Overview
Carlton Wine Room is a quietly confident Melbourne institution—a restaurant and wine bar that feels both elevated and utterly approachable. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building at the corner of Faraday and Drummond Streets, it strikes the sweet spot between local haunt and destination dining.
Co-owned by chef John Paul Twomey (ex-Cumulus Inc.) and a passionate team of wine professionals, the venue centres around seasonal food, elegant simplicity, and a sense of ease. The menu changes frequently and draws inspiration from European bistro traditions—think house-made pastas, charcuterie, perfectly roasted meats, and vibrant vegetable-forward plates that showcase produce over pretension.
The wine list is the beating heart of the Carlton Wine Room. Smartly curated and deeply rewarding to explore, it offers over 100 selections across old-world classics, new-wave Australians, and lesser-known gems. By-the-glass choices are extensive and ever-rotating, with staff always ready to recommend something brilliant and unexpected.
Inside, the dining spaces are split across several levels, from the buzzy downstairs bar to intimate upstairs nooks perfect for dates or small groups. Soft lighting, leather banquettes, and timber floors create a mood that’s both comfortable and quietly luxurious.
Carlton Wine Room isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s simply making every turn a pleasure. With smart food, incredible wine, and a rare sense of generosity, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to, again and again.
Last update July 2025
