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There’s no denying we love the digital world—a magazine just doesn’t cut it when you’re Googling the latest café that’s just hit Melbourne’s coffee-obsessed streets—but sometimes, curling up with a cuppa and a good paper-bound read is just the ticket. That’s where magazines come in; the smell of freshly printed paper, the glossy pages, those long-reads that invite us to discover our new favourite obsession… Magazines are as perfect for idly leafing through while waiting for your Uber as they are delving into for three hours on a Sunday over a home-poured long black.

We’re here to help you out with a list of Melbourne’s best BYO restaurants. And they’re not all cheap-and-cheerful Asian joints (although a few of our favourites do score a mention). So read on and get ready to eat, drink and be merry!

Spring has finally sprung (hurrah!), and with it has come an influx of cocktail party invites. From carnival season to luxe picnics to anything that’s an excuse for a get-together, our calendars are filling up! But when it comes to getting party-ready, there’s a massive difference between looking good, and looking great. Here at The Urban List, we’ve wracked our brains and rounded up the best beauty salons in Melbourne for their hot tips and treatments for the season. Let the beautifying (and the partying) commence!

You’ve got mates coming from out-of-town, as in different state or country kinda out-of-town. Naturally, you want to show off glorious Melbourne, but you also want to flaunt her countryside charms too, she’s not just a one-trick-pony. Like wine. And nature. And wine. There are so many terrific day and weekend trips close to Melbourne, so we thought we’d give you a quick low-down on a few of them.

This November, Melbourne will play host to our first-ever festival dedicated to the wonders of gin. And just in time for the launch of summer!

As digital and in-store experiences blur into one, it’s undeniable that the way we find and purchase items has changed forever. Here are some of Australia’s best online retailers who are delivering the goods.

Live music, epic gin degustations and film nights - summer must be on its way! It was tough to wittle down the list to five this week, but we're confident you'll have a rollicking good time with the events we've chosen. The perfect combination of things to do in Melbourne.

Spring is finally here, and with it comes heaps of hot new things to do in Melbourne this season. From live music to pop-up food events, the must-try luxury ingredient to the must-book hottest restaurant, here are 10 things that are totally #trending right now in our glorious city.

South Melbourne is the little suburb that could. It’s quietly been squirrelling away, building its empire and acquiring a stack load of the coolest places to eat, drink, shop and things to do. We’ve put together our pick of the South Melbourne precinct for you to go adventuring and enjoy.

Emilia's menu is exactly as one might imagine at a traditional trattoria. The food is a magical blend of rich and light and you feel like you’re sitting down to a truly excellent meal that your nonna might’ve cooked. Only the presentation is sophisticated and you’re not force-fed!

November means Night Noodle Markets and we are pleased to say this baby is back for another year on the banks of the Yarra River at Melbourne’s Birrarung Marr.

After all the stress that Christmas gatherings bring, what better way is there to blow off some steam and get into your holiday groove than to dance, drink and relax in the magnificence that is a Melbourne summer festival?

What better way to up your dose of Vitamin D than at one of Melbourne’s best beer gardens?

October is upon us, dear Listers. This month you can expect to get fit at the city’s biggest fitness event, get fat from drinking waaaaay too many epic milkshakes, and get spooky at the best Hallowe’en party in the city. And, if that’s not enough, there’s an extra day off to do what you please, as well as heaps of new openings that you’re going to want to be checking out!

If you think you know what to expect from the Southern Grampians, think again. Forget that grim family holiday when your time on the Gameboy/iPad was strictly limited because, um, nature (thanks Mum), the Southern Grampians is redefining luxury in Victoria’s north-west, boasting HEAPS of hidden gems, including the award-winning Grampians hotel, the Royal Mail Hotel, the most incredible views and the ultimate chill-out activities. Read on for seven epic reasons why you should be getting your chill on in Dunkeld.

Every week we will rate the dudes according to each one’s chances are of winning the whole Bachelorette tournament, with the heroes at the top of the list and the zeros at the bottom.

Say goodbye conventional singlet tan lines and hello to weird shoulder stripes that make your regular clothes a little more difficult to wear—this spring and summer it’s all about off-the-shoulder tops!

AFL! Markets! Movies! If you’re looking for some awesome things to do in Melbourne this week, look no further. Everything you need is right here, folks, to have yourself an epic few days of relaxing, getting cultured, and—yes, that’s right—barracking for your top team in the final to end all finals.

Give us all of the baked goods! From classic French delights, to matcha-flavoured croissants, to a bagel lover’s dream – we’ve rounded up Melbourne’s best bakeries to sink your teeth into. 

If you’re a food fan (and we know that pretty much all of you are) Australian-Italians don’t get much more renowned than gelati maestro and all-round awesome guy, Nick Palumbo. Moving from Adelaide, where he grew up with his Italian parents, to Sydney back in 2002, Nick started Gelato Messina with one very simple aim—to run an amazing gelateria that celebrated traditional techniques and mouth-watering, rich flavours.

World Sake Day is tomorrow, folks! To celebrate this delicious Japanese drink, we’ve put together The Urban List’s Sake 101 — a quick-fire guide to the tasty rice beverage, along with the best sake bars in Melbourne. Not sure what you should be ordering? Read on for the essential know-how…

As Melbourne Festival director Josephine Ridge prepares to usher in the 30th anniversary of this vibrant cornerstone of the city’s cultural calendar, she took time out from her crazy schedule to tip off Urban Listers on the must-see shows and her grand ambitions for this year’s line-up. 

Spring cleaning your diet is a great way to create a healthy food environment and reset and reboot some healthy food habits as we start to peel off layers, get outdoors and get ready for a new season.

Earlier this month, the celeb-mad world went crazy—or should that be ‘krazy’— for the latest release from the Kardashian-Jenner sisters. Kim (the one who’s married to Kanye), Kendall (the catwalk model one), Kylie (the youngest one), and Khloe (the, er, one who is also a Kardashian? I don’t know…) have each released an independent app that promises ‘unprecedented and exclusive personal access’ to their day-to-day lives.

The rest of the nation already hates us for our public holiday on Melbourne Cup Day, but Premier Dan Andrew really stuck the knife in when he decided we should have yet another day off in celebration of the AFL Grand Final. Could we be the only city in the world that gets off work for two whole days for a couple of sporting events? Probably.

It’s almost that time of year, Listers! If you know anything about what’s on in Melbourne, you’ll be well aware that spring means a bevvy of race days, which are the perfect excuse to grab a few mates, don your fanciest frocks and suits, and book in a day of revelry at the trackside. This year's most fun racing events—Caulfield Guineas Day, which takes place on Saturday 10th October, and Caulfield Cup Day, on Saturday 17th October—are upping their foodie stakes with the addition of some of Melbourne’s best restaurants.

Second perhaps only to St. Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest is the best globally recognized festival that gives patrons carte blanche to swig as many froffies as possible. And, like every other city around the world, we’ll be celebrating Oktoberfest in Melbourne with just as much gusto as if we were sipping Kolsh in Cologne, or downing biers in Berlin.

If you love slurping noodles while listening to phat beatz, you should clear your schedule on Wednesday, October 28, when Melbourne’s first RAMEN RAVE arrives at Supernormal.

Footy fans, rejoice! After an arduous six months of spear-tackling, eye-gouging and biting, the AFL grand final has arrived at long last. Pitting the highly-fancied Hawks against this year’s surprise-packet in the West Coast Eagles, Saturday’s clash has all the makings of a classic.

There’s something magic about Tasmania that us ‘mainlanders’ (that’s ‘Tasmanian’ for peeps from the rest of Australia) just can’t get without visiting. A vast roaring wilderness, the ghosts of a convict past and little fellas we call the Tassie Devil make up a place that is equally enthralling and quirky.

