Guidebook for Melbourne
Food Scene
Red Spice Road
141 Queen StDelicious food, great decor, fantastic fun
We, and by that I mean the entire band! eat here after gigs at the Paris Cat Jazz Club. Three hours of jazz? pizza please.
15 locals recommend
Campari House
23-25 Hardware LnWe, and by that I mean the entire band! eat here after gigs at the Paris Cat Jazz Club. Three hours of jazz? pizza please.
We love this place, food, wine and cocktails - brilliant inner city location and vibe.
31 locals recommend
Kirk's Wine Bar
46 Hardware LnWe love this place, food, wine and cocktails - brilliant inner city location and vibe.
French Saloon
46 Hardware LnSteak and pomme frits? Look no further my friend.
Because it's the best, and romance ain't dead - make sure you book well in advance!
84 locals recommend
Tipo 00
361 Little Bourke StBecause it's the best, and romance ain't dead - make sure you book well in advance!
OK, we're sharing deep secrets here. Book, because Patrick won't let you in otherwise. You can go to the Shanghai Dumpling House, and there is cheaper, but these dumplings do that pop thing and suddenly you have a mouthful of delicious broth - just saying.
89 locals recommend
HuTong
14-16 Market LnOK, we're sharing deep secrets here. Book, because Patrick won't let you in otherwise. You can go to the Shanghai Dumpling House, and there is cheaper, but these dumplings do that pop thing and suddenly you have a mouthful of delicious broth - just saying.
Hang with the cool kids, buy some beans and grab a cake - I personally love the smoked carrots for brekky. Tables are small, you may have to wait.
144 locals recommend
Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters
114 Berkeley StHang with the cool kids, buy some beans and grab a cake - I personally love the smoked carrots for brekky. Tables are small, you may have to wait.
These have popped up in a few places, but we like to go to the Vic Markets on a Saturday, grab a dirty borek from the ladies and wait in line for lifeblood aka, Market Lane Coffee before we delve into the fish market area. Beware - market only open to 4pm.. get there MUCH earlier for coffee.
129 locals recommend
Market Lane Coffee - Queen Vic Market Victoria St
83-85 Victoria StThese have popped up in a few places, but we like to go to the Vic Markets on a Saturday, grab a dirty borek from the ladies and wait in line for lifeblood aka, Market Lane Coffee before we delve into the fish market area. Beware - market only open to 4pm.. get there MUCH earlier for coffee.
Because lunchtimes anywhere else just wouldn't work - they don't take card so carry cashola.
184 locals recommend
Purple Peanuts Japanese Cafe
620 Collins StBecause lunchtimes anywhere else just wouldn't work - they don't take card so carry cashola.
European cuisine - and we're using the word cuisine so you get the idea - it's so so great, so so grown up, and the waiters are just delicious as well - you will be served!
58 locals recommend
The European
161 Spring StEuropean cuisine - and we're using the word cuisine so you get the idea - it's so so great, so so grown up, and the waiters are just delicious as well - you will be served!
Find this, and you'll have a view over Swanston Street from the balcony, or if that's full, riff with the waiters in the backroom - they're absolutely hysterical and await your opening parry.
21 locals recommend
Cabinet Bar & Balcony
11 Rainbow AlleyFind this, and you'll have a view over Swanston Street from the balcony, or if that's full, riff with the waiters in the backroom - they're absolutely hysterical and await your opening parry.
Minamishima
4 Lord StYum, so delicious
Fabulous, to die for food and a superb wine list. We have enjoyed every minute we've spent at what is in fact, our local.
84 locals recommend
Cutler & Co
57 Gertrude StFabulous, to die for food and a superb wine list. We have enjoyed every minute we've spent at what is in fact, our local.
We cannot rave enough about the amazing Igni - our pick of all the best/top restaurants in Melbourne. We always (we've been there once but 'always' sounds like we frequent this restaurant #lifegoals) carry a designated driver, just BTW.
34 locals recommend
Restaurant IGNI
207 Ryan Pl SWe cannot rave enough about the amazing Igni - our pick of all the best/top restaurants in Melbourne. We always (we've been there once but 'always' sounds like we frequent this restaurant #lifegoals) carry a designated driver, just BTW.
The amazing gardens astounded us when we stayed overnight - more than a restaurant, Brae is an experience and we urge you not to miss out.
53 locals recommend
Brae Restaurant
4285 Cape Otway RdThe amazing gardens astounded us when we stayed overnight - more than a restaurant, Brae is an experience and we urge you not to miss out.
There were moments when we looked at each other and laughed for sheer delight during this meal - we hadn't been so giddy with joy over food ever before and this launched us into promising each other we would experience everything Melbourne has on offer, food & wine, arts & culture, sport and amazing natural wonders
59 locals recommend
Attica
74 Glen Eira RdThere were moments when we looked at each other and laughed for sheer delight during this meal - we hadn't been so giddy with joy over food ever before and this launched us into promising each other we would experience everything Melbourne has on offer, food & wine, arts & culture, sport and amazing natural wonders
Get there early, be prepared to queue, and order everything you think you might like - you will be back.
