Embla, Melbourne Vic: Restaurant review

Is there a better snack than a potato chip? You should try Embla’s crisp shard of chicken skin crackling heaped with whipped anchovy cream for a single-bite wonder to remember. It’s just one of the deceptively simple dishes on Dave Verheul’s trailblazing wine bar menu. There are other must-orders: tangy sour cucumber pickles with lashings of feta and dill. Slices of house-baked sourdough as thick as a textbook. A burnished Milawa roast chook, or black Angus T-bone with signature Café de Melbourne butter imbued with Melbourne Bitter beer. But you really can’t go wrong with anything you order at this dark, beguiling, ever-bustling city staple. The drinks list overseen by sommelier Russell Keightley is just as foolproof, with a broad spectrum of wines from small and established producers alike. It’s hard to believe Embla turns 10 this year, such is its rusted-on legend status. If you only have one night in town, come here.

Price Guide

$$$

Bookings

Recommended

Wheelchair Access

Yes

Opening Hours

Lunch Wed-Sun; Dinner Mon-Sat

The Gourmet Traveller Team

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.

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