Mike and Heather Allen were living in Central Queensland but regularly visiting north-east Victoria when they stumbled on a vacant restaurant on Camp Street in Beechworth. Needing no serendipitous cues, they opened The Press Room Wine Bar in 2014.

The bar is set in the town’s old 1891-built printer, hence the name Press Room. The high-peaked roof makes the dining area feel roomy. The front bar is intimate and cosy. Dreamy jazz fills both rooms, matched by jovial conversation between the tight-knit team and the evening’s patrons.

The latter snack on authentic Spanish tapas, made with local produce and a few essential imports such as paprika, saffron, chorizo and jamon. Hits include oven-roasted padron peppers; cheesy cauliflower croquettas; 24-month-aged jamon ibérico served with fresh figs, goats chevre and basil; and paella to share.

The selection changes every three months, but if you’re lucky, the kitchen will be plating up the renowned bombas – a potato “bomb” filled with chorizo and topped with aioli.

To match, there’s craft beer and a mix of local and European wines.

Explore the High Country further using our detailed Out of Town to the High Country guide.