We ask locals (and one recent visitor) with good taste to share their favourite Melbourne restaurants, bars, stores, wellbeing spots and more – so you can save this for when you next visit.
Ben Clement, photographer and founder of Good Sport
Born in Gisborne, photographer and art director Ben has lived in Melbourne for many years. In 2014 he launched Good Sport, a magazine focused on redefining a traditional sports magazine.
Restaurant
I recently enjoyed a delicious meal at Good Days, a Vietnamese noodle bar. Their tofu rice was seriously so memorably good I'll think about it for a long time.
Bar
Melbourne has good pubs – my go to knock-off spot is the Marquis of Lorne, locally known as the MoL.
Cafe
My studio is in Collingwood so I'm often around here, and usually go to Everyday Coffee.
Boutique
One of my best friends owns and runs Urahara on Smith Street. Japanese and American boutique brands with incredibly good taste and style.
Gallery/museum
Gertrude Contemporary always has really interesting shows. And ACCA (Australian Centre for Contemporary Art) which is just around the corner from the popular NGV.
Area/neighbourhood
The Northside can blend into one main area with what you can see and do. Get close to some parks or nature near the Yarra Bend.
Activity
Go for a run around The Tan, or Princes Park, or get even closer to the native bushland and rivers and do a trail run in the Yarra Trails (very close to the city).
Spa or wellbeing spot
A new place I haven't been to yet, but have heard good things about, is Inner Studio in Collingwood, a rest and recovery kinda spot.
Something new
A few new stores have popped up recently. Shop Sucker for independent brands and Saloon Store upstairs in Curtain House. Oh and Magma Pizza was recently opened and is very good.
A classic
Malaymas Malaysian is my fave place for a laksa; I have been going there for many years.
Any other spots or tips for making the most of Melbourne?
Get up early, go for a run or do yoga, then head to a cafe, sit quietly and enjoy the city come to life before getting into your day.
Robyn Daly, photographer
Wellington born Robyn has been based in Melbourne for over a decade, where she takes photos, creates ceramics and works as an editor at independent publisher Bad News Books.
Restaurant
Jim’s Greek Tavern, Collingwood. A chaotic and boisterous scene, perfect for a late night dinner with a group of friends. Order the set menu, and get what you’re given. Your 6-7 course meal will most likely be served by an old guy who’s had a few too many ouzos and a sparkle in his eye for starting trouble. The decor is acropolis fisherman-core with whitewashed walls and Greek statues. It’s BYO, and you’ll need to keep up with the crowd. Sing happy birthday to the group table next to you, eat til you can’t move, drink til you want to go dancing. An experience to remember.
Boutique
One of my favourite stores in Melbourne is Pan After, a boutique homewares store in Collingwood. It's moreof agallery than a shop, almonst everything is unique and handmade, sourced from specialty makers from around the world. Go here for the most inspiring and well-crated objects, ceramics, textiles and books.
Ralph Ralphsmith, CEO PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival
Named as the new chief executive of Melbourne’s long-running consumer focused fashion festival in 2022, Ralph has worked for several of the city’s biggest cultural brands – previously as the chief executive at Fed Square and as general manager for customer engagement at the Victorian Racing Club. This year, the fashion festival runs from February 24 - March 9.
Restaurant: Cutler & Co.
Bar: Apollo Inn.
Cafe: Domain Brasserie in South Yarra.
Area/neighbourhood: Albert Park.
Activity: Walking in the many Melbourne parks; going to the footy (AFL)
Spa or wellbeing spot: Alba on the Mornington Peninsula.
Something new: Saint George, Karen Martini’s fab new Italian Grill restaurant in St Kilda.
A classic: Any of the Palace Cinemas. Como is my local; and the beautiful Botanic Gardens.
Any other spots or tips for making the most of Melbourne? The two Gs: Greville St and Gertrude St - both fabulous Melbourne streets to shop, sip and eat.
Kelly Thompson, illustrator
Previously based in Wellington, Kelly moved to Melbourne in 2012 and made the city home while continuing to champion NZ fashion designers. Alongside her illustrative work, she moonlights as a keynote speaker.
Restaurant
My absolute favourite is Du Fermier by Annie Smithers in Trentham, which is about an hour's drive from town. Most of the produce is locally sourced or grown in Annie's garden and every time I go I say "this is the best meal I've ever had", classic French-style food, masterfully prepared, a must visit!
Bar
Embla – always has good feels and is a great starting point for a night out. It’s also a delicious restaurant and the staff are fun!
Cafe
There's a really cute cafe in my neighbourhood called Harvest which is on Station Street in Fairfield. It's all organic, a little family-run business, nothing fancy decor-wise, but the food is always really wholesome, simple and good.
