Bar Lourinhã

Everything from the snacks to the starters was absolutely delicious — especially the potato gnocchi, which was so good I’d go back just for that. We really enjoyed the experience… until the steak arrived. Unfortunately, the rump steak was incredibly tough — I couldn’t even chew through a bite, and it ended up tiring my jaw. My partner finished it because we didn’t want to waste food, but it was a disappointing end to an otherwise lovely meal. Hence the four stars.

This place is outstanding in every sense. The food, - pork and rice. The cuttle fish and the chocolate mousse. Simply outstanding. One of the most beautiful meals I have had in Melbourne. This is my second time. I thought perhaps the first time was fluke. I’m glad to say I was wrong. 10/10 in every way.

Had one of the best Spanish dining experiences we can get here in Melbourne. Joe and her partner have been doing an amazing job as well as their team. The food, wine and service were all impeccable. We highly recommend and will be back when in Melbourne

Our dining experience was incredibly disappointing. The slow-cooked beef with a grilled finish was a major letdown—overly salty, and the grilled portion was burnt, leaving a bitter taste that made the dish completely inedible. To make matters worse, we were seated at the end of the restaurant in a strange seating arrangement where we couldn’t sit face-to-face. Despite this, there were two unoccupied, normally arranged tables nearby that remained available throughout our entire meal. Overall, it was a very unsatisfactory visit. This will definitely be our last time dining here.

I dined alone and chose the set menu which was fabulous value at 3 courses for $40, with my chosen addition of a Douro Valley port. Each course was delicious although as a mostly pescatarian eater I ended up light on vegetables because I could resist the small main course of roasted sardines, when I really would have enjoyed the beans. People with a robust appetite could easily add in these as an extra. The small donut-like Portuguese dessert was particularly delicious, but so was the entree… and the main. Just excellent.

My first Spanish restaurant and it certainly didn't fail any expectations. The food here is out of this world. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. This restaurant is right up there with the best of them. It's hard to put into words how nice my pork dish tasted, the table next to me instantly made a comment on how good it smelt, I can tell you it tasted even better. 5 stars.

Wow what a beautiful venue! Food by Chef Matt McConnell is superb with plenty of Spanish & Portuguese dishes to choose from. The decorations inside are eclectic and fun (lots to look at while you’re sipping a nice wine). They also have some outdoor dining if you like to people watch, or a private dining & function space upstairs that looks beautiful. Definitely get the kingfish sashimi & house baked bread if it’s on the menu when you go. This would be a perfect spot for a pre-theatre dinner or drink, or a romantic dinner.

A great atmosphere, service and food we had. Good flavours and tastes. Mains portions were a bit unfilling but and so was a bit expensive. But highly recommended experience.

If you're looking for a great place for drinks after work, or to meet a friend for a drink (then maybe a bite to eat), do come here. This is handy to workplaces at the Paris (Spring St) end of Collins Street and is great. There's seating indoors and outdoors. I came here for a drink after work with two colleagues. We didn't have a booking. We sat outside and enjoyed wines - thank you to our very helpful server who allowed us to taste first and then decide on our wine. We decided to stay for dinner and enjoyed the Kingfish and the Zucchini dishes. I would definitely come again - service is friendly, professional and respectful. Thank you.

Last night was my third or fourth visit to Bar Lourinha and this place never fails to deliver. My first visit was on a Saturday afternoon while finishing up some shopping in the city and we stopped in for tapas and drinks. Simply beautiful and good tasting food, the place was pretty quiet at that time of the day. We learned of Bar Lourinha while when there was a cooking show on TV that had amateur cooks competing against the Bar Lourinha chefs. Last night was my first time going there at night and I truly enjoyed my experience. The staff there are very attentive, even though the place is packed to the gills they still manage to get around to everyone and make sure their needs are seen to. The place runs like a well oiled machine. Yes I will be going back again.

