Mate's Table
Subscribe
Create
Share with the community

What would you like to make?

Add a recommendationShare a place worth gathering around.Create a guideBuild a useful list for your city.
For business

Restaurant

Rufio

188 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

Recommended by 71 people

Updated

Find Rufio

188 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 7003 4393
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Book Now

About Rufio

Moody lighting, tart caipirinhas, and a vibrant Latin American menu that happens to be entirely gluten-free—welcome to Rufio. Perched up a flight of stairs on Carlisle Street, this St Kilda hideaway lets coeliac diners breathe easy and order without a second thought. Midweek regulars angle for the Thursday steak special—a 250g Black Angus striploin paired with sharp chimichurri, butter leaf salad, and crispy cheese potato skin for $25. From the raw bar, citrusy kingfish ceviche arrives bright with tiger’s milk, followed by deshelled garlic butter tiger prawns and crisp lamb empanadas. For low-FODMAP eaters, the kitchen even runs a dedicated no-onion, no-garlic lineup. The table winds down over warm, cinnamon-dusted chocolate rice balls.

  • 100% Gluten-Free: The kitchen operates entirely without gluten, letting coeliac diners order anything without cross-contamination worries.
  • $25 Thursday Steak Night: A 250g Black Angus striploin served medium-rare with chimichurri, butter leaf salad, and cheese potato skin.
  • No-Onion & Garlic Menu: The kitchen accommodates low-FODMAP and specific dietary profiles with dedicated onion- and garlic-free dishes.
  • Standout Seafood: Standouts include tiger’s milk kingfish ceviche, loaded lobster tostadas, and deshelled garlic butter tiger prawns.
RestaurantCocktailRestaurantCocktail Bar

What's On at Rufio

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Rufio

Why diners choose Rufio for worry-free dining, midweek specials, and inclusive group feasts.

  • 100% Dedicated Gluten-Free Dining

    Rufio operates an entirely gluten-free kitchen, allowing diners with coeliac disease or gluten intolerances to order across the full Latin fusion menu without cross-contamination anxiety.

    having a completely gluten-free menu makes dining here so easy and enjoyable

    Kara Scott

  • Specialized Menus for Sensitive Diets

    Guests navigating low-FODMAP and specific dietary restrictions receive dedicated kitchen adjustments, including marked and separate onion-free and garlic-free menus.

    They literally have a no onion and garlic menu for customers.

    Nicoletta Akritidis

  • Midweek $25 Steak Night Date Special

    Thursday nights feature a $25 prime 250g Black Angus Striploin served with chimichurri, butter leaf salad, and cheese potato skin, delivering premier steak quality at an accessible midweek price.

    Date night @rufio.co on a Thursday was an absolute winner with their $25 Steak Night special

    Aditi Saha

  • Warm & Moody Carlisle Street Ambience

    The relaxed and moody interior creates a comfortable, unpretentious setting suited for cozy winter evenings and low-key social dinners.

    I absolutely loved the vibe, it feels so warm and inviting, which is perfect for the winter weather we’ve been having.

    Maria Karina Carranza Godoy

  • Inclusive Group Feasts & Set Menus

    Accommodating multi-course sharing options—such as generous large set menus and dedicated vegan grill feasts—allow groups with diverse diets to feast seamlessly together.

    The vegan grill set menu was fantastic. Each dish came out quick, with hardly any wait between courses, and every plate was just as good as the last.

    Mitch Crawford

  • Stress-Free Dining for Mixed Groups

    Rufio functions as a dependable venue for family gatherings and celebrations where coeliac guests and non-restricted diners can eat together without compromise.

    I have several family members and friends who are celiac, so Rufio is my go to and always impresses

    Jazmyn Price

Signature Latin-inspired dishes from our 100% gluten-free kitchen

  • Glazed Pork Belly

    ordered the Glazed Pork Belly and Grilled Swordfish but they didn’t have Swordfish so we had Barramundi

    Cecilia Y (What’s to eat)

  • 250g Black Angus Striploin

    Date night @rufio.co on a Thursday was an absolute winner with their $25 Steak Night special featuring a perfectly cooked 250g Black Angus Striploin, butter leaf salad, cheese potato skin, and chimichurri.

    Aditi Saha

  • Kingfish Ceviche

    We started with the Kingfish Ceviche, which was fresh and citrusy with grapefruit and tiger’s milk.

    Kim Ong

  • Garlic Butter Tiger Prawns

    the STARS of the day are the Garlic Butter Tiger Prawns which were cooked so perfectly

    Cecilia Y (What’s to eat)

Other favorites

Sweet finishes, vibrant sides, and handcrafted Latin drinks

  • crispy chocolate cinnamon rice balls

    finished with the crispy chocolate cinnamon rice balls for dessert

    Aditi Saha

  • butter leaf salad

    We also shared the butter leaf salad with radish and lime habanero vinaigrette, which kept things nicely balanced.

    Kim Ong

  • Tres Leches

    Crowd favourite was the calamari and dessert (Tres Leches)

    Jacques Ayy

  • Caipirinha

    Caipirinha, the best I had in Australia and I have the word since I am Brazilian and I make them myself 😝

    Larissa Santana

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful touches and dietary care that elevate your visit to Rufio

  • Dedicated No Onion & Garlic Menus

    Guests with strict low-FODMAP diets or allium sensitivities are provided with a dedicated no onion and garlic menu alongside personalized marked-up options.

  • Entirely Safe Gluten-Free Kitchen

    The entire kitchen and food menu operate completely gluten-free, allowing guests with coeliac disease to dine without interrogating ingredients or fearing cross-contamination.

  • Thursday $25 Striploin Steak Night

    Every Thursday, diners can order a 250g Black Angus Striploin with potato skin, butter leaf salad, and chimichurri for a dedicated $25 midweek special.

  • Retractable Roof Dining Room

    The dining space features a fully retractable roof, transforming the dining room atmosphere across seasons for warm sunny lunches and cozy evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the menu completely gluten-free?

Rufio features a 100% gluten-free kitchen and menu, making it safe and stress-free for diners with coeliac disease. They can also provide a dedicated menu accommodating onion and garlic restrictions.

How accessible is the venue for visitors with mobility concerns?

Rufio is located up a long, steep flight of stairs at the entrance, and patrons note there does not appear to be elevator access.

Is there parking available nearby?

Yes, free 2-hour parking is located just a one-minute walk away off Chapel Street, alongside street parking options in the area.

What weekly food specials are offered?

On Thursdays, Rufio features a $25 steak night special served with salad, chimichurri, and sides. They also offer a $25 chicken special on Wednesdays and a $30 Sunday roast.

Explore more places in Melbourne

Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.

Browse all Melbourne venues