AUSTRALIAN GOOD FOOD GUIDE - Home of the Chef Hat Awards

Best Bite-size Dishes: 5 Venues Serving Unmissable Small Plates


Whether you're perched seaside on the Gold Coast or nestled into a country pub in the Highlands, Australia's dining scene proves that big flavour often comes in small, shareable packages. From delicate Japanese skewers to tapas with European soul, these five venues deliver compact culinary artistry designed for grazing, sharing and savouring.

Each bite-size creation tells a global story - one of tradition, refinement and the sheer joy of eating with friends. Here are the must-visit spots to indulge in small plates done exceptionally well.

Birdcage Dining Room & Garden Bar – Main Beach, Qld

Birdcage Dining Room & Garden Bar brings international flair to Tedder Avenue, combining moody luxe interiors with the vibrant energy of a worldly neighbourhood haunt. With jewel-toned seating, ornate filigree and a colour palette that dances between crimson and cobalt, the venue feels like an opulent passport to far-off flavours. Whether you're lounging with a Blackbird cocktail in hand or exploring the garden bar, this is a place designed for lingering conversation and culinary exploration.

Best Bite-size Dishes: 5 Venues Serving Unmissable Small Plates

On the plate, bite-sized dishes sing with influences from the Mediterranean to East Asia. A standout is the pan-fried prawns - plump, seared and swimming in garlicky lemon olive oil, brightened by gremolata and served on crunchy sourdough. For those with an appetite for variety, skewers of salmon yakitori drizzled with teriyaki and sprinkled with sesame make a compelling case for seconds.

Ready to taste the world? Make a reservation and let your palate travel, then record your journey with a review.

The Kwinana Local – Kwinana Town Centre, WA

With its broad patio, live music and family-friendly atmosphere, The Kwinana Local is more than just a bistro - it’s a hub of community spirit and comfort dining. The spacious venue on Chisham Avenue blends pub charm with modern polish, complete with a roaring fireplace for cooler nights and sunlit alfresco seating for balmy afternoons. It’s the kind of place where you walk in a stranger and leave having shared stories over shared plates.

Best Bite-size Dishes: 5 Venues Serving Unmissable Small Plates

Those plates are designed to bring people together. The tasting platter is a celebration of finger-licking fare: spicy meatballs, golden arancini, sticky spare ribs and drumettes soaked in house marinades. It’s the ultimate mix of rich, punchy and satisfying morsels perfect for grazing over drinks.

Curious to try the full spread? Book your table now and dive into the local flavour, making sure to review your experience.

Mittagong Hotel – Mittagong, NSW

Steeped in history dating back to 1890, the Mittagong Hotel fuses old-world charm with contemporary dining in the heart of the Southern Highlands. The venue’s storied past - once a silent film location and a local institution for generations - now frames a warm, family-friendly dining experience. With cosy nooks, a lively bar and an outdoor courtyard, the hotel invites guests to slow down and savour.

Best Bite-size Dishes: 5 Venues Serving Unmissable Small Plates

The approach to small plates leans modern with a European edge. The tuna crudo is a delicate yet punchy start - silky slices dressed in citrusy lime, punctuated with briny capers and pickled shallots. Elsewhere on the menu, spicy nduja mussels and sourdough make a strong case for second rounds. This is bite-size sophistication with a country soul.

Don’t miss your chance to experience it - reserve your spot today. Show your appreciation by leaving a review.

Woodend Cellar and Bar – Woodend, Vic

Set on Anslow Street, Woodend Cellar and Bar doubles as a cellar door and local hangout, inviting guests to discover the wines of the Macedon Ranges with a glass in hand and a shared plate on the table. The space is intimate and eclectic - part wine bar, part cosy retreat - offering everything from post-work drinks to full evenings of slow dining and warm company.

Best Bite-size Dishes: 5 Venues Serving Unmissable Small Plates

The menu champions European-style tapas and the pulled pork rillettes are a rustic standout. Served with crunchy sourdough and a luscious housemade jam, they’re indulgent yet understated - exactly the kind of dish that pairs perfectly with a sharp white or a mellow Pinot. Round it out with charcuterie or spicy meatballs and you’ve got an evening well spent.

Secure your next outing now - bookings are open. Don't forget to review your dining experience.

One Eighty Japanese Restaurant – Labrador, Qld

Nestled on Marine Parade with sweeping Broadwater views, One Eighty Japanese Restaurant presents a refined yet approachable Japanese dining experience. The clean, modern design, laced with warm timber and ambient lighting, offers a peaceful backdrop for everything from date nights to omakase adventures. It’s minimalist in aesthetic but maximalist in taste.

Best Bite-size Dishes: 5 Venues Serving Unmissable Small Plates

For lovers of bite-size precision, the yakitori omakase is essential. These skewers - especially the chicken selections - are grilled over binchotan charcoal, offering a smoky depth that’s both traditional and elevated. Each piece is a lesson in balance: savoury, crisp, juicy and masterfully seasoned.

Feeling inspired? Book a seat at the counter and let the Chef lead your journey. Let others know about your experience by leaving a review.

From sizzling tapas and refined crudo to expertly grilled yakitori, these venues prove that small plates can pack monumental flavour. Whether you’re grazing through a long lunch or plotting an evening of shared indulgence, this is your guide to the best bite-size dishes worth seeking out.

Featured Locations

Japanese    $$$$$

One Eighty Japanese Restaurant

Set along Marine Parade in Labrador, One Eighty Japanese Restaurant offers stunning Broadwater views paired with authentic Japanese flavours. The minimalist, modern interior features timber accents...

Modern Australian    $$$$$

Mittagong Hotel

Discover a watering hole rich in history at the Mittagong Hotel on Main Street. If the walls could talk this Southern Highlands dining destination would have a myriad of stories to tell dating back...

Fusion    $$$$$

Birdcage Dining Room & Garden Bar

Discover your local, for locals, by locals at Birdcage Dining Room & Garden Bar on Tedder Avenue in Main Beach. Embark on a journey across the continents from the Mediterranean to the Orient at thi...

Modern Australian    $$$$$

Woodend Cellar and Bar

Come for a glass of wine, stay for the good times at Woodend Cellar and Bar on Anslow Street in Woodend. Discover a cellar door to the Macedon Ranges, showcasing unique Australian and international...

Bistro    $$$$$

The Kwinana Local

A smart, sprawling venue for bistro meals, live music and family fun is what awaits at The Kwinana Local on Chisham Avenue in Kwinana Town Centre. Chill out on the patio on balmy WA days with an ic...

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