Australia

Looking for the best things to do in Melbourne this weekend? From blockbuster food festivals and pop-up markets to immersive art shows, live music gigs and family-friendly events, the city is heaving with must-see happenings.

The food news has been coming in thick and fast in Melbourne, and to make sure that you're across Melbourne's food and bev movements, we've wrapped up everything that you need to know in a handful of digestible servings.

We’ve hand-picked some of the best Daylesford accommodation options for 2025, including all the epic Airbnbs.

Ready to plan your next getaway? Discover the top 56 places to stay in Australia for 2025, from secluded forest cabins to luxurious beachside resorts.

The heart of Melbourne, the CBD. We've got heaps of good restaurants here in Melbourne and Victoria as a whole. Whether you're looking for Flinders Lane restaurants or you're just looking to tuck into some affordable fare, we've nailed down the best.

Planning the perfect romantic escape can be tough when life is hectic. So Urban List has done the hard work for you, searching high and low to bring you 24 of the best romantic getaways in Victoria. 

Ready for a blast from the past? Combining the nostalgia of the Australian classic chicken shop with punchy, contemporary Athenian wine bar vibes, Kokoras is bringing woodfired, Greek style chicken to the inner west. 

The search for the perfect bar is the kind of quest you could commit your life to. But what if it isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of answer? In a city like Melbourne, there’s the best bar for every different type of mood, moment, night, and person. 

Our editor reckons these 10 restaurants, from casual to fine dining are the best restaurants in Melbourne as of 2025. How many have you been to?

There are a range of different ways to escape the city and into Victoria's amazing regional areas—but out of all the quirky getaway options out there, we think tiny homes top the charts.

Finding the perfect venue for your Christmas soiree isn’t the easiest job (I mean, no one wants to have drinks at the office…) Luckily, we’re here to help speed you along your way and make sure you pick the perfect place.

Here’s the thing: belonging isn’t up for debate. And if you really want proof? Just look at these nine Black-owned businesses and cultural spaces—serving up suya skewers, good coffee, big art, and even bigger vibes.

We Aussies are a pretty healthy bunch, so it's no wonder we host some of the best fitness events in the world—these are the best fun runs, marathons, triathlons, obstacle courses and ocean swims in Australia coming up in 2025. 

We live in spa country. We’ve got some of the best day spas in Melbourne and beyond with Daylesford and Sorrento bringing the goods. Breathe in, breathe out, relax your shoulders, and get booking. Here is Urban List's guide to the best days spas Melbourne and Victoria have to offer.

From water views to luxe city centre stays, Urban List has picked out the best pet-friendly hotels in Sydney and the packages on offer for your dog.

The queen of pop-rap herself, Doja Cat, is coming to Australia and New Zealand later this year with the Ma Vie World Tour.

This spring, Harvest Rock will make its much-anticipated return to Rymill & King Rodney Parks / Murlawirrapurka & Ityamai-Itpina, and the two-day music, food and wine festival has just unleashed a monster lineup that’ll have you booking annual leave before you get to the end of this article. 

Astro-tourism is the latest travel craze. From dark-sky parks to luxury bubble retreats, explore family-friendly stargazing spots across Australia. 

It's no secret that you can find some of the best ramen in Melbourne/Naarm. The list of ramen joints in this city is long. That's why we've done the broth-sipping, noodle-slurping hard work and found the most deliciously soul-warming bowls out there.

Dig out the CamelBak you bought in 2001, invest in some super tough band aids, and drop your adventure pin on any of Australia's best hikes and walks. 

Get ready to ditch your summer holiday plans, Tomorrowland spin-0ff CORE is officially coming to Melbourne. 

As soon as the temperature begins heating up after a frosty winter, there's one thing on our mind: Melbourne's best beer gardens. You know the ones, leafy and sun-drenched oases where all your worries dissipate and there’s only one task at hand — having a grand old time alongside a cold pint. 

Finding the best oyster bar in Melbourne is no easy task, that’s why we're shelling out the details on the city’s best.

You know those scenes in the movies when someone gets a huge bouquet delivered to their office? And all the co-workers gather and gush about what a sweetie the sender must be? Well, you can be that sender in 2025, thanks to Urban List finding the best flower delivery Melbourne has to offer.

If you like your weekend getaways served up with a long lunch and a sip of three of wine you'll want to lock in this Kangaroo Valley event. 

Footscray might be considered out of the way to some, but it’s home to many of the city’s best kept food secrets. Whether you live in the area, are travelling through, or nowhere near, it’s full of authentic cuisines and under-the-radar menus that you’ll want to add to your must-eat list. 

Sydney night owls and thrill-seekers get ready. This is one party you won't want to miss.

Whether you’ve been out at one of Melbourne’s best restaurants and require an equally excellent dessert or just have a craving for sugary goodness that warrants an excursion, Melbourne is home to plenty of dessert bars, patisseries and other sweet offerings that are sure to tickle your fancy. 

