Food & Drink

Alice Nivens

Sidestepping the kitsch rabbit hole into which it could've so easily fallen, this whimsical bakery-cafe pays homage to a grown-up Alice in Wonderland. The sweets and specialty brewed coffee (available to take home) is the stuff of epicurean fairytales.

Address

Port phillip Arcade, 228 Flinderrs Street, Shop 13, Melbourne

Phone
At Beba's

This lovely gallery/cafe with its sunny courtyard is a solid favourite with locals. Serving up simple and fresh homemade fare, At Beba's also sells a range of creative artworks and wares including jewellery and stationary.

Address

578 Malvern Road, Prahran

Phone

T: 9533 2008
Atico

Climb the black and white extravagant staircase at the rear of Fonda Windsor and you’ll find yourself ensconced in an intimately moody bar, more likely to be found in an inner-city laneway than a lofty retreat above a crowded Mexican restaurant.

Address

144 Chapel St Windsor (Enter through Fonda Windsor)

Phone
Atomica Café

Known for their committment to low food milage, Atomica has kept Fitzroy natives well fed and caffeinated for over 15 years. The cafe owes its appeal to the excellent in house roasted blend of coffee and a breakfast menu to satisfy.

Address

268 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9417 4255
Ayatana

Ancient culinary traditions meet modern sensibilities at this inventive Thai eatery and wine bar. Its version of classic dishes such as crispy pork belly and steamed Barramundi are an artful meditation on hot, sour, salty and sweet.

Address

97 Chapel Street, Windsor

Phone

9533 8813
B'Stilla

Warming spices and vibrant Moroccan flavours steal the show at Jason Jones' (Mamasita) latest venture. Perfectly suited to the backdrop of timber and earthy hues, expect to be transported straight to the Middle East.

Address

30B Bray St, South Yarra

Phone

9826 2370
Backstreet Eating

The owner of Gertrude Street institution Birdman Eating serves up a stylish modern take on a Parisian bistro, with a sleek subterranean cellar and an extensive wine list. Don't miss the house cured charcuterie or the daily wine specials.

Address

152 Kerr Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9417 1212
Bar Americano

Bar Americano is a tiny, dim-lit espresso and aperitivo bar tucked away in a quiet corner. Inspired by classic American Prohibition era drinking holes, step in for a quick drink by the bar (standing only) before heading off to dinner. Try the 'Hanky Panky' made with gin, Antica Formula and Fernet Branca.

Address

20 Presgrave Place, Melbourne CBD

Phone
Bar Katuk

This South Yarra drinking hole is a hit with fashion types and local barflies, thanks to a legendary Friday happy hour, excellent cocktails and an ambience that channels an impossibly classy hunting den.

Address

517a Chapel Street, South Yarra

Phone

9827 9004
Bar Paradiso

Quaint, easygoing and unaffectedly authentic, this venture from the duo behind Bar Idda is your quintessential local, with a Sicilian twist. Their toasted muesli and cafe latte panna cotta is an ambrosial treat for grownups.

Address

139-141 Greeves Street, Fitzroy

Phone

0407 946 212
Bluecorn Mexican

A longstanding St Kilda icon, this bright, relaxed and eclectic restaurant has been charming lovers of Mexican cuisine for over a decade. Their Double Baked Burrito and extensive Tequila menu are the stuff of legend.

Address

205 Barkly Street, St Kilda

Phone

9534 5996
Breakfast Thieves

There's something criminally good about breakfast at this Fitzroy cafe. Locals are hooked on the French Toast with maple syrup and cinnamon-poached pears and excellent, ethical coffee from the Social Roasting Company in Flemington.

Address

Shop 1, 420 Gore Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9416 4884
Brother Burger & The Marvellous Brew

With a name this great and a space this cool, the food has a lot to live up to at this refined-retro diner. But not to worry, every flavour here well and truly exceeds expectations.

Address

413 Brunswick street, Fitzroy

Phone

9419 0088
Brown Sugar Cafe

Brown Sugar wins when it comes to the cafe trifecta: great coffee, good service and a buzzy atmosphere. Take note of the soft lighting and inviting, wooden interior and you'll be tempted to stay all day.

Address

9 Block Place, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9639 7577
Builders Arms Hotel

Celebrated restaurateur Andrew McConnell has partnered with Anthony Hammond and Cumulus Inc ex-chef Josh Murphy to refurbish this much-loved public house, a move with no shortage of expectation. Come for note-perfect pub classics in the Bistro such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder, fish pie, and thrice cooked corned duck. Moon Under Water is a beautiful dining room for Andrew and Josh to present their acclaimed food with a four course menu at $75 per person.

Address

211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9417 7700
Burch and Purchese

Inventive flavours rule at the South Yarra outpost of this much-loved confectioner - locals are hooked on creations such as mango, milk chocolate and ginger cake, meringue clouds and salted caramel eclairs.

Address

647 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Phone

9827 7060
Café Latte

Flying the flag for the Southern Italian region of Puglia, this lively, all-day eatery brings together elegance and warmth. Exceptional pasta and a changing menu full of classic flavours have made it a favourite amongst locals.

