Review Epocha - Melbourne

Lovely experience at Epocha, absolutely relaxing atmosphere with no rush at any point with friendly and accommodating service team. Located next it Carlton Gardens with views of the trees. The 3 course menu, was started with a delicious amuse bouche, my partner is vegetarian and that was catered for without compromise. It was so reassuring being able to just sit and wait for the amazing food to appear without scouring a menu for the right dish. Every dish was perfect, and was suitably filled by each course. Highly recommend for a special night out with your partner or close friends.

We went to Epocha for a Valentine’s Day dinner where they served us a 6-course set menu. Of the 6, my favourite was the Heirloom tomatoes with salmorejo which was so unique, creamy and delicious. The rest was pretty much average with the exception of the gross Cape Grim scotch fillet that had a chunk of fat in it (see photo). Service was also average; we were promised a complimentary glass of rose but never received it. Won’t be returning.

wow!! The menu was so fresh, delicious and exciting- especially loved the homegrown produce that was weaved throughout. The staff were incredibly kind and caring, very easy to chat to! Can't wait to be spoilt there again!

I really enjoyed my four course meal. Amazing food and favours from entrée to dessert. My slow cooked beef and Tiramisu were the best meals of the night. Staff are very friendly. Atmosphere is great. Will definitely come back here.

Absolutely amazing. From the greeting you recieve on your arrival, the extremely friendly staff inside and the chef who came out and asked how things were and the food, everything was perfect. You are doing an amazing job. Thank you

Absolutely fantastic at every turn! Impeccable service, a clear passion for their craft, and absolutely delicious food and drinks. Love that the team is always evolving the menu and keeping things fresh and new. Highly recommend going with the wine pairings to enhance everything.

We had our wedding of 55 people at Epocha and felt right at home. The staff went above and beyond to take into consideration our preferences and made the process of organising a wedding so easy. The ceremony and food service went seamlessly. The food particularly was a stand out and each guest was so well cared for. No wine glass was left empty! We are grateful that Epocha enabled us to have our dream day all in one location. It is somewhere that is now part of our lives and we can't wait to go back again and again! We couldn't have asked for a better day and experience. You are getting restaurant quality service at an intimate venue - not what you get at your standard reception.

Lamb roast Sunday ... Ended up being $600 for six people with three by the glass wines and a single cocktail. Everything delicious.. lamb a bit greasy and coffees luke warm. There is potential but don't think we'll return.

Located on the high side of the street overlooking the historic Carlton Gardens, Epocha sits pretty with its pristine, classic frontage. It was incredibly welcoming inside with the crackle of warmth from the flames of an open fire place. Outside the front door, a curious message reads, "Too small to fail", a hint perhaps, at the damaging pandemic of 2019/2020.<br/><br/>It was a dreary day, all the better for enjoying a meal from the comforts of one's own home. We ordered takeaway for two Roast Packs (version 2), chicken liver pâté and a charcuterie selection. We paired this meal at home with a fruity, light-bodied pinot noir.<br/><br/>The liver pâté was out-of-this-world smooth and creamy, paired with Epocha's house-made baguette that was light and crispy on the outside after being warmed. The pâté was made even more tasty with its topping of crispy chicken skin.<br/><br/>Next highlight was the generously thick slab of moist, textural terrine that was well-balanced against the lightly tart, crunchy pickles. Soft, melt-in-your-mouth roast cauliflower was next, beautifully sweet and caramelised.<br/><br/>We were near satiated by the time we were done these, the charcuterie board, part of the foccacia and mushroom croquettes.<br/><br/>Then came the tender, 10-hour slow roast lamb shoulder with its ample delicious jus and a thin top of slightly crisp fat. The seasoning of the lamb was very restrained which kept it from being too heavy as a main.<br/><br/>We were missing the duck fat potatoes completely, which was a disappointment given their reputation from other diners.<br/><br/>Overall, a heart-warming, soulful Sunday lunch. Epocha's front door sign should perhaps read, "Too good to fail".<br/><br/>Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 stars

We enjoyed our meal here. Lovely venue with an immediate feeling of old-world style. A rare place where we could talk without shouting. Interesting selection of wines by the glass with offers to taste before committing. Polite and attentive service without ever being obtrusive. We skipped the tasting menu and just had an entree and main each, and shared a dessert. Food was very good - definitely high quality. Really my only qualm was the pricing, which is quite high, though perhaps I’m being a but tough given this is a rare fine dining experience in these days when casual is king. Certainly would recommend for a special occasion.

We went for the 3 course meal, and needless to say, I was so full! <br/><br/>For my 3 course meal, I chose the beef tartare for entree, beef tenderloin for main and the chocolate ganache. <br/>My partner has the razor prawns, pork, and white chocolate dessert), we also ordered the duck fat roasted potatoes.<br/><br/>Everything was delicious! The potatoes matched perfectly with the pork AND beef because they both had a gravy poured on top. Every single potato was crispy!! Although we were so full from our entrees and mains, we didn’t want to waste a single potato because we’ve never had such crispy potatoes! The pork and beef were salted well and very tender! The razor prawns were really really small, we weren’t sure whether the prawn head was to be eaten, so to have the body of the prawn only - it wasn’t much. Other than that, I enjoyed my evening and the service was lovely and attentive.

Dined here during the truffle night long time ago. Food was amazing with only few to fault. We got little truffle on our side just for our own to grate into the food whenever we wanted to😊. So tempting to slice the whole thing into my mouth, that is how much I love truffle<br/>Everything was delicious but the star for me was not the obvious beef or risotto, it was the dessert. It was chocolate truffle...truffle. when truffle is something that is full of umami, its overly savoury taste can be challenging when incorporating it into dessert. They just nailed it for me~*<br/><br/>Downside, was the table set up, they want it cozy, so it can be a bit cramp and does not offer privacy. Great for big family maybe not for strangers.<br/><br/>The venue was dark with warm candle lights so apologise for the quality of the image.<br/><br/>Food - 4.8*<br/>Service -4*<br/>Venue - 3.8*

Had a large function upstairs, the room was good, if a little noisy. Staff were good and service friendly. Food was ok, but a bit limited and could use some salt. Ok and probably worth a visit for full table service, <br/>

Enjoy the warm and inviting delights, that is Epocha.  Located in Carlton with magnificent views overlooking Carlton Gardens you will fine Epocha Restaurant.  As you walk through the doors of Epocha Restaurant you can’t help but to feel at ease whilst soaking in its beautiful high ceilings, cosy decor and attentive staff.  T

*4.5*<br/>Lovely restaurant with excellent waitress and service. Four of us bad the Wagyu which was delicious. We weren't a big fan of the bread but otherwise a good experience.

