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Melbourne's favourite slow cooked BBQ joint is setting up shop in Bourke Street and there's even a rooftop bar—winning! If you are yet to try Fancy Hank's famous 20-hour smoked meat then you have yet to live, my friend. With no gas and no electricity, the boys behind Fancy Hank's impress by smoking premium, locally sourced Victorian meat in traditional wood-fired BBQ's and custom-built smokers. Next time you hold your monthly BBQ you may want to grab a few tips from these guys.

The latest installation of the newly refurbished Stokehouse precinct, Pontoon is now open! Boasting an 18-metre long bar as soon as you walk in, the team at the new St Kilda casual eatery has our priorities in order. The menu features hand-held and share plates, like fresh sardines with harissa, a pulled beef brisket toastie with manchego, and grilled king prawns. There's also a range of wood fired pizzas, giving us just the right amount of casual Mediterranean vibes. 

Calling all health buffs and fans of all things weird and wonderful: Melbourne’s very first whole-body cryotherapy centre—Alchemy Cryo—have just opened their doors!

Concrete Jungle is your one-stop shop for all things sneakers and streetwear, with brands from Adidas to Vans. They specialise in footwear with heaps (and we mean HEAPS) of sneakers for both men and women, but they also have a pretty decent range of street apparel and accessories as well.

If there’s one thing we can’t resist buying, it definitely has to be homewares. To keep us happy, Southwood in Fitzroy stocks all of our favourite brands. The likes of Armadillo & Co, Bemboka, Natural Bedding Company, Tide, Lapuan Kankurit, Teixidors, Dharma Door, Robert Gordon, Hey Sign, Salus bodycare as well as Southwood's own furniture and homewares range are all on show in their gorgeous showroom.

If you’ve ever sunk your teeth into the delectable creations from The Waffle Club at the Queen Vic Market, you’ll probably be having déjà vu right about now. That’s because Horse On Heels’ co-owners Connie and Lunnie began their journey at The Waffle Club three years ago and are now setting out to dominate Melbourne’s savoury waffle market.

St Kilda’s brand new restaurant is Sauced’s fourth Melbourne location, which means even more of our beautiful city will be treated to their pasta delights. Boasting fresh produce, rich flavours and a traditional Italian taste with a twist, these custom-ordered pasta dishes are pan-fried to order and make wearing white totally unacceptable.

Watts Cooking is a cheerful café in the Eastern Suburbs. This café has a vibrant menu filled with both classic meals and intriguing brunch dishes.  If you’re after something savory try the corn and cauliflower fritters with avocado salsa, ricotta mix, beetroot sauce and poached egg. Or indulge in the Sweet Bircher muesli with hazelnuts, almonds, apple, honey, yoghurt and a delinquent poached pear.

The Source Bulk Foods is a return to the good ol’ days of grocery shopping with personal, friendly service and high-quality, unpackaged, unbranded products. As the name suggests, it’s a bulk wholefoods store. All the products are on display, so you can see what you buy and you can bring your own containers, only filling up with as much as you need.

As the self-proclaimed toastie kings of Melbourne’s inner suburbs, Aphro & Wolfe sure know how to operate a sandwich press. With a menu that boats ‘toastie’ and ‘non-toastie’ options exclusively, rest assured these guys can turn mere bread and cheese into mouth-watering gold.

Not your typical North side brunch spot. Little River is a dedicated vegetarian and vegan café, serving generous portions to keep you full right through the day! Start your morning off with some freshly squeezed OJ or an almond latte before you get stuck into the Little River breaky – eggs, avo salsa, beans, mushrooms, saffron potatoes and veggie sausage. The café itself is light and airy, and the staff are super friendly and helpful. When you order a pot of tea, they even give you a timer and information card so your tea is brewed to perfection!

Seasonal local produce is the hero at Melbourne restaurant, Saint Crispin, where you can enjoy a la carte dining or a sumptuous 5 or 7-course tasting menu.

