My friend wanted to dine-in here as this restaurant have on-stage shows while diners eat 🎠But unfortunately it wasn’t our lucky day because there wasn’t any stage performance that weekend.
Food is mediocre, Simply Spanish paella 🥘 is still my preferred choice.
🗓 Visited in October 2018
Sasheen Elizbeth-Jane Brownlie
+5
This place is fantastic for a little slice of Spain outside of Europe. The tapas was amazing, the sangria fab but most of all the flamenco was excellence personified. Guitarist professional and jazzed it up just a little. The dancers incredible and percussionist on task. What an amazing troupe. Id recommend to anyone who loves anything Andalucian.
Came here with my family for dinner and to catch the flamenco show at the end. Kanela serve a variety of tapas and paella, and also have an extensive drinks menu. The food here is delicious, but I did notice that some menu items were over priced. Over $15 for an espresso Martini for example.
All in all i had a great time. Definitely a great choice for a birthday dinner.
Work Xmas party organised here and i been to alot of Spanish restaurants particularly in Sydney my hometown and nothing reminds me of my mum's paella than here, moist, fresh seafood, and most importantly great soccarat. There are a few overpriced other Spanish places in this part of Johnson Street I remember so well when I moved to Melbourne not quite 20 yrs ago and lived in Leicester street.
Top quality food and as authentic as I can recall, lovely bar, flamenco show and just a great environment, wish I was 10yrs younger I'd never leave this place, tapas, cerveza, rounded out by a an exisite paella? Give it a go, you lose nothing from the experience :)
We popped into Kanela’s early evening as we heard they did very nice Churros and all felt like a sweet finish to our afternoon of eating. They were hot, golden and delicious with a sugar coating and there was plenty of chocolate dipping sauce to go round. We also ordered espresso martini’s, coconut margarita (made with coconut tequila which I’ve now had in a couple of cocktails in the past few weeks). We were the only people in the bar but it was clearly very early and we overheard one staff members indicate in a phone call that they were fully booked for dinner that evening. They have a stage at the far end and have live performances throughout the evening. A lady in our group admitted that in her youth she may have danced in the bar being so caught up in the evenings music... but not tonight ... not so early.
Bar staff mentioned the Johnson Street Spanish Festival being only a few weeks away. I’m guessing this venue would be in the thick of it all.
This place was fantastic! Dined there for my birthday with a large group, and if they were under pressure because of all the different orders, they certainly didn't show it. Our waiter was fantastic and extremely accommodating, offering lots of suggestions and recommendations. The food was wonderful, the vibe is fun and relaxed, and the service was fantastic. Will absolutely be back... can't wait to come to the flamenco show one evening!
In this cosy Fitzroy restaurant Spanish food was pleasure and then join it with good company, sangria and flamingo dance and it became festive. A must try. Couldn't stop reminiscing of my trip to Spain.
Great night out. Tasty Tapas and Sangria. Excellent service and the live entertainment made the night. We were lucky we could seethe act and next time we will book in advance
To be honest I haven't had food at this place, but Sangrias are nice, great live gypsy music and ambience, looking forward to go there again.
Fantastic fantastic fantastic !!!
Really good traditional Spanish food. Paella was perfection. Wine and cocktails great, service was attentive and helpfull. Entertainment is wow. So good all round.
Quiet and encased in the busy streets of friday night dining and night life, The Kanela Flamenco Tapas Bar and Restaurant along Johnston St has got to be one of the most vibrant yet reserved restaurant I have been to. Maybe it was my time and place that I had chose to visit but it's intimacy was something I will take back with me. Lit with dimmed lights, hanging lanterns with walls casted with art and posters
Fun atmosphere: From the quaint space, the Spanish décor and guitar music overhead, I felt like I was back in a bodega in Sevilla.
This is a great little restaurant. A real taste of Spain in Melbourne. It has a cosy, authentic atmosphere, friendly attentive staff and awesome food. I've been here a few times and eaten the paella and a few different tapas and they were all amazing. My partner has a Spanish background and she absolutely loves this place too. I haven't been on a night when they have flamenco, but it can only add to the experience!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
As I read through the comments below I'm completely in shock at what the people below have mentioned... maybe some people were having a bad day or in a bad mood when they visited Kanela! there are only positive things to say about this piece of España in melbourne. As soon as you step in you are aware this restaurant is a gem, with decor screaming with Spanish flair, the art, the lighting, the ambience transports you to Spain immediately. Soon after arriving it is clear that everyone who works there are Spanish speakers and are even willing to teach you a phrase or two! The people are friendly and it is a family business and you can feel that when you go there. The food is delicious, tapas are on point with a wide array of different flavours and made to perfection. The paella is the main dish and I suggest leaving some space because they are massive! The paella is exactly what true Spanish paellas are meant to taste like.. Mouth watering and flavour filled. After filling up on the paella, and having the best sangria I've had--the show began. Now this show is something else. The dancers, the guitar player and singer allow you to be immersed in a riveting, touching and captivating performance of Flamenco. when I watched the show I felt the emotions and honesty pouring through the room. I am so glad I have been able to experience something so spectacular and culturally true. There are no bad things to say about the experience and the place in general. Kanela is a little piece of Spanish heaven hidden in the hub of melbourne-- Fitzroy. As the night I had was unforgettable, I will always recommend this place. It's an experience you will not regret! Ole!
I have been to Kanela many times, with family, friends and for the romantic valentines day dinner, I love it. The staff are always helpful and don't mind you practicing your Español with them. The food is amazing. The dancers are superb. If you want something authentically Spanish, you'll love it.