Address

521 Malvern Road, Hawksburn

Phone

9826 5846
Captain Melville

Step through the Victorian façade of Melbourne’s oldest public house and into a contemporary bushranger’s watering hole. With fine pub dining and arguably the best inner city beer garden this adventurous new venue can’t be missed.

Address

34 Franklin Street, Melbourne.

Phone
Captains of Industry

Licensed gentlemen's outfitter and cafe, Captains of Industry provides a new approach to service. With a mix of retail, fashion and hospitality, this one-of-a-kind destination is for sartorialists who love suits, shoes, coffee, whiskey and haircuts.

Address

Level 1, 2 Somerset Place, Melbourne CBD

Phone
Carlton Hotel & Palmz Rooftop Bars

How to make Melbourne's favourite bar: take a dash of kitsch, a splash of cool, two shots of irreverence and a generous squeeze of fun. Combine the ingredients in a wonderfully re-imagined building and stir with an eclectic and dramatic aesthetic. Serve over three distinctive levels. Garnish with intimate booths, a great restaurant, a luscious balcony, two rooftop bars and the perfect space to hold your next function. Sip with a diverse and chic clientele. Or better yet, just visit The Carlton.

Address

193 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Phone

9663 3246
Claypots Seafood & Wine

This St Kilda institution combines the flavours of your dream South Asian holiday with a culinary nous that's distinctly Melbourne. Seafood lovers try exquisite chilli crab, melt-in-your-mouth grilled snapper or an inspired take on garlic prawns.

Address

213 Barkly Street, St Kilda

Phone

9534 1282
Clementines

A favourite amongst Melbourne's most erudite locavores, Clementine's sources boutique produce and handcrafted objects made by artisans, makers and growers exclusively from Melbourne and regional Victoria. Browse through boutique products including Mt Buffalo Hazelnuts and Olives, King Valley Fine Foods, Cioccolato Lombardo Artisan Chocolates, Melbourne City Rooftop Honey, Victorian Jams and Preserves and much more.

Address

7 Degraves Street, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9639 2681
Comme

Comme's artful blend of decadence and minimalism extends to its menu - an imaginative take on French bistro staples and a well-edited wine list. This city lair is a study in Paris-meets-Melbourne cool.

Address

7 Alfred Place, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9631 4000
Cumulus

It's not difficult to bring celestial into the everyday when you combine the talents of Andrew McConnell, Jayden Ong and Pascale Gomes-McNabb. Their restaurant venture Cumulus Inc is lauded for all the right reasons: inventive food, impeccable service and a light-filled interior that tempers elegance with just the right industrial edge. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and featuring a revolving a la carte menu, it epitomises the high-end-meets-casual sensibility at the heart of Melbourne dining.

Address

45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9650 1445
Cutler & Co

Its sign might play neon witness to Fitzroy's coolest dining experience but Cutler & Co is a study in more than just good design. Come for sublime food that's high on style and low on pretension.

Address

55-57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9419 4888
De Clieu

Step into De Clieu and it's easy to see why Melbourne caffeine culture owes a debt to Seven Seeds. The celebrated local coffeemakers are the force behind this consummate Fitzroy café - the kind of around-the-clock weekend hangout that combines a stylish fitout (by local design mavericks Six Degrees) with an unpretentious menu that's heavy on fresh, regional produce. But whether you're into single origin, French Press or their signature house blend, it's the coffee that's the real star at De Clieu.

Address

187 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9416 4661
Dino's Cafe

Housed in a lovingly restored period building Dino's blends old and new with a contemporary Mediterranean menu using only the finest seasonal produce. Visit for an excellent selection of wine, premium whisky and bespoke cocktails.

Address

34 Chapel Street, Windsor

Phone

9521 3466
Dr Jekyll

Unlike its namesake, there's no lascivious underside to this cosy, laidback cafe. However, their sumptuous menu, specialty coffee and friendly staff have been known to prompt more than a few unabashed slides into (gastronomic) indulgence.

Address

107 Grey Street, St Kilda

Phone

9525 5999
Du Nord

A little slice of Scandinavia in the heart of Melbourne this small bar uses seasonal produce to create a menu high on tradition. Try the popular Swedish street food snack Tunnbrodsrulle or their market price cocktail that changes daily.

Address

367 Little Bourke Street

Phone

9642 0052
Easy Tiger Smith St.

Lemongrass, chilli and coconut rule here, but it's what chef Jarrod Hudson does with these flavours that gives this mod-thai eatery it's bite. Easy Tiger's Sunday night banquet is fast becoming a local ritual. Be careful though to save room for dessert.

Address

96 Smith Street, Collingwood

Phone

9417 2373
Eau De Vie

This classic cocktail bar is a magnet for modern-day flappers and strong and silent types, thanks to a moody, seductive fitout and a masterful drinks list. The cocktail degustation dinners are not for the faint-hearted.

