The neighbourhood cafe so nice that its owners made it twice. Locals return for brunch classics like avocado toast, as well as surprises like the Aussie French toast and a loaded sushi bowl.

This inviting old-school deli is inspired by those found across New York. You’ll find a bagel bar, wine and bottled cocktails to take home, ready-made roasts, dips and salads. And of course, a killer Reuben sandwich.

Borrowing its name from a favourite Breaking Bad character, this spot serves up fresh bagels inspired by New York City. Load yours with classic fillings like cream cheese and house-made jam, or mix it up with beetroot-and-gin-cured salmon or harissa-roasted pumpkin.

Lune's third Melbourne outpost bears all the spaceship-like interiors of the flagship Fitzroy store. Come for the world-famous croissants, cruffins, Coffee Supreme espresso and filter.

An outstanding bakery-restaurant delivering house-made European breads and brunches. Take your pick from the counter lined with sweet and savoury pastries, Danish-style sandwiches and more.

The owner of this sleek cafe trained directly under Yotam Ottolenghi, and the influence shows. There's a playful feel to many of the dishes (we love the prawn and leek omelette) and the servings are hearty. Plus, at lunchtime there's a killer range of wraps and sandwiches.

This blinding white corner cafe serves all the breakfast classics you know and love, always with an interesting twist.

You haven’t seen a menu like this in Armadale, or anywhere else in Melbourne.

Named after the optimum time between roasting and grinding coffee beans.

A bright, airy cafe tucked away in the Armadale residential zone.

A homey bakery cafe for breads and pastries, plus provisions including jams, chutneys and small goods.

This bistro gives fusion a good reputation, expertly blending French and Japanese techniques. Settle in at the marble green sushi counter, where chefs deftly make maki, nigiri and sashimi to order.

Look for the fairy lights and locals eating puffy Neapolitan pizzas on the parklet out front. Find a spot there or head inside for pies with a twist (a Pepperoni number with honey), on-point pastas and mostly Italian wines.

A farm on the Mornington Peninsula informs the degustation at Zia Rina’s, a rustic, candle-lit trattoria that celebrates the seasons with each lovingly prepared course. To drink, it’s southern Italian wines with a big focus on Sicilian winemakers.

Take one of 34 seats and put yourself in the hands of Clinton McIver and his degustation-only menu.

You can sample just about every bottle at this moody wine venue, which uses a Coravin to preserve opened bottles. Sit around the horseshoe bar and try drops from Italy, Hungary, Greece, South Africa and beyond. Plus, snacky plates like oysters, roasted celeriac and kingfish aguachile.

A homey neighbourhood wine bar set in a Victorian-era building. Find filled-to-the-brim bagels and Reubens by day, and fancy bar snacks and wines that punch above their weight by night.

Secure a spot at this chic, art deco rooftop bar and soak up golden hour with your hands around an overflowing lobster-and-prawn roll. To reach the space, you need to scale a striking staircase inside an historic former dairy.

Shuttered for years, this classic pub was carefully restored to its former glory by a crack team of publicans. Find hibachi-grilled skewers, classic prawn cocktails, a coolroom turned pool room and a knock-off-ready courtyard.

This warmly lit bolthole, by Amaru's Clinton McIver, is all about fun fine-diner snacks – sans the degustation price tag and cutlery So, raise a spanner-crab doughnut in one hand, and a glass of champagne in the other.

A rustic, relaxed bar and bottle-o with more than 400 beers in the fridge.

Part wine bar and part bottle shop, with plenty of expertise.

Anthony Bourdain called the original in Sydney “the most beautiful butcher shop in the world”. Its Melbourne outpost has all the same opulence: dark-green marble floors, a wall of solid pink Himalayan salt blocks and vintage 1930s slicers.

A multi-brand designer store from Canada.

Coats, well-cut blazers and dresses fit for the red carpet.

A store where you can customise your own bag.

Casual glamour for women.

Casual glamour for women.

Pieces fit for coastal living, but in premium fabrics.

Pieces fit for coastal living, but in premium fabrics.

A lush (and spiky) store overflows with greenery in Melbourne's south-east.

Wine to suit all tastes and budgets.

Quality shoes that come in just about every shade imaginable.

Bringing the spirit of a Balinese sojourn to Melbourne.

Your own personal dream pantry.

A sophisticated Sydney label known for cocktail dresses and impeccable tailoring.

A sophisticated Sydney label known for cocktail dresses and impeccable tailoring.

A jewellery boutique in Armadale with an exclusive range of gold and silver pieces and semi-precious stones.

Designer Megan Park brings her collections to two flagship boutiques, and shares her classic English aesthetic in clothes and homewares.

A sweets shop to be marveled at.

A sweets shop to be marveled at.

Modern, polished basics for those who value style, quality and the environment.

Simple elegance combined with Australian and European influences and quality – a never fail option.awefawfwae