Manze has been one of Melbourne’s essential restaurants virtually since the day it opened, back in 2021. That’s thanks to chef-owner Nagesh Seethiah’s uniquely personal modern Mauritian menu. But what started as a 24-seat intimate dining room quickly outgrew its four walls. And as it became more renowned for its food, its equally excellent drinks programme faded into the background.

That’s the problem that Boire, across the road, solves. It feels brighter and more open, but with plenty of nods to its sibling in both fit-out and flavour. The cocktail list riffs on tropical and nostalgic flavours, with the Banana and Cacao Old Fashioned sitting alongside house-made sodas and other non-alc options.But the wine list is where Boire really hits its stride. It includes hundreds of bottles that couldn’t fit at Manze.

Food is geared toward grazing and spontaneity, but has enough variety to satisfy. The menu includes the customer-favourite taro and ginger fritters, served with rhubarb hot sauce. But there’re also fried goat ribs, olive pickled in turmeric and chilli, boiled peanuts slicked with Mount Zero olive oil, and a silky flan with rum caramel and orange. Plus, there’s a takeaway lunch counter.