Agraba
LEBANESE
63 ERROL STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 0058 • MAP P.286
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–SUN 11.30AM–10PM
ENTREES $7.50–$9, MAINS $9.50–$14.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
A vow to vinyl. North Melbourne is home to a new bar and restaurant with an attractive spin. Agraba is all about Lebanese and LPs, and invites wax worshippers to bring along their own records for a turn on the wheel. The ‘if we dig it, then we’ll spin it’ spirit works well in the restaurant’s small, cosy surrounds. The enchanting lamps, treasure-like wares and richly coloured walls create the perfect ambience to share music and mezze. The menu offers a mouth-watering selection of traditional Lebanese dishes, with an emphasis on fresh and flavoursome ingredients. The one-woman wonder in the kitchen whips up an array of dishes to satisfy both animal lovers and animal eaters. Picking a favourite dish may prove difficult – is it the wholesome vine leaves filled with rice and finely chopped vegetables? Or the hearty lamb kafta burgers on Lebanese rice with tahini and pinenuts? Let one of the charming staff chat you into a cocktail or stick with the theme and sample a wine or beer all the way from Lebanon.
Akita
JAPANESE
CORNER COURTNEY AND BLACKWOOD STREETS, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9326 5766 • MAP P.286
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2.50 A HEAD
OPEN MON–FRI NOON–2PM, 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $8.50–$13, MAINS $12–$29, DESSERTS $3–$7
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Melbourne is full of quality Japanese food, thanks in part to restaurants like Akita, where chef and owner Toshio Furuhashi has been serving up authentic dishes for over thirty years. A multi-award winner, Akita’s high-quality produce, seasonal ingredients and traditional Japanese flavours ensure the restaurant is a consistent crowd-pleaser. Although you can order a three-course meal, many love Akita for its large range of dishes which are designed to be shared; the waitresses are happy to make recommendations. Anyone who has lived in Japan will appreciate the shabu shabu, wafer-thin slices of meat cooked in broth at the table. Vegetarians are well catered for with quality tofu dishes and tempura, and there is also a fresh sushi and sashimi bar. The wine menu is limited, with a couple of Japanese beers and a handful of sake options, but BYO is most welcome. Akita is small and the hushed atmosphere feels a little stuffy, but the quality of the food and friendliness of the kimono-clad waitresses keep North Melbourne diners coming back again and again; bookings are highly recommended.
The Courthouse
CONTEMPORARY
86–90 ERROL STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 5394 • MAP P.286
LICENSED & LIMITED BYO
OPEN MON–SAT NOON–3PM, 6PM–10PM, SUN NOON–3PM
ENTREES $17–$22, MAINS $30–$38, DESSERTS $8–$28
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
A pioneer of the gastropub phenomenon, the Courthouse has been serving fine food in an old-school brown brick pub setting since way back in 2002. The front bar matches the pub’s exterior – simple, utilitarian, the kind of place where blokes in Hard Yakka gear and steel-cap boots wouldn’t look out of place. But the restaurant is a completely different story. The look here is art deco classique – wood panelling, ceiling roses and angels clutching the lampshades. The food is classic to match. Simple European (mostly French) fare that makes the most of local and in-season ingredients, with just enough fuss and bother to make it pretty special. The Courthouse does have BYO – but not the kind that means you can bring your $7 bottle of Queen Adelaide. Oh no, BYO here means the finest dusty bottle from your cellar, cracked open for a very special occasion. The kitchen announces a menu and you bring the wine to match. Oh la la!
