Citrine Bistro & Bar

We came to this little gem by chance during our gateway to the Dandenong Ranges and we were so pleased that we did!

We had the seafood linguine and the red sauce ragu, both were just fantastic, the fresh linguine with anchovy, lemon, caper etc just opened up our appetite, it is light and fresh in contrast to the ragu which is rich, intense and hearty. The pecorino on top is just perfect for the sauce!

The manager or maybe the owner was so friendly and gave us very helpful advice, the service was just fantastic.

Thank you for a wonderful experience!

Lovely place in the hills. If you after delicious food in and atmospheric space with delightful service you are at the right spot. Everything we had was delicious and I loved that they had one of my favorite wines from Spain onnthe wine list. Happy to go back any time.

Another great hills restaurant these are my favourite reviews one that I can be totally honest of my experience. I rung Rob the owner today and made booking for tonight good communication easy no fuss. Front of house was Michael welcoming our arrival next front of house set up the restaurant has a very classy high end feel. Today must be my lucky day it was freezing in the hills tonight with a thick fog. Guess what we got the fireplace set , now that was perfect nothing beats a real timber open fire 🔥 burning at just the perfect temperature 🤩 Next was Enarie on table service happy and polite. The complementary bread roll was a perfect baked sourdough roll with small amount of rock salt very tasty 👅 For a dink I had the Blue mountains cider a nice drop, my wife and me are not big eater so we shared the stuff crumbed mushrooms for entree & for mains we shared the seafood linguine I really don’t need to review that the photos speaks for themselves, we also shared a leaf salad and shoe string fries.Also on table service was Aurora a smiiley beautiful natured young lady with great customer relations. My overall rating of this fine establishment is 5✨and food was a high 6 stars ⭐ ✨🌟the cost for quality all round was very good shared meals 1 alcohol and 1 coffee under $100 and walked out full. City folk do yourselves a favour and drive up to Dandenong ranges and support our fine local eateries you will be very happy you did 🥰😊

Sensational, hard hitting flavours, with people dedicated to high quality is how I'm describing this jewel of the hill. Service is incredibly warm and attentive without being over the top. The food is beyond delicious! So much care taken on every dish we were served. Clearly the chef is well connected and can source quality produce. Love the decor, the wooly cow is my favourite! What an experience, thank you. Will definitely be back with a crowd.

Not food related, but a huge, massive plus for this place is free private parking!!! In Olinda this is gold!! Love it.

Our recent visit to Citrine Bistro & Bar in Olinda was nothing short of exceptional. This charming restaurant truly exceeded our expectations and provided a dining experience that was both elevated and authentic.
The moment we stepped into the restaurant, we knew we had discovered a little gem nestled in the heart of Olinda village.
The ambiance was delightful, with the venue filled with natural light and a serene outdoor seating area at the front. Surrounded by towering gum trees, we couldn't have asked for a more picturesque setting to enjoy our meal.
The menu at Citrine Bistro & Bar offers a fantastic selection of fresh and contemporary dishes that showcase the best of seasonal produce. The calamari fritti with green salad and lemon aioli was a perfect start, with the calamari perfectly crispy and flavourful. The heirloom tomato and fresh buffalo mozzarella salad was a refreshing and vibrant dish that showcased the quality of the ingredients.
For the main course, I opted for the grilled flat iron steak, a 250g grass-fed beef served with a layered potato cake, braised cabbage, and a delectable red wine and peppercorn jus. The steak was cooked to perfection, tender and juicy, while the accompaniments added layers of flavour to each bite.
To end our meal on a sweet note, we indulged in the Valencia orange creme Catalan, and it was a true delight. The creamy texture and the subtle citrus notes made it a fitting conclusion to an incredible dining experience.
Apart from the fantastic food, the friendly and attentive service added an extra touch to the overall experience. With its relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance, exceptional cuisine, and warm hospitality, this restaurant creates an unforgettable dining experience.
I highly recommend visiting Citrine Bistro & Bar when you find yourself in the Dandenong Ranges. Prepare to be captivated by the magic of this hidden gem in the heart of Olinda.

One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. The steak was exceptional … perfectly cooked to medium rare and with flavours that made every bite pop in your mouth. I would have gone back the next night and had the exact same thing again except that my partner wanted to try another restaurant! Also the atmosphere was calm and quiet (love that in a restaurant!) and the service was exceptional.

What a delightful find in the heart of the hills. Passion and flair combine in a gorgeous French bistro menu. We had the steak with peppercorn sauce, wafer thin, golden buttery crisp potato galette and a seasonal green salad with baby broad beans, spring peas and pea tendrils. Stacks up against any French bistro Melbourne restaurant with added charm of location and service. A must go!

Cosy little place. The food was absolutely beautiful. Service was fantastic. Highly recommend, will definitely be back.

