Brico Melbourne

Ask the city’s serious wine drinkers where they’re spending golden hour, and all roads lead to this Carlton North courtyard. Intimate. Buzzy. Flooded with afternoon sun. Brico channels that elusive sprezzatura—an effortless, home-cooked energy where the ingredients do the heavy lifting. The kitchen's confidence shows in every uncomplicated plate. Think thick slices of Iris bakery bread swiped through cultured butter, sweet preserved peppers cut by tangy goat's curd, and a brilliant artichoke and ricotta pie. Pasta purists are fixated on the cavatelli—tossed perfectly al dente with sweet peas, sharp pecorino, and flawlessly rendered guanciale. The wine list is a sprawling, thoughtful deep-dive, matched by service that is sharp, fun, and deeply hospitable. Settle into a bentwood chair (cleverly baffled for pristine acoustics), order a signature Spritz, and let the afternoon slip away.