A wonderful looking tapas bar, small and cosy with a knockout drinks menu and staff who know how to serve it up with a smile. The food is about small sharing plates made from fresh, high quality ingredients. The menu is small, which is just fine as your focus won't be detracted too long from the fantastic wine and cocktail list. The room itself is gorgeous and if you come early enough when it's not too crowded, you really get to enjoy all the detail and care that has gone into making Bar Lourinha look so special. The beautiful front windows let in a lot of light making the cushy sofas beneath the window a fine spot for a coffee and the daily papers. Otherwise, it's most fun sitting at the bar with a friend, sharing your small plates of deliciousness and watching the bartenders do their thing.

We had some extra time away from the Australian Open and didn't want to eat at the open. This place was close to our hotel and had seats at the bar. The service was fantastic and very friendly. They had a nice wine list and full bar for any cocktails you might fancy. The food started strong with croquettes and stuffed squash blossoms but then went south quickly. The grilled octopus came highly recommended but unfortunately was super rubbery. We also got the poached chicken dish which was weird as it was served cold. I think this place is fantastic for drinks and maybe a small snack. I would stick to the fried items as they were great. I'm not sure I would choose to have dinner here again with so many other options in the area.

In today's hectic world, we are constantly looking for the pursuit of happiness as the holy grail. A wise man once told me that the key to happiness was low expectations. The key to happiness = LOW EXPECTATIONS When you think about it for a moment, you realise just how true that is. When trying out Bar Lourinha for the first time, my expectations were sky high. A number of friends had said that it was crazy good and to expect the world. The food was really really good. It was Tapas style based on very simple and extremely fresh ingredients. The yellow tail carpaccioesque dish was amazing and was the definite standout. The rest of our dishes were really tasty too, but having eaten at Movida only a month or so prior, it did not measure up as I'd hoped. And it probably comes in at a similar price. Nevertheless, the service was exceptional, the atmosphere really lively, and the environment tailor made for indulgence.

Fantastic spot. Took us in at the last minute. Great & nettle & quest manchego croquetas & chorizo hot dogs. Top wines. Will be heading back soon.

As others have said this isn't Movida.......it's Bar Lourinha....and it's fabulous! I love the cozy dining area with the couches in the front window, seats at the bar and oversized communal dining tables down the side. The wine list is extensive with something for everyone. The tapas dishes are delicious. My regular faves are the sauteed mushrooms and the bread lardos. Upstairs is a function room that can be booked out for private events. This is a great space and has plenty of room for a large table of guests with remaining room for mingling.

Easily better than the over hyped Movida, this place is my go-to for friends from interstate or overseas. This is a showcase for Melbourne bar food and wine with a mix of simplicity and sophistication. It also shows the side of Melbourne that is not all about binge drinking and football, with a good cross-section of inner city Melbourne people. Not pretentious, but with a little class. Two dishes we always come back for.... First, The kingfish pancetta which is finished with a delicious citrus flavored oil and fresh thyme. Second, the pomegranate praline dessert which is best shared with a dear friend for maximum enjoyment! It's hard to go wrong with the selection of wines. The team of servers are well placed to recommend a drop to your taste, often serving selected wines by the glass beyond what's on the wine list. Ask them to help you choose! A friendly team, very attentative without pestering you. The upstairs dining hall is perfect for private parties with a fine outlook onto the trees outside and down Meyers lane.

You know I dont think I've ever seen this anywhere near quiet. It's always completely packed from the get go right down to the end of the night. I imagine working here would test the physical and mental abilities of some of the most agile athletes. Busy Busy Busy! Still the wine list is pretyy good, so Bar Lourinha is a nice place to come to share a bottle of wine or several and have some snacks to eat (tapas). Its been here for ages, and I even remember going for a trial back in the day. The chorizo with Butter beans is ace; and with a some form of roasted potatoes, it would be a good dish on a cold winter's night. The downside of this small place is that it fills quickly, lots of bottle necks can develop and it gets crowded. Staff are trained on a few thing; Security guards, all night users, Sheppards' Crowd logistic planing, movement and straterisation, peace makers, negotiators, Extreme mathematicians come bill time, and weaving in and out of impossibly tight spaces. Then they provide the service. It's more of a chilled vibe so impatience won't serve you well. Salty dog cocktail is pretty neat.

