Lauren Dinse

Choosing the right hotel in Melbourne can be an almighty task. With so many incredible stays to choose between – from charming historic gems to super modern sky-high towers – it can be an overwhelming challenge to decide which one is right for you.Every traveller has their preference, but to make the job of deciding a little easier, our team of local experts have hotel hopped their way around the city to bring you our guide to the very best hotels in Melbourne. Many of the stays included in the list are favourites of Time Out Melbourne Editor Leah Glynn, with our Travel and News Editor Winnie Stubbs (self-confessed hotel obsessive) chiming in and checking the guide to make sure it’s up to scratch.Whether you’re looking for a playful stay right in the CBD action (W Hotel, we’re looking at you) or somewhere more boutique in Melbourne’s buzzy Inner North (Standard X), we’ve got your back. Read on for our guide to the best hotels in Melbourne.   Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  These are the best places to go camping near MelbourneAnd these are our favourite glamping sites in VictoriaTime Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

There's nothing quite like the warmth and comfort of a succulent roast. It's both the culinary equivalent of a hug from your grandma and the tastiest way to get your meat and three veg in the chillier months. But on a cold winter's Sunday, you might not feel like spending five hours making it yourself. Luckily, a whole host of venues across the city offer some hearty, homely and excellent value cook-ups. So with Melbourne's lowest temps officially upon us, why not make it your new weekly tradition to traverse your way through our guide to Melbourne's best Sunday roasts? Complete with gravy, sides and the odd Yorkshire pudding, of course. And for when you need some extra warmth, check out our guide to the best pubs with fireplaces. 

When a rough Melbourne winter rolls around, the city's best pubs are lighting their fireplaces so you can beat those seasonal blues. So pull up a pew, grab a pint, chat to your neighbours and get warm. These are our favourite Melbourne pubs with the cosiest fireplaces worth gathering around. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. For more winter warmers, take a look at our guides to Melbourne's best hot chocolates and mulled wines.

If you're craving a drink that's sugary, sometimes spiced and certainly all things nice, you've come to the right place. We're particularly spoiled for hot chocolate here in Melbourne, with venues taking to mugs of gooey, molten chocolate with the same sort of all-consuming fixation usually applied to coffee. Need a reason to head outside and brave the chill? Warm up at one of these spots around town for Melbourne's creamiest and most delicious hot chocolates.  Prefer your hot drink in the form of booze? Treat yourself at one of Melbourne's loveliest spots for mulled wine. And if all you want to do is warm up, we've got the intel on the cosiest fireplaces in town.

You know what fixes chilly hands and an even chillier mood? A jolly good ladle (or three) of mulled wine, hot out the pan and infused with zesty citrus and belly-warming spices like cardamon, cinnamon, star anise and cloves. In the colder months, loads of bars, pubs and winter events across Melbourne offer visitors their own take on the famous European winter warmer. Some of our favourite spots even get bonus points for their crackling fireplaces, boozy hot chocolates, cider and hot toddies. So what are you waiting for? Pop on your puffiest puffer jacket, grab a fellow wine-loving pal and hit the streets. We'll see you there. Rather make your own? The at-home mulled wine kits from cult fave spice house Gewürzhaus are great. Or, if you don't like your wine warm, check out some of Melbourne's best wine bars. 

A cuisine that lends itself to long, leisurely meals shared with others, Italian usually doesn't stop at just one course. So, do as the Romans do: start with an aperitivo – and an antipasto spread – before a primo course (cue the pasta), secondo (a meat dish), contorno (a side, or three) and of course, something dolce (sweet). The Time Out team has spent years scouring the city for Melbourne's best Italian food, from hot-out-the-oven newcomers to traditional institutions that consistently deliver. So if you're craving a feast that'll knock your socks off, look no further – we've rounded up Melbourne's best Italian restaurants for you to try in 2026. Buon appetito! Editor's favourite Italian restaurants in Melbourne: 🥂 Best for a special occasion: Di Stasio Citta 👠 Best for a hot date night: Studio Amaro 🍴 Best for a long Sunday lunch: Lagotto 🍝 Best for regional Italian cuisine: Trattoria Emilia 👯 Best for a friends' catch-up: Times New Roman Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. If you're after more Italian cuisine, check out our guides to Melbourne's best pizza and gelato.

From the United States to Korea and Taiwan, fried chicken spans nearly every country and culture. Not everyone can meet their fierce standards, but these joints have come pretty damn close to perfecting the ancient art of battering and deep-frying poultry. So the next time you've got a craving for the most tender, juicy, finger-licking-good wings, drumsticks and tenders you can eat in Melbourne, look no further than this list. Happy eating! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want more tasty bites? These are the best restaurants in Melbourne right now.

