Cabinet Bar & Balcony - another Melbourne's hidden gem

This is why I love this city so much!! It's filled with hidden alley ways with fabulous street murals and home to some of the best place to hang out. I first discovered Cabinet Bar & Balcony when I was searching for a relaxed restaurant to meet two of my bestest friends. It's been too long since we last meet, so a lot of catching up is in order.

I've been craving for tapas lately, however, my wallet is not liking the sounds of Movida or Match Bar & Grill. A little over my budget at this time of the month.


The bar is neatly tucked in an alley just in between L'incontro the Council House. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a homey feel to it. Decorated with Victorian regalia, Cabinet successfully blends essence of the past with aspects of today in both its environment and their food. Large blackboards in change for the traditional paper menu, and spare seats hanged on the wall give this place a retro-chic feel.

Chef Kath Lunny's brilliant share menus are perfect for nibbles and perfect compliment to the delicious cocktails and wide range of Australian wines. For a more serious snacks, they offer flatbreads treated as crunchy thin pizza crust with various toppings such as roast duck, mushroom and plum sauce or Tandoori chicken with red capsicum and cashew nuts. We had the antipasto platter to share and I tried their mini steak sandwich. The beef are very tender, but I had trouble popping it in my mouth at one go, but when you tried to bite it in half, I just end up with a mess. Perhaps I need a bigger mouth.

Tandoori chicken flatbread

Mini steak sandwich

Chocolate fondue platter

I am yet to try to sit in the balcony since it seems to be used for private functions everytime I stopped by. Perhaps third time's a charm?

Cabinet Bar & Balcony
11 Rainbow Alley
(cnr little collins & swanston) Melbourne, Victoria 3000 ph. (03) 9654 0915