Review Dexters - Preston

Meats, buns and booze. A dynamic trio. I absolutely love the meat plates from Dexter. They're flavourful and melt in your mouth worthy. I especially love their bone marrow mash - I only wish there's more of it on the main plate. Will have to order a side of mash next time! I always gravitate towards the brisket because it just hits all the right spots. The short ribs was sooooo drool worthy. Very fatty and melt in your mouth. Steaks are cooked to perfection (medium rare).

Been wanting to come here for a long time and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The lamb rib portion size was larger than expected for an entree and the meat was soft and off the bone. We ordered a main meat dish each which was too much and took most of our pork belly home. Will definitely come again.

Had the donut meat balls. They are super delicious and highly recommended. Had the sorbet with jelly, which I wasn't very impressed with. The jelly texture is a bit too solid for my liking. The broccolini and the 30 day dry aged rib eye is alright, not my thing as well. The Hot smoked lamb rib chimichuri was amazing. The waitress allows us to order half the dish. The drink was great too. Orange spits

Amazing service and food this place has to offer. Loved the sweet and sour cauliflower with miso ranch. There was a nice crisp on the glaze and the flavours were great. The meat plates - we tried the caramel short rib and o'connors striploin steak where the meats were so tender. The dish was quite filling and paired well with the sides the dish came with. I'd recommend trying their hot meat donuts - crispy with a sweet yet spicy taste.

Fantastic all round experience with great food and service. A really consistent establishment that is still one of the big restaurants to dine in the north side. Meat donuts are a must but everything we had was delicious.

Punchy, bright, complex food flavours. Simply delicious. Great food, friendly attentive service, pleasant ambience. The lamb ribs with chimichurri sauce really kicked things off with a bang. Crusty, tender and moist. I really like the use of coriander seeds in the pork belly dish. Biting into a seed gives a little explosion of flavour, so so good! Do not let them take away your dish until you've mopped the sauce up with your bread! 😀 The lettuce salad, omg, super fresh with a dill dressing.

One of the wonderful places to have range selection of meat, if you are really into grilled meat or steak. Tried both the beef loin, beef ribs, pork belly, and they were both beyond our expectations, at least mine. Don’t forget to get the meat doughnut to “prepare” yourself for the mains!

Really great ambience and even better food! We were rolling out of the restaurant by the time we finished. I think the quality of the food was worth the price and they had some desserts which were delicious as well 😋

5/5 all round<br/><br/>I’ve been here many times and never been disappointed. Extra praise to these guys because I’ve noticed that their prices have stayed the same and they’re giving MORE food in the plate.

I came here with my family of 6 for my birthday and it was a fantastic experience. We ordered so much food and there wasn’t one person who wasn’t satisfied with their meal. The meat is tender and full of flavour, the mash is unreal (I don’t even like mash but I wiped my plate clean), the slaw and pickles were a nice addition. My favourite thing was definitely the dry aged cheeseburger - probably the best burger I’ve ever had. The staff were attentive and helpful and I couldn’t have asked for better food to eat while celebrating with my family. This place deserves all the 5 stars.

We went on a Friday night and it was either 9pm booking or 6pm. We went at 6 and the place wasnt so busy just yet. Service was super quick and friendly. <br/><br/>Ordered a shot with pickle juice chaser, was just interesting how it taste and it was.. interesting, didnt regret trying tho lol The peach or lychee cocktail is more like my drink but very strong..<br/><br/>Food we ordered - Fried cauliflower, meat doughnut, loaded fries, lamb ribs and pork belly. My favourite is definitely the pork belly, so tender and the potato mash, wow! Other dishes are all amazing as well! Also tried both dessert and they were beautiful! Definitely worth the drive there!

I have been to Dexter a couple of times and in the part I would’ve rated 5/5, however, this time my group and I were left disappointed and felt the dishes were very average. <br/><br/>🍽 meat donuts - I get what dexter are trying to do with the sweet/salty combo. However, there’s way too much sugar on the outside which turns it into more sweet. Plus, the filling is beef, which is strange as I feel pork goes better with sweet. I was left confused with this snack. The loaded fries and fried cauliflower were both fine but nothing special. <br/>We then ordered various meats - pork loin, lamb rump, butchers steak, caramel short rib and smoked brisket. All meats are served with mash, pickles, slaw and bread which made all the dishes repetitive. Perhaps an ordering error on my part, however, perhaps a little variation would be nice in the menu.

