Melbourne

Embla

122 Russell Street, Melbourne CBD

★ Christian McCabe's city institution, Dave Verheul wood-fired cooking, Patrick Sullivan & Eric Narioo wine curation, "dark, moody, exactly what Melbourne does best"

Bar Liberty

234 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

★ Ex-Attica team (Bascetta, Harris Plane, Wall), 10-year institution, organic/biodynamic focus, snail butter flatbread, "Melbourne wine bar has become its own genre"

Marion

53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

★ Andrew McConnell's sophisticated local, 50 Best Discovery, 20+ wines by glass, Croatian zagorje grapes, minimal intervention section, Cutler & Co sibling

Glou

172-174 Gertrude Street, Collingwood

★ Sustainable wine dispensary, 16 rotating taps, refillable bottles, closed-loop system, 30% price reduction through sustainability, barrel-to-you direct

Old Palm Liquor

133B Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Natural wine focus, daily changing list, classic comfortable setting, local seasonal produce, 7 days 12pm-late, vinyl vibes

Waxflower

366a Brunswick Street, Brunswick

★ Listening bar concept (Tokyo kissa style), wine & vinyl, custom wooden speakers, dadinhos de tapioca, natural wine focus, audiophile haven

Neighbourhood Wine

1 Reid Street, Fitzroy North

Seasonal simplicity, minimal intervention wines, provenance-focused, $75 four-course wine matching, lo-fi practices, 12pm-late daily

Hope St Radio

35 Johnston Street, Collingwood (Collingwood Yards)

★ Community radio + wine bar, live broadcasts from communal table, minimal intervention drops, Kenny Lover desserts, former metalworks studio, colorful doodle walls

Poodle Bar & Bistro

81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Art Deco grandeur, 1930s-inspired bar, steak frites, checkered floors, mirrored cocktail bar upstairs, European brasserie vibes, "divisive but vibey"

Myrtle Wine Bar

15 Warburton Lane, CBD

Native Australian produce, Australian-only wine list, seasonal menu, native ingredients focus, CBD laneway hideaway

Love, Tilly Devine (Coming to Melbourne?)

Sydney export (watch this space)

Sydney laneway icon expanding south, natural wine pioneer, 400+ bottles, moody & romantic (Note: Currently Sydney-based)

Gracie's Wine Room

27 Toorak Road, South Yarra

DIY reno to cult following, 140 seats, orange wines fan favorite, lobster rolls, TikTok-famous, lush courtyard

Don's Wine Bar

202 Commercial Road, Prahran

Warm unpretentious atmosphere, friend's place vibe, pét-nats & chilled reds focus, no heavy meals just snacks, across from Prahran Market

Bahama Gold

480 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Lockdown delivery turned bar, 12-seat cozy space, pét-nats & orange wines, Malaysian chef Jane Low, bar-curated vinyl, small plates

Smith & Daughters

175 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

★ Shannon Martinez plant-based institution, hatted, bold flavors, natural wine pairings, "de facto living room" for locals, Social Club iteration

Embla Restaurant

122 Russell Street, CBD

Wood-fired coven, flame grilling & fermenting, sour cucumber with dill, roast chicken acclaim, Lesa upstairs sister venue, Obamas & Lewis Hamilton visited

Bar Liberty Dining

234 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Bucatini cacio e pepe legacy, sugarloaf cabbage, flathead meuniere, Bavarian cream dessert, ever-changing seasonal menu

Marion Dining Room

53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Mussels with spicy nduja, freshwater crayfish in miso butter, Meatsmith charcuterie, daily changing menu, cheese & tart desserts

Auterra Wine Bar

536 Malvern Road, Armadale

Clinton McIver (ex-Amaru), chilled-out companion to fine dining, afternoon wines, cute dates, lazy Sunday lunches

Capitano

421 Rathdowne Street, Carlton

Italian-American, grandma-style pizza, Michael Bascetta (Bar Liberty), cult status, CBD-adjacent

Carlton Wine Room

172-174 Faraday Street, Carlton

Three-level Victorian pub, expansive wine list, neighborhood institution, "flexible, well-designed, mid-priced diner"

Cumulus Inc.

45 Flinders Lane, CBD

Andrew McConnell, all-day dining, extensive wine list, Flinders Lane institution, wine bar vibes

Gimlet at Cavendish House

33 Russell Street, CBD

Andrew McConnell, European grand café, martini service, wood-fired grill, late-night dining

Blackhearts & Sparrows

Multiple locations (Fitzroy, Brunswick East, Richmond, CBD, etc.)

★ Melbourne institution since 2006, "Wine for the People," minimal intervention pioneers, $20 "School Night Wines" to rare magnums, seven inner-city stores

Glou Wine Shop

172-174 Gertrude Street, Collingwood

Refillable bottle system, sustainable focus, takeaway wine, 30% cheaper through reduced waste, direct winemaker relationships

Cult of the Vine

Melbourne (various)

Natural wine specialists, organic focus, community-driven, educational tastings

Act of Wine

22 Fanning Street, Southbank

CBD bottle shop, pét-nat specialists, free delivery over $99, extensive natural selection

The Alps

Fitzroy North

Natural wine shop, local & international, small producers, knowledgeable staff

La Cave Garage

Melbourne

French-focused natural wine, European imports, intimate tastings

Lesa

Level 1, 122 Russell Street, CBD

Embla's upstairs sister, set menu format, refined natural wine pairings, intimate dining room

Falco Bakery

288 Smith Street, Collingwood

Sourdough & pastries by day, natural wine by night, community spot, Michael Bascetta connection

The Reset Mother

Fitzroy

Natural wine bar & bottle shop, minimal intervention focus, local producers, relaxed atmosphere

10 William St (Fratelli Paradiso)

10 William Street, Paddington (Sydney)

Sydney's OG natural wine bar, orange wine specialists, Melbourne crowd favorite

Patrick Sullivan Wines

Gippsland, VIC

Natural wine maker, available at Embla & top Melbourne venues, Yarra Valley & Gippland icon

Lucy M

Adelaide Hills

Anton van Klopper's natural wines, pét-nats, available throughout Melbourne, cult status