Nixie Nox

Nixie Nox bills itself as Richmond's smallest pub, and the numbers back it up: room for just eighty people across a forty-person public bar, a twenty-five seat covered atrium and a twenty-five seat dining room upstairs. The name comes from a Dr Seuss character, the fit-out from a vintage shop fever dream, all high-backed bar stools and warm corners.

It's run by three veteran Melbourne publicans, Stu Bellis, Marilla Gair and Chris Dore, with ex-Meatmaiden chef Stacey Tuara in the kitchen. That means the food punches above pub weight: beef burnt ends and miso mushroom daikon cakes alongside a proper parma, a wagyu burger and lamb ragu pappardelle. Independent Victorian craft beer on the taps, most of the wine list by the glass.