Embla could be thought of as a beloved restaurant just as often as it is a wine bar – a casual dining destination equally suitable for both a proper meal and a quick snack-and-drink. This CBD venue won both our Best Casual Restaurant and Restaurant of the Year awards in 2016 and our Hot Talent award in 2017 and to this day, it's not hard to see why it's been so treasured since it first burst onto the scene. Chef Dave Verheul and wine genius Christian McCabe know how to make their guests happy, the soured cucumbers still slap and we trust we'll enjoy this classy offering for many years to come.

There’s definitely a place for peaceful bars but if drinking in a library isn’t your bag, get yourself to Embla. The music is loud, the stripped-back dining room almost always ​​chockablock, and the lighting so dim you occasionally wonder if the owner forgot to pay the electricity bill. This crew wants you to have a good time—they certainly are—and categories such as “orange, oxidized or otherwise weird on purpose” make traversing the multifarious wine list effortless and fun.

A self proclaimed wine bar that turns out food that would be considered fine dining in many other cities is, well, emblematically Melbourne. Dark wood and natural materials lend the space a certain glamour, but at the same time it feels rustic and relaxed. The menu is similarly smart and easy going, one where culinary traditions are articulated and honoured but there’s also plenty of whimsy and insouciance.

Hailing from Town Mouse parentage, Embla hones in on the comforts of the familiar, combining a self-proclaimed “slightly weird” wine list with a straightforward menu. Located in Russell Street, Embla is shrouded in moody, rustic ambiance, accented by exposed brick and hardwood. Executive chef Dave Verheul has curated a wood-oven menu to that neatly accompanies Eric Narioo’s wine selection.

Welcoming but still sophisticated, Embla is a throwback to and an improvement on Melbourne's original small bar scene. An accessible but often obscure wine list is accompanied by wholesome gourmet snacks from the wood-fired oven that are cooked to perfection.

From the school of Melbourne wine bars with fantastic food comes Embla, a no-reservations spot favoured by the hospitality industry and city workers…

Embla, an always-humming, dark-toned wine bar – with its best-in-show service and drinks list spotlighting New and Old World lo-fi craftsmanship – captures Melbourne’s talent for retaining relevance without succumbing to trends or flashy technique. Snacks from chef and co-owner Dave Verheul’s fire-powered kitchen keep wine as the lodestar, be it the addictive chicken-skin crisps seasoned with whipped anchovies, or the now-signature soured cucumbers flavoured with dill and feta. Embla does some of its best (and most romantic) work at night, with the flickering flames and mood switched to party, but the languidly paced three-course Sunday lunch is perfect for those chasing more serene yet no less exciting vibes.

Since Embla opened in Melbourne’s CBD it has ingrained itself in the fine dining scene. Widely popular due to the laid-back vibe that it emits and the distinctly modern Australian dishes that rotate through seasonal menus like Pipis, butter beans, butter beans, and basil—stracciatella, oyster mushroom, almond xo there’s always something beautifully paired to dive into. The intimately spaced dining of Embla and waitstaff devoid of pretentiousness is the perfect environment for sampling share plates among friends or dividing a set menu amongst a significant other.

The sight of chefs toiling at the charcoal grill is an enticing curtain-raiser to Dave Verheul’s smart flame-licked menu at this hotspot. A masterclass in the possibilities of four ingredients and imagination: the brussels sprouts slick with buttermilk, parsley, salted mandarin elevates the humble brassica into top tier territory , while the snapper carpaccio with walnut, yoghurt and green fig sheds new light on this city’s current crudo obsession. Add a great list of natural wines and you’ve got the very model of a modern Melbourne restaurant.

I still remember the first time I went to Embla — almost entirely because of the smokey barbecued broccoli and house-made bread slathered in garlic butter — because it had all the hallmarks of a future institution. A restaurant that also moonlights very successfully as a wine bar, there’s a distinctly Melbournian charm to Embla. That might have something to do with the friendliness of the staff, or the deceptively roomy dining room; but if you’re in the Melbourne CBD, it should definitely be on your hitlist.

