101 things to do in Melbourne before you die

What is it? An underground bar in Melbourne's CBD, Beneath Driver Lane certainly cuts the mustard amongst some of Melbourne's coolest hidden bars.

Why go? If you like cocktails, whisky, blues, good service and eating Reuben sandwiches at 2am, Beneath Driver Lane is the basement of your dreams. Occupying an old bank vault in the CBD, this bar has a speakeasy feeling that’s rare in a city whose subterranean spaces are sorely underused. 

Don't miss: Getting to know the well-rounded back bar that boasts a 100+ bottle selection of whiskies, including unicorns like Yamazaki 18 and Pappy Van Winkle. 

What is it? From the beginning, Hutong was the Melbourne byword for xiao long bao, and while the competition for great dumpling joints is running hot, this place is still dear to our collective hearts. 

Why go? Everything is top-notch, but it's the place to go for those soupy xiao long bao. We'd also suggest the wontons with hot chilli sauce. And the dry chilli chicken. Oh, and the pork spare ribs and the snow pea shoots with garlic if they've got them. Basically everything. And it's BYO. 

Don't miss: If you're in Chinatown, it'd be a shame not to belt your lungs out post-dumpling frenzy at one of Chinatown's karaoke joints. 

What is it? Lune Croissanterie's croissants earned the venue the top spot on Time Out Melbourne's best patisseries list, and they were dubbed "the world's best" by a writer for The New York Times. Not a bad gig for brother-sister team Kate and Cameron Reid.

Why go? As with many celebrated Melbourne eateries (ahem, Chin Chin), such high accolades often mean crowds. The lines snake out of the door nearly every day, in fact. But does Lune really cut the mustard? In short, yes. Created in a climate-controlled lab, Lune croissants are almost mathematically perfect: crisp and golden with visible layers of delicate pastry. This isn’t really so unusual when you consider the fact that Kate Reid used to be a racing car engineer.

Don't miss: The plain croissants are the OG, but we're also particularly fond of the almond croissant. Lucky for us, Lune also opened an outpost in Melbourne's CBD. 

What is it? A restaurant from cooking genius Heston Blumenthal that landed at Crown Melbourne in 2014. Dishes are gleaned from as far back as 1300, then churned through Blumenthal’s modern chef brain. You could think of it as gastronomic past meeting gastronomic futurism.

Why go? You probably won’t see the man himself, but many of the dishes have been translated more or less intact from the London iteration, including the now-iconic meat fruit – a rather perfect chicken liver parfait, as rich and airy-light as a socialite, dolled up in a shell of mandarin jelly to resemble nothing so much as a – yes – mandarin.

Don’t miss: Dining at Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant is never going to be cheap-cheap, but you can try to lessen the sting by booking a five-course lunch (weekends only), which will cost $160, as opposed to the chef’s table set menu, which costs up to $315 per diner.

What is it? The Toff in Town is one of the swankiest bars in town. Climb the stairs at vertical laneway Curtin House and you'll find a private booth bar to the left and an excellent band space to the right. 

Why go? This cosy little red-curtained room has hosted a wealth of talent, both home and from far away. It's a fun haunt and one that reeks of character in an already vibrant Melbourne scene. Get right up and sweaty at the foot of the stage or sit back and sample the menu of delicious eats and the extensive range of drinks on offer.

Don't miss: Heading upstairs to super popular Rooftop Bar for a drink among the city's rooftops. 

What is it? Melbourne caffeine queen Proud Mary’s is a Collingwood café and coffee roaster that has been brewing a damn fine cup of coffee since 2009.

Why go? Melbourne is a coffee city, we know this. Although you’re rarely more than a hundred metres from a good brew, there still are some standout roasters like Proud Mary's. Founder Nolan Hirte is dedicated to bringing customers closer to the origins of their daily joe, and you can really taste the coffee love. Your black or milky cup of caffeinated happiness will cost you $4, so you’ll have plenty moolah left to get something tasty from the café menu.

Don't miss: If you like what you taste, Proud Mary’s offer a fortnightly coffee subscription delivered straight to your doorstep.

What is it? Vegan Italian food from one of Melbourne’s best vegan restaurants. This restaurant aims to dispel the myth that vegan cuisine is lacklustre and instead serves up dishes like “oxtail” ragu and creamy, slighty sweet ricotta on pizza fritte.

Why go? If you’re the kind of vegan who misses your melty cheese and your juicy meatballs, this place is for you. On the other hand, diehard curd lovers should prepare to be impressed.