Parents are great for some things, and not so great for others. Sometimes their technology struggles are beyond frustrating, sometimes they’re LOL-worthy (that’s Laugh Out Loud, not Lots of Love, Mum). 

It’s the ultimate Food & Wine Festival in Australia: feasting in the forest, beachside drinks and seafood so fresh you basically eat it out of the water.

We’re calling it: The espresso martini is the perfect party-starter cocktail. Combining a caffeine hit with a smooth finish, the espresso martini will take you from exhausted after a big day at the office to dance floor-ready in just a few sweet sips. So here’s cheers to Melbourne’s finest espresso martinis, just in time to celebrate World Coffee Day.

We caught up with Renya to find out how she manages to look so good, even when she’s on the go, which, if you follow her on Instagram, is like ALL THE TIME.

Which fashion trends should you follow and which ones should you ditch? We've got you covered.

Roll up! Roll up, Listers! We've got an epic selection of food and culture for you. There's so much fun to be had in Melbourne this week!

Yeah you’ve moved on from school reports but guess what, you can still be graded. Don’t pretend you don’t wanna know how you’re going in the school of life!

As we prepare to come out of our winter hibernation for another year, it’s not uncommon to feel the sudden desire to swap your usual Saturday scrambled eggs for a fruit salad. We’ve got you covered, Melbourne, with this epic list of the best healthy breakfasts in our fair city. And it’s not all acai and kale (although they do get a few mentions). From sweet to savoury, pancakes to pudding, these are the best Melbourne breakfasts you can order without copping a heavy dose of #foodenvy. 

In the days of Nutribullet spun juices, spiralised veg and kale-ariddled everything, it can be easy to forget the benefits of a humble green smoothie. One that is beautiful to look at, great for your insides and an excellent way to turn over the inner sanctum of your crisper.

Full disclaimer: I snoop on other people’s shopping baskets. It’s a terrible habit and I always feel a smidge guilty when shoppers catch me starring at their 12 bottles of Diet Coke (seriously, if you love it that much, just get the real stuff). But it’s a fascinating insight into our inner worlds. Consider it anthropology, of sorts.

Spring is off to an excellent start here in Melbourne, with a slew of sunny days reinvigorating our cold bones after the frostiest winter in decades. With this newfound energy and desire to spend as much time as possible outdoors, we think now is the perfect time to purchase a bicycle. 

It’s nearly spring racing time! While you sort out the hat and the frock, we’ve taken one for the team and come up with our pick of hampers and catering options available for your big day out. From mini sandwiches and musk sticks through to full blown Japanese platters, here are seven of the best spring racing catering options in Melbourne.

Big news, you guys. Turns out Belinda Carlisle was right and heaven is a place on earth. At least it will be on Saturday, October 24 when the Prahran Market is hosting a CHEESE FESTIVAL.

As if the arrival of Friday wasn’t exciting enough, we’re here to tell you how you can spend your afternoon munching on FREE TACOS.

Listers, I’m going to show my age here. I remember listening to that Pulp song that talked about “Let’s all meet up in the year two thousand,” and thinking, “Woah, the year two thousand. THE FUTURE.” Well, y2k came and went, and suddenly we’re in 2015, looking back on the weird and wonderful trends of the noughties with a cringe-worthy eye-roll. Nokia mobile phones? Hipster demin? THAT double denim Justin and Britney look at the 2001 AMAs?!

To me, the buzzword ‘superfood’ conjures up images of a chia seed donning a mask and cape and quite possibly wearing its tiny undies on the outside.  It’s a favourite term among B-Grade celebrities spruiking their healthy lifestyles on TV ads, but what does ‘superfood’ really mean?

Because we are too damn old to mess with our bronze.

There is so much happening this weekend in Melbourne that you’ll have to set your alarms super-early to fit it all in! Whether it’s Melbourne Fringe Festival madness or drive-in films with food trucks, Chinese Moon Festival celebrations or a trip to Europe with the Italian Film Festival, there’s heaps of events in Melbourne this weekend. Read on for the full run-down…

Okay, so we all know that Australia isn’t exactly leading the way in many respects (looking after the environment is one, native race relations is another…). While there are some epic lessons we could learn from other countries around the world—siestas from the Spanish, sarcasm from the Brits, appropriate winter attire from the Russians—there are also some things that we, as a nation, are incredibly good at.

These days it’s so easy to catch a flight to NZ or Bali when we’re after a short holiday, but Melburnians have some pretty incredible places to explore virtually right on our doorstep.

It’s no secret that Melbourne is renowned for its excellence in hospitality. What people might not appreciate is that sometimes, we like to get a bit weird by taking on an offbeat theme or concept and really running with it. 

The toasted sandwich is the ultimate in hand-held tucker. When bread, butter and cheese come together, they create a symphony of flavour and texture that is, quite frankly, unbeatable at any time of the day or night. 

Wanting to gather your nearest and dearest for one helluva good time, but hate doing the dishes, don’t have the space and catering isn’t your thing? Great news, a stack of Melbourne’s best venues are all set up and ready to host your next celebration. Whether it’s an intimate dinner for 20 or a full-blown cocktail party for 200, we’ve got you covered with our hand-picked favourites.

First it was the Cat Café, then it was Dogapalooza. So it was only a matter of time before someone decided to do something about the rabbit-shaped hole in Melbourne’s cultural landscape.

There are a million breakfast, lunch and dinner options in this coffee-swilling metropolis of ours, but places that manage to do all three – and offer alcoholic drinks to boot – are a rare find.

So Frenchy So Chic is back to take over Werribee Park Mansion yet again in January 2016.

Opening last week, Eltham cafe Second Home is exactly that for co-owner Catherine Westwood.

Lately, Melbourne has become a hotbed of female-focussed events that are taking a feminist slant on everything from literature to politics to porn. Whether you’re a bookworm or a film fanatic, a #ladyboss or just dyyyying to meet other members of Melbourne’s ever-growing girl gang, here are the best events to check out for your feminist fix. Girl power FTW.

Got a job that needs doing? Ask a busy man. And you won’t find many busier than Melbourne chef Shane Delia.

It’s finally safe to say that spring is on its way, and every whiff of freshly cut grass carries us closer to the jewel in Melbourne’s floral crown: the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

When I spoke to the good folk at KFit about writing this article, I put out a full disclaimer: I’m not the sporty type. I wish I was. I wish I was trendy and fit and had matching gym outfits and thoroughly enjoyed green smoothies. But I don’t. So I need all the goddamn encouragement that I can get. This is where I thought KFit might just be my lifeline as I’d be able to nab a friend and take them along for the ride.

Melbourne may be the world’s most liveable city, but it’s fair to say that we face some challenges in the weather department. While most of the country is enjoying some spring sunshine by now, Melbourne is still struggling to crack 20 degrees. 

The third season of The Bachelor Australia is all wrapped up, so now the juicy stuff can start.

From adrenaline junkies to sweet tooths and dog lovers (who isn’t?), September is steamrolling ahead and we’ve got the scoop on the city’s most exciting events.

Here at The Urban List, nothing makes us feel quite as fierce as a freshly glossed set of digits. We may skip the blow dry and neglect our pores, but a fortnightly mani is non-negotiable. For on-point finger works, here are a few of our fave nail bars, battling it out for the title of best manicure in Melbourne.  

I don’t make the rules, people. I just deliver it.

Cringe all you like but flies, cockroaches, worms and ants are all part of the edible bug market infiltrating our cities.

Ahoy, matey! International Speak Like a Pirate Day – Saturday September 19th this year – is finally here, highlighting all things pirate. Started in 1995 by two pirate enthusiasts in Oregon, USA, it’s now an unofficial holiday celebrated around the world. 

This year, the Royal Melbourne Show has upped the ante in the foodie department, with incredible offerings from Melbourne’s best chefs and producers. 

