Our list of the best wine bars in Melbourne goes like this.

Nestled on the infamous Bourke Street, this little laneway bar is quintessentially Melbourne. The drinks menu here is long and full of goodies – with a focus on boutique wines, independent beers, and fabulous cocktails. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, there is an open courtyard, tunes and a snacks menu complete with chippies, spring rolls and onion rings.

Not your usual wine bar, Nazar Wine Bar has a Turkish spin – and if you’ve been lucky enough to visit Turkey then you’d be just as excited about this as we are. The bar is a reflection of owner Erkoc’s mixed Turkish and Australian heritage, seen in the food, wine and decor. Try your hand at some Turkish wine (it’s delicious!) along with European classics, as well as local and skin-contact drops from the 100-bottle vino list, and don’t miss the Turkish Coffee Martini. Food is just as important here, so make sure you order something to balance out the wine – the beetroot kebab with labneh and rosemary is our top pick.

Yet another Fitzroy wine bar, Bar Liberty is casual and vibey, making it a worthwhile stop the next time you pass by Johnston Street. Their nine-page drinks menu has everything you could imagine, from classic cocktails, pet nat, local beers, orange wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. If you arrive hungry, there’s a menu with snacks, meats, shared plates and desserts to complement the wines.

At this industrial-chic wine bar, the staff admit that their taste in wine may be slightly weird, but they think other people will happily share their off-centre drops. Up for grabs is a selection of gourmet small plates alongside an extensive wine menu – try the snapper carpaccio with walnut, yoghurt and green fig paired with one of their crisp white drops. They take lunch bookings (particularly for their Sunday set menu) but are only walk-in in the evening. Everything at this wine bar in Melbourne – the wine, food and staff – is full of character that shouldn’t be missed.

When it comes to Aussie pride, you can get much more proud than this wine bar. Stocking exclusively Australian wine and beer, Underwood Wine Bar is committed to supporting local, passionate producers. They’re also committed to providing every customer with a great time – whether that be through an extensive, alluring wine list, its intimate setting or mouth-watering charcuterie and bar snacks. This is the corner wine bar in Fitzroy that doesn’t miss a single detail.

The slogan of Kirk’s Wine Bar ‘in vino veritas‘ means ‘in wine lies the truth’. And you know if they say it Latin, they must mean business. Kirk’s doesn’t take bookings so just turn up nd prepare to be swept up in a sea of intoxicating grape juice, scrumptious meals and good vibes. Its convenient location also makes it the perfect spot for post-work bevvies.

With nearly as many awards as they have wine varieties, Gerald’s Bar deserves its place as one of the best wine bars in Melbourne. The fun atmosphere, friendly staff and decadent degustations are the beginnings of an unforgettable night out. From the moment you read the hand-written scroll that is their menu to the final lingering taste of their local red or any other of their 200 wines, you’ll see what we mean.

Marion has more than just fantastic, seasonal wine and produce. With prime positioning on Gertrude Street, it’s a space that encourages you to stop for a moment and indulge in dishes designed to share and appreciate the depth of local and foreign blends that demonstrate the breadth of the winemaking world. Take a little of your visit to this wine bar Fitzroy home with you with their Deadman’s Dozen – a mixed dozen wine selection of mostly limited production wines that changes by the month. You could even nab yourself free home delivery with a six-month subscription.

Milton Wine Shop is so much more than just a wine shop. They are a small wine bar that represents producers focusing on quality, honesty and representation of place in their wines. This favourite amongst Malvern locals has red, white, pink and orange varieties of wine as well as a curated selection of accompanying snacks. Whether you warm yourself by the cosy fireplace in the ‘living room’ in Winter or feel the Summer rays out in the courtyard, there’s always a reason to head to Milton, one of the best wine bars in Melbourne.

Neighbourhood Wine believes in seasonality and simplicity and takes the best produce offered at any certain time of the year and makes something beautiful and fragrant for your palette. The wine at this trendy Fitzroy wine bar has a particular focus on low-interference winemaking principles, which they believe allows the provenance of the wine to shine through. The list curated by Simon Denman is in constant evolution and growth, meaning each time you visit this sumptuous wine bar, you’ll fall in love with a different drop.

