U:L Recommends
Christmas Sorted: The Ultimate Guide Gifting Something Special To Everyone On Your List
Your go-to guides for beauty-lovers, adventure-seekers and everyone in between.
Highlights
Travel
Trout Dip And River Tubing: How Model Katie Muirhead Unwinds In New York State
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.
Features
All For Under $50: The Body Shop Has Your Secret Santas And Stocking Stuffers Sorted
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.
Rest Of The Best
Food & Drink
Sydney’s Hospo Legends On The Importance Of Community
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.
Travel Tips
Here’s How You Can More Than Double Your Annual Leave In 2026
Thanks to those long couple of years we were grounded at home, we’re guessing plenty of you have clocked some serious annual leave days, so why not start thinking ahead and planning your next big adventure?
.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
Features
From Sun-Drenched Sips To Signature Cocktail Stations: How We’ll Be Entertaining This Summer
Sunday seshes, backyard dinners and warm nights that roll into the early hours of the morning—summer hosting season is fast approaching. These are the trends and hacks we're loving for effortless entertaining.
Food & Drink
Old Garage Cafe
Down in the leafy streets of Camberwell, there’s a sleepy little cafe that’s been making some noise in the suburban precinct. Old Garage Cafe which launched back in mid-2020 has made its home out of a former mechanic's garage, the industrial feel of the space with the raw brick interior brings back some of that repair shop charm. Tucked down a side street just off the main drag Old Garage has a very casual feel, a doggo friendly policy also adds to the welcome atmosphere.
Bars & Pubs
Glou
We love a wine down here in Melbourne, and we also love a yarn. So we think you’re going to love the new Glou wine store opening on Smith Street. The team behind Glou are building a community around sustainability and awareness in the wine industry with their part shop, part tasting bar. You can pop in for a chat and a sample, before stocking up on your favourite sustainable drops.
Bars & Pubs
The Provincial Hotel
The Provincial is pretty much the Grand Old Dame of Brunswick St pubs. If you don’t have three stories of loose nights here, you’re not a true Northsider.
Gifts
Greener House Nursery
If you haven’t stopped by Greener House Nursery on Sydney Road in Brunswick yet you’re seriously living your life wrong.
Guest Editors
Melbourne’s Best Sandwiches 2025, According to Bangin’ Sangas’ Ross James Howse
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.
Travel
Antiquing And Baked Apples: How Talent Manager Em Mannswirth Unwinds In New York State
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.
Guest Editors
The World As A Studio: Sophie Coote On How SIR. Finds Its Stories In Cities, Textures And People
Urban List guest editor Sophie Coote gives us a peek behind the curtain at SIR. The Label and shares what inspires her and her collections.
Travel
Lobster Rolls And Long Island Beaches: How Artist Pam Hendry Resets In New York State
New York is a state of great escapes, and Pam Hendry knows it well.
.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
Restaurants
It’s Big, It’s Loud, It’s Kosher & It’s Absolutely Bananas, Shelly Is A Feast For The Senses
From jaunts under the sea to sensory deprivation and Village People-themed discos, this concept-dinner-show-bar-chaos with a two-month waitlist is the most fun you’ll have at the table all year.
Gifts
These 17 Sustainable Gifts Are Your Answer To Conscious Gift Giving
Conscious gifting just got chic. From refillable beauty buys and recycled gold jewellery, these sustainable gifts get our green thumbs up.
Travel
$5 Eats And Three-Star Stunners: Aussie Chef Dave Pynt’s Singapore In 48 Hours
According to Burnt Ends chef Dave Pynt, even a quick stop in Singapore is enough to get out and see the best of the city.
Things To Do
Add To Cal: Your Shortcut To Victoria’s Best Regional Events
With a stacked calendar of festivals and events lighting up regional Victoria, the season’s never looked so good.
.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
News
The Waterside Hotel Is Set To Open This Weekend, Here’s What You Need To Know
Get ready for The Waterside Hotel—a seven-level Flinders Street venue with a rooftop bar, Asian restaurant, and restored 1925 facade.
News
Menulog Is Shutting Down In Australia—Here’s What You Need to Know
In sad news for those who love a couch feed, Menulog has announced it will cease operations in Australia.
Features
Dusty Boots And Disco Balls: What’s Behind Australia’s Country Comeback?
We’re saddling up and showing you how to ride the wave of the country revival, Aussie style.
Sustainability
Feeling Gross About Your Food Scraps? This Is How Our Team Reduces Waste In The Kitchen
Picking up new habits can be hard, especially with things as routine as throwing scraps in the bin, so we asked our team for their best advice.
