Ok I don't 'queue' for anyone or anything. But hey, I was meeting friends who had pre-arranged this dinner. I was pretty cynical, but smiled my way through as we walked up Cleveland Street past the junkies and ancient kebab houses. And then I arrived. Doors locked. And the big aforementioned queue. Ummm. Yeah... When we finally got in, my... More

I am a meat lover but I found this overkill. The food was tasty but very rich and fatty. The staff are lovely if somewhat inattentive. We were constantly looking for service and you must get there early as they tend to run out of key dishes very early. I have been there a few times now due to others... More

Porteno has the most interesting wait staff and management, all look just that different to the norm. Retro Hip with matching music - it is quite an interesting feel But matched with just incredible food. The Wagyu steak is really one of the best I've tried and that includes the many years I lived in Kobe. A good wine list... More

At six thirty pm the restaurant was very busy and we were seated examining the wine list aghast at the price of the wines on offer. Thankfully our table of seven included only three serious drinkers. Sadly we did not take the advice of the extremely efficient waiter and ordered two meat dishes too many.The meats,pork,lamb and chicken,were perfectly cooked,the... More

I have been to Porteno 4 times now. I am hooked. Its just too hard to go pass. I have taken friends and clients there and they all love it. The bar upstairs is great fun and they know how to mix the drinks. Good place to start a night. Food is rustic. Whole animals cooked over camp fires set... More

I conveniently arrived half an hour early on a Wednesday night, and good job too as the queue (which I was at the front) was huge. ApPart from the food being fantastic, I loved the decor of the place. 1930/40s and the wait staffed styled in this way too. I felt like I'd travelled back in time. The atmosphere was... More

Great food, great wine, great service. The lamb and pork are signature. You can watch them being cooked on an open fire. Finally a restaurant that rivals Melbournes originals such as Cumulus and Terra Rosa. Yes there is a wait, every night but it is well worth the wait upstairs in the stylish bar and the little extra you will... More

We visited porteno on a sat night and there was a really long queue outside. If you have 5 or more people it is definitely worth booking in advance. They don't take bookings for less than 5 people - so go find some friends or family. The food came out fast. The staff was very friendly and attentive even though... More

I have been many times to Porteno and the food is always amazing. Our last visit was March 2012 for a special occasion, we were there before 6 as we're many others (it's really not that hard people to get there 15 minutes early and join the queue). We have tried a lot of the menu but we added the... More