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Your trusty Entertainment Editor's monthly recommendations to save the hours of trailer-surfing.

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.

 With a stacked calendar of festivals and events lighting up regional Victoria this winter, the season’s never looked so good.

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.

We're cutting the niceties and sharing with you our picks for the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast in 2025.

Discover the top 10 villas in Canggu, Bali, handpicked for luxury, comfort, and stunning views. Explore beachfront, private pool, and modern villas perfect for your 2025 Bali getaway.

Whether you love the classics or a modernised take on the anime genre, there’s something for everyone. Here are the best anime shows streaming on Netflix.

If there’s one genre we can’t get enough of for a binge session, it’s crime. From gripping detective dramas to chilling serial killer series, these 32 Netflix crime shows will have you hooked.

Hawthorn’s swish new Japanese-style laneway listening bar is more than just a shrine to vintage hifi. Beyond the wall of vinyl and whisky bottles, and the eye-catching seasonal cocktails, is a fridge of ever-changing sake awaiting discovery.

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.

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.

Globally renowned New York cocktail bar Death & Co is coming to Australia, and they’re set to completely change the way you drink. 

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

Beneath Gimlet is a subterranean shrine dedicated to a silky, region-specific ramen that will have you coming back time and time again.

Two-hatted fine-diner Audrey’s in Sorrento is gearing up for a glow-up, rebranding as Ember as the Scott Pickett Group brings in administrators to reset and refresh the business.

Remember the Golden Square car park? Wipe it from your memory. This spring, that concrete slab on Lonsdale Street is transforming into Spiegel Haus Melbourne, a dazzling, two-level entertainment precinct designed to be your summer destination for a cack and a cocktail.

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 19 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.

Bar Sophia will bring a breath of fresh Athenian air to the southside.

For eight years, it has stood behind scaffolding—a silent promise on the corner of Flinders and King Streets. This November, the finally wraps come off.

It’s the most refreshing time of year: spring has finally sprung and it’s time for Negroni Week.

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.

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.

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?

Never mind the rides and the showbags. The main reason to get excited about the Melbourne Royal Show is the food. And no, we’re not talking toffee apples and fairy floss, but the smorgasbord of street eats from some of Melbourne’s best-known food trucks, cafes and diners that gets bigger and more diverse every year.

Melbourne is getting a little taste of Tasmania, with the city’s very-own Sauna Boat set to open this weekend.

We’re pretty lucky in Victoria, we definitely have some of Australia’s best country pubs. Big, grand old dames, or ramshackle, quirky little numbers with plenty of nooks and crannies. Victoria’s Best Country pubs are tough to nail down. Is it the vibe, is it solid gigs, where does food fit into the equation? What about a bangin’ wine list, because that certainly exists too.

Fed up with the dreaded “Are we there yet?” echoing from the back seat? If one more car journey soundtracked by cocomelon and the smudge of a ketchupy finger on your last clean device is your final straw, we’ve got you. It’s time to swap screen time for scene time.

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.

You might think Brunswick East's Lygon Street has it all, but this new venue is going to be the addition we didn't know it needed. From the acclaimed restaurateur behind Lygon Street favourite, Etta, comes a charming neighbourhood local that might just be your new go-to. 

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.

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. 

Consider this your all-access pass to the country’s most humble hidden gems and family-run faves that are serving serious flavour across regional Australia. 

Not to get you stressed but Father’s Day is fast approaching… it’s September 7th for those who are freaking out thinking it was 3 months away—don’t worry that was us this morning. Forgot to pick up something for Dad? Not sure where to spend the big day to celebrate? We have got you covered with everything you need to know before the day of all things Dad arrives. 

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.

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.

At Cumbé, Mexico City meets Melbourne over coffee and a sandwich. Specifically, tortas, one of Mexico City’s everyday pleasures.

The Gold Coast light rail has already changed the way we move once, and Stage 3 is set to take things even further.

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.

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. 

Fire up the group chat and start brainstorming your doof stick designs, because Victoria’s hottest NYE festival is returning with a cracking line-up. And it tastes a lot like Diet Pepsi. 

“Get a room,” they said—so we did.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For years, Sydney’s biggest buzzkill hasn’t been the lockouts, it’s been the logistics. The good news? Transport upgrades and new late-night reforms are slowly being introduced, which are about to make your Saturday night commute a whole lot less of a headache. 

For reasons we all know, the not-so-humble Beef Wellington has been courting attention, so where can you actually try one?

Will East Brunswick Village ever stop? The latest addition to the hub's smorgasbord of offering is the much-hyped Korean spot, Dodam.

Clear your calendars—MECCA’s game-changing Bourke Street flagship store's opening is imminent and we're betting those queues will be crazy.

South Melbourne is about to score a serious new wellness flex with the arrival of Saint Black.

