Food & wine

Experience Melbourne's mix of cultures in its myriad restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. Whether you're after modern, traditional, exotic or homespun flavours – Melbourne's eclectic dining scene offers a startling array of the world's great cuisines, from popular favourites to the truly groundbreaking.

Share a drink while snacking on high end tapas in a laneway eatery, take on a Szechuan chilli dish in Chinatown, or break out of the CBD and discover the city's specialist eating destinations – Richmond for Vietnamese, Carlton's 'Little Italy', Fitzroy for Spanish and Brunswick for Lebanese.

Highlights

The Premises
The Premises may have a formal moniker but it's full of homely touches. Set on a leafy corner in Melbourne's west, it's full of vintage lamps...
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Riverland
Walk down from Princes Bridge and join the merry throng along the banks of the Yarra River. Grab a beer, hit the BBQ and watch the boats go by.
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The LuWow
In the mood for an island adventure? Once you′re through the gates of The LuWow, you′ll feel as though you′ve stepped into another...
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The Pound
This hip, slick and cosy little cafe is home to a very hardworking coffee machine (delivering over 1000 shots daily), and a diverse menu that keeps...
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GAS Eatery and Supplies
Even in a cafe market as competitive as South Melbourne's, GAS stands out from the crowd. The vegetarian breakfast options have won several awards...
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The Waiting Room
Celebrity chef Neil Perry's first Melbourne bar, T. W. R, oozes style and sophistication. Holding court in the Crown Complex, The Waiting Room boasts...
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Trunk
Stow away food and wine to your heart's content at this spacious restaurant, diner and bar boasting one of the CBD's largest outdoor courtyards.
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Birdman Eating
Two things we know about Birdman Eating that may or may not be linked: it has attractive staff and it's always busy. Apart from coffee that people...
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Grossi Florentino, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Ombra
You say salami, we say salumi, but whatever you want it's all here. Drop in for salted meats of all kinds along with a glass of stellar Italian red.
Little Hunter
It's organic, you know. Spend an evening at this grill house kitchen schooled in the art of contemporary holistic dining and taste the difference.
Cumulus Up
Kick back and sample the best of local and European wines in the designer interiors of this loft-style bar from the award-winning Cumulus Inc. team.
Shebeen
Drink to the future at the newly opened Shebeen – a non-profit bar that sends profits back to aid projects in each drink's country of origin.
Milk the Cow
Impress a date at this late night fromagerie and choose from over 70 cheeses, expertly matched with a range of local and international wines.
BangPop
Concede the busy-ness of the Chao Praya River for the Yarra but make no compromise on the authenticity of Thai street food at BangPop on South Wharf.
Happy Palace
Loosen your belt and let out a sigh of relief that it's okay to love lemon chicken and prawn crackers again at the super-kitsch Happy Palace.
Tonka
Venture down to the site of the old Honky Tonks and let the team behind Asian-fusion hotspot, Coda, tempt you with their new Indian-inspired menu.

What's On

May 2013
Good Beer Week
Raise a glass or two to the growing crop of microbreweries at Good Beer Week, featuring showcases, tastings, masterclasses, and even beer brekkies.
May 2013
Melbourne International Coffee Expo
Join the experts in celebrating the the bean and the beverage, and see the competition heat up at World Barista Championships and World Brewer's Cup.
May 2013
Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular
The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS) is a beer festival with a difference, celebrating the diversity of craft beer and the creativity of...
May 2013
Good Beer Week – Beer and Wine, When Worlds Collide
Whether it be barrel finishing, yeast usage or the use of grapes there is an ever increasing range of products that blur the lines between where the...
May 2013
Of Earth and Vine
Come to the next Mr Mason Wine and Dine Weekend event as Victorian producers Bronwyn and Geoff Dobson share tales about the humble potato. Then,...
May 2013
Antique Apple Tastings@Pettys Orchard
In order to increase the variety of apples available for tasting, The Heritage Fruit Society will run tastings every fortnight at Petty's Orchard. -...