Coffee powerhouse Dimattina’s has opened a sublime coffee outlet at 30 Kerr Street Fitzroy (either approach from Nicholson Street or walk across from Brunswick Street). The outlet is only in its second week and already popular among locals.

Proud Mary nestled in a warehouse like premises in Collingwood with uber fit out is the coffee summit. Inspired by owner Nolan Hirte, it exudes rarefied air of coffee excellence. Hirte's stamp of excellence is on every aspect in terms of ambience, passion, coffee sophistication and the notable cuisine. Proud Mary is a benchmark for roasters and coffee lovers in Melbourne and along with its sophistication has the charm of a river boat queen.  

Touche Hombre is a chic newly opened Melbourne Mexican restaurant in Londsdale Street (cnr Tattersalls Lane). It hums with a packed house (even on a week night) and the winning combination of amazing food, a sense of fun, hip hop, a dim ambience and striking neon signs (designed for the restaurant).

Patricia Coffee Brewers cnr Little Bourke and Little William CBD - Food 8.5 Coffee 9.5 Ambience 9.5

Another nondescript entrance greets the coffee lover as you try to find Patricia’s in a laneway next to the 500 Bourke St precinct. Behind that nondescript entrance is a world of serious coffee devotion and a fresh concept from Bowen Holden (ex Seven Seeds) that delivers with class and flair.

Hardware Societe  120 Hardware Lane CBD - Food 9.5 Coffee 9 Ambience 9

Hardware Societe is a food lovers' haven and a great place to go for a Sunday morning lazy breakfast in Melbourne! It captivates with French sophistication and charm, and a high quality dining experience. If you’re looking for a restaurant that’s able to offer something more than the usual brunch options, with a certain je ne sais quois, then Hardware Societe is the place for you!

Auction Rooms 103-107 Errol Street North Melbourne - Food 8.5 Coffee 9.5 Ambience 9.5

Auction Rooms is a standout café in Melbourne and exudes industrial chic as well as being a serious coffee and food haven. Housed in the old WB Ellis Auction House it is an oasis of coffee perfection in trendy North Melbourne.

The Aeropress is becoming a favoured instrument of choice when it comes to coffee perfection and single cup brewing. It’s become a significant part of the Melbourne coffee scene in recent times and is popular among coffee purists. It looks like a plunger but operates more like an espresso machine. We note the rise of the Aeropress.

Spoonbill restaurant on Chapel Street is a chic and imaginative restaurant with great modern food options including sublime tapas. Spoonbill is best understood as part of the whole package of the classy and arty Olsen Hotel.

Bottega 74 Bourke Street CBD - Food 9 Coffee 9 Ambience 9

Bottega is a top notch Italian restaurant in Melbourne in a precinct that has dominated the Melbourne food landscape for over 50 years. Enter off Bourke into a modern vibey establishment with a touch of retro, and enjoy fine Italian food and wine and let loose.

From my Melbourne food blog here are my top 5 in the CBD...

1. Bali Bagus 85 Franklin St CBD

Hidden away on Franklin St is this little gem. Bali Bagus provides sublime Indonesian food, friendly service and a modern and relaxed atmosphere. Having been to Indonesia a few times, I’ve always loved authentic Indonesian food. This is how I remember it in Indonesia.

Bali Bagus exudes character with treated concrete floor, artwork on the walls, and the striking red rendered wall (with more artwork). And a quirky water feature!