Address

1/233 Chapel Street, Prahran

Phone

9510 0955
Embassy @97

Housed in a stately French mansion, this well- heeled bistro combines lashings of Gallic style with a laid-back Bayside elegance. Locals flock here for the sublime Duck L'Orange, Riviera-worthy setting and impeccable wine list.

Address

Shop 2, 91-97 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Phone

9525 3943
Feldmans Bar

One of the most handsome and welcoming venues you're ever likely to wander into, this restaurant/bar is ideal for both a quick ale and a long leisurely lunch. In truth, one often becomes the other.

Address

350 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9416 2300
Fifty Acres

Not only pleasing hungry eyes, this young café offers a simple yet enticing breakfast selection served all day, with the lunch menu adding more of an adventure to the café experience. With a new seasonal menu being introduced shortly and with weekly guest coffee blends, Fifty Acres is the perfect spot to enjoy a friendly breakfast, a leisurely lunch or just your morning coffee.

Address

65 Bridge Road, Richmond

Phone

9421 0296
Fitzrovia

Using exclusively Victorian produce (some of which is appetisingly strewn about the restaurant) to create deliciously hearty dishes, Fitzrovia is a shining example of understated fine dining. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this striking split-level restaurant transforms as elegantly with the hour as its menu does with the season. Nestled in a restored Victorian-era building adjacent to Albert Park, Fitzrovia's decor, views and flavours will likely keep you lingering much longer than you'd planned.

Address

155 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Phone

9537 0001
Fleischer Cakes

Leafy Caulfield charm meets Old World grandeur at this much-loved European pasticceria. It lures locals and sugar fiends from both sides of the river with warm, flaky pastries, crisp cannoli stuffed with Italian custard and plum tarts that are just the right shade of sweet. Pull up a table, order a Vittoria coffee and baked confection and linger over a newspaper - it's the quickest route to continental bliss.

Address

96 Glenferrie Road, Malvern

Phone

T: 9509 3699
Fonda Mexican

Younger sibling to the buzzing Swan Street eatery, this Mexican cantina embraces the same all-welcoming, food-loving philosophy. The vibe is fun and the flavours authentic, backed up by produce that's local, seasonal and super fresh.

Address

144 Chapel Street, Windsor

Phone

9521 2660
Fumanchu

Eastern bent, the menu running from small dishes, like house made dumplings and banh cuon crepes, to larger bites, including curries and pho. The space was designed by Chu himself, and it’s a perfect fit for the all-day eating tag, slipping easily from urban café cool to smart, casual after-dark dining.

Address

2 Gilbert Road, Preston

Phone

9484 8686
Ganache Chocolate

Arno Backes' handcrafted, mouth-watering delicacies speak of years of training and some serious skillmanship. Sample the work of this Master Chocolatier and team, at his European-style chocolate lounge, or sign up for a hands-on, chocolate-making class.

Address

250 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

Phone

9804 7485
Gertrude Street Enoteca

Hundreds of wine bottles line the walls of Enoteca, a shrine to the art of good food, great wine and better conversation. Enoteca's well-curated revolving menu is inspired by regional Italian produce.

Address

229 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9415 8262
Gigibaba

Chef, Ismail Tosun's daily changing menu mixes traditional and modern Turkish mezze. These small share plates work perfectly with the cosy interior of exposed brick and Persian rugs and add to this restaurant's relaxed lounge bar atmosphere.

Address

102 Smith Street, Collingwood

Phone

9486 0345
Grace Café

Hand made tables and pape flowers complement a menu including quark-filled crepes, beetroot bagels and yoghurt jars. Grace is fine coffee and king food, in the simple surrounds of Fitzroy's back streets.

Address

76 Rose Street, Fitzroy.

Phone
Graze on Grey

Graze on Grey is a friendly hide-away in the heart of St Kilda where fresh, honest food speaks for itself and the relaxed atmosphere allows Melburnians to pass the evening happily grazing.

Address

103 Grey Street, St Kilda

Phone

9077 0421
Greek Deli and Taverna

This much-loved local eatery is an education in the flavours and textures of Greece. Come for plump dolmades, addictive salty saganaki, melt-in-your-mouth marinated meat and seafood to sparks visions of a summer in Santorini.

Address

583 Chapel Street, Sth Yarra

Phone

9827 3734
Guhng (The Palace)

This three-storey restaurant has a loyal following for its delicious wagyu beef barbecued to smoky perfection. Also known for its pan fried dumplings, kimchi hot pots and a great selection of desserts including their signature 'dessert set'.

Address

19 McKillop Street, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9041 2192
Hell of the North

Hell of the North combines a classic bistro sensibility with a worn-in elegance that's more Fitzroy than France. Sink into a leather banquette for late night supper and an adventurous wine list. It's anything but hellish.

Address

135 Greeves Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9417 6660
Hihou

Hihou differs from his other ventures by its focus on tradition cocktails and finger foods with eccentric Japanese twists. Having a tuna filled cigar and a shochu martini overlooking Fitzroy gardens feels both inherently Japanese and Melburnian at the same time.

Address

First Floor, 1 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD.