Boutique
Lore Perfumery is the cutest little perfume shop in town and they stock a range of fragrances you've never heard of before. Really great service if you need someone knowledgeable to help you out!
Gallery/museum
I'd like to say somewhere that nobody else says, but you really can't beat the NGV! Oigall Projects on Gertrude Street also has really interesting shows that showcase emerging artists.
Area/neighbourhood
That's a hard one because it really depends what you're after, each suburb can be so different. I really love Alphington for the cute Sunday market, greenery and houses with yards (haha, adulting), but if you're a tourist visiting I'd say visit Collingwood.
Activity
Eating – come to Melbourne and eat everywhere and everything!
Spa/wellbeing
If you want a great skin treatment that actually does something I'd 100% recommend Clinicalase in Carlton, it might not be the most relaxing kind of facial, but your skin will be amazing a couple of weeks after! You also can't go past Vigorous Thai for a casual walk-in massage or the Peninsula Hot Springs or Alba for a soak.
A classic
France Soir. Classic French even down to the sassy service. I love their reflective yellow ceiling so much.
Any other spots or tips for making the most of Melbourne?
I'd definitely rent a car if you are here, that way you can go to the beach, the city, different suburbs for different things, maybe even slightly rural to one of the cute neighbouring towns for lunch or an overnighter. Melbourne is big so it's fun to adventure and look around and not be stuck in one spot.
Beth Brash, program director Wellington on a Plate
“I went and hung out in Melbourne last year for 12 days, staying with a friend. I asked for recommendations on Instagram and compiled a list of restaurants and things to do from trusted sources (including Oz chef icon Mark Best!) - you can check that out on Google Maps, here.”
Restaurant
The restaurant that consistently got recommended to me was Soi38, and I ended up going there three times in 12 days. It's a Thai restaurant located in a concrete parking garage. It's so popular that they've expanded from their 20 seater restaurant into their garage next door. Their signature dish is the boat noodles that are served at lunchtime, but it's definitely worth going back for their expanded night menu which includes Thai BBQ, papaya salad and this incredible raw scallop dish I still dream about.
Bar
Move over beer, Melbourne is having a wine bar moment. Highlights include Napier Quarter, the Carlton Wine Room, Public Wine Shop and Marion Wine Bar.
Cafe
Probably cheating here, but I didn't do a lot of brunching when I was there. I did go to Hector's Deli twice for their sensational sandwiches and great coffee. Get the beef & pickles with hectic sauce and cheese. Thank me later.
Boutique
I always go to Kuwaii in Melbourne. I live in their tailored pants, extremely comfortable and can be dressed up or down. They are the perfect staple.
Gallery/museum
Heide is a public art museum and sculpture park, it's a bit of a trek but an easy train (although don't do what I did and get the H stops mixed up and find yourself at the end of the train line!). Just a very cool place with amazing art, originally home to John and Sunday Reed, they built a community and fostered emerging and mid-career artists. You can just imagine the parties they used to throw.
Area/neighbourhood
My friend Manu – Porirua boy who has since opened some of Melbourne's best places including Above Board, Capitano and Falco Bakery – took me on a walking tour of Footscray, a melting pot of cuisines, notably Vietnamese and Ethiopian but we also had the best cannoli I've ever eaten. It’s also home to the most incredible live seafood shop D&K Live Seafood, which has two rooms filled with tanks of every seafood imaginable, and an oyster bar with over a dozen different oyster varieties that they will shuck for you right then and there. It is because of this I can now recommend a dozen oysters as a mid morning snack.
Spa or wellbeing spot
Sense of Self is a modern bathhouse – you book a two hour slot and then spend your time swanning from the sauna, to the plunge pool, to the hot pool, to the steam room, chilling for a bit in the lounging area (with free tea and dried fruits) before doing it all again. They have quiet hours and social hours so perfect for finding your right vibe.
A classic
Tip00 can do no wrong – excellent Italian, bustling restaurant, an absolute institution.
Any other spots or tips for making the most of Melbourne?
There is a jeans shop in Brunswick called Dejour, they have every style, range of colours, range of waist heights, and then you try it on and they will tailor them to you (tuck in the waist, taper the leg, hem the bottoms) – all for $60.
Ari Harrison, general manager Umbrella Entertainment Australia/New Zealand
Ari’s family previously owned the legendary Gaslight Music on Bourke St which had an infamous annual nude shopping day. “Despite its annoying football club, Collingwood is a pretty fantastic place to visit,” he says of his favourite suburb. Here, a few of his top recommendations from the area.
Cafe
Pub
Brewery
Burger
Easeys. Best burger to eat while on a tram.
Spa or wellbeing spot
At the end of the day after too much eating, you can hop into Sense of Self for a two hour relaxing spa, plunge, sauna, steam session.
