Brunswick East’s neighbourhood bar and bistro, 98 Lygon St, welcomes summer with the opening of its newly refreshed courtyard. To celebrate, the venue has launched a European-inspired Aperitivo Hour (4–6pm daily), where guests who purchase two cocktails receive a complimentary snack - perfect for starting with a drink, sharing a bite, and lingering into dinner, the European way. We were invited to a media preview and have been raving ever since about the style, the service, the generosity and quality of dishes, and the authentic neighbourhood feel.
Located in the heart of Melbourne’s iconic Lygon Street, Da Guido La Pasta recently hosted “A Branch of Olive,” an intimate evening of superb dining that felt like a heartfelt celebration of the best of produce. Marking the restaurant’s tenth year in Australia, the sold-out event celebrated the liquid gold of the Mediterranean - Ranieri extra virgin olive oil - alongside the silken flours of Molino Pasini, woven through five unforgettable courses by chef Mirco Cossavella and guided with grace by sommelier Emanuele Luzi.
A new era has begun for one of Prahran’s most recognisable corners, with the reopening of High St Hotel, a revitalised, community-driven local pub that promises to reclaim its place at the heart of the neighbourhood.
Located in the heart of Caulfield on Glen Huntly Road, a new beacon of culinary brilliance has just opened its doors, and it’s already rewriting everything Melbourne thought it knew about fine dining. Shelly, the dazzling sister restaurant to the beloved Shelanous, isn’t content to simply serve exceptional food. No, Shelly demands you feel it, hear it, live it. This is dinner as theatre, a ten-course sensory spectacular orchestrated by the irrepressible Chef Rony Parienty, a man who conducts flavour like a ringmaster conducts the big top.
Champagne, Canapés, and Caviar Bumps: Evoqé Unwind Ushers in a New Era of Event Glamour. In the heart of Melbourne, Evoqé Events - freshly rebranded from Q Events - threw open its doors for Evoqé Unwind: A Thursday Escape, a dazzling afternoon where sophistication danced with sin and every indulgence felt earned. Guests stepped into a reimagined venue, sleek and versatile, its refreshed interiors glowing under soft light and whispering endless possibilities: bold brand activations, lavish weddings, intimate parties, and corporate spectacles that reshape the city skyline.
Located in the pulsating heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Kan Eang Thai Bistro emerges as a vibrant fourth chapter in the culinary saga of siblings May and Nat Pongvattanaporn. This family-run gem pulses with neon-lit energy, blending the soulful essence of Thai heritage with audacious global influences.
This November, Melbourne’s acclaimed Cutler will host An Unhurried Christmas with Glengoyne, an exclusive whisky masterclass led by Glengoyne’s Global Brand Ambassador, Gordon Dundas, who will be visiting Australia from Scotland to guide guests through an evening of tasting and storytelling.
Few culinary books have captured my imagination quite like Mali Bakes by Patti Chimkire, the creative force behind the beloved bakeshop and cake studio of the same name. Set to release on November 4, 2025, this cookbook is a vibrant, heartfelt ode to cake-making that blends nostalgia with innovation, offering a delightful journey for bakers of all skill levels. Inspired by the vintage cake decorating books of the 1970s, Mali Bakes transforms Patti’s lockdown side hustle into a stunning collection of recipes, techniques, and visual artistry that promises to elevate your baking game and fill your kitchen with colour and flavour.
An Unmissable Luxe Experience for Whisky and Film Aficionados! The Glendronach is set to captivate Melbourne’s whisky and film lovers with an exclusive, opulent cinema experience at Palace Cinema Como in South Yarra from 12-14 November 2025. This limited-edition event marries the artistry of rare single malts with curated films, elevated snacks, and unparalleled indulgence, creating a sensory journey like no other.
In the heart of Melbourne's vibrant CBD, a new haven for regional Victorian produce has opened its doors with the launch of Farmer’s Daughters Wine House. Located at 71 Little Collins Street, this intimate venue, led by Peruvian-born chef Alejandro Saravia, extends the Farmer’s Daughters brand into a wine bar, bottle shop, and private dining space that celebrates Gippsland’s artisan farmers and winemakers.
Cheese lover? In the heart of Melbourne’s vibrant Prahran Market lies a haven for cheese enthusiasts, a place where the art of curating and savoring artisanal cheeses reaches new heights. Maker and Monger is a full-blown sensory adventure, a celebration of craftsmanship, flavor, and community that beckons food lovers to dive into a world of creamy, bold, and utterly unforgettable delights. For anyone seeking the ultimate cheese experience in Melbourne, this is the destination where passion for quality produce meets a warm, welcoming atmosphere, creating memories that linger.
Hotel Mexico in Yarraville, Melbourne, celebrated its first birthday with a vibrant, fiery fiesta that brought the spirit of Mexico to life, filling the spacious venue with sizzling flavors, infectious music, and unforgettable vibes. We were invited along for the ride, and this is a restaurant we have come to love (having visited Mexico we feel this place is authentic). The night was a whirlwind of authentic Mexican street food, premium drinks, and non-stop dancing, cementing Hotel Mexico’s status as a go-to hotspot for foodies and partygoers. The lively atmosphere, paired with the warm hospitality of the team, made the milestone celebration a night to remember. Owners and their families mingled with guests in conviviality overdrive.
