The A-List

The world’s most beloved amaretto is celebrating half a millennium of its delicious legacy, and Melburnians get special access to the festivities. 

Gifts for the luxury traveller, the one-bag enthusiast, or the wanderlust-driven backpacker. 

Gear up their next great escape, from coffee on the trail to pizza under the stars–here are the best finds they’ll be pumped to use.

Sail through the slew of new year birthdays and anniversaries with these tips for budget-friendly celebrating.

​Wine tours in Victoria are fun, but they’re less fun for the designated driver, right? Which is why booking the best winery stay is a win.

From Secret Santas to fussy family members and mates who have it all—The Body Shop's got Christmas sorted with these budget-friendly picks. 

Wrap up their glow-up this Chrissy. These are the beauty gifts they’ll actually *squeal* over.

Let’s be honest: when you roll out of bed on New Year’s Day, you’re going to want a rather large coffee (or a hair-of-the-dog tipple).

Your go-to guides for beauty-lovers, adventure-seekers and everyone in between.

Pentridge Shopping Centre in Coburg transforms again in February 2026 as Koi Toy swims in—a high-octane Japanese-inspired diner that fuses Tokyo precision with rock 'n' roll flair. Nestled on the ground floor of the iconic former prison precinct (with Palace Cinemas next door and BrewDog across the way), this spot channels the koi fish's grit and luck into a vibe that's equal parts chill hangout and celebration central.

Kicking off in December is the City of Melbourne’s Christmas Festival—a must-do for the silly season. 

Fill your home with fresh pine by buying a real Christmas tree this year. 

Our guide to all the best Christmas-themed markets in Melbourne you need to stroll through this December.

Bring on the silly season by visiting the best Christmas lights in Melbourne. 

At the age of 20, Alessandro Nardini moved to Australia from Italy, throwing himself into the hospo scene and making cocktails from the get go.

The Christmas season calls for sparkling, and we always seem to reach for the big names when we’re looking to impress. This year, we’ve set our gaze a little closer to home than France—and we aren’t sacrificing on quality. We spoke to Australian sparkling obsessive Tristan Jallais to get the drop on local wines that are perfect for the silly season. 

Lorne is celebrated for its vibrant surf culture, diverse dining options and lush natural landscape. Top it off with the best accommodation in which to lay your head.

Crack your glow sticks, Melbourne—안녕, MELBOURNE's massive K-pop fest hits Flemington March 14.A brand-new K-pop festival, 안녕, MELBOURNE (“Hello Melbourne”), has just been announced, and it’s landing at Flemington Racecourse on Friday, March 14.

There’s a new rooftop in town, and it’s bringing a taste of the Mediterranean sky to Melbourne’s skyline. Meet Cleo—a sun-lit escape perched on the 12th floor of Hyde Melbourne Place, where mezze, martinis and music set the mood from day to night.

Home to towering Mountain Ash trees, the iconic Puffing Billy steam train and some seriously lush Airbnbs—the Dandenong Ranges cast a spell.

Officially racking up its 54th year, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is the shindig to end all shindig. It is the largest and longest live country music festival not only in Aus, but across the entire Southern Hemisphere. If that’s not reason enough to immediately add it to your regional road trip list, here are 10 more.

If Paris and Melbourne had a love child, it would probably look a lot like Frenchie—moody lighting, loud chatter and where Champagne that flows like tap water. This Saint-Germain-des-Prés-inspired French restaurant and bar is about to inject some Parisian rebellion into Collins Street, rewriting what French dining looks (and costs) like in the city. 

Penguins, pink grantite cliffs and a whole heap of peace and quiet. Phillip Island is the 2026 getaway we all need.

Our guide to the best hotels in Melbourne for 2026, from boutique to bodacious.

Swoop in for the $29 burger and beer deal, $45 express lunch or $98 share-style feasting menu. 

Sydney Road's finally got its big-screen swagger back—over 40 years in the making. The Thornbury Picture House duo, Gus and Lou Berger, just flipped the switch on Brunswick Picture House at 510-512 Sydney Road, turning a heritage horse-stabling relic into an 81-seat indie haven with killer sound and a bar built for all-night film analysis debriefs.

Koornang Road just got another reason to stay out late. Tyga has landed—a neo-Southeast Asian restaurant and bar stirring together smoke, vinyl and all the heat of 1970s Bangkok.

If your 2026 mood board is a mix of emotional growth, cinematic rap and screaming “THIS MAN IS A POET” at your phone, then good news: Dave AKA Santan Dave is officially coming back to Australia.

Northcote’s landed a fresh bar and eatery that feels like home turf already. Donny’s is now open at 61 High Street in Northcote's beloved Westgarth pocket, brought to you by hospo pros Xavier Byrne and Kris Miles, whose resumes span Australian cities and beyond.​

From hotel slumber parties to sprawling private estates, these are the best group stays for max relaxing.

