7 Restaurants to Delve into the World of Small Plate Dining

Small plates is a type of dining that became popular in the United States after 2000 and has gone on to take the culinary world by the whisk.

When you are out with friends enjoying Friday night drinks, most of us just want to graze on several different plates that tantalise taste buds and harmonise with our cocktails.

Here are seven venues that epitomise small-plate dining:

Discover a modern take on Spanish cuisine at Niña Restaurant on Rosina Street in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD. Tucked away behind the Sofitel Hotel, this stylish dining destination boasts secluded booths, cosy table settings and custom artwork setting the scene for inspired meals and after-work drinks with family and friends. 

 

Think small plates like chorizo croqueta with smoked aioli and anchovy soldiers with paprika ricotta and piparra, or delve into charred octopus with Romesco, fennel and espelette; before larger choices such as whole Coorong flounder with dashi blanco and herb oil. Finish decadently with Basque cheesecake or dulce de leche creme Catalana.

Mybella Asian on Irvine Place in Bella Vista is a modern Asian restaurant inspired by a relaxed, shared eating philosophy. Quickly gaining a reputation for both great food and professional service, this Sydney dining destination is surrounded by beautiful gardens; while indoors an Asian-themed décor is the foil for an evocative and diverse selection of specialties linked to the past and future of great cuisine and culture.

 

Dive right in with duck pancakes, cucumber, leek and hoisin sauce, or share small plates of charcoal grilled chicken skewers with Java peanut sauce; then indulge yourself with chilli mud crab or lobster with ginger, shallots, egg noodles and a side of stir-fried green beans.

Tantalising Asian tapas in a relaxed Tropical North Queensland setting awaits locals and visitors at Eazytiger restaurant on Trinity Beach Road in Trinity Beach. Soak up rays alfresco on balmy days or head indoors where a full glass frontage allows for an abundance of natural light and tempting aromas waft from the kitchen.

 

Expect to find steamed succulent dumplings, marinated and grilled skewers and fresh salads; perhaps sample steamed bao buns with roasted duck, pickled salad and char siu sauce, lamb cutlets with massaman curry, potato and toasted peanuts, or tender, succulent pork ribs with honey soy sauce.

Recreate traditional European style at Claypots Barbarossa on Hardware Lane in Melbourne’s CBD. A warm and welcoming vibe awaits, where friends come together over a love of music, drink and food; whether meeting for a quick and tasty lunch, sharing drinks after work, or couples looking for a romantic dinner accompanied by classic live jazz. 

 

From a creative, monthly-changing menu, expect to delve into small plates like seared Hervey Bay scallops with sesame and lime, King prawns grilled in the shell with caramelised onion and toast, or dip your spoon into a steaming bowl of clam and smoked ham chowder; for the main, don’t go past Claypots signature spaghetti marinara bianca.

Poised atop the valley, Clover Hill Vineyard’s cellar door offers a breathtaking position overlooking the vines and picturesque Lebrina scenery. Located on Clover Hill Road, this dining destination offers a sun-soaked terrace for balmy days sipping a glass of premium sparkling wine, made in the traditional method.

 

Indoors boasts earthy colours, recessed floor lighting and tactile materials to create a serene ambience and visual linkage with the beautiful outdoor environment. Stop in with friends and enjoy a glass of Blanc de Blanc paired with small plates such as Tasmanian oysters or pork cabbage rolls, pickled plums and chorizo crumb; finish with a cheese plate with pumpernickel and fruit paste. 

Get to know your neighbours over a drink or two at new bar on the Leichhardt block, Otis on iconic Norton Street. An impressive drinks list and food to satisfy all appetites await at this fun and funky venue, ideal for unwinding with friends or making new connections in rustic surrounds of distressed timber, trailing greenery and a lively atmosphere.

Pull up a stool at the open window and watch the street action while sipping a signature Mango Mac Daddy cocktail – secret rum mix, mango, macadamia, tonka, citrus and Chartreuse – along with eats such as a tom yum prawn roll with housemade pickled onion and fish roe, or wrap your hands around a dry-aged porchetta sandwich with tomato mayo, salsa verde and rocket,

Great bar food and a Euro aesthetic await at new Marrickville bar, We Three on Illawarra Road. Just a few minutes’ walk from Marrickville station, this Sydney venue spreads over two levels with bar and table seating downstairs as well as an alcove table area, boasting a cheery vibe of bright red chairs and rug, along with terracotta-coloured walls and potted greenery.

 

Expect a wide-ranging list of Australian, European and New Zealand wines along with beer and cider – perhaps pair a Midnight in Marrickville gin cocktail with small plates like pan-seared calamari and chorizo, kipfler potatoes, cherry tomatoes, preserved lemon and saffron emulsion, or housemade smoked bacon hock, olive and spinach terrine with apricot jam and crostini.