Public Wine Shop — Restaurant in Melbourne

Public Wine Shop hosted my birthday lunch 2 weeks ago in their Private Dining Room and I could not be more grateful or impressed! It was a lunch for 20 people, and not only was the food and service fantastic, the communication with the lovely Thi beforehand made everything seamless.Three key things really stood out to me; the flexibility, balance of service and pricing.

Firstly, PWS allowed us to send through our own playlist, as well as pre-purchase our food and sparkling for everyone on arrival. They also liaised with my floral designer, who set up the table before we even arrived. On top of this, we were permitted to tap-pay / pay-pass our drinks throughout lunch, meaning that we weren't left with a huge bill at the end / everyone needing to remember what drinks they had the next day. A lot of venues do not accommodate this, and it really changes the experience!

Secondly, no glass was ever empty and the staff were extremely attentive, but not so much so that it felt overbearing. Many guests commented on the fact that the staff were so lovely and attuned to the atmosphere of the room, whilst not interrupting the flow of the lunch.

Lastly, the $75 Winter Set Menu was incredible value. Not only do a lot of venues not permit tap-pay as you go for drinks, they often make you sign-up to drinks packages, or have set-menus that are $85+. In times where everyone has different budgets, this price point is invaluable. The portion sizes were generous, and the lamb, potatoes, bread and entrees were all stand-outs! Also, for friends with dietary requirements, PWS went above and beyond. For example, one vegetarian guest was served a generous-sized pasta, opposed to something like a salad or vegetable medley (often seen in other venues) in replacement of their lamb.

Both myself and the other guests could not have been more impressed with Public Wine Shop. To anyone reading this, consider them for your next...

Public Wine Shop Loafer bread with cultured butter $3ea 🥖 🧈 Roast chicken wing with stuffing & mustard gravy $12 ea 🍗 Raw sea bream, creme fraiche, kohl rabi & caperberry $28🐟⭐️ Potato & pecorino cappelletti, lemon butter & thyme $35 🥔⭐️ Cavatelli with crab, XO & sorrel $40 🦀 Charles Arnaud Comte, cow, semi hard Jura, Fr $19 🧀 ⭐️ Salami $12 🍖⭐️ ile flottante with raspberry coulis $18🍮⭐️ Staffelter Hof - Papa Panda's Rising 2020 $91 Les Deux Terres, 'La Reboule' Vin de France 2021

Public Wine Shop continues to be one of my favourite wine bars. The food was consistently solid, and their wine list always impresses. The raw sea bream was a standout—fresh, light, and beautifully balanced. The cappelletti was also a highlight, with delicate pasta and a flavourful potato filling.

It was my first time trying île flottante, a soft meringue floating on crème anglaise, and it was absolutely delicious. The space, food, and wine make it the perfect spot for a...

Public wine shop is a great little Fitzroy North gem that truly encapsulates what I think Melbourne’s true dining scene is about.

I like that you cannot book, you have to come and try your luck at getting a seat (which you likely will after waiting 20-30 minutes). We popped to a bar about 50 or so meters away while we waiting which was perfect.

The vibe is very intimate, with the main dining area being one large dining table that restaurant goers all sit at. There is plenty of room between you and the next person so not to worry for those that like to spread out a bit.

The staff were lovely and welcoming which is always great.

We didn’t have a huge dinner, more nibbles and wine. What we did have was very delicious in both the food and wine department.

I will definitely be returning as I love that area of Melbourne and I want to try more of what the menu has...