This industrial-chic wine bar is one of Melbourne’s finest venues owned by Dave Verheul and wine guy Christian McCabe. Embla is simplistic yet effective in its approach to a wine bar, as it’s sophisticated but has a no-nonsense kind of energy that lends itself to the unpretentious wine drinkers of Melbourne. The wine menu was created by French wine guru Eric Narioo and winemaker Patrick Sullivan, who have delivered some of the best un-tinkered with, natural bottles of wine guaranteed to quench your thirst.

Small and friendly, this low-key wine bar has been popular for the daters of Melbourne since it opened in 2015. Its rustic decor is a breath of fresh air for city venues: wooden surfaces, sandy brick, dark tiles and exposed floor beams (for a ceiling), with warm globes that create real-life Snapchat filter lighting. It's worth arriving early to nab a place at the highly desirable bar so you and bae can also bask in the last rays of the setting sun that fall softly through the frameless window.

Good wine bars are usually romantic by nature – cosy, dimly lit, atmospheric – and hatted Emblajust happens to have some of the city’s best food and drink too. Dark wood, exposed brick walls and antique glass light fittings make a timeless backdrop for a meticulously curated wine list, as well as a seasonal menu of delicious dishes made for sharing. Think braised zucchini flowers draped over house-made ricotta and snapper carpaccio, delicately dotted by heirloom cucumbers and lemon myrtle.

There’ll always be a place in this world for quiet bars, but if drinking in a library isn’t your bag, get yourself to Embla, where the music is loud and the room is almost always ​​chockablock. The crew here want you to have a good timeand make traversing the broad-ranging wine list effortless and fun. Within it you’ll find a mix of progressive and old-school producers from Australia and around the world, as well as a few hard-to-find drops not normally available to the public.

Connoisseurs Of Wine, Petite Menu Of Contemporary, Casual Bites, Bar Food, Full Bar Available, Indoor Seating, Vegetarian Friendly. From the outside, it might be mistaken for any other city wine bar, but once inside, you’ll find a one-of-a-kind, rustic spot with delectable cuisine, an exciting ambiance, and an unbeatable wine selection. Embla calls their wine “slightly unusual” since the label emphasizes the wine’s origin and flavor rather than the wine’s name.

This dark, wood-lined CBD wine bar is as sophisticated as it is laid-back, abuzz every night of the week with colleagues, friends and lovers enjoying thought-provoking wines and A-grade plates out of the wood-fired oven. Embla'sself-described “slightly weird” list leans natural and small producer, while their famed roast chicken with whole garlic cloves is worth the visit alone. It's one of the most romantic bars in Melbourne, without question.

Brought to you by those clever folks behind the Town Mouse (that sadly closed back in 2018), the Russell Street wine bar is instantly inviting, with a chic, yet warm, European charm. The cosy confines mark it as perfect date night material, while stools lining the bar and open kitchen lend themselves perfectly to some sophisticated solo dining. A considered pouring list plays to both the curious and the more conservative.

Striving for an uncomplicated yet passionate approach to food and wine, Chef Dave Verhuel’s wood-fired oven and owner Christian McCabe’s boutique wine list is a match made in dining heaven. Embla delivers a wonderfully welcoming vibe that feels like an extension of your lounge where moody interiors and friendly staff make this wine bar in Melbourne a place you’ll want to frequent more than once. View this post on Instagram

Whether you’re looking for a place to clink a few glasses after the workday or a swanky corner for date night, Embla is the place to be. This wine bar slash eatery is one of the best in Melbourne for its killer wine selections that can be paired with your plate to make for a meal of a lifetime. We suggest the yellowfin tuna alongside capers and fermented buttermilk ricotta with the waiters choice of wine.

Embla, nestled in Melbourne, radiates a European charm with its rustic and cozy ambiance, conceptualized by Kiwi architect Allistar Cox. It’s a place where simplicity meets sophistication in both food and wine, courtesy of partners Christian McCabe and Executive Chef Dave Verheul. Their approach makes Embla an extension of your living room but with exceptional food and an expertly curated wine list.

Ever since Embla opened in 2016, bartenders — and hanger-on booze writer types — have been dropping into the place any chance they get. That’s because the wine and food are at a standard you might expect from far grander places, the service is smart and without pretension, the fit out is warm and inviting. Embla always offers something new to admire, whether it’s on the plate or in the glass.

