Directory Search

From the makers of Melbourne's mod-Asian mecca, Chin Chin, comes the sexy Italian half-sister smack bang in the heart of Richmond - Baby Pizza. The décor is simply contemporary - white booths and wooden tables - with a cute outside area lined with green umbrellas. But there are also quirky injections of character via pink neon lighting and cheeky, lip-licking girls.

Marbled floors, big potted plants, exposed bricks and a warm hug from the roaring fireplace - Oscar Cooper is a little coffee haven on Greville Street in Prahran. People-watch from the bay windows or the copious amounts of street seating as you munch on a baked egg, a jaffle (try the corned beef!) or one of their epic wagyu beef burgers, and sip on their house blend from Small Batch Co.

The combination of Thai food, beer and cocktails is the premise behind popular Swanston Street restaurant and bar, Cookie. The result is an atmospheric dining experience that caters for all kinds. The main beer hall is ideal for enjoying a craft brew amidst the hustle and bustle of the Friday night drinks crowd, while the opera-style balconettes offer city views for love birds, and the dining room caters to groups small and large. The crispy fish salad with papaya and pickled crab is a winner, but you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. When you're done with dinner, pop upstairs to the Toff in Town and dance off the calories. Classic first date venue.

If you like your coffee strong and your baristas hot, Journeyman in Windsor is a certified stronghold of Melbourne's famous craft coffee movement. Formerly Dukes Coffee Roasters, the cafe has rebranded and they've moved their roasting operation to Collingwood, but all else remains untouched (yup, that famous bircher and Dukes' blend are still there!)

If you like your cocktail bars quirky, Tyranny of Distance in Windsor is for you. What was once a petrol station is now a 'lubritorium' – a casual cocktail bar and eatery nestled between a sea of velvet covered couches, burlesque style lampshades and graffiti covered walls. Though you will come for Happy Hour - $4 everything (EVERYTHING) from 4 til 7pm, you will stay for the tapas style menu options, including crispy chipotle potatoes and crowd-pleasing salt and pepper calamari.

Epitomising cafe cool, Top Paddock is a shining star in the Richmond brunch scene. The fit-out is bright and airy, with a huge wooden outdoor area spotted with umbrellas. The interior is full of natural light and pot plants, making for a refreshing space to have some chilli scrambles on toast, or the pretty-as-a-picture bircher muesli. The crew brews beans from Five Senses and, as a refreshing twist, all ingredients for their delicious dishes are sourced from organic suppliers in Australia. This is a place to take friends when they're visiting you from interstate, to show them the calibre of cafe that Melbourne has on offer.

Housed in a no-frills warehouse on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, Vegie Bar is by far the most popular vegetarian destination in Melbourne. Customers dine at communal tables or windowside benches, surrounded by band posters and peeling paint walls. The menu caters for any kind of leaf eater, with pizzas, wraps, salads, curries . . . you name it; however Vegie Bar is just as popular with the carivores. There's also a long list of daily specials and a variety of vegan, lactose- and gluten-free options. To top it all off, the critically acclaimed chocolate beetroot cake will make sure you will return again and again and again. Vegie Bar is usually heaving and they don't take bookings, so make sure you come early to grab a seat if there's a few of you.

Yellow Bird is a Mexican roadhouse diner and bar in the middle of Windsor, serving cheesy nachos, big burritos and buckets of iced Coronas. The décor is cafeteria kitsch teamed with rock 'n roll memorabilia, and the super cool staff resemble Rolling Stones roadies. Sit under a low ceiling fan and listen to some tunes, or hang outside with your burger and beer amongst the Chapel Street traffic. You can even order off the breakfast menu at 12am if your heart so desires – a scrambled egg burrito pairs wonderfully with a tequila cocktail.

Named after an eccentric 19th century brothel owner, Madame Brussels in the CBD is the stuff of fairy tales. When you arrive up high in the sky (via 7 flights of stairs or lift), you'll behold a garden party - astro turf, white wicker chairs and pink walls, opening up to one of the best rooftop and city views of Melbourne. It's all about the cocktails here, with Pimms, rosé and punch brewed in teapots, plus a wide variety of cupcakes to put your sweet tooth into overdrive. If you fall in love with the Madame and want her all to yourself, private bookings are accomodated. The fully catered High Tea option is popular with hens, who are particularly partial to the charming waiters in tennis whites.

Añada is a crowd pleasing tapas bar and restaurant on the Getrude Street dining strip in Fitzroy. A local institution, Añada dishes up sensational Southern Spanish flavoured bites and share plates and is the perfect date-night venue. Or round up a group and get involved in one of the Tasting Menu options - the knowledgeable staff will help you navigate any unfamilar items and accomodate the meat eaters, vegos and intolerants alike. And the biggest bonus is they take bookings!

Chingón is a cheap, cheerful and delicious taqueria on Richmond's Swan Street. Founded by two Mexican brothers, the recipe is simple - authentic, fresh salsas and tacos on home-made corn tortillas. Our suggestion - grab a group of friends, a slab of Corona, and head up to the charming roof terrace on a sunny summer's eve. Chingón is licensed and takes reservations. But note - cash only. Oh, there's a food truck too!

