Lauren Dinse

Can't be bothered cooking this Christmas? Still yet to organise a festive family lunch? Or perhaps you'd rather get out the house and enjoy some drinks and nibbles with friends in the city. Melbourne can sometimes feel like a ghost town on the merriest day of the year, but we've rounded up a selection of restaurants and pubs that will be open and sharing in the Yuletide spirit. Best of all, you don't need to do the washing up. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Don't celebrate Christmas? Here are some fun things to do on December 25 instead.

Take your pick from the likes of Scandinavian and Italian-inspired feasts, boozy rooftop parties with snacks galore, punchy Asian-style banquets, seafood delights or an ultra-glamorous subterannean soirée to usher in 2026. Book your spot, don your fancy clothes and brace yourself for the party of the year.  Keen to kick on? These are the best New Year's parties and events to ring in 2026. Drank too much? Cure your hangover at one of these restaurants and cafès open on New Year's Day. 

Come the end of Christmas lunch, you may be bursting from the seams after platefuls upon platefuls of glazed ham, prawns and Aunt Judy's potato salad. But let's face it – there's always room for dessert. Fortunately, Melbourne is home to many artisanal bakers preparing traditional – and not-so-traditional – sweets for a show-stopping finish to the day. And best of all, most of them are available to order online so you can tick one thing off your to-do list (and avoid more time than needed in the kitchen). But don’t leave it too long, these stand-out desserts are selling fast! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Need lunch taken care of, too? These restaurants are taking bookings on Christmas Day. Plus, here's where to see Melbourne's best Christmas lights.

Ah, food. Glorious, glorious food. If there’s one thing Australians will happily cross state lines (or book flights) for, it’s a very good meal – ideally paired with an equally excellent drink in hand. In 2026, the festival calendar is once again stacked. Nearly every state, city and regional town now has a signature food and drink celebration, many built around what grows best in their own backyards: cool-climate pinot in Victoria, seafood pulled straight from the ocean in Queensland, tropical flavours in the Top End and produce so fresh it barely makes it off the farm. These events bring together the country’s best chefs, winemakers, farmers, brewers and producers – often in places you’d happily plan a long weekend around anyway.  So, whether you’re a wine wanker, a seafood seeker, a beer buff or a truffle hunter, here are the food and drink festivals in Australia that turn a good weekend away into the whole point of the trip. Editors' favourite food and drink festivals in Australia: 🍷 Best for wine lovers: Orange F.O.O.D Week, NSW 🍽️ Best for serious foodies: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, VIC 🍜 Best for something new: Darwin International Laksa Festival, NT 🍽️ The best restaurants in Australia🎸 The best music festivals in Australia

Sure, a great NYE party can be a hoot, but real ones know it's the NYD sleep-in and long, lazy lunching on January 1 that marks the true beginning to a bright and shiny new year. Whether you're feeling a bit dusty from the night before or you've chosen to forego December 31 celeberations in favour of an up and at 'em start to 2026, these Melbourne restaurants and cafés will stay open on New Year's Day to help you hit the reset button. Keen to kick on for a New Year's Day party? Here are the coolest events happening around town on Jan 1. We've also rounded up a list of other fun things to do for the rest of the month.

Can you believe Christmas is almost here? If you haven't already done so, now is the time to start planning your festive get-togethers. But this year, why not take a well-deserved break this year and leave the cooking and cleaning to someone else? If that sounds like your idea of a Christmas miracle, we've got some fab suggestions for where you can book a holiday feast to remember – complete with fresh seafood, slabs of pav and free-flowing drinks. Whether you’re spending the day with friends or your extended family, here are some fun spots to gather this Christmas Day, no matter your taste or budget. Enjoy! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Get festive with our ultimate guide to Melbourne's best Christmas lights. Plus, here's where you can buy a Christmas tree in Melbourne.

Fish and chips are a nostalgic meal for Australians, but it’s easy to forget that they didn’t actually originate here. While the Brits often get the credit for the dish (they do love their salt and vinegar), Portugal is actually the motherland of the ultimate seafood fry-up. Wherever it was invented, we’re just happy that it touched down in the land Down Under – and at just about every waterside location you can imagine.  Whether you're exploring Australia's best beaches or planning a pit stop on your great Australian road trip, we've rounded up the best fish and chips shops in Australia. The list blends the bustling seaside classics that Time Out's editors know and love with hidden local gems recommended by our readers. And it’s not just about the fish – most spots also dish up nostalgic favourites like potato scallops (or cakes, depending where you’re from), fried dim sims and Chiko Rolls (AKA Australia's favourite snack). Here are the best fish and chips in Australia. Editors' favourite fish and chips in Australia: 🌊 Best for views and variety: Kailis Fishmarket Café, WA 🐟 Best for fish feeding: Charis Seafoods, QLD 🚗 Best for a road trip: Fisho’s Torquay, VIC NSW | QLD | TAS | VIC | WA | SA | NT 🍽 The best restaurants in Australia🍕 The best pizzas in Australia🥧 The best pies in Australia

