This craft-beer hangout is a refreshing change from Melbourne’s craft breweries which, while endlessly creative with their beer, can feel repetitive when it comes to their menus. Chef Geoff Marett’s food, though, is brash and bold, inspired by loud and loose izakayas. Marett dials up the sweetness and matches with salty elements, and cleverly deploys several different pickled, spicy or umami ingredients in a single dish.

A katsu of thigh resting on a sweet and gently spicy pool of Japanese curry gravy could be the juiciest crumbed chicken of your life. Charred pork jowl is equally tender and you’ve never had a crumpet like this: deep-fried with a toffee-like shell, piled with a swish of labneh and rich, saucy lamb shoulder.

It’s perfect drinking food; a good thing, too, as there are 18 taps plus a five-door fridge with cans and bottles, wines from up-and-coming producers, plus sakes and highballs from whisky to tequila to try.

Good to know: We recommend ordering as you go (via QR code or by walking up to the bar).

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