Gertrude Street's Arcadia Cafe is a classic combination of all things great about Melbourne brunching: an all-day breakfast menu chalked up on their massive blackboarded walls, daily savoury specials made fresh on site, and the finest blends of Campos coffee for the caffeine-starved. This is a place to come for food that just tastes and looks great without any of the pretention, and a great place to bring your parents. They'll be impressed with the cute wooden tables and chairs, the exceptionally friendly waitstaff, and the overall happy-go-lucky vibe. Heads up for vegans and vegos alike, you'll be looked after here as there is always a selection of delicious options for you!

Located in Crossley Street in Melbourne's CBD is Becco, a warm and inviting restaurant that's been dishing up some of the city's best Italian food for years. Embodying the Italian spirit of communal dining and rich foods, enjoy a slow-cooked rack of lamb or bowl of fresh pasta, alongside a glass of red wine. Take your date to Becco after a day of shopping, as the two-seater tables, honey-coated mood lighting and happy staff offer a much needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the laneways it resides within.

Friends of Mine is possibly Richmond's most popular brunch venue. What was once a little house on a corner street is now a cosy yet spacious cafe with eclectic interior touches. Friends of Mine dishes up favourites like a brioche roll with scrambled eggs, bacon and chutney, and their toasted banana bread with maple syrup mascarpone, fresh banana, berry compote and pistachio is famous. There's also a substantial lunch offering. Which you may end up eating as the queues on the weekend can be daunting.

Liar Liar is a popular cafe serving one of the best breakfasts in Hawthorn. The baristas do great things with 5 Senses and St Ali coffee, and their magic mochas and freshly squeezed juices are liquid gold. Be aware that there can be a queue on the weekend for the all day breakfast (dreamy, creamy scrambled eggs), and the small selection of lunch items. Grab the paper and a spot on the communal table and settle in for the long haul.

Need a pint of Little Creatures but can't be bothered flying to Fremantle? Pop into the Little Creatures Dining Hall right in the middle of hipster friendly Fitzroy. While sitting in this cavernous warehouse space, enjoy your brew with their ample menu, full of great beer accompaniments such as pizza, burgers and chips. Plus breakfast on the weekends!

St. Edmonds is a cool Melbourne cafe feeding and caffeinating South siders.

Though street-style hawker restaurants are always popping up around Melbourne, Hanoi Hannah – with her traditional Vietnamese food mixed with modern quirk –  is undoubtedly one of the best. Located on High Street in Prahran, Hanoi Hannah dishes up some of Melbourne's best Vietnamese including steaming hot pho, peking duck and ricepaper rolls, alongside tasty combination cocktails and a great beer and wine list. It's casual weeknight dining at its very best, with all of your crunchy, sippy, tasty needs covered, cool surroundings of exposed brick and kooky patterned linens, plus a buzzing (and dog friendly!) atmosphere. They also do brekkie on a Sunday—go the Vietnamese baked eggs!

Flinders Lane plays host to many great restaurants, and the bustling Italian basement known as Cecconi's is no exception. Boasting some of the best wait-staff in Melbourne, whose charm and knowledge of wine and food is second to none, Cecconi's dishes up mouth-watering modern Italian cuisine in a comfortable and elegant dining space.

Circa, at The Prince of Wales Hotel, is considered one of St Kilda's best restaurants. The NYC-chic monochromatic interior is sexy and luxurious, with a variety of seating options including communal tables spread amongst the timbered floors, couches and armchairs in the black tiled bar, and romantic little lovebird booths.  But what is really impressive is the encyclopaedia of wine on offer and the Modern Australian and Japanese inspired cuisine to match. Circa, The Prince is the embodiment of chilled out luxury dining.

With their own tailored blend of Seven Seeds brewing, a fresh and hip layout, and food fit for a king, Dead Man Espresso is a sure-fire hit amongst South Melbourne residents. Like most cafes, there's a selection of communal tables or cute two seaters, but the piece de resistance of Dead Man is their big, open balcony, from where you can indulge in a good old fashioned people watch. Menu items are classic brunch-style with a fresh twist, like smashed avocado with grapefruit, goats cheese, almonds and radish (yum!). Dead Man Espresso will brighten up your breakfast any day of the week.

HuTong Dumpling Bar is famous for dishing up some of the best dumplings in Melbourne's CBD. Go for the dumpling banquet if you're in the mood to chow down, or opt for the peking duck or drunken chicken they're renowned for. Like any good Chinese restaurant, it's less about the décor and the service, and more about the food – so come hungry but also prepared to wait a while for your meal.

Saigon Sally is a popular Melbourne restaurant and bar dishing up modern Vietnamese food to the people of Windsor.