Had a Valentine dinner here. I definitely enjoyed the fried cauliflower and give that a full score . They have a good selection of drinks. Steak portion is great and the pickles and mash potatoes are lovely . No question on quality of food and staff. Why did I give 4?<br/>You expect more from this price range, although most fancy restaurants don’t ask anymore about how well you want the steak, I still care about this so they should ask. Next is not having any mustard or Dijon sauce or in general anything other than the default plate menu. Finally , the rump steak was salty. Will I come again ? I think I will :). <br/>Food Quality 5/5 <br/>Atmosphere 4/5<br/>Value for money 4/5 <br/>Staff 5/5 <br/>Other considerations 3/5

I love this place. So much good food and drinks selection. Although I would like to see a larger vegetarian option. There's a couple which are nice. The sides are to die for!! And the staff are heaps friendly. Would definitely go back. Also pretty good for groups and right next to the team stop. Perfect!

Dexter is a very famous restaurant in Melbourne serving American BBQ style food. We went on a weekday for lunch during our most recent visit. <br/><br/>The one thing you must try at Dexter are their Hot Meat Donuts! This is what they’re known for. It’s an innovative take on a donut - a light fluffy dough filled with smoked brisket, and rolled in sugar and paprika. A delightful balance of sweet and savoury! I love that the filling is real brisket, and not just ground up meat, which adds nice texture and flavour. Delicious!<br/><br/>The Korean Fried Cauliflower is also one of my favourite dishes here. Super crispy and addictive, especially paired with the sesame sauce.<br/><br/>Of all the meats, the highlights was the Caramel Short Rib - fall off the bone tender and juicy, and super flavourful. <br/><br/>If you’re a meat-lover, Dexter is definitely a place you’ll want to visit.

Visited Dexter over the weekend and was not disappointed! Been here once before and the food and service were on point. We ordered the Hot Meat Donuts (of course), Korean Fried Cauliflower (so delicious!) and the Wagyu steak which was super tender and full of flavour. <br/><br/>Food came out extra quick this time around and was also welcomed with a little glass of champagne as this was a special night for us! Thank you to the amazing staff! We'll be back.

The only disappointing thing is the lighting for the photos of these absolutely phenomenal dishes.<br/>The steak was cooked perfectly, mash was smooth and creamy, the leaks were slightly on the salty side but were a welcome addition.<br/>The hot meat donuts were unique, surprisingly had a sugared batter like a donut still however the pairing of sweet and savory actually worked well.<br/>Favourite dish was definitely the beef tartare, would recommend!

food was freaking amazing. will definitely come back again soon!!!

WOW! Tastiest food I've had in a long time. Everything was executed on point from our drinks (beer and barrel aged negroni), our food (caramel short ribs, aged cheeseburger and fries) to the friendliest service from the team. The little touches that just delivered such tasty food is remarkable... for example the slightly charred bread and the jus with the mash.... AMAZING! Will be back!

What a delicious meat feast we had! The dishes were flawless in taste, just a little long on the wait times for dishes to be served - but otherwise perfect 👌! The service was lovely just needed to manage expectations on wait times.<br/><br/>Pictured is:<br/>1. Hot Meat Donuts<br/>2. Kentucky Fried Cauliflower<br/>3. Lamp Rump & Caramel Short Rib<br/>4. Dry Aged Cheeseburger<br/>5. Grilled Zucchini<br/>6. Milk & Cookies

4.5<br/>On our recent visit to Dexter we pretty much went for our tried and true favourites. We got a large plate of the Caramel short ribs which were exquisite a must if you go and got some brisket too which as usual is really impressive. Both had great taste were moist and fell apart under your fork. They came accompanied with a good serving of pickles and slaw both fine. But for the third time in a row the mash was cool really taking away from the flavours. My guess is the mash goes on first and waits for the meat which had good heat. <br/><br/>For starters this time we had the beef tartare which is new and came with three large really light and crunchy corn chippy things with a dash of aioli and a sprinkle of onion, nuts and parsley. The meat of course was raw and was chopped not ground or minced leaving a substantial texture. It was good l enjoyed it but you gotta spend your dough and gut space on the BBQ meats here they are supreme. The setting is great really comfortable but we always come pretty early so dont know about the lighting. The service is very efficient and friendly also asking after each course how you liked it. The tap beer isnt the cheapest but was really tasty. Weve eaten American BBQ at a half dozen places and this is the best.<br/><br/>........................................................................<br/>April 2019<br/>4.5 stars. We came early on a Tuesday night and had a booking but numbers were pretty sparse at 615pm. The service was attentive and friendly without being in your face. We had a shot of pickleback to start. Unusual but the picklejuice really complemented the bourbon. We had to taste the meat donuts which me and my friend agreed was more of a curiosity and they were a strange mix of sweet and savoury but applaud the place for trying something adventurous. <br/><br/>For mains we had two large plates. One plate was of caramel short ribs which was the winner of the night. Fall apart soft. Divine taste. We also had the brisket which was also extremely good. Those plates came with pickles, small slaw and marrow mash. Unfortunately the mash was cool making it less palatable. Overall the food was of the highest order. Will be back.

