A nostalgic spot pairing canteen classics like breakfast sandwiches and hoagies with playful small plates and American-style sandwiches.

This almost-all plant-based Turkish canteen pulls well beyond the vegan crowd with warming boreks, gozlemes and cabbage rolls. Its mother-and-daughter owners are behind all the recipes, and are often here serving them with a smile.

Two sisters have revived the old-school neighbourhood milk bar, with an eccentric space that’s equal parts cafe and corner store. Find everything from pantry basics to nostalgic cafe fare like breakfast muffins, salad sandwiches and house-made sweets.

This Preston cafe does hand-crafted, gluten-free cannoli accredited by Coeliac Australia. The “OG” is piped with whipped ricotta, candied orange, chocolate chips, and sweetened with honey from the owners’ own rooftop beehive. But the rotating options tend to get more experimental – think crème brûlée, or strawberry and fennel flavours.

An arepa cafe serving the Colombian flatbread snack with spiced hot chocolate, sugarcane juice and Aussie-style coffee.

Specialty coffee at the Preston Market.

Moon Rabbit supports its local community by selling jaffles, coffee and house-made slices.

A gluten-free paradise that's also kid-friendly.

A little cafe at the last stop of the 112 tram line.

A small, quiet achiever that’s been servicing Preston since 2010.

This tiny pastry shop, set in a bustling north-side market, serves traditional French pastries with a Hong Kong twist. Find choux-pastry swans, caramelised hazelnut eclairs and Hong Kong-style jellies.

Choose from more than 200 varieties of greenery, including architectural “jungle cacti” and fishtail palms, and get advice on how to avoid killing them while you’re there.

Pinky’s is brimming with clothing, homewares and books among literal wall-to-wall art.

This Preston gelateria combines traditional techniques with experimental flavours such as matcha, coconut and gorgonzola. No need to worry if you’re just after a classic flavour though – they’re here as well. Be sure to check out the other sweets on offer too.

A bottleshop and bar that feels like a mature sharehouse (in a good way).

A uniquely Melbourne fashion and accessories brand.

This Lebanese charcoal chicken chain has ascended to cult status since opening in Sydney in 1998. After dark, the busy Preston shop has a green neon halo that can be seen from blocks away. Go for its signature charcoal chook or the fuss-free chicken plate with Lebanese pickles, pita and a secret recipe garlic sauce.

Hit this neon-lit Mexican bar for tacos and burritos loaded with pork belly, spiced chicken or mixed veggies. Devour your tacos in the cactus-lined courtyard or spacious dining hall, or climb to the rooftop for easy-drinking Margaritas and cold Mexican beers.

Find this low-key Chinese restaurant just around the corner from Preston Market. It's all about hand-pulled Lanzhou-style wheat noodles (made from scratch every day) served in hot, spiced broth with a side of chewy dumplings.

A South Asian eatery and specialty supermarket where you can buy dinner from $8.95.

Take a low stool and slurp up Tokyo-style ramen loaded with handmade wheat noodles and untraditional toppings.

This old-school diner does three-cheese poutine, beef brisket burgers, deep-fried pickles and slices of classic cherry pie. And every item on the menu can be made vegan.

There’s no cutlery, table service or fuss at this casual pizzeria and bar. Dough is fermented for three days, resulting in an American-style slice with a thin base and a crunchy edge. Try the bone marrow and pastrami number.

Follow the neon glow to find this low-and-slow diner. Pork ribs are cooked over three days then glazed with caramel, and there's the famous meat doughnuts, an unholy pairing of sweet and savoury. Plus, find local breweries on tap.

A restaurant and bar with as little or as much class as you need.

A local burger joint next to The Raccoon Club.

An affordable, healthy and friendly Vietnamese restaurant in the northern suburbs.

Explore this local favourite for craft beer, local wine, nostalgic snacks and vinyl DJs in familiar surrounds. There's also a laidback outdoor area and a selection of books from local Black Spark Cultural Centre.

Choose your own adventure across three bars, 12 bowling lanes, a gaming arcade, a dance floor and a massive beer garden. At this spot (which has room for 600 punters) you clearly come for the activities. But you stay for the 45 beer taps, kegged cocktails, pizzas and pub food.

This neighbourhood bar combines an old-school pub atmosphere with a forward-thinking drinks list filled with ultra-local ales, pét-nats and vegan cocktails.

A piano bar in Preston (for amateurs and experts).

Theme parks can be for adults, too. Moon Dog is decked out with a pool, hidden tiki disco bar, giant beer garden and an indoor waterfall – and it has capacity for 725 patrons. Enjoy bar snacks and the brewery’s eponymous brews poolside before testing your skills on the pinball machines.

One of Australia’s best winemakers is behind this unusual cellar door, which feels like a mix between a brewery and a dive bar.

A local craft beer watering hole with a laid back atmosphere.