😱Lizzie’s first impression: This cafe is situated in the beautiful Botanical Gardens in the heart of Melbourne CBD - I loved the decor and ambience of this place - so much natural sunlight and greenery that made me feel like it wasn't Melbourne at all even on a gloomy day.
🍩Lizzie enjoyed: They had an array of choices to select from and I made sure I ordered all of my favourite Vietnamese dishes.
First up I tried the Vietnamese pancake called Banh Xeo - it is a very popular dish made out of mung bean, turmeric, rice flour and coconut pancake and it is cooked crispy and has prawns and pork on the inside. It was delicious. Loved how crispy it was and of course I poured in all the fish sauce!
I also tried the Hanoi spring rolls that were wrapped in rice paper rolls instead. It was different but still tasty and crunchy as always.
Next I had the Flinders Island lamb shoulder with pickled
vegetables and steam buns. It was made almost like a DIY Bun station. The lamb shoulder was crispy on the outside, but was so tender and soft when pulled apart. This would be one of my favourite dishes here and I'll be ordering this again. Highly recommend!
Of course I had to order myself some Water spinach tossed with garlic,
chilli and oyster sauce. It was simply amazing - the flavours were brought out all thanks to the garlic and it was just fresh and balanced well with all my meaty dishes.
🍅Lizzie did not enjoy: I love my vietnamese coffee but not too sure I enjoyed the coconut shavings inside - it was a little too overbearing for my liking, but the coffee itself had a lot of flavour.
🥇Lizzie rates overall: I was left feeling content, so full and yet, I still wanted to come back for more. That's when I know it's an amazing restaurant. The staff here are attentive and well trained. Highly recommend.
4.5 With Shannon Bennet behind the brand, we arrived at Jardin Tan with high expectations. Thankfully, we most definitely were impressed by both the calibre of the execution and the authenticity of the dishes. Successfully combining Western breakfast items into traditional Vietnamese dishes is no easy feat, and boy did Jardin Tan absolutely nail it.
Eat_today_diet_tomorrow
+4
A Vietnamese place located in the beautiful Royal botanical garden near the Shrine of Remembrance. The atmosphere of the restaurant is really nice, it has an open space with both indoor and outdoor seatings. We started our meal with a long black and coconut water. The coffee was really good, so was the coconut. We then had the bahn cuon and salt and pepper squid salad for starters. The bahn cuon is a must try. For mains, we had the Flinders island lamb shoulder and bahn xeo, which is a Viet pancake. The texture of the bahn xeo wasn't quite right, it's a little thicker than usual. The lamb shoulder was amazing though, it was so perfectly done and left us wanting for more.
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I was invited to Jardin Tan to try out their food, so I decided to take my kiddies, Hangry Piglet and Hangry Dumpling with me. Jardin Tan is situated in the Royal Botanic Gardens, at the old Observatory cafe location. It was a bit hard to find the place, because the signs still points you to the Observatory cafe. But if you follow the signs to the Observatory cafe, or Ian Potter Children’s Garden, you will find it easily.
Jardin Tan has a Vietnamese inspired menu which I wanted to try for ages, and their menu (mostly) did not disappoint.
We started off with babycinos and a Vietnamese iced coffee. I love how the ice coffee had coconut flakes in it, it adds another dimension to the coffee.
We started with the Vego spring rolls, which we didn’t like very much to be honest. They used rice paper rolls to wrap it and I don’t know whether the rice paper are too big and they didn’t trim it or what, but the pastry was very thick, hard and chewy.
Our mains also arrived at the same time as the entree which, I suppose it’s good for photos but not great for deciding which food to eat first. However, all the dishes can be eaten at different times so it’s not too much of an issue (unlike say, if you get noodles soup that would get soggy but also sashimi that should be eaten first).
Now the mains, they are amazing!!!! And embarrassingly (but also great) large portions. I felt like a piggy! Note to self: for one adults and two kids just order one main!
Here I would defo recommend the lamb. It was crispy, juicy, tender and you can wrap it with the soft and fluffy baos that comes with it. The accompanying herbs and pickled veggies cuts the richness of the whole thing. I am still drooling over the thought of that dish.
The deep fried chicken was delicious too. It was beautifully cooked and the dipping sauce was so yummy.
I also weirdly like the fried rice. The waitress said the fried rice is for two as a side but I reckon it could have been for three or four as a side! I weirdly liked it because I think they fried it w butter. Mmmm buttttterrrrr. Not the most authentic but so yummmmmmm.
Oh and how could I forget about the green beans? Stir fried w Thai basil (and chilli, which I opt out of because of the kids) were delish and the kids smashed those before anything else.