Couldn't fault it. Food was great, service was great, music was nice and subtle, good prices. Great place.

Loved everything here! Amazing food and friendly staff! A perfect place to hangout with friends!

The Hot Meat Pie Donut – Was it worth the drive and cost?<br/> <br/>We visited Dexter for one sole purpose – to try the mysterious ‘Meat Pie Donut’.<br/> <br/>And now that I have experienced it, I can share my honest thoughts. I’d rate it a 5/10<br/> <br/>The price is the first issue I had with this. It is $6 per piece and is only slightly bigger than a 50c coin..<br/>Unfortunately in this case, the expectations did not live up. It was just not a winning combo for us. We would all rather spend the price of one.. on buying both a meat pie and two donuts…<br/> <br/>Glad I experienced it.. but would not recommend the drive for it or worth the exorbitant price of it.

First time here after a lot of recommendations and I can say I was not disappointed! We ordered a bit of everything but what stood out the most were the cauliflower, meat donuts, and the steak. The bone marrow mash was also to die for!

Wow 😮 that food was spectacular! Every time we have been here the result is the same - we leave totally satisfied! The short rib is the thing that dreams are made of! The 100% beef burger 🍔 melts in your mouth. The beer on tap is delicious 😋

I wanna give 5+ but cant. Fantastic

Had been meaning to try Dexter for a while now and finally made the trip on a Friday night.<br/>The restaurant was busy and the vibe was great. We were sat up on the bar and it was surprisingly comfortable.<br/>We ordered a cocktail, the fried mushrooms, cauliflower, beef brisket, shoestring fries and corn.<br/>Highly recommend the mushrooms!<br/>The burgers being served to other diners looked delicious and I would go back to try them.

came here on our anniversary and the staff are so nice 🤩 it gets really busy real quick so don’t forget to book!!<br/>too good didn’t even have time to take a pic of our mains 😢

I’ve been umming and ahring about this review and what I should rate this place<br/>Based on venue, food and most of the service this place is a as big of a 5 star as I can give<br/>Honestly, my new favourite resteraunt, best food I’ve had in a long time,<br/>Then I think about it and the girl at the front of house on the coffee machine was so so rude, I want to give it a 1! The fact that I’m giving it a 4, speaks volumes because I was so Angry, service is the easiest part of hospitality and she doesn’t belong anywhere near it! Blunt, rude, and no time for anyone, I’d be getting rid of her quick smart<br/><br/>Now for the resteraunt<br/>Had an elderflower gin and tonic to start which was absolutely fantastic, really really nice cocktail<br/>Then we had the meat donuts, sensational, different but so effective, and the spicey chutney was to die for<br/>We then went through some starters, fried cauliflower, raw beef with prawn cracker type things, zucchini in a yogurt, a prawn brisket/ pork belly type thing, and then the main was a medium rare rump steak with mash, slaw, pickles and chippies<br/>Every single one of these dishes were<br/>1 substantial <br/>2 different<br/>3 unbelievably tasty<br/>They finished off with a passionfruit parfait which was just alright, but my mind was already made up, so other then the rude lady, this place is to die for

Came here for my birthday tonight.<br/>Lovely service <br/>Lovely company<br/>Lovely food <br/>It was a special moment with my dear friend and I got to enjoy a delectable meal along with it.<br/>Thank you Dexter

Yep, these guys are highly rated for a reason. Long time Dexter Fan and all I can say is that their meats are amazing, their sides are amazing and the meat donuts are bloody great! You will always get an excellent feed at Dexters no doubt. My favourite dish is the Caramel Short Ribs because the slightly sweet burnt outer crust of the short ribs makes me wanna keep eating it more and more. Their mash is out of this world and everything complements each other extremely well. Highly recommend the Crispy Fried Chicken bun too. Honestly, Dexter can do no wrong!

The best bbq we have ever tasted. The caramelized short rib are to die for! Everyone recommended the brisket, it was good. But given a choice we’ll choose the short ribs any day. Will be back again!

Oh my god. First time eating here and I was blown away. Everything was so so so good! Started off with the meat donuts which had a familiar taste from the dough but filled with flavourful meat inside, YUM! The Fried cauliflower was tasty and paired well with the hot sauce, it was spicy! Now to the main. I had ordered the beef brisket and wow it was so tender and so juicy. Paired so well with the bone marrow mash and pickles/pickled veg. It balanced out the creaminess and richness of the rest of the plate. Definitely coming back to try the other cuts of meat available. Just wow.

