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The Mill

Address:
71 Hardware lane, Melbourne VIC    Map    Contact details
Cuisines:
Modern Australian, Tapas
Thu hours:
12:00 to 22:30    View schedule
View photos (7)   
23 User reviews
The Mill Schedule
Dining Schedule
Sun
17:00 to 22:30
Mon - Fri
12:00 to 22:30
Sat
17:00 to 22:00
Contact details - The Mill
Address:
71 Hardware lane, Melbourne VIC
Phone:
(03) 9600 1454
Fax:
(03) 9600 1434

  • The Mill is the newest addition to Melbourne City's Hardware Lane precinct. A converted warehouse, The Mill combines the best of both worlds - eating and drinking - with charm and finesse on two floors. The Ground floor boasts a bright and spacious restaurant serving quality modern contemporary Australian cuisine with an Asian twist and a casual bar area with massive arched windows, opening o... Read more

    The Mill is the newest addition to Melbourne City's Hardware Lane precinct. A converted warehouse, The Mill combines the best of both worlds - eating and drinking - with charm and finesse on two floors. The Ground floor boasts a bright and spacious restaurant serving quality modern contemporary Australian cuisine with an Asian twist and a casual bar area with massive arched windows, opening onto juliet balconies bringing the outside vibe inside, serving tap beers and providing plenty of wines by the glass. With plenty of al fresco dining (and people watching) outside in Hardware Lane, this will be the place to bring your friends for lunch or impress your corporate clients for dinner. In the evening, the lights are dimmed, the candles are lit and the Mill provides and relaxed, intimate and enjoyable dining experience. Whether it be a romantic dinner for two, a family get together, business meeting or corporate dinner you can be assured the Mill will cater to all our needs with attention to detail and care.

    Nestled in the basement you will find a stylish and sophisticated cocktail bar - Charlie's Bar where you can enjoy a classic cocktail or two, kick back on the leather sofas, peruse the extensive wine list, or splash out on your own bottle of spirits for your table. You can reserve an area or table in Charlie's Bar for pre or after dinner drinks. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

    There is now LIVE JAZZ on Sundays at the Mill from 6.30pm, come in for a drink or book a table and enjoy dinner, Sunday Roast specials will accompany our wonderful al a carte menu. Bookings are highly recommended and groups are welcomed. The full drinks list including the wonderful cocktails from Charlie's Bar are available all evening.

  • Latest User Reviews

    Bad service, little food, unfriendly staff, too expensive, poor quality and not fresh.

    We had a wonderful evening, thanks to the great company, delicious food, excellent service. Pleasantly surprised given that we choose the venue from the internet. Will share our positive experience...

    More reviews
    Order by: Date, Featured

    • Overall 5 - Food 5, Ambience 5, Value 5, Service 5

      Bad service, little food, unfriendly staff, too expensive, poor quality and not fresh.   (twitty - September, 2011)

    • Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

      We had a wonderful evening, thanks to the great company, delicious food, excellent service. Pleasantly surprised given that we choose the venue from the internet. Will share our positive experience with others! We will be back!   (April, 2011)

    • Overall 9 - Food 8, Ambience 10, Value 9, Service 9

      Booked on-line for a group, which was efficient in confirmations via phone. Wonderful atmosphere, good food with wide variety of great wines & quick service. Have passed around good words & will definitely return. Great for groups & intimates too.   (February, 2011)

    • Overall 8.3 - Food 9, Ambience 8, Value 8, Service 8

      This restaurant is amazing! A number of us went for my friends birthday party on Saturday night.

      The food was wonderful and we had chefs on the table who just loved it. Why is this restaurant not in the Melbourne good food guide?

      Staff were so nice and very friendly.

      Headchef Carey Stephens we all take our hats off to you well done.

      Aliesha Novevember, 2010   (aliesha - See my reviews (2) - November, 2010)

    • Overall 8 - Food 10, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 4

      The food was outstanding, no doubt about it, but the customer service left a great deal to be desired. The hostess came across as extremely arrogant and dismissive, and the wait staff seemed to float haphazardly from table to table like distracted children. The gap between the quality of the food and the (poor) quality of service is very wide indeed.   (kandb - See my reviews (2) - July, 2010)

    • Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

      Lovely array of entrees, sides & desserts. Enjoyed the steak. Will definitely return."