Thank you Jardin Tan for the invite and the wonderful food
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A venture from internationally-renowned Vue de monde owner and chef Shannon Bennett, Jardin Tan boasts a serene canvas of the blissful Royal Botanic Gardens as a backdrop. The kitchen offers dynamic and vibrant flavours of French-Indochina in a warm and welcoming space perfect for a quick bite with friends, a lingering lunch, or a formal event
The kitchen garden blends into a comfy beer garden destined to host lively music during summer. Taking cues from its idyllic milieu, the space is bright, vibrant and defined by the naturescapes that pour through the sea of windows.
We loved eating our way through the delicious menu.
To start the Milawa chicken salad was wonderful – a stunning amalgamation of tender pulled chicken, fresh snow peas and green beans, all brought together by a creamy coconut and chilli lime dressing.
The Ginger-soy barramundi en papillote was similarly delightful. The quality of the Mark Eather wild barramundi was exemplary. The flesh was delicate and moist. This was a dish that allowed the natural subtle sweetness of the fish to be enjoyed. The ginger soy sauce was the perfect accompaniment to the fish and the crisp Asian herb salad.
For something heartier, the Blackmore Wagyu curry certainly hits the spot. The perfectly seasoned spicy coconut and fresh turmeric curry broth possessed the customary punchy flavours exhibited by South East Asian curries and was a great match for the melt in your mouth texture of the wagyu.
Whatever your do, do not leave without trying the Banh Xeo. In our view it is one of Melbourne’s best renditions of this classic dish – Crispy Saigon turmeric coconut pancake encases pork and prawn salad and bean sprouts is served alongside fragrant herbs and lettuce wraps. This was truly a thing of beauty. Every element was prepared with the utmost care and tasted wonderful.
Dessert time showcased the kitchen’s versatility. We tried the kem chiên - a house speciality and it is easy to understand why. Luxurious flaky caramelised croissant was the perfect canvas for the creamy ice cream and gooey salted caramel sauce. Just yum!
Jardin Tan is a longstanding Melbourne favourite and continues to deliver high quality modern interpretations of French-Indochinese cuisine. In a market where casual dining is in vogue, Jardin Tan assimilates perfectly. Fortunately, unlike some other restaurants which implement a casual approach to the detriment of the food that they produce, Jardin Tan adheres to a very high standard – we simply cannot wait to return.
Lovely modern Vietnamese restaurant located in front of Royal Botanical Garden entrance. The place is very spacious with indoor and outdoor seats are available. Staffs are friendly and helpful.
We ordered several dishes with the help of manager’ recommendations. We had banh cuon, banh xeo, bo la lot, wagyu pho, pork belly skewers and stir fry water spinach. My favourite dishes were banh cuon, banh xeo and bo la lot. Banh cuon was so tasty and refreshing at the same times. Banh xeo was tasty with lots of prawns and pork. Bo la lot was tiny but very flavourful. Worth to try!
For drinks we opted fresh young coconut which was so sweet(in a good way) and Vietnamese coffee.
Thank you for having us 💌
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Jardin Tan is a modern Vietnamese eatery situated in the beautiful Botanical Gardens.
The venue is stunning, and they have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It’s so spacious it would be perfect to hold functions too. We were seated by the window side with a gorgeous view of the outdoor area, as it was a cold day.
The menu is what really intrigued me at Jardin Tan. Traditional Vietnamese dishes with a modern twist - this is one of the best Asian fusion menus I’ve had! Given the location, service and ambience, the dishes are priced moderately as well.
After getting some recommendations from the lovely owner, we settled with a variety of their top dishes.
Banh Cuon (fresh Banh Cuon, wrapped pork minced with spring onion, nuoc cham) - the first dish already had us in awe! The steamed rice roll was so silky and smooth, delicately wrapped around a delicious filling of pork mince. A very fresh and light start - highly recommend!
Banh Xeo (Signature dish of sizzling mung bean, turmeric, rice flour and coconut pancake, cooked crispy) - my FAVOURITE dish! This is a Vietnamese classic with a Jardin Tan spin! The pancake was incredible - thicker than your traditional Banh Xeo - but nonetheless extremely crispy and flavourful. Paired with the fresh lettuce and nuoc cham - it was honestly heaven!
Prawn & sweet potato fritters - probably the only dish that didn’t wow us. Although the fritters were crispy, the texture was a bit gooey and creamier than our liking. I’m sure there are others that love it, but it just wasn’t our personal preference.
Flinders Island lamb shoulder, pickle vegetables, firecracker sauce, steam buns - I loved that this dish was served DIY so you create your own bao buns. The serving of lamb is very generous, and it’s crispy too! A very delicious bao!
Blackmore Wagyu cooked in spicy coconut, fresh turmeric - another standout dish that truly exceeded our expectations. The curry broth was sweet and savoury, rich but not too heavy. The wagyu was delightful, so tender and soft, and breaks apart. Have it with some rice and you’re set!
Caramelised croissant and ice cream sandwich with salted caramel sauce - who knew something so simple could taste so good? The cold creamy ice cream with the crispy croissant pastry is the perfect combination! And it’s also beautiful in presentation. You definitely don’t want to miss this dessert!