Finding a stellar steak in a country with almost 30 million cattle is no hard task. But claiming one particular spot to be the absolute best steakhouse in Australia? That’s sure to stir some serious beef. Whether your order is a perfectly marbled rib eye, a robust sirloin or a classic rump – cooked medium-rare or well-done, smothered in peppercorn or chimichurri sauce, and paired with chips or mash – the ways to enjoy a steak are as endless as they are delicious. To help you find the best steak restaurants in Australia, we've compiled recommendations from local expert writers across every capital city to curate this ultimate list. Many of these steakhouses even feature on the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants ranking, which is a pretty meaty deal. Now, go get up in their grills. 🍔 The best burgers in Australia🥧 The best pies in Australia

What are the best restaurants in Australia? With one of the world's most diverse and exciting dining scenes, narrowing down the absolute greatest places to eat across the country is no easy task – but don't worry, we've done the hard work (and plenty of eating) for you. Our expert editors, including resident foodie Melissa Woodley, have curated this list of the best places to eat in Australia, spanning fine-dining institutions to hidden neighbourhood gems. So, what’s the secret recipe to an exceptional dining experience? When compiling Time Out’s guide to the best restaurants in Australia, we considered a mix of ingredients: talented chefs, stylish decor, lively ambience, top-notch drinks and, of course, unforgettable food. Luckily, the local culinary scene is sizzling with world-class venues that check all these boxes, plus so much more. Here are the best restaurants in Australia right now. Editor's favourite restaurants in Australia: ⭐️ Best bucket-list: Saint Peter, NSW 💎 Best hidden gem: Scholé, TAS 🥂 Best new opening: Omada Bar & Grill, SA 🌊 Best views: Rick Shores, QLD 🌍 Best experience: The Agrarian Kitchen, TAS Jump to list: NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍹 The best bars in Australia⭐️ The best hotels in Australia

Winter 2026 update: You know the perfect antidote to Melbourne's wintery chill? Grabbing a drink at one of the city's hottest drinking dens. Whether you're after a glass of red by a cosy fireplace, an ice-cold Dirty Martini in a crowded bar or just want a beer or two with a side of elevated snacks, this list has you covered during the frosty months. Melbourne has some of the greatest bars in the world, whether you're looking for the laser-like focus of 16-seater Above Board or the rock‘n’roll ‘she’ll be right’ spirit of Lulie Tavern. You can find temples heroing whisky and palaces dedicated to gin, hole-in-the-wall nooks for sipping natural wines or classy spots for suited-and-booted cocktails. How about a prawn club sanga and a bottle of Champers from tiny charmer Apollo Inn? Or crocodile bites and ice-cold Martinis from Black Kite Commune?  We've rounded up the top bars that we're really loving right now – and we're sure you will, too.  Editor's favourite bars in Melbourne: 🥂 Best for a special occasion: Bar Olo 👠 Best for a vibey date night: Boire 🍸 Best for cocktails: Moondrop 🫒 Best for bar snacks: Suze 🍻 Best for a friends' catch-up: Albert's Wine Bar Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED READ: Hungry? We've got you covered  with the best restaurants in Melbourne right now.

It's no secret that we Aussies love a good pub. Whether you like bonding over schnitties at Trivia Tuesday or downing pints with a hearty Sunday roast, pub culture has something for everyone, every day of the week.  To honour these cornerstones of Australian social life, we've gathered recommendations from our national team of writers (and readers) to bring you this list of the best pubs in Australia's capital cities. These legendary venues have it all: perfect parmigianas, exceptional local beers, friendly staff, breezy beer gardens, live music and unbeatable weekly specials. Find your nearest watering hole with our ultimate guide to the best pubs in Australia (organised by state). For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍹 The best rooftop bars in Australia🍷 The best wineries in Australia

A truly delicious burger is easily one of life’s greatest pleasures, and Australia is teeming with top-notch options, most of which fall comfortably into that hits-the-spot territory. A classic burger’s simplicity – a pillowy bun, a juicy patty, a slice of melted cheese, some salad and a drizzle of sauce – makes it hard to mess up. The flip side, however, is that it also makes finding the best burgers in Australia a meaty challenge. Time Out’s hungry team of local food writers have bravely put their jaws and stomachs on the line (in the name of exceedingly difficult research, you understand) to compile this list of Australia's best burgers. We’ve eaten our way from coast to coast to bring you the ultimate guide, telling you exactly what to order at each venue. So whether you're hunting for a classic American cheeseburger, a gourmet Wagyu creation or an innovative plant-based number, here are the absolute best burgers in Australia, ranked in no particular order. Now it’s up to you to crown the true buns of glory.  Editor's favourite burgers in Australia: 🍔 Best global icon: Café Margaret, Sydney ⭐️ Best gourmet: Bread & Bone, Adelaide 😋 Best cheeseburger: Charrd, Melbourne For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥧 The best pies in Australia🌭 The best sausage rolls🍕 The best pizzas in Australia