As part of QT’s new Melbourne boutique hotel, Hot Sauce Laneway Bar is as fiery and exciting as its name. Hidden in one of Melbourne’s infamous laneways, stroll along with the tourists to find this hidden gem serving Asian-inspired dishes and cocktails late into the night. Funky tunes and plenty of cool vibes are what come free with your drinks, served up by some of the coolest bartenders around town. Sit around the ambient-lit bar, or get in quick to find one of the few tables around, because this place is sure to be packed full of Melbourne’s night-crawlers almost every night. 

Whether you want to stroll idly down the cobbled streets of the suburbs or you're looking for something a bit more adventurous, Reid Cycles has got you covered. With a showcase of Australian designs, the guys at Reid are offering up road bikes, slick options for city commuters and even a classic vintage design complete with a fun mesh basket.

This new venue looks like how summer feels, with a huge outdoor setting and an open-air feel throughout the restaurant with its own terrace. The food is just as impressive, with Common Man serving up some exciting gastro-pub fair like ribs, fried chicken, tacos and burgers.

We’ve all heard of acupuncture as a means of pain relief, but what about as a cosmetic aid? Yes, that’s right! Sticking needles in your face is a thing, and it actually works!

One of three locations across the CBD (they must be doing something right!) Oli & Levi's Galleria location is whipping up some top-notch coffee and brekkie dishes. They're pretty serious about their coffee, taking special care when they select their coffee blends. If you're looking for a quick (but quality) morning brew or need a new lunch spot in the CBD, Oli & Levi's is definitely worth checking out.

Finding an affordable but appealing destination for your lunch break in the CBD can be a difficult task. Oli & Levi's Collins Street location is a nice change from the collection of (let's be honest) very average cafes littered around the CBD. Top-notch cafes are few and far between but Oli & Levi's allpress coffee and short but sweet menu make them stand out from the crowd.

Just when you thought Melbourne couldn’t fit another burger joint into its saturated food scene, Skipping Girl popped up and reminded us that you can never have too many good burger places. Taking over an abandoned fish & chip shop in the back streets of Abbotsford, Skipping Girl is the home of locally sourced meat and real brioche, as well as triple cooked chips. TRIPLE.

Don’t let the name confuse you, this Northcote café is all about clean eating. Mother and daughter team, Cristina and Tesha Borin, have combined their skills in the kitchen to bring you Melbourne’s first clean eating cakery. This gem caters to the health conscious, vegans, vegetarians, and the lactose and gluten intolerant. Inspired by Mother Nature, the menu includes a daily variety of cakes and sweet treats, juices, smoothies, coffee and a selection of teas as well as light breakfast and lunch options - all completey guilt free!

We all love the north for its cool, café culture, but Reservoir seemed to be left behind...until now! The café with the neon ice-cream on its front wall is the younger sibling of Adeney Milk Bar in Kew. Younger it may be, but the space is huge with room for about 80 seats and the menu is no different.

Fresh off the block in the ‘burbs of Hoppers Crossing, this sleek new café is serving up all the right stuff. Try the gorgeous chilli scrambled eggs, or stay for lunch and grab a juicy chicken burger on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But, whatever you do, make sure someone gets the breaky board so you can try a bit of everything. Cafes like this is one of the best reasons to take a break from the city and go local. 

Who doesn’t want to pamper their pup every once in a while? DOGUE Brighton is here to cater for your furry fashion-forward friends, with expert grooming services available specifically for each breed. Get your dog a warm spa bath, a cute new haircut or special skin treatments, and relax in a private garden area while your pup gets a makeover.

The Crux & Co was made famous on the local food scene by its game-changing ‘crogel’ – a croissant/bagel hybrid that has been filling plates and Instagrams Melbourne-wide since it first opened its doors in June of 2016. The instant success of this innovative treat, along with the rest of the café’s delicious, photo-worthy eats, is great news for hungry Melburnians who are now being treated to a second store; The Crux & Co Patisserie.