@dexter_melbourne -- Where the meatlovers meet.Had the kurobuta pork loin accompanied with bone marrow mash,sourdough bread,pickles and a salad. The pork loin was cooked perfectly and the mash had a silky smooth texture that kept me going back for more. Will definitely be back very soon to try out more dishes. What a great start to the weekend

Been here quite a few times and absolutely love it. Have tried a range of items from the menu and my favourites include the cured pork jowl, the smoked lamb ribs and caramel short ribs. And despite the mains already coming with mash potato I always get an extra serve on the side because its so good. Service is good incl staff and wait time. Consistency is key and these folks have got it. Would definitely recommend.

Had a father's day meal at Dexters and was very pleased with the place.<br/>Service was friendly and efficient. The meat donuts were a great surprise. Shared 4 meat selections and everyone was well cooked and matched with different sauces / coatings. Dessert of warm cookie and ice cream was an ideal way to finish off the meal  Wine list was minimal but had a reasonable range. Will be returning soon.

Great enjoyable food

It's hard to decide how many stars to give when the review is currently sitting at 4.9 out of 5. Tried really hard to make sure I was being fair and that I wasnt influenced by the current high rating. So here goes..<br/><br/>Meat donuts. The combination of spicy meat inside this dough that was sprinkled with sugar was unreal. That chilli sauce that came with it, was just perfect. I liked it. I wish they had put more meat inside though.<br/><br/>The smoked lamb ribs was nice, really need something bland to have it with, otherwise the sticky chili sauce would get a bit much. So-so.<br/><br/>The cheeseburger was a bit of a let down. Something really salty in there, maybe the cheese or the meat. I ate it, but I was glad I got the fried chicken burger too because that was super delicious.<br/><br/>Then the caramel ribs came. Really good smoky flavour and really tender. The slaw, pickles and mash in one mouthful with the meat was pretty sensational. Only let down was the small piece of bread that came with it. I wished it was bigger so I could mop the sauce and juice off the plate.<br/><br/>I liked that the menu is small enough so that I didnt have to spend ages wondering. I wish the girl who greeted us was friendly. I wonder if I a bigger piece of bread would make a difference.

Picked up this place after looking at reviews and there yesterday.<br/>Well I struggled to locate the joint as there is no name sign board at front, only a big "X" board at front.. So if you visiting this place.. Remember X marks the spot<br/><br/>Now food.. It was good we ordered beef ribs, caramelised lamb ribs (was amazing) and their signature meat buns - - yumm<br/>I ordered Smoked chicken.. Nothing special so I will say don't order as there are other items on menu much better thn chicken.<br/>Over all experience was somewhere between mid to high average..

The meat donuts are just the bomb!! Great burgers and meat dishes looked delish. Great staff and service, busy kitchen pumping out some amazing dishes. Vibrant chill setting

Went to Dexter for their signature ribs and were they amazing! We also tried the bun and milk/cookies. Ribs were just melting! However, they have changed the menu now so its cutlet and not ribs on the bone anymore..found them just ok.

We are staying in Preston on a holiday and I searched for a local place to take a relative out for dinner - Dexter came up in my search and the reviews were too good to be true! <br/>Not only did the food live up to the reviews, but the staff are so pleasant to be around and very helpful. We had kids with us which isn’t always easy and they really made us feel comfortable.<br/>I’m not a huge meat eater (but the birthday boy is) but I tried it all and loved it!<br/><br/>My only negative is that there were only 2 wines I could order by the glass ☺️<br/><br/>Thank you guys, would love to visit again some day soon!

Been to Dexter now a total of 3 times and on all occasions it has been a great dining experience!<br/><br/>The meat donuts are a must! Sweet exterior and then a burst of salty meat awesomeness🤤<br/><br/>The beef short ribs with the bone marrow mash is a must have! I love the mash and the ribs are super tender and it does melt in your mouth😜<br/><br/>Highly recommended this place for an awesome meal with meat being the centre of attention, bit remember to book a table, they are generally very busy!<br/><br/>Oh and P.S. no photos due to the lighting in there being very dimly lit with a red hue.<br/><br/>A fantastic 4.95/5😍

Hands down the best meat i’ve had in Melbourne! Cannot go past the caramel short rib! Delicious tender and juicy, it just falls off the bone!! Sides are also excellent with the bone marrow mash and pickles! Corn and meat donuts were also a hit. If you enjoy your meat, this is a must try!