      Great atmosphere, food and service.   (markus - See my reviews (5) - July, 2010)

    • Overall 9.5 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 9, Service 9

      This restaurant is wonderful. We wandered past on a Sunday and discovered they had a great little jazz trio playing. What a way to spend a Sunday, we started off with a couple of cocktails and tapas at the bar and enjoyed ourselves so much we stayed for dinner. I definitely recommend the Duck breast on sage polenta and you can't go past their wicked chocolate tart for dessert. Highly recommended - check it out soon!   (Alice - See my reviews (2) - January, 2010)

    • Overall 8.8 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 8

      Was disappointed that they had run out of a main and a dessert - especially as they were the ones I would have chosen.   (maddc - See my reviews (6) - December, 2009)

    • Overall 8.8 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 7, Service 10

      a wonderful evening. The jazz group was excellent and the service outstanding. Menu was about to change as a new chef was coming on board so some items not available and although the scallops were delicious they were a very small serving for the money. However that certainly did not spoil a very special evening   (pookie - See my reviews (6) - November, 2009)

    • Overall 9.5 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 9, Service 9

      Just a wonderful experience overall, went in with a big group on a Sunday to listen to the jazz, the restaurant had a great vibe. Food was fantastic, I tried the ricotta gnocchi followed by the chocolate brownie which was to die for. Definitely the best place on Hardware Lane, I'll be back soon when the bar downstairs (Charlie's) opens, I hear their cocktails are great too. Highly recommended.   (SiSi - See my reviews (2) - October, 2009)

    • Overall 6 - Food 6, Ambience 6, Value 6, Service 6

      I was very much looking forward to dining at The Mill, having booked a table, I would have expected to be eating in the actual restaurant, not on the pavement outside where the tables are so squashed together that it was not the enjoyable experience I had hoped for.   (See my reviews (2) - July, 2009)

      Restaurant response - The restaurant is quite often heavily booked, you are always more than welcome to request a table inside when you make a booking. We are always happy to move tables inside whenever we can.   (See my reviews (2) - October, 2009)

    • Overall 9.3 - Food 9, Ambience 10, Value 9, Service 9

      would recommend this restaurant and go back again, the food was fantastic, the best I have had in a quite a while.   (chef 3 - See my reviews (4) - June, 2009)

    • Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

      Just a wonderful restaurant, beautiful food, service and value for money. The Sirloin was the best I have had in a very long time. Charlies Bar downstairs is a gorgeous place to continue drinking after dinner. I've just booked in to take Mum there for mothers day. Highly recommended.   (Si - See my reviews (2) - April, 2009)

    • Overall 8.3 - Food 7, Ambience 9, Value 8, Service 9

      The Mill was a wonderful place to dine as a group. We sat outside on a warmish Melbourne evening with a group of 9 and enjoyed a long and relaxed dinner with good service and food. The main drawcard of The Mill is its ambience and service, and the fact that you can pop down for a drink later at the bar after eating.   (Rachel - See my reviews (8) - October, 2008)

    • Overall 8.3 - Food 8, Ambience 9, Value 8, Service 8

      Enjoyed dinner at The Mill with business partner from Sydney. Wine selection was attractively wide. The laneway location adds interest to the ambience. Worth a visit.   (Fabian - See my reviews (10) - October, 2008)

    • Overall 8.8 - Food 9, Ambience 8, Value 8, Service 10

      Once again an enjoyable night at The Mill - being a Friday night there was live music - however at times it got a bit noisy and difficult to hear people taling across the table. Otherwise food and service were both great.   (maddc - See my reviews (6) - October, 2008)

      Restaurant response - We realise Friday evenings got a little noisy with the hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant along with live music. We have now moved the jazz band to Sunday afternoons, the new trio are more laid back and a lot less noisy!   (maddc - See my reviews (6) - October, 2009)