We went here last week to celebrate our anniversary and had a wonderful evening! Being a Monday night, it was fairly quiet which made it very special and romantic for us. And our host / steward for the evening got us a glass of dessert moscato on the house to end the night 😊 <br/>The cocktails were lovely, packing a flavorful punch. We ordered the 5 course meal and were very full by the end, with the pumpkin, cured salmon and poached fig dessert dishes being our picks of the night. The seven point pork was slightly underwhelming.. but overall a memorable, romantic night for us to remember ..

Refined, delicious and perfectly cooked French food served with class, generosity and good hospitality. The venue was quaint, cosy and beautiful. Highly recommended.

Very enjoyable Sunday roast lunch. Just the right amount of food and service is there without being intrusive. The pacing between dishes are done just right and well timed. We didn't feel rushed but didn't spend too long. We were served 2 salads, a pate, a fresh roll I think flavored with goji berries, roast beef and potatoes then a chocolate mousse tart. What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon! We also ordered oysters, a bottle of rose and tea and coffee at the end.

We went to Epocha for a Valentine’s Day dinner where they served us a 6-course set menu. Of the 6, my favourite was the Heirloom tomatoes with salmorejo which was so unique, creamy and delicious. The rest was pretty much average with the exception of the Cape Grim scotch fillet that had a chunk of fat in it (see photo 7). Service was also average; we were promised a complimentary glass of rose but never received it. Won’t be returning.

Service was attentive and considerate, seeing how they made an alternative starter for someone pregnant in the group. Came here for the Sunday roast, serving a beautiful lamb shoulder dish and delicious crispy potatoes on the side. Finished off beautifully with a cherry cake with cream on the side.

Went here with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday a couple of months ago. The ambiance was great. It felt like you’re inside a European antique house. The food were all delicious and the service was awesome. The staff who did our table service was very friendly and funny. We all enjoyed the experience in this restaurant. Very happy and satisfying.

I went to Epocha recently and unfortunately the experience was not good. The menu lists starters and mains but strangely, the waitstaff told us the dishes were instead tapas style sharing plates. We ordered a few dishes we thought would go well together. But then somehow between ordering and getting served, this changed again and we had to eat one plate between us before we got the next one. Pretty bizarre and not very enjoyable especially given the style of food. The food itself is homely and nice enough but far from superb. The service can only be described as pretentious. The space was okay. The prices are absurd given everything above. Felt leaving annoyed and ripped off :(

The evening saw Epocha’s chefs showcase the various ways you can incorporate halloumi into trending seasonal menus this spring. Fresh tastings were also available alongside the grilled, fried and roasted options incorporated into the Mediterranean spread with matched wines.

Came for the Monday set dinner with the cheese wheel pasta; service and food were faultless!<br/>Dishes were small but filling and fresh. The terrine and homemade black bread were my favourites, roast pumpkin was also outstanding.<br/>Some of our dinner party also requested paired wines and they were extremely pleased with the selections.

One of my favorites. Great food, warm friendly service - they absolutely go out of their way to make you feel at home.<br/><br/>Sunday lunches are the best - a must try and fantastic value for money.

Epocha had been on my list since I first arrived in Melbourne where an ex-colleague told me that Epocha and Town Mouse were her favourite restaurants. She told me she loved the cheese and the wine and the starters. Unfortunately, my experience was very mediocre and it could be because I ordered neither the cheese nor the wine nor the starters. <br/>We booked for two at 6.30pm for a special occasion. The staff were very nice and had us seated right away. There is free on street parking after 6.30pm and plenty of spaces so I do recommend it. <br/>At the look of the prices, we decided to go for the most affordable options and chose the goat's cheese risotto and then something interesting, the rudderfish. <br/><br/>We received complimentary black bread which just tasted like dark rye sourdough. It came with some herby creme fraiche. It was ok. Though I did like the bread but nothing special. <br/><br/>The fish arrived first and as we were sharing, the waitress cut it in half and served it for us. The cauliflower puree, the morsel of brussel sprout was nice, but the fish was very bland. Rudderfish basically tasted like snapper but less fishy. The consomme was like lemony water. It didn't add to the taste. I would have preferred some salt, pepper and maybe even some garlic aioli. <br/><br/>The risotto was floating and the rice very thick and large. The taste was quite grainy and tasted like raw spinach. Both my friend and I didn't like both the dishes. The goat's cheese helped with the taste due to its saltiness and the almonds definitely added to the taste. But on it's own, the risotto rice was below par. <br/><br/>We then ordered a dessert - the rum baba as we were told that it's the most popular. A large round cake (tastes like sweet bread) with a small dollop of vanilla ice-cream and some cream. It's literally floating on milky rum and there is a huge show as the chef lights it up with dry flame. <br/><br/>The flame does not add a smokiness to the flavour. The cake basically tastes like watery bread with a hint of coffee and a hint of salt (not a hint of salted caramel). If we had known we would have unearthed the milky rum from the bottom and mixed it with our watery bread. But we only got to it at the end. And by then, I felt like I was having baileys with milk . <br/><br/>We also got a complimentary lemon tart for which I'm immensely grateful. This lemon tart was radically sweet. Too sweet for my liking which detracted from the sourness of the lime. <br/><br/>The massive cheese blocks and honeycomb sitting next to us looked quite inviting and I think if we had taken my friend's advice, we would have enjoyed our meals. But it seems like we ordered all the wrong stuff. <br/><br/>Service is excellent. Waitstaff are thoughtful. Split billing is allowed. And the venue has a nice homely, romantic vibe. Good for special occasions.