3.5 ⭐️ <br/>venue: The noise levels are high , music pumping and patrons all trying to yell over it. Service was rather slow- waited over 20 mins for our drinks. Some of the food actually arrived before our drinks. <br/><br/>The good: meat doughnuts, caramel rib and mash<br/><br/>The average: cauliflower and cookies (the ice cream was so hard and icy instead of creamy)<br/><br/>If I’m craving some American bbq meat then I would go back.

The burgers and brisket are amazing. But the bone marrow mash is to die for!! Don’t pass on it because of the name, trust me you won’t regret it. Also make sure you get the milk and cookies for dessert. The smell from the cookies when they arrive in front of you is enough to make your mouth water!

The caramelised ribs are to die for! Absolutely 100% the best ribs I’ve ever had. I would definitely consider eating here again if my bank account allows me to 😄

It's obviously a very popular eatery. Quite busy most times. Food is acceptable. Meat donuts were a novel idea. Bit confused. Not my taste, but I get the idea and they are very popular.<br/>Pulled pork burger was very wet, saucy and mushy. Reminiscent of wet, mulched newspaper.😬<br/>Beef, brisket & chicken burgers fared much better. Beef tartare was quite good accompanied with fried won ton wafers👍 The rest of the menu in the meat plates & smoked spatchcock could be worth a look. Dessert cookies got a thumbs up👍<br/>Parfait was frozen rock solid. Not good. Cryogenic freezer on the premise? 😉<br/>Beverage list was quite good. Local beers feature👍<br/>Service was very good.<br/>

Perfect as expected. Our favourite meal was the caramelized ribs, they are seriously the best meat we’ve ever eaten. Enjoyed the meat donuts but if I’m honest they’re a bit of a gimmick - executed well, but not something I’d crave for again. The cauliflower was epic too and I was a huge fan of the brisket.

PERFECTLY COOKED<br/>PERFECTLY SERVED<br/>GREAT SERVICE<br/>UNNECESSARY CORIANDER<br/>perhaps too much pickle with that brisket<br/>And you cannot see what you're eating in the dark restaurant theme

My partner had been to Dexter a few months ago and she had nothing but amazing things to say about her visit. Her and I both love eating meat and she was super eager for me to try their food aswell. So we decided to make a reservation at Dexter for our anniversary.<br/><br/>From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, I was intrigued by its mood and lighting. We were ushered to our table by a very welcoming and lovely staff member and provided with a menu. Going down the list of meals, although it is a relatively short menu, I must say I was having a difficult time trying to make up my mind as everything sounded delicious.<br/><br/>We ordered the Point End Brisket, Caramel Short Rib and Shoestring Fries as an extra side dish. It didn't take long for us to receive our food and that is when my experience at Dexter went from great to remarkable!<br/><br/>All dishes looked fantastic. They were cooked and served to absolute perfection. The ribs were tender, juicy and flavoursome and the brisket was especially succulent and mouth-watering. The slaw, bone-marrow mash and the pickles further complimented both dishes. The shoestring fries, as basic as they are, were also quite special and I do recommend others to order them alongside your main meals. I legitimately felt like I was in heaven. I just could not believe how pleasant these meals were. If anything, although I was full and satisfied, I wanted to keep eating.<br/><br/>Next up, we ordered our desserts. We went with the Milk & Cookies. Once again, we were in awe at how superb these guys can make, what seems like, a simple dessert.<br/>The soft, sweet and chocolatey cookies that melt in your mouth at every bite and a, presumably house-made, terrific milk ice cream.<br/><br/>The amount had come to $98 (price also including an apple cider) which I can assure you is totally worth it given the outstanding quality of the food and environment.<br/><br/>All in all, I had come to the conclusion that Dexter is one of the best restaurants/diners I have ever been to. It is a special place and it will definitely be my favourite place for a very very long time (as I truly believe no other place can raise the bar higher than Dexter). There is a magical feeling that takes over you the second you enter the premises and I can guarantee (first-timers heed my advice!!) your time here only gets better and better as you go.<br/><br/>I am really looking forward to my next visit. Thank you!

If you after American BBQ style food, then this is the place to go. Have eaten here 3 times and can’t fault any of the food which has been served.

Amazing meat quality, literally melt in your mouth and the side dishes were just as amazing. We ordered the meat Donuts, string fries, rump cap steak, brisket and caramel ribs. The meat came with pickles, coleslaw and bone marrow garlic mash! Would come again!

Been to this place for dinner with my family of 10 people. Have to book in advance. The shop deco is very trendy and have a joyful ambience. You will feel very relax to enjoy your dinner here. We ordered varieties of their menu food to be shared amongst us. Menu of the food are very special too. Staffs and service are excellent. All of us enjoyed our evening here.