Hallah
KOREAN
268 VICTORIA STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 4293 • MAP P.286
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $4 A HEAD
OPEN DAILY 5.30PM–1AM
ENTREES $5–$12.50, MAINS $12.50–$38, DESSERTS $6
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Hallah is known as the Korean person’s restaurant, and this says a lot. As one of the ever-increasing number of Korean restaurants in Melbourne, it has a well-rounded menu offering all the popular dishes of this cuisine, with some flavours straight from the old country and others with a Western fusion. Those eager for a traditional Korean experience, complete with sunken barbecue in each table, can go straight to the top floor to sit among fellow grillers. If you’re unfamiliar with how it works, the helpful staff are happy to show you how to cook and enjoy the meat. If you’re after more of a regular dining experience, the bottom floor caters to those ordering à la carte. Their famous deep-fried spicy dragon chicken is an absolute must for chilli lovers looking for an alternative to the local KFC. Unfortunately Korean cuisine isn’t vegetarian-friendly and this is reflected in the menu. But for those with no dietary restrictions, this is great food at a great price.
Libertine
FRENCH
500 VICTORIA STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 5228 • MAP P.286
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–SAT NOON–3PM, 6PM–10PM
ENTREES $19, MAINS $36, DESSERTS $15.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
The small doorway is dimly lit; the door is heavy. But once inside you enter another time, another place, another continent. Libertine is the perfect setting for a special evening. Soft light spills from chandeliers to bathe the small dining room in a warm glow that immediately puts you at ease. Libertine eschews the cool minimalist pretension of many high-end French restaurants for substance and richness. It is sophisticated elegance with a French charm. You don’t just eat at Libertine, you savour – the food and the experience. The seasonal menu is simple and selective, but each dish is beautifully unique. Single price points for entrees, mains, desserts and sides encourage you to focus on the food, not the price. The professional, knowledgeable and respectful staff expertly guide you through the more intricate ingredients making you feel like they’re sharing old secret recipes. Their kind and thoughtful manner encourages questions so you can make informed choices to delight your palate. As the door closes slowly behind you and you step onto the sidewalk, you’ll already be planning your return.
Sosta Cucina
ITALIAN
12 ERROL STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 2882 • MAP P.286
LICENSED
OPEN TUES–SUN NOON–10PM
ENTREES $7–$19, MAINS $17–$37, DESSERTS $12–$16
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
In case you haven’t already discovered it, Errol Street has become one of Melbourne’s most interesting strips in recent years, and in the heart of it is Sosta Cucina, the baby of Maurice Santucci, a well-known chef of more than twenty-five years’ standing. Like several other great Italian restaurants around town – Ladro and Mess Hall spring to mind – Sosta Cucina has perfected an elegant dining experience since it opened in 2007, complete with contemporary decor, a simple and hearty northern Italian–inspired menu and informative staff with wine knowledge second to none, all at reasonable prices. Sosta Cucina has everything you would expect, plus a bit more. The menu is seasonal and constantly evolving. The deboned roasted baby chicken, stuffed with walnuts and pancetta and served on a wild mushroom ragu, for example, sits among more traditional fare like a vegetarian risotto infused with herbs from Maurice’s garden. And if it’s Italian wine you’re after, look no further. While the prices are at the higher end of the scale, you get what you pay for.
Urbany
ITALIAN
364 VICTORIA STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 6652 • MAP P.286
LICENSED
OPEN TUES & SAT 6PM–LATE, WED–FRI NOON–3PM, 6PM-LATE
ENTREES $7-$12, MAINS $15-$17, DESSERTS $9
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
There’s a simple recipe to the Italian wood-fire pizza cafe: make it warm, make it comfortable, make it casual – just make sure it feels like a night out. Enter Urbany, a soothing dark-wood space with big communal tables and comfy little booths for you to commune with risotto, pasta or, their speciality, wood-fire pizza. It’s a casual affair with a distinctly chic flair: arty industrial light fittings make rustic allusions along with a big wood-fire oven in the corner, but sleek finishes like cushioned booths make it a perfect place to gather with a big group. The menu includes a solid range of traditional favourites plus a specials board – chilli mussels, anyone? – meaning it’s varied enough for plenty of options, and compact enough to keep it nice and simple. Get started with salt and pepper calamari rings and move on to the hot salami pizza with bocconcini, chilli and basil or, for the $12 lunch special, get any small pizza, pasta or risotto with a pot, house wine or soft drink.