Reimagine visiting a nutritionist because an appointment at Luxton Clinic is more like visiting a day spa! The team at this boutique clinic focus on revitalising and nourishing your body through naturopathy, whole-foods, and good ol’ fashion nutrition. Get ready to swap the Coke for green tea and the Nutella for superfood protein balls because Luxton Clinic will teach you all about living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Once you’ve learnt not to eat cold pizza for breakfast, you can relax with a remedial massage and leave feeling like a whole new person! 

Melbourne is about to welcome a world-class Danish steak house to its ever-expanding repertoire of fine dining, but what sets this restaurant apart from the hoards of others is its unique focus on art and design.

With gourmet this and superfoods that, now is the best time to get back to basics. Start off with a selection of pastries and sandwiches and work your way through to the cronut love child of donuts and croissants that’s stuffed with Nutella. If you’re in the Croydon South area with time to kill, this little bakeshop is sure to impress.

45 Degrees isn’t your average pizza shop! Decked out in a style that can only be described as American ghetto and serving up pizza flavours like Peruvian chicken, tofu, kale beetroot and beef cheek, we can see why this pizza spot is standing out from the crowd. But our pick has to be the Vietnamese pork—imagine the filling of a Vietnamese pork roll on a pizza.

The doors have opened at Dingo's on Smith Street! This retro 80's, Australiana hybrid bar looks like its going to be the visual representation of Melbourne’s eclectic culture! Look out Collingwood, Dingo's is here!

One of our guiltiest pleasures is now at our doorstep with Doughnut Time’s newest CBD venue. Head down Melbourne Central’s iconic graffiti laneway to find the cool fit-out pumping cool beats and delicious doughnuts, seven days a week. Whether you’re a morning person or a late-night city slicker, Doughnut Time is catering to our cravings all day long (until they’re sold out!)

Have you ever wished you could throw a stapler at your boss's head? What about had the urge to stab a zombie? Or maybe crash a Ferrari at Silverstone, just for the fun of it? If you thought 'OMG yes' to any/all of the above, then That VR Joint—Melbourne's latest virtual reality gaming venue that let's yu get up-close and personal with the latest tech—is the place for you.

Coming off of the successful SugarBun chain across Asia, Auntry Franklee is bringing south-eastern soul to the heart of Melbourne. Serving up classic Malaysian cuisine are twins Fran and Fiorn Lee, whose new venture aims to explore the famous family recipes served since 1979. Aunty Franklee focuses on the authentic Bak-Kut-Teh, a soupy, meaty bowl of goodness, as well as melt-in-your-mouth char grill, and moorish, smoky clay-pot creations. Be the first to try the traditional flavours in a fresh, new fit-out this spring. 

Although we’re completely in love with Workshop’s Glen Huntly café, we’re willing to make room in our coffee soaked hearts for their new baby, which is right smack bang in the middle of Melbourne.

Cannings Free Range Butchers are all about great service and quality produce. These Malvern butchers have a genuine interest in animal welfare and only sell ethically farmed meat, sourcing produce from some of Australia’s best producers. There’s grass fed Tasmanian beef, free range pork from Darling Downs, free range chicken from Bendigo and fresh seafood from the South and East Coasts of Australia.

The team at Paninoteca focus on one thing - creating the perfect Italian sandwich. So it’s no surprise that they're damn good at it.

Two Brothers café brings all the things we love about inner city cafes to the Eastern suburbs. This cozy café is family friendly and has plenty of outdoor seating for soaking up the sun. This café has a great, relaxing atmosphere that serves up scrumptious breakfasts, lunches and quality coffees all day long. The brothers do a great classic burger with grass fed beef, triple cream cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. The freshly made muffins and toasted Sangas are also the perfect to-go treat. We can also confirm that at this Mitcham café there is actually two brothers.

If you’re an avid traveler we’ve found a place for you to revel in all your worldly adventures.  Atlas dining is an intimate dining space with a casual courtyard and a changing menu. This restaurant has been created by Melbourne chef Charlie Carrington to explore different cuisines from around the world.

