Jafa Restaurant & Bar
Is there anything better in life than pizza and wine? This dreamy combination forms the core of Jafa – Southport’s humble neighbourhood pizzeria and wine bar. The owner is ex-Nobu Melbourne chef Michael Hopkinson, who aims to bring quality food, great wine and a good dose of personality to the city’s northern end. Pizza is the hero and it’s kept in its simplest form. The hand-stretched bases are dressed with combinations like pepperoni, tomato and mozzarella, truffled mushrooms on a ricotta base with peas and thyme, and wagyu meatballs with mozzarella and zucchini, before being fired to perfection at around 360 degrees. If it’s a bar snack and wine you’re after, choose from smaller plates like chicken liver pate with cherry jam, pistachios and flat bread, a whiting sandwich with preserved-lemon aioli, or a fresh arrangement of heirloom tomatoes with goats cheese, fennel and basil. Those that appreciate quality wine will give a smile and nod to Jafa’s very approachable cellar list, which focuses mainly on lesser-known Australian wine producers and smaller boutique vineyards.