Phone

9654 5465
Hot Honey

An award-winning cafe that infuses a little novelty into its menus, Hot Honey is an upmarket, though exuberantly welcoming, purveyor of delicious treats. The lemon curd crepes are an established favourite for very good reason.

Address

40-42 Armstrong Street, Middle Park

Phone

9696 1900
I Carusi II

Home to some of Melbourne's most coveted pizzas, this bustling and rustic restaurant is a slice of provincial Italian heaven. At once relaxed and intimate, I Carusi II handsomely blends the contemporary with the traditional.

Address

231A Barkly Street, St Kilda

Phone

9593 6033
Ichi Ni Izakaya

There's an embarrassment of riches at this Izakaya; a chic and playful space, enviable bay views and seriously good food. But it's their list of libations (starring mind-boggling sakes) that almost steals the show. Almost.

Address

12 The Esplanade, St Kilda

Phone

9534 1212
Itali.Co

Home to the latest in woodfired pizza ovens, a brains trust with a swag of awards and an expansive menu built on esteemed ideals, this modern trattoria celebrates la dolce vita with a distinctly Italian twist.

Address

1/173-177 Barkly Street, St Kilda

Phone

9537 5300
Itali.co

Home to the latest in woodfired pizza ovens, a brains trust with a swag of awards and an expansive menu built on esteemed ideals, this modern trattoria celebrates la dolce vita with a distinctly Italian twist.

Address

1/173 Barkly Street, St Kilda

Phone

9537 5300
Joes Bar & Dining Hall

Joe's Bar and Dining Hall in the heart of St Kilda uses only the freshest local produce to create a menu that draws inspiration from American classics, reinterpreted for the modern Australian palate. Joe's is your friendly neighbourhood local offering a range of killer burgers, sliders and delicious desserts. It's perfect for a sit down meal, share plates or just a drink with friends or family on the illustrious Acland Street.

Address

64-66 Acland Street, St Kilda

Phone

9525 3755
Jus Burgers

Jus Burgers offers an alchemy of taste, health and ethics. This hospitable lair has four sister stores in Perth and offers generous sized burgers crafted entirely from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Address

364 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Phone

9827 1318
Kommune

Craft beers and velvety reds get equal treatment at Kommune Canteen, a candlelit wine bar that lures locals with Friday night Paella and serious Berlin-meets-Melbourne charm. Check out the cool courtyard and live Jazz on Sundays.

Address

370 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9417 7029
Kotch Lane

This much-loved local hangout feels like an extension of your loungeroom but in a good way. Come for homemade comfort food, excellent coffee and a reggae and soul-inflected soundtrack that will make you stay all day.

Address

49 Blessington Street

Phone

9593 6445
La Belle Miette

This pint-sized patisserie combines Parisian culinary nous with the adventurous spirit of a German wunderkammer. Locals flock here for melt-in-your- mouth macarons in flavours such as Fleur de Sel Caramel and Moe_t & Chandon and Blackcurrant.

Address

30 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

Phone

9024 4528
La Camera Restaurant & Bar

Italian for “The Room,” this eatery combines an elegant, unfussy ambience with authentic dishes high on fresh produce and soul. Its roster of breakfast and lunch, along with dinner specials is the stuff of local legend.

Address

446 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Phone

9827 8531
La Petite Creperie

Once a street corner newspaper stand, this dainty takeaway crêperie conjures the romance of Paris in the most charming way. Everything from the accents to the décor is a tiny lesson in design and deliciousness.

Address

38 Hardware Lane

Phone

0404 002 341
La Svolta Pizzeria e Rosticerria

Whether for a specific injury or strengthening your whole body, this world-renowned organisation has plenty to offer. Experience the benefits of expert instructors and individualised programs that combine the use of specialty equipment with traditional matwork.

Address

305 Cecil Place, Prahran

Phone

9510 3001
Ladro

You can blame this hip Italian eatery for the city's addiction to artisanal pizza. Its crisped-to-perfection woodfired creations are topped with ingredients such as fiore di latte, taleggio, field mushrooms and thyme.

Address

162 Greville Street, Prahran

Phone

9510 2233
Lefko

Helenic Greek Kalamaki bar serving affordable, contemporary street food in a relaxed setting. Unlike traditional Greek fare that Melbournians are used to, Lefko concentrates on delivering modern-day street food reflective of a casual dining experience shared between family and friends for a quick bite to eat or an end-of-day wind down.

Address

179 Swan St, Richmond

Phone

9427 7898
Lil GB

A cluster of tables and stools on the footpath belie the modish intimacy of this small bar's interior. In a precinct replete with drinking options, Lil GB's commands your attention with cool tunes, great art and well crafted cocktails.

Address

2 Maddock Street, Windsor

Phone

T: 9510 7993
Little Cupcakes

Satisfy your afternoon sugar craving with a handmade cupcake from Little Cupcakes. From the ever-popular red velvet to the dependable raspberry white chocolate, there's a flavour to suit even the fussiest palette.