Melbourne's ice cream and gelato scene has evolved significantly over the last few years. The past was uncomplicated: decisions such as cone or cup, vanilla or chocolate, and Flake or no Flake were as flamboyant as things got. Now we have choices like ice cream brioche or tacos, fairy floss clouds or candied bacon, and charcoal, sea salt or ube. No matter how you roll, here are the super-duper scoopers serving Melbourne’s best ice cream, gelato and soft serve.  Looking for somewhere to eat your ice cream? These are the best beaches and the best picnic spots in Melbourne. 

Some things just go together: Batman and Robin, death and taxes, and our personal favourite, fish and chips. It doesn't matter how you take them; we can all agree that fish and chips are the ultimate dynamic duo. With Melbourne's prime location as a coastal city, it's no wonder we're serving up some decent parcels. From old-school chippies to the more bougie newcomers, we've rounded up our top picks, so you can spend your time doing more important things – like working your way through all of them.  Need somewhere to eat your fish and chips? These are the best beaches in Melbourne. Want to take things up a notch? These are the best beachside restaurants in Melbourne. 

We might be 16,760 kilometres from Paris, but geography cannot dampen Melbourne's love affair with la belle France. The city's leading French restaurants are a first-class ticket to the Old World — with just a little help from steak frites, crème brulée and all their delicious handmaidens.  For more food guidance, peruse our round-up of Melbourne's best restaurants – or take a trip down south to the best Italian restaurants.

Brunch is a beloved institution across Melbourne. It doesn't require an early wake-up call and is simultaneously on the right side of the day, so you can still have your avo on toast if you need it. But how do you improve on perfection? By adding bottomless drinks, of course. Bottomless brunches have taken our city by storm, and if you've done one, you've no doubt discussed tactics with friends: what to drink, how to pace yourself, the best way to grab the waiter's attention and if it's possible to surreptitiously double park. After all, bottomless brunches are all about getting the best value and a healthy buzz. And not dissimilar to the chicken and egg debate, are drinks or food more crucial when selecting your venue? We believe you can have the best of both. We've compiled a list of Melbourne's best bottomless brunches so that you can enjoy your feast with a great selection of limitless bevs.  Only after a great coffee? Here are our fave spots in the CBD to get a fix. Planning a big day and night? Kick on at the best late-night bars in Melbourne.

Gone are the days when all you could find by way of Thai food in Melbourne was pad thai, beef massaman or chicken satay. You can still find these things, yes, but the selections have expanded further to encompass all sorts of regional variations of Thai food – so much so, everyone has opinions on where their favourite iteration of boat noodles, Thai barbecue and oyster omelette is made. Strap in, ready your tastebuds for an explosion of tantalising flavours, and work your way through our round-up of the best Thai restaurants in Melbourne. Looking to explore other cuisines? Check out the best Greek restaurants and best Italian restaurants that Melbourne has to offer. 

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills for reviews so that readers can trust our critique. When word first arrived that the Tipo 00 crew were opening a polished French-ish spot in the CBD, nobody knew quite what to expect. Conferre Group’s iconic laneway institution has always been so laser-focused in its offering that one can only imagine it’s the specificity – aka masterful contemporary pasta forked out with a dash of irreverent Italian flair – that’s fuelled its consistent perfection throughout the years. Harriot’s offering, loosely pitched as a refined European bistro with Melbourne soul, initially seems indefinable. Yet unsurprisingly, this mysterious newcomer is already one of the city’s hottest new restaurants. Harriot delivers on playfully executed dishes that make the most of classical French cooking techniques and Victorian produce, cleverly pairing them with sommelier Justin Howe’s picks from the outstanding wine list. Along with the rest of Melbourne, we’re sat – and we’ve been utterly seduced. The vibe By nightfall, this red-hot restaurant smolders and slinks along more like a happening wine bar than a hoity-toity upscale diner. We stroll in on a Wednesday night to find the space aglow with dim, irresistibly warm lighting and happy diners. Tucked discreetly in the bottom of an office building, it’s almost completely packed out but far from chaotic. The smooth operation is expertly steere

