Nini's Hawthorn
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Nini's Hawthorn
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Bita Lowry has developed Nini’s Hawthorn into one of Melbourne’s most loved restaurant’s and event centre. Bita grew up in Persia and developed her passion for food in the kitchen of her mother and Grandma. She learned to love and use traditional herbs, spices and seasonings. The resulting family dinners were filled with flavor, joy and happiness. For many years Bita worked in the corporate environment, but her love for food and hospitality drove her to open Ninis. Nini’s rooftop bar, restaurant and event centre seats 265 guests in a stunning environment for indoor and outdoor dining in Melbourne. The hallmark of Ninis is warm hospitality which is born of Bita’s Persian upbringing. It blends the best of Middle eastern and Mediterranean styles to provide a unique experience. The cooking secrets of Greece, Turkey, Italy, Iran, and Lebanon bring you generous portions of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean heaven, matched with a bar full of cocktails and wine. Signature small dishes like Filo wrapped feta with pomegranate chili marmalade, zucchini fritters and saganaki with wild Iranian fig purée, lead into large plates of delightful slow-roasted lamb shoulder served with smashed potatoes and Moroccan-spiced pork skewers with pickled cabbage. The dishes meld fresh produce and age-old techniques, with a nod to the region’s cross- pollination of flavours and styles. The bar serves up exotic cocktails like the Turkish Delight, a highly Instagrammable number made with pink gin and garnished with fairy floss, through to the classic and summery Mojito. At Nini’s you’ll be sure to experience where the Mediterranean meets the Middle East.Restaurant menu
- Tzatziki
- A$10.5
- Yogurt, cucumber and garlic. Dip with housemade pita.
- Babaganoush
- A$10.5
- Smokey eggplant & garlic. Dip with housemade pita.
- Tirokafteri
- A$10.5
- Chargrilled red peppers, chilli, yogurt & fetta. Dip with housemade pita.
User photos
photos
Reviews
9-10
7-8
5-6
3-4
1-2
What diners said about this restaurant:
April C. • 19 reviews
August 26, 2023
10/10The venue was modern, stylish and very spacious. We were seated quite comfortably on a large round table with comfortable chairs. The menu had so many options and included vegan options which is great. The food came out really quickly and was delicious and fresh. Highly recommend for a big group of people or just anyone really who loves Mediterranean cuisine
Cherie M. • 38 reviews
August 20, 2023
9/10The ambiance was great . Best fact was very easy to find parking around there. The service was excellent and food was plentiful. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars for food was the scallops were quite small. Still overall delicious food .
Shireen C. • 30 reviews
August 18, 2023
8.5/10Very tasty modern Greek food. Efficient and friendly service. Large space which would be great for functions/celebrations.
Leon s. • 38 reviews
August 12, 2023
10/10Lots of great food and amazing atmosphere watching the Matildas win on a big screen
Leah B. • 128 reviews
August 11, 2023
7.5/10What a lovely dining experience, though a little quiet tonight, the space is pretty & open, a good menu with many delicious sounding choices, along with a great drinks menu. Professional, friendly service and the food was so tasty- thx chef.. a little hidden, 1 level up on Burwood Rd - definitely worth a visit..
Ellie F. • 5 reviews
July 27, 2023
10/10The food was absolutely amazing. We tried a range of items and they all lived up to expectation. The slow cooked lamb was beautifully presented on a base of potatoes in a yummy tangy sauce, cooked to perfection and melted in the mouth. The feta wrapped in filo was super yum and exquisitly adorned with walnuts and pomegranates. Service was speedy, and the staff were friendly and accomodating. They went above and beyond to create a memorable night for us. Cheers to the chef, staff and management. We will be back to try more items on the menu.
Josephine F. • 3 reviews
July 23, 2023
9.5/10Food & service were great! However felt entree was too pricey for the serving, 3 small prawns cost $24. With the deal was really pricey. Overall serving was considered small but yummy!
See 9 photos
Marco v. • 63 reviews
July 23, 2023
9/10Plenty of street parking in front of the restaurant, spacious table set up. Functional but effective service. Good wines by the glass for reasonable prices and a decent pour (The Nook shiraz from Heathcote was nice). Dishes were all good. We shared the prawns, the croquettes and the haloumi with soujouk sausage as starters. The chicken with fig and a salad as main. And the baklava ice cream and the very good rosewater and cardamom brulee as dessert.
