Guidebook for Melbourne
Drinks & Nightlife
Big Casino. Much gambling. Fancy restaurants. Matching Tracksuits
615 locals recommend
Crown Melbourne
8 Whiteman StBig Casino. Much gambling. Fancy restaurants. Matching Tracksuits
One of the city's most popular bars that manages to combine a beer hall, cocktail bar and a thai restaurant. Relaxed in the afternoon and lively until late.
381 locals recommend
Cookie
252 Swanston StOne of the city's most popular bars that manages to combine a beer hall, cocktail bar and a thai restaurant. Relaxed in the afternoon and lively until late.
Beer DeLuxe Fed Square
Flinders StreetDuff beer for me, duff beer for you, I'll have a duff, you'll have one too.
A bar high up in the Rialto building with incredible 360 views of Melbourne. It's very upmarket and has a price tag to match but definitely worth a look if you want to treat yourself. Ask for Lui bar at the concierge desk in the lobby and they will order a lift for you.
297 locals recommend
Lui Bar
525 Collins StA bar high up in the Rialto building with incredible 360 views of Melbourne. It's very upmarket and has a price tag to match but definitely worth a look if you want to treat yourself. Ask for Lui bar at the concierge desk in the lobby and they will order a lift for you.
A wine bar with sweeping views of Parliament which is open from 5pm until very late. Look for the wooden door with no sign next to Spring street grocer then head up the stairs until you reach the very top. A great hidden spot!
115 locals recommend
Siglo
161 Spring StA wine bar with sweeping views of Parliament which is open from 5pm until very late. Look for the wooden door with no sign next to Spring street grocer then head up the stairs until you reach the very top. A great hidden spot!
Melbourne has a great small bar scene and the best ones are usually just out of view. Cabinet became a favourite of mine before I started hosting and was working in the city full time. Enjoy a wine on the balcony on a sunny day overlooking Swanston street.
21 locals recommend
Cabinet Bar & Balcony
11 Rainbow AlleyMelbourne has a great small bar scene and the best ones are usually just out of view. Cabinet became a favourite of mine before I started hosting and was working in the city full time. Enjoy a wine on the balcony on a sunny day overlooking Swanston street.
Parks & Nature
Fitzroy Gardens Playground
Wellington ParadeMy favourite park in Melbourne.
Beautiful park where you can feast your eyes on the world heritage listed exhibition building.
235 locals recommend
Carlton Gardens
Beautiful park where you can feast your eyes on the world heritage listed exhibition building.
Escape from the CBD and stroll around the botanic gardens, there are places to explore, or you could just sit and take in the beauty of the gardens.
1262 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Escape from the CBD and stroll around the botanic gardens, there are places to explore, or you could just sit and take in the beauty of the gardens.
Sightseeing
Our hood, the best place to get out of the city and experience some authentic Melbourne hipster (and many great shops, bars and eats).
135 locals recommend
Brunswick Street
Brunswick StreetOur hood, the best place to get out of the city and experience some authentic Melbourne hipster (and many great shops, bars and eats).
Hosier Lane
7-9 Hosier LnThe most famous street art laneway there is, BYO selfie stick.
Federation Square
Famous square opposite Flinders Street and home of ACMI.
All of the Italian! Don't eat or make eye contact with anyone south of Grattan Street. Definitely check out Tiamo II, DOC Pizza (just off Lygon) and DOC Pasta, The Vertue of the Coffee Drink (down a laneway, down a laneway - google it), Readings bookstore, Pidapipo Gelateria, Baker D Chirico (try the bombolone).
270 locals recommend
Lygon Street
Lygon StreetAll of the Italian! Don't eat or make eye contact with anyone south of Grattan Street. Definitely check out Tiamo II, DOC Pizza (just off Lygon) and DOC Pasta, The Vertue of the Coffee Drink (down a laneway, down a laneway - google it), Readings bookstore, Pidapipo Gelateria, Baker D Chirico (try the bombolone).