What do you get when you combine the culinary finesse of Scott Pickett with the historic beauty of Como House and Garden? Como Lane – a charming Euro-inspired café that is made for aesthically pleasing photo dumps on the 'gram.  It's hardly a surprise Como Lane is magicking up some serious brunch brilliance, thanks to a very clever crew at the helm. There's the aforementioned Scott Pickett, the man responsible for bringing Longrain, Matilda, Smith St Bistrot, Estelle and Chancery Lane to Melbourne's dining playground, group executive chef and menu co-designer Stuart McVeigh, plus the duo's right-hand man on the pans – Como Lane's head chef Adam Lai (ex-Hardware Societe). Slosh into the mix an ice-cold latte made with freshly brewed beans from Merchant Coffee Roasters and you're guaranteed a cute date made in heaven. And heaven is no hyperbolic overstatement, considering the picturesque charms of this eatery and its sprawling, green piece of real estate. Instead of pearly gates, you enter through splendid iron ones, past towering trees, a stunning fountain terrace and the historic mansion, which dates back to 1847. You can even book a tour if you're curious about the family who lived there (there's only one haunted room, we promise), but it's the café you'll be going back for. The lunch menu goes beyond eggs and toasties, with classic Euro-leaning dishes like chicken schnitzel with celeriac, apple, horseradish and spiced butter sauce; wild mushroom and goats cheese quiche; a

Cricket is like a religion in India, the beloved sport uniting folks from every region, class and creed across the nation. Following independence, the Indian community reclaimed their Bengali cricket clubs and members bars – and now Melbourne has scored one of its very own. Award-winning chef Mischa Tropp (Toddy Shop) has teamed up with Crown Melbourne to open Kolkata Cricket Club. His biggest project to date, the 150-seater restaurant brings pan-Indian and Bengali-influenced fare to the forefront, including Tropp's irresistibly good butter chicken (IYKYK), meats hot out of the tandoor oven, naan, seafood and a long list of beer-friendly snacks – perfect for long boozy afternoons. There are two distinct dining spaces to choose from: the Sporting Bar and a new private dining room. At the bar, you can complement your ice-cold pints with beer-battered fries and curry sauce, kulcha breads stuffed with saffron-braised duck and beautifully prepared thali plates. The flexible new dining space can host everything from intimate birthday dinners to gatherings with room for 70 seated guests. With custom-made teak chairs and lamps sourced from artisans in Jaipur, it's a beautifully ornate area to suit all occasions.   For more info and to make a booking, head to the website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Still hungry? These are the 50 best restaurants in Melbourne right now.

Returning for its tenth edition on November 23, the East Malvern Food and Wine Festival is shaping up to be a celebration of Victorian wine producers, brewers, growers and artisan makers. And best of all, entry is free! The festivities kick off at Central Park from 11am, and attendees can stroll through the open green spaces to wine, dine and recline in the picturesque surroundings. Expect to taste a vast range of vinos from 15 local wineries, including Sutherland Estate, St Hubert, Yering Farm, Trentham Estate and Mount Avoca Wines. For those who prefer a more distilled option, Mary Monica Gin, Original Spirit Co, Noble Bootleggers and Naught Distillery will also be in attendance. Peckish? The festival's set to be a globally inspired food truck paradise thanks to Bao Melbourne, Amazing Calamari, Spanish Paella, The Famous Sandwich, Flaming Skewers and more. Sweets include ice cream from Billy Van Creamy, Luvlee and 776 Loukoumades. And be sure to stock up on locally produced cheeses, gourmet condiments and plenty of other goodies from the market stalls before you leave. Admission is free, but you can also opt for a $39.50 wine tasting package that includes a branded wine glass and five tasting tickets.  For more info, head to the website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. After more fun things to do in our city? Check out the best events happening in Melbourne this week.

Prepare to enter the pearly gates of doughnut heaven, sweet Melburnians. Queen Victoria Market's free Donut Festival is returning for a special edition from November 1-2. Back by popular demand after a hugely successful event in May, Melbourne's most dough-licious creators and bakers are returning  with plenty more sugary delights that will have all your cravings satisfied. The lip-smacking line-up includes Jamm'd Dessert Bar with their hot Danish dougnuts; chewy mochi bites from Mochimelb; churro bowls with creamy vanilla ice cream from Churro Kitchen; deliciously sweet loukomades from St. Gerry's; and G-Free Donuts with tasty options for the gluten-free crowd. And for those of you who just love a classic ringed doughnut with a dusting of cinnamon, Walker's Doughnuts is bringing the goods.  This free weekend-long fest is all about indulging in everybody's favourite deep-fried treat, whether you like yours simple and iced or loaded with decadent toppings. There will also be live music, roving performers and circus acts to keep the sugar high going. The Donut Festival is happening from 9am to 4pm, so all you need to do is head to the C and D sheds (Peel Street end) with your mates and a will to indulge.  For more info, head to the Queen Vic Market website. For more sugar-dusted inspo, check out our list of Melbourne's best patisseries.

