Restaurant Banksia
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There are restaurants that make you feel like you’ve gone out for dinner, and then there are restaurants that make you feel like you’ve been invited around the table for a feast. Banksia in Caulfield North falls firmly into the latter category.
Located on the corner of Hawthorn and Balaclava Roads opposite Caulfield Park, this modern Australian neighbourhood restaurant has built its dining experience around one simple idea: great food is best enjoyed together. Its signature $40-per-person “Spread” takes the guesswork out of ordering — guests choose their own main, while the kitchen takes care of house-baked focaccia with fermented mushroom butter and a selection of seasonal sides to share.
Of course, arriving with a plan to stick exclusively to the Spread proved rather optimistic. We couldn’t resist exploring some of the entrées first, beginning with the Golden & Red Beetroot, served with creamy goat’s cheese, macadamia nuts and hot honey. It was a beautifully balanced combination, with the earthy sweetness of the beetroot lifted by the richness of the cheese and the crunch of macadamia.
Next came the Lamb Ribs, accompanied by a black garlic dipping sauce. Tender, flavour-packed and wonderfully moreish, they were exactly the kind of dish that encourages everyone at the table to reach across and have “just one more”.
Then it was time for the mains — and this is where Banksia’s generous philosophy really comes into its own. The Spread currently features options ranging from Victorian barramundi with sorrel and roast capsicum and asparagus and basil risotto with shimeji and king brown mushrooms, through to brisket with onions, remoulade and gochujang, chicken breast with wilted greens and pickled banana peppers, and Wagyu rump with pepper cream sauce.
We went for the Lamb Shoulder (which is a $10 supplement), served with carrots and a white miso lamb jus. The incredibly generous portion of lamb was rich and tender, while the accompanying sides made the meal feel considerably more substantial. Banksia’s sides change with the seasons, but the menu showcases dishes such as twice-cooked potatoes, broccoli grain salad and root vegetable slaw, alongside its house-made focaccia and fermented mushroom butter.
The restaurant’s approach is refreshingly uncomplicated: choose what you want to eat, then let the kitchen bring the rest. It makes Banksia particularly well suited to groups, families and long, lingering dinners where conversation is just as important as what’s on the plate.
And then came dessert — because no feast should end prematurely.
We sampled Eton Mess, a playful combination of textures and sweetness, as well as the White Chocolate Cheesecake with Kefir Lime, whose creamy richness was balanced by the bright citrus notes. Both provided a suitably indulgent finale to the meal. The current dessert menu also includes panna cotta and affogato.
What makes Banksia stand out is that sense of generosity. There is no pretension or unnecessary ceremony; instead, the experience is centred on good produce, thoughtful cooking and food designed to be shared. Expect dishes with influences spanning Indian, Japanese, Italian and Scandinavian cooking, alongside native Australian ingredients and a yakitori charcoal grill.
For Melbourne visitors wanting to venture beyond the CBD, Banksia is a compelling reason to explore Caulfield North. Whether it’s a casual dinner with friends, a family meal or a celebration that calls for plenty of food around the table, this is a restaurant that makes dining feel generous, relaxed and genuinely social.
And if, like us, you arrive intending to “just have dinner” and somehow end up ordering beetroot, lamb ribs, lamb shoulder and two desserts, well… that’s all part of the Banksia experience.
Location: 98 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield North VIC 3161
Phone: 0423 905 835
