest was catered for with no fuss. Now I was lucky enough to try most of the desserts and still cant decided which was my favourite, its a toss up between the mousse and the chocolate crepe. A great selection of wine is available and the restuarant is cosy and comfortable.<br/>We will definately be returning.

Thanks again Emilio. Once again a wonderful dinner thanks for a great spread see you soon again<br/>Great job Emilio<br/><br/><br/>-----21 May, 2013-----<br/><br/>Great family business. Visited ivanhoe Tavern first time Friday night just managed to get a table thanks to the owner -chef the steak was brilliant & BQ prawns were very tasty<br/>Will definatly visit again this time will book. Thanks again for a delitful evening will visit with family very soon. A1

One word: brilliant. A beautiful and warm atmosphere. A chef and staff who really care about their food and their customers. Steaks perfectly cooked and full of flavour. Impeccably clean with fantastic cuts on display. An absolute must.

I don't know where the last reviewer ate but it definately wasn't at the Ivanhoe Tavern Steakhouse I know and regularly dine at. "Don't eat here" sounds more like slander from a disgruntled patron than a dining experience review, and can't make up their mind whether the food was good quality or not?? As for the "Stingy and cheap" sides, they are complimentary unlike most other steakhouses where all sides/salads are itemised and charged at an additional cost. I believe the menu is reasonalbly priced and value for money considering the high quality and standard of the fresh meat and produce. What more can you ask for when you get a 3 course set menu inc coffee & tea from $45 with optional extra sides available. The steak I've eaten here is by far the best than anywhere else I've had. The Chef is always friendly and welcoming never "rude or inappropriate" the staff are lovely, warm and attentive, and there is nothing "questionable" about the "hygiene", coming from a health inspector. I highly recommend the Ivanhoe Tavern Steakhouse to anyone for a good hearty satisfying meal, and an all round dining experience.

Don't eat here. First of all, the food here is way over priced. The steaks are good quality, but everything else is stingy quality and cheap. The hygiene is highly questionable as I saw many things that made me nervous and put off my food. <br/><br/>Most of all I was shocked at the way the chef spoke to his waitresses. He was very rude, and inappropriate. They clearly felt uncomfortable. <br/><br/>The waitresses gave great customer service, but this was the only positive element of my experience here. <br/><br/>Don't bother coming here. Why endorse a chef who is clearly rude and inappropriate, and the food is overpriced and not of quality.

I'll be back!. This place was recommended by one of my mum's friends but despite what seems to be a lot of negative reviews...we thought we'd still try it!<br/><br/>maybe going in with bad expectations could have impacted my overall rating of the place but i was quite satisfied.<br/><br/>for a 3-course feed in their set menu, it is well priced. unlike a lot of other restaurants that make your table choose the same entrees/mains/desserts when you order a set menu..we got to choose whatever we liked.<br/><br/>chicken ribs, bruschetta and grilled prawns were all so tasty! <br/>steaks and lamb are soft, tender, juicy and served with an amazing sausage and mash. the only thing i can fault with my main was the average garden salad and mushroom sauce but the other sauces we had were good.<br/>dessert is also average. but when you think about the value for money you are getting, it's basically free.<br/><br/>not sure if we were served by the same staff as the people saying they were terrible. our waitresses were lovely. the owner/head chef was very accommodating. when i called to make a booking within an hour of arriving, they were fully booked inside but had outside tables. he offered to call if there were any changes. and for us to be seated outside until a table inside became available. when we were there, a table became available for us but since it was a nice night we decided to stay outside anyway. then when we paid we got a very sincere apology from him that he didn't come outside to say hi and to check on everything. we didn't expect that from him. wait staff will be just fine! but his customer service was more than what you get at a steakhouse in the city. <br/> <br/>i'll be back for sure!

I love going to Meat Wine & Co and Squires loft but this place takes the cake! They cook over Maley root charcoal and the flavor is to die for, Emilo the owner really wants his customers to have best time whilst you are there and it is now my favorite steak house 10/10 in my book

Good steaks, wait staff below average. The older lady/ head waitress was rather rude and not accommodating to our needs.If a $1000 + spend is just not enough to be spoken to in a polite manner I don't know what is.