Food & Drink
From Stale Bread To Sad Veggies: 5 Recipes To Help You Cut Down On Food Waste At Home
Got a drawer of wilting veggies? Bread that's seen better days? Give your ingredients a second life with one of these easy recipes.
.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
Features
Is There An Ethical Way To Eat Meat? This Aussie Company Reckons So…
Fancy foie gras? The stigma long associated with what's regarded as the pinnacle of haute cuisine might have gone out the window with this lab-grown solution.
Entertainment
Keli Holiday’s New Record Capital Fiction Will Reintroduce The Loved-Up Rockstar To The World
Fresh off the release of his new single Ecstasy, the musician shares the inspiration behind the new album's romantic ballads and synthy dance bops and why he handed over the record release schedule to his fans.
Things To Do
The Ultimate Guide To Designing A Trending Kitchen That Matches Your Vibe In 2025
From morning brews to late night snacks, the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it's important to get it right.
.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
Features
It’s Time We Expected More From The Brands We Love—Here’s Why
More than ever, we don't just want our values to be reflected in brands' messaging, we want to see them in practice, from the shop floor to HQ.
.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
Restaurants
A Lick Of Paint & A Complete Concept Overhaul For Toddy Shop, Tropp Reckons
In a matter of months, Fitzroy’s Toddy Shop, as we know it, will be no more.
Features
Conscious Consumption: How To Shop Your Values, According To Our Team
Shopping your values can be easier said than done, so we asked our team for their best advice on putting your money where your mouth is.
Food & Drink
Crack Into These Egg-Fuelled Recipes Making Positive Change This October
Listen up, egg-lovers, protein-fiends and home cooks alike. World Egg Day (11 October) is approaching, and this year, it’s so much more than just a runny, golden yolk on your avo toast.
Markets & Food Events
This Hunky Ex-MasterChef Duo Has Decided Melbourne Deserves Better Cookies
If you’ve been sensing a distinct lack of excitement in Melbourne’s cookie scene, you’re not alone. While our city boasts an enviable lineup of pastry maestros and artisanal ice cream, the humble cookie has often been left as an afterthought on the cafe counter.
News
The Trompo-Roasted Al Pastor Taco Of Your Dreams Is In A Moody Chinatown Den
A mysterious laneway door, marked only by a neon dingo head. Behind it? The best tacos this side of the Pacific.
Features
Go-To Brekkies, Leftover Lunches And Creative Dinners: Alex Crisp Shares A Week In Her Kitchen
What does a MasterChef cook in their own home? We asked Alex Crisp for a look inside her kitchen.
Features
The Lambros Army On Running, Resilience And Raising Funds
Following on from their mammoth run across Australia in 2024, the pair have just wrapped up a run across the entire length of the UK—making them the first brothers to achieve such a feat.
News
Vacancy Rates Down, Flagships Up, Melbourne’s Had A Massive Retail Glow-Up
Melbourne's retail game is (back) alive, with an influx of international traders rushing to the CBD amid vacancy rates dropping to a new low.
.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
Things To Do
The Future Of Work: These Are The Skill Shifts That Will Define The Next Decade
We asked a careers coach how to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape of work.
Guest Editors
Purposeful Leisure: Meg Washington And Nick Waterman Are Finding Creative Freedom On The Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has long been embraced for its relaxed, beachy life, but the coastal city is also Australia’s movie industry hub.
Things To Do
Chasing A Promotion? Here’s Your Step-By-Step Game Plan
We've got the inside scoop and when and how to secure your next big gig.
News
Decade-Strong Institution Reopens, Serving Up Silky Fukuoka-Style Ramen
Beneath Gimlet is a subterranean shrine dedicated to a silky, region-specific ramen that will have you coming back time and time again.
Guest Editors
“The Art Becomes The Artifact”: Meg Washington And Nick Waterman On Telling Australian Stories
The creative couple and long-time collaborators have always been drawn to movies and music that hold a mirror up to who we are as Australians—the good, the bad, the fraught, the collective.
.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
News
The Marameo Crew Are Bringing A Very Greek Bar To A Very Swanky Suburb
Bar Sophia will bring a breath of fresh Athenian air to the southside.
Food & Drink
A Local’s Guide To Living (And Eating) Well In Brunswick
An inner-north 'burb crawling with culture, Brunswick is home to some of the best bars, coffee and food Melbourne has to offer.