We also had the Lychee All Day and the Seasonal Cocktail which was a Vietnamese Mojito. Both were very refreshing, light and the perfect accompaniment to the wonderful meal.
I had such an incredible experience at Jardin Tan - not only was I impressed by the venue and the food, but the staff were also very friendly too. I can’t recommend this place enough!
Thank you so much for having us!
Shannon Bennett's 'Jardin Tan' located in the beautiful botanical gardens whats not to love about the location. Its a gorgeous setting that suits the location. A great Vietnamese quirky menu which was very Shannon Bennett. The cocktails a highlight. A lovely way to spend a sunday afternoon. **Disclaimer: although the restaurant has generously invited me to their restaurant this review is still based on my genuine opinion.
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I was invited to dine as a guest at Jardin Tan, most of my hesitation stems from the conflicting menu and previous feedback from customers. For the most part, it is traditional Vietnamese cuisine and on occasion veers away from that. Although I was a guest to dine here, the prices aren't what I'm accustomed to for Vietnamese food, it definitely isn't Springvale pricing but on the twist you're in the surrounds of one of Melbourne's most beautiful parks.
We were given a predefined menu, unfortunately their banh xeo was not part of that as I've heard only good things. I get a latte (they ran out of coconuts and I've already had my Vietnamese ice coffee fix) which was okay, I felt like someone slipped some chai in it. It might just be me.
We start off with bo ba lot which is essentially beef mince in betel leaf. You see this everywhere in Melbourne during Chinese New Year celebrations at Vietnamese hubs. This street food item was already salty on its own and the garlic soy was excessive. A better combination would be DIY wraps with nuoc cham which would give it some freshness and mute some of the saltiness.
The fritters of sweet potato and prawn had a crisp texture outside and a soft mushy texture on the inside, I felt it was a tad over seasoned. The green chilli pickle was very welcome in bringing some brightness to the dish.
The main dishes fared much better and struck familiar chords. Their curry beef (ca ri thit bo) utilises quality Blackmore wagyu, fatty chunks of beef in a mild yet rich curry. Full disclosure, my dining partner that day is allergic to chilli so let staff know accordingly. Regardless, it's a curry we eat on occasion at home and adding a few potatoes would make it even heartier. Make sure you spread that curry onto your accompanying rice! Their morning glory is a solid sidekick, it really hits you with umami and I kept going back for more.
Their banh cuon was large, I never see them that big! Again, familiar flavours with the thin rice sheets blanketing generous amounts of minced pork. It was dressed in nuoc cham, fish sauce just makes everything taste good (almost).
For dessert we had their take on an ice cream sandwich, I quite liked the toastiness and crispness of the croissant, the ice cream on the other hand I found a bit overly sweet or perhaps it was because it was also paired with another sweet element, salted caramel sauce. I would have much preferred they continue their Vietnamese cuisine theme, the dessert just felt out of place.
Staff were very attentive, maybe a little too much. We were asked the same questions a few times, may be something they might want to correct internally or perhaps they felt a need to because of the circumstances. Would I pay this much for Vietnamese food? I probably wouldn't, I can already see mum judging me hard right now. You could make do with other items which is much more economical. Thanks for the invite, it's my honest critique and hopefully something I've written helps improve the experience.
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This Vietnamese inspired cafe is located in the beautiful botanical gardens an easy stroll from the Shrine of Remembrance.
My friend and I were seated in the middle of the cafe or lunch. We started w some prawn and sweet potato fritters w a green pickle. They were such a great way to start. Think crispy balls, a soft centre and the green pickle sauce was some of the best I've had. Yummo!
The Blackmore wagyu beef mince wrapped in betel leaf w garlic soy sauce were delicious. The wagyu was incredible, and the betel leaf almost sweet. The sauce was the perfect accompaniment.
We then devoured some amazing Blackmore wagyu cooked in a spicy coconut & fresh tumeric. The wagyu was slow cooked, it fell apart and it was soo soft. The coconut curry had a mild peppery, spicy and bursting with flavour.
The accompanying spinach tossed w garlic, chilli and oyster sauce had some great texture, whilst balancing the flavours of the wagyu beef.
We then shared a pancake w pork, red cabbage, chilli and bean shoots. This was sooo good, the pancake was crispy and the filling so fresh and light. I really enjoyed the combination of everything together wrapped in some lettuce leaves. Wow! Hahaha
To finish we were extremely lucky to try the caramelised croissant and ice cream sandwich w salted caramel sauce. OMGosh! As you know I like my croissants, but served w some divine ice cream I was in heaven.
This was such an amazing experience, and one that I couldn't recommend highly enough.
Thanks to the owners for their very kind invitation.
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A modern and cosy restaurant with a tropical forest kind of vibe. Black seats contrast the woodern tables.
