Melbourne

Pork crackling and crispy chicken-katsu rolls served until the early hours.

Walk down the nondescript staircase and let your eyes adjust. There’s no natural light at this bistro – that’s why it’s so easy to lose track of time.

A restaurant that's solely devoted to the Chinese bun.

An Italian-influenced Argentinian spot by the San Telmo and Pastuso team.

This tribute to the Big Apple offers the finest deli-style food around.

5 & Dime is serving real-deal, New York-style bagels in the CBD.

Mac’n’cheese pies, banana and custard pancake pies, and rhubarb and liquorice dessert pies in a tiny shop that takes cues from Alice in Wonderland.

The second outpost for Melbourne's most revered croissants. Expect to queue for at least 15 minutes, if not longer.

Above American barbeque spot Cheek, this pretty cocktail bar has four happy hours a day and serves Sichuan fried-chicken sandwiches until 3am. Further up, there’s a rooftop bar with city views.

This Melbourne nightclub comes with a 29-year dance-music legacy.

The crew behind Section 8 has a joint high above its original haunt.

A miniature gin distillery with a one-year lease, and a hundred-year history.

There is free pool, $1 wings, jalapeño poppers and live music at this Southern-American-inspired dive bar.

A not-for-profit gallery and retail space stocked with unique handmade goods.

A colourful Finnish label with an instantly recognisable style.

This tiny, technicolour Flinders Lane patisserie serves flaky croissants and fluffy doughnuts without the help of butter, milk or eggs.

The best place to find quality basics and beautifully made pieces.

Floral fantasia and femininity abounds at this local label’s boutiques.

Melbourne’s icon of gloriously bold, fun prints.