Went for the Sunday roast set menu and didn’t disappoint. Great service, good value and great relaxed atmosphere . Great wine list too. Ideal place for a lazy Sunday afternoon in a bit of style

Was looking forward to a lovely dinner with friends. Beautiful Victorian home converted to a restaurant, the ambiance was beautiful. Amazing place for a first date. We chose to go with the chefs menu. Entree’s were a little bit of a let down, the fish with what I believe was pickled radish, was awful, but that’s my palate. The terrine was nice but wish the toasted bread had a little flavour of maybe garlic. The mains were amazing, we got the beef fillet which was really nice, tender and cooked perfectly, the roasted potatoes were also lovely. Overall, good place but definitely needs improvement on the entrees. I wouldn’t mind going again and doing share plates rather then the chefs menu.

Epocha had been on our list for a while and my birthday was the occassion to go. Booked on the night for a Saturday night, had to choose between 6-ish and 9-ish. Chose 20:45. When we arrived our table wasn’t ready yet and we were taken to the bar upstairs. We had to wait 20 minutes for our table and we were hungry! It wasn’t until the bill that we realised we received those drinks for free. Great, but better to tell straight away as offering a drink on the house is a nice gesture for the waiting, but only really works if you know you are getting it for free. The bar upstairs is a bit soul-less, not a great area to be waiting. It seemed they didn’t have their best day when we visited. The bread with home made butter was nice, bf loved it. They didn’t offer more of it though. When we asked for wine advice we were told someone would get send over, but that someone never came. <br/><br/>We noticed that there are not many options for people that don’t eat meat. When we ordered food they asked if we wanted the gnocchi as a middle course, which was fine for us, but they brought it out when were still going on our first dishes anyway. <br/><br/>I was intrigued by the pigs ears, as our dog eats them and I was curious how they make them yum for people, answer is they don’t. We took them home and give them to our dog. <br/><br/>The asparagus starter was nice, but quite expensive for what you get. The beef tartare was filled with too many other things (capers and more) which made the meat hard to taste. The big fries that came with it didn’t go well with the meat, they díd go very well with the mayonnaise on the asparagus dish though! <br/><br/>Gnocchi was ok, but not super yum. Lamb was good. Bf had two glasses of wine that he liked.<br/><br/>What was really good is that the meat they use is free range! Especially since there are a lot of meat dishes on the menu. <br/><br/>All and all I think it was really less than expected. We paid about $180, not super expensive, definitely not cheap either (includes 2 glasses of wine). <br/><br/>Might give it another chance in summer and sit on the nice terrace out the front.

We went to epocha with a group of friends who had not been there before. Needless to say they loved it. The food, the wine and exceptional service are a standout. There was a reasonable delay with our main meal due to a little accident but they were so lovely as to offer us complimentary cheese platter and dessert without our even mentioning it. We came away so impressed with the service - will definitely be back!

Every time we go to Epocha we love it. I have recommended it to so many friends. The food is unique and beautifully presented and they always cater to my dietary requirements. It is the most beautiful fit out, the bar upstairs is perfect for a pre-drink with a beautiful view over the gardens. Highly recommend for a visit when in Melbourne.

Came for MFWF express lunch, gorgeous internal deco the waiter was really cute too lol 🤩🤩 the outdoor garden is gorgeous it’ll be perfect on a nice sunny day 😁😁<br/><br/>Tuna with basil & almond cream - tuna was really fresh and high quality, very light on palette perfect as a starter :) <br/><br/>Roast chicken with mushroom & onion - Best Chicken dish i’ve had in ages, the meat was tender and full of favour. <br/><br/>If you love your meat u need to try Epocha :)

It could have been great. But it wasn’t. From the very first step into Epocha the staff didn’t seem to care. We waited 10min to receive the menu. Ordered a few snacks, a few starters, a main, a side and few dessert. Starting from the end: Tiramisu (or Epocha version of it) was really terrible. Warm, with little if any at all mascarpone and no savoiardi. You know your night is not great when the best dish is a side of potatoes roasted in duck fat. The saviour is the look and feel of the restaurant. Really pretty. Food is good, not excellent, but with some high and some low. Service below par.

Pre-Valentines dinner, booked via Zomato, and the staff were attentive enough to ask me for dietary requirements when I called up to confirm my booking.<br/><br/>Onto the food, their house bread (which they call pudding) and GF bread was good, the house churned butter really stealing the limelight.<br/><br/>Farmhouse Terrine for entree, tasty, and went well with the bread.<br/><br/>The first Hapuka main was rather overpowered by the Prawn Bisque, which isn't bad, but sort of defeats the purpose of having the piece of fish there.<br/><br/>Side Potatoes were well textured, most likely triple cooked. The Salad... just way too much maple syrup, as in, breakfast hot cakes quantity.<br/><br/>The second Lamb main was fine, however, it's sous vide, and the pan searing finish wasn't enough to give it any sort of character - which resonates with my overall impression of this place, "Can't fault it, but nothing too memorable"

We had a beautiful Valentine’s Day dinner at this super cute restaurant.<br/>The food was to die for and the staff were so lovely and attentive.<br/>We will definitely be back!!!

Pre-valentines dinner. <br/>First impressions; booked at 6pm, was told my the waiter in the confirmation call to arrive 10 mins early. Just as discussed we arrived at 5:55pm and walked into their pre-service team meeting which we were greeted by one of the chefs in white with a head shake and an unwelcoming expression.... so we stepped out of the restaurant and waited outside till they opened the door for us. Mind you it’s not like the restaurant door had an open or closed sign to tell us if they were ready for service or not but according to google it’s open from 12pm-12am on a Tuesday. Would’ve been nice if one of the staff told us that they weren’t ready and to ask if we could wait. <br/><br/>Ambience: Romantic setting, dim lighting with lit up candles and fancy plates and cutlery. Great for first dates. <br/><br/>Service: Our waitress was lovely and attentive. The bar manager/manager (lady with short hair) was welcoming and we thoroughly enjoyed our non-alcoholic drinks. Especially the drink ‘date me’. <br/><br/>Food: We went with the chef’s tasting menu. The food was overall average with nothing special. My favourite would have been the spanner crab and avocado dish. The dessert was underwhelming. With a cheesecake in a jar and a pear tart where the base was very hard to cut. <br/><br/>Overall: We had the entertainment book so got 25% off our total bill (max of $45 off) which was great. It wouldn’t have been worth it without the discount. Food wasn’t anything special but besides our unwelcoming greeting by one of the chefs, the service by wait staff was nice. P.S Skip the dessert!