The vietnamese coffee is well presented with the coffee being strained and dripped into the milk with a layer of condensed milk in between. A nice twist of having the shredded coconut sprinkled on on the ice a lot changes the taste. The coffee has a strong aroma and taste.
The chai latte is impressive. Rich, smoothe and sweet.
The prawn salad is zesty yet sweet taste due of the sauce.
The sweet potato and prawn fritters a recommended. Soft inside and the potatoes are well mashed. The green chilli pickle sauce adds some spice and kick to the dish.
The wagyu beef and metal leaf are plump but slightly dry.
Well paired with the garlic soy sauce.
Mains:
Wagyu beef cooked in coconut and fresh turmeric. The curry didn't have much of a spicy taste but rather watery. The meat was so tender that it breaks upon force and the fat on it is so soft.
Banh xeo with a twist . Mostly consists of purple cabbage. which can make the dish bitter. , bean sprouts and veggies with some overly cooked prawn and meat. The skin is very crisp .
Water spinach is well cooked with the garlic ,chilli and oyster sauce. The taste was more on the sweater sidemc
Lastly for dessert - house made vanilla and caramel icecream which perfectly matches with the crispy raspberry pieces. The crossaint has many layers and very crisp and delicate.
Note: I was provided a hosted meal, however, opinions are my own, and based on my experience at the time
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I had my hesitation with Jardin Tan but I was blown away by my experience. We visited on a beautiful sunny morning and the light-filled space was just an oasis of calm. Out back there's a lovely garden where you can dine while enjoying the tranquility of the Royal Botanical Garden.
The lunch menu starts at 1130am so that is what we went with as that was our time of arrival. James, the venue manager, recommended a few dishes for us to try, and I have to say, he was spot on with his recommendations.
The Banh Xeo was high on crunch factor, beautifully seasoned and absolutely bursting with freshness and flavours. Wrapping it in the accompanying lettuce amped up the crunchiness tenfold, and then dipping it into nuoc cham to bring on more zing.
Being a fan of turnip cakes, a must order at yum cha for me, I had to try out the turnip cake on the menu. Jardin Tan's version has spoilt me for life. Thick chunks with a slightly crisped exterior, soft inside but still held its shape well, and studded with juicy mushrooms inside. The glass noodles soaked up all the flavours of the sauce, and more juicy mushrooms and baby corn rounded up this flawless dish.
The prawn rice paper roll was the epitome of fresh and clean flavours, and even the simple dish of water spinach was executed to perfection to showcase the ingredients used.
Ending our meal with caramelised croissant ice cream sandwich drizzled with salted caramel sauce, I was in heaven.
The iced Vietnamese coffee deserved a mention too; with the addition of shredded coconut, it not only added flavour but texture to the drink. My cappuccino was an incredible brew, one that made me wonder while I don't order cappuccino more often.
A most incredible meal! Thank you for the invite!
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(invitational)
Beautiful Vietnamese eatery in the heart of Botanical Gardens.
The place is really pretty, especially the outdoor areas, with lots of greens and sunlight. The staffs were really nice, though at times it was hard to call someone up as there was only one person working. Had the banquet and food took a reasonable time to arrive.
Started with prawn rice paper rolls which was pretty straightforward. The size was quite good and fillings were fresh, however it’d be nice to have more prawns to justify the price. I do really enjoy the sauce though. My sis’ tofu rolls had better ratio.
I really like the Banh cuon, the rice rolls had a perfect texture, great fillings to wrap ratio, nice tangy flavour, but the only problem is that it’s too salty so it’s hard to have on its own. My sister’s vegetarian banh cuon however was really delish, not too salty and also less sour. Love the mushrooms.
Milawa jungle chicken curry was interesting but confusing lol. I’m not too sure how to describe the flavour, it's on the sweet side and pretty watery for a curry. The taste was quite good, but lacking personality.
Sweet potato banh xeo was yummy. I love how it’s crispy without being dry and the punch of flavour was there, along with fresh veggies and roasted sweet potatoes on the middle, probs bit too much veggies lol.
We absolutely loved the water spinach. It just tasted like home, so so good, not too spicy and a lil bit sweet, and the smell was just amazing. This dish is definitely a must order.
I’m really glad they have fresh coconuts here because it’s definitely rare, also enjoyed the beetroot juice!
Lastly, the meal ended with homemade vanilla ice cream which tasted like powdered milk which we loved lol, with some berries and dehydrated raspberries, we devoured it in no time (despite feeling very full).
Overall, tad bit pricier and require some fixes, but a beautiful place for a fancier Vietnamese dining experience (and that to die for water spinach!!).
( follow for more!✨)
ｘｘ，ｊｏｅｌｌｅ.
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4.5. A very pretty place set within the Royal Botanic Gardens, Jardin Tan is a vietnamese-inspired menu based on sustainability where they aim to keep the ingredients local with much of the produce grown in the kitchen garden. They also had a new twist to the traditional vietnamese food.
