Hot List Update: Three Horses Jockeys Into Position, a Takeaway Shake-Up at Florian and Last Drinks at Gerald’s Bar

The Hot List is the definitive guide to Melbourne’s most essential food and drink experiences, updated weekly. Learn more.

This week’s Hot List activity

• Added: Three Horses , Yang Thai
• Most trending restaurant: Times New Roman
• Most trending bar: Caretaker’s Cottage
• Most trending cafe: Butter Days

Three Horses is off to the races

Three Horses galloped into the CBD a couple of weeks ago. And it’s just a 100-metre trot from its elder sibling, Caretaker’s Cottage. Its opening had auspicious timing: last week, Caretaker’s took out best bar in Australasia at the esteemed World’s 50 Best Bars awards. But that acclaim also underscored the challenge that Three Horses will face to escape Caretaker’s Cottage’s shadow. But the early rapturous reception to the sherry-heavy bar, plus the seasoned crew at the reins, makes us confident that Three Horses will quickly blaze a beloved trail of its own. Don’t expect this newly Hot-Listed spot to cool down any time soon.

Chicken tonight in St Kilda and a baker’s delight in Malvern

It’s kicking off in St Kilda and Malvern right now. We recently added Yang Thai to The Hot List ; it’s where chef Narit Kimsat, former head chef at Earth Angels in West Melbourne, dishes out some superlative chook. Yang Thai is part of a wave of exciting next-level chicken shops that rethink the humble neighbourhood charcoal chicken spot. Come for Thai-style chicken, available in lunch packs, half or whole, alongside some great sides – including hot chips, of course.

Meanwhile, in nearby Malvern, Dessert Masters winner John Demetrios’s new bakery Butter Days is arguably the hottest bakery in town right now. It sold out of everything within 45 minutes on opening day last week. It’s a great problem for the business to have, but that means you’ll need to show up as close to opening as possible to taste the sunshine buns – and more – that are bound to enter the Melbourne pastry pantheon.

Florian’s takeaway has a new home

Over on Rathdowne Street, Florian – which is close to its fifth birthday – is shaking things up a bit. It’s moving all takeaway operations next door to Florian Home. It’s the team’s way of bifurcating their takeaway and dine-in customers, ensuring a smoother experience for everyone. Anyone trying to nip in out for a coffee or pastry won’t have to deal with the sit-down crowd anymore, and the main venue should become much less congested. It’s a welcome tweak that’s made one of Melbourne’s best cafes even better.

Last call at old Gerald’s, before first call at new Gerald’s

Speaking of Carlton North, the most anticipated opening in the neighbourhood right now is Gerald’s Bar’s relocation. In March, the Rathdowne Street institution announced that it was packing it up and moving into the former Enoteca Sileno space, up the road on Lygon Street. So if you’ve been eager to go into the hallowed original site for one more drink or meal, you’re running out of time – last drinks is in 10 days, on October 26. If, for whatever reason, you never made it over to Gerald’s, try to get in while you can. Though the next incarnation of Gerald’s will doubtlessly be excellent, this is your last chance to experience one of Melbourne’s hospitality icons before the curtains are drawn on the Rathdowne Street site for the final time.

The Hot List is proudly sponsored by Square.