The town’s tapas spots certain have endurance, so listed below are our (gilda tooth)picks of the place to settle in with a set of share plates and a glass of sherry or sangria.
Whether or not it’s a neighborhood neighbourhood gem value travelling for or a Melbourne mainstay that made consuming on the counter cool, right here’s the place to snack on the cheesiest croquetas, signature things-on-toast, seafood-studded paella and people aforementioned anchovy-pepper-olive skewers.
Anada
Gertrude Road’s 16-year-old Spanish spot could be out of the highlight, nevertheless it’s nonetheless buzzy, its lengthy slim eating room all aglow by means of the streetside warehouse home windows. The tapas menu focuses on Andalusia in Southern Spain, with home-made chorizo, and saffron aioli-dotted paellas, a few of the stalwarts and standouts. There’s an intensive wine and sherry listing, and loads of tables for 2, making it a heat and intimate spot for a date night time.
197 Gertrude Road, Fitzroy, anada.com.au
Bar Lourinha
Talking of stayers, Matt McConnell’s Spanish restaurant has virtually notched 20 years. The homely, rustic sensibility is as robust as ever, with the chef magicking chickpeas into spiced gold, and profession waiters tending to tables. The balanced menu is versatile sufficient for solo afternoons on the bar chipping away at tapas, a fast pre-theatre chunk or tackling your entire carte in grand firm. Lengthy stay Lourinha.
37 Little Collins Road, Melbourne, barlourinha.com.au
Bomba
An olive stone’s throw from town’s theatre district, Bomba hits the spot whether or not you’re chasing a fast chunk or plan to settle in for a leisurely night of cocktails and Spanish-accented dishes. Begin with a few montaditos – small toasts with toppings – or tacky leek croquetas, and perhaps the pork stomach braised in pedro ximenez. Kicking on? You’ll want raciones (bigger plates) akin to shellfish paella. Pretty priced wine, sherry and aperitifs are an actual draw, whereas upstairs, Bomba’s rooftop bar presents extra chilled-out Spanish vibes with a view.
103 Lonsdale Road, Melbourne, bombabar.com.au
MoVida Authentic
The snack that launched a thousand imitations nonetheless takes first place on this tapas listing – and in Melbourne hearts. An anchovy fillet lounges on a paper-thin crouton, scattered with capers, topped by a smoky, silky tomato sorbet. Concurrently punchy and refined, Frank Camorra’s signature tapa encapsulates this laneway legend’s fashion, with its mellow patina, considerate service and Iberian drinks listing. Whereas some raciones are bolted to the menu, the kitchen’s inventiveness can be showcased by mussels wrapped in kohlrabi discs; uncooked scallop with a golden aji amarillo chilli sauce, or zucchini tossed with calamari and take-no-prisoners spicy sausage.
1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne, movida.com.au/unique
MoVida Aqui
After a latest renovation, 130-year-old Aqui has shucked off its identification as an Andalusian staff’ cantina on a Melbourne vacation to imagine the mantle of a mature restaurant. Chequerboard tiles and metres of maroon are blended with elegantly curved banquettes and bottle-green leather-based chairs. New dishes, akin to scaled-down crumpets with spanner crab and finger lime below a tangy blanket of saffron mayo, show Aqui 2.0 is greater than window-dressing. Group-friendly proportions − akin to Josper-cooked rice-based dishes − are a drawcard over MoVida Authentic (see above), however sharp meals is the actual pull.
500 Bourke Road, Melbourne, movida.com.au/aqui
MoVida Subsequent Door
And on the danger of this listing turning into too MoVida heavy, let’s briefly point out the unique’s extra informal bar “subsequent door” on the nook of Hosier Lane and Flinders Road. The spin-off accepts walk-ins solely, who can count on 15 ever-changing tapas scrawled on the blackboard. However simply as Melbourne will at all times have MoVida, Subsequent Door will at all times have croquetas.
164 Flinders Road, Melbourne, movida.com.au/next-door
La Pinta
At this no-bookings native favorite, potential friends are welcomed like previous pals, then slotted alongside the room’s edge to prop at cabinets simply broad sufficient to relaxation your glass. Put together to attend for a sought-after seat on the horseshoe bar fringing a tiny lamplit kitchen, from which a wonderfully paced output of dishes arrives on op-shop plates: maybe smoked lamb so mushy it cuts with the accompanying spork or plump mussels and a scattering of saffron-dyed artichoke. As you linger, spare a thought for these nonetheless ready – although they’re most likely managing simply wonderful.
791 Excessive Road, Reservoir, lapintareservoir.com.au
Little Drop of Poison
It’s straightforward to construct a meal from Basque-style pintxos (akin to gilda skewers with with vermut-and-paprika dressing), Spanish tapas, Mexican tacos and Latin American bites at this cosy however free-thinking bar that brings inner-city poise to town fringe. You would possibly luck onto grilled king prawns with garlic and chilli or a beneficiant seafood-studded paella served in dainty bowls. Plus, there’s at all times a lot for vegans and gluten-avoiders. What’s your poison? Ours is the bracing, made-to-order sangria combining Spanish pink wine, lemonade and a shot of fragrant vermut.
937B Fundamental Highway, Eltham, littledropofpoison.com.au
Lona Misa
It takes loads to wow vegan style buds in a metropolis like Melbourne, however this plant-based, Latin-inspired resort restaurant, overseen by cooks Shannon Martinez and Ian Curley, does simply that. End up a fireplace engine-red sales space and begin the fiesta with a chilli-spiked cocktail. An armload of hardworking small plates would possibly embody velvety croquetas with plant-based manchego, or a neat (and sans-meat) morcilla (blood sausage) with a yolk-like topping over fried bread. Reasonably dine in personal? E-book a room upstairs on the Ovolo and order in.
234 Toorak Highway, South Yarra, lonamisa.com.au
Sebastian
Whether or not you’re at a desk by the window or sunk right into a sales space, deep blues meet your line of sight, the cerulean sea matched by wallpaper, carpet and leather-based in varied shades of blue. Regardless of Sebastian being named after San Sebastian, it doesn’t at all times stick with the Spanish script. For purists there are gildas, jamon with melon, txakoli (Basque glowing wine) and many from the charcoal grill, however should you’re keen to increase your horizons – maybe bypassing Basque cheesecake in favour of a chic ice-cream sandwich – Sebastian will meet you midway.