Simplicity at its best, this tiny wine bar in the CBD won’t disappoint. With its menu of whatever they feel like on the day, there is always something different to experience at Von Haus.

Location:

1 Crossley St, CBD

Difficulty Finding:

Initially Difficult: While this bar is just off Bourke Street, it is hard to find. There is little indication that it is there unless you know what to look for. When coming from Bourke street, its the first door down Crossley Street on the right and once inside its the first doorway on the left. Don’t be dismayed by its size, thats it…

Summary:

- Type: Wine bar and restaurant
- Food: Home style cooking
- Music: Whatever takes their fancy at the time…
- Cover: None

Review:

In many ways, vising Von Haus is like going to a dinner party with some close friends at a university share house, it might be cosy with everyone sitting on stools but there is plenty of interesting wine and good homely food. While the interior has a simple 19th century charm about it, rather than filled with furniture that sometimes seems to have been picked up on hard rubbish day, everything else about it has that share house feel about it. You turn up, have a good couple of glasses of wine, eat some homely food, listen to some good music and talk to friends. This relaxed atmosphere is even reflected in the bar staff who are helpful but appear to be having as much fun being there as you are.

The menu at Von Haus is simple, they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and whats on the menu just depends on what they feel like on the day. Basically Lunch is made up of a couple of different sandwiches, and for dinner they offer a couple of meat dishes, a vegetarian option and desert if that takes your fancy. The food it self is not complicated and consists of simple lush flavors that will make you feel right at home. Food is served until about 10pm however it stays open much later functioning mostly as a wine bar. The wines they have on offer reflect their “whatever they feel like on the day” approach and they select a couple of interesting wines from their collection that go well with whatever is on the menu or simply by themselves. If wine is not your thing then they also have beer (cricketers arms larger), cider, and a small selection of spirits for some cocktails.

While it is very small inside, probably one of the smallest bars in the CBD, it has a very homely feel and the exposed kitchen operates as the bar and overlooks the main area. There is an outside area down a side alley as well for those that want to sit outside, however it too can fill up fast. The music played complements the venue perfectly with, again, whatever they feel like at the time being played, mostly consisting of old classic albums or interesting new ones.

For those wondering where the name came from; Eugene Von Guerard was a prominent Australian painter who lived in the building where the bar is now located, and for many years he was recognised as the foremost Australian landscape artist in the colonies for his attention to detail in his painting. Von Haus, which is located in his old living room (hence the 19th century feel), has been designed to have the same attention of detail for what a bar should be.

Final Thoughts:

The whole Von Haus experience makes for one of the best bar going and even dining experiences in Melbourne. There is no over pretentious rubbish, it just works so well on the keep it simple philosophy.

Pro’s:
+ Fantastic homely experience
+ Interesting food and wine changing daily
Con’s:
- TINY…so get in early
- Can get hot and noisy inside

Score:

Atmosphere: Very Good
Service: Good
Menu: Good
Cost: Good
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Overall: Good