We started off with a nice warm hot chocolate and a cappuccino. My hot chocolate was very chocolatey and wasn't too sweet which was good. The cappuccino was a bit bitter but very smooth and easy to drink.
As we came here for breakfast, we got some items off the menu which were available until 11.30am only:
1. Banh Xeo - A signature dish of sizzling mung bean, turmeric, rice flour and coconut pancake, cooked crispy and traditionally filled with pork and prawn, served straight from the pan to the table, It was thicker than usual traditional ones and very crispy. It was a different experience to break off pieces of the pancake and wrap them in lettuce and then dip into the chilli sauce provided (even though it wasn't too spicy). The flavours were nice together but I think it was a bit light when using the chilli provided and not the nuoc mum (fish sauce) as traditionally would.
2. Fried eggs with pork, noodles and nuoc mam chom. I actually thought these were noodles but it was the steamed rice rolls that I really love. So I liked this dish a lot! The fish sauce was a strong flavour and when combined with the filling from the smooth chewy rice noodles, the textures were really nice together. The egg was something different as I haven't had it with the egg before.
3. Some wok fried greens - this was very flavourful and was a bit salty - which would be great with rice! (haha asian genes)
Overall, this place is really good for chilling and relaxing, and to enjoy a great breakfast on a weekend. Thank you Jardin Tan for having us.
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Jardin Tan is a large venue in the Botanical Gardens. It offers beautiful food that suits its beautiful surrounds wonderfully. The mostly Vietnamese-inspired menu includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and drinks. I was curious to try the breakfast but arrived too late (it ends at 11:30), so I settled on four dishes from the extensive lunch section.
The bahn xeo caught my eye, as this dish is meant to be Jardin's signature and is not often available as vegetarian. It was large and bright and had a slightly chewier consistency than other varieties I've tried, which I quite enjoyed. The slightly briny chilli oil it came with was incredible. I also really loved the turnip cakes which came fried with vermicelli, mushrooms and baby corn. Turnip cakes are one of my favourite dishes and I often prepare them this way at home. But I'd never before seen this combo on a restaurant menu in Melbourne. I feel this dish would be largely overlooked by most Jardin visitors but I highly, highly recommend it.
To accompany the large dishes, I got a starter of super fresh eggplant and tofu rice paper rolls as well as a raw, vinegar-doused and peanut-topped slaw. I drank a soy flat white before and a tap Kombucha with my meal, although I envied my partner's Vietnamese coffee which was served with a glass of ice topped with an interesting and texturally pleasing addition of shredded coconut.
For dessert, I enjoyed a simple but beautiful flaky croissant filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with salted caramel and berries. Although the croissant was meant to be caramelised, it wasn't too sweet. It's perfect with a coffee or for sharing after a meal. Whether for brunch or just a drink break, Jardin Tan is a great stopping point for anyone passing through the gardens.
Joanne | Melbournecitay
+4
Overall score: 17/25 or ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
in 5 words: Vietnamese option at botanical gardens
*
✅ Recommended: Lychee all day cocktail, rice paper rolls, Vietnamese pancake, honeycomb ice cream + sago poached pear
💬 Review: we started our meals with cocktails. The rhubarba was a bit too sweet for my liking but delicious nonetheless. The lychee all day was perfect - sourish taste with clear hints of lychee.
Food-wise, there were some hits and misses.Enjoyed the rice paper rolls which had mince pork fillings. Squid was cooked perfectly, though the accompanying papaya salad lacking a bit of seasoning. Vietnamese pancake was the highlight of my meal - it was crispy, came with delicious chilli sauce and filled with amazing prawn + salad fillings. However, the jungle chicken curry was really a bit too sweet and didn’t look or taste like curry!
Having said that, we ended the meal on a high - our coffees were okay and the dessert of warm sago and poached pear was so delicious that I think I would order two next time (no sharing 😋).
This place is nice if you wanna have Vietnamese in a prettier setting. The cafe was packed with group events and tourists on a Sunday, so service was quite slow! Perhaps it’s time to hire more staff?
*
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ambience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Nestled within the botanical gardens, Jardin Tan has an enviable location. We were invited for brunch and had a lovely time.
We tried a variety of dishes and the highlights were:
Banh Xeo - this Vietnamese pancake was king of the day! The pancake itself was thick but crispy (just the way I like it!) and it was filled to overflowing with pork, prawns and bean sprouts. It came with an addictive spicy sambal which brought things to a whole other level.
Rau Muon Xao Toi - I can never think of water spinach the same way ever again. This was drenched in an amazing umami sauce which I wish I could take home with me in a bottle!
Bo La Lot - this wagyu mince in betel leaf was overwhelmingly yummy. We could taste the quality of the ingredients used.
The Vietnamese coffee was another winner. It was not too sweet and having bits of desiccated coconut in the glass of ice cubes was a novel idea!
There were very minor quibbles. The Hanoi spring rolls with meat were very salty and the beef in the jungle curry could have been slightly more tender.