Address

Shop 7, Degraves Street, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9077 0413
Longrain

Hot, sour, salty and sweet - Longrain's flavour palette might be traditional but its brand of culinary artistry is anything but. Add cocktails and a sleek fitout and you've got the formula for the hottest dinner date in town.

Address

44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9671 3151
Lord Cardigan

This bistro might lure you with neighbourhood charm but chef John Singer's ability to spin culinary magic that will keep you coming back. Here, simple ingredients and fresh produce serve as the basis for inspired dishes with unexpected flourishes -- highlights include three-cheese gnocchi and melt-in-your- mouth veal shank with a Dijon and milk dough crust -- along with an imaginative weekend breakfast menu. Add a well-edited wine list and elegant fitout and you have an eatery for all tastes and seasons.

Address

59 Cardigan Place, Albert Park

Phone

9645 5305
LuxBite

Salted caramel, pandan, pistachio, rose and lychee. This patisserie reinvents the classic macaron for the city's most imaginative palettes. Drop by for jewel-hued creations that are a playful lesson in the art of dessert.

Address

38 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

Phone

9867 5888
Mamaganoush

At the bohemian end of Chapel Street sits Mamaganoush Middle Eastern Restaurant. New York cool meets Marrakesh buzz serving age old recipes from the Arabic kitchen with modern day touches.

Address

56 Chapel Street, Windsor

Phone

9521 4141
Mamasita

Spanish for ''hot babe'', this classy Mexican joint serves up inventive food alongside the freewheeling energy of a late night tequila bar. Indulge south of the border cravings with tostaditas loaded with crab meat and tamarind mayo, braised lamb quesadillas and the palette cleansing ceviche or perch at the bar with an icy cold Paloma straight from the tap. If you're feeling brave, the 100+ well stocked tequila list is a lesson in hedonism.

Address

Level 1, 11 Collins Street, Melbourne

Phone

9650 3821
Manchester Press

Hidden away in an alley and housed in a former printing press, this spacious, industrial cafe filled with character draws in the creative crowd with their simple but smart menu. Enjoy an open NY-style bagel and coffee at the large communal table made wholly of repurposed materials.

Address

8 Rankins Lane, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9600 4054
Merry Cupcakes

With a degree in nutrition owner, Mary Lin, is now making sure Melburnians receieve a healthy balanced diet of cuteness and deliciousness. The cupcakes sell out daily, and are entirely vegan-friendly. Mary Lin uses only the best products, she creatively replaces cream cheese with soy, butter with avocado and sugary flavourings with the actual fruit of origin. Merry Cupcakes are still as decorative and delectable as the little parcels of sugary joy should be, theres just no need to feel guilty afterwards.

Address

261 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Phone

9416 3991
Mirka Continental Bistro

This one-of-a-kind St Kilda restaurant sees Guy Grossi pair his exquisite take on continental cuisine with the idiosyncratic art of Melbourne icon Mirka Mora. It's an imaginative culinary encounter you'll experience once and never forget.

Address

42 Fitzroy Street

Phone

9525 3088
misschu Melbourne CBD

misschu brings her brilliant Vietnamese experience back to her hometown of Melbourne with a tuckshop on Exhibition Street. The food is tasty and affordable and the service fast paced - everything misschu is known for!

Address

2/297 Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9077 1097
Mr Huang Jin

Refreshingly for an eatery of its kind, Mr Huang Jin is a bright and airy space thanks to its high ceilings, glass walls and discreetly trendy decor. As such, even when it’s busy (which it often is), it never feels frenzied, or as though you’re eating to beat the buzzer. Nevertheless, if you’d prefer to enjoy your pork buns far from the maddening crowds, there’s always the take-away option.

Address

525 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD.

Phone

9077 7937
Mr Wolf

This stylish eatery is a magnet for pizza purists thanks to a sublime classic margherita and an ambience that's equal parts intimate and welcoming. Its menu is high on fresh, local produce and low on pretention.

Address

9-15 Inkerman Street, St Kilda

Phone

9534 0255
Neapoli

ith a late night dining menu and a fusion between old school Italian and all else that is Melbourne, Neapoli understands the inner-city. A communal bench with clean cut wooden stools has that intrinsic Melbourne-Italian, Pellegrini's feel. While this is familiar and comforting, somehow, so is the sushi and spanakopita.

Address

30 Russell Place, Melbourne

Phone

9650 5020
Orange Cafe

Elegant, slightly moody and abashedly cool, this Windsor institution has the makings of a modern day speakeasy. Sink into a booth for a lazy breakfast and stay for evening cocktails and late night thrills.

Address

126 Chapel Street, Windsor

Phone

9529 1644
Pellegrini's

Loved by locals, this humming Italian diner with 1950s-style red vinyl stools, strong italian accents and checkerboard floors has been serving classic Italian dishes for more than 20 years. Grab a seat at the bar and choose from their hearty menu of pasta & sauces.

Address

66 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9662 1885
Phillippa's

Locally renowned for her traditionally baked bread. Phillippa's city store serves honest delicious food made with fresh produce. Find seasonal sandwiches, breakfast rolls, cakes, biscuits, chocolate brownies, delicious salads, soups and jars of her signature preserves.