The meat heaven for all the meat lover. Food was always good and tasty. they also have big range of drinks and they also taste very good. highly recommended.

Meat doughnuts... why not! Very yum. Inside is a bit noisy but sitting outside in the summer watching the world go by is great. Great place to hang, eat good food and drink some grrat cocktails

This place is the American BBQ place... fantastic service with a smile. the food was amazing, in fact my mouth is watering now to go back. The meat was so melt in your mouth. We shared a variety of meats and weren’t disappointed. Will be going again soon. A must visit whilst in Preston

Yam Yam!! Its no doubt to say anything just delicious ! I will let this place to my friends. Nice cooking smell and great serving for customers.

Made the hike from Maribyrnong to Preston today to check out Dexter. This place did not disappoint! Could not fault a single dish that we ordered. The meat donut was different with a great combination of sweetness and salsa.<br/><br/>The brisket came as a whole piece which we loved because it stayed warm and it had both the inside meat with a generous portion of crispy parts also. The accompanying sides of pickles, slaw and especially the mashed today were all good.<br/><br/>Fries were hot and well seasoned but the winner was the beef burger. The meat was cooked perfectly and the bun was soft. Staff were all very lovely and when I advised that I didn't eat pork from the start - They even went above and beyond by letting me know one of the beef brisket sauces would have pork and brought me out a different sauce - which was fruity and gravy like delicious all in one.<br/><br/>My partner had both sauces and actually preferred my one as well. Very much looking forward to our return here to check out some other dishes on the menu. Highly recommend!

Its no question why Dexter is rated so highly. Consistently amazing food, lovely customer service and a casual warehouse vibe. Must try: Meat donuts (yes it sounds weird but SO GOOD!), brisket (my favourite of the meats), pork (super juicy), corn (crisp and juicy with a little kick) and ofcourse milk and cookies (fresh baked still doughy cookies served with milky creamy icecream). Dexter never disappoints and is always packed (no wonder) so book ahead if you can!

A consistently outstanding dining experience which exceeds expectations.<br/><br/>The menu at Dexter is relatively small, but executed with skill, perfection and a great level of care and attention to detail. There is nothing on this menu which I don’t like.<br/><br/>My favourite is the Rump Cap Steak. It’s cooked medium-rare by default and served with bone marrow mash, house made dill pickles, a simple slaw. Always cooked to absolute perfection.<br/><br/>Bookings are essential. Highly recommended.

If anyone ever asks me which restaurant is a must to try when visiting Melbourne, I’m so suggesting Dexter. There is no fault to the food. We had Caramel Short Ribs, Meat Donuts, Bone Marrow Mash and Kentucky Fried Cauliflower. All amazing in their own ways, the goodness still lingers both in my mouth and memory 😋

Service was impeccable. Meat donuts is a must try. Food was served timely and each dish was delicious. Highly recommend the ribs and brisket, the mash that comes as a side is very tasty. <br/>Also enjoyed the cookies as dessert. Kentucky fried cauliflower was worth trying 😋 so happy there is a place like this in the north

This is one of the joints we have to keep revisiting. A must is the meat donuts, they have such a unique flavour and you can't fimd them anywhere else. The lamb ribs were on point but my favourite was the pork jowl - melt in the mouth and balanced so well with the apples. We also got the dry aged cheeseburger which was AMAZING, the beef was cooked to perfection but you do have to have a liking for blue cheese. Overall super delicious

Amazing. The atmosphere, service and selection of dishes were perfect. <br/><br/>The meat is divine - whether it's a rump cap, a burger or a lamb shoulder it is something you must experience. <br/><br/>A great mix of high end food, alcohol and vibes, at a reasonable price. 5 stars.

Went with a few friends and ordered a few dishes to share including the meat donuts.<br/><br/>I was a bit disappointed as there was a bit of hype about this place.<br/><br/>I think we may have ordered the wrong dishes so I would like to go back and try again.<br/><br/>Staff were great and the restaurant was packed with people.

So incredibly delicious, I have dreams about the bone marrow mash and their fries. Don’t get me started on the beef brisket. Love eating here

We had a friend down from Sydney and I figured where better to take him than to experience Melbourne’s iconic meat donuts. While I’m not a big fan of spice I enjoy these as they cream cheese inside tempers the heat and the sugary outside makes it such a unique and novel dish.<br/><br/>We shared the lamb shoulder tonight which came with the yummiest bread and really delicious bone marrow mash. The meat itself was falling away from the bone, tender and flavoursome. The service was absolutely exceptional and so attentive. Dessert sounded phenomenal too (but we’d engaged in a little cheese platter entree before departing home so were quite full). Worth the hype

Forever one of my favourite dinner spots in Melbourne. Really good price point for amazing meals. Meat is cooked to perfection, and the mash is the best I’ve had in a long time. If you haven’t tried the “Caramel Short Rib” then what are you waiting for?! 😍

Went for a lazy Sunday lunch with family (table of 4) on a beautiful autumn day. Ordered the smoked chicken, brisket and ribs, the chicken was moist and flavorful, the beef was melting and falling of the bone. Service was prompt and attentive, all in all it was an enjoyable experience. We will be back!