At The Urban List, we love things that make the world a better place, not just for ourselves at Melbourne HQ, but for other people around the world who mightn’t have even heard of our list-loving ways. Melbourne is a hotbed for awesome initiatives—just look at our recent article about Many Hands, an art gallery that gives to charity—and one of the trailblazers of this is Simon Griffiths, founder of water charity-supporting toilet paper Who Gives A Crap.

Bralettes have been dominating our lingerie drawers since we first realised just how damn comfy these non-wired beauties can be. 

Melbourne, what a weekend it’s going to be! Whether you’re a market fiend, an avid crafter, a firm believer in the wonders of food, or a silver-screen lover, you’ll find something up your alley this weekend in our fair city from this epic list. Phew, there are more things to do in Melbourne this weekend than I have fingers to count them on!

While every Australian with a fleeting interest in #AusPol has been walking around starry-eyed for the past two days, the good folk at Gelato Messina have been whipping up something better than a media frenzy. 

The deliciousness that is san choy bow has mysterious origins. It doesn’t have a wikipedia page, anyway.

Last month saw the grand re-opening of much-loved High Street stalwart the Northcote Social Club with a bit of a facelift, a beefed up band room and a new menu from incoming chef Martin De Korte, formerly of Yarra Valley outfit Brownkorte’s Restaurant.

For the second installment of our Close Encounters serues, we're going coastal, meeting renowned restaurateur, Danielle Gjestland of Noosa’s famed Japanese restaurant, Wasabi at her stunning Noosa home and restaurant, and her farm in Pomona.

Amidst all the fruit and veg traders of Harvest Hall at Prahran Market, Maker & Monger is doing a mean trade in #nextlevel cheese toasties and raclette, served from a sweet little French food cart. 

In what is becoming an all too familiar tale, Australia has gone to bed with one guy as Prime Minister – thanks for everything Tony Abbott – and woken up with the news that someone new – oh hey, Malcolm Turnbull – is now in the top job.

Here’s how to take this closet staple from cool to hot, any day of the week. You’ll never wonder how to wear a white shirt again.

It’s no secret that we love hot chips. Load them up with some incredible toppings and, nine times out of ten, you’ve got a culinary masterpiece that we would trek across town for. We’ve been indulging to the max on Melbourne’s best loaded fries during these last few cold weeks, and before the winter chill passes and salad weather kicks in, we plan on cramming in a few more dates with our favourite dish. So, where can you get the best loaded fries in Melbourne? Read on for our five favourites.

I don’t know about you guys, but when I have out-of-town mates come to visit, I’m always a bit stumped as to how best to entertain them. ‘Show me the sights!’ they cry. ‘All the cool places!’ they plead.

Dietitian Jamie Rose Chambers shares her top 10 superfoods: the perfect addition to your spring diet after months of hibernation and perhaps a wee bit too much comfort food. 

We took a few minutes to catch up with the beautiful Whitney Port and the equally disarming Rae Morris to chat make up secrets, handbag must-haves and learnt all about their roles with the Priceline Festival of Beauty. 

Over the past decade, we like to think our style has evolved from mini skirts, fitted Ralph Lauren knits, Juicy Couture tracksuits and wearing pink on Wednesdays, but it’s undeniable that there were some serious style lessons to be learnt from Mean Girls. Let us break them down for you…

Spring has well and truly sprung this week in Melbourne and we are digging it! We’ve got floral arranging, ballet, Italian cinema, rooftop camping and, of course, culinary delights for you to enjoy.

A healthy and delicious dessert recipe that requires no baking and mixing? We're in!

Beci Orpin is a busy woman. If the name rings any bells, it could be from a whole host of places. The Melbourne-based creative has worked with the likes of Gorman on textile print collaborations, co-runs her own homewares label, Aaro Home, designs the colourful graphics that go along with some of your favourite brands (yup, she's responsible for Taco Truck's amazing look!) and has published a library of books that are packed full of her playful illustrations.  

St Kilda bar owner Reg Ridealgh wants you to pull up a perch and “join our little circle of love and dysfunction!” And his new St Kilda venue named—you guessed it—Love&Dysfunction, sounds like just the kind of place we’d want to spend some time, melding a cosy, prohibition-style front bar and lounge with a leafy little beer garden and relaxed vibes.

Need an excuse to give up cooking this week? We’ve selected our picks of the best Melbourne restaurants who are inviting you to dine for half-price. More booking, less cooking!

The Diary of an Uber Driver blog may be a few weeks old, but it has already garnered massive attention around the world. 

Get your manicure booked because the time has come to say goodbye to those trusty ankle, biker and over-the-knee boots and say hello to the gladiator, the flatform, the espadrilles and the slide.

Calling all film buffs: The Italian Film Festival hits Melbourne this month, bringing with it some beautiful slices of Italian silver screen action. Opening on Wednesday 16th September and running at various Palace Cinemas until 11th October, you’ll find a whole host of films on show, ranging from the slapstick to the sombre. Here are our top picks of the Italian Film Festival to catch later this month. Ciao!

You just KNOW it’s going to be an awesome weekend, right folks? This weekend’s things to do in Melbourne installment includes some amazing cultural food events (South India? Mexico? Um…Smoothie-land?), heaps of creative events and all the markets you could ever wish for

Melbourne can be an expensive place, but that doesn’t mean you have to slum it. From bargain blow waves to express lunches at Melbourne’s fine dining establishments, here’s our handy guide to some of the best deals in town. This list may or may not include a $15 blow dry…

Ah, Instagram. Remember when it wasn’t a thing? Us neither. And it’s hard to deny how perfect it is as a visual platform for health and fitness inspiration. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen the evolution of the #fitspo hashtag lead to legions of toned, tanned Fitstagrammers taking over our feeds. You know the type: they post great healthy meal ideas, impossibly bendy yoga pictures and sunset-themed motivational posters.

Wrestling with what you want to eat versus what you should eat is one of life’s least enjoyable activities. Sure you could commit to a green salad everyday for lunch, but as much as you pretend to enjoy your less-than-two-hundred calorie bowl of health, you know deep down the entire meal has a similar flavour profile to a tissue.  On the other end of the spectrum, fast food can leave a waft of regret and empty diet promises.

That time of year is approaching again. Whether it makes you cringe, or jump with joy, there is no escaping Spring Carnival Season in Melbourne. All the glitz and glamour can all too often be mulled by the gripping fear of finding the perfect dress, fascinator and accessories (that no one else is wearing!). We're not afraid to say that Spring Racing Season scares the bejeebers out of us because, simply, where do we start?! What can we wear, what can't we wear, which colour goes for what day?! Thankfully for the us, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week showcased a beautiful variety of key Spring Carnival looks, perfect for any level of Racing experience. Whether it’s your first time, or you’re a seasoned professional, here are the brands to watch this Spring Carnival.

Let’s be honest, Listers: 48 hours isn’t a lot of time to get underneath the surface of a city, especially one that’s as chockfull of hidden laneway restaurants and underground bars as Melbourne. If you’re looking for things to do in Melbourne and you’ve only got a weekend to spare, location is essential—you don’t want to be scrimping on your accommodation budget, then having to spend hours on the City’s tramline just to get to where the good stuff is.

Melbourne’s sausage dog race was one thing, but Dogapalooza is taking it to a whole new level with our fair city's first ever dog-friendly music festival.

If The Urban List launching in Perth last month hadn't solidified WA as the hottest state to be seen in, the arrival of Molten Store's Jessy Cameron - Brisbane girl-about-town and all-round accessories wizard - on a whirlwind long weekend sealed the deal. She opened up her travel diary so we could share the best places to eat, stay and visit for a trip way, way out West.