Worst restaurant, I'd rather play in traffic than eat here. It's overpriced and the service is crap. The chef was arrogant and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

What a place!! I don't even.... What a place!!<br/>I don't even know where to begin with how friendly and nice the service was. Staff were awesome, the food was beautiful and I felt very welcomed when I was greeted at the door. <br/>I got the eye fillet steak with the BBQ chicken ribs to start with. The chicken was excellent . The flavlour was just wonderful . The steak was a bit undercooked from what I asked but still tasted fantastic . Salad was very nice with the wine dressing and the chocolate crepe I had for dessert really did it for me. <br/>10/10 resteraunt , I will definitely go back and recommend it to my friends

Great experience. Very happy with this local icon. In short;<br/><br/>- Excellent service and friendly staff, very accommodating.<br/>- Reasonably priced set menu<br/>- Very good wine list<br/>- Waygu steak was pretty good as well but not the best I've had. On par with other big name steakhouses though. I'm very picky with steaks so this is high praise coming from me!

Ivanhoe Tavern Charcoal Grill. Been there forever. Quality consistent and Emilio always manages to find a table for you at this very popular steakhouse. The meat is superb and the home made beef broth is the nicest I have ever tasted.<br/>Service can be a bit hit and miss but hey, no hurry - enjoy the steak!<br/>Love it!

I've been to a few steakhouse's with big reputations, & surprisingly this one was up there with the best of them! Great service from the friendly staff & the head chef/owner, Emillio, was fantastic! I booked for 7 people at short notice & even though it was pretty much booked out, Emillio still managed to organise me s table. The steaks were brilliant! I had the eye fillet, & it was cooked to perfection! Thank you Emillio & staff for a great dining experience, I'll be back.

Amazing food, staff and overall experience!

Excellent fathers day lunch! Great service and food delicious!

Very disappointing, great starters, but very slow service, had the rib eye which was 50 odd dollars and it was ordinary, what a pity

Overhead lighting is cafeteria like & TV playing detracts from the ambiance. Steaks are great quality however not medium rare was bloody and difficult to get through. Basic salad on the side and cheap sliced bread. Request for mustard (as no condiments were offered) resulted in a small serve for one that was charged at $1 on the bill. False economy that resulted in no tip and left a bad impression.

This steak was unlike anything I have ever had in my life. I compare every steak to eat now to the steak here. It was worth every cent! Plus the mash potato was unbelievable. Make sure you try the potato.

Very expensive and steaks not cooked right. Very small salad portion. Very disappointing for such expense. Gorgeous place though and nice service

Yum yum yum!! Excellent service and mouth watering steak :)

Worst restaurant I have ever been to. I wish I had read the below review before dining at this establishment - went out with friends for a catch up dinner after being overseas for four months and walked away feeling angry and exploited. <br/>The staff were untrained and even they badmouthed the owner's management after two friends requested to share a main and we were informed this was "not allowed". Our glasses of water were never refilled and we were not able to have a jug unless we purchased sparkling water..?! This is Melbourne! Not Europe!<br/>This is not a "tavern" it is a steak house with zero vegetarian main option, except a vocal "veggie patty" option which turned out to be two reheated frozen patties, a scoop of mash and a small salad. But make sure you ask the price as the owner whopped me with an outrageous $42 for something I could have bought at Safeway for $5. <br/>The owner showed no integrity, no courtesy and informed us it was our fault for not asking the price (who would have expected 2 veggie patties to come to the same price as a mixed grill plate?). Save yourself the trauma. Go to the pub.

Worst Restaurant I've ever eaten at.. Over priced, over cooked food. Very poor and untrained floor staff. Rude and un reasonable owner to proud to admit a mistake. Charged for water, forbidden to share a meal, received a bowel of vegetables still in water and charged $42 for two packet frozen vegetable patties!! Will never go back here and will be sure to warn others about it's poor quality.

Fantastic Steaks. The selection of steaks is great and they are cooked exactly as ordered. Meatlover's paradise.

Emilio is a Culinary Genius!. This steakhouse is a must! Ivanhoe Tavern has been around for many years, and to correct the last review, has always taken Credit Card or Cash payments, just no Eftpos. Every time I dine here my experience is unforgettable. Dined there again with friends last night, I had the eye fillet set. Started off with his signature bbq chicken spare ribs, can never get enough of them, follower by the eye fillet, again cooked to perfection, with a side of the best chips ever, then finished off with my favourite, berry crepe and a cappuccino. Friends absolutely loved it, will definitely come back again! Emilio, you're a genius!!

Food good but the fact they don't take credit card or EFTPOS in this day and age is a disgrace. This is despite the fact they have a machine!

