Ophelia After Dark
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Ophelia, the elegant all-day diner perched on the corner of High Street and Westgarth Street in Northcote, has stepped confidently into the twilight hours. Now open for dinner three nights a week — Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday — this much-loved venue from the Yolk Group (known for Melbourne brunch favourites Tinker, Terror Twilight and Convoy) is offering locals and visitors alike the chance to enjoy its signature charm long after the sun goes down.
From 4pm, the lights dim and the aperitivo hour begins, setting the tone for a relaxed, intimate evening. Whether you're stopping by for a pre-dinner drink or settling in for a full meal, Ophelia’s new night-time offering has been carefully crafted to reflect the venue’s warm hospitality and sophisticated edge.
At the heart of this nocturnal transformation is a new menu led by Executive Chef Mitchell Velo, whose fine-dining credentials include time at Cumulus Inc. and Marion. With a focus on quality, creativity and seasonal produce — including fresh ingredients from local supplier Natoora — Velo’s dishes combine familiarity with finesse.
The dinner menu leans European and elegant, spotlighting comforting classics elevated with flair. Think roasted chicken with perfectly crisp skin and juicy flesh, a golden crumbed cotoletta that nods to traditional Milanese flavours, and a tight rotation of house-made pastas that change weekly — from rich ragùs to delicate butter sauces, all available for just $20 a plate on Tuesdays. To finish, a silky chocolate crémeux offers a sweet, satisfying end to the meal.
Whether you're popping in for a few small plates and a glass from the chalkboard wine list, or enjoying a full three-course affair, Ophelia by night offers an experience that’s at once casual and considered. Fridays and Saturdays even see the space come alive with Pour and Play sessions — relaxed DJ sets paired with cocktails and roaming snacks, turning the venue into a neighbourhood hangout where the music hums and the food flows.
With stylish interiors that glow warmly in the evening light and a service team led by seasoned hospitality professional Heidi Modra (ex-Pinotta), Ophelia is well on its way to becoming a go-to destination for Northcote’s growing dining crowd.
Dinner service is available from 6pm, with aperitivo from 4pm. Whether you’re dropping in after a movie at Westgarth Theatre across the road or looking to linger over good food and wine, Ophelia now offers a place to gather, graze and celebrate the simple pleasures of evening dining.
Location: 85 High St, Northcote
Phone: (03) 9942 9674
