After a challenging 18 months, the Nomad tribe has settled into its new home alongside Kisumé, Supernormal and Coda on Melbourne’s Flinders Lane.

“When you think of dining in Melbourne, you think of Flinders Lane, and I’m sure I speak on behalf of our whole team when I say we’re honoured to be part of an iconic food destination,” Nomad executive chef Jacqui Challinor says.

The new restaurant follows in its Sydney sister’s footsteps with a menu that celebrates the culinary methods of old, from pickling to fermenting, baking and smoking.

Like the original outpost, the kitchen in Melbourne revolves around a woodfire oven, only this time it’s joined by a rotisserie built over the hearth. “This style of cooking is something I fell in love with during my time at Xanthi. I’m looking forward to developing and perfecting it with wood fire,” Challinor says.

Only a handful of Nomad’s signature dishes have carried over, including the olive oil ice cream sandwich and the kingfish ceviche scattered with finger lime pearls and society garlic. “I want our guests to feel like they’re at Nomad but be able to experience it differently,” she says.

Challinor, has been working with new Melbourne head chef, Brendan Katich (ex Gingerboy and Ezard) to create a menu that highlights the best in Victorian produce, with Jersey milk supplied by Messina dairy in Numurkah, and fresh produce from Ramarro Farm in the Dandenong Ranges.

The same applies to the charcuterie cabinet, which includes O’Connor girello basturma, Macedon Ranges duck mortadella and David Blackmore brisket pastrami.

“I’m really excited to explore what Victoria has to offer in regards to produce and hopefully with that, create something really special that is unmistakably Nomad.”

The drinks list has been created by Nomad Group’s beverage director, Ged Bellis, and reveals an extensive selection of wines that highlight small growers and producers.

It’s the end of a long journey for the Nomad team, who has suffered a series of setbacks over the past year and a half. “Since the fire in 2019, it’s been one thing after another for us,” Challinor admits. “Opening the doors on Flinders Lane feels like Nomad is finally getting back on its feet and reaching a goal that has felt so far out of reach for so long.”

Nomad will open on Flinders Lane for dinner on Monday 15 November.

Nomad
Mon – Sun for dinner, Wed – Sun for lunch
187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
03 8419 2800
nomad.melbourne