Winter long weekend

Rug up and roam on a long weekend in Melbourne this winter. Leaf through bookshops and basement bazaars or drop by bars and pubs with cosy couches and flickering fireplaces.

Wander undercover via Victorian arcades. Browse independent boutiques and big brands. Stop for cheese, craft brews and gin joints before diving into steaming bowls of spicy pho and cocktails after dark.

Friday night

Start your weekend like a local, with a Pellegrini's coffee on Bourke Street, before threading through laneways packed with artworks. Linger at Lillian’s euro-style brasserie or dial up the dining over sister venue Society’s curated a la carte menu. If you prefer something spicy, head for the buzz of MoVida Next Door’s Spanish wine and tapas, or tuck into native flavour-filled share plates at Federation Square’s Big Esso.

Cross through Fed Square and over the Yarra River, to join the steady flow of pedestrians along Southbank Promenade. Take in twinkling views of the city lights and shimmering reflections.

Slip into the NGV Friday Nights for an evening line-up of local talent, and enjoy after-hours access to exhibitions paired with drinks, DJs and French-inspired desserts. Arts aficionados consider a trip in early June to kick off winter with Melbourne’s newest arts festival Rising 2022.

If you’re more in the mood for a cocktail masterclass, stop by legendary 1806 bar, or let the bar-person know what you love so they can work their mixology magic for you.

Later, grab a quick bite at a late-night diner. Slurp pho until sunrise at Straight Outta Saigon eatery, or find burgers, yakitori and toasties 24/7 at Butcher's Diner. Stop in at Bomba's rooftop bar for some music and city views, or pop into Byrdi for native-ingredient nibbles and cocktails until late.

Saturday morning

Feast your way through Queen Victoria Market. You'll find food halls and market sheds loaded with buyers, sellers and fresh produce, locally made goods and great coffee. As you discover deli stands and bakery counters, flower stalls and food courts, don't miss local favourites The American Doughnut Kitchen and the borek and bratwurst shops.

Slept in? Take it easy with brunch at Manchester Press on Rankins Lane – a laneway cafe in the city’s heart. After 12 noon, head to the deli at Farmer's Daughters. Hole up with a coffee and a good read.

Saturday afternoon

Wrap yourself up in a stylish Melbourne-made scarf and take the tram down St Kilda Road to Melbourne's green heart: the Royal Botanic Gardens. Then stroll to South Wharf along the Yarra for LUME’s dazzling digital display of Van Gogh’s masterpieces. TOMA’s all-day menu may tempt you on the way.

Want more to explore? Eureka Skydeck delivers winner 360-degree Melbourne views. ACMI’s collection Light: Works from Tate’s Collection illuminates 200 years of art history or dig deeper back in time at Melbourne Museum the Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs exhibition, just a short walk from the CBD, through Carlton Gardens.

A quick meander from the museum lines up theatregoers for tonight’s curtain call. Off Exhibition Street, pop into basement bar Juliet for cocktails and bar bites or wine and dine bistro-style in Bar Margaux. C'est magnifique!

Saturday night

Booked your seat in Melbourne's East End Theatre District? See Hamilton or Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – now playing.

For more pre-show menus, check out Italian fine diner Grill Americano or circle back to 80 Collins for Tokyo-inspired Yakimono. CBD wine bar Embla raises the roof with a wonderful wine selection. And if it’s late dinner you’re after, get your fill of barbecued bites at Belle's Hot Chicken, Fancy Hanks or Le Bon Ton.

Sunday morning

Jump on a tram to nearby neighbourhoods, and explore leafy streets, cafes and patisseries, record stores, wine bars and boutiques. Discover Carlton Gardens; Rose St Artist's Market, Collingwood Yards arts precinct, Gertrude and Brunswick streets in Fitzroy; and Smith Street, Collingwood.

Sunday afternoon

Winter Sundays in Melbourne are for roasts and wine-matched long lunches. Check blackboards at Neighbourhood Wine, The Estelle or Marquis of Lorne for warming specials or kick back over a sharing menu at Old Palm Liquor in Brunswick East.

Sidestep the sidewalk to explore covered heritage arcades in the CBD. Head to St. Collins Lane for fashion’s latest collections, stop at the Block and Royal arcades for chocolatiers and jewellers. Take flyovers connecting Melbourne Central to Emporium and Bourke St malls. Cross to Centre Place and Degraves for cafes and Flinders Lane for the best boutiques.

Sunday evening

Ease into Sunday evening at a relaxed bar with top-notch food. Take your pick of HER Bar, Gimlet at Cavendish House or Bar Liberty – and join the great debate: is it a bar or a restaurant? With food, wine and cocktails this good, we're happy to keep searching until we find the answer.