Overview

Matilda 159 Domain is a refined dining destination nestled in the heart of South Yarra, Victoria. This restaurant captures the essence of modern Australian cuisine with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients and innovative pairings. Situated at 159 Domain Road, it offers a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere where guests can indulge in thoughtfully crafted dishes and impeccable service.

The space itself is moody and intimate, featuring dim lighting that enhances the romantic vibe while illuminating the tables just right for an elegant dining experience. This ambiance makes it an ideal spot for special occasions, date nights, or any gathering seeking a warm, sophisticated setting. Customers repeatedly praise its intimate warmth paired with a stylish, contemporary design.

Matilda 159 Domain’s culinary offerings are a true highlight. The menu showcases standout items such as Sydney Rock Oysters, celebrated for their fresh briny taste, and the Dressed Spanner Crab, which is balanced with delicate prawn butter and served alongside flatbreads. Meat lovers will appreciate the Macedon Ranges Duck, notable for its rich flavor and impeccable preparation, as well as the Smoked Flinders Island Lamb Ribs, which offer a complex blend of spices and a tender finish. The signature Apple Tarte Tatin, paired with caramel and vanilla ice cream, provides a perfect sweet conclusion for dessert enthusiasts.

The starters reveal a creative edge, featuring dishes like Kangaroo Tartare with fermented chili and the Tartlet of Salmonroe with Bonito cream. These dishes reflect a deep respect for native Australian ingredients, showcasing the chef’s ability to highlight bold flavors without overwhelming the palate. The inclusion of Burnt Bran Sourdough with cultured butter adds a comforting rustic touch, grounding the menu in familiar textures.

Drinks also complement the food exceptionally well. The cold-pressed juices by Market Juice offer fresh, vibrant options like Glowing Green, which balances well against the richness of the main dishes. Cocktails, such as the South Yarra Sour, offer a sophisticated, balanced flavor that even those typically averse to cocktails find appealing.

Service at Matilda 159 Domain is consistently noted for being attentive without being intrusive, adding to the seamless dining experience. Staff are knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings, enhancing the overall enjoyment and helping guests navigate each course with confidence.

In essence, Matilda 159 Domain is geared toward discerning diners who appreciate elevated Australian cuisine in a cozy, elegant setting. Whether for a birthday celebration, intimate dinner, or an elegant event, this venue promises quality, flavor, and a memorable experience. It perfectly bridges the gap between innovative culinary craftsmanship and the warm approachability that defines great hospitality in Melbourne today.


Amenities & Services

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket

What Customers Say

Michelle Huynh
Dec 3,2025
4/5
Maybe you don’t want to read my recommendation because I am an entrees/appetisers girl only, but when there’s an extensive option of snacks like what Matilda offers.. I went all in They’ve got salmon roe tartlets to prosciutto on some sort of honey bread, lamb ribs (my personal favourite) and focaccia bread to dip in olive oil and kecap manis, which is a lethally good combo The restaurant itself is a dark, moody, romantic space but perfectly lit on the tables where you need it the most I’m not usually a cocktail lover, if anything, I hate most, but the South Yarra Sour was a yes from me
Jieun Park
Dec 3,2025
5/5
The food was amazing! I forgot to ask her name, but I’m pretty sure she’s the manager. She gave us such amazing service and made my birthday even more special! Definitely will visit again. Thanks to the whole team!
Liz Barnes Photo
Dec 3,2025
5/5
I've photographed a few weddings at Matilda 159 Domain and it is such an incredible venue. The moody, elegant interiors make for stunning photos, and the atmosphere feels warm and intimate throughout the reception. The food looks as amazing as it tastes, and the team are always a dream to work with - everything flows seamlessly. A perfect spot for a stylish Melbourne wedding.
Julie in Melbourne
Dec 3,2025
5/5
My husband’s birthday celebration was perfect because of the delicious food and impeccable service we received. The tall guy who served us was beyond amazing. He explained the food and wine well and had little but quality conversations with is in between about the dishes and wine. The wagyu was perfectly cooked, but the highlight of the night was the duck. We also shared a dessert, our favourite apple tart tatin. Matilda 159 has been our favourite Melbourne resto. This was our 3rd time here. We always love the intimate and warm vibe here.
Tu Phan
Dec 3,2025
5/5
Food: Oysters with mignonette 6.25/10 small, nothing special Scallops 8/10 perfectly buttery Ox tongue 8.75/10 full of flavour Salmon roe tartlet 6/10 nothing special, slightly too salty for us Octopus 8.5/10 perfectly cooked. Very tender and not chewy Lamb ribs 9.25/10 amazing complex flavours Steak 8/10 perfectly cooked steak. Unfortunately we chose the wrong cut (rump cap) Duck fat potatoes 5.5/10 dried, charred and lacking flavour Basque cheesecake 6/10 pretty average Cocktails: Blood orange 7/10 Yuzu cocktail 6.5/10 Service: amazing service from start to finish. Attentive but not interruptive. Ambiance: romantic and cozy
John Miano
Dec 3,2025
5/5
Recently spent a foodie week in Melbourne dining at some of Melbournes best restaurants but managed to give a special shoutout to Matilda. We booked here after seeing them make the top 100 worlds best steaks but at first was a little skeptical. From the moment I walked in passing by the kitchen where the hot coals were smoking and meals being meticulously plated up. We had a couple of entrees including Oysters & Octopus which didn't disappoint but the stand out was the rib eye bone-in cooked to perfection and jam packed with flavor. Perfectly charred on the outside and beautifully pink and moist in the middle, seasoned well. Well done team . Keep up the great work
Shane
Dec 3,2025
5/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Memorable dining experience at Matilda 159 We visited Matilda 159 and went with the Feed Me menu – such a great way to sample their best dishes. Our top starter picks were definitely the oysters and the octopus. The octopus, in particular, was a standout – it had a unique, smoky flavor we haven’t found anywhere else. So good! The service was excellent from start to finish. A big shoutout to Niki?, who was incredibly lovely – she served us so well and even helped us take a bunch of photos . We were celebrating a birthday and they surprised us with a complimentary dessert, which we really appreciated – such a sweet gesture! The only downside was the cheesecake – the flavor felt a little off to us, but everything else made up for it. Beautiful atmosphere, amazing starters, and top-notch service. Definitely recommend for a special occasion or a quality dining experience in Melbourne.
Azharul Islam
Dec 3,2025
5/5
We chose this restaurant to celebrate my promotion, and it absolutely delivered an unforgettable experience. The entire meal was worth every cent, with each dish displaying incredible finesse and depth of flavor. The meal began with what might be the best focaccia and olive oil we've ever had. For starters, the lamb ribs and salmon roe were superb. The only very slight miss was the king prawn, which I felt was a touch undercooked inside. That was quickly forgotten with our main event: the 35-day dry-aged Cape Grim ribeye. This steak was phenomenal, and the duck fat potatoes were the perfect rich accompaniment. We got carried away with ordering and ended the night unusually, but happily, full. Despite the one small suggestion on the prawn, our experience was amazing. I cannot recommend this place highly enough for any Melbourne food lover seeking a top-tier culinary experience.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thursday 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday 06:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday 08:30 AM - 02:30 PM 04:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sunday 08:30 AM - 02:30 PM 04:30 PM - 10:00 PM
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