Every time I order breakfast, I face a first world problem. Why do I have to choose sweet or savoury, toast or muesli, fruit or bacon (erm, bacon every time!)? Well gather round fellow breakfast battlers, as a host of Melbourne’s best cafes have come to the rescue with the indecisive eater’s best friend: the breakfast board. Here are a few of our city’s finest.

If you’re anything like us, you probably weren’t one of the lucky few who were willing/able to fork out $525 for a seat at Heston Blumenthal’s famed Fat Duck restaurant when it popped up at Crown Melbourne earlier this year for a six-month residency.

Don't cry because Melbourne Spring Fashion Week is over, smile because it means Spring is here. All of the stunning pieces seen on the runway, which were making us long for warmer weather, come bearing good news—it's finally here. It seems that this year, many of the designers kept their pieces on the same page, creating a seamless runway show that fused together beautifully. If you're looking to welcome the warmer weather ahead-of-the-pack and to bare some serious skin, look no further then our #MSFW Top Trend Report. 

The smorgasbord of unbound creativity that is the Melbourne Fringe Festival runs riot across the city once more this month, unleashing a bumper program packed with over 400 shows from 15 different countries

No longer the domain of the sweet tooth, Melbourne doughnuts have had a savoury do(ugh)-over—think stuffed with brisket or pulled pork, pumped with gruyere, and glazed with bacon bits. Here’s where to get your mitts on the new wave of savoury doughnuts in Melbourne, for better or wurst.  

Wowee, Listers! Do we have a week of activities for you, or what?! Exhibitions, talks and delicious dinners, it’s the perfect week of balance.

I’m not sure if Kanye West was serious/sober when, at the MTV Video Music Awards last week, he declared himself in the running for the United States presidency in 2020. As someone funnier than me on Twitter said, he was probably just so inspired by his own speech that he decided to throw his hat in the ring. Whatever his state of mind/sobriety level was at the time, I really hope he carries through with his threat.

Melbourne, we know you’re a city full of culture-loving trend setters who never miss an opportunity to check out the latest thing. To help you find everything worth eating, seeing and doing in Melbourne, we’ve put together your ultimate September hit-list. Looking for an uptown date spot or an underground food pop-up? You’ve come to the right place. Read on and get trend-hunting…

Bordered by Collingwood, Richmond and Clifton Hill, Abbotsford is an inner-city burb on the up. Home to the iconic Skipping Girl and the artsy hub of Abbotsford Convent, there’s a lot to love about this gem of the north. Here you’ll find some of Melbourne’s best Thai and Vietnamese food, a killer boutique brewery, and the smashed avo of #foodporn fantasies. Read on, for our pick of the precinct. 

South-siders, the north end of Chapel is about to get a whole lot grungier thanks to the sweet arrival of dive bar Two Wrongs located in the old Steer site just a stones’ throw from the Olsen Hotel. Self-described delinquents and young guns Isaac Constantine and Zachary Riggs aim to redefine the dining circuit by breaking the rules for what’s considered restaurant ‘appropriate’ in Melbourne. Think high-end meets lowbrow or fine ‘diving’ in a ghetto-glam locale

They’re blonde, wide-eyed, and would probably fit in your pocket: just a few of the factors to take into consideration when trying to explain why we’ve adored the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen since they were no more than cherubic little faces popping up on our TV screens.

Jazz is having a moment here in Melbourne. With one of Melbourne’s best jazz clubs, Bennett’s Lane, having reopened last week after some impressive refurbishments and Hawthorn venue Lido Cinemas opening an evening jazz bar within its walls, it seems like everyone is loving the late-night jazz vibe. Keen to get in on the live music action? Here are the Melbourne jazz bars you should be do-wopping into right now.

All hail Nutella, the king of the choc-nut culinary world! If you’re a super-fan of this gloriously chocolatey stuff, get ready for a drool-fest next weekend as a Nutella-centric pop-up hits The Alehouse Project, Brunswick East, on Saturday 12th September. Think of it as a day festival celebrating the wonderful stuff, and you’re probably only half way there…

If you’re missing the cool, contemporary take on Thai cuisine that was Chapel Street’s sadly departed Ayatana, have no fear, husband and wife duo Tony and Oh Rungpradit have popped up again north of the river in Collingwood, offering a more relaxed take on tradition in Johnston Street’s newest addition, Son In Law.

Spoon wielders and bowl polishers, ready your Mixmasters; Brisbane’s own baking wunderblog, The Sugar Hit, has become its own book.

Playsuits really represent the epitome of spring, dontchya think? They allow you to do things like ride bikes and sit cross-legged on the floor AND look super cute at the same time. Unlike dresses, they don’t fly up to reveal your private parts when a gust of wind comes along. They also make it easier to get dressed in the morning, unlike pants and tops which need to be coordinated. So. Many. Perks.

You guys, the weekend is almost here! We couldn’t be more excited for everything that’s happening in Melbourne this weekend. From fashion pop-ups to film festivals, dining events to birthday parties, it’s looking like yet ANOTHER amazing few days of awesomeness. So, have we whet your appetite? Are you well and truly dying for things to do in Melbourne this weekend? Thank us later.

Waiter, there’s a doughnut in my milkshake!

Listers, we have your September sorted. Spring has sprung and we’re excited to be celebrating in the very best way possible—Cherry Blossom Festival is hitting town, dishing up a month of delicious Japanese food events.

We try aerial yoga in Sydney and this is what happened...

Counting down the days till it’s hot enough for you to head straight to your regular fro-yo joint to order up big? We don’t blame you! This spring, everyone’s fave snack gets even better, with a stack of new flavours and yummy toppings for you to get excited about. If you want to know the latest and greatest from all the big players in Melbourne’s fro-yo arena, get reading because we’ve got the ultimate fro-yo combos for you to dip your spoon into right now! Here are Melbourne’s best fro-yo combinations.

They say that breaking up is hard to do. To my knowledge, it’s only hard to do when you’re not surrounded by lashings of alcohol and a friendly bartender. Whether you’re the one planning to sever the ties or the one expecting to be let off the hook, where you choose to part ways is a key ingredient to break-up proceedings. From the super-luxe to the down-right dingy, here are Melbourne’s best bars for break-ups.

Along with food and drink, artistic events and live entertainment, Melbourne’s market game is rather strong. While you won’t be hard pressed to find food, fashion and design markets throughout the year we’ve picked a list of ten market highlights to kick off with this spring.

The Great Ocean Road—it’s one of the world’s great drives, and Melburnians are lucky enough to have right on their doorstep. It’s obvious to all that the views are great, and the beaches are brilliant, but knowing where to slam on the breaks and stop for a bite is a different matter.

Listers, September is here and with it comes another ten epic things to do in Melbourne this month. From cocktail dates in a jail (yes, we’re serious) to must-see gigs, disco yoga sessions (yes, again, we’re serious) to food festivals from around the world, it’s shaping up to be a month of sheer brilliance on all fronts.

You might have noticed we’re massive fans of sexy Chapel Street Japanese joint, Mr. Miyagi. Heck, we bang on about the nori taco to anyone that’ll listen. So we’re just a little excited to hear about their plans for expansion, with a new, as-yet unnamed adjoining bar set to throw open its doors this spring. 

It’s the stuff of culinary fairy tales. Take two of Melbourne’s leading eatery entrepreneurs—Maurice Manno and Dan Zeidan—the men behind the Grace Darling Hotel and Lazerpig Pizza Parlour—and one incredibly visible, vast location with a big old ‘For Lease’ sign on the side. Add a sprinkle of serendipity and —bang—Mavis the Grocer is born.

We’ve got a cracker of a week lined up for you, Listers. A gallery opening for a good cause, a walking tour, a night market and a whole lot more that you’ll want to get booking ASAP so as to not miss out.

What we and our female friends in fashion think is totally amazing, sometimes leaves our dear male companions shaking their head in confusion.