    • Overall 9.5 - Food 9, Ambience 10, Value 9, Service 10

      My experience at the Mill was fantastic, the food was great, definitely much better than other restaurants I have tried in Hardware Lane, and much of the city. My fiancee and I had the best night, it was a busy Friday but the waiting staff made us feel like we were the only table there and really made our night. After dinner our waitress suggested we go downstairs and try Charlie's Bar after our meal, we enjoyed it so much we were the last ones to leave! Definitely recommend going to the Mill and making a night of it. Charlie, your cocktails rock! Sienna xx   (••••••• - See my reviews (2) - October, 2008)

    • Overall 4.8 - Food 3, Ambience 6, Value 4, Service 6

      The food was lukewarm and the lamb that we ordered was overcooked and oily; and for the price ($28!) for a cheap cut (shoulder of lamb) it was really quite outrageous. The whole Hardware Lane precinct needs to take a hard look at itself, rather then 'feasting' on customers pockets.   (See my reviews (7) - August, 2008)

    • Overall 6.5 - Food 7, Ambience 7, Value 7, Service 5

      Waitress took too long to offer and then bring drinks...brought wrong wine.   (Chris & Carmel - See my reviews (2) - July, 2008)

    • Overall 5.5 - Food 8, Ambience 8, Value 5, Service 1

      Visited with a party of 8, we asked for prawns to be cooked a lottle more. Staff refused and also refused to change dish for another. Disgraceful service by the waitress, chef and the owner. Would not recommend spending my money at this place, even though food otherwise was quite nice, service was not.   (Mel - See my reviews (6) - May, 2008)

    • Overall 9.3 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 8, Service 9

      Just a wonderful overall experience. The food was the best I have had on Hardware Lane and I can't believe they are charging such reasonable prices - I've had the same sort of food at twice the price. I love this place and can't recommend it enough. Definitely save room for a cheese plate or a sticky toffee pudding! Enjoy.   (heidi - See my reviews (2) - April, 2008)

    • Overall 8.8 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 8

      The Mill was a delight. The ambience was fantastic with the bustle of Hardware Lane just below and the open balcony sending in the night breeze. The food was lovely - especially the brulee. Service was good but with the restaurant very busy the girls were worked off their feet.   (maddc - See my reviews (6) - April, 2008)

    • Overall 7.5 - Food 7, Ambience 8, Value 8, Service 7

      Was attended by many servants. Water always kept full. As appears to be the norm, once mains consumed, service dropped off. Much of the menu similar (variations on potatoes for entrees). Linguini was nice and spicey. Nice suprise to actually get an entree that was small.   (December, 2007)

  • Restaurant Details

    Payment
    Amex, Cash, Diners, Eftpos, Mastercard, Visa
    Features
    Dress smart, Dress smart casual, Licensed, Outside dining area, Secure parking, Smoking area, Wheelchair access
    Ambience
    Buzzy, Contemporary, Luxurious, Relaxed, Romantic, Sophisticated, Suitable for business, Trendy
    Food
    Gluten Free, Vegetarian option
    Styles
    Cocktail, Formal, Sit down
    Suitable for
    Birthday/Anniversary, Bucks / Hens night, Business lunch/dinner, Christmas party, Other

  • Large Groups Information

    Large groups of up to 30 people are welcome. Guests can choose from the al a carte menu, or from the set menu option ($50 for 2 courses, $60 for 3 courses choices are from the entire al a carte menu excluding the Rangers Valley Black Angus sirloin). There is a large bar area upstairs where guests can meet for drinks before or after dinner. And of curse, there is Charlie's Bar, a sumptuous cocktail lounge which occupies the basement, perfect to end your night in style! You are welcome to reserve an area of Charlie's for before or after dinner drinks, there is no charge for this.

    Alternatively, if you are looking to hold a larger function, the bar area and/or the dining room is available for exclusive hire Mon-Thu and Sunday please speak to Michelle for further information (0412270959).

    Group cancellation policy Group bookings are required to complete out the Mill's booking form.

    Minimum patrons classed as a group 15

  • Private Dining

    Area Capacity Seated Capacity Standing
    Dining Room 50 70
    Bar Area 40 70
    Entire upper floor 70 120
    Dining Room only 45 70
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