Unlike those weird wine bars that are unnaturally quiet except for when they start lecturing you about the difference between cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, Embla is completely approachable and ridiculously cool. Their food menu is available from midday until 3pm and 5pm until close, there’s a $50 set-menu lunch on Sundays, and they have small bar snack available all other times..

What we can say is that this industry favourite is equally good for pre-dinner drinks, big special occasion dinners and spontaneous nightcaps. Chef and co-owner Dave Verheul does extraordinary things with his ferocious redgum-fired oven. And the wine-loving floor staff, including business partner Christian McCabe, will guide you through the list with wit and sensitivity.

Embla is a restaurant, wine bar and live music venue in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. The dark, rustic interior has been designed by Kiwi architect Allistar Cox and features exposed brick work, timber floors and communal tables. Christian McCabe’s goal was to create an uncomplicated approach to food and wine with partner Dave Verheul. 122 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000

One of the more unusual restaurants in Melbourne, Embla is the place to go if you're in the mood for small plates and live music in an industrial-chic wine bar. With the help of Executive Chef Dave Verheul and Wine Expert Christian McCabe, they've created one of the best wine bars around. A Wine Bar That Feels Like an Extension of Your Living Room Has Been Created.

If you’re craving exquisite small plates and great live music inside an industrial-chic wine bar, you have to try one of the more unique restaurants in Melbourne; Embla. Head Chef Dave Verheul and wine connoisseur Christian McCabe have joined forces to offer one of the best wine bars that truly feels like an extension of your lounge room. Feeling a bit peckish?

Embla combines the warmth of a wine bar with the culinary precision of a fine-dining restaurant. The menu is Modern Australian with Mediterranean influences, featuring seasonal ingredients that shine in simple but flavour-packed dishes. With a welcoming vibe and an extensive wine list, Embla is ideal for those seeking a top-notch meal in a more relaxed setting.

Location: 122 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000 / Ph: (03) 9654 5923. Embla is a hugely popular wine bar, right in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, serving unusual and quirky wines with an inventive, modern small-plate menu. Embla has got a distressed-brick look, is dark and atmospheric, homely and friendly and yet chic and trendy.

Embla is arguably one of Melbourne’s best wine bars, or at least its most iconic. You must taste head chef Dave Verheul’s small and often fermented or fire-licked plates of food, but also take advantage of the renowned and massive wine list. It’s a moody and dimly lit yet charged with energy in the heart of the CBD.

Embla in Melbourne is a relaxed wine bar with a simple, welcoming vibe and a focus on interesting wines. People appreciate its warm, easygoing atmosphere and thoughtful cooking, which keeps things down-to-earth and enjoyable. It’s a dependable spot if you’re looking for a comfortable place to unwind in the city.

Embla on Russell Street in Melbourne CBD might look like a simple wine bar from the outside, but step in, and you’ll find one of the coolest spots in the city. It’s got an effortlessly rustic charm – warm wood, exposed brick, and an unfussy and warm vibe. The wine list, of course, is what sets Embla apart.

Embla is one of Melbourne’s most beloved restaurants, becoming an instant classic when it opened a few years ago. Embla is one of the best restaurants in Melbourne for having a “very Melbourne” dining experience – it’s a small, busy dining room, permanently busy, and has lovely share plates.

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.

Embla is just like an expansion of your lounge area, but having better food and booze. Although it’s usually a wine bar, it’s fairly rustic. You’ll find a wine list designed in collaboration with French wine guru Eric Narioo and Aussie expert Patrick Sullivan.

International Best Short List of the Year, presented by DAOU 2023. Embla truly embodies the essence of Melbourne wine bars. This small intimate wine bar takes bookings, but most of the time, this is a place kept for walk-ins.

Embla was built on casual walk-in easiness and we want that to keep rolling while the starched white-collar of enforced bookings is with us,” says Embla chef and co-owner Dave Verheul.

Then we enjoy the bar Embla on Russell St, they make some really interesting lines in products like vermouth. And we would also very happily go to Grossi Florentino– for anything.

A city wine bar with quiet confidence that attracts gourmands and wine lovers alike, and accolades from Good Food Guide and Australian Gourmet Traveller.