Features
Don’t Get Caught Out: Your State By State Guide To Daylight Savings
Daylight savings. The twice-yearly moment that divides the nation. Some of us cheer for those extra golden hours at the pub, others mourn the sleep-in they just lost (or gained). And some of us don’t bother with it all (looking at you, Queensland). Either way, it’s coming. Here's what you need to know.
News
It’s Negroni Week, Here’s Where To Sip Hot Riffs On This Bitter Icon
It’s the most refreshing time of year: spring has finally sprung and it’s time for Negroni Week.
What's On
Late-Night Greek, A Haunted House & Sunny Park Hangs: Fringe Comics Share Their Top Recs
Nearly three thousand independent, ambitious artists—in more than 500 events—are at this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival. As they take to the stage, the aim is to entertain, titillate and astonish, perhaps even provoke, challenge or stun.
News
Latin American Fine Diner Makes Way For Wine Bar & Boutique Bottle-O
It takes a lot of courage to up-stumps when you know something isn't working, and that's what one of Melbourne's best chefs has done with his Latin American passion project.
Features
The Learning Curve: Your Guide To Getting Future-Ready
Feeling wobbly about the future of work? You're not alone.
.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
Features
This Actor-Turned-Chef Is Redefining Supper Clubs With Immersive Pop-Ups
When was the last time you felt immersed in a meal? Gathered with strangers and tried something unique? Heard the story of dishes created especially for you?
News
Mid Air Closes After Less Than A Year, Prepares For Elevated Med Rebrand
Summer '24 hit Mid Air has closed its doors less than a year after it opened.
Things To Do
Chappell Roan Is Headlining Laneway Festival 2026
Laneway Festival 2026 lineup brings Chappell Roan, Wolf Alice, PinkPantheress, BENEE & more to stages across Australia and New Zealand.
Wellness
Melbourne’s Epic Docklands-Based Sauna Boat Is Ready To Set Sail
Melbourne is getting a little taste of Tasmania, with the city’s very-own Sauna Boat set to open this weekend.
Features
Rise Of The Unorthodox Cooks: Meet The Young Guns Flipping The Script On Home Cooking
How untrained and unorthodox home cooks are ushering in a new wave of food enthusiasts.
We’re Obsessed With This Food Truck Serving Istanbul’s Famous Soggy Burger
This market-based food truck is serving up the next viral trend you're about to see in your feeds: soggy burgers. We're betting Melbourne's gonna go wild.
Food & Drink
Is Banana Pudding Melbourne’s Next Sleeper Menu Fad?
Just like New York—where Sex and the City-famous Magnolia Bakery made tubs of banana pudding go viral—Melbourne is now hopping aboard the trend.
News
The Best Retro Desserts In Melbourne To Take You Back in Time
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.
News
First Look: Melbourne’s $7M Brewery In The ‘Burbs Making Stout ‘Better Than Guinness’
Cheers to that! An enormous 1200sqm, $7 million-dollar brewery in the heart of Chadstone’s The Social Quarter precinct, is set to open next month, serving more than a dozen unique craft brews.
Features
Cumbé Has Landed in Brunswick, Serving Mexico City–Style Tortas & Seriously Good Coffee
At Cumbé, Mexico City meets Melbourne over coffee and a sandwich. Specifically, tortas, one of Mexico City’s everyday pleasures.
Features
From Cafés To Community Hubs: The Black-Owned Businesses Driving Culture And Community Right Now
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.
Things To Do
Collingwood’s Boutique Cinema Eclipse Is Really To Roll—And Yes, It’s Fully Licensed
Book in your tix for this single-screen, 64-seat charmer with daily sessions from 11am, late shows on weekends, a licensed bar—and house-made choc tops plus Pat & Stick’s ice-creams.
Features
Melbourne’s Newest Food Obsession? Onigiri. Here’s Where To Try It
There’s nothing more comforting than a ball of sticky rice, seasoned perfectly and stuffed with pickles, egg, meat or even just a spot of tinned fish.
Things To Do
How To Navigate Now Or Never Festival: Your Must-See Guide For 2025
Returning for a third year Now or Never has made a clear mark as Melbourne’s freshest festival of bold art and new ideas. Here's what to catch, and even a hot tip for a freebie.
News
Melbourne’s Best Adana Kebab Is Scoring A Brick & Mortar Home In The City’s West
At the end of the 19 tramline are adana kebabs people travel far and wide for, waiting patiently as the intoxicating smell of spiced lamb and charcoal wafts from the Coburg North food truck, which is finding its very own brick and mortar home.
