Bar Lourinha

Exceptional service, outstanding food, wonderful atmosphere. Our long awaited visit to Bar Lourinhã exceeded our expectations, and a lot of that was down to how well we were looked after by the lovely and knowledgeable Janey. Her recommendations were all top notch, especially the sherry finale, her delivery of bread slices to soak up the oils and sauces were impeccably timed, and her conversation between courses was warm and enjoyable. The flavours of all our dishes were amazing and the whole place hust oozes a timeless charm. We'll be back very soon, and highly recommend BL to others who haven't yet been.

A moody and cosy spot for Spanish tapas and a fun night. Corn + smoked chilli croqueta, and morcilla + house lardo montadito made for a delicious start to the meal, and the roasted mushrooms + garlic cream absolutely blew us away with its richness and piquant flavours. Pro tip - ask for bread to soak up all the creamy goodness. Portuguese rabbit rice was just as heavenly too. End your meal on a sweet note with the pomegranate crema + pistachio + olive oil, and chocolate bunuelos + dulce de leche.

The service was absolutely fantastic. The wine selection is also pretty good. The food is slightly average. And when you think that you are in Melbourne and the food everywhere is pretty amazing, the food at Lourinha was just average. We had a Tuna Kibbeh was not a kibbeh at all. The croquete was also pretty average. But the mushroom dish was amazing.

Empty tables, empty upstairs, but made to sit at the bar? Actually, I like the bar. Busy ticky tack thrift shop decor (excellent well produced and large photo prints aside - maybe Spain maybe Portugal) and, um, Latino music? Paucity of Portuguese drink offerings? Great Terperanillo. Estrella beer always good. The food: excellent corn and chilli tapas; lukewarm (..cold squid pieces, warm prawns..) and very small main, but superb rabbit stew, salty as an August night in Faro. Very small servings, pricewise. Pudim Flan (Bloody Orange) - bloody excellent. Also Excellent, timely coffee. Great customer created ambience. Good service by hard working staff. Dropped my wallet, honest young (man) waiter handed it to me. Very good place. But NOT Portugese by any stretch. Nao faz mal! 5.5/10