Great place; dimly lit small restaurant in the heart of little Spain, good atmosphere. Food was great, seafood maybe a little overcooked, but overall no complaints. Only thing I was a little disappointed in was we could pay $18 to see the live show at 10pm or $60 for a set menu... Live show was supposed to go for 1hr, it only went for 25mins. It was a fantastic show, you really felt it in your heart (even though I didn't know what they were saying)
Overall was good. The place serves food and also has a flamenco performance. Together its worth going just to experience it if you haven't.. The guy singing may need abit of a tuning but the dancers were great.
The sangriya was great.. The Paella which was bland.. The omelette was ok.. The churros was ok..
Quite enjoyable. We had a couple of tapas and some sangria tonight and it was quite good. The tortilla de patatas was quite tasty though a bit mushy and the garlic prawns were nice but very expensive: $17.50 for 5 prawns is over the top. The sangria was nicely balanced so we enjoyed it. Service was a tad ho-hum though. Wouldn't rush back but if we go past we'll probably stop in again.
Service was attentive, reasonable prices, food arrived quickly, all four tapas dishes shares between my partner and I were very nice. Great atmosphere in the restaurant too. Will be back to check out the show!
Best paella in Melbourne plus amazing tapas and great cocktails. Been here several times and never leave without a full stomach and never disappointed. Would highly recommend!
Great venue with a live band through till late. Fantastic music and energy. Great time!!
So good!!. We had such a great night out. The place is so small and cosy. The staff were so were so friendly and rather gorgeous! The tapas was delicious. The vegetarian paella was a bit plain. But the chicken and seafood paella was awesome. The live show was simply unbelievable!! I have been telling all my friends. We will definately be coming again soon. Thanks so much!
Food is so good! Whether it not staying for the show, do not for the set menu. For the same price you can get 3 tapas each and watch the show. Felt like I was in Spain when the show came on... Mezmorized for the whole time. Will def want to go again!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Little Spain in Melbourne!. As someone who travels to Spain frequently it is fantastic going to a place that makes you feel like you are walking in at a Tapas Bar / restaurant in Madrid or Barcelona. The atmosphere is fantastic, the staff are super friendly and most are authentic Spaniards.
The cocktails are of great standard and not to mention the Sangria (this is a must if you are going to Kanela to eat or just for a drink). The highlight is no doubt the food and the Live Flamenco show. The show like the food will blow you away!
It really feels good to eat proper / authentic Spanish Tapas and Paella and why not when the chef was born and raised in Spain. The food is reasonably priced and it is an awesome place to go with friends or even with your partner. The interior is super cool and at the same time very intimate.
The Patatas Bravas & Seafood (chicken) Pella is divine! Also when you go be on the look out for specials as they are really good value and great for those who are having their first Tapas experience!
Will definitely be heading there again!
ole!
Highly recommend!. Highly recommend visiting Kanela if you want a taste of Spain. I can not believe i didn't know about this place until today! We did the set menu which for the amount you receive is inexpensive. ohh those garlic prawns and the lamb skewers are so good and then the paella was just perfect. Everything was very fresh, simple yet delicious. Now the flamenco show well that blew me and everyone away!!! It is spectacular and you simply can not find anything like this in australia. My guest and I rated kanela as one of the best places we have visited in melbourne for a long time. It is unique, beautiful and inspirational. Thank you so very much for sharing your culture with us.
What a fantastic night we had here. The best paella I have had in Melbourne. Service was exceptional, very attentive. We had a lovely selection if Spanish wines and the entertainment WOW! Overall I highly recommend this restaurant for its food, service, entertainment and cost. Very inexpensive for the quality! Already booked for next month.
Enjoyable experience. There's nothing like live Flamenco. The performance definitely took me back to my time in Spain. The performers at Kanela were amazing and I enjoyed every minute of their dancing. It made up for the fact that I found the paella and tapas just average. I came to the conclusion that you go to this place for the dancing and not the food.
Amazing tapas and sangria!
A+++. Great little spot! young and trendy with great food, drinks and service. I just came back from spain and was looking for that feeling you get when there and... Kanela has it.
The tapas great, rustic and yum. The paella oh my god so good and the churros amazing. Lovely bottle of Rioja and all of this between 4 people was under $100!
we will be back again and again I'm sure. Gracias kanela.
Yummm. A groovy, down to earth atmosphere, very friendly staff members. Great Paella, had never had Sangria before; loved it. Would love to get a hold of that recipe! Want to go again.
Best live Flamenco and Paella in Melbourne! Better paella than I had in Spain! If you like the flamenco, they also offer amazing flamenco dance and guitar lessons too. Ole!!!
Felt like we were in Spain ....... I can't express the sheer joy of watching the Spanish Flamenco, experiencing fantastic intensity, being swept away with the guitar and song.
Food and staff are authentic, honest and enjoyable.
Will I go again? Yes, yes, yes! Bring it on.
I wrote the previous paragraph 1 hour after our experience on friday night.
It's the morning after, and wow we are still buzzing.
This was an intensely personal experience on the night, don't expect to repeat it.
- Seriously - it could have been Bourdain show -
I have - 'No Reservations' - recommending a visit.
[ I should mention. I literally knew 'nothing' of their reputation, it was just a new Tapas bar to try, this morning I understand .. ]
Great Live Flamenco!. Great for authentic live Flamenco music! The restaurant is a very small and intimate setting. Food is fine, but nothing amazing.
Nice place. Good paella and great cosy atmosphere. and the waiters are super friendly and welcoming. plus there is the great live flamenco show afterwards too.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes