Food and Drink

It's the earmarked sports event of the summer, the Australian Open 2025 is the iconic stretch of January where Melbourne suddenly transforms into tennis-arm-chair experts. 

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. 

Melbourne’s best pubs are redefining family-friendly dining—with proper playgrounds, delicious food  and cocktails to top you off. We’ve hunted down the 20 spots where kids go feral in enclosed play zones, teens disappear into arcades and parents finally get to enjoy a meal while it’s still hot. Genius? Absolutely. Long overdue? Even more so.

Hotdogs. No mere sausage-and-bun, but an American icon synonymous with baseball, the Fourth of July, Manhattan street-vendors and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. And a strong contingent have sprouted up in Melbourne.

Looking for the best cheap eats in Melbourne? We've got you covered with a curated list of delicious, budget-friendly spots around the city. Dive into our picks for the top cheap eats Melbourne has to offer and discover how to satisfy your cravings without splurging.

If you’re seeking a sugary treat with a dollop of nostalgia, these eateries are serving up classic desserts set to send you hurtling back in time.

We may not love Melbourne’s cold, but it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Sure, you can enjoy hot chocolate any time of year (no judgment here) but there’s something special about cradling a warm mug in both hands, savouring its silky richness as it melts away the chill.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Whether it's Dolly Parton hitting the Comedy Theatre stage bootstraps and rhinestones in tow, or the awaited return of Lightscape’s epic winter trail, Melbourne’s serving up another weekend of top-tier happenings. 

Melbourne’s CBD is a treasure trove for bar lovers, the hardest part is just choosing where to go first. We've got you sorted with all the best bars Melbourne has to offer, from knock off through to night on the town. 

We’ve got the largest Greek population outside of Athens, so it’s no surprise the city is brimming with Greek taverns and family-owned restaurants to suit all occasions and budgets. It’s a tough task, but we’ve pulled together the best Greek restaurants Melbourne has to offer, with plenty of options for the souv-fans, seafood lovers, dairy queens and vegetarians out there. 

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.

Welcome to our shiny new series, Budget Ballin’—a curated collection of Melbourne’s best eats and drinks that will have you living the good life without the hefty price tag. We’ll be covering all bases from midweek bites and fancy chef menus to call-in-sick-worthy happy hours.

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. 

If you're heading out for that morning coffee in the sunshine leaving the dog behind can feel like one of the biggest betrayals. Luckily there are a raft of cafes around town that cater to our four-legged friends, from a beachside pavilion to converted warehouses, serving puppy cinos, dog treats and more. 

Arriving at the local watering hole with your best mate by your side is unmatched. You’ll take a swig of a pint and your furry companion dives into the communal watering bowl. You both look up at each other—it doesn't get much better than this. For those seeking dog-friendly pubs in Melbourne, here are the top recommendations for 2024:

You've seen that mouth-watering cheese pull on socials, now you want to try it for yourself. What do you do? Hit up Urban List of course.

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.

A good pub does exactly what it promises on the tin: a spot to catch up with mates, knock back a few pints and naturally, tuck into a parma.

If New York is the city that never sleeps, Melbourne’s the city that never stops eating, and there are a myriad of excellent spots waiting to welcome you for a Monday wine-and-dine.

Finding that perfect combination of crackling puff pastry, rich stewy filling, and buttery shortcrust is practically a spiritual quest. Lucky for us, you don't need to make the pilgrimage out of Melbourne to satisfy your pie cravings anymore.

Here's your ultimate Eat, Play, Stay guide to the Barossa Valley with Andy Allen.

Melbourne’s Japanese cafe scene has always marched to its own beat—espresso in one hand, chopsticks in the other. But lately, a new wave of Japanese-inspired spots has been quietly rewriting the Melbourne brunch playbook. 

Like the precinct’s spruikers, the choice really is overwhelming when it comes to Lygon Street restaurants. One will tell you they have the freshest carbonara in the southern hemisphere while the other will stake claim to a 400 cheese pizza. Both worthy options, but dig deeper and you’ll find a diverse culinary offering ranging from fiery ramen at one end and modern Australian at the other.

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. 

Flinders Lane is the beating heart of Melbourne’s dining scene, a laneway where culinary magic happens. This is undoubtedly one of Melbourne’s foodie hotspots. From hole-in-the-wall gems to high-end hotspots, this iconic strip is a dining paradise. 

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. 

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.

It's something that Melburnians can take deep pride in, other states might have the weather but our bustling late-night music culture and good-time mentality is second to none in this country. 

Melbourne’s such a cultural melting pot. We’re so lucky to have an incredible and eclectic mix of cuisines from across the globe right at our fingertips—and fortunately, a stack of options from the tiny South Asian island Sri Lanka.

Is Melbourne having a cinnamon scroll redux right now? If we look at the facts, it might appear that the answer to that question is yes.

The Lunar New Year is fast approaching and 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake, which symbolises wisdom, transformation, stability and creativity and we're here to learn and grow, and celebrate.

Home to six diverse dining havens, the slick new entertainment hub has cosy spots for date night, slick breweries, and lantern-laiden restaurants. 

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. 

From tacos and margaritas to gnocchi and jazz, we've rounded up some of the best value-for-money dining options across the city to get through the week in style.

Winter is coming so Melbourne’s finest pubs are turning up the heat. Nothing defrosts the hands quite like a glass of house red by the fire. We've compiled a list of the warmest drinking dens from all city corners so you’ll know where to go for your next knock-off drink on a frigid winter's day. So head down to your local, or someone else’s local, to counteract the colder season blues with a bev beside a built-in fireplace.