Need a chef-approved meal?
Here's where Melbourne's best chefs go for brekkie, night caps, and everything in between.
Food & DrinkSun shares her Springvale banh mi go-to, a burger joint in the middle of an industrial hub, and a bakery cafe with “windows [that] go harder than Myer’s windows at Christmas”.
Food & DrinkMelbourne’s “Hummus King” shares his pick for Mexican breakfast, his banh mi go-to and the low-key Sunday barbeque “pop-up” he loves.
Food & DrinkPlus, his A1 Bakery order, the Lygon Street pancake spot that’s “not for the faint-hearted” and the QV Chinese restaurant he goes to for bang-for-your-buck Peking duck.
Food & Drink“There is this subculture not known to many outside the diaspora – so behold.”
Food & DrinkPlus, his favourite Chinese restaurant in Melbourne, his France-Soir must-order and his extensive first-date itinerary.
Food & DrinkPlus her Luther’s Scoops order, where she finds the best northern Thai noodles, and the Japanese chain restaurant she wishes would open in Oz.
Food & DrinkThe prolific restaurateur also shares the local restaurant he’s visited the most, the Italian icon he takes out-of-towners to, and his favourite sandwich in Melbourne.
Food & DrinkPlus, his date night recommendations, the bakery he’ll travel for and the confit garlic focaccia he reckons is the best in Melbourne.
Food & DrinkPlus, where the Melbourne-based chef goes for a late-night Martini and the “perfect restaurant” she wishes was still open.
Food & DrinkPlus chefs Tei Gim and Jun Pak share their Above Board order, the best shopping centre Thai food chain, and a go-to izakaya for Korean and Japanese dishes.
Food & DrinkPlus, her under-the-radar spot for apple crepes and her favourite Melbourne yum cha.
Food & DrinkPlus, his must-order dish from Public Wine Shop, a Frankie’s Tortas and Tacos pro tip and the best Tarts Anon flavours.
Food & DrinkPlus, her favourite supermarket ice-cream, the Springvale banh mi shop she loves, and her Stefanino Panino order.
Food & DrinkPlus, where he finds the best Cantonese food in town, the local pub he loves and his go-to for “divine cardamom buns.”
Food & Drink“I find myself really drawn to the restaurants that exemplify cooking with love.”
Food & DrinkPlus, where the Neds pastry pro goes for gelato, her favourite dessert places, and where she finds two large pizzas, a focaccia and a drink for less than $37.
Food & DrinkTwo sky-high CBD venues she loves, where she goes for vegan food in the north and her favourite neighbourhood pizza shop.
Food & DrinkThe former Dinner by Heston pastry chef shares her go-to laksa shop, where she finds “smooth and delicate” Earl Grey and pistachio gelato and her favourite charcoal chicken shop.
Food & DrinkPlus, he shares why he thinks Atria is a perfect restaurant, why he spent his last birthday at a shopping centre food court, and the Spanish restaurant at the top of his bucket list.
Food & DrinkThe pop-up chef and Gaea drinks pro says boat noodle restaurant Pinto has the best dessert in Melbourne and shares his go-to ice-cream shop.
Food & Drink“I’d go to The Moon for a first date because there’s a lovely intimate environment that’s casual. But also to be able to say, ‘I’ll take you to the moon and back’.”
Food & DrinkIncluding his pick of the greatest sandwich in the city, the shopping centre spot with the best birria tacos in Melbourne, and the croissanterie he’s always taking family and friends to.
Food & DrinkThe sisters share where to find char kway teow with “perfect wok hei”, the Carlton Wine Room dish they dream about and the best CBD restaurant for a large group.
Food & DrinkThe chef, who has cooked for the Obamas and Margot Robbie, shares his favourite pizza in Melbourne and the Italian restaurant where you should BYO and uncork that unicorn bottle you’ve been saving.
Food & DrinkIncluding the Armadale sanctuary where she unwinds with a drink and snacks; the Collingwood must with an “irresistible” hot honey fried chicken burger; and her go-to Malaysian restaurant.
Food & DrinkThe Minds en Place co-founder on the house Martini that won’t disappoint, his go-to banh mi and the best ice-cream in town.
Food & DrinkIncluding his favourite meatball banh mi, the best bowl of noodles in town and where the chef finds mini fried pork buns that can “really change your day”.
Food & DrinkIncluding where she finds the best brisket pastrami bagel, the best new date spot in Melbourne and the ice-cream spot with the “perfect treat”.
Food & DrinkIncluding his favourite hangover burger, a standout red-curry pork sausage, and the pastry he’ll happily make a trip across town for.
Food & DrinkIncluding why Attica still tops his list of recommendations, the Latin American restaurant serving fall-off-the-bone lamb shoulder and the bakery staple he misses when he’s stateside.
Food & Drink“For want of a better term, I’m a carb queen,” says the chef whose resume includes two years at Claire Ptak’s Violet Cakes in London, and four years at Melbourne bakery All Are Welcome.
Food & DrinkThe superstar chef shares her favourite Melbourne spot for charcoal-grilled Vietnamese meatballs, her go-to Kariton Sorbetes order and where to find pork belly with “crispy skin that shatters like glass”.
Other Series
Best of 2024
17 Feb 2025
SERVE
Meet the Neighbours
Now or Never
Newly Opened
Dua
Sweet Nectar Inn
Baker Bleu Hawksburn
Bang