Ah, profile pictures. The window into the soul in today’s digital age, amirite? Your profile picture speaks a thousand words, so it’s vital that you pick one that’s going to speak a thousand of the right words. Not sure what your profile pic is projecting? Read on for our handy guide to today’s most common headshots…Which one are you?

A gastropub is a fairly recent invention and it can be hard to pin down exactly what one is. Not quite a bar and not quite a restaurant, a gastropub is somewhere that puts a near-equal emphasis on quality eating and drinking; somewhere that welcomes beer drinkers and wine snobs, non-fussy eaters and foodies alike.

The trends and products straight out of Seoul that you need to know about, now!

Honestly, who doesn’t love yum cha? It’s the perfect meal for those of us that can’t decide what to order—order everything! Yum cha comes in different forms, some times served via a little trolley, sometimes dumpling based, usually with tea, always delicious. We’ve wrapped up our pick of Melbourne’s best yum cha.

Whether it’s planning a road trip with your best mate or a fully fledge suit-and-tie affair, choosing the perfect spot to meet can be a nightmare. Do you want somewhere lively or quiet? Just drinks or dessert too? Whatever your intentions are, we’re sure you’ll find something to like in this list of the best Melbourne cafes for a meeting!

Fans of the ever-popular Touchwood and Barry are in for a treat with the imminent arrival of Armadale’s Mammoth cafe. Jamie and Loren McBride, the husband and wife team who so successfully nailed the hip Melbourne cafe brief in Richmond and Northcote, are at in again, this time going solo with their Armadale venture. 

Melbourne has one of the most vibrant creative scenes in the world. Whether you’re a fan of underground street art or prefer something a little more sophisticated, this city has it all. We’re also more kind-hearted than many international contenders—just talk to anyone who’s lived in London or New York and we can guarantee that they’ll agree. So, what happens when you put awesome art and an eagerness for helping others together? This brand new art collective just might have the answer.

If, like us, you’re lusting after sun-filled summer days already (we’re sooooo close!) – we hear you, and we raise you 8 of the best statement shades. Come on, sunshine!

If you’re looking for things to do in Melbourne and you’ve only got a fifty left to your name, you’ve come to the right place. We love a bargain just as much as we love a blow out here at The Urban List, so round two of this epic list contains a great mix of the thrifty and pricey options to keep your days filled.

Happy birthday, Melbourne! Yup, our glorious city turns 180 years old this weekend, and with it comes heaps of awesome events to keep you savvy Listers busy. From amazing degustations, to inspirational seminars, to chances for getting crafty, we’re blown away by this weekend’s line-up. Want to know what we’re talking about? Read on for our hit-list of things to do in Melbourne this weekend…

Can I get a hands-up for everyone else who lives south of Victoria Street, that cries themselves to sleep at night, riddled by the unshakeable misery evoked by what can only be described as one of the shittest things about living in the southside? We are way too far away from Melbourne’s best pho. Alas!

If someone had told our grandparents that we would be able to order booze to be delivered to our doorsteps via these handy beeping devices that we know as smartphones, I think they would have agreed that humanity has reached its pinnacle of advancement. Welcome to the future, Gran, because online booze delivery is back thanks to the good folk at Blackhearts and Sparrows.

Lately, we’ve been hearing a lot about bottled cocktails, barrel aged cocktails, and cocktails that generally involve none of the flair us booze hounds are used to seeing. From our side of the bar, there are obvious pros (you’ll never have to wait for a cocktail again!) but some dubious cons (what am I actually paying for?). 

There aren’t too many desserts that have a strong unified following like the sticky date pudding has. Just mention this bad boy and people’s eyes glaze over as they recall fond memories of sweet butterscotch sauce, lashings of ice cream and heavy spoonfuls of yummy rich pudding. While it’s not considered the most contemporary of desserts, it’s a go-to for many nostalgic Melbournians and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! We took the liberty of rounding up 7 of the best sticky date puddings in Melbourne—all offering something a little different. Check ‘em out and get sampling!

The national day to say ‘Onya, Dad!’, Father’s Day, is the mandatory spoil-Dad-day. So we’ve come up with this list of top things to do and places to eat with Dad in Melbourne, this Father’s Day.

Our crew on the west coast have some big news—cue the maracas and jump on the conga line, kids, ‘cause we’re going west—The Urban List Perth launches today!

Who doesn’t love a Melbourne meal special?! A good meal deal offers the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, eat out, save moola, and make you feel like you have a social life mid-week. Parma or steak night, anyone?

In news that will excite of kidults of Melbourne, a serious influx of fun is on its way. If you’re sad about the departure of Glow Festival’s open-air ice rink this Sunday, dry your eyes and get excited for the FASHION BALL PIT popping up in Emporium as part of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week’s Shop The City weekend later this month. If that’s not enough to get you pumped (I repeat, BALL PIT FOR GROWN UPS), November will see an epic PAINT PARTY to usher in the arrival of spring, and December puts the cherry on top with the WORLD’S LARGEST STREET WATERSLIDE taking over Lansdowne Street. Let the games begin.

Wouldn’t Charles Henry James—one of Fairfield’s original champions of development, community and hospitality back in the late 1800s—be proud of one particularly people-friendly café that’s popped up on the Station Street radar recently? That being, CH James.

What makes something cool? That quintessential factor is something the self-proclaimed Cool Hunter, Bill Tikos, has no doubt been asked to define countless times over his past decade spent scouring the globe for "it" design, architecture and art.

Spring has almost sprung, folks, which means there’s a tonne of epic food-focused events popping up on our calendar. If you’re looking for things to do in Melbourne and you’re the night market type, then look no further. Flavour Exchange, our favourite Melbourne night market for all things food and drink, is taking place on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th September, bringing together the absolute best in local producers for two nights of eating, drinking and good times.

It’s set to be a week of deep thinking and full stomachs. From dinner at a bayside wonder to a ‘yoxing’ event, we’ve narrowed down the list things to do in Melbourne, to keep you entertained this week. 

Whether your job defines you or is just something you do for to earn some sweet dollies, it does tend to give a fair bit away about what kind of person you are. Scratch the surface a little further, sniff, and even deeper truths are revealed.

Melbourne knows how to do glamour and it knows how to do beauty, so it makes sense that there are a handful of truly top-notch beauty bloggers that are helping you through your skin woes and guiding you towards the perfect smoky eye. Below our pick of the best Melbourne beauty bloggers.

Melbourne has a pretty epic music scene, there’s always a gig to catch, a festival to go to or a concert to look forward to. Here’s our list of 10 Melbourne gigs that are not to be missed, but obviously we’ve barely scratched the surface.

There is literally nothing more hilariously cute than watching a sausage dog run, amirite? I mean, they’re not exactly designed for efficiency. The only thing we can think of that’s got more cute-factor is an entire pack of Dachshunds running en masse… And that’s EXACTLY what Melbourne’s very first sausage dog race is all about!

Everyone loves a secret, and what could be more underground than a Melbourne bar that’s actually in a basement? While it may sound like a novelty, you’ll be surprised to learn that Melbourne is full of bars below street level, and not only that, they’re damn good. Whether you’re into arcade games, Tiki drinks or just like to be in the know, here are Melbourne’s most underground bars. Literally.

As an honourary Melburnian who emigrated here from a fairer (read: colder) isle, I’ve been doing everything I can to earn my rite to the title. My research has led me to do some strange things in some even stranger places. Soy flat whites? Kale juice? Yah Yah’s?! Here are 47 things to do in Melbourne that you should have to tick off before you can call yourself a Melburnian.

Ever dyed your hair or opted for some highlights over summer only to find that your ends have been completely ruined? Yeah. Me too. Being a slave to balayage for years and years seriously takes its toll on your locks.

