Last update March 2026
This list is a hybrid of our own research and suggestions from our mailing list. We update regularly and aim to confirm all details at least every 6 months. If you're interested in other cities take a look at our national guide via the button at the bottom of the page.
On with the list...
In the CBD:
1. Lee Ho Fook - $0 corkage. Mon-Wed. $80 Thu-Sat. Book here. We're taking a rosé Champagne from Godin et Filles to this classy modern Chinese restaurant.
2. Waiter's Restaurant - $0 corkage. All seatings. Call (03) 9650 1508 to book. The name says it all - no nonsense, no website, great food without the frills. The Rosso di Montalcino from Il Colle di Carli should do the trick here.
In the North:
3. Añada Bar & Restaurant - $20 corkage. Tues - Thurs Dinner. Book here. For this southern Spanish fare, we'd take along a (very) aged Vouvray from Domaine de La Fontainerie - about as close as our range currently gets to a nice sherry.
4. Carlton Wine Room - $25 corkage. Mondays only. Book here. With a food menu built around wine, this is our kind of bistro. So many of the dishes would go beautifully with an Etna Bianco from Monteleone.
5. Cutler - $30 corkage. Wednesday dinner. Book here. Order something with tentacles, and maybe a bird, and pair it with the Vosgros Premier Cru Chablis from Domaine des Trois V.
6. Jim's Greek Tavern - $0 corkage ("nah we don't charge for that mate!"). All seatings. Call (03) 9419 3827 to book. An institution. We don't have Greek wine in our range yet, but we'd take a Timorasso from Cecilia Monte to handle any dish they could throw at us.
7. Matteo's - $20 corkage for lunch, $30 for dinner, $40 on weekends and public holidays. 1 bottle per person. Book here. The contemporary Italian / European menu looks yummy and would go well with an Etna Rosso from Monteleone. There's a few other Nerello Mascalese options on the wine list for you to explore the variety.
8. Recreation Bistro - $30 corkage. Sunday to Thursday only. Book here. We think an Alsace Pinot Noir from Domaine Sohler would be about right for some of the mains at this modern Aussie bistro. Reservations are for "110 minutes" so expect some precision?
9. Scopri Italian Food and Wine - $30 corkage. Tuesday to Thursday plus Saturday dinner. Book here. (and check out their excellent Nebbiolo heavy bar, Bar Olo too!) We'd stash a Brunello from Il Colle di Carli for the bistecca.
10. Tèta Mona - $8 corkage. All seatings. Book here. This fun Lebanese eatery would be perfect with Tregole's white Sangiovese "Chicchero". Both the wine and the venue are unpretentious but with some serious quality.
11. Zircon - $9 corkage. All sessions. Call (03) 8400 9022 to book. We wanted an excuse to suggest a demi-sec Vouvray from Domaine de La Fontainerie and this Sri Lankan spot is it.
In the East:
12. Fratellino Richmond - $12 corkage. All seatings. Book here. For pizza, we'd take a Dolcetto from Cagliero, or a Chianti Classico from Tregole.
13. Geppetto Trattoria - $20 corkage. All seatings. Book here. Classic Italian - take a San Giuliano Barbaresco from Cecilia Monte because its savoury herbaceousness (if that is a word) is the perfect porchetta pairing.
South of the Yarra:
14. Bar Carolina - $20 corkage. Weekday lunches. Book here. It may be Italian, but lunch at this cool spot demands the Godin et Filles NV Trois Cépages Champagne.
15. France-Soir - $0 corkage. Mon-Wed Lunch. Call (03) 9866 8569 to book. It's gotta be a Riesling from Kuentz-Bas for this epic French joint. Maybe the Grand Cru Geisberg even?
16. Fratellino South Yarra - $8.50 corkage. All seatings. Book here. For pizza with extra corkage, we'd step it up to the Chianti Classico Riserva from Tregole.
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