Bar Thyme

Bar Thyme is a neighbourhood restaurant on Barkly Street in Footscray, with a menu that keeps moving with the seasons and the produce available. The kitchen works with local and ethical suppliers, and the food offering changes regularly—sometimes daily—so the experience is guided by what is at its best rather than a fixed list of dishes. Guests can choose between set menus, including a three-course option at Sunday lunch, or order from the à la carte menu.

The menu is intended for sharing, though it can be adapted easily for one person. Dishes mentioned by the restaurant include freshly shucked oysters, daily-baked sourdough, crisp croquettes with a soft centre, and sirloin steak with Café de Paris butter. That gives the cooking a broad appeal, whether you are settling in for a full meal or choosing a few plates to enjoy with a drink. The regularly changing format also makes a return visit worthwhile for diners who like their menu to shift with the seasons.

Wine is a major part of the Bar Thyme offering. Its list focuses on natural wines from small producers, including makers who work with organic or biodynamic farming and minimal additions. The team takes an involved approach to helping guests choose a bottle, while the drinks list also includes seasonal house cocktails, classic serves, sherries, vermouths and digestives. House-made syrups and soft drinks, along with a selection of alcohol-free drinks, give non-drinkers and anyone taking a break from alcohol plenty of options.

The room is designed to feel relaxed and personal, with the restaurant describing it as an extension of home where people can spend time with family and friends or sit at the bar with a glass of wine. Vinyl—new and old—is played, with requests welcome, while vintage London menus from 1972, travel-found objects and shelves of bottles collected since opening contribute to the character of the space. It is a flexible Footscray spot for a shared dinner, a casual gathering, or a solo meal at the bar, with an atmosphere that encourages guests to linger over food and drinks.