We had a fantastic lunch here today. Everything we ordered tasted wonderful!The portion sizes for all of the dishes were generous. The cider roasted pork cheek entree was tender, full of flavour, and perfectly balanced with the apple and wallnuts. The ragu was rich and hearty, with lots of delicious meat throughout the fresh pasta. The mushroom risotto with Tasmanian truffle (the special of the day, and not usually on the menu) was spectacular and one of the best risottos I have ever had...

The the house pinot nior was very nice and so affordable!

The service from all staff was super friendly and warm. We were told the new owners took over the place only 4 weeks ago. They have done an amazing job!

We seriously couldn't fault the place! My partner and I can't wait to go back, and we will definitely be spreading the word amongst our friends!

Everything was just perfect! From our waiter to the food we ate, desert, wine, environment. I’d definitely recommend it and we’re looking forward to coming back!

A beautiful midweek dinner for our friends visiting from the UK. I had the red duck curry and two of the others had the tortellini. The food was incredible and the service was of a high standard too. Our waitress paid attention to everything (she even changed our wine glasses when we went from one style of white wine to another). She was calm and friendly. The atmosphere of the restaurant was fantastic too with just the right lighting and warmth.

Citrine Bistro offers a perfect blend of sophistication and comfort. The staff are warm and welcoming, contributing to the homely feel. The menu resonates with this feeling of comfort, featuring dishes such as cider roasted pork and red sauce ragu. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was relaxed. We had a great time and can't wait to go back.

Went there for Brunch on Sunday with my family. Best eggs royale that I have had. Beautiful home made hollandaise sauce and topped with Yarra Valley pearls. Well crafted coffee and beautifully presented.

This restaurant bats well above it's price point. I had the seafood linguine and rate it the best I've ever had. We celebrated our 29th anniversary and the staff simply wonderful.

Lovely place with friendly staff.

The environment is exceptional.

Food is great too, fresh ingredients and well dressed.

Easy access parking across the road. The staff were welcoming and helpful, friendly without being encroaching. The tables were nicely set up with good space between them and nice views out of the windows. Service was well paced. The food was seasonal and beyond delicious!!! There was a good selection of drinks to accompany the meal. Would definitely go again.

Citrine is a true culinary treasure. The food is fantastic, and the atmosphere is captivating. The red sauce ragu is a meat lover's dream, bursting with flavors. The orange cream brulee (crema catalana) is a divine dessert. Citrine offers an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you wanting more.

My hubby and I have pondered long and hard about writing this review. We have been really reluctant to but feel it would be a massive disservice to others if we don't, so here goes...

Citrine Olinda is AH-MAH-ZING!

Throw every twee idiom at them you like... "hidden gem", "head and shoulders", "bees knees", "cut above the rest" and then throw some more because the service, food and atmosphere far surpass any local eatery in the ranges and valley that we have experienced to date. And we like eat out at nice places.

It's fancy, but not. It's cosy but open, fine dining with a relaxed twist and excellent value for money. Chef will often pop out to say hello or serve a meal if needs be.

But by far, the clincher for us is Michael, the Maître D; funny, respectful and discreetly attentive. He is gracious and courteous and seemingly unflappable - nothing is too much to ask.

Citrine Olinda is honest and humble and we are so glad we stumbled upon it.

An Upmarket Gem In The Dandenongs
'Citrine' is our 'go to' touch of class - among several excellent restaurants - in the Dandenong Ranges.
We love the window seat at the end of the bar where it's a little quieter and we tend to arrive early about 6pm before it gets busy.
The nicely arranged tables have white tablecloths (covered in brown paper to keep them white) and vintage cutlery and crockery - possible op-shop, but it gives the restaurant an upmarket feel.
The menu is limited but quite varied, focusing on a handful of excellent dishes, rather than a long list.
Last Saturday, my partner had the amazing Salmon Tartine - house cured salmon, avocado, creme fraiche, radish, herbs, pearls on smoked dark rye bread.
I went for my usual fried Calamari on green salad with lemon aioli. Unusually, my partner gave me a taste of her salmon. My calamari was delicious, the salmon sensational.
Our Citrine bread - with just the perfect amount of salt - arrived to mop-up the juices and we took a breather for the mains.
We loved the entree Cider Roasted Pork Cheek with poached apple, candied walnuts and micro herb apple slaw, so much that we often have it as a main course. Filling, tasty and yummy.
For desserts my partner had the Valencia Orange Creme Catalan and I couldn't go past the Kahlua Afogato.
A previous Berry Melange was excellent.
With a bottle of sparkling mineral water and three glasses of Australian champagne the bill came to nearly $200 for two.
The best in the Hills.

Splendid and divine were the words used after our meal. The steak was almost an inspiration to quit my job and follow the chef to learn their mastery.