Prepare to enter the pearly gates of doughnut heaven, sweet Melburnians. Queen Victoria Market's free Donut Festival is making its delicious return on June 13 and 14. Back by popular demand, Melbourne's most dough-licious creators and bakers are returning in 2026, with new faces and plenty more sugary delights that will have all your cravings satisfied. The lip-smacking line-up includes Jamm'd Dessert Bar with their hot Danish dougnuts; chewy mochi bites from Mochimelb; deliciously sweet loukomades from St. Gerry's; nama-style bites from Kare Melbourne; and G-Free Donuts with tasty options for the gluten-free crowd. And for those of you who love to push the boundaries of what a doughnut can be, Pasta Face is delivering the goods with a hot honey chicken parma version; the Puff Puff Stand are offering West African-inspired puff puffs; and Mr Zeppole is serving up Italian zeppole with the choice of jam or anchovy fillings.  This free weekend-long fest is all about indulging in everybody's favourite deep-fried treat, whether you like yours simple and iced or loaded with decadent toppings. There will also be  roving performers, live entertainment, plenty of coffee and fun activations to keep the sugar high going. The Donut Festival is happening from 9am to 4pm, so all you need to do is head to the C and D sheds (Peel Street end) with your mates and a will to indulge.  For more info, head to the Queen Vic Market website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne

Mark your calendars and grab your warmest winter woolies, Melburnians: Queen Victoria Market's beloved Winter Night Market is back. From June 3 to August 26 you can spend cosy Wednesday evenings enjoying live entertainment, huddling around open fires and feasting on goodies from a selection of global street food stalls, carts, trucks and festival bars. In 2026, expect to see beloved traders from previous years, as well as a number of new and exciting additions across the market's roaring 13-week season. Highlights include piping hot soup served in a bread roll by the Soup Factory (lobster chowder, anyone?), crispy fried pasta cups at Frasta Fried Pasta, Berlin-style doner kebabs loaded with meat from Oh My Doner and hot jam doughnuts courtesy of everyone's favourite American Doughnut Kitchen.  As always, you can expect plenty of roving performers and pop-up activities. This year also sees the introduction of Keys to Winter, a brand new series of piano performances throughout June. After sipping and snacking, be sure to explore the dozens of stalls selling locally sourced and handmade products including jewellery, art, skincare, books and homewares.  Find out more at the Queen Victoria Winter Night Market website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the best things happening in Melbourne this week.

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here. There’s a particular set of questions most Melburnians are only too eager to ask one another – our unfailing conversation starters, if you will. Encompassing the holy trinity of local interests (footy, coffee, food), they are as follows: Which team do you support? Where’s the best coffee? And, of course, what’s your favourite restaurant?  It doesn’t matter whether you’re chatting with an older crowd or one of the younger “I saw this restaurant on TikTok” types, France-Soir invariably comes up as a glowing example of a good Melbourne time. The fancy-ish yet lovably casual French bistro has been buzzing happily on Toorak Road since 1986, and remarkably, it’s still proving a hit among the upcoming dining generation. Is it the romantic bistro aesthetic that transports us to a sexier European place? The affable (if sometimes a bit chaotic) staff? The enormous gold-standard wine list? Or perhaps it’s the food – traditional Gallic classics that consistently stand the test of time in all their buttery-sauced, elegantly plated-up glory. Even when dining there on a focused mission, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why France-Soir is such an indomitable favourite. But the truth remains that a lunch or dinner here is always fabulous, the hours swim by in a sea of joyous wine

The final year of high school can be a stressful time for students and their parents, thanks to high study loads, ATAR pressure and all sorts of career-related quandaries. But for Melbourne lawyer and parent Jonathan Wenig, there was a distinct challenge unfaced by most: helping his autistic daughter Tali find meaningful employment opportunities in a job market that often overlooks the potential of those who live with a disability.  Feeling disencouraged by the disturbing lack of inclusive workplaces or fairly paid roles on offer, Wenig launched a charity to support his vision. Enter All Things Equal, a commercially viable café that provides award-wage jobs, structured training pathways and a sense of belonging, where all abilities are embraced.   The Balaclava café opened in 2021, and though pandemic lockdowns presented yet another challenge of its own, community support was strong and immediate. Fast-forward to today, and the buzzing, well-loved brunch spot is proof that good hospitality can and should embrace a diverse workforce.  About half of the team are people with a disability, employed in both front- and back-of-house roles and all paid standard hospitality wages. While the premise is unique, the offering stands up to the best of Melbourne’s quality cafés.  Located on Carlisle Street, it draws in daily throngs with its happy yellow exterior, friendly service and an unpretentious menu of excellently executed brunch standards. An inclusive vegetarian and pescetarian me

