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Restaurant

Don's

202 Commercial Rd, Prahran VIC 3181, Australia

Recommended by 6 people

Updated

Find Don's

202 Commercial Rd, Prahran VIC 3181, Australia

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HoursMonday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 1:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 1:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 3:00 – 7:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Don's

Prahran’s Commercial Road spot strips the wine bar down to pure instinct—unpretentious pours, cracking hospitality, and zero ceremony. The crew guide your glass across an open prep counter, pouring surprise Syrahs to match whatever rolls off the burners. Southside regulars treat the room like a friend's kitchen, targeting the fried chicken sando alongside warm focaccia and prawn pasta served by the spoonful. Tables run strictly on walk-ins, lingering into the evening over seared scallops in wakame butter.

  • Rotating Cellar Pours: A rotating cellar selection of low-intervention drops and unexpected pours, backed by staff ready to talk terroir without the stiffness.
  • The Fried Chicken Sandwich: A cult neighborhood fixture built on fried thigh, crisp lettuce, cucumber, and punchy mayo.
  • Open-Pass Plates: Hand-rolled pastas, fresh-baked focaccia, and seared scallops in wakame butter prepped right in front of the counter.
RestaurantModern AustralianWine Bar

What's On at Don's

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Don's

Exceptional rotating pours, boundary-blurring bites, and an effortlessly welcoming counter—join us for your next casual pour or table.

  • The Cult-Favorite Fried Chicken Sandwich

    Built with fried chicken thigh, crisp lettuce, cucumber, and mayo, Don’s standout sandwich delivers a deeply savory, remarkably balanced bite that draws passionate repeat cravings across Melbourne.

    It’s literally just fried chicken thigh, some lettuce, cucumber, and mayo, nothing fancy but somehow it’s so balanced, so rich, so perfect.

    Polly Peng

  • Frictionless Walk-In Seating

    Foregoing rigid advance booking requirements, Don’s welcomes spontaneous drop-ins and neighborhood arrivals, making relaxed weeknight wine sessions effortlessly accessible.

    Walkins only so always recommend arriving early. However never had a problem getting a seat on a weekdays.

    Jaime McDonald

  • Front-Row Open Prep Kitchen

    Guests can perch right where the action happens, watching chefs prepare fresh focaccia, seasonal pastas, and small plates right before their eyes in an energetic, engaging room.

    All prepared right in front of you if you like to take it all in.

    Andy Crowhurst

  • Deep Sommelier Knowledge Without Pretense

    The floor team pairs casual, welcoming warmth with serious sommelier knowledge, taking time to unpack varietals and recommend surprising drops tailored to each guest’s palate.

    As a foodie, I questioned a lot about the wines and the food, Jimbo explained to me in depth.

    Didi Yu

  • Intimate, Low-Pressure Date Nights

    With cozy seating, attentive hospitality, and shareable small plates, Don’s provides an intimate, low-pressure backdrop tailored for effortless dinner dates.

    My partner and I had a lovely dinner date and will definitely come back.

    Anne Louise

  • Curated Monday Date Night Menu

    A dedicated start to the week featuring fresh bread, handmade pasta, and dessert, Don’s Monday date night set menu pairs exceptional quality with accessible value.

    Came on Monday night for their $40 pp date night menue and could not fault it at all.

    Eric Kuang

Most-praised bites and dishes across diner visits.

  • Fresh Focaccia

    Do not pass up the opportunity to have a freshly baked focaccia bread that is so sublimely melty, with caramelised salt crust on top, this is the stuff of the top bakers of the world.

    Ben Lee

  • Fried Chicken Sandwich

    The Fried Chicken Sandwich is super delicious!!!!!

    Polly Peng

  • Pasta on a Spoon

    still dreaming about the pasta on a spoon 🤤

    Carly

  • Scallop with Wakame Butter

    The scallop with wakame butter was amazing.

    Didi Yu

Other favorites

Rotating desserts, savory skewers, and thoughtful zero-proof drinks that round out the table.

  • Soft Serve with Focaccia Caramel

    my faves were the focaccia bread and soft serve with focaccia caramel.

    Anne Louise

  • Burnt Basque Cheesecake

    Order the burnt basque cheese cake and vegemite caramel.

    Michael Tan

  • Non-Alcoholic Spritz

    Loved the non alcoholic spritz

    Shan M

  • Beef Skewers

    And the beef skewers had so much flavour.

    Fran Cormack

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful operational touches and hospitable hospitality nuances that elevate the visit.

  • Open-Kitchen Chef Interaction

    Dishes and freshly baked bread are prepped right in front of diners, where chefs and counter staff actively engage with guests throughout the meal.

  • Pre-Pour Wine Tastings

    Guests can sample rotating wines before deciding on a glass, guided by staff who share in-depth knowledge on terroir and unexpected varietals.

  • Monday Date Night Menu with Drink Swaps

    A $40 per person Monday evening tasting featuring house bread, handmade pasta, and dessert, with the flexibility to swap wine for thoughtful non-alcoholic options like sparkling tea.

  • Spoon-Served Pasta Bites

    Fresh handmade pasta specials—such as prawn and tarragon—are served individually on spoons as concentrated single-bite courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a reservation to get a table?

Don's operates primarily on a walk-in basis. Arriving early is recommended, particularly on busier nights, though visitors note seats are generally easy to get on weekdays.

What are the must-order food items?

The fried chicken sandwich (or burger) is a widely recommended signature dish, frequently paired with the freshly baked focaccia. Other popular plates include rotating handmade pastas and skewers.

Does Don's offer any weekday specials or set menus?

Yes, Don's offers a $40 per person date night set menu on Monday nights featuring bread, pasta, and dessert, with options to swap wine for non-alcoholic drinks.

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