Somewhere between smashed avo and artisanal gelato, Melbourne rediscovered its love for the humble fro-yo. Suddenly, those self-serve swirl bars are everywhere again with half of Melbourne wandering the streets clutching those telltale mini tubs—their contents barely visible under mountains of toppings.

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.

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.

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.

Grab your sunnies (and perhaps a seasickness pill) ‘cause whale watching season is upon us. 

Global celebrations dedicated to a classic pasta dish? Sure, we’re in.

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.

Formerly reserved for snacking, or maybe the odd sprinke on top of a cannoli, pistachio has come a long way, ingratiating itself with chefs and patissiers alike. Now, it's impossible to find a menu without it.

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.

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.

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.

Pssst... Word is that there is a GLO up on Lygon Street (that is, a new GLO Gelateria of course!). The owners of the beloved Universal Restaurant on Lygon Street are taking a step into the dessert realm, and we are here for it.

The crew that brought us Tipo 00 are back at it again with their fifth restaurant, but this one is noticeably different.

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. 

One year after her initial diagnosis, we chatted to Sophie about resilience and hope, revealing how she regained control of her health, reshaped her mindset and found strength in MSWA

Rainy day? School holidays? Just need to get the kids out of the house before they climb the walls (or you do)? Melbourne’s packed with indoor play centres that go way beyond your average ball pit. 

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.

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.

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. 

Perth—your time has come. Metronet is the quiet revolution changing how we get around.

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. 

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.

Tiramisu —literally “pick me up” in Italian—more than lives up to its name, with a mood-boosting trifecta of coffee, sugar, and creamy decadence. While its traditional recipe (and origin) are hotly contested we do know one thing, Melbourne has some bangin' iterations.

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.

From mind-bending installations to boundary-pushing performances, here’s your guide to the standout events you won’t want to miss.

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.

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.

What was created on a kitchen bench has become one of Melbourne’s most heartfelt jewellery brands. Now, they’re bringing their sentimental, custom pieces—and Lebanese hospitality—to one of the city’s most premier addresses.

Melbourne's biggest transport shake-up since the City Loop is about to change cross-city travel for the better.

Love K-BBQ? It’s time for J-BBQ. Yakiniku, meaning ‘grilled meat’, is at the heart of Japanese BBQ experience, and there's no shortage of places to find it in Melbourne. 

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.

Hold onto your hearts, Melbourne—the world’s most adorable gang is about to make its grand entrance! The long-awaited Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, after much speculation, has finally swung open its doors, bringing the whimsical world of Sanrio to life in an Australian first-of-its-kind immersive dining experience. And yes, it’s as adorable as it sounds.

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.

Melbourne’s affair with wine is about to get a transformation. Melbourne Winery, housed in the historic Ross House on Flinders Lane, is where traditional artisanship meets metropolitan elegance.

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.

When midnight cravings hit, Melbourne’s late-night dining scene delivers. From steaming bowls of Cantonese noodles to New York-style pizza slices, these late-night restaurants in Melbourne keep the city fed long after dark.

Melbourne’s doughnut game just got a serious upgrade. Joey’s Doughies, the brainchild Joe La and Brian Taing, is set to open in the QV Foodhall.

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.

Ever been at the kids’ play centre and thought, ‘I wish there was a little more here for me?’ Well, you’re not the only one. Hoopla has opened as Australia’s first ‘parent’ focused kids indoor play centre and family outing spot (read: there’s a grown-ups menu). 

Roll up, roll up. It’s time for this week’s New Zealand food news. Hot off the press (or should we say, toastie press) are all the tasty tidbits you need to know. 

One of Brisbane's most eclectic neighbourhoods, you'll find more flavours than your fork can handle in West End. 

To celebrate the launch of their slick new wine cabinet range, Vintec are giving you the chance to host the dinner party of your dreams with Decant and Dine. 

Here are all our favourite ways to celebrate the spooky season this year... if you dare.

Our pick of the best bars in Sydney right now—and what to drink when you’re there.

There’s more to Palm Beach than just sun-kissed shores and epic surf breaks—it's a gem for coffee lovers and brunch fanatics alike. 

To help get your viewing session started, we’ve picked out the best shows and movies on Paramount+.

Explore Tasmania's most romantic getaways, from cozy retreats with ocean views to luxurious lodges in secluded wilderness areas.

After a long wait, the beloved local on the corner of Altona Street and Kensington Road has finally returned, and it’s bigger and brighter than ever. The Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre, known fondly as Kenny Rec, has finally unveiled its massive transformation, and on Sunday, 28 September, the community showed up in force to celebrate what feels like the return of a much-missed friend.

A mysterious laneway door, marked only by a neon dingo head. Behind it? The best tacos this side of the Pacific.