When you first drive past On It burgers in Ferntree Gully, you’ll notice its classic roadside diner setting and you’ll instantly feel obliged to check it out!

The Younger Brother is a local café with heaps of inner city style. This small café has a modern layout, trendy décor and a warm ambience.

Let us introduce you to the new baker on the block. Le Bakehouse is your snazzy bakehouse serving up golden pastries, delicious coffee and a sweet load of sassy attitude.

Tucked away, almost hidden, in a shady walkway of Mount Waverley is this bustling café! Always busy, Son of Tucci is serving up some of Melbourne’s best coffee, brunch and seriously mouth-watering cakes, muffins & pastries. The moment you walk in, you’ll be drawn to the cabinet at the front filled with scrumptious baked goods and it only gets better from there with the seasonal menu packed full of flavour, creativity and high quality ingredients. Son of Tucci isn’t a huge cafe, but there’s outdoor seating and staff are always accommodating to make sure you’re not waiting too long for a table. 

Brunch fare just got interesting! Aucuba is a small cafe in the back streets of South Melbourne, featuring plant-based Japanese-influenced dishes. You won’t find your standard smashed avo or pulled pork brioche buns here, but you will find green tea soba noodles, truffled umami mac & cheese and kale chips. They also roast their own specialty coffee in-house, boasting a laboratory-like brew and espresso bar, accented by the most amazing blue pineapple wallpaper!  

We’ve found a snazzy café in the Eastern Suburbs that’s serving up delicious super foods, top notch coffee, and delightful treats. CL Kitchen & Brewery in Surrey Hills has recently transformed into a welcoming, vibrant café that will satisfy your stomach and your coffee cravings.

Fancy Hank fans, this one is for you! Knuckles has replaced Fancy Hanks opposite the Vic Market (Hank has moved to Bourke Street!). Knuckles will be open right through Summer, offering up the same finger-lickin’ American style slow cooked BBQ made famous by Hank, like pulled pork and brisket, as well as a number of other drool-worthy sandwiches and tasty sides, including a Philly cheese steak with sweet onions, peppers and gravy and a classic chopped pork with Kentucky style slaw and kewpie mayo. And fear not – you’ll still be able to get $12 happy hour jugs to enjoy out on the balcony! 

You’ll have a ball being locked in a small, gloomy room where you have to solve puzzles and brainteasers in order to escape at Escape Room Melbourne. This live puzzle game in South Melbourne gives you 70 minutes to unravel the mystery of a hidden room, working in a team to solve a variety of quirky and inventive puzzles to escape. Escape Room Melbourne has two unique challenges for you to choose from. You can either be tasked to save your co-workers from the mines or to successfully be a magicians assistant in Kellers magical emporium. Both puzzle rooms are equally stimulating and make for a snazzy CBD adventure.

If you fancy being locked in a small, gloomy room where you have to solve puzzles and brainteasers in order to escape then we reckon you’ll fall in love with Escape Room Melbourne. This live puzzle game in Flemington gives you 70 minutes to unravel the mystery of a hidden room, working together to solve a variety of quirky and inventive puzzles to escape. You’ll find yourself in an authentic antique study complete with leather-bound books, pictures, a desk and wardrobe filled with hidden puzzles, clues and challenges.  Escape room Melbourne prides itself as Melbourne’s first escape experience, and we know you can’t resist trying it!

Gather the troops! We’ve found a super fun, challenging and intellectually stimulating adventure for you and your closest friends. Escape experience in Oakleigh has two unique rooms that task you to think outside the box and solve some whacky problems. Amnesia escape is set in an unfamiliar room surrounded by chaos, you’ll be tasked to use your memory to figure out what brought you here and help you escape. The Burlesque room will have cluedo lovers rejoicing as you are tasked to investigate the murders, and hidden secrets of the glamorous and wealthy. These adventures are popping up all over town- they are definitely worth a try!

