Swing past Pipis’ takeaway window for fish’n’chips and potato cakes, or hit the elegant restaurant for a reimagined spaghetti vongole and beachy, pét-nat-spiked cocktails.

This softly lit French restaurant serves up bistro classics with a contemporary twist. Start with crowd-favourite seared scallops, then move on to tender boeuf bourguignon and finish with tarte tatin. Or push the boat out with top-tier French brandy.

Pizza is king here, but the ex-DOC owner behind it also serves killer antipasto. Enjoy your pie with an extensive drinks list championing lo-fi wines from Italian regions like Puglia, Toscana and Piedmont, and small-batch Italian beers.

Sophisticated, contemporary-Indian dishes in a spectacular space.

Fresh coconuts and Southeast Asian fare are the hallmarks of this spot.

One of Melbourne's most iconic burger shops.

This Japanese restaurant has a particular emphasis on traditional fare – sushi and sashimi, namely – as well as sake: there's an imposing and ever-growing selection on offer.

Middle-of-the-road decor but exquisite food.

It may have 19th-century bones, but this four-storey boozer has plenty of modern flourishes, too. Its sophisticated restaurant serves contemporary spins on Chinese cuisine, and the calibre of drinks at the lounge upstairs will fool you into thinking you’re at a CBD cocktail bar rather than a pub.

Hit this Euro-inspired daytime diner for its marmalade-slathered carrot-cake toast, hotcakes two ways and killer chicken-caesar sangas. Sit at a snazzy stool inside, or in the shaded outdoor area, and sip on Industry Beans coffee, or boozy-brunch-friendly cocktails and pét-nat.

Named after an iconic Paul Kelly song, this neighbourly cafe turns out spicy, buttery Turkish eggs and thick-cut French toast behind a baby-blue facade. It’s also pouring hot coffee from Inglewood Coffee Roasters.

Order a punchy chilli scramble in the morning or a loaded chicken sandwich around lunch, which you might pair with a brunch-friendly Bloody Mary or wine. And on your way out, be sure to grab a loaf of Neds crusty seeded sourdough – or local’s favourite olive grissini.

The bakery’s southside location is near-identical to the light-filled North Melbourne original. Go for stracciatella-filled sandwiches, eggplant parmigiana-style pies and pepperoni pizza on weekends. Plus, chocolatey hot cross buns and hefty cardamom scrolls.

At this beachy brunch and lunch spot – from the duo that brought us Moby – you'll find a range of creative but approachable dishes. It's all set within a light-washed, coral-accented space with room for plenty of people.

A cafe championing simple, ingredient-led food and genuine hospitality.

This ice-creamery – believe it or not, owned by a man called Jock – has consistently been one of Melbourne's best ever since opening back in 2001. That's down to the quality of the ingredients. There are plenty of flavours, but it's hard to look past the Hokey Pokey and Chocolate – it's a bestseller.

At this eclectic women's fashion boutique, the interior is defined by gold finishes, baby blue walls and a statement metal jewellery cabinet. Shop local and European designers including Celia B, JW Anderson and founder Lauren Nicholls’s own label.

A local institution for both eating and taking away.

The light-hearted Spanish approach permeates through this store that features Jeans for both men and women.