Rushani Epa

If you're not familiar with the amazing concept of a cat café, it's basically a magical place where cat lovers can get their feline and caffeine fixes at the same time. There are very few joys in life greater than sipping a hot cuppa while petting a purring furball, so we've rounded up a couple of cafés in Melbourne to help you on your quest for a purrfect afternoon.  And if you thought it couldn't get any better than that, most of these spots have adopted their fleet of cats from a shelter or operate as shelters themselves. Fall in love with a particular furball? Take them home and let them be your fur-ever friend.  More of a dog person? Hit up one of Melbourne's pooch-friendly pubs. Looking to take care of a cute creature in need? Here's where you can adopt a pet in Melbourne.

May 2024: A great café isn't just a place to grab a quick bite to eat; it's a thoughtfully designed space, a reliable purveyor of A-grade coffee (and hallowed for its perennially good food), and a comfortable gathering nexus for community. So which ones get it right in this town? Bookmark this guide and consider it your autumn hit list. There's a lot to love about Melbourne's world-class café scene. Wickedly good coffee. Creative brunch dishes that taste as good as they look, fresh from the minds of some of the city's top talent. And of course, the vibes. Discovering hot new cafés is almost a competitive sport in a city with AM dining of this calibre, so we've scoured Melbourne to bring you a guide to the best of the best. Looking for dessert that masquerades as breakfast? Check out the best doughnuts in Melbourne. Prefer a healthier feed? Try our pick of the best healthy lunch eats in the CBD.

May 2024: In a famous food city like ours, how on earth do you decide which restaurants are the best of the best? Of course, depending on your individual tastes, culture, budget, location and other factors, such a feat is impossible. But here at Time Out, we certainly do try – in fact, our critics are out dining and drinking every week of the year to deliver you an ultimate guide to only the finest eating experiences in Melbourne. Keep a note of this list to see which ones are exciting us the most right now. The continually evolving and expanding dining scene in Melbourne is both a blessing and a curse: how do you choose between so many incredible restaurants? Well, that's where we come in. Stop endlessly scrolling, and commit to making your way through Time Out’s list of the best restaurants in the state right now. Our always-hungry local experts and editors have curated 2024's most delicious and divine, innovative and imaginative, comforting and familiar, memorable and magical dining experiences right here at your fingertips. From old favourites and culinary institutions such as Attica, Stokehouse and Flower Drum, to emerging standouts and instant icons such as Serai, Gimlet, Amaru and Reine and La Rue, we've got it all covered here. And as for the brand new restaurant and bar openings catching our eye? Check out this guide instead. Get out, and get eating! You've got a lot to get through!  Prefer a tipple-focused adventure? These are the best bars in Melbourne. Looking for

The unmistakable smokiness and charry, rendered skin are the best things about charcoal chicken, and these qualities are what sets charcoal chook apart from its roasted relatives. It has to be moist and tender with concentrated flavour. But it’s not all about the chicken – no one goes to the chicken shop without ordering a few sides, whether it’s chips, salads or a potato cake. And we are here to judge it all.  We've rounded up our top picks below to ensure you're getting the best crispy, smokey chook that Melbourne has to offer. Prefer your chicken with cheese and passata? These are Melbourne's best chicken parmas. Like your meals cheap? Here are our favourite meals on a budget. 

What is it with corporate cafes in the CBD and high-calorie focaccias the size of your face that somehow still taste like nothing? To love your lunchtimes again, let's liven it up a bit. Whether you’re watching your waistline or simply searching for a light and fresh meal that won’t plonk you into an afternoon slump, this is the list to bookmark. Looking for something lighter on the wallet? Check out the 20 best lunches in the CBD for less than $15. 

There are some hungers that only the fermented acidity of kimchi, the soft bubble of boiling tofu, tender marinated beef and a whole lot of deep-fried chicken can sate. Luckily, we're blessed here in Melbourne to have a selection of killer Korean restaurants at our fingertips. So prime your taste buds for coal-fuelled Korean barbecue or bibimbap cooked in a hot stone dish, tables crammed with every banchan imaginable and hot soups to warm your cockles on a chilly evening in the city.  Want more? Check out our guide to Melbourne's best restaurants and best cheap eats.