Address

15 Howey Place, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9671 4030
Proud Mary

Cold drip, French Press, syphon… this buzzy café is a lesson in the art of caffeine obsession. Come for note-perfect lattes, an inventive menu high on fresh produce and a wide range of in-house roasted coffee blends also available to purchase.

Address

172 Oxford Street, Collingwood

Phone

9417 5930
Radio Mexico

This soulful Mexican eatery is a a tribute to 'la Comida Casera' - Spanish for homemade food. From slow-cooked saltbush lamb to beer-battered fish with pico de gallo, the tacos here are wholesome, addictive and sublime.

Address

11-13 Carlisle Street, St Kilda.

Phone

9534 9990
Red Spice Road

Food and conversation might be a classic pairing, but if you add South-East Asian flavours and a dash of culinary inspiration in the shape of chef John McLeay, this union is nothing short of sublime. Enter Red Spice Road. This seductive, red-hued space might be premised on sharing food, flavours and conversation, but it also weaves the sort of dining magic that lasts long after the last bite.

Address

27 McKillop Street, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9603 1601
Red Spice Road QV

Food and conversation might be a classic pairing, but if you add South-East Asian flavours and a dash of culinary inspiration in the shape of chef John McLeay, this union is nothing short of sublime. Enter the new Red Spice Road QV. Like the sister store on McKillop Street, this seductive, red-hued space might be premised on sharing food, flavours and conversation, but it weaves the sort of dining magic that lasts long after the last bite.

Address

31-37 Artemis Lane (Enter off Russell Street), Melbourne

Phone

8660 6300
Rice Queen

Always notorious for serving up dishes hot off the wok with an authentic South Eastern Asian street food taste, Rice Queen now serve up the same Thai, Vietnamese, Western fusion nibbles mixed in with a little bit of Brunswick street style.

Address

389 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Phone

9419 6624
Rustica Sourdough

A celebration of bread in all its guises, visit this artisanal bakery and cafe for their signature organic sourdough, boutique coffee and the perfect breakfast menu to kick start your morning. It is the stuff of weekend ritual.

Address

402 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9417 7775
Sake

Set in the heart of Melbourne's cultural precinct, Saké Restaurant & Bar's Executive Chef Shaun Presland has teamed up with international star Rose Ang to deliver a modern classic menu with distinct local flavours.

Address

Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd

Phone

8687 0775
San Telmo

Named after the oldest barrio in Buenos Aires, this incomparable Argentinian restaurant blends the best of contemporary and old-world sensibilities to create a warm and refined dining experience. From specially imported 300 year-old doors to antique soda bottles, every detail here has a deliberate and intimate link with its colonial namesake. Impressive as the space is, the real star of San Telmo is the bespoke parrilla grill. La buenda vida in the heart of Melbourne.

Address

14 Meyes Place

Phone

9650 5525
Senorita's

Culinary magic meets time-honoured tradition at this stylish eatery, which recreates the flavours and textures of Mexico for the Melbourne palette. Try the Pulpo Y Atun - a dish of baby octopus and tuna dusted in guajillo, pasilla and ancho chillies.

Address

16 Meyers Place, Melbourne

Phone

9639 7437
Shadows of Envy

Shadows of Envy is an open, creative platform exhibiting local independent artists. From designers to street artists, filmmakers to musicians, this is where you find Melbourne's emerging creative community thriving. Take a seat at the bar or in one of the several private booths and enjoy a craft beer or coffee.

Address

399 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Phone
Shocolate

The kind of chocolatier that elevates confectionery to high art, this Fitzroy chocolate shop makes salted caramel macaroons and pistachio chocolate that lure sugar fiends from both sides of the Yarra.

Address

296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (entrance via Johnston Street)

Phone

9415 6556
Shu

SHU taps into an urban underground vibe, with its modern take on provincial Chinese cuisine and focus on fresh and locally sourced produce. Think industrial-chic décor with neon lighting, stainless steel tables and a projector screen flickering on one wall. Menu highlights include the crispy fried pork belly in chilli bean paste and the steamed barramundi fillet with pickled chilli and ginger sauce.

Address

174 Johnston St, Collingwood

Phone

9090 7878
Slowpoke Espresso

Three-grain porridge crowned with baked rhubarb, great coffee and a warm, reclaimed timber interior are the winning ingredients at Slowpoke Espresso. This eco-friendly café was made for whiling away your weekend.

Address

157 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9942 7813
Speakeasy

An imaginative fitout and a prohibition-inspired cocktail list make this restaurant and bar a study in Jazz Age cool. Book the private dining area for friends and settle in for a sumptuous all day menu and the best Manhattans this side of the Yarra.

Address

359 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Phone

9824 0770
Stokehouse Cafe

A more casual approach to dining than the upstairs Stokehouse Restaurant, offering sea views for everyone from early breakfast goers to late night dancers. Share plates and beer buckets are always on the cards here, followed by a big breakfast the next morning.

