Cupido

Cupido certainly showcases its ethnic heritage. Even by Lygon street standards, it's an opulent combination of bar and restaurant, all marble surfaces, chandeliers, mirrors and dark-wooden furniture. Despite all this, the venue maintains a casual and friendly atmosphere. As you would expect, meals are all of the Italian/Middle Eastern variety. Sure, it's nothing that you can't get at any of the other restaurants in the precinct, but the prices are reasonable, the portions large and food genuinely good. If you're not hungry you can forgo that part of the evening and get straight into the wines.

While the alcohol list isn't spectacular, there's a reasonable selection of beers, spirits and wines to choose from. In keeping with Italian restaurant tradition, there's a focus on red wines and some reasonably priced bottles to accompany your meal or your shisha pipe (not something you see often on Lygon Street). Spirits and beer are exactly what you'd expect, and will see you through those post-Lygon street-stroll nightcaps quite nicely.

While Cupido isn't reinventing the Lygon Street experience, it offers a relaxed dining experience with some opulent touches to back it up. If you're simply after a drink you'd better of sticking with a dedicated bar, but for those nights when you're not sure, it provides a convenient middle ground.