Michelle O. • 15 reviews
July 19, 2023
8.5/10The menu was unique and the dishes were beautifully presented. The food itself was lovely. We especially enjoyed the salad (which was big enough to share) and loukoumades! The portions were just right to allow us to try a bit of everything. I would definitely recommend this place for a nice dinner date or business meeting!
Gladys S. • 38 reviews
July 16, 2023
8.5/10This restaurant had excellent food, good service, and I got a good discount. BUT, on the downside, it has all the elegance of a Hungry Jacks burger joint. The tables & chairs are cafeteria style!
Rita D. • 3 reviews
July 16, 2023
9.5/10Selected this restaurant for a Sunday lunch and noticed they were offering the 50% off. Never been there before and we were more than pleasantly surprised. We chose the small plate of calamari which was absolutely delicious but unfortunately a little on the small size. We also ordered the Moroccan lamb Pide and the Middle Eastern Maryland Chicken . They were both extremely flavoursome and extremely happy with what we ordered. My husband even approached the chefs to compliment them. The service was great and I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant.
Adem B. • 11 reviews
July 9, 2023
9/10The food is delicious, however portions are small. If you have any promotion from thefork then it is OK. They had only one person to serve to all, it delays the service.
Amy F. • 10 reviews
July 1, 2023
10/10Awesome service and the poor girl was the only one working but she was so efficient! The food were delicious just a bit on the small size. But everything was cooked to perfection. Will definitely come back for more
TERRY Y. • 56 reviews
July 1, 2023
10/10Did not know about this resturant until I saw it on the Fork , we enjoyed the food etc very much
Indi T • 1 review
January 27, 2023
10/10Really lovely meal with attentive staff. Highly recommend the venue for a meal
Kiki P. • 5 reviews
August 28, 2022
8/10The food was really nice and the place was quiet and we were able to talk to each other! Overall really good! Would recommend! Staff very polite as well.
Jenny B. • 1 review
July 16, 2022
10/10Delicious tasty food with excellent service at a reasonable price. We thoroughly enjoyed the wide selection of dishes both large and small. We will definitely be back
Nini's Hawthorn • Owner
dear Jenny it was a pleasure looking after you. Hope to see you again soon
Shanta h. • 31 reviews
July 13, 2022
7/10Food was very pleasant. We had Lamb, and meat platter for two from main plates and small plates of calamari and capsicum plus babaganuj. It was plenty. The lam was exceptional as was the capsicum and the Calamari was tender. Some of the meat in the platter may have been overdone but most was good. Nice selection of beers.
Nini's Hawthorn • Owner
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was a pleasure looking after you. Hope to see you again
Tripadvisor reviews
7 Tripadvisor Reviews
More information
Opening timeOpen today
How to get to the restaurant
302 Burwood Rd, 3122, Hawthorn (VIC), Australia
Public transport
72-Manningtree Rd/Glenferrie Rd Tram stop
Additional information
About the restaurant
Nini’s is Melbourne’s newest rooftop bar and restaurant which seats 265 guests in the best environment for indoor and outdoor dining in Melbourne, with the Middle eastern and Mediterranean menu to match. The team behind this hidden gem draw their inspiration from the herbs, spices and cooking secrets of Greece, Turkey, Italy, Iran, and Lebanon to bring you generous portions of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean heaven, matched with a bar full of cocktails and wine.
You may have been forced to put your European and Middle Eastern holidays on hold, but the tastes and flavours are all there at Nini’s. The sharing plates are executed by an amazing team and a superb venue with views of Hawthorn’s historic rooftops that has a very European feel about it. Signature small dishes like char-grilled octopus, zucchini fritters and saganaki with wild Iranian fig purée, lead into large plates of delightful slow-roasted lamb shoulder served with smashed potatoes and Moroccan-spiced pork skewers with pickled cabbage. The dishes meld fresh produce and age-old techniques, with a nod to the region’s cross- pollination of flavours and styles. The bar serves up exotic cocktails like the Turkish Delight, a highly Instagrammable number made with pink gin and garnished with fairy floss, through to the classic and summery Mojito.
At Nini’s you’ll be sure to experience where the Mediterranean meets the Middle East.
Features
Mediterranean, Burger, , , , , , Tapas, , Birthday, Contemporary cuisine, , , Good for families, Good for groups, Romantic, Black Friday, TheFork Festival, Vegetarian dishes
Services
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You can reserve the restaurant for a private event (Max. 60 people)
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Frequently Asked Questions
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