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Restaurant

El Rincon

69 Victoria St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

Updated

Find El Rincon

69 Victoria St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 450 902 222
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About El Rincon

Right off Queen Victoria Market, this Spanish tavern channels Madrid dining through slow-cooked paella and regional bottles. Diners drop by the counter for a cold vermut before settling in for the long haul. Pans of seafood or chicken paella are cooked fresh to order—a half-hour wait built for sharing gambas al ajillo, jamón croquetas, and a glass of Tempranillo. The kitchen sends out scorched rice with tender octopus and mussels straight from the pan, finished with a slice of burnt Basque cheesecake.

  • Made-to-order paella: Pans take 30 to 35 minutes to simmer fresh from scratch, giving tables time to graze across croquetas and garlic prawns.
  • Spanish-focused cellar: Harder-to-find Spanish bottles like Mauro and Tempranillo sit alongside Australian reds, poured beside house sangria.
  • Market-adjacent tavern energy: Perched beside Queen Victoria Market with Spanish soundtracks, lively counter seats, and hospitality from a tight-knit crew.
RestaurantTapasBarRestaurantWine Bar

What's On at El Rincon

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

No events or specials listed right now.

The El Rincon Experience

Why diners choose El Rincon for authentic Spanish hospitality and made-to-order paella

  • Made-to-Order Paella Dining

    Paellas are freshly prepared to order with a dedicated 30- to 35-minute cook time, giving guests time to share starters like croquetas and whitebait.

    ordering the fried white bait fish and Tuna Tartare as a starter while we waited for our Paella main (which takes 30 minutes) while we enjoyed a glass of wine was a great idea.

    JoJo Foo

  • Regional Spanish Cellar Selection

    The cellar brings hard-to-find Spanish drops and Tempranillo imports to Melbourne tables alongside local bottles.

    Great wine list- includes some harder to get Spanish drops.

    Gregor Heard

  • Authentic Spanish Tavern Atmosphere

    Authentic Castilian décor, curated Spanish background music, and welcoming native staff recreate the vibrant feel of dining in Madrid.

    The staff is lovely and it truly feels like being in Madrid.

    Mehry Kioumarsi

  • Traditional Bar & Table Culture

    Traditional bar counter dining pairs with relaxed sit-down tables, offering classic tapas and warm hospitality for both quick drinks and leisurely dinners.

    típico bar español, con una barra para tomar algo rápido en ella y unas mesas para estar comiendo con más tranquilidad

    Antonia Angulo Jerez

  • Nostalgic Spanish Transport

    Classic recipes and distinctive Spanish flavors evoke vivid memories of travels and home across Spain.

    brought me back to Spain

    Diana Rosmini

  • Unwinding Over Sangria

    A cozy atmosphere lined with artistic touches lets guests unwind over house-made sangria and let daily stress fade.

    whenever I’m sipping sangria with the ever-inspiring Salvador Dalí around me, I feel the day’s fatigue just melt away.

    HAEIN KIM

Authentic Spanish signature dishes and tapas made to order

  • Pulpo a la gallega

    Had the best Pulpo a la gallega un years! Great restaurant with great food! Octopus was delicious

    Noli Andrea

  • Albóndigas

    The meatballs are drooling dream worthy, and the staff are smiling savants for service!

    Elora

  • Paella de Mariscos

    The paella was well worth the wait, perfectly cooked with a great mix of seafood.

    Alison Atkins

  • Gambas al ajillo

    Prawns were fresh, crunchy, and fragrant (garlic oil).

    KS Tan

Other favorites

Spanish wines, sangria, and classic desserts to complement your visit

  • Sangria

    The sangria is Delicious, and dangerously easy to drink. It complements the food beautifully and adds to the overall experience.

    Mariam Iglema

  • Tempranillo

    We enjoyed the spanish equivalent of the Ozzie shiraz Tempranillo

    Richard Howard

  • Vino tinto Mauro

    vino tinto Mauro. ¡Todo riquísimo!

    Antonia Angulo Jerez

  • Tarta de queso

    with a huge special mention for the tarta de queso — simply incredible.

    Eve Mezerette

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and culinary rituals that elevate dining at El Rincon

  • Complimentary Chef Tapas

    Chefs and hosts frequently send out complimentary tapas or surprise plates to tables, such as stuffed piquillo peppers or special kitchen creations.

  • Curated Paella Pacing

    Front-of-house staff actively recommend pairing starters and regional wines to coordinate with the dedicated 30 to 35 minute paella preparation window.

  • Hands-On Owner & Team Hospitality

    The owner and team take time to chat at tables, making solo and group diners feel personally looked after like visiting family.

  • Authentic Spanish Atmospheric Details

    The team curates authentic Spanish music and regional ambiance to transport guests straight to Spain.

Before you head over

Practical advice on booking, pacing paella orders, and parking around Victoria Market

  • Pace your meal around paella cook times

    Paellas are cooked fresh to order and take approximately 30 to 35 minutes to prepare, with a two-person minimum. Plan an unhurried meal by ordering tapas or starters to enjoy alongside wine while waiting.

  • Reserve ahead or arrive early

    The venue fills up rapidly in the evening, often reaching full capacity by 18:00 on peak nights. Book ahead or arrive early around 17:00 to secure a table without queuing.

  • Plan parking near Queen Victoria Market

    Street and precinct parking around Queen Victoria Market can be expensive, with the market car park costing $37 for just over two hours. Consider public transit or nearby street bays when planning your visit.

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