Warung Agus
BALINESE
305 VICTORIA STREET, WEST MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 1737 • MAP P.286
LICENSED
OPEN THURS–SUN 6PM–LATE
ENTREES $6–$16, MAINS $19–$36, DESSERTS $8–$10
VISA, MC, AMEX
Since 1989, the family-run, family-friendly Warung Agus has been sharing incredible Balinese food with the people of Melbourne. Traditionally, a warung is a casual place, where people stop by to grab their lunch as they go about their daily business. But this warung is something a bit special. Much cheaper than even an on-sale Jetstar flight to Denpasar, a meal at this restaurant can give you a serious break from the real world and a taste of the rich, warm and relaxed Balinese foodie culture. The menu is ideal for groups of people who all have their own weird food things. Vegan? No worries. Glutenfree? Not a problem. The only one left out would be your peanut-allergic Uncle Fred, because satay is the order of the day, every day. And the satay is truly delicious … Sorry, Uncle Fred. From the petal-strewn footpath outside to the brightly coloured decorations and incredibly friendly service, Warung Agus will put a smile on your face and make you feel like you’ve been on a holiday – just without the terrible hairbraids.
TOP 10 REAL MEAL DEALS
CHAMPAGNE TASTE ON A BEER BUDGET? MELBOURNE’S BEST RESTAURANTS HAVE YOU COVERED. YOU JUST NEED TO KNOW WHEN AND HOW TO SPEND YOUR HARD-EARNED TO MAKE IT GO THE DI STANCE.
The Tuesday Night Chef’s Table is your best chance to sample chef Ben Shewry’s newest creations over five courses for under $100.
The signature burger is legendary, as is its owner and chef Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson. With most dishes under $20, this is an expensive burger barn but very affordable fine diner.
Each weeknight features a different plat du jour with a glass of wine and salad for just $32. Check the website for details and book ahead. So Frenchy, so cheap!
The Cellar Bar, Grossi Florentino
The Grossi Florentino shopfront is a flash point on the Melbourne dining scene. Most plates are under $20, and you never know who you might encounter enjoying a pasta or vino.
The front bar of this classy venue offers a more affordable alternative to the celebrated fine dining room out back. From the charcuterie to the grill, expect pub favourites with panache.
The pre-theatre tasting menu is a steal at $65 for four courses – you’ve just got to be out by 7.30pm. Express lunches Monday to Friday include three courses and a glass of wine for just $55.
Little Press and Cellar
72 FLINDERS STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9677 9677
LICENSED
OPEN MON–FRI 7AM–LATE, SAT & SUN NOON–LATE
ENTREES $4.50–$26, MAINS $32–$46, DESSERTS $3.50–$14
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
The cellar bar of food magnate George Calombaris’s Press Club serves express lunches and mezethakia snack plates till late.
Serving spectacular Italian fare with wine to match, the Melbourne Wine Room is reasonably priced and generously served on any given night. But keep an eye on the specials board for the real bargains.
Chef Paul Cooper’s dedication to seasonal and nose-to-tail dining means the menu changes regularly – reflecting the abundance of the season. All-you-can-eat Mussel Mondays in summer are hard to beat.
Another Neil Perry experience, the Waiting Room lets you sample some of the Rockpool magic without the price tag. More bar than restaurant, the tapas menu is a neat little insight into what goes on next door and will keep your stomach lined for another cocktail.
Wooga Korean Restaurant
KOREAN
270 VICTORIA STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9328 1221 • MAP P.286
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $3 A HEAD
OPEN MON–FRI 5.30PM–10.30PM, SAT & SUN NOON–3PM, 5.30PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $3.50–$8.50, MAINS $11–$18
VISA, MC, EF TPOS
With Korean food gaining popularity, there are quite a few eateries appearing around Melbourne that serve this distinctive Asian cuisine. No longer the new kid on the block, Wooga has now been open long enough to have established itself as one of the better restaurants in town. They specialise in Korean-style barbecue, so each table is equipped to host a grill in the centre, and the staff assist you in cooking your selected cut of meat to perfection. While barbecued beef and pork are the main talking points here, there is still a large selection of traditional Korean fare on offer, though unfortunately vegetarian mains are limited. The best way to enjoy a variety of dishes is to order one of the combo sets, which serve about four people and provide you with a choice of meat for the barbecue as well as a number of other dishes, such as spicy hot pot or soup to complement it. Bubbling with energy, Wooga is an excellent choice for enjoying a comfortable meal out with friends.
