161 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC
Photo credit Tess Kelly
Celebrating its 25-year anniversary, the European is a venue that seamlessly fuses continental European charm with the city’s vibrancy. Sitting on Spring Street opposite Parliament, it draws in a diverse clientele of locals, visitors, and connoisseurs.
Drawn from their extensive journeys across Europe, Con Christopoulos and Josh Brisbane, founded the European and its upstairs counterpart, the Melbourne Supper Club, in 1998.
Their combined wealth of hospitality experience permeated every aspect of this undertaking, taking inspiration from different parts of Europe in their creation of the venue.
Con was involved in the opening of Degraves Espresso bar and Cafe Segovia. This along with 25 years of tenure at the European, his expertise flavours the dining room, where patrons enjoy dishes like Spaghetti Marinara, 250g Aged Porterhouse ‘au poivre’, or a quick bite of Fried Lamb Brains with gribiche.
Led by Head Chef Peter Sheldon, the team presents a trans-continental European menu, encompassing flavours from France to England, while making delightful stops in the Mediterranean. Departing from fleeting food trends, the menu embraces a timeless approach, prioritising quality ingredients and rich flavours. The exceptional wine list is compiled by Dan Schwarze and Ryan Byrne while being brought to life on the floor by Head Sommeliers, Jack Rathbeger and Jay Bessell.
Just as the menu is a timeless tribute, the interior is eternal. Bentwood chairs, chequerboard floors and wood-panelled walls evoke a classic Parisian bistro. Con and Josh have a personal eye for collecting the décor in the restaurant or have had pieces specially made along the way.
The European’s longevity after 25 years is a testament to its consistently high quality and as well as loyal clientele, even if its occupants across the road change every four years.
Recreate Peter Sheldon's signature recipe -
GRILLED OX TONGUE with escargot à la bordelaise & saltbush
on P.98 in the 2024 edition of Flavours of Australia.
Flavours of Australia
- 92 signature recipes from top Aussie Chefs
- 200 stories about the best chefs and places to eat and drink around Australia
Read the stories of some of Australia's most decorated chefs and rediscover some of our oldest family institutions. Recreate your favourite meals at home and relive your most memorable food experiences with signature recipes from our most coveted restaurants and identities.