The sibling of Neighbourhood Wine is cool and comfortable. Take a seat at the bar, or in front of an open fire, and enjoy the rotating share plates and easy-drinking wines.

An elegant, produce-driven menu by a former Vue de Monde and Eleven Madison Park chef is the draw at this soaring European bistro on the ground floor of the Capitol Grand building. Plus, there’s a 200-bottle wine list and botanical-heavy cocktails from a former World Class Bartender of the Year.

Although the menu changes often at this neighbourhood restaurant, regulars keep coming back for the beautiful dining room, old-school Italian hospitality and extensive wine list.

The team behind Kettle Black and Top Paddock go beyond cafes with this CBD spot inspired by hotel hospitality.

This is one of the cafes responsible for elevating chef-prepared breakfasts and brunches to the same level of respect as lunches and dinners. And, even after changing hands a few years back, it’s still one of the best places in town for a morning meal.

Once a notorious pub with a chequered past, this north-side institution is now a glowing venue for special occasions, date nights and all-round good times. It includes an Eastern Mediterranean diner, a late-night vinyl-only bar and a sprawling beer garden.

A rock‘n’roll steakhouse serving dry-aged Wagyu and bottomless Bloody Marys.

A white, bright successor to the famed Melbourne coffee roasters old flagship site down the street. Single origins and ground-breaking brunches still reign supreme, served within a skylit warehouse splashed with greenery.

At the W Melbourne’s in-house restaurant, Coda chef Adam D’Sylva draws on his Italian-Indian heritage. His globe-trotting menu includes luxed-up lasagna, pasta-less cacio e pepe (a surprising triumph), and spicy duck curry. Plus, an excellent roster of theatrical cocktails.

Family favourites from a Lebanese home cook.

Nahji Chu’s third Vietnamese tuckshop remains on a good thing.

A restaurant and bar with an at-home feel.

This wine store and bar sells vino exclusively on tap (and in refillable bottles). Choose from 16 wines, including an affordable one-litre bottle of Noisy Ritual rosé, a fruity Adelaide Hills semillon and a juicy Victorian merlot. Get yours to-go, or stay and order punchy Japanese small plates from Mono-XO.

This former Commonwealth Bank branch is now 200-seat double-level bar. Come here for classic pub grub and beers. It's also well known for its rooftop terrace, which plays host to bottomless brunches during the day and boozy cocktail session in the evenings.

An old furniture warehouse transformed into a polished and welcoming daytime diner.

Grossi Florentino's adjoining bar dedicated to the craft of aging and preserving fine meats.