Whether you're a self-proclaimed bread enthusiast or a total croissant fiend after a fix you'll find something that’ll have your tastebuds doing a happy dance at Melbourne's best bakeries for 2025.

Geelong, it's only an hour away from Melbourne but it's a whole new world and there's plenty of things to get around. Here's the local inside scoop on where to eat, drink, play and stay when you're in The Pivot.

Mochi, a deliciously gooey and chewy Japanese dessert, originated in Japan during the Jamon period when rice cultivation began to flourish—and thank goodness it did because us mochi enthusiasts have grown very fond of the bite-sized treat. Now, the specialty dessert can be found all over Melbourne. 

The saying ‘good things come in small packages’ certainly rings true when it comes to tiny houses in Australia. Chic, sustainable and nestled in some stunning locations, this is the travel trend you need to get amongst. 

If you're a hungry herbivore, look no further than our guide to Melbourne's best spots for vegan eats, from burgs to fine dining, it's all here.

Arguably Melbourne’s most picturesque regional city, Ballarat was founded in 1838 and was the centre of the gold rush in Victoria—and very briefly one of the wealthiest cities in the world. It’s come a long way since then and it’s not just about gold rush history anymore—there’s more things to eat, drink, do and see than ever before.

Consignment, vintage, flea, thrift–Melbourne’s packed with all the secondhand stores you could ever dream of.

Get ready to relax and unwind as this bougie spa institution, originally hailing from the Gold Coast, swings open its steamy doors to its first Melbourne outpost in South Yarra. 

Consider this your Melbourne bucket list that covers both tourist attractions and local haunts. There are endless things to do, see, eat and drink but sometimes it's difficult to know where to start. Like all good city guides, we’ve divided our hit list into a compass-like fashion to help you navigate your way around Melbourne’s best activities. So this is your chance to discover something new in your suburb or dare to venture into an unfamiliar area.

In 2025, Melbourne high tea is bringing together the best of old-world charm and modern-day fun. Whether you're in the mood to channel some classic 19th-century vibes, complete with dainty finger sandwiches and scones stacked high, or you're looking for something a bit more daring—think themed high teas, live music, and a splash of burlesque—Melbourne’s got you covered.

Some mornings are meant for sleep-ins and some are meant for indulging in the best bottomless brunch in Melbourne. Are you after endless mimosas, too many proseccos, more margaritas than you can poke a stick at? Well, if you've woken up on that side of the bed, get your Sunday (or Saturday) best on, and get ready to party. Check out our list of the best bottomless brunches in Melbourne for 2025.

Mighty MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival) is back from Thursday 7 August to Sunday 24 August. We’ve deciphered the "First Glance" program into bite-sized pieces so you know what to watch without the hard work. 

Whether you're looking for a beachside vacation in Southeast Asia or you want to see what delights Australia has to offer, here's how you can experience a luxury vacation without breaking the bank..

Skip the south side/north side arguments this weekend, because Melbourne's city centre is a brunch destination of its own right. Here are the best (neutral ground) spots for brunch in Melbourne CBD. 

On the hunt for the best cafe in Melbourne? It's a tough one, simply due to the sheer volume of options. The standard the city has set has been replicated all over the world, and it's no surprise as the quality of our coffee is world-class and our brunch is unbeatable.

If you’re craving a nature escape with a side of serious relaxation, Victoria’s hot springs are just what you need. These natural oases are designed for you to unplug, unwind, and soak away your worries in mineral-rich waters. From stunning coastal retreats to hidden mountain gems, we’ve rounded up the best hot springs in Melbourne and Victoria that are perfect for a rejuvenating day trip or a luxurious weekend getaway.

One of the most important food groups to Melburnians, pizza is held in a treasured category of its own. Boasting some of the finest pizzerias outside of Italy, the level of craft here is world-class from classic leopard spotted Neapolitan-style to thick-cut deep dish. 

Fresh local produce, goods crafted by local creatives, and vintage bargains—Melbourne markets are some of the best, and well worth a Sunday morning peruse with coffee in hand.

From breathtaking islands and sugar white sand beaches to sun-baked landscapes and jaw-dropping natural wonders, Australia is a land of unique and diverse beauty. 

When it comes to St Kilda restaurants, you’ll find a mix of iconic dining spots and hot new places just waiting for you to pay them a visit. From the freshest seafood around to classic pub fare and everything in between, here's your guide to the best St Kilda restaurants in 2025.

Melbourne's breakfast scene is unmatched—often imitated in cities around the world but never replicated. With so many stunners out there, some truly iconic brekkies have emerged. We gotchu covered with the best breakfast Melbourne has to offer for 2025.

