Melbourne’s Best Wine Bars
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By Ben Oliver || Last Updated: December 19, 2023
Victoria has a prestigious pedigree of winemaking, dating back to the first wineries established in Victoria three years after the foundation of Melbourne.
Victoria’s first winery was Yering Station in 1838 in the Yarra Valley, a region famous for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.
Beyond the Yarra Valley, Victorian wine spans the width of flavours, from savoury Grampians Shiraz to the sweet fortified wines of Rutherglen. With more than 600 wineries, Victoria has more wine producers and wine regions than any Australian state.
Did you also know that Victoria created Australia’s first locally made sparkling wine, and the now famous sparkling shiraz?
Here’s our list of our favourite wine bars in Melbourne – explore on your own, or join us for one of our brilliant hidden bar and history tours!
Punch Lane || @punchlane
Why come here?
The Bourke Hill Precinct is a jewel box of bars and bistros, and Punch Lane is perhaps the best of the lot.
This European-style wine bar has been a Melbourne institution for more than two decades, oozing Old World charm and serving a huge range (more than 200) of local and international wines. The food at Punch Lane ain’t bad either, as you would expect given its proximity to Melbourne’s entertainment and political precincts.
What’s the food situation?
Cheese, charcuterie and seasonal produce offer a triple threat.
The final word
See a show, Punch on with a wine.
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Mon-Fri: 11:45pm-12am | Sat: 3pm-12am | Sun: 3pm-11pm
Kirks Wine Bar || @kirkswinebar
Why come here?
“In Vino Veritas” hangs above Kirks Wine Bar, setting the scene for your experience at this relatively new addition to Melbourne’s wine bar scene.
Opened in 2015, Kirks Wine Bar is a world away from the pushy, tourist-centric restaurants which seem to comprise a large portion of Hardware Lane. Instead, Kirks blends the old world with the new; not as romantic as other wine bars, but exuding an undeniable buzz. Nursing a Chardonnay at one of their alfresco tables on a summers days is one of life’s real pleasures.
What’s the food situation?
Runs the gamut from breakfast to bar snacks and more substantial portions.
The final word
An inner city wine oasis.
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Mon-Fri: 7:30am-11pm | Sat-Sun: 9am-11pm
City Wine Shop || @citywineshop
Why come here?
The name implies takeway (which it does), but City Wine Shop is a place you’ll want to find comfy nook with a friend and bottle of wine.
City Wine Shop is on a row of excellent wine and late night bistro bars along Spring Street – The European and Melbourne Supper Club are superb and right next door. I would have included all three in this list, but given it’s a Top 3 list (and the same company owns all City Wine Shop, The European and Melbourne Supper Club), I’ll urge you start at one end and finish at the other.
What’s the food situation?
Come for Breakfast, stay for the excellent counter meals and finish off with some cheese matured next door at the Spring Street Cheese Cellar.
The final word
Small but perfectly formed.
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Mon-Thurs: 7am-12am | Fri: 7am-1am | Sat-Sun: 9am-12am
Cumulus Up || @cumulusup
Why come here?
A wine bar that does amazing food. Or a restaurant with a killer wine list. Either way, you’ll want to include Cumulus Up on your Melbourne bar odyssey.
Cumulus Up could have been happy as a simple overflow solution to the popular Cumulus Inc downstairs, but thankfully, it’s so much more. The wine list covers all regions with staff always on hand to help – without making you feel like an idiot for asking the difference between Shiraz and Syrah.
Warm, sophisticated and approachable: like any good wine should be.
What’s the food situation?
Choose from a small but perfectly curated range of entrees and mains, or saddle up for the $75 Chef’s Selection, comprising a range of both, with a lineup changing daily.
The final word
Wine down by heading up.
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Tues -Thurs: 5pm - Late | Fri-Sat: 4pm - Late
Embla || @embla
Why come here?
In Norse mythology, Embla (and her male counterpart Ask) were the first humans created by the Gods. Embla is thought to mean “vine” – and so a somewhat obscure wine connection becomes clear.
Don’t worry too much about Embla’s etymology: this is Melbourne wine and fine dining at its peak. A beautiful, rustic setting, a globe trotting (if somewhat obscure) wine list, paired with an ever changing menu where dishes focus on a few key ingredients.
What’s the food situation?
Open for lunch and dinner (bookings only available for lunch). Punters rave about the bread. Seriously, it’s that good.
The final word
Emblematic of Melbourne’s best wine bars.
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Mon-Fri: 12pm-Late | Sat: 3pm-Late | Sun: 12pm-10pm