Do your tastebuds deserve a party?. If you love a high quality steak, at a price that wont burn a hole in your pocket, then Ivanhoe Tavern is for you. You can't go by the three course set menu (for an additional $10 on top of the main meal). The chicken ribs are sensational and crepes just too good to refuse. However the hero on this menu is the eye fillet - the meat is succulent and soft, and the magnificent charcoal taste a real delight. I love this restaurant as it also caters for vegetarians and seafood lovers. The wait staff are non intrusive and the Chef/Owner is only a few steps away to ensure you have a meal that not only satisfies your tummy but your budget too.

Doesn't look too fancy from the decor but wow the steaks are good. Service was a little amateurish but polite, and for a steak restaurant you might expect a better selection on the wine list but they have BYO for $6 per bottle. Steaks all priced over $30 but cooked to perfection, and I'll be going back!

I will ONLY eat steak here!. Great steaks. Great selection. I've tried everything, but the favorite is the eye fillet, rare. <br/>Very friendly and helpful staff. <br/>It's a little cramped, but adds to atmosphere. Try the bearnaise sauce. Amazing! All of the above keeps bringing me back, and bringing it back

Violated. This is by far the worst steak restaurant ever!!! <br/>Staff were incompetent, they were continually messing up the orders.<br/>all steaks weren't cooked properly and the owner/chef (if you would call him that) was extremely arrogant. The cuts of steak on display were great however were tasteless and either under or over cooked. I am guessing that all positive review for this place had been paid for or were from people with lack the sense of taste. Would rather eat a $20 steak from La Porchetta.

Wooooo.... Awesome Charcoal Grill Steak. Strongly recommended by my friend, located opposite of Ivanhoe Town Hall, a tiny, open kitchen restaurant located on Upper Heidelberg Road. Quite worried after reading the negative feedback from previous customers but didn't regret to try. It was very busy and the friendly, sporting and funny head chef had to come out and serve us. Food was served quick and the steak was tender enough. Tasty, juicy, and the little burn taste of charcoal grill made the steak even fantastic. Good wine selection and is one of a great steak house which i had been.

Worst service ever!!!. Last night i went to Ivanhoe Tavern with couple of my GF's and i suggested the place. I regret doing that now because we had one of the worst dining experiences ever.<br/><br/>The food was ok but the service was questionable.<br/><br/>Finally when we asked for our bill they asked us to go to the register and pay. When we went there the guy behind the counter told us how much the bill was & when we asked for the bill he asked us why we needed the bill. Which we thought was appaling because we wanted to split the bill.<br/><br/>Anyway in the end we just paid & left!!!! Never ever going there and pay money to be treated that way again!

Ivanhoe Tavern - Never Again!. We are big fans of Stefan's Steakhouse in Balwyn, but after moving to the area we thought we would try Ivanhoe Tavern. Well, we have tried it, and next time we want a good steak we will be going over to Balwyn!<br/><br/>The service was amongst the worst we have ever experienced. Far too many tables are squeezed into the restaurant. After we squeezed our way across the restaurant to our table, we just sat. And sat. And sat. No menu's, no offer of drinks, bread or anything.<br/><br/>Twenty minutes after we arrived another couple arrived, and both of the waiting staff rushed over to clear a table and get them seated straight away. This was the point we decided to leave. Not until we stood up and started walking out did one of the waiting staff think to come and ask if we wanted anything - but by this stage it was too little too late.<br/><br/>Although we never got to see a menu, let alone try the food - it didn't look or smell too bad. But definitely no better than what we could have had at Stefans, in a much more pleasant environment with far better service.<br/><br/>Once we left, we went down the road to Va Tutto, and had a fantastic meal with lightning fast service - even though they were quite busy too.

The ultimate steak!. We have been searching the whole of melbourne thick and thin to find the perfect steak and at last we found it!<br/>Must try, we were very pleased with everything we ordered. Reccommend the chicken ribs as entree and definatley steak of your choice for main.<br/>all steaks were served with home made chips , a 3 types of salad. reasonably priced for the amount of food you get and also the quality of food. A great dining experience!

Emilio - You have done it again!. A nice local haunt that has been undiscovered by the masses until now... This place is an Ivanhoe institution and so is the owner Emilio. A kind and friendly owner/chef who makes you feel like you are part of the family. Dinner was perfection - all steaks and chicken were cooked as per customer request and the set dinner menu is the best value in the current GFC. Do yourself a favour and visit this restaurant - FAST!