With no magical frozen lakes to skate on in Melbourne this winter (though it’s damn cold enough, am I right?), the closest thing we’re going to come to a winter wonderland is an ice skating rink. 

For family holidays, staycations with the gals, romantic weekends and solo travels in 2025, Urban List has rounded up the best Airbnbs with fireplaces in Victoria.

It's not easy to land on a single choice for the best restaurants in Fitzroy, and that's because there are simply too many. The previously working-class inner-city suburb has blossomed through the renaissance of Melbourne’s cultural boom and is now home to some of the highest-rated diners in the entire city. So, read on, and tick off the best Fitzroy restaurants for 2025.

Ah, Melbourne. The city of a million suburbs, each with its own distinctive personality. Everyone should treat themselves to a little staycation once in a while, to rediscover this city we adore so much. Start packing your overnight bag and take a look at some of the best Airbnbs in Melbourne for 2025.

Collingwood is historically home to some of Melbourne's best restaurants, bars, shopping, street-art, and well ... just about everything else. The inner-city (hipster, shh) suburb is truly a cultural melting pot, simmering from the north and south end of the suburb. But if you want a local tip, cut through the main drag on Smith Street and you'll see what's on offer is proper fire.

We’re all for a rooftop, especially one that opens out onto Melbourne’s brand new Sky Park, suspended over Collins Street. Quarterhouse in Docklands, just near Southern Cross station is bringing us just that—with three levels of after-work or pre-game goodness, the mega-venue is set to be your go-to spot when you’re in that part of town.

Matcha, what's not to like? It's the drink of the year and if you've been to Japan and you're chasing those memories from the trip, or want to live vicariously, we've got the 10 best spots in Melbourne for you to check out.

Once again May has crept up on us out of nowhere, bringing with it one very important day. It’s that one thing you should be prepared for, yet every year it comes as another suprise. That’s right, it’s Mother’s Day. 

From smoky mezcal cocktails to slow-braised birria tacos dripping with consommé, Melbourne's Mexican food scene is hotter than a habanero right now. We've scoured the city to bring you the must-try taquerias, cantinas and modern Mexican kitchens that'll transport your taste buds straight to Mexico City.

There's nothing quite like the music scene in Melbourne. Any night of the week in pretty much any stretch of the town, you can catch live tunes—be it howling, foot-stomping rock 'n roll in sticky-floored pubs, sultry jazz in booth-seated lounges, or dirty techno at one of the many dens and d-floors in town.

The long weekend is just around the corner so it’s time to start planning your social movements for the mini-break. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, we can all agree it’s pretty nice to have a four-day weekend to catch up with friends and family while letting someone else do all the cooking and cleaning—surcharges are totally worth it. Here’s your list of what’s on over the Easter weekend in Melbourne. 

Keen for a luxe vacay that feels a million miles away from the mainland? Visit this remote Tasmanian lodge.

Want to relive that Japanese holiday, or get your eye in before you head overseas? You're in luck, because Melbourne is full of top-tier Japanese restaurants. Whether you’re craving freshly made sushi, bowls of steaming ramen, sizzling teppanyaki, melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, or flavourful donburi, there’s no shortage of authentic Japanese restaurants in Melbourne to dive into. 

Coffee runs thick through Melbourne's veins, and in every corner of the city you'll find caffeine-soaked cafes to frequent. But cafes go beyond a good coffee, and for Collingwood cafes, we're spoilt for choice.

Searching for the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne? From hidden trattorias to fine dining, here are Melbourne’s top 25 Italian spots for pasta, pizza and more in 2025.

With Easter around the corner, the sweet smell of hot cross buns is starting to waft out of bakeries across Melbourne. With so many on offer, it’s hard to know who makes the best hot cross buns in Melbourne. Is it the traditional take? Is it a chocolate-filled number? Or is it the undignified 'fruitless'? Luckily, you have Urban List doing the hard yards for you.

Forget diamonds—Melbourne’s real luxury is a perfectly cooked steak. Whether you’re after a melt-in-your-mouth wagyu, a charred, smoky ribeye, or an old-school pub porterhouse with all the trimmings, this city delivers.

The southern hemisphere’s largest shopping centre, Chadstone has just dropped the lineup for a massive 26,500sq m foodie precinct. The two areas, The Market Pavilion and Dining Laneway will host some of Melbourne’s tastiest food retailers. 

Beauty fans west of Melbourne are in for a treat and a Tim Tam. Adore Beauty is opening its second Melbourne store, and it's everything you love about the online store, with so much more.

Melbourne’s bustling dining scene owes a very honest tip of the hat to France. Every suburb has its own cache of bakeries, bistros and patisseries reminiscent of the City of Lights, and if you're like us wondering why you're here rather than there, well, this list might just save you the trip.