3.5 stars - <br/><br/>Ambience: I did not overly enjoy the ambience of the place. It was quite dark and loud, difficult to have conversations with friends. The interior had a lot of red/pink lighting and exposed brick walls, gave me an old factory/construction vibe. <br/><br/>Food: We ordered the meat donuts, pork jowl, caramel ribs and rump steak and shoestring fries<br/><br/>The meat donuts that everybody raves about and I thought it was quite good but definitely not as amazing as everyone hyped it to be. The rump steak was very hard to chew and the meat was very tough overall. Definitely do not recommend this dish. <br/><br/>However, I really enjoyed the caramel ribs and the pork jowl. The flavors was amazing and the meat was soft and melted in my mouth. <br/><br/>

Food: 3.5/5<br/>Atmosphere: 4/5<br/>Service: 4/5<br/><br/>Came here for the first time because of the high ratings. Hubby and I are crazy about American BBQ and have tried at least 6 other places, not including our own smokery at home. We must say Dexter served the most tender and moist beef brisket and caramel short ribs so kudos to the master. We felt the meat was really a flavour bomb with the spices but we found it a tad too salty, and we do have a high tolerance for salt. Also while the middle part of the brisket just melted in our mouths, the end bits were burnt and left a bitter aftertaste, which was unfortunate. After a while, all I could taste was salt. I hope this is just a once off mistake. Luckily they were generous with the coleslaw so that took off some of the richness and saltiness. we drank two big bottles of water at the end of the meal. <br/><br/>Meat donut was interesting and a novel idea, but the fried cauliflower and the shoestring fries were the highlight. <br/><br/>We’d probably be back for other items but not the bbq. <br/><br/>The red lighting and loud music did our heads in a little. Pics didn’t turn out well too. Oops

Pretty good meal here. Had the chefs menu. really loved most of it. Cauliflower and zucchini were standouts as was the pork jowl. Unfortunately we didn't love the hanger steak - too chewy and not hot. Also was a little disappointed that we were severed cookies and ice cream for dessert when our waitress had mentioned a yummy passionfruit dessert. All in all was good, might just order specifics next time. Was good to see an interesting beer list too

4.5 stars. We came early on a Tuesday night and had a booking but numbers were pretty sparse at 615pm. The service was attentive and friendly without being in your face. We had a shot of pickleback to start. Unusual but the picklejuice really complemented the bourbon. We had to taste the meat donuts which me and my friend agreed was more of a curiosity and they were a strange mix of sweet and savoury but applaud the place for trying something adventurous. <br/><br/>For mains we had two large plates. One plate was of caramel short ribs which was the winner of the night. Fall apart soft. Divine taste. We also had the brisket which was also extremely good. Those plates came with pickles, small slaw and marrow mash. Unfortunately the mash was cool making it less palatable. Overall the food was of the highest order. Will be back.

Everyone says this is the best cheeseburger in Melbourne...and it definitely lives up to the reputation!! The burger is tender and smokey with a delicious cheese melting cheese blend. The other highlight is the potato mash - best I’ve ever had!! Definitely a Melbourne institution everyone needs to visit!

Dexter's offerings successfully satisfied our carnivorous cravings. The location is away from the main shopping and eatery strip. Friendly greeting on entry, we were quickly seated with menus and water. Informative staff helped us made our choices, as did the huge plates arriving at the table beside us.<br/><br/>The smoked lamb ribs was so packed with flavour. Marinated to perfection in a sweet and spicy sauce, each bite had a delicious zing that woke up the senses. My friend enjoyed his pork loin steak, which was still pink and tender. The grilled zucchini was creatively combined with stracciatella and a herb vinaigrette - delicious in is own right.<br/><br/>The converted warehouse feels modern and artful positioning of plants give it a welcoming feel. Staff were attentive and helpful throughout our visit. A place that deserves its phenomenal rating.

Dexter is a bit of a drive for us but so worth it that we make the trip at least once a fortnight.  The food is amazing and there's a great choice so most will find something to suit.  Portions are well sized so you'll leave feeling stuffed.  All up, great food, nice team, well priced for what is pretty great food.

