Uncle — Melbourne, Australia
Since the 1970s, Melbourne’s strong Vietnamese restaurant offering was a typically unadorned affair, with plastic chairs, fluorescent strip lighting and surly service being the main ingredients. But when Uncle hit the bayside suburb of St Kilda nearly four years ago, its pairing of Vietnamese flavours, colourful décor and soul-driven soundtrack made it an instant hit. Now, Chef Dai Duong and front-of-house Rene Spence are back at it, this time on Collins Street in the Melbourne CBD.
Set one level up among the leaves of the street’s famed Plane trees, designers Foolscap Studio have again created a warm, colourful and enjoyably informal space. Decorative cane screens and hand-finished cane pendant lights channel a touch of provincial Vietnam, while geometric colour-blocked flooring, customised leaf-pattern shade screens and denim-aproned floor staff anchor the venue in the now.
From behind the granite topped bar, bartenders pump out classics with a Viet inspired twist, such as a Bloody Mary with holy basil and chilli pickle, and Spring Street – a cocktail of gin, basil syrup, lychee, bitters, lime and prosecco. Like the flavours on each of Duong’s plates, from bao and banh mi to larger plates such as a barramundi fillet with tamarind caramel, the balances of sour, spicy, bitter, salty and sweet are distinct.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
Level 1, 15 Collins Street
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Spanish design studio Masquespacio's new HQ is a historical mansion bursting with colour
Design studio Masquespacio presents its new home and office, a bold and unique space in a beautifully refurbished historic villa near Valencia
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Surreal, uncanny, seductive: step into Graham Little’s world
Scottish artist Graham Little presents his first US retrospective at The FLAG Art Foundation in New York
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Junya Ishigami designs at Maniera Gallery are as ethereal as his architecture
Junya Ishigami presents new furniture at Maniera Gallery in Belgium (until 31 August 2024), following the series' launch during Milan Design Week
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Sydney’s The Darling shows off its playful and sophisticated suites
The Darling in Sydney unveils its recently renovated suites by Fender Katsalidis, paying homage to the surrounding cityscape
By Tianna Williams Published
-
St Ali & The Queen elevates Melbourne’s coffee culture with modern brews and brutalism
St Ali & The Queen is a Fiona Lynch Office-designed café and cocktail bar in Melbourne’s revitalised Queen Victoria Market
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Kangaroo Island’s Southern Ocean Lodge returns to full splendour
Kangaroo Island’s Southern Ocean Lodge reopens in one of Australia’s wildest and most enchanting remote corners, following the devastating 2019 bushfires
By Monique Kawecki Published
-
Six luxury lodges to discover in Western Australia
From desert camps to beach retreats, explore luxury lodges to rest and recharge in the sun-kissed region
By John Arlidge Published
-
Off-beat eco-lodge Sun Ranch opens in the Byron Bay hinterland
The 1970s-inspired Sun Ranch estate has been envisioned by a collective of friends from Australia’s fashion and hospitality scenes
By Monique Kawecki Published
-
Qantas’ Airbus A350 cabins make non-stop to Australia a dream ticket
Explore Qantas’ slick new Airbus A350 cabins, designed by David Caon, including minimalist first class suites
By John Arlidge Published
-
A Sydney adventure: discover art and architecture, design and dance
See the best Sydney architecture, design, craft, cuisine and more. Ahead of World Pride 2023, Wallpaper* Australia editor Elias Redstone offers an insider’s view to help you plan your trip
By Elias Redstone Published
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
By Chadner Navarro Published