Dining Out – Harpurs, Melbourne
Harpurs Melbourne is a prime example of why Bespoke Inn’s five-strong lineup has become a tour de force in the culinary, bar, and hotel industries.
Invited to see Harpurs Melbourne firsthand, we met General Manager Mark Nellist and Head Chef Daniel Wujkiewicz to learn what makes the venue so popular and to try and make a small dent in their delectable menu.
After some gentle ribbing about my South Yorkshire accent and his Lancashire lineage (the grand battle of the Pennines ever rages on), Mark shared his journey. Following a brief voyage to South Wales, he arrived in March 2023 to become Harpurs Melbourne’s General Manager. Despite being a fairly recent addition, his impressive knowledge and loyalty to customers and staff are evident.
Mark has overseen impressive events, from hosting a family gathering of 83 to managing bookings for 135 (and counting!) this December. He expects big things for Harpurs, and they’re on track to deliver.
Harpurs remain in demand even during the quieter Monday–Thursday period, thanks to deals like two woodfire pizzas for £15.99 and small plates for £4 each from 12–3 pm and 5–9 pm Monday–Friday, and 12–5 pm Saturday.
For the cost of living crisis, this is a welcomed addition and allows people to have some good food in a friendly environment, even on a shoestring budget. Takeaway options are also available, so you can enjoy a quick pint and still catch your favourite TV series.
Head Chef, Daniel Wujkiewicz, started his role as a significant kitchen player back in 2010. Later cutting his teeth in Buckinghamshire, he became the head chef of an award-winning Italian kitchen. At Harpurs for two months so far, we expect that the end-of-year awards will shortly come pouring in. Well, Daniel certainly hopes so!
As noted by Mark, The dishes between Harpurs and their sister restaurant, The Dragon in Willington, bear a consistency in their styles of cuisine. Ever the innovator, Daniel is already looking post-Christmas to keep the dishes refreshed.
Keen to get things in motion, he aims to produce new weekly menu specials. He hinted at a possible duck breast and tantalising wine sauce combo, but his mischievous smile left a lot to be interpreted…
Daniel has mastered the originals, yet isn’t afraid to shake things up. Seeking to introduce Melbourne to the wonder of Italian calzones, fresh from his wood-fired pizza oven, he similarly insists that none of the classics, like their crunchy fish cakes and a plethora of steak cuts, will be put to pasture.
Harpurs sprawling location on the competitive Derby Road is a major draw, plus they seamlessly offer multiple atmospheres to cater for every customer.
For a relaxed meal or family gathering, the upstairs seating area provides a quiet, cosy environment with contemporary brickwork walls and an exposed pizza-oven station, alongside rustic country pub vibes with soft pastel paints, wooden beams and more.
For those wanting a more lively scene, the bar downstairs is always buzzing, complemented by a separate ground-floor restaurant for a more social dining experience in a modern setting.
Along with exceptional food, Harpurs offers nine rooms: six on-site and three in a nearby house. Dare you stay for the champagne breakfast in the morning, or stick around for their great cocktail list? It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!
The captious food critic will surely be dismayed as Harpurs culinary capabilities are truly a spectacle to behold. Fresh is what they stand by, including sourcing their meat from a close butcher, Owen Taylor, creating fresh dough for the pizza oven, and utilising the kitchen management tool, Procure Wizard, to ensure that all their vegetables are sourced from local suppliers.
The majority of the intoxicants are from equally close proximities, including sourcing their wine and beer from Derby-based Majestic and award-winning Little Brewers Company.
After chatting with the team, my partner and I sat upstairs in a pleasant spot, and indulged in sticky beef bao buns and chipotle-dressed calamari, steak and mushroom pizza and whale-sized fish and chips, and a selection of desserts Daniel declared we must try. Fair enough, he did say that some of the desserts require an entire day to make and trust us, a singular chef’s kiss doesn’t quite cut it.
Looking ahead, they have set goals to continuously evolve, including further upgrades to the ground floor come January, and a re-imagined outside courtyard area for those warmer months.
With its variety of atmospheres and top-notch food, Harpurs has become a staple of the Melbourne dining scene. Their only challenge? Getting people to leave!
To book a table or learn about upcoming events, visit
harpursofmelbourne.co.uk or call 01332 862134.
Harpurs, 2 Derby Road, Melbourne, Derby, DE73 8FE
