Our Take on Bar Romantica
Bar Romantica was a moody Italian pizza and pasta spot with a wine bar at its heart, set in Brunswick East on the old Cafe Romantica site. The new owners gave the 24 hour diner legacy a fresh identity while keeping the name's nod to the past.
Time Out Melbourne praised the room's red booths and the American oak bar that took centre stage up front. The venue has since closed; for the record and for alternatives, see our Melbourne bar guide and the best wine bars worldwide roundup.
Inside Bar Romantica
The front room held a beautiful American oak bar, with red booths giving the space a cosy, low lit feel. Concrete Playground read it as a warm, romantic room built around handmade pasta and a tight wine list.
The wine offer ran from traditional pours to new school natural wines by the glass, plus hard to find European bottles on an extended list. For other wine led rooms, see the Melbourne wine bar guide and our bars near me hub.
The Move at Bar Romantica
Who Shows Up At Bar Romantica
In its run the room drew a Brunswick East local crowd, the kind that books a date night around handmade pasta and a bottle of something natural. Concrete Playground read it as warm and romantic rather than loud.
That neighbourhood following carried over the goodwill of the long running Cafe Romantica before it. With the venue now closed, that crowd has moved on to the Etta team's replacement, Daphne, on the same site.
The Word On Bar Romantica
- Time Out Melbourne flagged the red booths and the American oak bar as the room's signature look.
- Concrete Playground rated the handmade pasta as the standout, with quality matching the hype.
- The wine list ran from traditional pours to new school natural wines by the glass.
- Melbourne Food and Wine Festival reported the venue closed in 2026, with the Etta team opening Daphne on the site.
Is Bar Romantica Your Kind Of Bar?
- For the record: a Brunswick East date night built on pasta and natural wine.
- A reminder of the Cafe Romantica legacy the venue paid tribute to.
- Avoid making the trip now; the venue has closed and reopened as Daphne.
Before You Go To Bar Romantica
- Bar Romantica sat on Lygon Street, Brunswick East, Melbourne VIC 3057.
- Closest transit was Tram 1 along Lygon Street, north of Melbourne University.
- The venue has permanently closed; the site now operates as Daphne.
- For a similar mood, try the Brunswick and Carlton wine bars linked below.
- We keep this page live so the name still resolves and we can redirect it later.
The Room In Pictures