Oskar
PIZZA
1 ERROL STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 1585 • MAP P.286
LICENSED
OPEN DAILY 5PM–11PM
ENTREES $6–$13, MAINS $12.50–$25, DESSERTS $6.50–$11
VISA, MC, AMEX
There are many perfect meals in the world and, not to detract from anybody’s seafoam-poached duck eggs, one of them has got to be a crispy quail and pancetta pizza at a pavement table on a warm evening at Oskar’s, watching the sky go dark and the life wander past on Errol Street. Oskar’s indoor space is about the size of a postage stamp, so the restaurant has expanded onto the footpath under the Victorian awning, even installing a small outdoor counter and bar stools so diners can watch the street. Pizzas arrive on wire stands, which serve no purpose other than bringing them pleasantly closer to nose height. Oskar’s pizzas are magnificently thin and crispy, meaning that not only do they crackle satisfyingly towards the edges, but you don’t leave feeling like a sack of cement. There’s even a couple with fresh rocket piled on after cooking, a gluten-free pizza, and some luscious veg options – it’s hard to sneer at a mushroom and taleggio pizza with truffle oil.
Toodouri
KOREAN
260 VICTORIA STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 5556 • MAP P.286
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $3 A HEAD
OPEN DAILY 6PM–LATE
SHARE PLATES $18–$40
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
It is an old adage that if you want to find authentic cuisine, you should eat where the locals do. When you wander into this hole-in-the-wall eatery, tucked away near the Queen Victoria Market in the city fringe, the first thing you notice are the hordes of Korean students cramped around their stainlesssteel tables, along with the reassuring smell of barbecued meat, chilli and spices. While Toodouri may be one of the umpteen Korean barbecue restaurants scattered through the CBD, and very similar to the popular Wooga next door, it is a cut above the average. Toodouri offers an affordable menu of authentic Korean, from the charcoal meats cooked before your eyes on the barrel-style tables to the pork belly, the spicy kimchi, the delicious marinated beef bulgolgi and the pan-fried Korean-style gyoza dumplings.
Town Hall Hotel
PUB
FOOD 33 ERROL STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9328 1983 • MAP P.286
LICENSED
OPEN MON–THURS 4PM–1AM, FRI NOON–1AM, SAT & SUN 10AM–1AM
ENTREES $4.50–$9, MAINS $9–$19, DESSERTS $6
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
The Town Hall Hotel is one of the longest standing and most popular pubs in North Melbourne – a clear local favourite. The pub itself is a refitted second-hand shop, plastered in music posters from the ’70s and a lamp collector’s dream, so you’re likely to find the student crowd scattered among uni lecturers having pints and eating burgers. Most of the crowd here are smokers, so the beer garden (located through the kitchen) is usually heavily occupied and if you’re sticking around for a meal it’s best to get in early. The beauty of this pub is that it is one of the old-school stayers, with sticky carpet, a lot of noise, a bit of attitude and a familiar feel which translates to the food. You’re always likely to grab a pint, have a burger, pie or parma and leave fully satisfied. Most of the locals don’t eat past these items, but you can just as easily enjoy a barramundi special or a mushroom and bacon pasta.
