Gigibaba

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

I was in Melbourne for the weekend recently and ate here on recommendation. I thought the food was spectacular! We tried pretty much everything and nothing disappointed.

Sep 15, 2010 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

Ok, so the music playing in the background isn't Turkish and neither is the bread but this is modern Turkish. If you want traditional Turkish food go to Sydney Rd.
We arrived early to ensure a table and to avoid a wait. Lots of people were walking in only to be told there was a 30 to 40 minutes wait (depending on the size of the group).

The service was excellent. Food was amazing. We tried just about everything on the menu and it was all fantastic. The kitchen sent out a few complimentary dishes because they learned that we were Turkish. Highlights were the seasalt and wild oregano lamb cutlets and the kofte, which taste just like Nene's.

The food bill was $200 between 4 people. That's excluding alcohol. I was comfortable paying $50 for such a great dining experience. Yes, we could have got all had a banquet at Saray on Sydney road for half the price, but it was great to taste something different and not the usual Turkish fare.

Jun 12, 2010 

3 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     

Save yourself some money and go somewhere where the owners deserve your patronage. Gigibaba's owners clearly have some mates in Melbourne's media as they receive rave reviews in succession but the no booking policy should alert anyone to the fact that these guys are in it for the profit and nothing else. Good food, sure, but so, so, sooo noisy with music blaring (reggae, in a Turkish restaurant?), no fans or air con so everyone is soon sweltering, barely acceptable service with a big attitude, and the prices are eye watering for tiny tiny serves.

Try $11 for taramasalata that comes with some el cheapo bread (no, not even Turkish bread) that barely gets around the table before you run out leaving your tiny bowl of $11 dip to go back to the kitchen. Everything else was also small and while it was all good, it isn't so good that it's worth visiting this place. Really, don't bother.

For better service, ambience and food at a very reasonable price, try Lebanese Talk Of the Town in Glenhuntly rd Elsternwick. Gigibaba is hype and nothing more.

Jan 31, 2010 

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

This restaurant seems all the rage now with its no-booking policy, but I wouldn't wait for it. We arrived early to ensure no waiting. Its a small dining area (only one large table at the back if you're a group of more than 4), but the service was excellent when I went and the decorations are gorgeous.

We ordered the banquet. The plates are tiny though, we only got one plate of each serve for the group, it was piled high and had to do the round. The food is fresh, but unoriginal. Lots of vegetables and salads, small serves of meat and seafood and a tiny piece of dessert. There is a good drinks list. I think its overpriced. For the money spent, I expected to be bursting at the end, but was simply content. There are better valued Turkish/middle Eastern restaurants that offer more inspiring food and less of a wait than Gigibaba.

Jan 15, 2010 

5.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  5     

Although food is very good it was a bit oily and the portions were small for the price. Almond baklava was divine but was way too small for the price (roughly 2 cm by 2 cms!). Decor is amazing but the service needs to be worked on.

Dec 10, 2009 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Finally scored a spot at the bar! Service attentive, polite, with a bit of sass thrown in as well. Excellent cocktails. Great range of mid-price wines as a glass, 300ml, 500ml, or bottle.

Recommend the banquet highly as a way of trying as much as possible. Yes the serves are small, but we had 25 courses to get through! Some weren't on the menu. All were good, and I could have the spinach borek with the poached egg for breakfast as well.

What stood out was the sheer freshness of the produce, and the great flavour of fresh herbs and seasonings. This is very special. Don't get me started on the no-booking policy. Arrive at 6, or be prepared to leave a number, its well worth it!

May 18, 2009 

3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  2     

I agree, Gigibaba is quite possibly Melbourne's most overrated eatery! I was waiting for a few friends and asked accusingly why I was sitting at the bar even though I had ordered a drink?! The staff were pretentious and unhelpful, way too cool for school and I felt very unwelcome.

The food was way over priced for the portion sizes, we got home and had to make some toast even though we'd spent $80 each, including wine. Also my friend was ill the next day from the overkill of garlic and oil in the food. When I handed over a wad of cash to settle the bill as we were leaving, the guy didn't even look up to give eye contact and say thank you! I was so tempted to walk out without paying!

Really don't see what all the fuss is about, at least in other places that charge that much for such small servings the staff are friendly and attentive. We won't be coming here again and don't recommend it either!

May 14, 2009 

3.8 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  1     

Please Please don't wait an hour or two for a seat here, you're not missing out on much. You will probably not see a Turkish person eat here because they're eating exactly the same food down Sydney road. I can't understand the fuss, someone's hyped the place and everyone thinks this place is soooo cool. Great decor, the music flit up and down in volume. Extremely small and boring portions, expensive for what you get. Food you can cook at home. Yes the bread was very thin and not much of it. I am bewildered what no belly dance with my set menu?

Feb 28, 2009 

6 Average

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  5      Value  1     

Could serves be any smaller? One tablespoon of hommos for $6! Two bites of chicken for $16. Food was sensational but, this was ridiculous. We asked for some bread and received 2 paper thin slices of a baguette. The waiters did their job well just going through the motions, not a smile, no love for the food there. We had to ask about specials, the waiters did not even mention them. What a shame with such great food. Although it was delicious, there was not enough on a small dish to share and still savour the food. A disappointing experience.

Feb 15, 2009 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

What a gem of a find! Go in, leave your name and number, have a drink and wait for them to call you back! The food was delicious, each dish displaying fresh, intense flavour. Make sure you order the prawns and the housemade sausage! You need to order quite a few dishes to eat as a dinner, otherwise a fabulous place for a drink and tapas.

Jan 23, 2009