When travelling there appears to be an unspoken rule that one must indulge in the delicious cuisine that each destination serves up (I won’t be arguing with that). For Melbourne the list is endless, on my recent trip I was astounded by how this beautiful city is so besotted by its own love for food, coffee and cocktails. The overwhelming mix of cultures amongst the vast array of restaurants, bars and cafés across Melbourne creates a unique and eclectic dining scene.

Breakfast:

There’s no better place to be on a Saturday morning than in Melbourne joining in on the exhilarating breakfast rush…prepare to be spoiled for choice. On every corner people spill out onto the streets eager to get their spot for a morning feed. This craze has almost become a sport, you’re in it to win it and by win it I mean reward yourself with a scrumptious breakfast for all your hard work. Whether it’s a refreshing and colourful bowl of fruit and muesli that you’re after or a hot breakfast with the lot, there’s something for everyone. You’ll find a number of the hot spots around Richmond, Fitzroy and the CBD, all of which are easily accessible by public transport.

Morning Tea:

Having indulged in a delicious and filling breakfast I decided I should walk it off while exploring the city of Melbourne. As I weaved my way through the never ending maze of laneways amongst the towering skyscrapers the smell of coffee wafting out from the café’s that fill these streets is a treat for the senses. Across from busy Flinders Street Station amongst the historic buildings the cobbled blue stone Degraves Street can be found. With the centre of the street filled with café umbrellas it gives a Parisian touch to the dining experience. Here you’ll be sure to get a good coffee or hot chocolate at any one of the cafes, however one of my favourites would have to be Degraves Espresso. Make sure to browse the cupcake selection at Little Cupcakes as well!

Bars:

The Melbourne bar scene has taken off in recent years with a number of quirky new bars popping up across the city. Whether you’re after a rooftop bar, old school corner pub or basement bar, Melbourne will deliver. A summer favourite of mine is the Naked for Satan rooftop bar (Naked in the Sky) on Brunswick Street. It is here you’ll be treated to skyline views of Melbourne City while you ponder over the extensive drinks menu and tapas style menu. Or as an alternative take a step back in time at Eau De Vie where only a street lamp marks the entrance to the beautifully designed 1920s speakeasy bar, complete with its own whiskey room hidden behind a bookcase – located in Malthouse Lane. There’s no better time to come explore these bars, whether you head up some stairs, around a corner or down a laneway there will always be a bar waiting to be discovered.

Dinner:

With my pre dinner drinks finished and my belly starting to rumble it’s now time set off to find a nice little spot for dinner. The wonderful thing about Melbourne is that you can walk down any street or laneway and you’re presented with a smorgasbord of restaurants that will be a feast for your eyes and taste buds. A favourite spot of mine is Hardware Lane, where the tables and chairs from the vast collection of restaurants that line the street creates a buzzing and inviting atmosphere. In saying that you can’t go past Flinders Lane which boasts some of the most well-known restaurants in Melbourne from Chin Chin, Coda, Tonka to Cumulus Inc, you’ll be sure to find somewhere good eat here.

Discover your own food and wine experience in Melbourne.