Vinotto

This friendly wine bar is owned by the three guys behind Community Coffee Co, who are Swanbourne natives. Their local knowledge has been instrumental in creating an authentic neighbourhood haunt.

Instantly inviting, the former cafe-slash-book-store-slash-bank has been lovingly refurbished. There’s a terrazzo-clad counter in the heart of a split-level room, an open kitchen on the ground floor servicing small tables, and a mezzanine with relaxed bench seating offering views of the bar’s kitchen, garden and courtyard.

Operating out of a scantily equipped kitchen that’s roughly the size of your average telephone box, chef Justin Wong (ex-chef at Tiny’s keeps things tight with a constantly changing edit of small plates designed to complement the drinks. Think baked to order flatbreads, taramasalata and crudites, and pippies with sofrito and pangrattato.

And those drinks? They’re by Caitlin Johnston, formerly of The Humble Onion. The list features wines from Greece, Spain, Italy and France, a diverse range of sherries and vermouths. For non-drinkers and designated drivers, there’s an extensive range of non-alcoholic choices, including local non-alc beers.