Well, Melbourne, we did it again. We survived another lockdown, pulled our heads in and stuck it out for the good of our community. Now that the lockdown has lifted, it's time to ditch the couch and enjoy the best of the city. Hospitality, arts and cultural venues are keen to open their doors and welcome you back, so go support the best of the city.
Looking for suggestions? Why, we thought you'd never ask.
Eat
We're looking at another 30-plus day on Saturday, and what better way to cool off than with ice cream? And luckily for you, there's an ice cream festival happening this weekend. Get yourself to the famous Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, sister venue on the Great Ocean Road or cute-as-a-button venue on the Mornington Peninsula. There are 12 new flavours every day, so prepare for more than one scoop. Our suggestion? Go beyond the classic scoops and try the kooky flavours like parmesan and olive oil, Siracha pretzels, and black sticky rice banana. There will also be adults-only flavours like spiced Negroni and yuzu whisky sour.
Now, you may have noticed a bit of a sandwich renaissance lately. It seems like every café and restaurant in town is serving up their own fancy sandwich, from schnitzel sandwiches on challah to Cuban sandwiches, cheese toasties and so much more. We've scoured the city and found the 20 best sandwiches in Melbourne, so there's lunch sorted.
Combine ice cream and what your mum would call 'real food' at Piccolina, which has collaborated with chefs to create truly wild and wacky flavours that definitely tick the savoury box. This weekend Tom Sarafian, who is currently in the midst of a three-month residence in the kitchen at Little Andorra, will present Middle Eastern flavours with three new flavours. There's a yoghurt gelato infused with Persian saffron and vanilla bean layered with passionfruit curd, a goat’s feta gelato with crushed mamool and a green fig and toasted sesame jam, as well as a pineapple sorbet with arak and basil oil drops.
Drink
You don't need us to tell you it's World Margarita Day this weekend (do you?). So make it your personal mission to sample the goods and celebrate World Margarita Day in Melbourne, the perfect mixture of tart, sweet, boozy and icy.
Want to drink on a beach but don't want to leave the city? Boatbuilders Yard has dumped a tonne of sand outside its venue to make a beachside bar on the banks of the Yarra. What goes well with the beach? Frozen Piña Coladas and Tiki-style cocktails, of course, which are exactly what Boatbuilders Yard has put on the menu.
Things to do
You might have heard there is some sort of sporting event going on in Melbourne. It's the final weekend of the Australian Open, so if you can score tickets, get yourself to Melbourne Park to watch the greatest of the greats battle it out in the finals. Note: You can buy tickets to particular zones and particular times, but to keep everyone safe, there's not the kind of mingling we are used to at the Open. Check your ticket for restrictions.
Photo 2020 – which was set to be the largest and most significant photography event in Australia – was just about to really get started when a certain something put the whole world on pause. However, the huge event was rescheduled as Photo 2021, and it's opening this weekend. Photo 2021 brings together free exhibitions and a massive public program to Melbourne and cities across Victoria. Works in the inaugural event are based around the central theme of ‘the truth’ and feature photographers from around the world. More than 40 galleries and cultural institutions are hosting exhibitions, including the NGV, Koorie Heritage Trust and Geelong Gallery.