Time Out Melbourne never writes starred reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills for reviews so that readers can trust our critique. Melbourne is in a golden era for casual Greek food right now and Taverna – a nifty newcomer from restaurateur Angie Giannakodakis (Epocha, Press Club) – is proof. The breezy Athenian-inspired restaurant opened on the site of George Calombaris’s OG Hellenic Republic to much fanfare, an instant hit with Greek food lovers thanks to its wholesome taverna eats cooked with simplicity and served share-style, and its understated dazzler of a drinks list. Extra gold stars are duly awarded for Taverna’s warm approach to service, inspired by the spirit of ‘philoxenia’ (‘love of strangers’).  The vibe No need to make sure you’re suited, booted, glammed or gussied up before visiting this relaxed local. I head in for dinner on a Friday night, and the vibe is coolly casual; it’s got the spirit of an easygoing local. What sounds like Greek alt rock music softly complements the dinner hum, and while the restaurant isn’t exactly heaving at the seams (perhaps due to the selection of an earlier booking time), I spy a few couples on date nights and low-key family get-togethers. That’s not to say the restaurant doesn’t carry a sense of occasion – white-painted walls and comfy vintage-chic aesthetics may pay homage to the motherland, but it’s a restaurant that feels Melbourne and very much of-the-moment. Service is warm and personal,

As if the Melbourne Fringe Festival's program of art, theatre, comedy and experimental shows wasn't enough of a sensory feast to begin with, Queen Victoria Market is joining the fun for a second year with Fringe Flavours. Need somewhere vibe-y and cool to grab dinner before the show? This is your flavourful pit-stop! Complete with food trucks, stalls and bars lining the streets and open-air sheds, the month-long series of markets will be held every Wednesday night from September 17 to October 15. Festivalgoers and curious passersby alike will be treated to a tantalising array of snacky offerings – from Polish dumplings, artisanal pasta and tacos to Japanese-inspired soufflés, donuts and ice cream. Highlights of the vendor line-up include Flaming Skewers, Swerle, Smashville, The Lil Dumpling Van and more.  There'll also be plenty of action and performances available at the market each Wednesday night, such as cabaret, comedy, burlesque artists, bands, DJs and more.   The Fringe Flavours Night Market has no entry fee and welcomes everyone to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Bring your friends, family and a hearty appetite and have fun!  Looking to plan your social calendar ahead? Check out our fresh guide for fun things to do this October.

The Mornington Peninsula, Great Ocean Road and Yarra Valley Chocolateries are famous for their month-long festival dedicated to hot chocolate in all its irresistible forms, and this year’s no different. A total of 31 limited-edition flavours will be available to try throughout August, with decadent options loaded with everything from boozy truffles to choc-lined ice cream cones. Some of the flavours already revealed include Sweet Berry Tacos, a berry-infused hot chocolate accompanied by a sponge taco filled with white chocolate ganache and fresh fruit for dunking; and Dubai Sphere, which features a pistachio marshmallow sphere filled with Dubai chocolste crème that can be dropped into your steaming-hot bevvie. Heaven! Each steamy creation is barista-made with a shot of either dark, milk, white, ruby or caramelised warm couverture chocolate, and served in a large glass with a giant fluffy marshmallow and a selection of artisan ingredients.  “Our annual Hot Chocolate Festival has become a real feature on the calendar for our three Chocolateries, and we’ve loved coming up with even more over-the-top creations and experiences this year,” says head chocolatier, Allan Grandjean.     Can’t decide on just one hot choccie? Then the tasting sessions have your name on it. At $28 per person, it’s an opportunity to sample eight different flavours. You'll also get the chance to flex your culinary chops by choosing from 50 different ingredients to make three bespoke creations. Throughout

What’s better than gorging yourself on scones, finger sandwiches and Champagne at a regular high tea? Gorging yourself on piles and piles of cheese at the Westin’s un-brie-lievable High Cheese event, of course. Yes, the insanely successful event is back at the Westin's Allegro Restaurant for another year, and we turophiles couldn't be more thrilled. The idea for High Cheese first crystallised a few years ago when the Westin's executive chef at the time, Michael Greenlaw, teamed up with Anthony Demia from Maker and Monger to bring a series of cheeses together in both sweet and savoury dishes. Years later, the much-loved tradition continues. In 2025, the indulgent menu has been curated in collaboration with renowned cheese masters, brother-sister duo the Studd Siblings and vino legends Zonzo Estate. Ellie and Sam Studd, both members of the International Guilde des Fromagers and Certified Cheese Professionals, have joined forces with the Westin's executive chef, Apoorva Kunte, to curate an enticing three-tiered selection of dairy-licious treats. We're listening... Each creation showcases the finest quality cheese from around the world, with each tier crafted to highlight bold flavour, balance and technique. Highlights from the menu include Aphrodite Barrel aged organic fetta with tomato and lychee tartare, Woombye triple cream brie with pickled beetroot and raspberry almond pesto, and a shared baked Le Conquérant camembert with thyme and garlic. Yum! And a high tea wouldn't be