Cute clothing and homewares stores, great pubs (try the Gertrude and Builder's arms) and home to some of the best restaurants in town (Cutler and Co, Archie's All Day).
98 locals recommend
Gertrude Street
Gertrude StreetCute clothing and homewares stores, great pubs (try the Gertrude and Builder's arms) and home to some of the best restaurants in town (Cutler and Co, Archie's All Day).
The main shopping strip with David Jones, Myer and heaps more. Walk through David Jones to the Emporium which is the new fancy shopping centre with great stores and insta-worthy food.
412 locals recommend
Bourke Street Mall
Bourke Street MallThe main shopping strip with David Jones, Myer and heaps more. Walk through David Jones to the Emporium which is the new fancy shopping centre with great stores and insta-worthy food.
That cute laneway photo full of alfresco style restaurants? This is it
164 locals recommend
Degraves Street
Degraves StreetThat cute laneway photo full of alfresco style restaurants? This is it
Food Scene
My favourite coffee house that always has two machines working at double time to make consistently great coffee within a matter of minutes, no matter how many people are queuing out the door. They have delicious almond croissants too. Must try!
55 locals recommend
Dukes Coffee Roasters
247 Flinders LnMy favourite coffee house that always has two machines working at double time to make consistently great coffee within a matter of minutes, no matter how many people are queuing out the door. They have delicious almond croissants too. Must try!
One of Melbourne's best restaurants by renowned chef Andrew McConnell. They don't take bookings so put your name down for a table and grab a drink nearby while you wait. Lamb shoulder is to die for.
200 locals recommend
Cumulus Inc.
45 Flinders LnOne of Melbourne's best restaurants by renowned chef Andrew McConnell. They don't take bookings so put your name down for a table and grab a drink nearby while you wait. Lamb shoulder is to die for.
A modern Mexican canteen with a great atmosphere and even better margaritas. Try the pulled pork quesadilla and the fish tacos. Always a good time!
187 locals recommend
Fonda Mexican
144 Chapel StA modern Mexican canteen with a great atmosphere and even better margaritas. Try the pulled pork quesadilla and the fish tacos. Always a good time!
Tucked away down a laneway off Collins street, this is my favourite restaurant in Melbourne. They have a formal dining section but I prefer to grab table in the walk-in section. My choice is always the meatballs on polenta mash. Too good!
30 locals recommend
Il Solito Posto
113 Collins StTucked away down a laneway off Collins street, this is my favourite restaurant in Melbourne. They have a formal dining section but I prefer to grab table in the walk-in section. My choice is always the meatballs on polenta mash. Too good!
Probably Melbourne's most famous restaurant. I recommend the 'feed me' menu so you can try a bit of everything. They don't take bookings but there's a great bar downstairs where you can enjoy a drink while you wait for a table. Great atmosphere!
552 locals recommend
Chin Chin
125 Flinders LnProbably Melbourne's most famous restaurant. I recommend the 'feed me' menu so you can try a bit of everything. They don't take bookings but there's a great bar downstairs where you can enjoy a drink while you wait for a table. Great atmosphere!
A quality Asian restaurant with a fun, relaxed vibe. Try the Peking duck dumplings and the Korean fried ribs. They do take walk-ins but you can also book ahead.
58 locals recommend
Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar
23 Oliver LnA quality Asian restaurant with a fun, relaxed vibe. Try the Peking duck dumplings and the Korean fried ribs. They do take walk-ins but you can also book ahead.
Hidden up the corporate end of Flinders lane, the Grain Store does an incredible brunch menu. A bright space where you will feel right at home. Try the Portbello Mushroom and Reclette Potato Rosti.
195 locals recommend
Grain Store
517 Flinders LnHidden up the corporate end of Flinders lane, the Grain Store does an incredible brunch menu. A bright space where you will feel right at home. Try the Portbello Mushroom and Reclette Potato Rosti.
