Whether you’re going for a girls’ weekend or timing your trip with a certain football final, Melbourne is always a good idea. But working out where to eat (and drink) can feel like trying to crack the Enigma Code – there are just so many options. Here are some of the cafes, bars and restaurants on our radar right now.
A North Fitzroy institution that’s been doing organic sourdough, croissants and pies since long before “clean-cut plywood bakery” became a genre. Chefs across the city name it as their favourite for a reason – get there early, because the good stuff sells out fast.
A konbini-inspired cafe-restaurant hybrid leaning into Japanese convenience-store culture – think mortadella onigiri, udon bolognese and matcha with milo. Novel, a little chaotic, very fun.
This converted 1956 milk bar in Richmond is the last of its kind on the strip, and it’s still run with the same warmth – Mediterranean-leaning brunch, great coffee, and a courtyard worth lingering in. A proper Melbourne institution waiting for those who are ready to find it.
We can confirm, this one lives up to the hype. A relaxed Collingwood wine bar with a great record collection and an even better list, Hope St is exactly the kind of low-key, warm spot you want when you’re not chasing a big night – just a good one.
This South Yarra newcomer had a following before it even opened, thanks to owner Kelsie Gaffey documenting the whole build on TikTok. Now it’s open, expect a leafy courtyard, buttery lobster rolls and chilled reds that make it very easy to lose an afternoon.
Set in a 19th-century bluestone cottage behind Wesley Church in the CBD, this tiny 25-seat bar punches wildly above its size – it landed at #19 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2025. Walk-ins only, Guinness on tap, and a freezer martini that’s worth the wait.
A GFG-hatted neighbourhood bar built around two big communal tables and a real “dinner party at a friend’s house” feel. The cocktail list changes a few times a week, the wine list evolves right alongside it, and the nostalgic European-leaning plates are made for lingering over. Book ahead – it’s earned its regulars.
A rustic little trattoria doing some of the best pizza in the city, with pasta and Negronis to match. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to book a follow-up date before you’ve finished the tiramisu. Note it moved from Lincoln Square to Grattan Street a few years back, so double-check you’re heading to the right address.
Also in Carlton (Lincoln Square this time), Bar Holiday is what happens when you take a European neighbourhood bar – think Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid – and drop it into a sunlit warehouse with sawtooth ceilings and exposed brick. Small plates, wine, beer and cocktails, plus takeaway coffee and pastries by day if you’re recovering slowly.