Stepping into the reimagined George Hotel feels like slipping into Melbourne's soulful pub tradition, polished to a fine sheen yet brimming with its original charm. Located across from South Melbourne Market in Cecil Street, this 150-year-old corner boozer has been reimagined under new steward Scott Connolly, a publican with a knack for reviving locals like the Orrong and Healesville Hotels. Gone is the brooding ambiance of old; now, the George radiates a lighter, more inviting vibe. Tartan-patterned carpet cushions your steps, walls glow with faded footy photos that hum with stories of past glories, and exposed steel pipes, painted a playful fire-truck red, add a cheeky nod to the building’s industrial bones. The courtyard, shaded by retro beach umbrellas over sturdy wooden tables, beckons for lingering afternoons as sunlight filters through the market district’s brick facades. It’s a place that doesn’t demand attention but quietly captivates, urging you to settle in and savour its warmth.
Melbourne’s dining scene has welcomed a stunning new addition with the grand launch of Blackbird Melbourne, an ambitious venture by the award-winning Ghanem Group, renowned for creating Queensland’s Restaurant of the Year, Blackbird Brisbane. This highly anticipated opening marks a bold expansion for the group, bringing their signature sophistication, culinary excellence, and vibrant hospitality to the heart of Melbourne. With a focus on premium ingredients, refined ambiance, and unforgettable experiences, Blackbird Melbourne is poised to become a must-visit destination for food lovers, cocktail enthusiasts, and event planners alike.
In the heart of Melbourne’s vibrant laneway culture, tucked away in Driver Lane, lies Baby Driver, a Melbourne bar that pulses with retro charm and culinary flair. This hidden gem, a sibling to the iconic Beneath Driver Lane, is a sensory playground where 70s jazz funk spins on vinyl, DJs set the mood, and a neon-lit bar serves up some of the city’s most inventive cocktails. My night at Baby Driver during the residency of Colombian chef Juanito Berbeo was nothing short of unforgettable, a perfect blend of bold flavours, soulful vibes, and sassy hospitality that makes Melbourne’s bar scene so legendary.
Looking for an exciting new Italian experience in Melbourne? In the heart of Carlton on Elgin Street, a unique culinary venture has emerged, blending the charm of a laundromat with the sophistication of high-quality Italian cuisine. SEGA Pizza Chiusa, led by hatted chef Andrea Vignali, is redefining urban dining with its innovative approach to pressed pizzas, toasties, desserts (matcha and donut heaven) and an array of delectable offerings. This is a destination where quality ingredients, expert craftsmanship, and a vibrant atmosphere converge to create something truly special. From breakfast to dinner, coffee breaks to dessert indulgences, SEGA Pizza Chiusa is capturing the attention of Melbourne’s food scene with its bold flavors and creative setting.
We recently stepped into the newly opened Mountain Culture brewpub in Richmond, a vibrant addition to the city’s craft beer scene. Tucked at 148/150 Murphy Street, this venue - born from the three-time GABS Hottest 100 champions and backed by Aussie cricket captain Pat Cummins - pulses with an energy that’s both welcoming and electric. From the moment you cross the threshold, it’s clear this is a celebration of craft, community, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to linger for hours.
The private Members' Club for wine lovers, 67 Pall Mall, has unveiled the official renders of its highly anticipated Melbourne location at 85 Spring Street, revealing four extraordinary levels that will crown the building and redefine the Club experience in Australia.
On a crisp September evening, Melbourne’s Whisky & Alement transformed into a haven for whisky aficionados, hosting an unforgettable tasting event featuring the iconic Islay distillery, Laphroaig. The night was a celebration of smoky, peaty perfection, guided by Suntory Australia’s charismatic brand ambassador, Kevin Griffin, whose passion for Laphroaig’s craft illuminated the room.
This October, Cockburn’s is inviting Melburnians to discover Port in a whole new way, hosting a series of intimate cocktail masterclasses every Saturday at Marmelo, the acclaimed modern Portuguese restaurant in Melbourne. We were invited to a media preview of this experience and we were super impressed with the qaulity of the cocktails and the whole experience. Our bar tender host Peter from Marmelo was super knowlegable and we were wonderfully educated in the joy of modern port cocktails.
Circl Wine House in Punch Lane has emerged as a beacon of culinary and oenophilic brilliance, redefining the wine bar experience with an extraordinary fusion of food and wine. This hatted establishment transcends expectations, boasting a top food offering and an awe inspiring cellar of over five thousand bottles and more than one hundred fifty wines available by the glass. Guided by world class sommelier Xavier Vigier, formerly of Ten Minutes by Tractor, Circl makes legendary vintages like Romanée Conti accessible, inviting patrons to savor rare treasures without daunting expense. A tour of the sprawling upstairs cellar unveils a collection so vast it sparks wonder, setting the tone for a dining experience that feels like a journey through the finest vineyards and kitchens.
In the heart of Yarraville, Melbourne, Hotel Mexico has emerged as a vibrant celebration of Mexican food and culture, transforming the local bar scene with its authentic street food, premium agave spirits, and an atmosphere that radiates buenas vibras. This festive hotspot captures the essence of a Mexican cantina, offering a lively escape where locals and visitors can indulge in bold flavors, sip expertly crafted cocktails, and soak in the Hacienda-inspired ambiance without ever leaving Australia.
Melbourne’s Flinders Lane has welcomed a fiery new star, II.II.VI, a 115-seat culinary haven that blazes with bold, fire-kissed flavours beneath the heritage elegance of Invicta House. Born from the visionary minds of Harsha Kumarasingha and Jayantha Warnakula, the duo behind the acclaimed Ministry of Crab, this restaurant is a seductive love letter to smoky, sophisticated cuisine that marries global panache with Australia’s finest produce. From the moment you step into its art deco-inspired interior - plush oxblood leather, moody blues, and sultry lighting - the stage is set for an unforgettable dining experience. Whether it’s a romantic date night or a lively catch-up with friends, II.II.VI delivers a sensory journey that’s as approachable as it is refined.
