Northcote

This Italian diner is easily found via the flashing red neon hand in the window. Inside, you’ll find old-school breadbaskets (loaded with carbs to salsa-verde-doused burrata); garlicky spaghetti vongole swimming in oil; a cocktail list centred around vermouth; and more.

Simple, modern and produce-driven pizza in cosy, well-worn room.

Vegetarian Israeli street food, served fast.

Enter for hand-rolled layered leek and cheese pastries, vegetarian moussaka and clay pots filled with slow-cooked meat. When the dishes arrive, they’ll be spread out across the table, because everything is for sharing.

One of the best curry spots in town. There's also a location in Flemington.

Boris Portnoy's baked creations are influenced by classic recipes and by his time cheffing in some of the world's restaurants. You might find anything from gianduja babka buns to Czech honey cakes here. Add in coffee by Everyday and some of the best sourdough in town, and it's no wonder it's always so busy.

This organic cafe serves an entirely vegan and raw menu. Chef-owner Yoko Inoue's cooking showcases the benefits of macrobiotic and organic raw food. Although most of the menu takes its cues from Japan, Inoue often just cooks what she feels, so dishes such as beetroot spaghetti and raw lasagne are common.

At this gelato shop, owned by a Sicilian native, the gelato is classically made, but many of the flavours are anything but. Past scoops have involved chocolate and rosemary, and pear and elderflower. It also doubles as a cafe, serving Italian breakfasts and lunches.

A vast light-filled eatery from the crews who brought us first-rate cafes Bawa and Sloane Ranger.

This cafe with a hidden kids’ area welcomes dogs and serves breakfast gnocchi and sticky-date hotcakes.

A bright cafe with healthy on the mind.

This wine bar from the owner of All Are Welcome is in a former lawyer’s office. Step behind the original gold-leaf signage and vertical blinds for left-of-centre wines and Russian and Georgian dishes featuring lots of pickles, ferments and seafood.

This wine bar has a particularly welcoming design, with plump, comfy couches; carefree decor; a sharehouse-esque fairy-lit courtyard; and huge light-bringing windows. And the food is just as accessible – it’s a changeable, veg-led affair.

The clever veg-forward wine bar created by two former Neighbourhood Wine and Bar Romantica head chefs. In the sunlight-filled dining room, or under the fairy light-studded lemon tree out back, order smoky-sweet turnips, brown butter fish and boozy amaro sorbet.

The ideal place for a couple of quiet pints.

A 19th-century church turned barnyard style bar with music always playing, in Northcote.

Vintage furniture, imported directly from Europe.

Melbourne-designed practical and travel-friendly garments.

Dondurma is a type of stretchy, Turkish ice-cream. And it’s pretty hard to find in Melbourne. Cuppa Turca specialises in the stuff. If you want a break from gelato but still want to scratch that sweet, frozen itch, this is your pick. Plus there’s colourful Turkish delights and shatteringly crisp baklava.

A light-filled all-day European bistro, bar and deli stocking fresh pasta, fancy tinned fish and other staples.

Lovingly handmade, unique pieces that shy away from mass production runs and favour a little bit of personal history

Freshly baked sourdough, single origin coffee and Nancy Wilson on the record player.