Long overshadowed by Victoria’s hallowed grape territories of the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Heathcote, Sunbury may not be the first winemaking region you consider for a wine adventure – despite being one of the state’s oldest, dating back to the 1860s. But that’s only one reason why Marnong Estate, a winery out in nearby Mickleham, ignited my curiosity. I’d also been gleefully told tales of camels, goats and alpacas swanning around the perimeter, of breathtaking panoramic views at sunset and romantic hilltop picnics, and a patch of smartly appointed luxury cabins well worth a stay. Add in the news that culinary talent Greg Feck had joined the winery’s Italian fine diner La Vètta as executive chef, and I was sold.   It takes just under an hour for my partner and I to drive from our home in Melbourne’s inner north to Marnong Estate, and we’re astonished to see the car park completely full when we arrive. Even in the crisp cold of a Melbourne winter, the estate is swimming with families and locals enjoying a day out – and it’s clear they’re having a grand old time. And as it turns out, so do we! Love for this winery is perennial, such is its Jack-of-all-trade destination appeal. Aside from La Vètta, there’s a cellar door and wine tasting room, accommodation, the vineyard itself, expansive event spaces, two Italian-inspired eateries and a boutique brimming with all kinds of gourmet goodies.  Why stay at Marnong Estate? For wine lovers, waking up to sweeping vineyard

Aren't we Melburnians just a lucky bunch? After its delicious debut, Australia's very own chocolate festival is back in town for its second year. The event, which features chocolate makers from ten countries (including Ecuador and Samoa), will be hosted at the Seaworks Maritime Precinct in Williamstown from July 5 to 6. Ticketholders will be treated to free choccy samples and insightful chats with the creators of the world's favourite sweet treat. There'll also be demonstrations on how the beans are made into chocolate – so if you've ever been curious about that amazing, alchemical process, here's your chance to learn about it firsthand! There's even an option to add a wine pairing experience to your day. Expect to enjoy 70 different tastings from 42 exhibitors on the day, many of which are offering no-sugar-added, all-natural, organic, vegan, gluten-free and kosher products. Note that sample sizes will be bite-sized and if you enjoy what you taste, you're welcome to purchase products directly from the makers to take home with you or give as gifts. Chocolate in its purest state is an experience not to be missed, so bring along your most passionate foodie friends and family for what's sure to be one of Melbourne's sweetest days out this winter. You can nab a ticket to the event here. For more info about the festival and the different ticket types available, visit the official website. Need to warm up? Here's where you can find Melbourne's tastiest hot chocolates. For something

After years of success, refined Italian eatery Cucinetta has brought back its famous cheese wheel for the 11th edition. Once again, the team is serving the traditional meal of fettuccine cacio e pepe, a simple yet sophisticated pasta dish made with quality cheese and lashings of pepper. Served out of a wheel of parmigiano reggiano (as all pasta should be served), it’s a cheese-on-cheese affair. Why, you may ask? Well, no raison d'etre is needed because who doesn't love a cheese wheel? To get your share of the marvelous cheese-sauced ribbons, all you need to do is make a booking and head down to Cucinetta's dining room in South Yarra on your chosen date. The wheel will be up and running July 31. A serving costs $36 and it's available on the menu over lunch and dinner. Want to get in on the carby goodness? Stop salivating, start booking.  Craving Italian now? These are the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne.

When it comes to modern-day Melbourne hospitality legends, it's hard to think of a name more impressive than Andrew McConnell. The prominent chef and restaurateur, along with his partner Jo McGann and their tight-knit Trader House group, have spearheaded some of the city's best-loved restaurants and bars over the years – Gimlet, Apollo Inn, Supernormal, Builders Arms Hotel, Marion, Cumulus Inc, Cutler and several more successful projects. And the powerhouse team aren't planning to slow down anytime soon, with plans announced for a brand-new restaurant to add to their portfolio: Côte Basque. Set to open in the former Becco site in Melbourne’s CBD, the European-style grill will take inspiration from the fresh ingredient-driven cuisine and vibrant energy of the Basque Coast.  “The name references our love of Basque culture and the coastline that bridges the northern Basque region of Spain and the southwest of France,” says McConnell. “The raw beauty of the region and a bounty of benchmark produce have long been an inspiration for us. The tradition of woodfired cooking that defines this region will be central to the menu and influence not only what we cook, but how we cook.” The ground floor space will seat around 100 guests and retain many of the building's original features, from the green terrazzo floor to the stepped dining room and street-level windows along Crossley Street. The restaurant is currently being designed in collaboration with Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker of