The annual Good Food and Wine Show – now in its 26th year! – is returning to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 29-31 for a globally diverse foodtopia of epic proportions. You’ll get to hear from hundreds of local makers, producers and growers from across the country; see and meet your fave chefs; taste fabulous wines that you can take home; and the best part: eat! This year, there'll be more than 300 exhibitors showcasing the best in local and international cuisine. From red curry and Japanese-inspired lamingtons to candy and condiments, the show is set to be a food lover's heaven and the perfect opportunity to expand your culinary horizons. Over at the main stage, a stellar line-up of celebrity chefs will share their secrets via live demonstrations, including Miguel Maestre, Kirsten Tibballs, Brendan Pang, Nat Thaipun, Vincent Yeow Lim, Jane de Graaff and George Georgievski. The program has also expanded with the addition of two new major experiences. A hands-on Cooking School is coming to the show, featuring wonton workshops and classes on how to create your own chocolate and upgrade mid-week dinners. And there's a new dedicated bakery precinct, Baker’s Alley, which is set to bring together ten of the country’s most exciting independent bakeries (like Rustica and Tarts Anon) who will each create an exclusive baked masterpiece.  Plus, don't miss the chance to sample goodies from the wine pavilions and cheese corner, or treat yourself to a ticket to the

There's no better time of year for Melbourne's beer lovers than May, when Pint of Origin turns the entire city into a brew-tiful playground for ten days of froffy fun.  Running from May 15-24, the 2026 edition of Pint of Origin promises to showcase the biggest collection of beers at any one festival. First conceived in 2012 by the folks at local craft beer publication the Crafty Pint, the event will take over some of our favourite pubs and bars around the city, and we can't wait to taste the wacky and wonderful creations on offer. Wondering how the event works? It's simple: across the ten days, around 800 beers from more than 200 breweries will hit the taps at 22 Melbourne venues. Each venue's mission is clear: to host a different region of Australia or part of the world.   This year, festivalgoers can use a digital passport to guide their journey, with bonus beers and prizes up for grabs. Upgrade to a VIP experience on a curated crawl with the Crafty Pint team, join a Drinking History Tour to hear stories over a pint, or try the Beer Belts tour, which takes you through the city's western 'burbs. Participating venues will also be running pairing events, themed tap takeovers, degustations, trivia, run clubs, launch parties and opportunities to meet the brewers. Safe to say, there'll be no shortage of beer-soaked events throughout the program to take your fancy. Pint of Origin 2026 Melbourne highlights: The tap dancers from Beermash in Collingwood will be pouring European beer

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here. It wasn't just the local Footscray community that lucked out when Reveka Hurtado gave her popular catering company Papelón a permanent home in the neighbourhood. South American expats and travellers craving a comforting taste of home are duly gratified here, while curious appetites from all corners of Melbourne are invited to explore Latin America’s gastronomic diversity beyond tacos and tequila – and there’s a generous bounty to try.  From its signature pabellón (a whopping platter of shredded beef, rice, beans and sweet fried plantains) and proper cornmeal arepas and empanadas to homey stews and meat specials inspired by traditional recipes, this no-frills diner belongs in everyone’s pocketbook of westside favourites.  The vibe Papelón hums cheerfully along the periphery of Footscray Market – sometimes a little sleepy on weekdays, yet much livelier in the evenings and on Saturday nights when live singers and musicians take the floor (check the restaurant’s Instagram for upcoming events; all-you-can-eat arepas night, anyone?). If you’re solo dining in the daytime, bring a book to read over a coffee and cake – well, a café con leche and a quesillo (a Venezuelan-style flan), to zero in on the sweet details – since it’s breezy and relaxed inside, tucked away fro

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here. Update March 2026: We first reviewed French Fix in September 2024, and have continued to revisit it on multiple occasions since – it remains a delicious, affordable lunch option in the CBD. While there are plenty of sandwich joints with cult followings in Melbourne, French Fix deliver their signature baguettes on the reg with minimal fanfare. A true 'IYKYK' gem (and trust us, the people lining up at lunchtime definitely know), it's always satisfying, the team are lovely, and we simply won't ever get enough of it. – Leah Glynn, Time Out Melbourne Managing Editor *** Our most romantic travel fantasies of Paris are très incomplet without that universally swoon-worthy image: a bicycle rider with a bottle of wine and baguette en route to a picnic somewhere sunny and green. Ah, what a lovely daydream to be that cyclist right now. There’s a good reason a freshly baked loaf always features in that vision. Throughout France, bread isn’t just bread – it’s a daily ritual and a way of life. Exalted the world over, the humble baguette was even granted UNESCO world heritage status in 2022 after being added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.  But we can’t just hop on a plane to France every time a craving strikes, and a good baguette isn’t always so easy to find in Me

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here. Update March 2026: We first reviewed Brae in October 2024, and revisited the regional restaurant in December 2025 – once again enjoying a truly exceptional, beautifully considered dining experience and further cementing our initial five-star rating. While some menu items may have changed from the review below, others, like the Brae Farm vegetable garden and half-time choc-orange dessert, are staples for good reason. And that's the beauty of Brae: while no two visits are ever the same, the thoughtful spirit, sustainable ethos and culinary curiosity remain woven into the very fabric of its existence. – Leah Glynn, Time Out Melbourne Managing Editor *** Caught up in the demands of fast-paced urban life, many of us wish to embrace the tenets of ‘slow living’ – a lifestyle choice that encourages taking a moment to smell the roses and reconnect with the tranquil beauty of nature. Though one doesn’t necessarily need to put on a nice shirt and make the two-hour drive to Brae to join the resistance cohort, it’s hard to think of a more seductive destination to unplug and reunite with the potency of the present. Here, culinary excellence is coupled with the serenity of the Birregurra countryside in the form of a leisurely degustation lunch from powerhouse chef Dan Hunter