Features
Why Is Everyone Obsessed With Labubus & Where To Throw Some Money At One
With the highly anticipated debut of Pop Mart's flagship in Melbourne, the city’s love affair with eccentric collectibles has reached a fever pitch. And this time, it’s all about Labubus—the adorably fanged monster with a name that sounds like you’re accidentally summoning a demon.
Features
Australian Rock Stalwarts Bad//Dreems Reflect On Masculinity, Music And HoMie’s New Store Sessions
Off the back of their performance at HoMie's new Tiny Desk-inspired Store Sessions, Bad//Dreems chat to music writer Ben Madden about playing stripped-back music, writing a new record and finding rapport with a certain ilk of Aussie male.
Travel
Astro-Tourism Is Skyrocketing: Here’s Where Aussies Are Going to Stargaze Right Now
Astro-tourism is the latest travel craze. From dark-sky parks to luxury bubble retreats, explore family-friendly stargazing spots across Australia.
Restaurants
Otakoï Brings UNESCO-Listed Borshch & Ukrainian Soul To Chapel Street
Fancy a UNESCO-listed soup? At Otakoï on Chapel Street, dishes like borshch (a “Ukrainian icon”) are given pride of place by co-owner Hanna Kachura.
Restaurants
Westside’s New Three-Storey Thai-Themed Hotspot Is An All Night, All Day Affair
A cafe, a moody Thai restaurant, and one of the only rooftop bars in the inner west—all in one.
Restaurants
Everything You Need To Know About Tom Sarafian’s Restaurant Zareh
Inspired by his grandfather, Tom Sarafian’s first restaurant Zareh is set to open in a matter of days, serving delicate cuisine inspired by Armenia and Lebanon.
U:L Recommends
Here’s How To Wear ‘90s Style And Keep It Fresh In 2025
Fashion fades, denim is forever. It’s a saying that’s testament to our enduring love fest over the wardrobe staple that is the humble Levi's jean.
Travel
These Are The Sights, Scents And Flavours That Define A Trip To Brisbane
Next-gen artists lighting up the city, tropical islands, ancient rainforests and sun-soaked afternoons await.
Features
It’s The Dish On Everyone’s Lips, But Where Can You Find A Beef Wellington In Melbourne?
For reasons we all know, the not-so-humble Beef Wellington has been courting attention, so where can you actually try one?
Fam
Why A Disney Cruise Should Be At The Top Of Your Bucket List
Your go-to guide for maximising your time on-board.
Wellness
This Ultra Luxe Wellness Club Has Its Very Own Rooftop Sauna & Biohacking Suite
South Melbourne is about to score a serious new wellness flex with the arrival of Saint Black.
.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
Features
Making The Switch: The Most Common EV Myths, And Why They’re Not True
The only thing standing between you and your next-gen ride is a bunch of outdated misconceptions—so we're debunking them for you.
Travel
Collingwood Captain Darcy Moore’s Guide To Aussie Exploration
When he's off the field, Darcy Moore's finding his next favourite plate, place and pour across Australia.
Features
This Country Pub Has A Little City Twist & We’re Here For Their Cast Iron Cookie
After quietly closing at the end of 2024, the Yackandandah Hotel—affectionately known as ‘The Bottom Pub’—has reopened, helmed by a top-tier Melbourne chef.
News
Afloat Turns 10 This Year & Their New Theme Is All About The Party
Saúde! Melbourne’s favourite floating party palace, Afloat, is back for its 10th season on the Yarra and this time, they’re ditching Melbourne for the golden beaches and samba beats of Rio de Janeiro.
Features
Meet Bookatini, The New Bookclub Serving Up Pasta & Reads By The Plateload
Whether you’re a literature buff swooning over the likes of Mr Darcy, wading through the mysteries of Hill House, or simply a sucker for a good antipasto, this unique bookclub is unrivaled in Melbourne’s current novel landscape.
Features
Tommy Casha On The Power Of Good Chats And Finding Time For Mates
We all need connection, but sometimes it's easier said than done. So we asked "full-time chatter" Tommy Casha for his advice on getting through.
Features
How Roberta Pecoraro Turns Mid-Week Chaos Into Heartfelt Moments On A Plate
We all know the five love languages—but for model and home cook Roberta Pecoraro, there’s one missing: cooking.
Travel
Eat Your Way Through Texas With 8 Food Spots You Can’t Miss
To understand Texas, you need to eat your way through it. And thanks to this guide, you'll know exactly where to go when you take the holy trip down to the Lone Star State.