In the last few years, you could argue service has taken a backseat to picture-perfect food. Not at Highett’s little secret spot—The Little Elephant.  

Quietly located in a red brick building on Ferrars Street, Garden of Eden Nursery is a humble emporium of homewares, gifts and (of course) plants. Be warned—their name is not an exaggeration.

The team behind From on High and Hard Pressed sure have been busy. Opening up yet another venue, this coffee shop will be sure to impress Melburnians.

Bradley James Hair Dressing will have you strutting the streets of South Yarra with confidence. Bradley’s new salon not only has a contemporary edge, but boasts some of Melbourne’s leading cutting and color specialists. These Geniuses take a personal approach to helping you achieve your ultimate hair style. From unicorn hair to bayalages or a stylish cut, you’re in safe hands here!

Not quite a restaurant, not quite a food truck! The Smoke Pit is an authentic low & slow American BBQ roving stall, serving up the most finger lickin’, mouth-watering beef brisket and pulled pork you’ve ever tasted. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try their ridiculously hot habanero chilli sauce!

This quirky café is one of Eltham’s best hidden secrets. It may look like an old run down house on the outside, but inside you’ll feel right at home. The Zen Den is a spacious café with an eclectic mix of furniture, funky décor and hanging plants. The outdoor area is a delightful oasis with plenty of palm trees and sun soaking spots.

Under new management, this Camberwell fav is still going strong! The courtyard out the back, makes Santucci’s the perfect place to bring your four legged fur baby when the weather is good and when the weather is typical Melbourne, you can sit inside amongst the mismatch, cozy décor to sip your Jaffa hot chocolate or dive into a blueberry cheesecake muffin (or both). Breakfast runs all day, which means waffles any time or you can choose the more sensible option of burgers, sandwiches and salads. This Italian café is definitely one to add to the never-ending list of places to brunch!

My Other Brother is a Specialty Coffee House in the leafy suburbs of Camberwell. This Little Café is buzzing with beans from some of the best roasters in town! There’s Small Batch, Industry Beans, Proud Mary and knowledgeable baristas to help get your blend just right! As well as a focus on coffee, My Other Brother has a passion for producing deliciously fresh, high-class brunches and lunches. This Homely café is tucked behind burke road, near the Sunday Markets. If you’re looking for good espressos, food and tunes, or even drinks try this bustling café.

If you’re anything like us, you’ve walked past this café a million times in a mad rush to get to Chapel Street for your weekly retail therapy sesh. We finally headed into SOS Café to refuel and oh boy are we glad we did! They’re all about healthy eating, specialising in organic, gluten-free and refined sugar-free dishes, so you can sit outside by the fountain while you dig into guilt-free pancakes and enjoy some of the best people-watching in the city. The gluten free tiramisu pancakes are not only stunningly presented, but they’re also thick, fluffy and come with espresso ice-cream, cashew cream, and an espresso shot to get your morning going. SOS Café doesn't take reservations, so expect a short wait on the weekends (trust us, it’s worth it!).

An under-the-rader Melbourne cocktail institution if there ever was one, Carlton Yacht Club has been serving drinks to locals for a massive fourteen years. The intimite bar sits right in the middle of Lygon Street's buzzing dining strip, surrounded by some of the best pizza, pasta and gelato in the city. But if you're keen to ditch the prosecco, pull up a seat at this nautical watering hole and you'll be guaranteed some lip-smackingly good drinks, from classics to modern twists.

INJECTABLE AVO SMASH! Now that we’ve got your attention, let us rave about this new Burwood café.

Tucked in a maze of laneways off the hullabaloo of Collins St, there’s an uber-fancy High Tea gem wafting with scones, jam and chantilly cream. This Queen-Liz-worthy Arvo Tea parlour is called Runya’s Room, and boy, does it take 'cuppa and cake' seriously.

As it turns out, you can judge a book by its cover. Or in this case—a dish.