I would like to nominate Embla in the CBD. It’s consistently good value, but they always push the boat out with their menu and keep it interesting. Service never misses a beat either. It can get quite noisy at peak times but it remains enjoyably lively.
We visited in late December while visiting family. Like many restaurants in Melbourne, it calls itself a wine bar (downstairs is more wine bar while upstairs is more restaurant). As well as small plates for sharing (or not!), they have a very extensive, high-quality wine list that includes really good Australian wines that aren’t readily available outside Australia. Typical dishes include flame-grilled foods that will appeal to vegans and carnivores alike, as well fermented vegetables. Menu offerings might include ricotta, braised zucchini flowers and Meyer lemon; grilled squid bigoli, fennel, olive and black lemon; white zucchini, hand-rolled fregola, mint and buttermilk; and half poussin, mustard and broad-bean miso.
Closed on Sundays but otherwise open throughout the week. Busiest times are usually 7-8pm. Directions
– Ken McAllister, customer relation management, London
