Willow Wine Cafe
Here, you can drop-in before work for a Five Senses coffee, then after for a glass of Victorian wine.
Overview
UPDATE: MAY 2, 2019 — Whether you have made Willow Wine your new local or have yet to pay it a visit, we suggest scheduling in an after-work session on an upcoming Friday. The wine bar cafe has just launched a Friday happy hour, which includes wines, spritzes and toasties — all for $9 each. It kicks off at 6–8pm this Friday, May 3.
The inner west's ever-booming booze scene continues its charge, with the arrival of Kingsville newbie, Willow Wine Cafe. The charming 20-seater marks the first solo venture for local, Ellen Turner, whose hefty hospitality resume includes stints at Gin Palace, Collins Quarter, Seddon Wine Store and even Shanghai's Glamour Bar.
Most recently home to a cricket shop, the Williamstown Road building now sports a comfy mix of recycled timbers and repurposed fittings, all warm, natural finishes and cheery glow. Open from 8am until 7pm, Tuesday through Sunday, it's a space that slips easily from morning coffees to those after-work wines.
You'll find the early crowd tucking into Five Senses lattes, brekkie boards and crumpets, while loaded toasties and a range of milk bun rolls — perhaps filled with hot smoked trout, crème fraîche and dill — are the stars come lunchtime. Local produce is the focus and the glass cake cabinets filled with treats from the likes of Brasserie Bread, Candied Bakery and Söt by Mörk.
The wine list also flies the flag for locality, with a solid crop of Victorian labels backed by a careful curation of drops from further afield. An ever-rotating by-the-glass selection is primed for post-work drop-ins, best enjoyed alongside some of the locally sourced cheese and charcuterie.
You'll find a range of wines available to take away, too, while a program of seasonal dinners, tasting events and a Willow wine subscription service are also on the cards.
Images: Michelle Matthews