We had our early Valentine's dinner here, the food are above average, nothing really wow us. The fish we ordered had prawn sauces which is quite overpowering and doesn't match w the taste of the fish. The customer service is very attentive and friendly. Overall it's a comfortable place to enjoy a dinner here.

We had the set menu here on one of their special occassions. It was way too much food for 2 but value for money. Each dish was nicely presented, rich and delicious. Service was good but indoor decor is a little dated and dark.

I’d been wanting to try this place for several years and finally went there for dinner last week. I have to say I was quite disappointed. I did love the decor and atmosphere- the restaurant is in a Victorian house, the lighting is dim with candle lights, there is a lot of wood, and it’s generally really cosy, warm and pretty. Lovely setting for a romantic dinner. The service was overall good too - very friendly and quite efficient. However they did charge us for some olives which we never got. 3 of the people I was with were really disappointed in their steak which they had asked to be cooked rare and got well done. Other than that the food was quite good but a bit bland and underwhelming for the price and setting. I guess Epocha just didn’t live up to our expectations.

It was a business lunch from recruiters. I am not much of a fan of wine. The sommelier guy started describing the food and wine. I was in heaven. When the food and wine came over, oh boy I was really really beyond heaven. The food and wine were pretty simple by themselves, but really magical together. Go for the banquet.

What an evening! Went to Epocha for my 5 year anniversary and enjoyed the chefs set menu for $75 a head, plus cheese. This was amazing value, with the food being absolutely lovely. Something I really enjoyed was time between meals to enjoy your company, rather than feeling rushed and being forced out. It was a breath of fresh air that hasn’t been felt in Melbourne for some time! I will definitely return to Epocha for many more meals!

The food and service are just extraordinary. I love the desserts, not sweet but taste fantastic. The steak and the black bread was amazing as well. I will definitely come back again.

Thoroughly let down by this restaurant for a large function. Meager food offerings with little regard for the budget proposed & then added a mandatory 10% on top for the pleasure of being ripped off by them. Diners beware!

The food was great and the services was also very good. Ambiance was very nice. Location was perfectly close to the event and to public transportation.

Below Average. The chefs menu wasn't very nice with the first dishes being raw vegetables that had barely any flavor. Also served to begin was an atrocious mussel dish served on a smiths chips that was disgusting. The only thing redeeming was the lamb which was delicious although slightly dry. Salad dressing was nice and the duck fat chips were nice. Service was average with the waiter putting the wrong price in the EFTPOS machine. The waiter also took the liberty. when specifically told him not to, to pre-select what dessert to have. Overall average restaurant with better choices available elsewhere.

Very average food that doesn't stand out by any means, lamb shoulder with some steamed veggies was tasteless and without any significant twist for astonishing $45+, great selection of non-Australian wines that ranges from $60-$600+, with rather overpriced selection. Greek wines that are selling for $60+ are an absolute joke. I was not impressed and surely I won't be getting back. Melbourne's restaurant scene has much more to offer than dining at Epocha.

Dined here a couple of weeks ago with some friends. We were greeted with great service and placed at a lovely table by the fireplace. The staff were attentive the whole time we were there and really looked after a friend of ours who had some dietary requirements. The wine list itself took influence from many regions of Europe which I like. The list itself had some great valued wines by the glass and bottle but also some that were at the higher price point which could suit most occasions. The menu itself is designed to be a shared with a selection of snacks, entrees, mains and sides which we were happy to order and share. We were happy with the entrees. The duck liver parfait was delicious and the pig ears were just as tasty. Moving onto mains we were a little suprised. I am all for sharing but if you are going to share ossobuco and sell it as a share plate item you cant serve a singular piece of ossobuco (which mind you is 50% bone) on some polenta and share between 4 people. The flavours were there but the polenta itself was runny and not cooked properly so it became watery, gluggy and nearly inedible. The fish dish was nice with a canellini bean side. We also shared the steak which was once again small to share but flavours were there. If we had maybe been advised to order a main each rather than share we may have enjoyed the experience a little more, however it wasn't the fault of the waitress we had she was just doing her job. It was the direction of the business itself. We were happy to order more. We went for dessert which was a lemon tart and a friend of mine had a poached pear dish which was nice. All in all the service was great. The wine list was good. The share plate designed menu needs some work if your selling pitch is to share. We left content and happy with the overall experience but felt a little confused by the mixed european approach to the menu which sometimes too much can confuse what makes it to the plate. Would visit again to see the next seasons menu has made some improvements to its share plate ideology.

Lovely place that I often frequent. Dim setting with a rustic feel about the place and fairly cramped seating Pricey for the amount they serve but very tasty all the same. Do try their slow cooked lamb and chicken pate, they've been on the menu for years now. Service is generally immaculate although a touch snooty at times and the drinks service a bit slow especially cocktails. Oh also be warned that they don't have any new world wines on their menu.

Had a delightful dining experience at Epocha on Wednesday night with Mr B.  The ambience of the building and dining room is quite impressive and refined.  It was a quiet night, and probably didn't require the booking we had made, but even the reservation service was worth mentioning as they followed up with a polite phone call to confirm dietary or special occasion requirements in advance.  Our waiter was smart but still maintained a casual, friendly demeanour.<br/><br/>As is customary for us, we ordered the Chef's Tasting Menu which opened with a beautifully presented bundle of cloth wrapped homemade bread with a pot of butter and bowl of mixed olives.  Quickly following this, the 'Three Countries' starters were presented to us in the form of Piccalilli, Sardine escabeche and Farmhouse terrine each of which were as impressive as the last dish. Second course was an amazing serving of their Pappardelle with garlic cream.  For an added bit of theatre, the dish was 'finished off' in a giant hollowed out cheese wheel, which made for quite the spectacle and added the sharp cheese flavour that made it my highlight of the night.  Main course was a delicious Osso Bucco, polenta and gremolata dish, with duck fat roasted potatoes and a salad of winter leaves with maple dressing. Mr B was raving about the salad and the Osso Bucco.  The polenta was amazing! <br/><br/>Lastly, we were presented with two desserts, a lemon curd tart and a dark chocolate and fig slice, which we hadn't expected, We were under the impression we were going to get to choose.  (I had really wanted the Creme Brulee I had seen offered to other tables!) Unfortunately, despite their appetising presentation, I wasn't a fan of either of the desserts on offer.  Mr B attempted the tart, and also found it far too acidic to stomach, but enjoyed the chocolate and fig which I was happy to pass up on too. <br/><br/>Despite this, our evening at Epocha was absolutely lovely.  The savoury dishes were near perfect for our palate and the restaurant service and ambience was lovely.  Highly recommended for a fancy date night!