Prudence
BAR
368 VICTORIA STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 9267 • MAP P.286
OPEN DAILY 3.30PM–1AM
BEERS $4.50–$12, WINES $7.50–$9.50, COCKTAILS $9–$19, FOOD $3.50–$15
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Take pleasure in procrastination and pints? Prudence is the perfect haven to idle the hours away. Housed in a double-storey Victorian terrace, this charming bar offers a selection of seating to cater to couples, cliques and clans. Perch at the bar with a pinot, nestle into a booth with a cocktail, lounge upstairs with a liqueur or laugh loudly in the courtyard with a jug. A thirst for something more wholesome? Spread out on a laminex table with a hot chocolate and scatter the surface with a game of Scrabble. Order a drink from the friendly bar staff, decide upon a seat to suit your mood and soak up all the quirks and charms that add to the uniqueness of this bar. Catch eyes with Tom Waits and other displays of eclectic treasures, radiate in the dim lighting and rich textured walls, and unwind to the nostalgic collection of tunes. Enjoy.
Red Monkey Tea House
BAR
470 VICTORIA STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
(03) 9326 7572 • MAP P.286
OPEN WED & THURS 6PM–11PM, FRI & SAT 3PM–1AM, SUN 3PM–11PM
BEERS $6–$9, WINES $5–$9, COCKTAILS $13–$19, FOOD $6.50–$19
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
The last few decades have seen North Melbourne shed the working-class image it’s held since the 1800s and become quite the cosmopolitan locale. Part of that is an ‘if you build it, they will come’ mentality, and the area’s bars have done a lot to hasten that gentrification. Red Monkey Tea House is one such bar. A melange of Asian and Eastern influences, the Monkey caters to those after a casual beer or wine, with the choice of the latter dictated by seasonal varietals. Luckily, their house spirits are the usual suspects, ensuring staff can cover most cocktail requests. Of course, if you’re there for the collectable kitsch or the beer garden, you’re not likely to care about the style of red wine in your glass, or the missing garnish in your Singapore Sling. It’s the atmosphere and the friendly staff that win over the hearts of many in the area, and will no doubt do the same to yours.
GREASE IS THE WORD
SOME OCCASIONS CALL FOR HOT CHIPS. OTHERS FOR SOUVLAKIS. SOMETIMES ONLY A BURGER WILL DO. WHATEVER YOUR VICE, HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST GREASE PEDDLERS.
Andrew’s is a local legend and has served good old-fashioned meat in a bun to generations of Melburnians. This vintage joint has moved with the times and now serves up vegie burgers as well as the classic beef, steak and chicken versions.
Danny’s Burgers
360 ST GEORGES ROAD, FITZROY NORTH • (03) 9481 5847 •
UNLICENSED • OPEN SUN–THURS NOON–2AM, FRI & SAT
NOON–3AM • ENTREES $8–$10, MAINS $9.80–$20 • CASH ONLY
If Andrew is Melbourne’s southside burger legend, then Danny is his northside buddy, having served equally authentic greasies for decades. Nightbirds can dine on old-school burgers, chips and other deep-fried goodies well into the wee hours.
Hook Line & Sinker
91 KINGSWAY, GLEN WAVERLEY • (03) 9561 6664 •
WWW.HLSFISHANDCHIPS.COM.AU • LICENSED • OPEN
DAILY 11AM–11PM • ENTREES $1–$8.50, MAINS $5.20–$16,
DESSERTS $3 • ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
A modern version of your old fish’n’chippery, this joint delivers when it comes to taste, crunch and belly-filling goodness, prepared by a wise old chipper from way back. Choose from fish and chips, skewers, burgers and souvas, or go for a classic Chiko Roll. You can even order by email.
Try the ‘sliced ham, sliced turkey, three cheeses, drop of mustard, three slices of bread all dipped in an egg batter, deep-fried, dusted with powdered sugar and a large scoop of raspberry jam’ and you’ve got yourself a genuine American fast-food experience.
Ol’ School Fish ’n’ Chips
566 BRUNSWICK STREET, FITZROY NORTH • 03) 9489 9083
• UNLICENSED • OPEN MON NOON–2PM, 5PM–8PM, WED
NOON–2PM, 4PM–8PM, THURS–SUN NOON–2PM, 4PM–9PM
• SNACKS $0.50–$3, MAINS $5–$8 • CASH ONLY
Hand-cut and more than a centimetre thick, these crisp, fried soldiers are even cooked in a separate fryer for bona fide vegetarians. Potato cakes are made on the premises too.