City Wine Shop is not your average Melbourne CBD wine bar. It goes far and beyond a wine shop – a source for the latest viticulture news, the most helpful tips on wine pairing and a lesson on which wines you should buy for your lady. Whether you want your wine by the glass, by the bottle or by the home-delivered case, City Wine Shop will make your wish come true. They also host regular events such as wine tastings from particular regions or evenings with guest bar staff. If that weren’t enough, they even host functions and offer certified WSET courses.

Napier Quarter is a neighbourhood wine bar & guesthouse nestled on a backstreet corner in Melbourne’s oldest suburb that has a quaint, European feel. With a commitment to quality, they celebrate the community and champion the artisan. None is more evidenced than in this Melbourne wine bar’s curious wine list and innovative menu. While it changes constantly, look out for the goat milk fromage frais, with house-made bottarga and lavosh.

Bonny is one of the newest venues on this list, but don’t mistake its youth for inexperience. This wine restaurant is the brainchild of some pretty established operators, including Shayne Dixon of Beermash; Adam Betts of Edge Brewing Project, Northdown Craft Beer and Tap Smith; Mike Baker of Henry Sugar; and Sonny Rehe of Uptown Jazz Café Fitzroy. Serving craft beers, cocktails and natural Australian wines, the Brunswick Street bar is fast becoming a Fitzroy local.

The equivalent of powering up in a video game, if you’re craving a delicious drop – you better visit Cumulus Inc. Featuring the season’s best from small-scale farms, the ever-changing menu will never fail to delight. The food menu is similarly curated, including locally sourced produce such as Port Phillip Bay scallops and duck from the Macedon Ranges. Experience the charm of this European-esque wine bar in Melbourne for yourself.

Former community radio station Hope St has transformed its humble headquarters to become Melbourne’s coolest wine bar and restaurant. This trendy little spot holds onto its origins with a revolving selection of DJs and events against a backdrop of delicious wine and food – the focaccia with whipped garlic-and-tarragon butter is life-changing, as is any of the pasta. Wine here focuses on minimal intervention drops and visitors here are usually seen enjoying a glass or two sprawled out across the leafy courtyard of Melbourne’s arts precinct and community hub Collingwood Yards where the spot resides.

An unassuming locale that takes no mercy on its fine wine selection, The Alps is everything you’d imagine one of the best wine bars in Melbourne to be. A former milk bar, the moody and intimate space features touchwood, exposed brick, fireplaces and steel. The wine selection focuses on exemplifying the origin of the grape, favouring honesty over innovation. You’ll notice a particular fondness for wine hailing from the foot of the Alps – Jura, Savoie and Burgundy – hence the name. You can even visit informal masterclasses once a month around a barbecue to learn more from these viticultural masters.

With a plethora of communal dining and bars opening up around Melbourne, the Public Wine Shop may very well be the trendsetter of this new norm. Since its opening in 2020, it has been a go-to among Fitzroy North locals and visitors alike, thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and delicious minimal intervention wines. Every one of the 200-strong wine list is organically farmed and free from added sulphur dioxide with Manon, Limus and Tom Shobbrook all key fixtures. Pair your wine with some fancy tinned fish or their take on an ‘egg’. We recommend coming here if you want to meet some wine-minded friends, or it also makes for the perfect laid-back date spot.

The perfect blend of diversity and quality, Seddon Wine Store stocks the 500 best wines from boutique producers in Australia and beyond. While they focus on smaller producers, their primary focus is on quality. Co-owner, Jeremy Honisett, has worked as a wholesaler, distributor and in pubs and restaurants, so safe to know he’s pretty well-versed in the area of viticulture. He and his wife Suzy don’t buy the wine unless they’ve seen it, tasted it and talked about it. So if you want to have a conversation about the intricacies of the drop your drinking, visit Seddon Wine Store.

This list was compiled through online research and through commentary from wine critics and expert reviews. Moreover, author Aimee O’Keefe drew on their own expertise – combining her experience writing within the wine industry with a love of wine (especially natty wine) and took it upon herself to try as many wine bars in Melbourne as possible to give you the best of the best.

If you’re looking for other things to do in and around Melbourne, we’ve got you covered. You can also check out our list of these fun things to do in Melbourne. If you’re looking for a specific cuisine, check out our list of the best Japanese restaurants or the the best steak restaurants in Melbourne. If you’re full, we can also help you with your search for the best live music venues.