Anyone who loves eating out in Australia will know OpenTable. Even if you don’t think you know it, you’ve probably used it to book a table – whether at your local go-to or the city’s hottest new bar. But OpenTable is more than just a booking tool; it also reveals the trends and habits shaping how Australians eat and drink when dining out. Each year, OpenTable gathers data from thousands of venue reviews, plus reservation and search metrics, to come up with an intriguing set of reports. The latest? A definitive list of the top 50 restaurants in Australia for 2025, based on data from almost 200,000 diner reviews. This year, Victoria takes the crown as the state with the highest number of restaurants on the list at 17, while Queensland has 14 and New South Wales comes in third with 12.  Photograph: Supplied | Fiore at Down The Rabbit Hole Wines Let's take a look at the restaurants Aussies are loving right now – at least if five-star reviews and repeat bookings are anything to go by. The top 50 includes plenty of spots on our very own list of the best restaurants in Australia, including Time Out Sydney’s Restaurant of the Year Neptune’s Grotto and beloved Melbourne fine diner Vue de Monde. But it also spotlights hidden and regional gems, from the intimate 14-seat Humble on Duke in Sunshine Beach to Fiore at Down The Rabbit Hole Wines in the McLaren Vale. You can check out the full list below, listed in alphabetical order by state/territory. The top 50 restaurants on OpenTable f

Did you know that a bunch of major cities around the world all have super-cool material libraries? That's right – from New York to Paris, Shanghai to Sweden, there are physical spaces where designers and creators can get up close with a range of cutting-edge materials. And now, thanks to the global sustainability consultancy Hyloh, that concept has finally arrived in Melbourne. Situated in Richmond’s historically rich Sanders Place, the pop-up Melbourne Material Library invites designers, architects, sustainability professionals and innovators to get hands-on with the thrilling future of materials. Imagine living moss, coffee-ground golf tees, 3D-printed eggshell ceramic tiles, bio-based paper coatings, mycelium packaging, oyster shell renders and hemp hurd blocks, amongst a maze of even more fascinating stuff. The experience is designed to be tactile, thought-provoking and lots of creative fun! The idea behind the library is that through being able to touch, test and experiment with these materials, visitors can avoid wasting time on guesswork in their projects – and costly design mistakes.   Photograph: Supplied The library hosts an impressive line-up of suppliers, including Saveboard, Zeoform, Circular Sea, Defy Design, ISOHemp and Eggxpert. As the first material library of its kind in Australia, the pop-up aligns with Melbourne’s Economic Development Strategy 2025–2029, which positions the city as the Asia-Pacific’s hub for innovation and opportunity. With hopes to se

If your dream lawn party is less about croquet, canapés and Champers and more about frothy pints, tacos and plenty of space for the kids to run wild and free, you're in luck. A decommissioned bowling green at the East Malvern RSL has shape-shifted into a relaxed, fun-filled beer garden: welcome to Banjo's Social Club.  The joyous new activation – a shared project between Banjo's Bistro, the RSL's on-site restaurant and Melbourne beer gurus Stomping Ground Brewery – promises a jam-packed program over the sunny months. Think live music and afternoon DJs on weekends, evening movie screenings, and even a petting zoo on Sundays – always a thrill for the little ones!  While publican Matt Vero (the man behind local legends like the Orrong Hotel and Healesville Hotel) aims to channel the spirit of the classic Aussie bowling green, he's upped the ante with colourful umbrella-shaded picnic tables; a container bar pouring crisp Stomping Ground brews, wines and cocktails; and a lively Mexican food truck for beer-friendly eats. Add a strong dose of sunshine and your arvo is set.   Photograph: Marcie Raw Photography “It is all about giving locals a place that feels both familiar and new,” said Vero. “We’ve taken inspiration from the old suburban bowlos that so many Australians grew up around and reimagined them for today. Banjo’s Social Club is casual and welcoming, but with great food, great beer and plenty of space for the whole family.” Check it out now from Wednesday through Sunda

OpenTable may be best known as the website where hungry diners can book coveted spots at popular bars and restaurants, but it's also become a compelling tool for insights into users' dining trends and habits. So each year, the platform leverages its findings from hundreds and thousands of venue reviews, plus reservation and search metrics, to come up with an intriguing set of reports. The most recent? A definitive list of the top 50 restaurants in Australia for 2025, based on data from around 195,000 diner reviews. And what a stellar result for Victoria! This year, we've taken the crown as the state with the highest amount of restaurants on the list at 17, while Queensland had 14 and New South Wales came in third with 12. Sorry not sorry, Sydney!   Photograph: Jana Langhorst Let's take a look at the restaurants Victorians seem to be loving right now – at least if five-star reviews and repeat bookings are anything to go by. In the CBD, long-standing Italian favourites like Cecconi's on Flinders Lane, Il Solito Posto, The Moat and Trattoria Emilia are still proving popular as ever, as well as fine dining icon Vue de Monde. Inner-city spots Bellota Wine Bar, Geppetto Trattoria, Lagoon Dining and Yeongga Korean BBQ also edged onto the list, while regional gems hailed from towns like Port Fairy (Merrijig Kitchen), Belgrave (Cognoscenti Food and Wine) and Bright (Sir Loins).  See below for the full list of Victorian restaurants: Attica – Ripponlea Bansho – Armadale Bellota Wine