The global Black Lives Matter movement in mid-2020 following the death of American man George Floyd sparked protests and demonstrations around the world and spurred on acknowledgement of the race-related injustices that continue to take place in this country against its original inhabitants, too. If you were one of the many people who posted a black square to show your support for the Black Lives Matter movement, it’s important to follow this up with action and education. Every single Australian must be reading, learning, doing research, speaking up and donating to causes that work to minimise everyday injustices and make serious moves to change institutionalised racism. We’ve gathered together a list of some of the charities and organisations supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and PoC voices around Australia and the world. If you aren’t in a position to help financially, there are other ways you can show your support. Read on to learn how to provide financial support, get to know these organisations or get involved in their vital work.  Looking for other ways to lend a hand? Here's where to volunteer in Melbourne.

Picnic season is upon us, and it's time to catch up with those we've missed over a meal in the sunshine. And with that in mind, some of Melbourne's best venues have put together food and drink options to keep you occupied all day long. Whether you're looking for a dozen fresh oysters or sandwiches fit for the finest tea party, our guide has it all. So what are you waiting for? Pre-order these ready-to-go packs and call dibs on the best spot in the park. RECOMMENDED: The best ice cream and gelato in Melbourne.  

If you're reading this, then we assume you adore oysters. There's not really much middle ground with these tasty treats of the sea. And if there's one thing that unites oyster enthusiasts, it's the joy of being able to eat them by the dozen and have change to spare for a great glass of sparkling on the side.  For more thrifty dining tips, check out our guide to cheap eats or hit up our dining hit list for our latest highly rated restaurants.

With the weather warming up it's time to place your Dutch oven at the back of the shelf and bring on the season of the barbecue. All that's missing is a shrimp or some other form of seafood to layer on top and grill away.  We're lucky in Melbourne as some of the city's finest fishmongers are able to deliver their goods straight to your door. This means freshly shucked oysters, filleted fish, sashimi, uni and more at our beck and call. Check out our guide to eight of Melbourne's best fishmongers and happy ordering. Want to host a party? Here are the best public barbecue spots in Melbourne.

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. 

Tomayto, tomahto. Potayto, potahto. Chips...chips? In the UK they'd look at you as if you had grown a third eye if you referred to crisps as chips, but here in Australia we've got an easygoing attitude to it all. Chips? Sure. Fries? Fine.  Whatever you call it, we've got the lowdown on the best slivers of deep-fried potato one can find throughout the city. Have them loaded with an array of toppings or a cholestrol-inducing amount of chicken salt, the world is your oyster here.  Just getting started with chips? Follow it up with a takeaway main from one of these venues.

Make a splash in a rainbow of colours this autumn as the Melbourne Holi Festival returns for another celebration of culture and unity. The event celebrates Holi, the Hindu festival of colours which is held annually to mark the end of winter (in the northern hemisphere) and signifies the triumph of good over evil. In Melbourne, the festival highlights the culture of Indians living in Australia and offers an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come together and celebrate.   This year, the Melbourne Holi Festival will be held at Ron Barassi Senior Park in Docklands over three days of festivities, with plenty of multicultural live entertainment and excitement. There'll be music, dance, DJs, Indian Bazaar stalls, delicious food and more. Plus, stay late and experience Holi After Dark, with UV lights and glow in the dark colours, as well as light shows and live performances.  The organisers will also store plenty of brightly coloured powders. Traditionally attendees cover each other in the various coloured dusts, running around and splattering absolutely everyone whether they know them or not. The powders are stain-free and non-toxic, so you can really go for it. Entry to the Melbourne Holi Festival is free, but if you want to skip the long lines, you can pay for a guaranteed express entry ticket. Express tickets are $11.90 each per day with VIP options available, read all the details on Eventbrite.  Looking for more things to do? Check out our guide to what's on. 

A two-storey site that previously housed sweat-covered patrons on the dancefloor of Hugs and Kisses Club has since transformed into a karaoke joint that has retained the glow of neon lights. Inspired by Hong Kong and the many karaoke bars that fill it, Yum Sing House is a hybrid of karaoke and modern Cantonese food in Melbourne’s CBD. Headed by the team behind Tang Australia (the same folks behind CBD bars Ms Collins, Bond Melbourne and Scarlett Saturdays), the venue has a restaurant on the first floor and five karaoke rooms plus a bar upstairs. Each room is themed around neighbourhoods and nightlife spots in Hong Kong. Step into the Mongkok room if you have a small group of seven or fewer; Wan Chai, Kowloon or Central rooms for eight to 15; or Happy Valley for 15-25. Each has comfy sofas, top-of-the-line audio gear and visuals that will make you feel like you're in Hong Kong. The kitchen here is a big drawcard, offering restaurant quality snacks till very late at night. Head chef Aiven Lee (Longrain, Mamasita and Becco) has created a modern Cantonese menu that features the likes of prawn toast served with creamy tobiko prawn mayo; thick slices of Tasmanian 5+ Wagyu rump and Hong Kong-style milk tea trifle layered with boba and peanut praline. While à la carte is an option, a Feed Me menu is also on offer for $59 per person that features eight of the chef’s favourite dishes, or a ‘Big Appetite’ menu for $75 per person that dishes up 11 shared plates. You can enjoy them in com