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here. When Moon Mart landed in West Melbourne in 2022, its cult fave status was instantly palpable: long queues, limited seating inside and a buzzing corner store energy. The beloved pan-Asian café has since relocated to a slightly more spacious home on South Melbourne’s Clarendon Street, and yes, we can confirm: its sandos, katsu sets and creative drinks still set the gold standard. The vibe Moon Mart’s trademark yellow is the perfect shade of happy for breakfast time, a vivid splash that colours the door, patio umbrellas and a circular neon wall light. It’s bustling inside even on weekdays, and with Tame Impala’s latest record on rotation and front window views of Clarendon Street’s foot traffic, the atmosphere is cosy and energetic.  Though not as compact as its former home, Moon Mart is a rather intimately sized café, so don’t expect heaps of room to stretch out. However, there’s enough of an acoustic din – and space between tables – to feel like you can gossip with your pal in privacy. The food The menu is split into two columns: the snacky sando section ($16-24) and the larger-portioned rice set section ($25-38). You may be drawn to the latter if you’ve walked in with a hearty appetite, but take our word for it: you can’t go wrong with anything between sliced

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here. Tucked away in the backstreets of Fitzroy North, Suze is a fun neighbourhood wine bar from two hospo veterans: Giulia Giorgetti, former restaurant manager at Marion; and Steve Harry, a man whose resumé reads like a Melbourne culinary icons list (we're talking Napier Quarter, Cumulus Inc, Auterra Wine Bar and Cutler). The dynamic duo have done the local community a service by filling this two-storey heritage building with all the necessary ingredients needed to make a consummate Melbourne wine bar: seriously well-trained staff, an easygoing energy, and rapidly evolving food and drink choices to reward maturer palates. The vibe Inside is like a warm, dark blanket – cosy and artsy, courtesy of a few modern works splashed across the walls. But the most coveted slice of real estate on nice days is the terrace. With the sun on your back and a light breeze carrying the plummy perfume of a Lake Eildon pinot to your nose, there aren’t many places you’d rather be on a weekend afternoon.  A highlight here is the style of service, which is suitably attentive and sharp (those who can never decide what to drink are in good hands here!), yet friendly and relaxed. Suze is the sort of inner north shapeshifter that accommodates intimate dates, casual catch-ups and big, boozy gr

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here. Moondrop is a new drinking den from the team behind cult fave Carlton North café-bar Sleepy's (Steve Chan, Jesse Kourmouzis and Jacob Muoio). Loosely inspired by an enchanting fusion of Chinese folklore, East Asian flavour profiles and world-class bar culture, this dreamy venue mash-up blends Fitzroy cool and craft cocktails with the vibes of 1920s Shanghai.  Sometimes these ideas sound better on paper, but the celestially-headed Moondrop – a fresh takeover of the hallowed former space of the Everleigh – has quickly risen beyond its initial opening buzz to deliver one of the most thrilling and magical drinking experiences in Melbourne right now.  Once you slip in and get cosy, it’s hard to leave. The vibe Guests are whisked away from Gertrude Street into a world lit by a giant glowing moon lantern that's draped in soft white fabric, with a red mosaic bar and Mahjong tables disguised as furniture.  Chinese hip-hop and r’n’b set the tone, and the venue’s moon rabbit emblem – drawn from traditional Chinese mythology – appears everywhere: on uniform pins, menus, even the ice stamps.  The space is full of cosy nooks worth claiming for the night, from the Drop Lounge with its upholstered burgundy banquettes to the intimate 12-seater Burrow, a corner framed with velv

At first glance, Fairfield’s Grandview Hotel appears like many of the Victorian-era boozers dotted around Melbourne's neighbourhoods – quietly grand and charming, if a little faded from its centuries-long endurance. Head inside to the front bar, and you'll find all the cosy Aussie pub familiarities: piping hot parmas, frosty cold pints and footy on the big screen.  But tread a little further within the architectural bones of this 1800s relic and you'll discover something modern and more multiculturally inspired: Lebanese bistro, Sama. This exciting venue-within-a-venue is from the El-Fahkri family, who've owned the Grandview since 2000 and have teamed up with hospo heavyweight Eddy Hasbany to bring this new offering to fruition. Having spent more than a decade running the floor at Melbourne institution Rumi, Hasbany is certainly the man for the job. Leading the kitchen is another former Rumi alum, chef David Gonnella, who's earned bonus stripes at Richmond wine bar Lilac and the former cult fave pizzeria Supermaxi.   At Sama, the charcoal grill is at the heart of the kitchen with Gonnella's menu spotlighting the smoke-driven flavours characteristic of luscious Levantine cuisine. A dinner here could look like creamy hummus loaded with spiced lamb and pine nuts and Aleppo chilli; smoky baba ghanoush with bread and zingy pickles; lamb kafta shish dripping in pomegranate jus; and a harissa-marinated charcoal chicken that's likely destined to become the bistro's cult-fave showstop