Service was pleasant and efficient. Looking around at other customers, it seemed that this was consistent across the board.
So all in all, a great time was had by all! Thanks Jardin Tan!
love the heavenly garden environment!. courtyard is divine!.
veggie or chicken pho is great .fried rice excellent. eating in or uberveats both good.
Amazing- Afternoon tea Vietnamese Fusion. My sister and I attended the afternoon tea at Jardin Tan yesterday. We loved it. There was amazing quality food and so much of it. Then we got to have petit fours and tea in the middle of the botanical gardens. I highly recommend the afternoon tea. It was just a wonderful experience.
Good food, great atmosphere. Warm and friendly staff. Set in the beautiful Bontanic Gardens, provides for a really good day out. Looking forward to eating there again.
Returned a second time. Same great staff and service Awesome food
Jessica Ashlyn Windram
+5
I recently had the best experience dining at Jardin Tan, I caught up with a group of girlfriends for a lunch date. We were greeted by a staff member named James and seated in the rear outdoor space. James guided us through the menu and admittedly we were overwhelmed with choice, so james suggested he choose some items and create a tasting menu for us. We were not disappointed! The kitchen delivered soo many delicious dishes (my favourite was the pork rice paper rolls - pictured. And the prawn skewers- also pictured). James also paired our lunch with a nice wine. The entire experience at Jardin Tan was enjoyable and effortless. I cannot rate the food, service and atmosphere more highly, I will definitely be back again. Thank you
This afternoon I had the pleasure of enjoying a beautiful organic chicken pho @JardinTan. The chicken was beautifully poached and the pho was topped with an array of vibrant herbs picked fresh from their Vietnamese garden. Everything was above expectation and the staff were extremely welcoming and enthusiastic to be working within such an amazing venue. If you’re ever wandering the Botanical Gardens, I highly recommend stopping in for a refreshing young coconut or aromatic Vietnamese Coffee.
Came to Jardin Tan with my mum last week after wondering through the Royal Botanical Gardens. We were offered a table under the big fig tree in their garden, which was really nice. They had all things in there, herbs, eggplants, rhubarb and we were told that it was all organically grown!
Our lovely waitress suggested that we ordered a few dishes to share, which we did. My favourite were the steamed pork rice paper rolls.
It was a very nice end to an amazing afternoon and we will definitely be back!
I and my friends always hang out at Jardin Tan before/after the run. Their breakfast menu is not very wide but I like Vietnamese congee, coconut porridge and the Vietnamese pancake. The lunch menu is very generous if you try those in the main dishes, I highly reckon to try the curry with tender Wagyu beef. The garden with fresh herbs are used in food and drinks. Music is vibrant with very friendly staffs, especially the manager James and VyVy are super attentive even on a busy weekends. It's dog-friendly too.
The food was amazing coupled with a warm service and prompt food despite being busy on a Sunday lunch period. Had an amazing time with my staff!
Would highly recommend this venue to anyone dining large groups as the venue is quite spacious and the employees are very accommodating!
A quick dinner before the Lexicon show in the gardens. It's a pretty cafe but had trouble figuring out if it was open. Once in there my friend & I shared the fried chicken (coated in oats so super crunchy) and the special fried rice. Huge servings and really tasty. Waitress was friendly and the service was quick, although there was only another 4 tables there. Including a drink the total was $44 which I thought was pretty reasonable.
One of my favorite places to go, been here around 4 times now for afternoon tea which comes to ~ $35/person. Food is good and portions are hearty. The ambiance is very peaceful, you're in a garden with lots of herbs and vegetation. The website is a bit deceptive, the garden is nowhere near the vietnamese/venetian scene advertised. Only thing preventing this from getting a 5 from me is the service. It's super slow and understaffed.
Great location - on the edge of the Tan track, within the Botanical Gardens. Went there with Codalicious, who is also an Asian food aficionado. Quality Vietnamese cuisine, with the classics (pho, Springies and Banh Mi) as well as a good variety from across the nation. Reasonably priced and service was good. The Banh Xie was fresh tasting and spicy while the clay pot chicken was sensational.
Great food, great service! Just let the staff explain you the menu and you have a great time, guaranteed! Take the bann xeo or the banana blossom salad with barramundi, these are extraordinary and unique in their taste.
Absolutely love this place. I have dined here 5 or 6 times over the last few years and have no complaints. The food is always spot on. Sometimes the service is a bit slow and rude. Sitting outside in the herb garden, is one of the nicest places in Melbourne to have lunch.
Beautiful setting in botanical gardens. Nothing better than having drinks in their garden on a beautiful day. Food is very enjoyable. Have a walk through the gardens and treat yourself there afterwards.
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Just left this place and was shocked to discover its low rating on Zomato. This was one of the best lunches I’ve ever had. I wasn’t enthusiastic about coming here - my girlfriend suggested the place and there didn’t seem to be any other choices nearby. I was thinking of a more substantial type of cuisine because I was starving.