The Royal Mail Dining Room became Wickens at the Royal Mail in late 2017 and was named after executive chef Robin Wickens. The eatery offers a seasonal chef's menu for dinner from Thursday to Saturday, and it’s a thoughtful and playful approach to fine dining. Tables are spaced out to maintain a level of intimacy between guests; light wood panels the ceiling and forms the curves of bottle holders in the cellar; and round stone tables are dotted with round brown leather placemats, highlighted by flying saucer-like lights that hang overhead. Floor-to-ceiling glass adds a sheer layer between the kitchen and the dining area, the team inside lit up. Wickens mans his station and sees off each dish with a tick of approval in the form of a neatly-placed scoop of anise myrtle sorbet. Parallel to this is the view of trees, their leaves lit up by the sun, and Mount Sturgeon sitting pretty in the background. On our visit, the meal starts with a menu sealed with green wax displaying Wickens’ logo. Seven courses can easily become nine or ten if you so please as supplementary dishes are always on offer. Amuse-bouche are loaded onto 3D-printed plates that resemble a birds-eye view of the garden and are soon followed by Wicken’s signature alphabet soup that spells out the venue’s name, filled at the table with a rich, moreish bone broth.  An earthy cylinder of beetroot holds bone marrow within its rings, topped with mulberries and sweet cicily which gives off the scent of anise. Desserts are

Nestled in the foothills of the Grampians is the little town of Dunkeld on Gunditjmara country, 283 kilometres west of Melbourne. Blink twice and you could miss it. The most notable attraction? The Royal Mail Hotel.  This little oasis is home to a hotel, a bistro, a fine diner, pool, kitchen garden and its own mini wildlife sanctuary, complete with sprawling views of Mount Sturgeon. Neighbouring bluestone cottages also belong to the hotel and promise a slightly more private experience. Staying on the premises if visiting its resident fine diner is a given considering its location – the accommodation alone is worth the visit. Stay The Deluxe Mountain View Rooms live up to their name. Opening the door to the room never gets old when you’re greeted by the grandiose sight of Mount Sturgeon and its surrounding bushland. The opportunity to indulge in a cup of coffee on the balcony in the morning with neighbouring ash-coloured wallabies is too tempting too. The bathroom features heated floors which is another welcome surprise in the morning and embroidered robes lay in wait. A TV is stocked with an array of films if you choose to stay in and you can choose to sit in your seats or lie in bed and laze away. The minibar stocks ice-cold Cokes if you so desire, along with locally-made Chappys chips if you get hungry. Complimentary breakfast completes the experience with little tubs of yoghurt, muesli, fresh fruits and milks replenished daily. If you’re lactose intolerant you can even req

Walking down the narrow Crossley St you might be surprised to learn that a four-star hotel remains tucked away, neighbouring grungy, Mexican-inspired venue Bodega Underground. Walk up a few steps and through the sliding door and there you are: at Australian boutique hotel group Lancemore’s newly-opened Crossley Street venue.  A plush, rust-coloured carpet greets you to imitate the feeling of walking down a red carpet, and so it should come as no surprise that the overarching theme of the hotel, designed by the award-winning Carr (Jackalope, United Places), is the theatre. Mood lighting is dotted throughout and the venue seems quite dark. A grandiose chandelier that once adorned the Palais Theatre rests on a podium, black, glossy columns line the walls and a bust resembling the Comedy and Tragedy masks sit in between the lifts, lit up by a spotlight.  Step into the lift and you’re greeted by a wide-screen TV, and an actor playing Frederick Federici carries out in front of you. Federici, of course, was the Italian-born British opera singer who famously died at the Princess Theatre in 1888. Sometimes he will sing on the screen, sometimes he will do his stage make-up, but it’s guaranteed to be eerie every time.  The bedrooms are decked out with sturdy beds for those who can’t stand a soft mattress, and a good night’s sleep is assured in the soundproof rooms. A fully-stocked mini bar boasts the likes of mini Kraken rum, Four Pillars Gin Negronis, Absolut Vodka and a range of Capi