Here at The Urban List, we’re clucken’ crazy about fried chicken, and for good reason. Juicy in the middle and crispy-coated, fried chook—when done well—is a beautiful thing. Yup, from Belle’s famous hot and saucy bird, to Mister Miyagi’s ‘MFC’, we’ve finger-licked our way across town in our never-ending quest for poultry perfection. And we think we’ve found another tasty bird in Brunswick East’s all-new fried chicken restaurant and takeaway, F.A.T. Fried & Tasty.

If you’ve ever passed Brunswick Street boozer, The Old Colonial, and wondered what the heck was going on inside, well, you’re going to LOVE what we’re about to tell you. The Fitzroy pub is in the throes of a transformation, thanks to brothers-in-law Vince Sofo and Paul Adamo, and will open next month as an EPIC five-storey eatery, with four incredible venues split across its floors.

Nude lipsticks seems to be a source of endless fascination for women. Probably because the word ‘nude’ covers a whole colour spectrum, from pink to brown to peach to purple. It’s everything and anything. It’s nothing, but it’s definitely something.

If you’ve been paying attention, Listers, you’ll know that one of our biggest stories of the year so far has been the announcement of St. Jerome’s – The Hotel, the very first camping hotel in Melbourne. Not only is the luxury hotel Melbourne’s very first tent-based pop-up, it’s also situated on the roof of CBD shopping precinct Melbourne Central, making it the only location of its kind in the city. We tried it out ourselves and seriously, this place is next-level.

If you’re looking for things to do this weekend in Melbourne, folks, you’ve clicked the right link. This weekend is all about ice skating, silver screen heroes and food from around the world. Got a spot in your diary that needs a-fillin’? Read on...

A Bloody Mary has mysterious powers. Mixed right, it can redeem all Saturday night’s mistakes and act as a magical cure for your hangover. Legend has it, it was created out of curiosity in Paris in the 1920s, when the Prohibition-era delivered lots and lots of tinned tomato juice. Another theory — with a pleasurable gruesome streak  — is that the Bloody Mary dates back to the rule of the ruthless Queen Mary I of England and that the tomato juice represents the blood spilled. Either way, this bitchin’ breakfast juice is one of the few cocktail recipes that allows the person mixing it to translate it into whatever the hell they want it to be.

We don't like to gloat but WE DA BEST. We've topped the pops as the world's most liveable city for the fifth year running, and not just cos we bribed the Russians with zonuts. We don't like to gloat (kidding, we love it!) but we'll be lording it over our Sydney sisters, Brisbane brothers and Perthworm colleagues for a few weeks at least. In no particular order, here are 10 reasons Melbourne is the best City in the world.

There’s a string of new late-night venues popping up around the city right now, with some of the best restaurants in Melbourne transforming themselves into after-hours dive bars where things can really get loose. The latest one on our radar is Thundercat, south-side restaurant Tokyo Tina’s evening incarnation. Thought they were all about bao and beers? It’s time to think again.

Today I baked my face. It didn’t involve an oven and the end result wasn’t cupcakes nor cookies, but rather a flawless photo-shoot ready complexion.

Hot chocolate is having its moment in Melbourne right now, and there’s one in particular that’s been breaking Instagram. The Hash Hot Chocolate at Hash Specialty Coffee is presented on a wooden board: a little beaker full of rich, melted MORK chocolate, sitting next to a towering cup of snow white fairy floss. Pour the choc over the floss and voilà–a cup of the smoothest, thickest, most decadent hot choccie you’ve laid lips upon. Sound sickly? After a recent visit to Hash I can vouch it’s not, with the fairy floss the perfect foil for the bitterness of 85% cocoa. Clever.

They may not quite look the part, but feel free to consider Hershy Ash and Dino Esposito your new Nonnas. The reluctantly-titled 'hospitality consultant' and ex-Da Noi chef have teamed up to introduce a little piece of Little Italy to Windsor with Abbondante.

Blame it on the ‘70s revival but the humble sheep-skin coat has taken the coat game by storm, stealing our heart in the process. Gracing the backs of some of our favourite outer-wear loving celebs, the shearling jacket is not just a statement piece; you’ll find it’s surprisingly versatile, able to be worn from day-to-night, and styled from high to low. We show you how to work the shearling jacket every day of the week.

With so many awesome Melbourne restaurants and bars at your fingertips, you’d think choosing first-date venues would be a snap! Wrong, Listers. First dates are a peculiar, precarious beast, so don’t underestimate the advantage of some thoughtful consideration.

Melbourne is blessed with an abundance of fantastic homewares stores. So much so that this city can be a little dangerous for those of with a design-eye and a penchant for browsing. We’ve spent many a weekend dragging our significant others through the best homewares stores in Melbourne, whittling down our list of favourites to just five. Clear some boot space; here are our fave 5 Melbourne homewares stores.

Yes, we admit it… We have a total girl crush on Jennifer Hawkins and we’re pretty sure we’re not alone. Pay attention people, we may be able to steal her secrets!

When it comes to weekends, we’re all about getting out the stretchy pants (or muumuu, whatever your eat-till-you-burst garment of choice may be) and hitting up an epic day of food, wine and awesome company. And where better to indulge than at Melbourne’s very own Federation Square, which hosts the VIC100 Wine Awards, complete with matched cheeses and one of Melbourne’s best pop-up restaurants, in a couple of weeks’ time?

There’s a stack load of cool stuff happening in Melbourne this week, as always it was tough whittling it down to a list of five. Kick off your week with a dessert degustation and finish it with a German Haus Boat Party to have a truly epic seven days.

Gym junkies and creatures of comfort rejoice, leggings are now completely acceptable pants, thanks to fashions latest trend…

Nothing beats kicking back and sipping on an ice-cold beer, amirite? Well, nothing, except kicking back and sipping on an ice-cold FREE beer! If you’ve read the headline, you’ll already know that we’re giving away an entire year’s worth of the tasty stuff to one lucky reader, thanks to Peroni. Sounds almost too good to be true? Here’s how that year’s supply of beer can be yours.

What is it about the witching hour that sets our restless thumbs a-twitching? We send myriad texts when we’re drunk. Stuff like ‘where are you?’, ‘I’ll see you at Fridays’, ‘my phone’s about to die’ etc. But let’s just establish that sending a text while you're drunk is VERY DIFFERENT from sending a Drunk Text. Drunk Texting requires the revelation of your darkest subconscious with awkward and debilitating results.

Etsy is a funny game. One day, you spend hours and hours trawling its digital shopping aisles, never a gem to be found, and then the next, you land upon a shop that makes you squeal with excitement in a matter of minutes. To help you navigate the craft mecca’s ups and downs (and avoid regretsy…), we’ve rounded up a hit list of the eleven best Etsy stores that call Melbourne home. You’re a crafty lot out there, folks!

Thought your hair hue was limited to that of a glistening blonde, rich brunette, fiery red or glossy black? This season’s hottest colour palette for your locks is oh-so much more than that!

We’ve all been there. You’re out, it’s past 11pm, and you’ve just realised you didn’t eat enough for dinner—or you didn’t eat dinner at all. You’re suddenly ravenous and your stomach feels like it’s starting to eat itself. You need food, stat. But where to go? It’s late at night and everything’s shut, right? Wrong. So very, very wrong. Forget convenience store pies and greasy pizza by the slice. Behold our top picks for late-night dining around Melbourne. Midnight munchies will never be the same again. Now repeat after us: ‘I can do better than a dodgy kebab.’

When it comes to food culture in Melbourne, we’re a lofty bunch who take our drinking and dining seriously. However, there area few foodie mistakes that have snuck into our culture that we’d be better off without, whether for the sake of flavour, manners, or just plain common sense. You might be the biggest food fanatic in Melbourne, but we can guarantee that you’ve been doing at least one of these incorrectly for your entire culinary life. The question is, which one is it?

