Nina’s Bar & Dining

Foot traffic isn’t a problem at Nina’s Bar & Dining. The relaxed restaurant and wine bar sits next to a sunny bike path opposite Anstey train station that hums with locals strolling, cycling and walking their dogs.

It’s the perfect setting for a community-focused spot, which makes good use of the neighbours. The bread is from Iris the Bakery, veggies are from Russel’s Fruit & Vegetables (as well as Keilor’s organic-certified Day’s Walk Farm) and coffee comes from nearby roaster Bench Coffee Co. Honey from the building’s rooftop garden is turned into honey cake. Tigerella tomatoes are also grown on the roof, and might be paired with a peach and ricotta shokupan.

Elsewhere on the menu, you might expect dry-aged pork cutlet dripping in a sweet and sour pineapple bacon glaze. Or a creamy potato salad with soft-boiled egg and a serve of charred baby cos with avocado sauce. The space matches the laid-back vibes with second-hand tables and chairs, wine shelves repurposed from the venue’s previous bar top and large windows that open out to the bike path or look onto a parklet and a wall of graffiti.

There’s also a killer wine list with a strong showing of rieslings, chenins and chardonnays.