Address

30 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda

Phone
Switchboard Cafe

This pint-sized quaint cafe doles out impeccable lattes, cakes and cheese toasties from a blink-and-you'll-miss-it laneway nook. It's a hit with inner-city caffeine addicts who come for Switchboard's excellent local blend, Coffee Supreme, served in charming mismatched crockery.

Address

Kiosk 11, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

Phone
Teppankai

Set against a sophisticated fine dining backdrop, Teppankai's menu offers a combination of contemporary Japanese food and more traditional flavours. Let skilled Teppanyaki chefs add a dash of showmanship to your CULINARY experience.

Address

34 Bray Street, South Yarra

Phone

9827 8822
Terra Rossa

Housed in the historic Swiss House building, this elegant restaurant is a hit with the pre-theatre crowd thanks to warm, rustic touches, an adventurous wine list and a menu that's high on classic, inspired Italian fare. Linger over melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and a glass of chilled prosecco or order a chianti and sink into a leather Chesterfield. It's sure to be the kind of soulful interlude you'll be dreaming about all week.

Address

87 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Phone

9650 0900
The Commoner

This Fitzroy eating den is a favourite with locals, thanks to its elegant version of country-cottage charm and a Modern British menu that combines the seasonal with the sublime. Comfort food at its best.

Address

122 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9415 6876
The Croft Institute

Hidden from the bright lights of the CBD, The Croft Institute is tucked at the back of a China Town alley way. Sip cocktails from syringes, visit the gymnasium (complete with real turf bar) or dance the night away to local DJs.

Address

21 Croft Ally

Phone

9671 4399
The Cupcake Bakery

Baked fresh every day, and without any added nasties, these beautifully decorated treats are the perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth. Jumbo-sized and gluten-free versions are also available, along with coffee and a selection of milkshakes.

Address

Shop 1/457-459 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Phone

9078 3414
The Essential Ingredient

The Melbourne outpost of this fine food emporium serves up hard-to-find truffle products, foie gras, saffron and couverture chocolate along with an imaginative range of condiments. It also offers cooking classes and kitchenware destined to unlock your culinary greatness.

Address

Prahran Market, South Yarra

Phone

9827 9047
The Everleigh

Details like handcut ice and freshly squeezed juice make Melbourne's answer to Manhattan's fabled Milk and Honey an exercise in cocktail mastery. Settle into a booth with an Old Fashioned for Gatsby-era elegance with an intimate twist.

Address

Level 1, 150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Phone

9416 2229
The Grace Darling Hotel

Smith Street is home to Melbourne's second oldest pub, named after a 19th Century heroine. You'll find traditional pub fare, touched with Spanish and Italian influences, served up alongside live music, craft beer and a serious whisky selection.

Address

114 Smith Street, Collingwood.

Phone

9416 0055
The Little Mule Company

Quirky coffee-cum-bikeshop, The Little Mule Company is a playful nod to the ultimate Melbourne quest - the search for a perfect flat white while on the hunt for the cutest, fixed-wheel ride. Their colourful custom-made fixies hanging proudly on the walls.

Address

19 Somerset Place, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9670 4904
The Local Taphouse St Kilda

A European-inspired neighbourhood tavern specialising in craft beers and with exceptional food, drink, events and hospitality. Get comfy with something tasty in the wood panel surrounds or challenge some friends to an indoor game of bocce.

Address

184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East

Phone

9537 2633
The Luwow

Exuberantly celebrating tikis and the tribal tropics, this bar might've ended up more trite than terrific. However, with a sense of irony this playful and cocktails this damn tasty, The LuWow is thunderingly good fun.

Address

62-70 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Phone

0439 562 289
The Orchard

This eatery lures inner-city sophisticates and wine purists with velvety Pinot Noir and a menu that’s a stylish take on French Provincial. Don’t miss the weekly roast duck night - it’s an exercise in culinary bliss.

Address

24 Beatty Avenue, Armadale

Phone

9822 2077
The Petty Officer

Perfect for whiling away long, breezy hours, this light and inviting cafe serves lauded coffee, all-day breakfast, perfectly brewed teas (thanks to the uber-boiler) and pairs a well-considered wine list with a delectable lunch menu.

Address

113 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park

Phone

9686 3000
The Pound

Southside glamour gets a classy makeover at The Pound, a café that combines breezy elegance with just the right dash of industrial chic. This effortlessness extends to the chalkboard menu, which focuses on fresh local produce, good coffee and an inventive lineup of salads and pides. Pull up a stool on the sidewalk and watch the world go by or perch yourself at the window seat for chic respite from the Chapel street circus. You'll stay all day.

Address

Shop 5, 566 Chapel Street (enter from Oxford Street), South Yarra

Phone

9826 1114
The Smith Restaurant & Bar

Equal parts casual and sophisticated, this bar and eatery from Michael Lambie and Scott Borg serves up a globetrotting menu ideal for all day dining and grazing. Linger in the open courtyard with one of their signature cocktails.

