Restaurant
City Wine Shop
159 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find City Wine Shop
159 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout City Wine Shop
Part bottle shop, part European bistro—City Wine Shop pulls bottles straight from retail shelves to drink table-side for modest corkage. Industry veterans judge a kitchen by its chicken liver pâté: pale pink, smooth, served with razor-thin toast and polenta chips. Walk-ins trickle in past 9 p.m. for gnocchi when neighboring CBD kitchens shut down, while afternoon regulars claim the Spring Street landing for cheese platters and unhurried people-watching.
- Retail Cellar Pricing: Pull from over 1,800 domestic and imported bottles on the shop shelves to drink on-site with a modest corkage markup over retail pricing.
- Late-Night Bistro Staples: The kitchen runs late into the night, turning out bistro benchmarks like pale chicken liver pâté, steak, and gnocchi without blaring music.
- Spring Street Landing: Snag an outdoor seat overlooking Parliament for casual afternoon aperitivo, artisan cheeses, and prime people-watching along Spring Street.
What's On at City Wine Shop
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose City Wine Shop
From bottle-shop priced cellar gems to late-night bistro fare on Spring Street, experience Melbourne dining at its finest—reserve your table now.
Shelf-to-Table Retail Wine Pricing
Diners select any bottle directly from retail shelves to drink on-premise at bottle-shop pricing with a minimal markup, avoiding inflated restaurant wine list markups.
an awesome selection of wine by the glass and the option to buy a bottle at bottle store price with a slight mark up, avoiding restaurant prices
Anthony Nader Comprehensive 1,800-Bottle Global Cellar
An expansive cellar exceeding 1,800 domestic and international references allows guests to taste rare regional gems and everyday favorites at every price tier.
over 1800 available, and dozens available by the glass. Everything from local to exotic, at every price point.
Allen Abendroth Impeccable European Bistro Standards
Industry-recognized bistro classics like delicate chicken liver pâté and handmade gnocchi deliver uncompromising culinary execution alongside serious vintages.
The chicken pate was excellent! It's light, smooth, the perfect shade of pink full of delicate flavour with super thin crisp toast and the correct level of salt.
scott mitchell Expert Sommelier Curation
Floor staff act as engaging sommeliers, expertly matching obscure varietals and bespoke bottles to guest preferences without formality or intimidation.
A wine library and the librarians really know their stuff.
Matthew Eames Late-Night CBD Dining Availability
Full-course cooked dinners including steaks, fresh fish, and pasta remain available well into the night when other CBD kitchens are shuttered.
The kitchen was open, staff were helpful and the wine list was very good.
Ali Mozaffari (AM) Effortless Pre- and Post-Theatre Service
Positioned directly on Spring Street beside the theatre district, the venue offers efficient, high-caliber dining timed perfectly for curtain calls.
Absolutely awesome experience pre show next door.
Paul Mangan
Most popular items
European bistro staples and savory bar plates loved by regulars and hospitality pros.
Oxtail Marmalade Toast
The oxtail marmalade was one the standouts.
Anthony Nader Beef Tartare
I could also argue this is some of the best beef tartare in Melbourne.
G G Chicken Pâté
The chicken pate was excellent! It's light, smooth, the perfect shade of pink full of delicate flavour with super thin crisp toast and the correct level of salt.
scott mitchell Polenta Chips
Polenta chips were huge and delish as well.
scott mitchell
Other favorites
Notable desserts, aperitifs, and daytime extras to complement the cellar experience.
Tiramisu
Try the tiramisu, just trust me.
Paul Mangan Coffee
The establishment may be a fully fledged wine store, however they make a great coffee as well.
Dennis Achtypis Limoncello Spritz
I had a limoncello spritz that had me dancing in my seat.
Amanda Elkoumi Shiraz Gin Caviar with Blinis
Try their Shiraz gin caviar with the most beautiful blinis
Jaqui Maree
Frequently Asked Questions
How does wine purchasing and pricing work?
You can order curated wines by the glass from the bar, or purchase bottles directly from the retail shop shelves to drink at your table for bottle-shop pricing with a modest markup.
Can you get a full cooked meal late at night or after the theatre?
The kitchen stays open late, serving full cooked meals such as gnocchi, steak, and fish alongside snacks for late-evening diners and theatre walk-ins.
Is there outdoor seating, and are dogs allowed?
Yes, City Wine Shop offers outdoor street-side terrace and front landing seating along Spring Street, which also accommodates guests with dogs.
What are the portion sizes like for sharing?
Portions are generous; sharing several starters along with a pasta or meat main easily satisfies multiple diners or families.
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