Where To Find Melbourne’s Best Martinis
Martini mania is nothing new to Melburnians. We’ve long been indulging in the stiff drink, whether it’s laced with olive brine or spiked with espresso.
There’s an undeniable sophistication to the martini. Traditionally, the martini, with a history dating back to the late 19th century, is an ice-cold blend of gin and vermouth, sometimes finished with a dash of bitters. But, as with any classic, we love to jazz it up and make it our own in Melbourne.
We continue to evolve the classic, offering many a martini to every kind of drinker. Here are our eight current favourite martini iterations around town:
Greek Salad Martini
Capers, 843 High Street, Thornbury
Image: Capers | Instagram
A martini that leans fully into savoury territory. This Capers pour blends Tanqueray gin with Martini Bianco, vinegar shrub, cucumber, tomato, and olive brine for something sharp, fresh and unexpectedly balanced. It’s briny and herbaceous, sitting somewhere between a dirty martini and a punchy salad dressing.
Subag Martini
Eau De Vie, 1 Malthouse Lane, Melbourne
Image: Eau De Vie | Instagram
Bright, fragrant and surprising on the palate, the Subag Martini at Eau De Vie starts with a zingy base of Plymouth Gin and lime leaf vermouth before hitting a savoury groove thanks to a house‑made umami brine of garlic, chilli and ginger. What really steals the show? A tiny watermelon sake pearl that pops with a delicate sweet-savoury hit—like liquid candy for adults with a penchant for quirky flavour combos.
Tomatini Gin Palace
10 Russell Place, Melbourne
Image: Gin Palace | Blake Alcock
Gin Palace’s Tomatini is the elevated answer to the bloody mary. The drink traces back to Dubai in the early 2010s, where bartender Jimmy Barrat (of Le Petit Maison) grew weary of making endless bloody marys and set out to create something more refined for a cocktail bar setting. The result? A clarified, spirit-forward take on the classic that quickly became a cult favourite. At Gin Palace, they’ve reworked the idea, built around Archie Rose’s Lemon Scented Gum gin, it leans savoury and aromatic, with classic bloody mary spices and a clean, structured finish. Garnished with a whole pickled cherry tomato, it’s familiar, just refined for the evening hours.
Sea And Shell Martini
Pearl Diver, 56 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Image: Pearl Diver | Supplied
Chilled to perfection and ready to sip straight from the freezer, Pearl Diver's martini mixes Saint Felix & Pearl Diver Oyster Shell Gin, Maidenii Dry Vermouth, and a dash of Kombu Orange Bitters. The real showstopper? The 'Olive Oyster' garnish—a little olive juice encased in a delicate membrane, like a mini flavour bomb, pops in your mouth, letting briny, savoury goodness wash over your palate.
Chrysanthemum Martini
Una Una, 712 Station Street, Box Hill
Image: Una Una | Roger Cai
Refined and low-ABV, Una Una's early 20th-century martini variation puts aromatics front and centre. French vermouth lays down a soft, floral base, with Bénédictine adding gentle sweetness and herbal depth, while Yellow Chartreuse brings a bright, lightly spiced finish. Ideal for aperitivo hour or whenever you want a polished sip without the punch.
Wendy’s Scoop
Nick and Nora's, Entrance 11 Benson Walk, 80 Collins Street, Melbourne
Image: Nick and Nora's | Instagram
A dessert-style martini leaning all the way into indulgence with its cheeky, over-the-top riff on the pornstar martini. In true Nick and Nora's fashion, this one's over the top in all the right ways. Wyborowa Vodka and Chinola are shaken with vanilla syrup and pineapple juice, delivering bright, tropical notes of passionfruit, vanilla and pineapple, topped with Champagne cream, a crisp waffle and a playful bubble.
Vietnamese Coffee Martini
Double Happiness, 21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne
Image: Double Happiness | Website
You’ve heard of an espresso martini—but what about a Vietnamese coffee martini? At Double Happiness, Flor de Caña 7 Year Rum meets fresh espresso and sweet condensed milk for a velvety, bittersweet mix packed with rich, aromatic coffee flavours. It might look like a typical espresso martini, but one sip will tell you otherwise, delivering a smooth, punchy finish.
Cosmopolitan Fairy Floss Martini #FLUFFEDNOTSTIRRED
Rock Sugar, 477 Malvern Road, South Yarr
Image: Rock Sugar | Supplied
They say don’t play with your food—but how about your drink? Rock Sugar says it's more than okay with this martini riffs on the classic cosmopolitan with a full-blown sugar rush. Vodka, Mediterranean orange gin, cranberry, and citrus are shaken, then poured over a fluffy cloud of raspberry fairy floss sitting pretty in a chilled martini glass. Watch it melt, swirl, and vanish like a magic trick, leaving behind a sweet, tangy hit that feels a little bit nostalgic.
You might also like:
Main image credie: Pearl Diver | Instagram