Old Palm Liquor — Restaurant in Melbourne

Old Palm Liquor in East Brunswick isn’t just another restaurant; it’s the kind of place that leaves a mark. From the moment you walk in, you know you’re in for something special. The vibe here is pitch-perfect—effortlessly cool, laid-back, with an interior that strikes a rare balance between spacious and intimate. It’s one of those rare Melbourne spots where you feel invited to stay a little longer, soak in the atmosphere, and savor each bite.

We started with the oysters, briny and refreshing, setting the tone for a menu that doesn’t hold back. The fried injera with smoked fish and lemon was an unexpected standout, packing a punch with bold, layered flavors. The green mango, peanut, and tamarind salad was another hit—a bright, vibrant mix of tangy and slightly sweet notes, balancing the richness of the meal perfectly.

Then came the Otway pork chop, and let me tell you, it was the stuff of dreams. Tender, juicy, with just the right amount of fat, and drenched in a Cape Malay spice and apricot sauce that was nothing short of extraordinary. This isn’t a dish that just sits quietly on the table; it’s a showstopper that demands your attention and leaves you wanting more.

The drinks are no afterthought here, either. The Negroni was top-notch, perfectly balanced and bold—one of the best I’ve had in Melbourne. From what my friend said, the wines were equally impressive, with a selection that speaks to real thought and care. The waitstaff? Knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely invested in making sure your experience is as good as it can get. They guide you through the menu with ease, offering recommendations that feel personal and on point.

Old Palm Liquor isn’t trying to impress with flash or gimmicks. It’s a place that knows exactly who it is, with a confidence that shows in every detail. From the food to the drinks to the atmosphere, everything comes together in a way that feels almost effortless. It’s a true gem in Melbourne’s dining scene—a reminder of what great hospitality and honest, well-executed...

A beautiful wine bar in Brunswick with over 250+ wines and 10+ tap beers. From the outside it looks very simple and easy to miss with the signage saying OPL. But inside is a charming restaurant with 3 different dining areas and an open smoking space as well. The restaurant has an old fashioned, retro look with timbers, earthy hues and a fire place which kept us warm and comfy. The service was professional, prompt and efficient.

Food was the highlight of the evening. Beautiful innovative taste pairings and presentations blew our minds. The menu is limited but each dish is a masterpiece. We tried the wood fired flatbread and cured yellow fin tuna as starters and both were delicious. The charcoal grill gave the flatbread a nice smokiness which was dusted with sumac and served with labneh. The beautiful tuna was cleverly paired with tomatillo, lime and soused onions.

Next we chose a vegetarian dish - charred leek, pine mushrooms, sorghum and crisp sage which was the best dish of the evening. The subtle aroma of ghee with warm lentils and meaty pine mushrooms was just divine and was like an ode to autumn. For mains we savoured the pork chop which was perfectly cooked to our liking and glazed. The mild sweetness of a well done sauce soubise was perfectly balanced by the gentle heat of green peppercorns rounded perfectly by chargrilled bullhorn peppers. Bravo chef! But that’s not all, we had to try the desserts. It was a difficult choice but we settled for the quince, mandarin, pistachio dessert. A beautiful dish to bring this romantic date night to la fin. We love desserts which are not too sweet and this was perfect with the tartness of mandarin cutting through the sweetness with savoury notes from crisp brick pastry. Simply brilliant. It was one of the most romantic date nights in Melbourne with the beautiful Mrs. and we look forward to coming back here soon. In the meantime highly recommended to...

Loved it.

We hit up the à la carte menu and got started with the beef carpaccio, the cavatelli pasta dish and the flatbread. Carpaccio was good as – really light, fresh and well-balanced. Pasta dish was a little underwhelming – we didn’t love the style of pasta that was used (it was almost like eating baked beans) but the guanciale worked well. Flatbread was delish and a surprise star of the meal – great smoky flavour coming straight off the grill and well-seasoned with a lovely garlicky taste that was great on its own and paired well with the labne.

Moving onto the mains, we went for the flathead and the scotch steak. Fish was beautifully cooked and well paired with the carrot purée but picking out a few little bones was a bit of a hassle, especially in the (very nice but) dimly lit dining room. The steak was pure heaven – charred to perfection with a beautiful, smoky flavour and cooked a spot-on medium-rare. Some of the best beef I’ve had.

Dessert menu was tempting, but we were plenty satisfied after the mains.

We went through a bottle of the Konpuri Maru Sangiovese - subtle but pleasing enough to the palate and didn’t break the bank.

The interior is super cozy, with a log crackling away in the fireplace and dim, warm lighting setting a comfortable ambiance. We sat in the main dining room, but the kitchen action could be seen if you were sitting out front, and the outdoor space looked inviting too.

Overall one of the best meals I’ve...