Much of what Minh L. says sums it up for me, too -- I've always been underwhelmed by the food at Bar Lourinhã, even if the wine list consistently provides salvation (the Nebbiolo is what does it for me). There are a few gems on the menu (yellow tail kingfish pancetta, spiced chickpeas and spinach, and the lamb tongue when it's offered), but none of it really competes with many of the City's other great Spanish tapas bars in the same price range. So, what keeps me coming back? First, the ambiance. The bar feels more intimate and cozy, and quite a bit sexier than, say, MoVida (which has always felt a little cold and stuffy to me). Second, the staff. The waiters and bar staff are a fantastic bunch, the right combination of attentive, good-humoured, and fun. If you're starved for amazing Spanish food, you might want to take a pass. But if you're starved for a laid-back glass of wine and catch-up with a friend or two, Bar Lourinhã is a pretty great venue for a sip and a nibble.

I came here as part of a corporate lunch, so got to taste almost everything on the menu. I would recommend this place for a late night grazing of tapas. The non-vegetarian options were better than the veg ones, unfortunately, not that the veg options were terrible or anything. My highlights were yellowtail kingfish, chorizo, mushrooms and their cheese plate.

Very nice indeed. Lovely inviting space. Atmosphere always very welcoming here. Stopped off for a last drink with colleagues. A rose which was very fetching. Service was warm and friendly. Wandered off into the night comforted and satisfied.

The thing about tapas in Melbourne is that if you were playing word association, the next thing 90% of people would say is "Movida". This means places like Bar Lourinha, whilst being absolutely great are often a bit under the radar. A fairly tiny place and subsequently almost always packed to the brim, these guys know how to present an incredible drinks menu and knock out some mean tapas. I have absolutely no problem paying a premium for great food, but when the bill came I was a bit surprised at the size of the number. And I think that kind of surprise is never good... if you had a truly amazing time, then for me the figure on the bill is always worth it.

This was the 2nd establishment visited during my single night biz trip to Melbourne. Compared to my wonderful experience at Meatballs and wine bar (see review), this was a bit of a lackluster experience. From my point of view as a business woman in from out of country, it's not always super glamorous and fun to huddle down at a bar to have a drink and a little food. Not more than 5 minutes after sitting down, a group of 5 men expressed a desire to sit at the bar. The waiter asked the couple next to me, who were chatting and laughing, to move 2 seats down. I knew the request was coming my way as I was in the middle of the 5 desired seats. No worries, I thought, I'll sit at the corner to my left. Instead the waiter decided to have his female colleague/waitress ask me to move to the end of the bar, not to my left but to my right...actually to the last seat on the bar before you step foot into the kitchen. To placate me, the older men desiring their preferred location offered to buy me a drink. So off I go to sit practically in the kitchen with my cava bubbling and ebook in hand...needless to say comparing this to my Meatballs and Wine bar experience, I probably won't return on my next trans-pacific work trip nor will I openly recommend the place.

A very cute space, pity about the construction taking place next door but clearly that's out of the control of these guys. The food is brilliant and it is perfect for a date.

The customer service was lovely, the food is good but too small, too expensive, too common. The atmosphere of the place is cool.