The warmth and hospitality here is always second to none, food and service always consistent. Sunday lunch a winner and great value, my go to place when friends are in town

Food was average and service was appalling. Tried this restaurant on Saturday with a group of girlfriends due to its high ratings in Zomato. First the waiter gave us an attitude for not ordering wine for the entire table, and then he gave a remark that we didn't order enough food for the table. Then when the food arrived, we told him one of the dish was incorrect (it was a beef dish and half of the table can't eat beef), he insisted that we gave him the wrong order. I'm just utterly amazed that he was hired to service customers in a fine dining restaurant when he has no idea what customer service really means. The way this waiter handled himself was totally unprofessional and his negativity ruined our mood to enjoy ourselves that night. <br/>On top of that the food served was very average for a fine dinning restaurant and the only good dish was the duck fat chips. <br/>I was going to bring my husband to try this place but after this awful experience, I'm afraid we won't be back.

Yummy food and good service. Couldn't remember any dish that particularly stood out but we got the sharing menu and were all well fed by the end. Would definitely return.

A dining experience I will never forget. The food and wine were great, the host courteous and professional, and the staff attentive throughout the night. I would recommend the set menu as it gives you a variety of the menu to try. Well worth the money and dining experience of European cuisine. Do yourself a favour and try this restaurant ☺

Fantastic food. Beautiful venue as one of those huge old renovated Carlton terraces. We got there half an hour late due to traffic but this was no problem for the staff who gave us wonderful service. The lamb is to die for and I had the chips fried in duck fat and believe me you'll never have chips like this! The view over the gardens add a special touch and the wine list is all European so if your knowledge a bit down on your Italian whites the staff are full of top recommendations. The bill was fine for this quality food so left feeling pretty good about the experience.

As the name may suggest, Epocha is a journey back in time. Located in a beautiful Victorian Townhouse Epocha impresses with a homey vibe and hearty menu. Famous for their roasts, we were excited to spend a special night at Epocha. We selected Chicken Liver Pate as well as the Spinach & Ricotta Tortellini for entree and the slow roasted Lamb with a side of fried Brocoli for main. And the summary - it was simply superb. Along with fantastic service all evening long, the dishes were bursting of flavour and sheer skill. Every bite was a delight and took us back in time to those moments when our Grandma used to cook up some special treats for birthdays or Christmas. The Lamb was just so tender and juicy, the mushrooms that came with the tortellini on another level and even the bread was heavenly tasty. The only reason why this is not a 5 out of 5 is that while everything tastes fantastic, the menu lacks a bit of creativity, which to be honest, doesn't deter me from coming back!

The Zomato rating is what attracted us to Epocha and once again it didn't let us down.<br/>We both selected a major course and Steve our well informed waiter, who was also a sommelier, warned us that the courses were very generous which was indeed the case. Sylvia had the fish of the day and I had the slow cooked lamb; delicious.<br/>Yes, the main courses were expensive but in our view great value.<br/>Bob appetite!!<br/>PS If I had a criticism is was that there were no Australian wines by the glass<br/>

I love the setting of this little restaurant. It's like walking into a period house and the decor is relaxed. <br/><br/>The food was delicious. There was 6 of us so we shared a few courses. <br/><br/>The butterfish!!! Wow. It's so yummy and melt in the mouth. Served with a creamy eggplant mash. <br/><br/>I also really enjoyed the roast lamb. But very rich so I couldn't have had that dish alone. <br/><br/>The pate was wonderful, smooth and creamy. <br/><br/>I'd highly recommend this little cherub of a restaurant. <br/>

This is a great place to go with a group. The philosophy is around shared plates and the helpings are very generous! The food has bags of flavour and the crispy pigs ears are a must have. We have visited a number of times since Epocha opened its doors and it just keeps going from strength to strength!

Service and quality. Four evening dinner visits now.  The place is usually full and bustling but service and attention are not compromised. Outstanding front of house.<br/>Really good uncomplicated food, brilliantly put together.<br/>If you appreciate a good wine, Angie has put together an outstanding selection....don't hold back, you probably have never heard of them but trust her talent.<br/>Looking forward to the next visit. Maybe long lunch.

Meh. Food is OK, service so-so. Expensive. Melbourne has so much more to offer. Winelist is overly expensive with very little under $80 and certainly nothing drinkable. IMHO lacks hospitality - which is the name of the game, no?

Absolutely divine dining experience! From the space to the ambiance and the service, this place is the complete package. Every single dish was perfectly put together and a flavour explosion! Some of the best dishes I've ever eaten! Great for a romantic dinner, we went for our anniversary and the kitchen very kindly treated us to this dessert surprise. Can't recommend it enough and look forward to finding an excuse to go back soon!

Beautiful terrace looking out onto the old exhibition building. Went with the following sharing plates;<br/>pate 4/5<br/>pigs head terrine 5/5<br/>pigs ears 4/5 (like pork scratchings!)<br/>Slow cooked lamb 4.5/5<br/>home made pasta 1/5 (we didn't enjoy this dish, it was like a stodgy yet thicker gnocchi, but had a delicious pesto on top)<br/>potatoes 5/5<br/>fried broccolini 4/5<br/>Will definitely be back to try the rotating menu , the service was also great!

We came here for dinner last week. Staff was nice and the decoration was good. We ordered a few things to share: beetroot salad with fennel and dill, duck fat potatoes, poached fish, Charred asparagus with fromage frais and the roasted chicken with parsnip. <br/><br/>The fish was poached nicely and the salads, duck fat potatoes were good. It was unfortunate that two pieces of the 'roast chicken' dish were uncooked. Given how dark the place was with their lighting, this could easily been missed, to me, this is a hazard. It was a major disappointment.<br/><br/>The dessert was interestingly displayed on a trolley. We picked creme brulee and a eclair with expresso filling. I thought they were for display only and we would get a fresh one, unfortunately, that's what we get. Not to my surprise the eclair tasted very dry. <br/><br/>This is a rather unfortunate meal.