Don’t miss: Everyone is raving about the ragu on polenta and three-cheese stuffed eggplant, but for some real sorcery, order the super-bitey cacio e pepe, which is impossible to tell apart from one emulsified with real Parmesan.

What is it? A whisky distillery located in Port Melbourne that’s churning out smooth, easy-drinking flavours that any dram drinker would enjoy.

Why go? The distillery itself is an airy and open warehouse space within easy walking distance of the city. The bar at the front is open to the public (try a whisky and tonic – you can thank us later) and a great space to catch up with friends. It is whisky-focused, as you'd expect, with Starward as well as other Australian spirits available and a few craft beers.

Don’t miss: You can book tours of the distillery to learn how whisky is made, from barley to bottle. You can taste it at its various stages along the way too, as well as seeing up close the state-of-the-art equipment and hundreds of barrels ageing the precious liquid.

What is it? Time Out Melbourne's Restaurant of the Year for 2018, Carlton Wine Room boasts some serious Melbourne food pedigree.

Why go? Owners Andrew Joy and Travis Howe can count Cumulus Inc, Cutler and Co, Tonka and Coda on their resumés, but it's head chef John-Paul Twomey who's bringing instant classics to the kitchen. Essentially, it's the dream team who are representing everything that's great about Melbourne dining right now.

Don't miss: The potato focaccia, which Twomey has perfected to contain both a strong, exterior crunch and light, interior airiness. It comes served in four fingers with a pool of the soft, creamy and super lactic cheese stracciatella, plus shaved zucchini and a dose of bright chive oil. It’s bread and dip, but not as you know it.

What is it? Butcher’s Diner is a 24-hour restaurant with a heavy focus on meat. Surprisingly, it’s not just for carnivores and it serves one of the best burgers in Melbourne.

Why go? Where else can you get a premium burger made with a mix of fill and half-blood Robbin’s Island wagyu, 24 hours a day? Plus, at $12.50, it’s a steal.

Don’t miss: Trying a skewer of offal, if you’re game!

What is it? Singaporean street food outlet Hawker Chan landed in Lonsdale Street at the end of 2017 and has been popular ever since.

Why go? Street food and Michelin stars might not seem the likeliest of bedfellows, but Hawker Chan sure makes it work. It’s not uncommon to see people queueing up outside the venue before it opens, eagerly awaiting their serve of soya chicken, rice and beans. Sounds simple, but sometimes simple dishes are the hardest to perfect. 

Don't miss: The Michelin star rating comes from how Hawker Chan prepares its chicken: after making the soya marinade from scratch, chefs soak the whole chicken in it overnight. And it only costs $6.80.

What is it? It’s lights out at this global dining phenomenon where you’ll eat dinner in complete darkness. Experienced guides, who have low or no vision, escort you into a pitch-black room and help you sit down, find your cutlery and find your wine and water. Then you’ll be given meals and learn how to eat without the help of sight.

Why go? Have you ever stopped to consider how much you rely on your eyesight to do something as simple as enjoy a meal out? From finding your wine glass to loading your fork to making eye contact with your dining companion, your eyesight makes eating out simple, and indeed almost automatic. But Dans Le Noir challenges you and forces you to rely on your other senses – it’s an unforgettable experience.

Don’t miss: Having a good conversation with your neighbours. Being seated with strangers you can’t see has its own challenges, but everyone becomes emboldened friends after hours in the dark.

What is it? An impeccably good cocktail bar that’ll have you thinking your soulmate might not be a person, but a conveniently located CBD bar.

Why go? Romeo Lane has struck the perfect balance between comfort and class: all your cocktails come in beautiful cut glassware; Tom Waits is on the stereo, followed by a little Stones and Levon Helm covering Springsteen; and on a chilly night they’ll fire up the open fireplace to turn the charm offensive up to 11.

Don’t miss: If you’re feeling poorly (mentally or physically) forget Lemsip or Butter Menthols. A Gold Rush cocktail is an essential sweet-and-sour salve made from lemon juice, honey and a healthy glug of bourbon.

What is it? A cute Carlton shopfront serving some of the best gelati in Melbourne.

Why go? Pidapipo's Lisa Valmorbida graduated from a gelato university in Italy. Naturally, her signature flavours include fior di latte, ricotta and fig, rosemary and chestnut and a rare rhubard and vincotto swirl; but to these she adds a rotating selection of adventurous seasonal flavours. Some of her ingredients – including cheese from St Kilda's La Formaggeria – may not fit with your idea of gelato, but somehow, she always makes it work. Whichever scoop you choose, you can't really go wrong.