Super soft meat, possibly the most tender beef I have ever experienced. My kids were gobsmacked. Relaxed atmosphere, not so sure about the reddish light though. Staff are very friendly and cannot be faulted. I don't know how you could fit smalls in considering the mains are massive. I didn't like the chips though, overcooked and dry.

Best American BBQ in Melbourne so far. We haven't been to a place that left us a great impression like this in a long time.<br/><br/>1. Service ⭐⭐⭐⭐<br/>- Make sure you book ahead. Walk-in is definitely not a good idea<br/>- Friendly staff. The guy at the front desk always looks very serious though 😅.<br/><br/>2. Food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<br/>- What we loved: Kentucky fried cauliflower, Cured pork jowl, Bbq eggplants & Caramel short ribs. The caramel short ribs were definitely the highlight, sooo tender and moist. If we could choose only one dish here to have again, this would definitely it. The Bone marrow mash is also a must try (comes with every large & to-share dish but can also be ordered separately).<br/>- What we didn't love as much: Lamb shoulder (2-3 people portion) & Beef brisket. Not saying these are not nice, but we would prefer them to be more juicy.<br/><br/>3. Ambience ⭐⭐⭐<br/>We got in for early dinner around 6.30pm so there was still lots of natural daylight. When it got darker, the red light actually made us feel quite uneasy as we couldn't really tell what's actually in the food 😂.<br/><br/>Would we come back? Yes, definitely! Next time we'll try Meat donut & steaks.

Hot Meat Donuts  <br/>I love the combination of sweet and savoury flavours, and the hot meat donuts are just perfect. If I could order 100 of these donuts I could. It took quite a while for the donuts to get on our table but I’m guess it was made fresh because it didn’t not taste like a processed frozen meat donut. When I first bit into the donut the sugared layer was crispy and the meat inside was marinated and it tasted kind of tangy and spicy. There was also a bit of sauce to dip out donuts in but it was too spicy for me. <br/>Meat Plate From The Smoker: Cured Beef Brisket <br/>After putting off going to Dexter for so long we finally went after talking about it for 4 months. It’s quite a mission to get there but its close enough to walk from the station. The vibes from Dexter was really chill and urban?? The food took a while to get to us but it was worth the wait. I really like beef brisket so of course I had to choose it. The meat was a little dry at the start but it was still pretty good, I could really taste the Smokey flavour from the meat. With the meat plate, mashed potatoes and pickles with charred marrow rubbed sourdough bread was included. I must say the mash and pickles were amazing. The mash was creamy and smooth, just wish they gave more of it, and the pickles were thinly sliced and pretty crunchy.

Best food in town. Friendly staff and nicely ranged menu. We have fined here 3 times and will definitely be back. Also offer take away options and great cocktails

Meat Donut: fluffy, perfectly cooked, but 3+/5 flavour only <br/>Ribs: fatty and tender, great!<br/>Aged porterhouse: awesome flavour, excellent! (highlight of the night)<br/>Brisket: average (similar to chinese braised beef)<br/>KFC (Cauliflower): inventive but average<br/>Sides (bone marrow mash, pickled veg, onions) - good addition<br/><br/>Good quality food, nice vibes. But did not amaze or wow.  4.9 currently is an overestimation. No compulsion to re-visit, but would be happy to dine again.

Dexter has always been on my go to list and this weekend we made it. Unassuming on a pretty busy street, it is almost easy to miss without signage except for the X. What a hidden gem indeed. Great meats and the front of house staff were soooooo super friendly and helpful in recommendations. <br/><br/>We ordered the Meat donuts, Smoked Lamb ribs, Caramel short ribs, Rump cap steak, Burnt sriracha corn, Shoestring fries, Kentucky fried cauliflower, Point end brisket and Cured Pork Joel.<br/><br/>Great place for groups as you get to try a lovely variety of selections. Coffee and drinks are great too! Ample parking out front.

Dexter was nothing short of amazing, living up to the high reviews. The meat donut was a fantastic combination of sweet and savoury, biting through a soft, lightly sugared dough through to this flavourful spiced mince. The caramel short ribs were soft and falling off the bone, as was the rump steak. Was beautifully cooked, edging on the slightly rare spectrum. The combination with the bone marrow mash and the coleslaw and pickles were refreshing to the palate, with all the flavours harmonising together. Despite everything, Dexter’s menu is also quite well priced also, definitely worth its value.

Food was exceptional. Perfect, big portion, lots of variety on the plate, cannot recommend the food more. Amazing. Docked one star for unfinished hipster aesthetic and more importantly total lack of aircon. Don't come here in summer unless you want to sweat or the owners decide to respect the customers by forking out for a split system or two.