Been here twice. The a la carte experience much better than the Sunday lunch. There is a great atmosphere to the place and food and staff create a very nice experience, can recommend.

The food was mostly very good, and excellent value, but the roast beef was chewy. My favourite was the squid ink taramasalata. Unfortunately the service last night was below standard for what you would expect for a place like this, I think they may have had a chaotic night, and it was reflected in our anxious waiter. The lighting is very dark, it might be why our waiter dropped a bottle, dessert and spilled water on our table. He wasn't having a good night. I informed the restaurant about my food allergy during my online booking, on the phone and face to face yet they still served the dish with my food allergy. Even so, afyer my rant I still might give this place another go on a quieter night.

Probably most disappointing outing of 2016. Food good but service absolutely useless. No coordination between staff. Food brought out cold after sitting around in the kitchen. Sides arrived half an hour after mains, drink service non existent.....and no acknowledgement of poor service by staff....this place is dead to me with what Melb has to offer....it won't last in its current crappy form.

Been a couple of times now and a great place to go for a chefs menu on date night. Staff very nice and wine good. The place is romantically lit and sharing a dessert with a loved one is a great way to enjoy.

Oh man, why did you disappoint me? Whyyy? Had a lovely Crawl and Bite experience here with the MFWF a few years ago and couldn't wait to come back to explore the menu further. But alas, the wait wasn't worth it. Food was ok. Ok isn't good enough for those prices. I'm so underwhelmed I can't even go into detail. Just *shrugs shoulders* meh. Biggest disappointment? The dessert tray...I don't get it; it felt very 80's and some of the options looked like they still belonged there. Also, a little unnecessarily pushy with the drinks menu. We'd had more than enough wine and were driving so felt they needed to back off. I will hold onto my first experience at Epocha, but, sadly, not this one.

We have had some wonderful meals here previously. Don't sit outside or you will be forgotten about. The pate has changed for the worse, both in quantity and quality. Will come back but a little bit disappointed on this occasion. :(

Food : outstanding. Utilising the freshest produce and creating unique combinations with bursts of flavour that send your tastebuds into frenzy. Standouts were the beef tartare, poached butterfish and Charolais beef.<br/>Service : impeccable, very attentive servers who were invisible when you needed them to be but there when you needed them for something<br/>Ambience : charming and rustic setting. Perfect for a nice cosy dinner.

Beautiful interior setting, fantastic service, delicious food, is how I would summarise Epocha.<br/><br/>We were about 15mins early but was promptly shown to our seats. While waiting for the rest of our crew, I admired the beautiful setting. Most prominent decoration was the huge clock on the wall in the middle of the restaurant.<br/><br/>When came the time to order wine, (the wine list is predominantly European) one of the friendly staff gave good advice on the Greek rose, which we enjoyed so much.<br/><br/>Before we ordered the mains, another staff came by to gave advice on the sharing options, and special of the day. We settled on 3 large shares, one snack, and 3 small shares, which turn out to be perfect before dessert. <br/><br/>Snack: crunchy pig ears - really crunchy and a perfect starter to go with beer/wine<br/>Small share: beef tartare and fish. The fish was cool to perfection and the beef tartare came with potato chips- surprisingly very matching!<br/>Large share: lamb, fish of the day and beef.<br/>The beef was my favourite, cooked to medium rare, the meat was tender and delicious.<br/>Fish was cooked differently to the first (medium) so not for those who like their fish fully cooked.<br/><br/>Dessert was a interesting fare as it was put out on a tray to choose from. The concept is great as you get to marvel (just like at the patisserie) while the staff member introduce the ingredients that made it up. <br/>We settled with creme brûlée, chocolate smoothie and toffee tart.<br/><br/>Constantly throughout the night water was top up without any prompts.<br/><br/>A place that I would recommend for good food and drinks complement with good service.

Never disappointed. Top notch service and the best food in Melbourne with their seasonal menus. We dine here every few months and we always walk out with massive smiles.

Absolutely magnificent and fast becoming an institution as a Sunday lunch concept. Fabulous environment..,, been on three Sundays over the last few months and everything is perfect on each occasion.., value is terrific at $45 a head an it ends ip feeling like a mini degustation experience. Value, flavour and flawless, humble service is the added touch. Go for it, you won't be disappointed. Many other Melbourne venues could learn from this!

Although pricey, its worth it. Went out with a group of friends for lunch and we loved it. It's like enjoying a great sunday lunch without having to clean up afterwards!

Impressed is to say the least! The food was perfectly done in both presentation and taste. The service was friendly and efficient and the decor made you feel as if you were transported to a small restaurant somewhere in Western Europe. I was surprised by this gem and will be back to eat again.

Appalling.<br/><br/>I ate here and it was extremely expensive and compared to the first time gone down hill by 10 fold.<br/><br/>I tried to politely complain but received nothing....<br/><br/>I've been lucky enough to dine at your restaurant a few times now and always am extremely happy with the service and food. For a long time I was known to say, 'Epocha is my favourite restaurant,' however last night I was extremely underwhelmed with the food, and was extremely embarrassed to have suggested your restaurant as one to go to and then expect my guests to pay 150 a head for what was received. <br/>As a table for 3 we without hesitance decided to go for the 90/ head chefs sharing menu, as I have had it before and loved it multiple times, however as 3 people in hospitality, including one chef we were seriously disappointed. The starters were really bad, capsicum cut up? With a bit of oil? Just raw capsicum? Some bland cooked peppers, with no flavour and some extremely mediocre salmon and creme fraiche. I was so embarrassed as the two gentlemen I was with were open about the embarrassing state of the starters however I didn't lose faith as I knew (or thought I knew) what was to come. From there the fish, meh, the absolute highlight was the broccolini. And then the sirloin and chicken with only a small side of roast potatoes? No greens? No veggies? Meat and potatoes? .....as I said we are in hospitality and I know so is half the world but I really do understand that consistency is key. Our waiter was lovely but not super personable and all in all we were in good company each other so had a nice night but was so so so disappointed. So disappointed that I've found time to write an email, and no one has time to write complaint emails. <br/>Anyway, just some feedback for you as I don't think we will be dining with you again for $150 a head for wine and raw capsicum and some meat and potatoes. Thanks.