142 locals recommend
Lune Croissanterie
119 Rose StGet there early, be prepared to queue, and order everything you think you might like - you will be back.
Organic sour dough bread, buns, sweet and pizza - we go weekly for the rye.
42 locals recommend
Fatto a Mano
228 Gertrude StOrganic sour dough bread, buns, sweet and pizza - we go weekly for the rye.
Spinach and ricotta, lamb and vegetable or spicy sweet potato, these are a weekend tradition as we shop the Queen Victoria Market.
9 locals recommend
The Borek Bakehouse
481 Elizabeth StSpinach and ricotta, lamb and vegetable or spicy sweet potato, these are a weekend tradition as we shop the Queen Victoria Market.
Drinks & Nightlife
Oh so many evening's we've poured our way out the door after a brilliant night.
109 locals recommend
The Everleigh Melbourne
150-156 Gertrude StOh so many evening's we've poured our way out the door after a brilliant night.
Everything Else
Food, drink, shopping and everything else - just pop in for a looksie for fun
13 locals recommend
QT Melbourne
133 Russell StFood, drink, shopping and everything else - just pop in for a looksie for fun
Arts & Culture
Visit Victoria brings the best of the best to town throughout the year, showcasing it at the NGV - look out for the world's finest and the many Melbourne exclusives while you're in town There's a great bar, cafes and great restaurants along South Bank.
1737 locals recommend
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda RdVisit Victoria brings the best of the best to town throughout the year, showcasing it at the NGV - look out for the world's finest and the many Melbourne exclusives while you're in town There's a great bar, cafes and great restaurants along South Bank.
Wallace & Gromit to HotRods, Bowie and Wonderland, ACMI continues to impress and delight visitors
258 locals recommend
ACMI
Flinders StreetWallace & Gromit to HotRods, Bowie and Wonderland, ACMI continues to impress and delight visitors
Parks & Nature
Worth a drive to see the Buchan Caves, the parks is run by dedicated and informed volunteers and Parks Vic Rangers - take a picnic lunch - there are BBQs and gazebos.
Caves Road
Caves RoadWorth a drive to see the Buchan Caves, the parks is run by dedicated and informed volunteers and Parks Vic Rangers - take a picnic lunch - there are BBQs and gazebos.
Twelve Apostles Visitor Facility
Booringa RoadIconic views of one of the wonders of the world
Parks Victoria Wilderness Retreats at Cape Conran Coastal Park expose you to more natural beauty than you can imagine. Promising a unique camping experience, these high comfort, yet low impact, elevated tents offer all the privacy and protection from the elements you deserve, while still allowing you to immerse yourself in the stunning park surroundings.
Wilderness Retreats feature an elevated weather and insect-proof tents with large wooden sundecks, high quality timber furniture, timber floors and fridge.
16 locals recommend
Cape Conran
Parks Victoria Wilderness Retreats at Cape Conran Coastal Park expose you to more natural beauty than you can imagine. Promising a unique camping experience, these high comfort, yet low impact, elevated tents offer all the privacy and protection from the elements you deserve, while still allowing you to immerse yourself in the stunning park surroundings.
Wilderness Retreats feature an elevated weather and insect-proof tents with large wooden sundecks, high quality timber furniture, timber floors and fridge.
Entertainment & Activities
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Brunton AvenueIconic sport and music venue
Every year, thousands flock to Melbourne to see the world's best
17 locals recommend
Australian Open Tennis Courts
Batman AvenueEvery year, thousands flock to Melbourne to see the world's best
Shopping
We hit the food stalls weekly for fresh hommus, fruit and veg, fish and flowers then walk home munching on a borek and sipping Market Lane coffee, supply own internal movie soundtrack.
957 locals recommend
Queen Victoria Market
Queen StreetWe hit the food stalls weekly for fresh hommus, fruit and veg, fish and flowers then walk home munching on a borek and sipping Market Lane coffee, supply own internal movie soundtrack.
Melbourne's shopping strip is now five blocks long and has everything from couture shops to cheap as chips, mass produced goods.
773 locals recommend
Emporium Melbourne
287 Lonsdale StMelbourne's shopping strip is now five blocks long and has everything from couture shops to cheap as chips, mass produced goods.
You are on block from Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall, always teeming with people, buskers and trams.
412 locals recommend
Bourke Street Mall
Bourke Street MallYou are on block from Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall, always teeming with people, buskers and trams.
Travel back in time with a walk along the Block Arcade. Call into the Hopetoun tea rooms or swing by Haigh's chocolates for a treat, there is a Bubushka store, perfumery and, being Melbourne, cafes and eateries abound.
82 locals recommend
Block Arcade
282 Collins StTravel back in time with a walk along the Block Arcade. Call into the Hopetoun tea rooms or swing by Haigh's chocolates for a treat, there is a Bubushka store, perfumery and, being Melbourne, cafes and eateries abound.