There was a time when the best burgers in Melbourne came from your local fish and chip place, usually with a slice of beetroot and a couple of extra dim sims. Actually, now we think about it, those are still pretty bloody good, but we've pulled together our top picks so you can eat easy.

This year is a real biggie for Formula One. Melbourne has returned as the coveted season opener, host to the world’s first look at seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton debuting his new Ferrari red get up while Spain-born Carlos Sainz embraces a fresh Williams blue. And arguably one of the best parts of the AusGP weekend—the end of race track walk—is also back on the cards. Winning.

"Carpark hangs, good chirp and a cold beverage to cap it off."

Korean BBQ restaurants have made quite the splash, a cuisine dear to many Melburnian's hearts and for very good reasons. The flavour-packed dining experience of K-BBQ is a sight to behold; with sizzling plates of chargrilled meats accompanied with sauces, salads, and sides. 

A gathering of salty locals, big time heroes and future legends.

There’s a reason Jackalope on the Mornington Peninsula is on everyone’s bucket list: from its stunning grounds to unique architectural design, moody black colour palette or funky bar and restaurant, the hotel is the very definition of a luxury stay.

Frank Green—we know them, we love them. For many, the brand is a symbol of the original emotional support water bottle that has stood by us (literally) and continues to hold our hand throughout the day. Now, we can peruse them IRL.

Geelong’s restaurant scene is thriving, offering a vibrant mix of culinary experiences that firmly establish it as a must-visit destination for food lovers. Once living in Melbourne’s shadow, this seaside gem has emerged with its own bold personality, leaning heavily into its love for fresh, local seafood.

Although there are plenty out there, it's no easy task to find the best Victorian, perhaps it's the uniqueness, or possibly the location and the stunning vistas they provide, whatever it may be these are the ones that shine above the rest. For good measure, we've also selected a handful of Guest Favourite properties, a brand new Airbnb filter that lets you search for top-rated stays. 

Returning to where it all started Jurassic World: The Exhibition is pipelining for Melbourne with some raving reviews following its massive season in Sydney. 

Now a cornerstone of Australian surf culture, Nev’s story is one of passion, craftsmanship and an unrelenting connection to the waves.  

From Fairhaven, Jan Juc, Port Campbell and beyond, the Great Ocean Road is a true destination for Victorians and travellers alike, and along it is dotted with a full gamut of stellar accommodation options. 

This one’s dedicated to all the gluten-intolerant bread and pastry lovers. Let’s be honest, the supermarket selection of gluten-free baked goods can be, well, uninspiring. Thankfully, we have a good handful of specialty gluten-free bakeries in Melbourne/Naarm that are reducing celiac’s FOMO when it comes to being able to get their hands on fresh bread, pastries and desserts. 

Want to know where to pitch your tent? We’ve rounded up the best campsites in Victoria. Most are a pretty easy drive from Melbourne and for the rest... just tell your boss you’ll be coming in sick on Monday.

Carlton restaurants extend far beyond cherished Lygon Street—although the historic strip is still home to a massive concentration of Italian joints. With that being said, over the years Carlton has grown to become one of the most vibrant culinary hotspots in town. Here are Urban List’s recommendations on the best restaurants Carlton has to offer in 2025:

Cost of living keeps creeping upwards and onwards, and most of us practically have the words “value for money” tattooed on wallets to stop unnecessary spending. Of course, that’s where the humble buffet comes in, with endless plates and infinite options to make you feel like life isn’t so bad.

Now that warmer weather is upon us, craft beer is the best excuse to wet your beak while the sun’s out (or below the horizon, we’re not fussy). That's why we’ve rounded up the best craft beer breweries in metro Melbourne to save you a hot second on Google this Friday afternoon.

Yum Cha, it's the culinary experience that's greater than the sum of its parts, and each part is already pretty delicious. You’ll find dim sum galore, from pan-fried to steamed to boiled, all designed to be washed down with piping-hot tea. Melbourne has got some amazing for all your yum cha needs. So needless to say, we’ve curated a list of the best yum cha in Melbourne for 2025. 

Let's face it, if you don't like camping, you don't like it, that's why glamping in Victoria has skyrocketed in popularity. Who wants to rough it when you can stay in a beautiful bell tent on a winery? There are a lot of fantastic sites across the state, and most of them aren't too far from the city. Here's Urban List's guide to the best spots for glamping Victoria has on offer for 2025.

Beaches in Victoria are a coveted commodity, often guarded and kept hush-hush. From Hampton Beach and the hidden gems of Melbourne to the stunning coasts of the Mornington Peninsula, the Great Ocean Road, Wilson's Prom, Phillip Island, and more, there are spectacular stretches of sand and ocean waiting to be explored.

Pick plates, rooftops and gluten-free, moody retro venues and lots of small plates: there were some definite themes to new openings this year, and we were there for all of them. This is your 2024 restaurant guide wrapped.