Ripponlea Food and Wine — Restaurant in Melbourne

I came with great expectation but was slightly disappointed. Overall, the food and service did not deliver to the prices.

The service was friendly, but haphazard and felt inexperienced with a few small mistakes and lack of attentiveness on occasion.

The food was just ok, and not representative of the fresh seasonality or precise execution and balance we expect from this price point. We cook equally good food at home on a weeknight and some suburban pubs are exceeding the fish, salads and pastas in terms of quality and understanding of food textures and balance. The entrees, chicken logs and cauliflower florets were tasty but unexciting and obvious in their seasoning. The chicken needed a fresh foil on the plate. The mains were overpriced. The Barra, was ok, very simple and needed freshness on the plate to counter the richness of the fish, peas and dressing. The walnut pesto pasta again was tasty but, I have had better examples at home or at our local pizza shop for less. This is not cheffy food. Please fix the apple/cabbage salad. Promised so much, but did not deliver. The shredded iceberg in this is remenicent of Woolies or my local chicken shop. For a self proclaimed wine establishment, they totally under delivered. Why put wine in the title if this is not a major focus? It's misleading. The offerings and quality were no different to my local cafe. From a specialist wine establishment I am expecting wine flights, many, many options by the glass, recommended food-wine pairings, vintage options and a sommelier. There were none of these. The wines themselves were just ok and I did not get the feel that the owner knows or loves wine. The Australian wines were disappointing, obvious and a missed opportunity to showcase the diversity of our small producers and varied terroir. The standout was a Montepulciano. $280 for a light meal for two, no dessert or coffee. Good try but need to drop prices or increase quality in every aspect. Good luck - I wish you well, it's...

What a special occasion for dinner this time. Our big anniversary and we choose this well known restaurant in this great city. We moved to Melbourne month ago and tried a lot places already but this one is very special:) Beautiful decor style, great vibes, amazing service from all staff, all very welcoming, smiley and nice. Thats how should be:) tartare, calamari, cigars, steaks and pork cheek mains were absolutely insane delicious. All dishes were outstanding and that's something to say! Phenomenal experience, can't wait to come and experience it again all over and more:))) thank you martini top star!!!

50th celebration of friend of mine coming from Sydney was phenomenal as expected:)) This place got everything what you ask for. Presentation, service, atmosphere, good vibes and most important fantastic food!!! thank you Ripponlea gang for amazing experience again. Ill be back martini:)

part 3 Been here few times always excellent hospitality:) Love everything, phenomenal service , phenomenal food , phenomenal restaurant. Thank you Ripponlea gang for diamond experience again:) ill be back martini :)

part 4 Amazing again with these guys:) Beautiful diamond experience!!! lovely staff did phenomenal job! pay raise must in future! GOLD! thank you Ripp gang for your fantastic hospitality! ill be...

Ripponlea Food & Wine is such a cool little place with funky music and nice interior in a pocket of Ripponlea that you may not think to go to at night once the shopping district is shut.

Their menu sounded delicious, so thought we'd give it a whirl. The food was really good. I had the Tuna Tartare, and the beef and cheese croquettes as my main and the Chocolate Bomb for dessert (in my pics are food items I've also tried in the past a long time ago, but are off the menu now). They couldn't make the cocktail I really wanted to have, but the waitress did her best to walk me through alternatives and ones I might like based on my first choice. That was very helpful.

The food was really good like usual, and we both liked our meal. We each got the Chocolate Bomb for dessert which makes for a stunning pic if you rush to capture it before the hot sauce is poured over it. If you're really quick, you could get that on video too. It was delicious and I could have drunk the butterscotch sauce by the glass.

Overall, it's usually a good meal here and I know I'll be back...