Food & Drink
Matcha And Farm-To-Table Feeds: Collingwood Captain Darcy Moore’s Top Melbourne Haunts
We asked Collingwood Captain Darcy Moore where he hits when he’s off the field and heading out in his hometown.
News
Iconic Chef Shannon Bennett Is Back On The Tools—But Only For A Good Time, Not A Long Time
You’ve seen him on MasterChef, you’ve probably drooled over his food—and now renowned Aussie chef Shannon Bennett is back in his hometown, slinging stripped-back but seriously cheffy dishes in Fitzroy.
Features
Is Ceremonial Matcha Better Than Premium? Not Always, Especially For Your Morning Brew
Melbourne's matcha scene has been flooded with ceremonial grade tea, but among global price hikes and long processing times, experts say it's not right for your daily brew. Here's what to look for in your morning matcha and our favourite spots.
Local Escapes
You Can Now Stay Overnight At These Thermal Springs Thanks To Their Dreamy New Villas
Peninsula fave Alba Thermal Springs and Spa has just launched a brand-new on-site accommodation offering: The Sanctuary—a collection of hilltop villas overlooking the lush surrounds of Fingal.
Restaurants
Pasta Legends Tipo 00 Are Bringing Us A New Restaurant—But This One Is Different
The crew that brought us Tipo 00 are back at it again with their fifth restaurant, but this one is noticeably different.
Bakeries & Delis
Tarts Anon Has Opened A Slick New Richmond Flagship—And Yes, All Your Faves Are Back
After weathering the unexpected loss of its Cremorne HQ with just four weeks’ notice, cult-favourite Tarts Anon has made a triumphant return—this time with a new light-filled flagship on Church Street in Richmond.
.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
U:L Recommends
How Keely Bradley’s Love Of Secondhand Fashion Has Coloured Her Life
Expert colour combinations, chronic illness and an ingrained love for anything vintage.
Features
5 Of The Most Common Home Buying Hurdles, And How To Avoid Them
We're breaking down five of the most common hurdles first-home buyers face, and how to tackle them like a pro.
Things To Do
Melbourne’s Answer To Crazy Horse Drops Two Salacious New Shows
Feeling like the Melbourne nightlife is looking a little samey-samey? Us too, there’s are only so many tucked away wine bars and eateries you can adventure to for date night, so why not try something a little different.
Features
These Are The 5 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make—these are the questions you should ask yourself first.
.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ar=3:2&wdpr=2&q=40&=1100)
News
This CBD Boozer’s $12M Glow-Up Gives A Whole New Meaning To Bar Hopping
Remember The Crafty Squire on the corner of Russell and Little Collins? The iconic venue has had a bangin' renovation and is now serving up a stunning city-view rooftop and boozy slushies.
City Guides
Possum Bao, Puppet Confessionals And Nude Plunges: Everything To Expect From Your First Dark Mofo
In the black of winter, Dark Mofo returns with a vengeance to cast its red glow across Hobart. For the uninitiated, Dark Mofo is Mona’s midwinter flourish, a festival of music, performance, visual arts and flavour.
Food & Drink
Dubai’s Most Famous Chocolate Is Now In Melbourne—Here’s Where To Get It
There’s something deeply fulfilling about breaking into a bar of the Viral Dubai chocolate—the crisp snap of a perfectly tempered block, the slow melt of velvety chocolate on your tongue. If you’ve seen Kourtney Kardashian breaking apart her Kit Kats in that oddly satisfying way, you’ll love the Viral Dubai chocolate for the same reason.
News
First Look: II.II.VI—Ministry Of Crab Crew Unveil Moody, Smoky Basement Restaurant
Melbourne’s culinary scene is about to get smoky and seductive with the arrival of II.II.VI (Two-Two-Six), a 115-seat modern Australian restaurant from the crew who brought us Ministry of Crab.
News
Melbourne’s Biggest Wellness Hub Just Dropped—It’s Got A Bathhouse, Co-Working & 200 Weekly Classes
The Commons is rewriting the work-life balance playbook with a luxe Richmond wellness hub repping 200+ weekly classes and a next-level bathhouse—complete with magnesium pools, ice plunges, and even a wellness concierge.
Features
This Nostalgic Throwback Is Serving Up Roast Dinners Just Like We Had When We Were Kids
Carvery has taken us right back to the 90s with their supreme offering of roast meats, fresh salads and takeaway rolls. Expect Victorian proteins by weight, a daily salad bar, fresh house-made rolls dripping in gravy and a grocery section at this Toorak soon-to-be-staple.