My favourite burger joint which is largely to blame for starting the burger craze in Melbourne. It's only a five minute walk away and open until late so great for a quick bite if you arrive in the evening and are chasing something quick and satisfying. If you like chilli you will love the Denise and if you're starving go all out and get the Theo.
19 locals recommend
Huxtaburger
357 Collins StMy favourite burger joint which is largely to blame for starting the burger craze in Melbourne. It's only a five minute walk away and open until late so great for a quick bite if you arrive in the evening and are chasing something quick and satisfying. If you like chilli you will love the Denise and if you're starving go all out and get the Theo.
Flinders lane has a mixture of fine dining and accessible casual high-quality restaurants. Meatball and Wine Bar fits into the latter where you can walk in and choose your own meatball and sauce combo. I can never go past the chicken with pesto sauce on potato mash.
33 locals recommend
The Meatball & Wine Bar - Flinders Lane
135 Flinders LaneFlinders lane has a mixture of fine dining and accessible casual high-quality restaurants. Meatball and Wine Bar fits into the latter where you can walk in and choose your own meatball and sauce combo. I can never go past the chicken with pesto sauce on potato mash.
I spent some time in Mexico at the start of 2016 and still consider Mamasita the best Mexican, ever. Whatever you do, try the corn with parmesan. They don't take bookings and there is often a line out the door from 6pm until late. You can put your name down and grab a drink nearby while you wait for a table.
286 locals recommend
Mamasita
11 Collins StI spent some time in Mexico at the start of 2016 and still consider Mamasita the best Mexican, ever. Whatever you do, try the corn with parmesan. They don't take bookings and there is often a line out the door from 6pm until late. You can put your name down and grab a drink nearby while you wait for a table.
MoVida introduced the Spanish tapas scene to Melbourne and is still at the top of their game. My partner and I come here every anniversary because it's where I took her on our first date. We've had two so far so it did the trick! Definitely book ahead and try their spin-off MoVida Next Door or MoVida Aqui if you can't get in.
203 locals recommend
MoVida
1 Hosier LnMoVida introduced the Spanish tapas scene to Melbourne and is still at the top of their game. My partner and I come here every anniversary because it's where I took her on our first date. We've had two so far so it did the trick! Definitely book ahead and try their spin-off MoVida Next Door or MoVida Aqui if you can't get in.
There are loads of dumplings houses in Melbourne. I've tried quite a few of them but always come back to HuTong because of their incredible quality and quick service. Famous for their Shao-long Bao and my favourite, Wontons with Hot Chilli Sauce. Book ahead if you don't want to wait too long for a table.
89 locals recommend
HuTong
14-16 Market LnThere are loads of dumplings houses in Melbourne. I've tried quite a few of them but always come back to HuTong because of their incredible quality and quick service. Famous for their Shao-long Bao and my favourite, Wontons with Hot Chilli Sauce. Book ahead if you don't want to wait too long for a table.
A great spot to refuel after shopping on Bourke Street. Located on the ground level of David Jones on Little Collins Street. Check out the food hall downstairs while you're there.
190 locals recommend
Sensory Lab
310 Little Collins StA great spot to refuel after shopping on Bourke Street. Located on the ground level of David Jones on Little Collins Street. Check out the food hall downstairs while you're there.
Melbourne's sushi game is strong, this place is a favourite of mine as their rolls are $2 each and perfect as a snack or for lunch.
Tokui Sushi
260 Lonsdale StMelbourne's sushi game is strong, this place is a favourite of mine as their rolls are $2 each and perfect as a snack or for lunch.
American BBQ has grown exponentially in Melbourne over the past 2 years, this place, located in a basement is my favourite. It's dimly lit, and has a great menu - try the brisket, with a side of minted peas!
33 locals recommend
Meatmaiden
195 Little Collins StAmerican BBQ has grown exponentially in Melbourne over the past 2 years, this place, located in a basement is my favourite. It's dimly lit, and has a great menu - try the brisket, with a side of minted peas!