But everything we had was great. The hand made lemonade and iced teas we ordered were both great. Complex, sweet flavours that refreshed immediately. That boded well for the food, according to my partner, and she was right. I’m allergic to peanuts so Vietnamese food can be a bit of a minefield, but dishes with nuts were clearly marked on the menu. The two dishes were ordered were fantastic. One was the pancake with pork and prawns inside. The other was some kind of soft rice wrapping with pork and other filling.
Service was variable. The waitress who served us at the start and the end was very good. But the waiter who served us in the middle seemed distracted and aloof.
Bill was $58 for two, no alcohol, just two non alcoholic drinks. The waiter suggested we order a plate of rice, but this turned out to be totally unnecessary. The two dishes were ordered were more than enough. So it would have been cheaper without the rice.
I wish this place were open for dinner, but maybe the prices would go up to the next level.
Anyway it was absolutely delicious food and we are definitely going again. Also the ice cream cart just outside the cafe had really nice ice cream and sorbet. Far more interesting and complex flavours than you usually find. A great way to end the meal.
Highly recommended.
I’ve noticed a lot of reviews criticise the coffee here. If you’re expecting a traditional Italian style coffee, why would you go to a Vietnamese-French fusion restaurant that serves Vietnamese style coffee? But all the one star reviews seem to be from people wanting Italian coffees. Imagine criticising a tiramisu dessert because it didn’t taste like a pavlova. Hello!?
Loved it here. The service was attentive and the crew knowledgeable. My chicken salad was a generous spicy mound of crunch and goodness with peanuts. Recommend.
I came here with my friend, each one of us ordered bowl of chicken pho and it was good, love the soup base and portion that they gave except they didnt provide lime and chili oil but when we asked for that they gave us fresh chili instead. The pot of tap beer I ordered was pale ale for $6 and pho was like $13.5 which I found reasonable for being a price of portion,location, and ambience here. Staffs were friendly and did their good job. Overall, I love it though and would coming back.
We opted to have lunch in the eatery rather than the outside kiosk. Jardin Tan has a casual vibe with a lovely garden that obviously provides some of the produce for the kitchen. We selected their Cơm Phần which is a daily changing lunch tray providing a variety of four different tastes from their menu.
I can't believe how low the reviews are for this lovely cafe inside the beautiful setting of the Royal Botanical Gardens. We sat inside the courtyard of the cafe where the full Vietnamese menu is available. If you have the mindset of Vietnamese has to be cheap and cheerful, naturally you will be disappointed. But if you consider the ambience, the friendly service, the fact this cafe is run by one of the most famous chefs in Australia, then it is actually not outrageously overpriced. The food is good, not authentic but definitely tasty and beautifully presented. I actually think it is really nice being able to have Vietnamese in such a nice setting. Breakfast for 2 ended up costing $50. It is pretty standard in Melbourne cafes I think.
I have just escaped melbourne's bitter winter, and all it took was a wander through the bot gardens with a long lunch break at my disposal. This is viet-French fusion at its VERY best. Spring rolls, crispy chicken, fried rice for those wanting a tasty treat without pushing their boundaries, sublime curries, rolled noodle dishes, pho, congee and authentic sauces for those seeking a true taste of Vietnam in Melbournes leafy suburbs. If you leave the royal botanic gardens without sampling the banh xeo (crispy rice pancake) you should never be allowed back in!
Came here on a Sunday for the afternoon tea package for my mum's birthday. We were amazed at the amount of food we got for the cheap price of $30 ($40 with prosecco). All dishes were very tasty, the prawn rice paper rolls and the wagyu beef meatballs being the stand outs in my mind. The plain and fruit scones were some of the best scones I've had, and were served with coconut cream (Vietnamese touch). The macarons were an assortment of unusual yet yummy flavours that worked well (beetroot, carrot, green tea). We had delicious lemongrass tea that was not part of the $30. The only letdown was the lack of staff that were on - it took a long time for dishes to be cleared and for us to ask for more drinks. Apart from this we had a wonderful experience, the staff that did serve us were warm and helpful. It was a lovely way to celebrate with my family :)
Had my first Vietnamese sandwhich 😍😍 i love it. Its their special dish of the day, suckling pork banh mie with rice noodles salad . An excellent service , very accomodating, beautiful lay out. The price is pretty standard for this kind of fusion place. I ordered the cold lemon grass tea with honey. Oh my gosh, perfect cold drink for a hot melbourne weather 😍😍
Specially when your preggie and cant have the nice cold cocktail 😝
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So, full props on the choice of location.... Traipsing through the gardens on a sunny morning is pretty close to the ideal pre-prandial exercise. Especially on New Year's Day, when no-one but the tourists are about.