With a decree of no Creed and no Matchbox 20, new CBD dive bar Heartbreaker already sounds— quite literally—like music to our ears. The Everleigh's little sister is now running wild on the corner of Lonsdale and Russell, in what was once the far kitschier Mai Tai. 

From some of Australia’s best restaurants and bars that don’t require a reservation, to booking a hotel on a whim (we love Booking.com’s new Booking Now app for this!), The Urban List editors in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have put together the ultimate itineraries in and around our fair cities to help you be spontaneous wherever you go.

Dial up luminosity and get ready to embrace the far more radiant you; we’ve Urban Listed the latest and greatest illuminators to get you glowing in no time.

While there’s heaps of amazing restaurants in Melbourne to be found down inner city alleyways, sometimes nothing beats open space, fresh air, and a stunning view across the bay. Looking for a bay-side espresso, or maybe a mellow glass of wine as you watch the sunset? Here are eight cracking bay venues that we’ve been loving this year.

Wow, what a weekend it’s gonna be, Melbourne! We’re talking design treasure hunts from the Wild Collective, big-thinking inspiration from TedxMelbourne, and all the whisky you can handle at the Whisky Gathering. Got a spare space in your diary that needs filling? Read on for the best things to do in Melbourne this weekend.

A man of many interests, Pulitzer Prize-wining LA Times food critic Jonathan Gold, visiting Melbourne ahead of the Melbourne International Film Festival screening of Laura Gabbert’s doco about his career, City of Gold, has also written extensively about film and music.

Lately, we’ve been hearing a lot of chatter about floating as the next big trend to take Melbourne’s health scene by storm. I know what you’re thinking: Some new yogic levitation craze that’s taken over the city’s established hippy contingent? Well, no, not quite. In fact, floating, or floatation therapy as it’s known by some wellness buffs, is an incredible de-stressing treatment that’s being heralded by everyone from footballers to fashionistas as the ultimate way to relax your body and mind. It’s being pioneered here in Melbourne by one relaxation hub that we simply can’t get enough of, especially during those busier, more challenging weeks. Listers, meet Gravity Floatation Centre.

No neon signs. No espresso martinis. No nonsense. That's the deal at new South Melbourne wine bar, Smalls.

With Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2015 on the horizon (it starts on 30th August, folks), we're getting our fashion knowledge game-ready this week. Want to know the best in Melbourne fashion brands to name-check as you take your seat beside the runway? Here are 8 of Melbourne's best up-and-coming fashion labels that are totally FROW-worthy. 

If the idea of a few fluffy scones, some dainty sandwiches and a steaming pot of tea doesn’t sound like a charming time to you, we can’t be friends. High tea, low tea or afternoon tea: we don’t mind what you call it! Just join us for good natter over one of twenty of the must-do high teas in Melbourne soon.

Melbourne’s CBD laneways are set to be treated to a brand spanking new kid on the block in the form of Rustica Canteen.

The king of all the quick lunches, the perfect ‘cool’ tinder date dinner option and the divider of friendships. Yes folks, we’re talking about sushi. And more specifically, Melbourne’s best sushi restaurants.

There’s nothing that a glass of wine and a plate of charcuterie won’t fix, Listers. Whether you’re a fan of traditional paper-thin prosciutto or love a peppery salami that’s full of flavour, charcuterie has taken off here in Melbourne and seems to be expanding its meaty reign. From charcuterie-specific venues to eateries that manage to work this wonderful ingredient into just about every dish they can, here are the best bars and restaurants in Melbourne for getting your charcuterie fix.

Melbourne sure loves its food trucks, but with councils often being a bit iffy on them, it can be hard to lock down a regular site. Thanks to a super-team behind ace hang outs like Fancy Hank’s BBQ Joint, Brunswick Mess Hall and Mr Burger, the city finally has a permanent home for a revolving line-up of fantastic truck stop feeds.

A little food, a little cinema, quite a lot of public discussion and a good ol’ shopping opportunity, Melbourne is dishing up a delightful week of things to do. Here are our top five things to do in Melbourne this week.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a book everybody should have on their bookshelf—even if they don’t plan on ever reading it. Just having it sitting there shows visitors to your house what a go-getting friggen winner you are. An Urban List study has shown that people who own the book are a staggering 98% more successful at life, even though none of those who responded to the survey had read past the introduction.

A group of teenage turtles once taught me, wise men say ‘forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza.’ Encouraging the eating habits of a martial arts-enthused generation, I have set aside my nunchucks and scoured the streets to find some truly quirky pizza in Melbourne. 

Food at ski resorts routinely gets a bad rap for being expensive and stodgy. Seeing as though snow season is well and truly in full swing, we thought we’d do you all a solid and investigate exactly what’s hot and what’s not up at Melbourne’s nearest ski resort, Mt Buller. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourites that serve excellent eats and drinks AND won’t burn a hole your pocket.

When Punch Lane owner Martin Pirc and his head chef Daniel Schelbert stumbled across the perfect spot on Swan Street near the corner with Church, it was a no brainer to open wine bar Saint. Urban.

In Melbourne, even a dark and lonely alleyway is just a blank canvas waiting for transformation, while any street corner’s crying out for a cool sculpture. Here are just a few of our favourites pieces of public art. Midday just got way more interesting.

Now we know we’re going to alienate a few people by saying this, but sometimes smashed avocado and baked eggs can feel a little same-same on the weekend. While there’ll always be a place in our hungover hearts for tried-and-true favourites like Eggs Benedict and corn fritters, it’s important to break free from breakfast clichés every now and again.

The winter months in Melbourne were made for cosying up with a cup of hot chocolate. But there are days on which the traditional route with Cadbury powder and hot milk just won’t cut it. Luckily, certain Melbourne cafes are taking hot choc as seriously as their coffee, and reinventing the humble cup ‘o cocoa with nips of liquor, licks of salted caramel or scoops of sticky ganache.

When it comes to jewellery, whoever said that less is more?! This season’s top lust-list accessories are all about bold pieces, fun motifs, and mixing up high-culture with low-end references for a witty take on the statement earring. With everything from sophisticated gold and agate pieces to, um, crocheted metallic palm trees, there’s a statement earring that’ll fit your look, no matter what your day-to-day staple style is.

No, we’re not kidding. Until next Tuesday you can name the price on Pho Real’s bowl of hot, soupy goodness at their city pop-up store. Located on Liverpool Street in Melbourne’s CBD, simply order your favourite kind of pho and pay whatever you think it’s worth!  

Looking for awesome things to do this weekend in Melbourne? You’ve come to the right place! This weekend, you’ll find chocolate festivals, music extravaganzas and some epic banquets all within our beloved three thousands. Read on for some of the best events in the city…

Annual music, drama and arts event, Melbourne Festival, turns a massive THIRTY years old this year, and to celebrate, a stellar line-up of local and global superstars are booked in for a host of performances throughout the festival’s two-week run.

Now, I know that some of you are reading that headline and wondering, “What the heck is a poutine?!” Well, prepared to be enlightened by the only dish you’ll need this winter, folks. Poutine (no, not the lay-about emoji cat, that’s Pusheen) is a French-Canadian dish that is comprised of the holy trinity of all things warm and tasty:

Shiver through the last of Melbourne’s winter with Stonnington’s Glow Winter Arts Festival. Running from the 13th to the 23rd August, the Prahran event, complete with an open-air ice rink, free film screenings and heaps of live performances, is perfect to keep you powering through the cold weather. Showcasing anything and everything under the arts umbrella, there will certainly be enough happening at one of Melbourne’s biggest winter events to entertain crowds. Live comedy, outdoor cinemas, open-air ice-skating, food trucks and roving entertainment are just some of the highlights guaranteed to please.