Pop a cork on your fave bottle, folks: we Victorians have good reason to celebrate. Forbes has just announced its 2025 list of the World's 50 Best Wineries – and, yep, one of our very own has made the cut (and ranked high!). Drumroll, please... Let's raise a glass for Brown Brothers! The cherished winery secured 12th place on the annual list after earning 30 points from a global panel of trusted wine experts. Whether you're fond of the Victorian producer's super popular prosecco or are yet to enjoy a tour around its beautiful vineyard in the heart of the King Valley, consider this news a good nudge to go and reacquaint your vino-loving self with the local brand. Founded in 1889, Brown Brothers has operated from its historic Milawa site for more than 136 years. To this day it remains under the stewardship of the Brown family, and is a proud founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine, a collective known for its focus on heritage, authenticity and commitment to excellent quality. “We are incredibly honoured to be internationally recognised by such a prestigious program,” says Brown Brothers winemaker and fourth generation Brown family member, Katherine Brown. “This award is a testament to our dedication for outstanding winemaking and the incredible experiences we create for our visitors.” Photograph: Supplied / Brown Brothers The winery’s solid rep hasn't just been shaped by award-winning wines but also by its courageous experimentation and training of future indust

Obsessed with excellent epicurean experiences? Here's a reminder to open your 2026 calendar right now and block out March 20-29, because the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF) is due to return with a delicious, saucy splash. From street food parties and hotly anticipated pop-ups to long, outdoor luncheons and unforgettable fine dining events, this is an eating and drinking extravaganza you'll want to clear time (and stomach space!) for. A smashing line-up for the beloved festival's 2026 program has just been announced, and with more than 200 events to choose from across the state, attendees will be spoilt for choice. But don't let overwhelm consume you; here's a round-up of highlights so you can start planning your best MFWF yet – whether it's your very first one or an unmissable annual fixture in your diary. One of the MFWF's hottest hitters has always been the World's Longest Lunch, which will again be hosted in Kings Domain across more than 600 metres of table. The 2026 feast will be Greek-themed to celebrate the city's recent influx of incredible Greek dining offerings and historic diasporic connection, with culinary talent from popular restaurants Kafeneion and Tzaki, plus author Ella Mittas, set to collaborate on a fresh, flavour-packed feast.   Photograph: PJ Pantelis Sweet treat devotees, listen up: Cake Picnic is coming. This international smash hit event began in San Francisco as a humble 15-person cake swap, but has since grown into an event that sells out t

It's a tragic reality that too many Victorians have been seriously injured or lost their lives while walking or cycling. In response, the Victorian Government has pledged to invest in safer connections for pedestrians who need to get from A to B without a car. The goal? To boost accessibility across Melbourne, alleviate congestion on our roads and ultimately save lives.  Part of this initiative includes a new dedicated walking and cycling bridge now open along busy Dynon Road. The three-metre-wide bridge winds 440 metres across the rail yards between the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail and North Melbourne Station, and is designed to accommodate a high volume of walkers, runners and cyclists, as well as mobility scooters, wheelchair users and prams. This bridge also connects with the recently opened Footscray Road walking and cycling bridge, providing a safer route for those from the west travelling towards the city, North Melbourne, Carlton and nearby suburbs. Photograph: Supplied / Vic Gov “Too many vulnerable road users have been seriously injured or killed on our roads, and we’re determined to change that,” said minister for roads and road safety, Melissa Horne. “Through projects like this, we’re creating safer, separated connections for cyclists and pedestrians – protecting lives and reducing trauma across our network.” The West Gate Tunnel project’s delivery of more than 14 kilometres of new and upgraded paths aims to completely overhaul travel in Melbourne's west, providing