After 13 years of growing a loyal fanbase from their Richmond and South Melbourne stores, beloved local bakery Cobb Lane has taken its brand to the next level with a shiny third store in the CBD. With the help of local architecture firm State of Play, husband-and-wife owners Matt Forbes and Amy Newman have transformed a compact space on Bennetts Lane – formerly home to a working bakery in the 1860s – into a sleek modern sourdough haven with its own gourmet lunch menu.  “We’re pushing forward with what we’re already doing and making sure it’s really delicious,” says Forbes. “It’s just a bit more refined and mature.” Photograph: Allegra Paolo Since the new city location's doors first swung open in late March, the buzz around the delicious offerings is only getting louder – perhaps courtesy of a very good-looking fried egg and chilli jam Danish on the menu (hello, elite on-the-run breakfast) or a rotating line-up of grid-worthy sweet treats that taste as good as they look. But the real competitive edge here is the fact that all of the store's 36-hour fermented breads and pastries are baked in-house for that unbeatable freshness factor. It’s one of the few places in the Hoddle grid where shoppers can pick up a loaf straight from the oven. Photograph: Allegra Paolo The raw bread and pastry recipes are prepared at Cobb Lane’s Yarraville headquarters before being transported to the CBD store. Here, a fun, interactive glass-fronted kitchen allows visitors to watch all the shapi

Since its creation in 1856, one of Malvern's oldest pubs has been through several interesting iterations. It began as the Gardiner Hotel, a key stopover for Gippsland-bound travellers and home to Victoria's first bowling green in 1862. In the late 20th century, it was Nicabela's, a raucous nightclub popular with Melbourne's in-crowd. And more recently, it was the Angel Tavern, which has sat unoccupied for the last few years.  But now, the historic landmark on the corner of Glenferrie and Dandenong Roads is set to enter its next era. A major restoration has metamorphosed the dormant building into a stylish three-level drinking and dining destination, newly christened the Angel of Malvern. Photograph: Kelsey Zafiridis The project has been spearheaded by luxury developer Kokoda Property's new hospitality offshoot, Refinery Group – a natural next step after Kokoda purchased the property in 2017 as part of its $450-million Malvern Collective development. So what can visitors, both new and returning, expect? Refinery Group's founder and managing director Mark Stevens hopes it will feel like a true locals' local.  “The Angel has always been part of the fabric of Malvern,” said Stevens. “This next chapter is about restoring that role, creating a place people return to regularly, not just for occasions, but as part of everyday life, bringing a fresh take and new life to neighbourhood hospitality.”  Photograph: Kelsey Zafiridis Courtesy of beautifully designed interiors from Studio

In recent years, Coburg's Pentridge Prison precinct has morphed from a boarded-up construction cocoon into a vibrant – if somewhat notoriously storied – butterfly. The former maximum-security prison (once famous for housing the likes of Ned Kelly and Chopper Read) reopened to the public in 2020 after extensive redevelopment works, and has since gained a water fountain-dotted piazza, boutique hotel, shopping centre, cinema, restaurants, beer garden and wine bar.  And now, there's yet another reason to visit: a contemporary Japanese-inspired restaurant playfully named Koi Toy.  Open late for cocktails and share-style dishes, the casual 90-seater is perfectly primed for pre-movie drinks, celebratory dinners and catch-ups in between. Bright neon signs punctuate the space, while spherical paper lantern-inspired lighting and timber furnishings exude an inviting warmth; choices consciously made by award-winning interior design firm Studio Y as a nod to the modern Japanese inspo. Photograph: Tim Sonmez Executive Chef Alex Meimetis (Chin Chin Geelong, Claypots Evening Star) isn't afraid to have a bit of fun with the menu, which reinterprets Japanese flavours through a globally diverse lens. Think angel hair pastry-wrapped wasabi prawns served with the punchy smokiness of chorizo, a Japanese-style croquette (korokke) that incorporates ginger, chives, sheep's cheese and spicy sujuk, or karashi-seared scallops that arrive in an emulsion pairing mirin with saffron. “At Koi Toy, our aim

