16 Top Chefs on the Best Wine Bars and Restaurants for a Snack and a Glass

There’s no shortage of places to pop in for a snack and a glass of something in Melbourne. But in a city known for its wine bars, trying to decide where to go is no small task. To help narrow down the seemingly endless options, we’ve asked some of the city’s best chefs for their recs.

Kate Reid, Lune

It would be hard for me to go past Apollo Inn. You can go to so many places in Melbourne for a good drink and snack, but Apollo Inn only has snacks – and delicious ones at that! If you want a full meal, you’re basically eating a meal of snacks – and I have no problem with that situation!

Junda Khoo, Ho Jiak

Embla is great for little bites and great wines. For me, I usually order the sausage, fish of the day and cheese platter. But what I particularly enjoy there is pretty much ordering what I feel like from the menu and leaving it to the team to pick the wine or cocktail that’ll go with the food.

Gareth Whitton, Tarts Anon

Jamsheed Urban Winery. The food and wine has always been on point, but the new kitchen team is doing great things food-wise. [The] pippies and chippies [dish] is so comforting, great to just pop in and pick at stuff over a bottle of Kitty Flip.

Nat Thaipun

Henry Sugar. Especially on waste-free Mondays. There are happy-hour oysters, Negroni specials and a surprise bottle they crack open for fun. The wine list’s also bang-on.

Hugh Allen, Vue de Monde

Gimlet is a standout – even just sitting at the bar with a nice glass and some snacks, the atmosphere is great. Di Stasio Citta is another favourite, the snacks are excellent, and the team serves all day, which is a rare and welcome thing in Melbourne.

Joane Yeoh, Kori Ice-Cream

Auterra in Armadale is my sanctuary for unwinding with a drink and delightful snacks. Their impressive finger food menu pairs perfectly with a relaxing glass of wine.

Andy Allen

Reed House. Marky [Hannell] and Bec [Baker] are smashing it. I’d sit at the bar and hoe into a ramen egg and a Welsh rarebit crumpet, with any glass they’re pouring. Marky would chew my ear off while Bec keeps everything moving.

Mo Zhou, Gaea

Bijou is the perfect spot for one or two glasses with a few snacks. I love this place so much, I reckon I’d go there every day if I lived in the CBD.

Eun Hee An, Moon Mart

Napier Quarter is always a great idea. If the weather is nice, I like to take my dog Kong, sit outside and just relax.

Andrew McConnell, Trader House

Drink and snack must be Caretaker’s Cottage. On point, simple and always delicious drinks, food and vibe.

Kay-Lene Tan, Yugen and Omnia

Marion. I have been so many times and tried so many variations of the menu, and it has never disappointed. It’s the place I always bring my friends visiting from out of town. More flatbread, please.

Giorgia McAllister Forte, Monforte

Neighbourhood Wine is one of my locals and is great for a long lunchtime graze with wine. Chips are a must – with extra aioli.

Brigitte Hafner, Tedesca Osteria

Mr Vincenzo's in Mornington is a wine-bar-ish restaurant that rose from the flames of the short-lived Colt Dining. The manager, Gilles, worked with us both at Tedesca and the Gertrude Street Enoteca, so it is always lovely to see his face and see what wines he’s discovered each week. Michael Kharsas’s food is delicious, too!

Ross Lusted, Marmelo

Suze in Fitzroy North. There’s a great wine list and small plates – it always feels fresh and familiar.

Alejandro Saravia, Farmer’s Daughters

City Wine Shop – oysters or beef tartare with a glass of wine. I love to sit outside and people-watch, I think it’s a quintessential Melbourne experience.

John Rivera, Askal

It’s hard to look away from Auterra in Armadale for a great flurry of snacks paired with some pretty awesome wines. Just say “Fuck it! We’re all in!” – it actually says that on the menu – and let them send you out a snack degustation that’ll floor you with flavour.

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