melbourne CBD

Marmelo

Restaurant

A Portuguese restaurant from a powerhouse Sydney hospo couple, with views out over Russell Street. Come for elevated takes on Iberian classics (with an emphasis on Victorian produce), then head downstairs to sibling bar Mr Mills for a nightcap.

Soi 38

Restaurant

This Thai street-food spot is a cult Melbourne fave. Brave the queues for pad krapow, aromatic boat noodles, spicy papaya salads, crying tiger (slow-cooked and grilled beef brisket), mixed Thai hotpot and more.

Silk Spoon

Restaurant

Lee Ho Fook chef Victor Liong turns his attention to flavours from central Asia, northern India and the Middle East in lunchtime salads, dumplings and rice bowls.

R Harn

Restaurant

At R Harn, the duo behind beloved Thai restaurant Soi 38 have turned their attention to the Malay-influenced cuisine of southern Thailand. Come for stir-fries, dry curries and familiar noodle dishes with a southern spin.

Askal

Restaurant

A team of seasoned hospo pros, including ex-Lume and Sunda chef John Rivera, are behind this unadultered Filipino restaurant. Try elevated takes on Filipino mainstays including sisig, lechon and halo-halo.

Doju

Restaurant

Here, owner-chef Mika Chae (a distant relative of chef Jung Eun Chae) draws inspiration from top Korean restaurants and modern Australian fare. Come for marron with garlic butter, or Korean hwae (a Jeju Island-style raw fish dish).

Liyin

Cafe

The Cantonese rice rolls are better at the first Australian outpost for the popular Chinese franchise. Here, cheung fun is made-to-order and comes with fillings beyond the yum cha classics.

Tori’s

Cafe

It feels like your grandma’s lounge room – in the best way. And in true grandma style, it’s nailed the art of afternoon tea. Go for Japanese shortcake and Basque burnt cheesecake by the slice, plus topnotch matcha and matcha madeleines.

Patricia

Cafe

Good coffee with no fanfare.

Le Yeahllow

Cafe

The creators of a future-classic puppy cake dessert have opened their third shop in the old Black Star Pastry site in Melbourne’s CBD. Come for the signature puppy cake, plus a surrealist mandarin number and an exclusive chocolate dessert.

Hector’s Deli CBD

Cafe

Hector's Deli brings its North American-style sangas to the city suits at its fourth Melbourne site. Perch at the timber bench for signatures like the tuna melt, salad sandwich, or fried chicken potato bun. Or, opt for the meatball sub, a CBD-only special.

Bloomwood

Cafe

Among a strong selection of Asian-inspired viennoiserie, you’ll also find focaccia pizza for lunch and specialty drinks that can be served with three baby croissants on a skewer.

Inuman

Bar

The rooftop bar is another accomplishment from the brains behind Askal and Kariton Sorbetes. Find experimental cocktails highlighting Filipino flavours, plus snacky dishes like feijoa jam on a toasted Chinese doughnut.

City Wine Shop

Bar

Melbourne’s answer to the old-school Italian wine bar. Choose a bottle to take home, or crack it open at the restaurant (with a corkage fee) and enjoy with pastas and small plates, alongside the rest of the post-theatre crowd.

Angel Music Bar

Bar

This audiophile spot serves bar snacks with a side of sub-bass. Things are fun and loud downstairs, with great drinks and a few bar stools to enjoy them on. But it's on the upstairs dancefloor where the volume really turns up.

Apollo Inn

Bar

In a timber-panelled room that feels of another time, get ready for four types of Martini, a daily menu of shellfish on ice, and a stand-out crème caramel dessert.

Music Room

Bar

Her's first-floor bar is dedicated to vinyl, premium spirits and sparkling wines. Inspired by Japanese and European record bars, it's where you'll hear DJ-curated soundtracks nightly, from the 3000-strong vinyl collection.

Purple Pit

Bar

Head to this subterranean basement bar for cocktails by one of Melbourne’s best bartenders, and snacks that let the drinks shine. We’re fans of the Big Mac-inspired calzone served with pickles, lettuce and onions.

Pidapipo CBD

Shop

A gelataria that serves sweet brioche, has a chocolate tap and does affogato Italian style.

Kariton Sorbetes Chinatown

Shop

Find Filipino flavours at this playful dessert spot in Chinatown. Its menu is projected onto the curved, sky-blue ceiling. And it has flavours like ube (purple yam), mango float and champorado (rice pudding) – in scoops, tubs or pillowy bread buns.

Mecca Cosmetica

Shop

One stop luxury shop for makeup, skincare, haircare, body and fragrance.

Reina

Shop

Sift through archival Prada, Miu Miu, and McQueen in this light-filled sanctuary of pre-loved designer garments. It’s all expertly curated by a Melbourne-born graduate of New York’s Parsons School of Design.

American Doughnut Kitchen Melbourne

Shop

Melbourne’s first ever doughnut outlet.

Distal Phalanx

Shop

Experimental clothing for the party crowd.