Went last Saturday we some friends it look very good food was delicious . But when we order coffee we felt like we were rushed to finish up in one case the manager come to our table and tap me on my shoulder and said u have 5 mins to finish up cos they have booked the table for others I was so offensive it's hard when u have a partner who can't eat and drink to fast due to operation .

We had dinner here on Saturday night. Set in a beautiful old Victorian terrace house this restaurant has been tastefully decorated. The service was excellent and prompt coupled with the waiters knowledge of the menu and the recommended quantity of food to get. I loved the sharing plates, the portions were generous, delicious and well executed with the different flavour and texture elements. The problem we had was trying to decide what to have seeing everything on the menu sounded divine. My husband and I shared 2 small plates and 2 large plates plus one side and this was ample. I do recommend this place.

Well the place looks lovely. And it's downhill from there. The waiter offers you still or sparkling water from carafes. You take sparkling and then later notice they charge you for it. Yes, you tricked me. But was it worth it for five bucks you lowbrow hucksters? Then comes the homemade bread presented nicely in a sack. The bread looks like a chocolate muffin and has the consistency of unbaked play dough. It takes some skill to ruin bread. The food is scarce and dull. The roast beef is as you would make at home except if you made it a home it wouldn't be that tough. Once you hack it through it the flavour is fine and it wasn't overcooked. Accompanying sides were a salad. Desert comes next, which is equally uninspiring. A good wine list and pleasant staff aren't enough to make up for totally unimaginative fare. A total waste of time and money.

Been there for a dinner recently. <br/>Love the decoration and the ambience, their decoration is very simple yet rustic. <br/>The service is quick and very friendly. <br/>The food was great! It was beautifully presented, and its too bad we didn't get to try the dessert but the food was great, and they have lots varieties of wine as well. <br/>It was a really great experience, we would definitely come back

Been wanting to go to Epocha for a while and finally made it there. The food was good but not amazing for the price and the serves were so small. They advised us it was all designed to be shared but the serving sizes suggest otherwise. Service was okay, really nothing amazing for the price you pay. The only real saving grace was the dessert - the peanut butter parfait was delicious. Wouldn't rush back anytime soon.

Epocha has been on my list for a while and I’ve been trying to have dinner there twice already, each time we had to cancel because someone was always too sick to go. So, third time lucky I say. The exterior of Epocha is beautiful and I was in awe when I stood in front of it. We stepped inside and found that it was super duper dark. I was struggling to read the menu which meant it was quite dark.

Came here for a special occasion and it did not disappoint. We did the chefs selection with each dish as good as the last. Nothing bad to say about it other than its in a difficult spot to find a park on a busy Friday night. Service is excellent and professional.

Epocha took me by surprise. I was expecting it to be good but I was not expecting it to be as a amazing as it was. It's a cozy and very rustic place. The service is so good you don't think about the waiters because they know what you need before you need it. The food was on par with any restaurant in Melbourne and the presentation is so good it makes you feel bad for actually eating the food. The dessert tray is a must try so make sure you leave some room for it.

Gorgeous setting with friendly and attentive staff. Perfect for our girls catchup where we could share many of the dishes and try all the good ones - without committing to the sharing menu! The chicken liver pate was a good start along with the cute little mini crumpets (probs a tad overpriced but one is curious of anything mini!) and the chicken offered perfect sharing. We doubled up on the ricotta gnocchi which was nice enough but we possibly couldve managed a taste each by ordering one and substituting the other for another delicious treat! And then to finish, even though we didnt need it, the dessert tray was too good to resist!

Great food. Great wine. Great service. Lovely decor. Desserts were especially good. Whatever sauce they used on the broccoli was super delish too.

Located on rathdowne number 49 lay charming lil house (literally) serving european cuisine. Been wanting to try epocha for a really long time now recommended highly by a few colleagues unfortunately nothing major stood out for me in terms of the food choices beside the desserts and lovely setting<br/><br/>We found a lil bug on our main dish - sirloin which we didn't spot until half way through the dish.. Perhaps id the ambience of the restaurant wasnt too dark (and moody) we would have spotted it earlier.. Perhaps there should be some more lighting rather then candles? <br/><br/>Other dishes we tried include the tasty duck croquette, tender quails and slightly seared tuna.. Servings were small hence they were called small dishes. Everything was presented beautifully. The liver pate was an absolutely delight! It was smooth and not too overpowering. The main as mentioned was the 600g sirloin which came with the every so tasty bone marrow and the fried gnocchi was light and fluffy perfect as accompaniment. The star course of the night i would have to say the desserts! Our dessert was not presented to us via a cart but rather a platter that took approx 20mins to arrived. We chose the smooth and tasty panacotta that came with grilled lil figs, the slightly burnt but tasty creme caramel and the very very sweet peanut butter sandwich parfait. <br/><br/>Overall a pleasant experience. Perhaps it was our bad luck with the slow service time on a thu night (we were there from 6.30-8.45pm) and lil bug on the beef dish. The manager did give us a complimentary dessert and a 25% discount from the entertainment book - but would i return again anytime soon...? Ill try other places around the area first!

my experience this time did not stand along with previous reviews on the restaurant. <br/>there were 3 of us, they tried to squash us on a two person table when clearly the restaurant was able to cater, so we had to ask to be moved. and we only asked to be moved once the first sharing platter came out and realised there was literally no space for anything else...how did they think they were going to fit the other dishes? one by one? i hope not, we would have been there til midnight!<br/>so we ordered, duck croquette (ok), tuna (yummy), quail (yummy), gnocci (yummy), steak was ok, i wouldnt recommend it. the one thing that happened that puts me off coming back was there was a fly/bug on our steak/salad that was a stubborn little thing, we tried to wave it away and continue our night without making a complain, but it wouldnt give in, so we called the waiter, he took our steak away and removed the parts where the bug made contact and bought back the rest of the steak. hrmmmm...I mean I dont like wasting food either, but really??<br/>so the manager came out and kindly offered to give us one dessert on the house.. which was compensating in a way, but for the price of this experience I, sadly wouldn't come back.

i went to a wedding function on the upper floor, where it is set to a private and spacious area. As one should expect less good food in a wedding function, i will give thumb up for the quality of food as well as generous portion. Good service across throughout all night, I will consider this place for my function as well if any.<br/>參加了一個朋友的婚禮，我本來以為今晚肯定是吃不飽又吃不好了，結果他們除了環境非常棒之外，食物做得耶很好吃！當中有點不常吃西餐的朋友都表示可以接受這裏的出品，最主要還是環境很好，考慮開一個dinner party的朋友不妨參考這裏。

Fantastic experience. Food was delicious - try the lamb shoulder and the chicken pate. The wine list was diverse and catered to different budgets. Service was exceptional, our waiter went over and above to help us make our choices. Thoroughly recommend.