Don't miss: A scoop of the Baci or banana milk gelato on brioche (the Italian way), and don’t skip on the Nutella on tap.

What is it? Shujinko is a 24-hour ramen bar located on Russell Street in the city.

Why go? Shujinko’s presence smack bang in the CBD and a stone’s throw away from some of the city’s most popular late-night venues is a godsend. Nighttime city dwellers will no longer have to resort to a greasy kebab or a mysteriously long-lasting burger from the golden arches.

Don’t miss: The ultra-spicy karakuchi ramen is just the thing to clear those sinuses, while the black ramen is an umami bomb that can cut through your booze-numbed tastebuds.

What is it? Rooftop Bar is a bar... on a rooftop ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Why go? For a city with such temperamental weather, we sure do love a rooftop bar. Our city is basically covered by them, but the most popular is Rooftop Bar. Once you ascend the seemingly endless flight of stairs up Curtin House (passing Cookie and the Toff in Town along the way), catch your breath and quench your thirst while taking in the heart and soul of Melbourne from above. Kick back on the fake grass or huddle under the heating and lose yourself in the spectacular view.

Don't miss: Getting friendly with the vertical lane that is Curtin House while you're there. This six-storey building houses some of Melbourne's most interesting tenants, from bookshops to hairdressers, restaurants to high fashion mavens.

What is it? If you'd like to eat at one of the country's finest dining establishments, Attica is the place.

Why go? It won't be cheap, we'll warn you. But if you're willing to shell out $295, you're in for a once-in-a-lifetime degustation. The Attica team will let you taste quintessential Australian ingredients like yabbies, quandong, saltbush, finger lime or even the common, Antipodean pest the possum, all in a classy, fine dining setting. In the past, there have been hot jam doughnuts (a very Melbourne snack) and bush tucker tea made from gumbi gumbi (also known as native apricot) which is used by Indigenous people for its medicinal qualities.

Don't miss: Telling everyone you know about getting a table at Attica. Seriously, you'll be talking about this experience for years to come. 

What is it? Some of the city’s best dining is clumped together into this one, delicious stretch of road. Luckily, Flinders Lane is located in the city. Unfortunately, this means there’s almost always a queue at some of the best restaurants.

Why go? There’s ceviche and sours, Andrew McConnell’s culinary wizardry, Pan-Asian fusion with a side of hip hop, understated Japanese, tacos and tequila or modern Mediterranean. We hope you’re hungry.

Don’t miss: Kisumé is the sort of place where slivers of jewel-coloured ocean flesh are laid out with all the ceremony of tea in Kyoto, some complete with judiciously placed ornaments of edible gold leaf.

What is it? Melbourne has a long and proud history of brewing top-notch beer. Thanks to the craft beer boom, micro-breweries have popped up all over the city. If you’ve got time for only one then make sure it’s Stomping Ground.

Why go? These beer barons are the same people behind the Local Taphouse and GABS Beer, Cider and Food Fest. The massive beer hall welcomes all sorts, from beer buffs to families with tots. 

Don't miss: Taking a tour of the premises and seeing where your beer is made.

What is it? Once the epicentre of mini skirts, fake tans, hair extensions and binge drinking, Chapel Street is now home to a wealth of exciting restaurants and bars.

Why go? There’s a host of great bars to work through, whether you’re starting on the Windsor end or the South Yarra end.

Don’t miss: Leonard’s House of Love is like a cool house party at a ski resort circa 1983; Boston Sub’s Jungle Boy is the hidden bar all other hidden bars aspire to; and Lucky Coq are still slinging five-dollar pizzas so it’s pretty unmissable.

What is it? An old car factory was converted into a huge permanent beer garden and food truck park called Welcome to Thornbury.

Why go? Fun fact: if you ask any Melburnian what their favourite car is, the answer will be “a food truck”. Like food cooked on a barbecue, there is something inexplicably tastier about food that’s been made in a truck. For the biggest range of meals on wheels visit Welcome to Thornbury. There’s room for up to seven food trucks on site, and roughly 80 different trucks rotate through the venue every month, including Mr Burger, Fancy Hank’s, Super Taco and Levain Doughnuts. Try your darndest to eat from every truck, but remember there’s no shame in failing.

Don't miss: This venue is dog-friendly, so either bring your dog or go to have a squiz at everyone else's adorable doggos.