melbourne CBD

Ceree

Restaurant

Ceree shows that Filipino food is more than just adobo. Hit this homey cafe, restaurant and pantry for classic Filipino dishes, like silog – a Filipino breakfast of garlic fried rice, fried egg and sides like pork sausage and adobo.

Vue de Monde

Restaurant

Vue de Monde translates to “worldview” in French – and that’s just what you’ll get at this celebrated fine diner. Perched 55 floors above the city on the Rialto Building’s former observation deck, it boasts an impressive 360-degree vista from Docklands to the Dandenongs.

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.

Dodee Paidang Little Collins Street

Restaurant

Descend to the sprawling and busy basement for a menu that honours classic Thai food including pad thai, whole fish soup, seafood platters, papaya salads and plates of barbequed meat.

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).

Ishizuka

Restaurant

At this elegant 16-seat Japanese fine diner, which is inside a giant paper lantern in a Bourke Street basement, you'll find one of the best kaiseki – a traditional degustation-style multi-course meal – experiences in town.

Antara

Cafe

A day-to-night bakehouse and brasserie serving sourdough and laminated pastries in the mornings, and refined dishes by an ex-Gimlet chef around lunch. It’s by the group behind Sunda and Aru.

Maker Coffee Little Collins

Cafe

This family-run spot has a big focus on single-origin brews. Stop in for a grab-and-go coffee and pastry, or nab a stool facing the barista station and soak up the morning.

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.

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.

The Q Rooftop Bar

Bar

The rooftop bar at the Quincy Hotel on Flinders Street offers 360-degree views of Melbourne CBD, all the way to the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay. Come for cocktails and small plates inspired by the punchy flavours of Southeast Asia.

Caretaker’s Cottage

Bar

Squeeze into this tiny, 100-year-old caretaker’s quarters for what may be Victoria’s smallest pub. Behind Tassie oak bar you’ll find Guinness on tap, a short cocktail list and British pub snacks to keep you mint.

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.

July QV

Shop

Chic, hyperfunctional luggage and accessories in eye-catching colours are what you get at this minimalist store from the popular online brand.

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.

American Doughnut Kitchen Melbourne

Shop

Melbourne’s first ever doughnut outlet.

Pidapipo CBD

Shop

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

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.