If Melbourne had its own version of Diagon Alley, Embla would be the tucked-away little bar you’d only find if you knew exactly where to look.
No big sign. No fanfare. Just a nondescript shopfront that looks like it could be abandoned – or worse, one of those places that sells “antiques” but really just hoards broken typewriters and existential dread. Blink, and you’ll miss it. But if you do notice it, you’ll pause, squint, and think, Is this a secret club? A front for something? Am I about to make a terrible life choice?
Luckily, we decided to roll the dice and open the giant, slightly intimidating door. And thank Merlin we did. Because behind that door is pure, unfiltered, culinary magic.
First up: the bar. The glorious, spacious bar where bartenders aren’t just slinging drinks – they’re conducting alchemy. Negronis shimmer like liquid amber, margaritas shimmy across your taste buds, and the wine list? Generous. Thoughtful. The kind that makes you pretend you know more about tannins than you actually do.
And then there’s the food. My goodness, the food.
The beef? Magnificent. Like, “forget everything you thought you knew about beef” magnificent.
The chicken crisps? Impossible to stop at two. I’m not even sure stopping at ten is realistic.
The peppers in sesame and macadamia sauce? I’d trade a family heirloom for another plate.
The pasta? Exactly how pasta should always taste but rarely does. Fresh, silky, perfect.
Every time I leave Embla, I’m already plotting my return before I even hit the footpath. When are we coming back? I ask my husband, like a kid who just discovered theme parks exist.
So, if you haven’t been, do yourself a favour: find that hidden door, step inside, order a Negroni, and let the magic unfold.
EMBLA: https://embla.com.au
Boundless and Unfiltered 