Love to eat out but watching your wallet? Then it'll be welcome news that a nifty new haunt in Melbourne is serving up fabulous French-inspired dishes at just $14 a pop – yes, really. Say bonjour to Frenchie, a red velvet-draped bistro and bar in the CBD channelling the lively spirit of famous Parisian neighbourhoods like Saint-Germain and Pigalle.  So if late-night supper club vibes are your thing, then you'll want a seat at this freshly polished table. Photograph: Griffin Simm Guests enter the space through a fun mirrored staircase – and though caviar bumps may make the rounds and classic French techniques reign supreme in the kitchen, you can leave any stiffness or formality at the door. Here is a spot for letting your hair down, with late-night service every night of the week (except Sunday). Frenchie also swears like a sailor, too, dropping both the F-bomb on its website in phrases like “c'est la f*cking vie” and“f*ck le chic”. Oh, and the restaurant's mascot is a cute illustration of a French bulldog. Photograph: Griffin Simm Perhaps now more than ever, there's something rather enticing about an unfussy Euro-style restaurant with a flat fixed-price menu. Perennially busy joints that follow this brief (such as Republic Economica, Good Times and the latter's little sibling Times New Roman) prove it's a game-changer for drawing in a crowd – particularly when $9 bowls of surprisingly delicious spaghetti are concerned.  Except at Frenchie, think old-school Gallic bistro

Just in case Carlton locals didn't already have too much pizza, ice cream and vino on their doorstep (and let's be real, is there even such a thing as too much?), a fun new spot is set to open right next to Pidapipo – and it's purr-fectly primed to be a popular purveyor of all the above. Get ready for Garfield, folks. A triple-threat pizzeria, licensed bar and soft serve haven, this Italian eatery comes with a cute Carlton-based backstory: while the building was being renovated, a local orange cat would prowl around in search of leftover pizza from Johnny's Green Room – hence the name, Garfield. It's the first launch out of a family of venues planned for the soon-to-reopen King and Godfree building from owner Jamie Valmorbida. Garfield credits its inspiration to modern pizzeria culture across the globe, from Naples and Rome to Tokyo. The menu has been developed in collaboration between culinary director Karen Martini and newly appointed executive chef Mark Glenn, and swings deliciously from the classic to the creative. Traditional ingredient-led pies will please the purists among us, though the pizzeria certainly won't shy away from more inventive ideas and specials to keep the Lygon Street throngs excited.  A classic Margherita is non-neogitable, of course, but we're also hanging out for Garfield's take on the Aussie pizza, which will feature guanciale, egg, Volos olives and thinly sliced potato. And we can also vouch for the titular 'za, which is inspired by the flavours of

Summer in Melbourne is for jumping off the St Kilda Pier, taking weekenders down the coast (are you team Great Ocean Road or team Peninsula?), wining and dining al fresco in pretty courtyards, and last but not least: engaging in the sweet pursuit of the best ice cream and gelato around town. While we've plenty of longtime favourites, it's always a delight when an exciting new artisan enters the stage. This year, it's Mondo Gelateria – a marvellous peach-hued gelateria housed within a 150-year-old heritage building in the CBD. As her namesake suggests ('mondo' means 'world' in Italian), she's coming in strong with 28 globally inspired gelato flavours on rotation, plus designer pastries, cold brew coffee creations and an aperitif bar – for Limoncello gelato infusions, of course. Photograph: Griffin Simm The all-day dessert darling is owned by gelato artist Rio Olivetti, who was trained by Stefano Tarquinio (head of the world-renowned Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna). You'll taste the magic of Olivetti's time-honoured technique in every scoop, from the velvety-rich, cherry-spiked black forest gâteau to the silken pistachio crunch made with nuts from Sicily. Gelato enthusiasts can also anticipate plenty of innovative fusions, including yuzu and blood orange, cassis and calamansi, and matcha and mango.  Beyond gelato, Mondo serves up gorgeous pastries and cakes, courtesy of acclaimed Taiwanese pastry chefs Peini You and Jasper Yang. Treat yourself to one of the petit g

Roll up, roll up – on your skateboard, if you've got one! Cheltenham is about to get a brand new skate park as part of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL), with the help of Melbourne skateboarding athlete Renton Millar. The homegrown legend is working with local skaters, parents and Kingston City Council members to design a seriously gnarly park that will blend bowl and street-style skating, with bold artworks inspired by the pipework of the former Highett Gasworks site. A seasoned skater with more than 35 years of experience, Millar brings global panache to the Bayside project. Beyond his elite career, he's judged Olympic skateboarding events and founded Shredability, which runs coaching programs and national competitions. So whether you're a novice or pro, rest assured you'll be in good hands practising your kickflips and ollies at this new site. “I’m stoked to be helping with the design for the new Cheltenham skate park,” said Millar. “I’ve designed skate parks all over the world, and this one is walking distance to my house, so we’re going to make it a good one! It’s going to be great to give the local kids a super rad skate park.” But the wheels don’t stop turning once this cool new skate park is complete. It's just one part of a major glow-up to Sir William Fry Reserve, which will soon be home to a full-size multi-sport court, pickleball court, new pathways, seating and greenery, plus a lush new events lawn for festivals and markets. There'll also be a brand new off-leash dog