Stop the bus, all your finger lickin’ fried chicken dreams are coming to Richmond. Belle’s Hot Chicken, the Fitzroy favourite that dishes up Nashville style southern fried spicy versions of the good stuff, is expanding to open a second venue and has new digs on Swan Street.

Best-friends are inseparable; a pair so close that not even the last slice of pizza for the taking could divide them. There’s Wayne and Garth, Bert and Ernie, Elwood and Jake Blues, Snoopy and Woodstock… you get the drill. Listers, we’ve found another winning pair that you’ll happily third wheel with. After traversing the town, we have found Melbourne’s Best Band and Brew Venues. Go on! Get out there and support Melbourne’s live music scene

How to look good naked. Tricky. Unless of course you are a cake in the hands of Brisbane food stylist and entertaining guru, Lyndel Miller; then you are going to look pretty sweet in the buff indeed. We catch up with the baking talent to discuss her new book, Naked Cakes.

Calling all Japanophiles! Do you froth over fresh sushi? Sip sake for supper? Would you dine izakaya-style every night if you could? Listen up because Toko—the prestigious Japanese restaurant that currently has outposts in Dubai and Sydney—is set for a Melbourne restaurant, opening later this year in Prahran.

With an external nod to Mondrian tones, the High Street Prahran apartment building above Nine and Three Quarters may well be a fresh new visual landmark, but it’s the new Melbourne restaurant lying beneath that is sure to bring the crowds. Brought to you by the team behind Lights In The Attic, this Korean cafe/kitchen proves once again that the true heart and soul of a new residential build is best served via an onsite eatery.

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to wrap your laughing gear around high-end restaurant Rockpool’s wagyu beef burger, you’ll know just how mind-bendingly delicious it is. Good news, burger lovers! Neil Perry is bringing his famous Burger Project eatery, which serves epic burgers, fried chicken, homemade ice cream and a tonne of other tasty delights, to Melbourne.

With men’s fashion concerns becoming as hot a topic as those of the ladies, and Movember a mere three months away, we’ve tracked down Melbourne’s best barbers for nailing a look that’s about more than just a short back and sides. Without further ado, here are the best barbers in Melbourne for a sleek new do.

Whether it’s a stinky blue, a vintage cheddar or Castello’s Creamy White, there are some times in life that are made better with cheese. Here are 20 Urban List approved moments that call for our special friend, cheese.

If tomorrow were your last day on earth, how would you fill it?

Been wondering what's on in Melbourne during these dreary weeks? Great news, Listers, any list that incliudes roast meats, whiskey and hot chocolates has got to warm you up. Check out our list of the 5 best things to do in Melbourne this week. 

Perhaps it’s subconscious nostalgia; but from street style to our favourite (or least favourite) it-girls, left, right and centre there seems to be a true nineties revival taking over.

Two things in the world we need more of: Doughnuts and sticky date pudding. Or, to keep things simple, how about get-in-your-face sticky date baked doughnuts like these bad boys which effectively combine the two. The baked bit takes the edge off the guilt, but there is fruit in there people so guilt shouldn’t even come into it.

This gem of the West may only be 10km out of the CBD, but Yarraville has the friendly, communal vibe of your favourite country town. With a bakery or cafe located in every second shop, Yarraville beckons you to indulge in its cosy corners, great coffee, and sweet treats. But it’s not all about cafe-hopping, they’ve got some excellent bars to boot, and a smattering of well-stocked bookshops and boutique grocers. Without further ado, here is our pick of Yarraville’s greatest treasures.

If there’s one thing that Melbourne knows how to do well, (other than food) it’s markets. For the thrifty, the food truck lovers, the whimsical and the all round bargain hunters, these Melbourne markets are the best of the best that August has to offer.

Everyone young and old loves the rush of a good surprise. The Lime&Tonic team have bundled that childish enthusiasm into an exclusive night out with one of Melbourne’s best chefs in their latest event: A super-secret dinner party this August!

Slow-cooked, flavour-filled pork, so tender you can shred it with a couple of forks, stuffed into fluffy sandwiches or served naked in all its meaty glory: is this the stuff of dreams, or the magic of pulled pork? It’s both. Stop dreaming about this mouth-watering delight and go pig out with our guide to the best pulled pork in Melbourne.

With just one more measly month of winter to get through, we reckon it’s time to venture back into the outside world, Listers. And with such an awesome bunch of things to do in Melbourne this August, you’d be mad to waste four perfectly good weeks glued to your couch.

Listers, let’s talk podcasts. The much loved, bite-size snippets of audio indulgence have revolutionised how information gets into our brains, opening up a world of fascinating new topics and hilarious stories that we would never have dreamed we’d be interested in a decade ago. I mean, can you even remember life before podcasts?! Here are no less than FOURTEEN incredible series that you need in your life and in your earbuds, right this very second. And no, none of them is This American Life.

Whether you pronounce it bucket or bouquet, the bucket bag is the tote to be totin’ this season. A bucket bag reeks of youth, of minimalism, of a fuss-free lifestyle where your hands are free for more important things (like eating, shopping, and giving the peace sign). A bucket bag says to the world, that’s right, my handbag will never be organised so let’s all stop pretending we’re going to put our phone in that little phone holder pouch and embrace never finding our keys. A bucket bag means freedom.

Nothing impresses us more here at The Urban List than a Melburnian who really knows how to mix up a good cocktail. And I don’t just mean a gin and tonic (while it might be delicious, pouring Hendricks and tonic water into a glass doesn’t warrant cocktail-making skills, no matter how many slices of cucumber or miniature umbrellas you add...). I mean a serious drink. 

This weekend, there are heaps of epic events kicking off, from the food-focused to the culture-centric. Want to know the big-hitters you should be looking out for? Hint: MIFF, David Bowie and hot chocolate are all top of our list of things to do in Melbourne this week, Listers. Read on for your must-do calendar of awesome…

Where to now? To Tokyo, Hanoi or Saigon? That’s the dilemma before Elwood’s distinguished diners, as the boys behind the Windsor trifecta of tasty that is Tokyo Tina, Hanoi Hannah and Saigon Sally hand over the decision-making process to their loyal customers. That’s right, Listers—you can choose the next eatery to be opened by the team behind these three Windsor hot spots.

The beloved public kitchen at the South Melbourne Market has a new name and a new face. The NEFF Market Kitchen officially launches this week, offering up regular demonstrations and workshops and providing a unique hire space for private dinner parties and food-focused social groups. But the cherry on top of this delicious sundae has always been the cooking school.

Win one of Five Double Passes to MIFF's Foodies Tasting event. Free lunch and a movie? Don’t mind if we do…

Melbourne has some particularly ambitious gluten-free menus and there are dishes to be found in every laneway and speakeasy in the city, but which are the ones worth perusing a menu for? Presenting the top 50 gluten-free meals in Melbourne—breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks—from all four corners of the grid.

If you’re yet to jump on the oil-wagon, there is no better time than right now. 

This month, The Urban List Melbourne’s Communications Executive, Sophie Colvin, has whittled down the things she’s loving to a lust-list of ten things.

When it comes to my health I don’t like to be perceptive with rituals or rules. No day is the same for me so I have to be pretty flexible, but I always make sure I move my body every day, and make smart choices when it comes to food. I always opt for high quality proteins, low GI carbs, and healthy fats to keep my body running at its best.

Richmond’s latest Asian Fusion invention, Anchovy, pays homage to Head Chef Thi Le’s Vietnamese roots, with sophisticated Asian flavours and a clever western twist for good measure. Le, who flew the coup from the likes of Cumulus Inc., Supernormal and Luxembourg, has taken a bold step forward with co-owner Jia-Yen Lee to develop the classy Bridge Road eatery, and from what we’ve seen, it’s likely to be a huge success.

One of the best restaurants in the world is on its way to Australia.