Address

213 High Street, Prahran

Phone

9514 2444
The Sweetwater Inn

With some corrugated iron, a lot of timber and a few cleverly positioned animal skulls, the team behind the Sweetwater Inn have created a modern day bushman’s haunt. Yes, the drinks list features a selection of tinnies, but you can forget any notions of a sticky bogan bar; with the help of some plush banquettes and waxy rum-bottle candles, this place has the rustic charm thing all sewn up.

Address

1/60 Bray Street, South Yarra

Phone

0402 532 578
The Tasting Table Wine Shop

This independent wine store/bar specialises in Australian and European wines from family-run vineyards. It's like a cellar door but closer to home, with a rotating selection of 24 wines available to try and by the glass from a list of over 200.

Address

1219 High Street, Armadale

Phone

T: 9822 6754
Thirty Eight Chairs

Nestled a short jaunt from Chapel St, this intimate Italian all day eatery marries elegance with rusticity. Attentive, knowledgeable staff and a palpable passion for la dolce vita are wonderful complements to the sumptuous and ever-changing menu.

Address

4A Bond Street, South Yarra

Phone

T: 9827 5553
Toorak Cellars

A Parisian-inspired neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop that sources, sells and serves the best in local and imported wines and beers, Toorak Cellars showcases boutique producers with a wide organic and biodynamic range.

Address

18 Beatty Avenue, Armadale

Phone

T: 9822 2070
Trunk Bar & Restaurant

Manhattan chic meets Melbourne nous at this stylish bar and brasserie, which combines high-voltage energy with note-perfect design. Its fitout is sophisticated and inventive in equal parts - think new York wharf lights suspended from the ceiling, artful leather banquettes and a drinking garden punctuated with strings of fairy lights. If a casual vibe is more your speed, swing by during the day for a legendary diner burger and a Tim Tam milkshake.

Address

275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Phone

9663 7994
Two Birds One Stone

The latest offering from the minds behind cult cafes Three Bags Full and Liar Liar blends a stylish, Scandinavian-inspired fitout with an inventive menu that's high on local produce. Locals come for excellent coffee by caffeine all-stars Five Senses.

Address

12 Claremont Street, South Yarra

Phone

9827 1228
U Village

Literally translated to mean ‘another village’, it’s no surprise that U-Village is a warm and welcoming space. What is surprising is how deftly they blend Malaysian, Thai, Singapore and Chinese cuisines into one delectable menu.

Address

1/29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Phone

9537 1129
U-Village

Literally translated to mean 'another village', it's no surprise that U-Village is a warm and welcoming space. What is surprising is how deftly they blend Malaysian, Thai, Singapore and Chinese cuisines into one delectable menu.

Address

Shop 1, 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Phone

9537 1129
Veludo

Places billed as a 'restaurant/bar/live music venue' commonly tend to have compromised on at least one of these aspects. However, Veludo dons all three hats with equal aplomb, delighting discerning diners and refined revellers alike.

Address

175 Acland Street, St Kilda

Phone

9534 4456
Villaggio Pizza & Kitchen

There's something special about this stylish Italian diner, one of Melbourne's newest entries into the contemporary food scene. Take a seat in the sun- dappled courtyard and lose yourself in modern menu delights, coupled with old fashioned service.

Address

251 Richardson Street, Middle Park

Phone

96993100
Virginia Plain

With the cream of the crop at the helm, this bar and restaurant has fast become a Melbourne favourite. And with dishes and a fit out this superlative it is unbeatable value.

Address

31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Phone

9290 0400
Von Haus

Urbane and welcoming, this intimate laneway haunt was once one of the city's best kept secrets. The word might be well and truly out now, but somehow Von Haus has managed to retain all the unaffected charisma of its clandestine beginnings. The space is rustic and cosy, the wine list is incredibly well-considered, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is akin to your much cooler friend's apartment. All in all, it's a modern classic.

Address

1A Crossley Street, Melbourne

Phone

9663 2756
Where a Girl Goes

Cristina Re's tea emporium and lifestyle store is an ode to girlishness and luxury; a place to indulge in a lavish high tea or to simply lose yourself amongst collections of paper couture, jewellery and gold-rimmed teacups.

Address

Corner Langridge & Oxford Streets, Collingwood

Phone

9495 6222
Wonderbao

Inspired by the streets of Asia in a space that is definitively Melbourne, Wonderbao makes Chinese steam baos (pork buns) and Taiwanese gua baos (tarco style buns) that are, quite simply, the best in town.

Address

Shop 4, 19-37 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne CBD

Phone

9654 7887
Zucca Rossa

Exposed lights and rough finishes form part of the charm of Zucca Rossa, whose name translates to ‘Red Pumpkin’ – meant to conjure the smell and allure of Italian food. Warm up with the Bucattini pasta with polpetti, chilli, garlic and basil for just $18 or cool down with a Chinotto Punch, a perfect mix of spiced rum, chinotto, lemon, sorbet, peach tea and mint.

Address

Old Post Office Building, 168 Greville Street, Prahran

Phone

1300 ZUCCA ROSSA