An exciting wave of pub revivals has swept over Melbourne recently, from North Fitzroy Arms Hotel and Punters Club in the inner north to the recent retro reinvigoration of Hickens Hotel in the CBD, it's been a welcome rejuvenation of some of our city's best-loved boozers. And now the Waterside Hotel (a Flinders Street institution since 1925) has followed suit, reemerging as a grand, multi-level destination complete with seven stories of food, drink and design. Sand Hill Road hospitality group – best known for restoring and reimagining popular Melbourne venues like the Espy and Garden State Hotel – has spent nearly a decade leading the ambitious project through planning and construction.   Photograph: Ryan McCurdy Though the redeveloped Waterside Hotel has retained its landmark heritage-listed facade, its interiors have been completely transformed and now feature lush terraces with ample space to take in panoramic city views.  “The Waterside Hotel is the culmination of decades revitalising pubs across Melbourne,” said Matt Mullins, Sand Hill Road's co-owner. “We’re deeply passionate about breathing new life into treasured venues, and we felt that now was the perfect time to revive the Waterside Hotel – restoring this iconic landmark while offering something truly unique for Melbourne, that is on a global scale.” On the ground floor visitors can find a public bar and beer garden for modern Aussie pub eats and capacity for more than 400 people. Then up on level two is Southeas

It's the glow-up that Carlton locals and fans of the famous Little Italy precinct alike have all been waiting for: after shutting down for renovations last year, King and Godfree has finally revealed plans for what could be its most exciting era to date. The historic space – formerly home to an Italian specialty deli, plus the wine bar Agostino – is set to reopen this summer with a fresh new look and three ambitious venues in the works. Hospo gun Jamie Valmorbida (Pidapipo, Johnny's Green Room) will roll out the transformation in stages, beginning this December with a relaxed counter-service pizzeria right next to Pidapipo.  Next, an all-day osteria will serve up a sophisticated destination for morning coffee, long lunches and aperitivo hour wines. And after dark? The building will stay abuzz, with the reimagined basement cellar soon to operate as a late-night cocktail and music bar – perfect for those who like their Bellinis with a side of beats and grooves.   Photograph: Griffin Simm “Building on the success of Johnny’s Green Room, we’re creating a family of venues that honour the site’s heritage while looking ahead,” says Valmorbida. “This is about realising the King and Godfree building’s vision and creating a true neighbourhood precinct – generous, welcoming and connected to its history.” Valmorbida is the grandson of the late Carlo Valmorbida, who acquired the building in 1955. While a period of mourning is to be expected for the closure of the original deli, Valmorbi

Since the news first broke in March that Hugh Allen – Vue de Monde's critically acclaimed executive chef – would be launching his very first restaurant right here in Melbourne, we've been eagerly counting down to its opening date. And now, that day has finally come: Yiaga (an Indigenous word meaning ‘to seek and find’) is officially open to the public. Located in the heart of East Melbourne's lush Fitzroy Gardens, it has taken up residence in an old pavilion that was originally built in 1908 as a tearoom and expanded with a dining room in the ’20s. It had been vacant for nearly a decade before Allen, in collaboration with renowned Australian architect John Wardle and his team, took over the venue and began a stunning transformation.   Photograph: Jason Loucas   Now it's a space that beautifully complements the lush garden setting, with an open dining and kitchen area, a rich and earthy colour palette, and terracotta tiles that emulate the bark of nearby elm trees. There's also a beautiful Tasmanian blackwood timber cellar by Ross Thompson, a custom-built table that furniture designer Vivienne Wong made using a cypress branch from the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens and even the Yiaga branding has been created to symbolise local specimens of Australian flora. The restaurant itself – which seats 44 diners, including an eight-seat semi-private dining area – will showcase Australia's abundant diversity of native ingredients and top-quality produce. Think pasture-fed Blackmore Wagy

It's no secret we're big fans of Bar Bellamy in Carlton – it was the winner of our Best Cocktail Bar award at the 2025 Time Out Melbourne Food and Drink Awards, after all. And now, we're ready to be just as charmed by its new sibling venue: Melitta Next Door, a colourful Mediterranean-inspired venue located (you guessed it) right next door.   Melitta, named after a type of honey bee, is designed to be an easier, breezier and more accessible destination for casual weeknight gatherings and those keen to have a taste of the Bar Bellamy magic in a brand new format. Through pre-batching cocktails and spearheading a more efficient approach to service, owners Dani and Oska Whitehart aim to serve locals in a way that's both affordable and approachable.   Photograph: Harrison Moss   “It's not about scaling back from Bar Bellamy,” notes Oska. “It's about scaling up speed in order to scale down prices.” The team describe the Melitta concept as reminiscent of “backyard parties when we were strapped but still wanted to have fun”. Leading the kitchen is Lorena Carso (ex- Napier Quarter, Estelle, Anchovy) who runs her own pop-up business, Sicilian Smoke Out – a celebration of open fire-cooking and recipes from Carso's home country and childhood. Expect to see this philosophy play out in the form of delicious flame-fuelled eats like the lamb arrosticini with salsa verde (a staple in Abruzzo) and vegan kohlrabi skewers, plus pan-fried flatbread finished off on the barbecue. Other hits on th