Is there a bigger dopamine hit than blending nostalgia and shopping? Heartbreak High actor and disability advocate Chloe Hayden is all for that warm feeling you get when you snag a collectible or rare find online.

This is our locals, and not-locals guide to everything to eat, drink, see, do and stay on the Mornington Peninsula.

When it comes to Secret Santa, nailing the brief is an art form. This edit proves you can find something thoughtful and cool without blowing the $50 budget.

Katie Muirhead initially came to New York for only a few months. Nine years later, this Sydney-raised model and copywriter has well and truly found her place. 

Want to spoil your person this Christmas without having to eat Baked Beans for dinner? These affordable luxury gifts are proof that thoughtful and fancy can go hand in hand.

From cooking utensils and cookbooks to dinnerware and glassware, we've rounded up some of the best gift ideas for food-loving folks. Bon appétit, baby!

Where heart-thumping adventure meets slow, sun-drenched relaxation, Lake Macquarie is the under-the-radar coastal destination that strikes the perfect balance. 

Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Albert Park, Atta refines Indian restaurant serves bold, confident flavours in a moody, design-led space practically built for date night.

Because she’s not like a regular Mum, she’s a cool Mum who deserves some serious spoiling.

Square has teamed up with local chef Joel Bennetts to create Good Neighbours, a video series spotlighting the legends behind some of the city’s most-loved spots.

Touching down on 16 January 2026, this high-voltage mash-up of elite tennis and live music is returning to Rod Laver Arena for one night only, revving up the party vibes for Australian Open Opening Week. 

Melbourne’s about to score itself a serious new player in the wellness game. Australia’s award-winning health and fitness brand, TotalFusion, has just announced it’s finally making its way south, setting up shop in the heart of the city in early 2026.

For the mum who’d never buy herself the fancy stuff, but absolutely deserves it. Here’s your cheat sheet to spoiling her this Chrissy.

Lacoste is bringing its global Le Club Lacoste experience to Australia for the very first time, and they’re doing it by building a 20+ metre floating tennis court on the Yarra.

We sat down with Ross James Howse, the Naarm-based Chief Sandwich Officer and founder of @banginsangas. This ex-UK baker turned Melbourne food creator has built a devoted community around epic sangas and lifestyle bites. Here, Ross guest edits our best sandwiches list and shares why Melbourne’s scene bangs harder than anywhere else.

Moondrop, inspired by the mahjong rooms of roaring twenties Shanghai, brings the team’s experience from Sleepy’s in Carlton to showcase their east-meets-west food and drinks on Gertrude St, Fitzroy.

Keen to nab a Christmas gift or a just a treat for good ol' you? Get ready to snap up the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals of 2025.

From luxe vases to cheeky aprons, these homewares gifts are guaranteed to make your favourite host, homebody or interiors addict very, very happy.

Present-hunting for the guy in man life can be overwhelming…but it shouldn’t be. Instead of socks, check out this curated edit of the best gifts for him this Christmas.

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon or anniversary, massive family reunion or fun getaway with the crew, Singapore delivers for every special occasion

So where does she go to recharge? Escaping the hustle and bustle of New York is a must for Emma Mannswirth, and she loves heading to both central New York State and the Finger Lakes.

You get a tour! And you get a tour! Everyone gets a tour!

Melbourne’s bar scene is in its vinyl era and the newest name dropping the needle is LB’s Record Bar, opening Friday 28 November on iconic Meyers Place.

Melbourne is about to get a fresh taste of the Basque coast with Côte Basque, the sizzling new project from Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann, the minds behind favourites like Gimlet, Marion, and Supernormal. Set to open in the heart of the CBD on Crossley Street in winter 2026, this restaurant is ready to ignite your love for woodfired, produce-driven Euro dining.

To help you explore the crème de la crème of Parisian dining, we’ve narrowed it down to the best 18 restaurants in Paris to hit up in 2026.

Melbourne’s festive forecast is famously unpredictable (yes, even by Melbourne standards), but early signs are already giving us a sneaky glimpse at what December 25, 2025 might look like.

Born from a rich intercultural heritage tracing the Mediterranean’s vibrant flavours, Bar Bouni is the city’s newest destination for rotisserie chicken—and rotisserie everything else.

A fresh face has entered Fitzroy’s bar scene—and it’s here to make your pre-dinner drinks (or post-dinner daze) a whole lot livelier. From the award-winning minds behind Above Board and Bar Liberty comes Hands Down, a promising contender taking over the former Bad Frankie site on Greeves Street.

We’ve uncovered a luxurious lineup of local road trips that feel like a slice of Italy, the Alps and beyond.

Looking for something a little bit fancy on the Mornington Peninsula to treat your family, friends or other half? Take some inspo from Urban List's round-up of the best luxury accommodation.