Up on the Paris-end of Little Collins Street with spectacular views of a car park and the Senoritas sign on Meyers Place, you will find an intriguing Iberian tapas-wine-cocktail bar called Bar Lourinhã. The place is seemingly named after "Lourinhã" which is a municipality in Portugal with a population of around 25,000. We were escorted immediately upon entry to stools at the bar by an affable bloke called Hershy who would ultimately take care of our wild and wanton eating and drinking needs for the whole of the afternoon. As usual, this visit was not going to be a quick dine and dash experience, we planned to get stuck into the short yet interesting menu and the intriguing wine list. What first caught my eye was the 961 beer ($9) in the bar refrigerator. This craft beer hails from the only microbrewery in Lebanon which is quite a fair distance from the Iberian peninsula but it is a special beverage that you can not find in many places in Australia. This hydration and distraction gave us time to fully inspect the menus and decide to begin with Pimientos de Queensland of the Patron variety ($16) and a bottle of Flor de Crasto 2010 Douro ($43) which was a bold start and equally adventurous since it was very early in the afternoon. Don't be fooled that since these green peppers are sourced from Queensland, that they don't pack a punch. The smaller the pepper, the more concentrated the heat and the more of the fine Douro you ultimately skull. Chorizo Pincho ($10) a Pintxo but presented on a skewer, followed. A simple and strong taste and overall good chorizo. The overarching flavour complimented the Douro and the sweet and mild chilies that accompanied the chorizo. To polish of the bottle of wine we tried the croquetas ($4/each) which were not only soft and warm but cleansed the palate in anticipation of the next bottle of wine. Vadio Bairrada D.O.C. 2007 ($59) was the next bottle to be sacrificed. Bairrada is a Portuguese wine region located in the Beira province. The region has Portugal's highest wine classification as a Denominação de Origem Controlada - thus the D.O.C. classification. Another order of Chorizo Pincho and two additional croquetas were ordered before enjoying this earthy wine with the special duck ($32) and pork ($18) which matched well with the wine. My initial apprehensions of matching the delicate duck with the earthy wine were silly and everything worked well. It certainly gave us cause to sit, relax and enjoy pleasant conversation whilst the masses wandered past on Little Collins Street. I was pleased that I was not one of the herd on this relaxing and sunny afternoon. There are a few lounges bordering the perimeter of the restaurant which would be useful not only for a quick nap after knocking back a few bottles of red at the bar, but to enjoy cocktails or sangria at. The decorations and art give off the vibe of a place that you would find on the Iberian peninsula and although the aficionados would complain that tapas that you would find in Portugal or Spain would be much cheaper, and no doubt point you in the direction of Movida should you want to pay higher prices, I found what you eat and drink to be both reasonably priced and tasty compared to other alternatives in Melbourne. There are only a few places that I have found where you want to build your food experience around the wine but also in the end wasn't concerned that the bill would be out of control because of an afternoon of excess. In fact I was not only pleasantly surprised to pay my share and thought it was good value for money despite being a bit under the influence of said good wine as I walked out.

Without doubt my favorite bar in Melbourne. Great wine list, excellent food, fun staff that really know what they are on about. Good feel to the room and of course who can forget the decor! I'd have to say that weekday lunches and Saturday from 4 til 7 are the best times to visit, chill with something nice in your glass and munch on a few snacks. Also some of the best coffee in Melbourne...

This place was so bad it was almost laughable. The charming décor houses staff who are aloof, unpleasant and difficult to deal with, and lack any understanding of the concept of service. The food was not like any tapas I have ever eaten - to call it tapas is an insult to tapas the world over. There was no cohesion to any of the dishes, and most of them tasted like glue. The best thing about them was that they were so small that the suffering of consuming them was short-lived. Wine selection was without inspiration or class, however still managed to be overpriced. How this place can stay open is beyond comprehension.

The poor man's MoVida? Nah just more accessible, it's ok to be the roadie, no need to be the rock star. Been here twice, just up the road from my usual Melbourne hotel on Little Collins. Did dinner and lunch. Both occasions were a casual delight with tasty morsels and energetic service. We ate in the space at street level filled with mainly longish high tables as well as comfortable bay window seating immediately on your left when entering. There's also a dining room upstairs for larger functions/groups? Food was simple, good. The fried green peppers an at times spicy surprise with donkey kick flavour. A simile for Lourinhas.