MELBOURNE — The owners’ cavalier attitude to irrelevant regulations during the inception of this Brunswick translated to the Spanish Cavallero, which means horseman. This sort of well thought out approach to business is echoed in every element – a horse head in the logo, a small, framed portrait of one of the owner’s grandfathers atop a horse at the bar, the saddle leather used to encase the wine list. Fittingly, the light, airy space used to be a stable.

Attention to detail is apparent at every juncture – perfectly selected records (Television, Johnny Cash) play in a nod to owners’ Robert and Kent former profession as DJs, the menu is introduced with a Guy de Maupassant story of feasting and socialising, the wine list with a quote from Brillart-Savarin. The bathroom mirrors are etched with strategically placed moustaches.

The Cavallero philosophy is to keep people comfortable – whether that’s through prices, seating or staff. Unintimidating and entirely unpretentious, the space is equally right as an old fashioned boozer where you can flop down in the booths for beers, an early morning brunch spot or the place for dinner with a few. There’s a full bar and an extensive menu that runs the gamut from classic brunch with a twist to snacks, lunch, dinner and sweet baked goods. For the most part, Cavallero use smaller, local producers – most of their eggs are served the same day they are laid, and teas are from the Lilydale Herb Farm. Local boutique breweries are alternated in providing for the single tap. The menu is asking to be stolen, with the work of a local artist backing each seasonally renewed menu.

Owner Robert’s passion for wine is evident in an extensive but not overwhelming selection of new and unusual varietals – Austrian, Slovenian, Spanish – and of course, the best of the smaller Victorian vineyards.

Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
7 Days a Week.