Restaurant
Embla
122 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Embla
122 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Embla
Russell Street’s timber-lined den pairs open-flame cooking with bottles rarely poured elsewhere in the CBD. Snag a stool at the kitchen counter—you watch the coals do the heavy lifting while staff steer you toward obscure vignerons. Melbourne regulars zero in on the chicken skin crisp with whipped anchovy, followed by coal-roasted duck and calamari straight off the grill. The dining room runs dark, loud, and compact, stripped clean of white-tablecloth stiffness.
- Wood-Fired Counter: Small plates and meats turned out over glowing coals right in front of the open kitchen counter.
- Esoteric Wine Program: A rotating cellar list focused on unconventional bottles, skin-contact styles, and rare pours by the glass.
- Low-Lit Wine Bar Energy: Timber finishes, low lighting, and engaged chefs keep the bustling room informal and relaxed.
What's On at Embla
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Embla Belongs on Your Evening Agenda
From wood-fired alchemy to low-intervention cellar gems, discover why this Russell Street haven defines Melbourne wine bar dining—book your table now.
Wood-Fired Precision
Embla's kitchen harnesses open flame and hot coals to impart deep, smoky richness into seasonal dishes from grilled calamari to Angus T-bone.
The fire cooked items all had an unbelievable flavour and every dish was worthy of a 10/10.
Niki Vasiliadis Inventive Shared Plates
A rotating selection of inventive, seasonal small plates allows diners to explore diverse land-and-sea flavours without feeling overwhelmed.
The menu consists out of small to share dishes which is great so you get to taste every dish without feeling over full.
Silke Van den Houte Front-Row Kitchen Banter
Perching along the open kitchen counter invites casual interaction with the culinary team as they prep and grill over coals.
The chefs Max, Jacob, Harvey & Dylan were such a good laugh, answering all of our questions about the food
Samantha Feeley Vibrant Dining Built for Sharing
The lively Russell Street dining room pairs unpretentious wine bar energy with share-friendly dining built for catching up.
A great spot for an evening of good food, wine and sharing.
Benjamin Unhurried, Moody Warmth
Low lighting, warm timber, and relaxed tunes create an effortlessly stylish CBD retreat that encourages guests to slow down and stay.
a warm, intimate space with low lighting, laid-back tunes, and a vibe that invites you to sink in and stay awhile.
Matt Barton Intuitive Wine Hospitality
Staff demystify an eclectic list spanning classic benchmark labels and funky, minimal-intervention pours with welcoming guidance.
Wine was so good and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly on recommending something that suits.
C Dunleavy
Most popular items
Beloved wood-fired staples and wine-friendly snacks highlighted by guests.
Chicken Skin Crisps with Whipped Anchovy
For a group of three we ordered the chicken skin crisp with whipped anchovy and chicory, what a great way to start the meal.
Niki Vasiliadis Grilled Calamari
The grilled calamari was like no other calamari dish I’ve ever had, it was so good.
Niki Vasiliadis Cucumbers with Feta
The humble cucumber has never had such great reviews.
Tuyen House Sourdough
from the occasional crunch of freekah in the (incredibly spongey) sourdough, more-ish mushroom butter
elisa m
Other favorites
Complementary sweets, starters, and bar pours to round out the table.
Apricot Orange Blossom Dessert
If you have a sweet tooth, you MUST try the apricot orange blossom dessert (but don’t share it with anyone lol)
Rida Mohammad Honey Cake Dessert
what we shamefully thought may be a basic dessert of few mandarin segments, was a deep and complex ARTWORK - layered with burnt caramel, dense honey cake, caramelised mandarin and the most godly amaro foam, insane.
elisa m Cocktails
Great cocktails, so many wine choices (it is a wine bar after all) and solid local beer options.
Niki Vasiliadis Mushroom Tarts
We loved the chicken skin crisps and mushroom tarts😋
毕绮琪（Qiqi）
Beyond the menu
From lively chef-counter conversations to intuitive service gestures, every detail elevates the evening. Book your table to experience it firsthand.
Direct Kitchen Counter Interaction
Diners at the back counter can converse directly with the chefs as they work the wood-fired hearth, getting casual answers about preparations and techniques.
Thoughtful Celebration Seating
Guests visiting for birthdays and milestones receive thoughtful seating placement, such as dedicated tables arranged beside vintage lamps.
Chef and Venue Storytelling
Floor staff share engaging background lore regarding the culinary team, venue history, and dish concepts directly with guests.
Proactive Service Recovery
When pacing lags between courses, the dining team steps in with a sincere apology and a complimentary dish to smooth the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to book a table in advance?
Reservations can be made online, which is recommended during peak dinner hours as the dining room fills up fast. Walk-ins are also accommodated at the kitchen bar counter and front bar.
What is the kitchen counter dining experience like?
Sitting at the kitchen counter lets you watch the team prepare dishes over hot coals and wood-fire while chatting directly with the chefs.
What dishes should you not miss when ordering?
The menu centers on wood-fired sharing plates and snacks, with standout favorites including crispy chicken skin with whipped anchovy, grilled whole calamari, sourdough with cultured or mushroom butter, and coal-roasted meats.
What styles of wine and drinks are offered?
The curated list features natural, funky, and esoteric bottles alongside traditional options, with diverse selections available by the glass and staff ready to suggest pairings. Local beer and cocktails are also available.
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