The first thing everyone says when you mention Jardin Tan is," that's Shannon Bennet's restaurant" or "that's the Vue de Monde guy", but really, this place has NOTHING to do with that stuff. It's casual, laid back, and well executed. The staff are friendly and relaxed, but obviously professional. The set up has small nods to the Vietnamese concept whilst remaining clean and modern, nice plates and cups, generally you can tell that things were well planned and put together by a team who knew their stuff.
The food took a while... But it's New Year's Day, the chef might be nursing a wee hangover! When it finally arrived, it was light, fresh, and the flavours were balanced. Banh xeo with pork & prawn, and it came with a tutorial on how to eat it properly! The sauces were delish, and the coffee was far better than I've ever had in any Asian restaurant, and the gunpowder tea was similarly excellent.
Not only that, but the prices were reasonable, and the healthy aspect of the menu covers a range of dishes. I think I may have found a new regular lunch spot!
Atmosphere relaxing and service friendly. Unfortunately my order was mixed up. (Pork, shrimp same same right?). Serving sizes were generous and delicious.
I would like to gratefully acknowledge the service, smiles, quality of food and the manners of all of your staff at Botanical Gardens Jardin Tan restaurant , All Quality indeed and the Spring rolls service of all six on a plate were exquisite and the best I have ever tasted, my partner & I were very impressed and will be coming back very soon
Ian Gainey
Such a pity about the service!!! When we arrived the male waiter told us to wait at the bar for a table...even though there were plenty of tables free. There was no menu offered, no water offered, no "would you like a coffee". And then we waited while other guests were shown to tables.....so I spoke up. I asked for a table. We were assigned curtly by the male waiter to a table covered in food scraps, with more food scraps on the floor. Still no menu...so I found some menus and some water. A flustered female finally arrived to clean the table and floor. We felt sorry for her as she seemed to be doing a lot while the male waiters were standing around. We even said as much to her. She also took our food orders. The male waiter brought us a beverage menu and didn't come back to take our order.
Finally the food arrived, such a pity as it was delicious despite being cold.
I have to say I was embarrassed as my guest was a tourist.
Beautiful!! Gorgeous friendly staff, stunning setting, delicious food. There is a setting for everyone here, three outdoor areas, and one large indoor area with a variety of seating. Love the feel of this place and atmosphere, peaceful herb garden out the back with the birds chirping. Will definitely be back 👍🏽❤️
Absolutely delicious food! Everything was sooo fresh and tasty can't wait to come back. I loved how they grow their own veggies/fruits outside the restaurant! Only downside was that the coffee is bitter
After a leisurely walk from the NGV and before visiting the Shrine Gardens opposite, we decided to dine at Jardin Tan for lunch.
I didn't realise that it was all vietmanese food.
We sat outside in the back courtyard amongst the veggie gardens. The interior is worthwhile noting as it fabulous and moody. Worthwhile having a wander inside if you are dining alfresco.
My dining partner and I choose the $20 mixed lunch special as well as a plate of 6 chicken and prawn 'springies'. There was a nice selection served up in those prison type trays- most notably were the waygu 'stew like' dish and the disc of orange cake for dessert.
Would I return? Probably yes- not so much for the food, but rather for the ambience and the friendliness for the staff.
We had the most gorgeous and friendly waitress. She was a breath of fresh air.
Lovely venue to take visitors from interstate or overseas.
We had the pleasure to cover a wedding here for the first time and genuinely WOW by their professionalism and hospitality. The food was delicious with a nice blend of Australian and Vietnamese/Asian dishes. Can't fault for the location either. Highly recommended for future weddings!
Jessica Fortune McNaughton
+5
Just an addition to my previous review (below). We chose Jardin Tan as our reception venue for our wedding. We had high expectations from our previous visit and it absolutely did not let us down. The team are wonderful, they were friendly, efficient and attentive. The food was exquisite as always. Natalie from vue events was amazing, lots of attention to detail and planning in the months leading up, and it all showed on the night.
*break*
Always a wonderful experience here. The service is above and beyond, staff are exceptional, friendly and welcoming. The food is outstanding, always fresh and beautifully seasoned, full of flavour with nicely matching wines. We have booked our wedding reception here we are so in love!
Nice spot inside the gardens.
Don't leave it too late.
Good selection of food, drinks and ice-cream when we were there.
More formal inside area.
Outside casual cafe area as well.
What a fantastic addition to the Botanical Gardens! I pre ordered a deluxe hamper and bubbly 🍾 through Luxury Escapes for my hubby on Valentines 💝.
Very romantic, all you need is a picnic blanket and your set. Highly recommended the food was perfect.
Had a really nice experience here with my boyfriend. We were celebrating my birthday and the staff went out of their way to make my day even more special. We sat in the back garden where all the herbs growing in the season and they took it into the dishes. We tried all the cocktails and they were all amazing. Must try sticky lamb shoulder!!
Amazing food and cocktails and beautiful staff! Lots of vegan options and so lovely to sit outside in the herb garden.
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