There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when food is served in small, elegant portions. It’s not just about sharing - it’s about savouring. Small plates invite conversation, encourage exploration and turn dining into an experience. From tapas-style bites to modern fusion creations, these venues are redefining the art of grazing, delivering refined dishes in just the right dose to leave you wanting more.
From beachfront bars to urban wine libraries, here are the best spots across the country where small plates take centre stage - and deliver big on flavour.
Frankies at Forde – Gungahlin, ACT
A neighbourhood favourite with genuine polish, Frankies at Forde has carved out a name for itself as one of Canberra’s top suburban haunts. Split between its easygoing café persona by day and a slick, low-lit bar by night, Frankies exudes versatility. The venue’s design - black subway tiles against rustic timber - makes it perfect for everything from long brunches to date-night dinners.
When evening rolls around, small plates shine. Kick off with hoisin sticky pork belly bites served alongside pickled radish and sesame aioli, or go straight for the house-smoked pork ribs. These beauties are coated in a sticky BBQ plum glaze and paired with duck fat potatoes, slaw and heirloom carrots - a perfect example of how small plate doesn’t mean small impact.
Book in for a low-key night of big flavours and elevated comfort.
Kings Beach Bar – Kings Beach, Qld
With its toes practically in the sand, Kings Beach Bar is a Caloundra staple known for easy-going coastal vibes and all-day beachside dining. Inside the Rolling Surf Resort, it’s the kind of place where flip-flops are welcome and meals are best enjoyed under a market umbrella with ocean views in every direction.
The menu is a celebration of seaside freshness and the calamari is a standout. Coated in a crisp wasabi pea furikake and served with kaffir lime aioli, it’s light, bright and layered with just the right amount of zing. Finished with watercress and a hit of lime, this small plate tastes like Summer, regardless of the season.
Drop in post-swim and let the snacks keep the beachy buzz going.
A self-service wine library meets sleek inner-city bar, Wineology offers one of the more unique drinking and dining experiences in Brisbane. Using high-tech Enomatic dispensers, guests can sample from 100 globally sourced wines at the touch of a card swipe - then pair them with a clever menu of gourmet small plates built to complement every varietal.
This is where small bites are elevated into memorable mouthfuls. Think prawn cigars laced with garlic and sweet chilli, or pork belly croquettes oozing provolone and bechamel. For something with a little more heft, try the charred Wagyu skirt in a wild fungi jus or Dutch carrots glazed with infused honey, goats' curd and butter-fried hazelnuts. These aren’t just sides - they’re stories on a plate.
Grab your glass and settle in for a tasting session where food and wine truly sing.
Banksy Bar & Kitchen – Broadbeach, Qld
Bright, beachy and unapologetically Gold Coast, Banksy Bar & Kitchen has nailed the art of stylish brunching with substance. Named after the owner’s Viszla, this Broadbeach favourite is as dog-friendly as it is design-conscious, offering sun-soaked alfresco tables and a fresh, sustainable approach to café fare.
The prosciutto and asparagus toast is a stellar example of a small plate with finesse - sourdough topped with basil cream, roasted honey macadamias, fresh dill, citrus zest and a herb oil drizzle. It’s light yet rich, the kind of dish that satisfies without weighing you down, perfect for mid-morning hangs or a quick reset between waves.
Walk in, grab a table in the sun and treat yourself to a brunch that bites back.
Stick Bar – Port Macquarie, NSW
Hidden down Clarence Street and filled with amber lighting and sake-soaked good times, Stick Bar is Port Macquarie’s answer to Japanese-inspired bar dining done right. With yakitori, tapas and signature cocktails setting the scene, this intimate, art-filled spot is all about playful flavours and casual indulgence.
Two must-try small plates steal the show: the typhoon shelter calamari with lime and wasabi mayo and the sous vide beef ribs lacquered in a sticky house adobo glaze. Each dish balances bold spice with refined technique, ideal for pairing with something crisp from the wine list or a signature cocktail like the Flissy Floo.
Bring your mates, order a spread and stay late - Stick Bar is made for lingering.
From bustling city wine rooms to coastal hideaways, these venues prove that small plates can deliver just as much culinary punch - if not more - than their full-sized counterparts. So next time you’re dining out, think smaller. After all, the best flavours often come in the most elegant portions
