Bar Yarra launches all-day dining and late-night cocktails in South Yarra
Bar Yarra has opened in South Yarra, introducing an all-day neighbourhood dining venue to Melbourne’s inner south. The venue operates from the subterranean space formerly occupied by Lona Misa. It now delivers breakfast, dinner and late-night cocktails, with lunch service commencing in February.
The opening took place on Monday, 12th January. As a result, Bar Yarra now trades seven days a week. The venue caters to both brief visits and extended sittings across the day.
“Bar Yarra is designed to be a place people can drop into at any point in the day – whether that’s for a quick coffee, a long lunch or a drink that turns into dinner,” says Christos Pavlidis, General Manager of Ovolo Hotel South Yarra. “It’s relaxed, approachable and very much about creating a genuine local for the community.”
Head Chef Santiago Ospina leads the kitchen. The menu focuses on modern Australian dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Importantly, the structure supports sharing and repeat visits.
Breakfast service features shakshuka cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with whipped fetta. It also includes a Nordic plate with smoked salmon, soft-boiled eggs and pickled vegetables. In addition, crème fraîche pancakes are served with seasonal fruit compote.
Coffee service uses St Remio beans throughout the morning. Meanwhile, the breakfast drinks list includes Bloody Marys and mimosas.
Dinner service shifts the menu towards classic bistro dining. Small plates include market-fresh crudités with spiced pepitas and tahini. Fried calamari follows, seasoned with chilli salt and paired with citrus aioli.
Larger plates anchor the evening offering. These include a 250g striploin steak frites and roasted pumpkin ravioli finished with miso butter. The Yarra Smash Burger also features, served with double beef patties, bacon, mayonnaise and fries.
Vegetarian options remain present across services. As a result, the menu supports a range of dining preferences.
Drinks program and evening schedule
The drinks list is compact and familiar. Cocktails focus on recognisable flavours and balanced profiles. Highlights include the Elderberry Bloom with vodka, elderflower, raspberry and mint.
Another option is the Spritz Del Sol. It combines Aperol, tequila, Triple Sec, lime and sparkling wine. Wines span Australian producers alongside international selections.
Bar Yarra operates a daily happy hour from 5pm to 7pm. The offering includes $8 house wines and $10 first-pour spirits. It also features pints of Great Northern, a $15 cocktail of the week and a $10 snack of the day.
Weekly programming extends into the evening. Throwback Thursdays introduce vinyl DJs playing classic tracks. Consequently, the venue supports early evening and late-night trade.
The opening follows the closure of Lona Misa. The plant-based Latin restaurant concluded service on New Year’s Eve after five years in South Yarra. During its tenure, it received One Hat recognition in The Age Good Food Guide.
“Bar Yarra is about opening the space up to everyone,” Pavlidis says. “It’s approachable, energetic and built around great food, great drinks and good times. We’re excited to welcome the neighbourhood in and see the venue take on a whole new life.”
Bar Yarra now operates as a neighbourhood-focused dining venue. It aligns with all-day service and evening social dining in South Yarra.
Bar Yarra details
Address: 234 Toorak Road, South Yarra VIC
Opening hours:
Breakfast: Monday to Friday 7am to 10.30am, Saturday and Sunday 7am to 11am
Lunch: Commencing February
Dinner: 5pm to late
Bookings HERE