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Restaurant

Zsa’s Bar & Bistroteca

202 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia

Recommended by 61 people

Updated

Find Zsa’s Bar & Bistroteca

202 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9482 1318
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 3:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Zsa’s Bar & Bistroteca

Northcote locals head to this European bistroteca for seasonal plates backed by Aussie produce and easy warmth. Pull up a stool at the kitchen bench—chefs prep right in front of you, dishing up everything from rich trout beside Irish soda bread to a quick pour of cellar wine. The dining room runs lively with chatter, dim lighting, and zero ceremony. Midweek brings its own rituals, like heaping bowls of mussels simmering in a smoky chili-tomato sauce.

  • Chef Counter & Storytelling: Diners at the open kitchen counter or in the private dining space get dishes delivered with stories straight from the culinary team.
  • Midweek Feature Nights: Regular weeknights feature specialized menus, from Wednesday mussel bowls in smoky broth to Thursday handmade pasta plates.
  • Considerate Degustation Menus: Multi-course set menus showcase seasonal pairings alongside extensive dietary accommodations for coeliac and dairy-free diners.
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What's On at Zsa’s Bar & Bistroteca

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Distinctive Advantages of Zsa’s Bar & Bistroteca

Why diners choose Zsa’s Bar & Bistroteca for tastings, milestones, and neighborhood dinners

  • Direct Chef Interaction and Storytelling

    Guests seated at the bench or private dining room receive courses directly from the kitchen team alongside personal explanations of the dishes.

    We sat at the bench and watched the chefs prepare our dishes in front of us.

    Vic Wan

  • Celebratory Degustation Dining

    Multi-course tasting menus offer balanced, inventive European-inspired courses designed to make date nights memorable.

    We went to Zza's for our 2 year anniversary and it was the perfect date night spot.

    Jake Gostin

  • Dedicated Group Dining Spaces

    Private dining and courtyard settings accommodate large milestone gatherings with customized layouts and banquet menus.

    Zsa's is the best place for a group dinner experience! The private dining room out the back is great

    Phoebe Fitzpatrick

  • Attentive Event and Family Hosting

    Event hosts and families enjoy seamless gatherings with attentive hosting that anticipates mobility support and speech coordination.

    I was so lucky to celebrate my birthday with lunch for 16 at Zsa’s Bar & Bistroteca in Northcote last weekend.

    Anthony Avitabile

  • Midweek Specialty Feature Nights

    Mid-week diners enjoy curated single-focus feature menus such as Wednesday mussels with house sauces.

    Wednesday night mussels night which is a favourite. Huge mussels with deliciously made tomatoe and smokie chilli sauce

    Francis McG

  • Lively Neighborhood Pasta Rituals

    Weekly pasta programming pairs hearty specialty plates and wine features in an energetic neighborhood setting.

    I came on pasta night and let me tell you, I’ve never really been a fan of gnocchi but that was my absolute favourite dish.

    Tinah N

Signature dishes and tasting menus praised by Northcote diners

  • Chef's Tasting Menu

    Perfect for date night - we booked the chefs tasting menu which left us very full and each course was excellent.

    Louis T

  • Steak Tartare

    The steak tartare and burrata were insane.

    The Gollys

  • Wednesday Night Mussels

    Wednesday night mussels night which is a favourite. Huge mussels with deliciously made tomatoe and smokie chilli sauce

    Francis McG

  • Trout and Guinness Bread

    My absolute FAVOURITE DISH (pic below) was the trout and Guinness bread! It was a party in my mouth with a perfect creaminess, saltiness and savouriness.

    georgia fitzpatrick

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful, attentive hospitality moments that elevate private events and tasting dinners.

  • Tableside Chef Storytelling

    Chefs present dishes directly to guests at the bar counter and in the private dining room, talking through the story, elements, and flavor profile behind each course.

  • Bespoke Dietary & Intolerance Care

    Kitchen and floor staff tailor menus for severe dietary restrictions like coeliac, grain, dairy, and fructose intolerances, including offering custom French cheese alternatives when standard desserts do not suit.

  • Acoustic Care and Event Staging

    For private milestone events, staff close adjacent doors to ensure clear acoustics for speeches and set up dedicated staging tables for gifts, bags, and coats.

  • Hands-on Mobility Assistance

    The owner personally assists guests with mobility needs, including guiding four-wheel frames and opening rear exits to ensure smooth, safe departures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you sit at the kitchen bench to watch the chefs cook?

Yes, guests highlight bench seating right in front of the kitchen where you can watch the chefs cook and chat with them about the menu.

Can the set and tasting menus accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes, the kitchen readily accommodates dietary requirements including gluten-free, coeliac, dairy-free, fructose, and vegan diets, adapting tasting and set menus accordingly.

Do they offer mid-week specials like mussels or pasta nights?

Yes, the restaurant runs dedicated mid-week specials, including Wednesday mussels night and Thursday pasta night with wine specials.

Are private dining or courtyard spaces available for group events?

Yes, diners note a private dining room in the back as well as a courtyard area suitable for large group celebrations and milestone events.

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