Perched peacefully along Albert Park's foreshore, Pipis Kiosk is one of Melbourne's loveliest beachside spots for an elegant seafood dinner. Deserving credit beyond its good looks, the relaxed diner and its neighbouring fish and chips stand are backed by some serious hospo pedigree, with chefs Jordan Clay (ex-Le Chateaubriand in Paris) and Dave Kerr pairing up with wine whiz Tom Hunter to form the ultimate dream team. Fortunately for northsiders, the trio of experts have brought their salt-sprayed magic to Fitzroy this summer via a chic seafood pop-up that will run until the end of February. Pipis North is a next-level snack bar (hosted in the former site of Alta Trattoria on Brunswick Street) that is rolling out Pipis' signature hits along with refreshing drinks, happy hour deals and an irreverent dash of Mediterranean-style cool. For a mood board of what to expect, think Basque tapas bar culture.  “We’re looking to bring some seaside vibes north of the river over summertime – hot nights, cold drinks and lots of fresh seafood,” shares Hunter. “Pipis North is relaxed, fun and very much about popping in for a drink and a bite – whether that’s a quick skewer and oyster or settling in for the night.” Photograph: Jana Langhorst Call an inner north-dwelling mate, sidle up to the bar and take your pick from Clay's sharing-style menu. Will it be a round of spanner crab mini crumpets? Swordfish belly skewers with jungle bisque? King prawn tempura with barbecue spice? Or perhaps a s

For travel-loving Victorians, that dreamy five-week summer Euro trip so many of us save up for is a rite of passage. But did you know that Europe loves us just as much? In the year to June 2025, more than 534,000 European visitors touched down in Victoria, spending an enormous $1.4 billion. That's a nearly 30 per cent hike up from pre-pandemic levels, so it's safe to say: the love affair is intensifying. To keep the tourism momentum sky-high, European airline Finnair has announced it will launch daily services to and from Melbourne. The route, which will officially start in October 2026, links Helsinki and our fair city via Bangkok – and adds a huge 203,000 extra seats each year between Victoria and Europe. What this means is that we've now got an open door to around 90 European destinations via Helsinki, plus extra options throughout Asia through Bangkok. Score! The development is also a brilliant boon to Victoria's tourism industry, thanks to dollar-for-dollar backing from the Victorian government with industry partners. Since this initiative began, more than 60 partnerships have taken off, including collaborations with Accor, Alpine Resorts Victoria and Trip.com — all working together to place Victoria among travellers' go-to destinations.  “These new flights will help bring thousands of extra people to our state each week, which will help support Victoria’s world-class tourism, dining and hospitality venues,” said Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus. “Additional flights to

Melbourne is lucky to be home to some truly brilliant burger joints, but we've got to admit: sometimes, we're curious about what the burgers from famous US fast food joints taste like. Well, if you've always wanted to try America's famous Shake Shack without boarding a plane, you're in luck. For the first time ever, the cult brand – reportedly a favourite of celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Chrissy Teigen – has opened as a tasty pop-up at the Australian Open.  The New York-born business, which started out as a humble hot dog cart in Madison Square Park back in 2001, will operate across Topcourt and John Cain Arena until February 1. Visitors can get their hands on the chain’s signature ShackBurger (a single cheeseburger with a smashed Angus beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and that legendary 'Shack Sauce' on a potato bun), and to sweeten the deal, the team will also be whipping up an AO-exclusive shake. “We’re committed to making the AO not just the best Grand Slam on court, but also the best off-court, and food and drink are central to that experience,” said Tennis Australia’s Head of Product Growth and Innovation, Fern Barrett.    Photograph: Arianna Harry Photography Shake Shack is just a small part of what's an exciting food and drink line-up for the 2026 tournament, with the wildly popular Peach Melbourne – a peach sorbet, vanilla soft serve and raspberry-dust dessert that sold more than 112,000 servings at the 2025 event – set to return, as well as the G

Right in time for summer, the Yarra Valley has uncorked a dash of extra fizz. Zonzo Estate – a local producer known for its winery, restaurant and smash-hit Zoncello Spritz – recently launched an energetic new restaurant in the heart of Healesville: Zoncello Yarra Valley. If the OG Zonzo venue is your well-dressed stepmother who greets you at the door, then consider this new upstart your sassy, cool cousin who already got the party started before lunch. For Rod Micallef, Zonzo Estate's director, Zoncello has been a Spritz-soaked vision a decade in the making. “Zoncello is a natural extension of the brand,” Micallef shares. “It’s about energy, connection and indulgence. Just like our Spritzes, the venue is designed to be fun, vibrant, and a little bit brazen, while still deeply rooted in Italian tradition.” Pull up to the former Innocent Bystander site and you'll now discover a playfully laid out maze of eating and drinking spaces for afternoon Spritzes, skewers and long lunch-worthy Italian fare – all served up in a bright, buzzing environment inspired by the glorious Spritz itself. The Zonzo team worked closely with interior designer Claire Larrit Evans to bring the large industrial-style space back to life.  Photograph: Supplied / Zoncello “Zoncello is the new permanent home for Rod’s Spritz range, beginning with the incredible success of Zoncello and followed closely by Bellina and Cicchio,” explains Larrit Evans. “We wanted the interiors to embody that same vibrancy an