Situated in a giant warehouse off Brunswick's Sydney Road, Code Black is a cafe serving serious coffee and great food. The interior is chic and monochromatic, with exposed iron racks, cement floors and a giant marbled bar that shows off an open kitchen and the selection of tasty takeaways on offer. A great spot for lunch or brunch, there's an all-day breakfast menu, plus salads and sandwiches. Code Black doubles as a roastery, so expect daily changing blends and single origins. You can pick and choose your beans should you need to take some home (and why wouldn't you?!).

Markov is, at its essence, a gastro-pub in Carlton, with all your favourites like wagyu burgers and schnitzels, accompanied by a huge selection of craft and local beers, wines and cocktails. Embodying a sort of rundown, warehouse vibe with its high ceilings, stools and crumbly brick walls, it's a sweet little spot to get a beer and share some plates with mates while you're waiting for a movie at the Cinema Nova up the road, or just to stop by for drinks after work on a Friday.

Right in the middle of the otherwise pho-ridden strip of Victoria Street in Abbotsford is Little Big Sugar Salt, a cafe whose quirk is a breath of fresh air. LBSS is super pretty, with design that kind of speaks Japanese - built in the wall benches, clean lines, cool crockery and under your feet bookshelves where you can find something to read. 

When you enter the unassuming brick building on Barkly Street you're all but blown away by the smell of their freshly roasted house blend, and the mouth watering aroma of all the deliciousness within. There's something about the second venture from the boys who opened A Minor Place that keeps you coming back – spearmint walls, copper piping, communal tables, cosy booths and great big terrariums add to the appeal.

The Grace Darling Hotel is Melbourne's oldest pub and a Smith Street, Collingwood institution. Even though she's old, The Grace Darling behaves like a lady in her prime, with her kooky nautical themed interior, bistro quality menu (she does a famous Sunday roast) and undying dedication to housing great local music. While The Grace Darling has been many a Collingwood local's go-to for a delicious dinner, they do a great lunch special too – for only $15, you get to pick from five different mains (there's a juicy burger, steak, pasta and more) and then wash it down with a Coopers beer.

Husk are collectors. They go far and beyond to source the most beautiful, bespoke creations that will have you flashing your credit card before you can say 'fur coat' (they sell stunning ones if you're so inclined). Embodying a unique air of sophistication tinged with earthy bohemia, Husk has the lot. From clothes, to jewellery, handcrafted homewares and little knick knacks, you'll always find the perfect gift, or a little something for yourself.

You’d totally miss Hell of the North if you weren’t looking for it. If you’re stuck, try hunting for the canary yellow door. Once you get inside, you’re greeted with a cozy wine bistro—all bluestone walls and exposed wood beams—as well as some of the best Australian-French food in Melbourne.

One of Melbourne's trendier pubs and an incredibly established music venue, the Worker's Club has been a Fitzroy institution for many years. Classic, woody interiors make up the the front bar, dining room and band room, which has seen some of Australia's best bands play to sell out crowds. Like any pub worth it's parma there are specials on most weeknights, and they are open for lunch Friday through Sunday, with a huge gastro-pub style menu - Matt Preston rates the shredded pork cigars.

Named for the mythical creature said to live in the Yarra, Ponyfish Island definitely has one of the coolest locations in the city, and is probably the subject of much confusion for Google maps. In the middle of the river, under the pedestrian bridge, Ponyfish dishes out cocktails and bar snacks to the people who can actually find it. Not only is the location a major selling point – big city lights, cool breezes and the like – but the décor is industrial chic, with exposed iron, nautical bits and bobs, and little hanging plants. They're open for brekky too, so you can get a slice of raisin toast while the sun comes up.

The modern Italian cuisine at Richmond's award-winning Church St Enoteca is so good you'll never want to leave. And, with a host of incredible food and drink offerings, you won't have to—Mondays are BYO wine night (including pairing tips from head chef Thiago Miranda), and the menu's latest re-working includes specific recommendations for fructose-free, gluten-free, lactose-free and meat-free diners. Where do we sign up?!  

Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio operates down the South Yarra end of Chapel Street, producing an amazing selection of cakes, desserts, chocolate and ice cream. Owner/Chef Darren Purchese is a confectioner extraordinaire; his finished body of sweet art perfectly balances flavours and textures with all the mouth–watering sugar–inspired elements you can think of. As well as the 'pret-a-manger' delights (the meringues are the business), B&P specialises in special occasion cakes and one-off commissioned pieces. If you can't make it to the store, you can also get your sweet fix online. Heaven sent.

Caffé e Cucina has been dishing up a slice of Italy on Chapel Street in South Yarra for over 25 years. You'll find a cosy and intimate space, charmingly accented waiters, honest and delicious Italian fare, and a generous selection of imported wines, beers and soft drinks. Our pick? The famous spaghetti marinara served in a paper bag. You'll leave Caffé e Cuccina with a full belly, rosy glow and many a 'ciao bella'.

There’s a lot of bars in Windsor, but there’s only one Woods. Nowhere else around here has genuine charm factor—that laid back, leather club chair vibe that looks like it’s been time-warped straight out of the 1930s.