Sunday roast is excellent value. Expensive but great selection of European wine. We had the beef today. It was not the best cut but was cooked perfectly. The pork was much too fatty although the sliver of meat located absolutely melted in my mouth with the most gorgeous flavour that lingered. Great side dishes, especially the fennel salad. Cheese wheel and the out-of-this-world panna cotta made an elegant end to a beautiful lunch. Skip the rhubarb mess, don't even touch it. Oh and enjoy the service. It is second to none.

This place is killing it. Best pana cotta and slow cooked lamb (not together!) we have ever eaten. Our waiter was a triple threat - adorable, efficient and french :) Lovely dining room, homely feel but still modern. Bonus points for awesome pendants. The wine list was all Old World which we thought was a bit over the top given the quality of Australian wine but it does fit with their modern european theme. Plus the floor staff know their stuff and are delighted to give you a hand in choosing. Unusually for a restaurant, excellent coffee as well.  If I had to pick something that didn't exactly hit the mark, i would say that their sides are too small, especially for the prices. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and we will be back.

One of the best tasting menus I have ever had and that includes Vue De Monde and Ezards. Friendly affable wait staff and an excellent array of food , catering also for our wheat intolerant guest. A lovely location that is a go to place for a romantic dinner or special occasion. The only criticism is the very limited wine by Glass selection which consist of a handful of European wines. We were offered two glasses of as local Red normally available by bottle only. The cost was $44 . Next time be sure to ask what the wine will cost!

Update September 2017: Service is unparalleled. Lovely and attentive servers, who made our night so much more memorable. Food was great as always. Specially loved the Brussels sprouts of all things. It was really good! So moist and juicy without a tinge of bitterness. Loved the pate as well. Extra bread was given without us even needing to ask from the server. Would be back soon! <br/><br/>— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — <br/><br/><br/>We were at epocha for a wedding lunch not too long ago. <br/><br/>Food was really really good. It was all beautifully presented and very flavorful. Service was quick, attentive and very friendly. <br/><br/>I only managed to take photos of the entree and sides. Only because by the time mains came, we were all actually already full. That was how generous their portions were! <br/><br/>Would definitely be back again to try their usual menu.

My wife and I came here for our anniversary and were very impressed, top quality establishment with a great level of service. Would definitely recommend

I found Epocha superb - today I joined a table for Easter Sunday celebrations with a set menu & the chef catered brilliantly to my serious intolerances even within this set menu. Impressive & so appreciated! Absolutely delicious. <br/>The serving staff were also so respectful & helpful without being invasive. <br/>All this at a very reasonable price.<br/>I'm returning!

I have been to Epocha perhaps 5 or 6 times now and I love it!  Where to start; probably immaculate service; it's that service that is invisible yet present, helpful and knowledgable but not over-familiar, and highly perceptive to the needs of the customer.  The space is also warm, welcoming and with it's own distinctive style. The food is elegant but unpretentious; with a focus on great quality produce put together with care and nice size portions.  The 'trust the chef' is great; well considered; good value and happy to accomodate any preferences or avoidances (some places get very 'snooty' if you don't happen to enjoy something 'they' feel is wonderful - this is not one of those places!).  Now for me; whilst it's a somewhat seasonal menu; a can't miss staple is the pate; which is absolutely divine; and on the indulgence train; the roasted potatoes in duck fat.. Oh my word..! I just haven't had a bad experience here. It's the type of place you can sit and have many bottles wine, fabulous conversation; wonderful food and immaculate service; what more can you want?

EPOCHA is an amazing restaurant, beautiful location in the heart of Carlton across the road from the museum. The service and kindness of the staff working there is something hard to come by. I have been here once and had the fish, it was absolutely wonderful. The prices are expensive but worth every penny. It's also such a warm and cosy place. This joint has everything that should define what it takes to be the best of the best. If you have never been to Epocha stop wasting your time and make a booking. Looking forward to my next visit! 😍

How this place has a rating of 4.2 I'll never know. The food was wildly overpriced for what was very basic stuff you could easily make at home. The $75 steak was tough and chewy. The "roast" potatoes were clearly deep fried. All the dishes we had were very underwhelming. Oh and how could I forget - they completely forgot to bring out our food! We waited over 90 minutes just to receive our entrees which only came out because we reminded them. We ended up eating our mains at almost 11pm by which point we were so past hungry and almost asleep anyway and to top it off the mains were bloody average. You could not pay me to go here again. Overpriced and well below average (food and service)

Had a good experience here. We got the sharing plate and found it to be a great amount of food with lots of variety. A lot of food arrived quickly to begin with which was a tad 'busy' on such a small table. The staff were attentive and incredibly helpful to food alergies which can sometimes make eating out a bother. The food was delicious and the restaurant itself was relaxed and cosy.

This place is simply awesome. We just happened to stumble across it, walking in the city. My girlfriends and I loving going for a good cocktail or two and some dessert. The food is equally delicious. The service is awesome- in fact they have it down to an art! you'll even have the bar man come and explain your cocktail to you. Recommend!!

Came here after seeing a show for VAMFF. Restaurant was busy and quite noisy but staff were very polite, attentive and accommodating. The staff moved our table away from a large group without us asking so we weren't disturbed by the group's noise. We opted for the sharing menu which was superb. Beautiful flavours, lovely fresh ingredients and a lot of food for $68! Really enjoyed the evening and the experience. Would definitely come back.

The Sunday lunch is our go to for family lunches. Each week has a different roast meat. We have tried every roast available. Delicious food and fantastic value. Great service too.

squid entree was superb! zucchini was great too. we also had the bone marrow toast, charcuterie board, roast potatoes in duck fat & chicken, and rice pudding fig dessert & 3 glasses of wine. about $192 for 3 of us.<br/><br/>they also asked about any celebration when I made the booking & I said a friend's birthday and they put out a candle on our dessert so that was nice