For some of the finest bar snacks in Geelong and one of the most impressive wine lists in Victoria, look no further than Archive Wine Bar. This narrow hole-in-the-wall was started by Ray Nadeson and Maree Collis (owners of Lethbridge Wines) and partners Graham and Ingrid Sutherland. It boasts a 170-strong list of wines by the glass, and Graham can often be spotted at the bar armed with a trusty Coravin. Barolo, Burgundy, Yarra Valley, you name the region, they’ve got it. This isn’t the spot to visit if you’re looking for a new-age natty number, but an old-world tipple by the glass that you can’t get elsewhere without spending a small fortune on the bottle. A 1989 Vouvray presents itself in pristine condition, its sweet nectar as pronounced and smooth as it would have been when bottled. And it’s paired beautifully with the venue’s grazing platter. A small selection of charcuterie is thoughtfully assembled and totes a local French teacher’s neighbour’s curried tomato relish, Lard Ass’s cultured butter, peppery, fennel-laced salami, soft French cheese and more. The walls inside the bar are lined with panels from wine boxes by some notable producers – Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Domaine William Fèvre to name a few. Graham, who is currently studying his WSET Level 4 Diploma wants to put Geelong on the map for wine. With that in mind, he was the first to start teaching WSET Level 1 and 2 at the venue itself. The bar is pumping all throughout the day with punters heading in and

Saunter on into the west’s fine diner Navi and straight on into its latest lounge. Yes, you heard us. There’s no need for a coveted booking – disgruntled locals can just walk in and treat themselves to Navi’s wine list along with a curated selection of snacks by owner and chef Julian Hills.  “Since we started booking out, only a month after opening in 2018, I’ve been conscious of constantly disappointing people, particularly locals, who have had trouble getting a table. The lounge space provides a solution, allowing diners to experience a taste of Navi more easily and on a more regular basis,” says Hills. The dimly lit space is joined at the hip to Navi with an arched tunnel offering guests a glimpse into the action. The interior matches its predecessor too with both spaces designed by Finnis Architects, led by (Julian’s brother) Damon Hills.  A long bar on the side of the room is head bartender Elise West’s (Supernormal Atlas Dining, Bar Liberty) domain. Rows of spirits are lit up by the back bar and to the side sit row upon row of West’s hand-made vermouths, lacto-ferments, infusions, botanicals and bitters. Her arrival allows Hills to extend Navi’s commitment to minimising waste. Because of West, poached fruit discards from the restaurant find a new life as syrups in the bar.  Trays of fresh strawberries that feature unripe, green fruits are sent over to West to make use of in her Subtle Nuance cocktail. They’re juiced before being added to her handmade organic blue lotus

Pepe’s embodies the retro glamour of New York and late-night Italian American restaurants. White and black accents make up the venue along with deep burgundy hues that coat the venue’s leather banquette seating and irregular chequerboard floors.  Owner Nick Kutcher gave the former Trunk Bar and Restaurant an Italian American makeover and maintained the charm of the courtyard lined with pontoon lights and burgundy and white striped parasols. Inside, a menagerie of youthful influencers have their photos taken over bowls of pasta; families talk over each other as they celebrate birthdays; and groups of friends catch up over colossal towers of Aperol Spritz. It’s the meeting place for anyone and everyone from all walks of life.  The bar sits at the side and is viewable from any vantage point. An occasional bottle can be heard being popped, cocktails are shaken every few seconds and an impressive array of liquor is lit up in the background.  The cocktail menu is short and sweet. The Dolcezza Martini is recommended and doesn’t contain an ounce of gin or vermouth, but is rather a concoction of Russian Standard Vodka, spiced vanilla liqueur, blood orange and lemon. It’s creamy, sweet and perfectly balanced so we’ll let it slide.  The venue’s seasonally changing themes means there’s always a different Italian-inspired experience to be had here. The flavour of the month now is Sicilian. If it wasn’t obvious enough on the menu, there are Sicilian moor heads lit up by spotlights dotted a

Gone are the days of bleary-eyed partygoers smoking on the Lounge balcony surrounded by heavy-hitting 4x4 techno beats. Instead, it’s been replaced with the sounds of local Thai crooners on live music nights with a band, that gradually eventuates into diners hitting the dancefloor by the early hours of the morning. This is one of Melbourne’s best Thai joints, Dodee Paidang’s, latest venue – Dodee Thai BBQ.   Red stools litter the venue and the venue packs out early on. With no bookings and long lines reminiscent of its sister venue, it’s to be expected. Like any venue whose main offering is Thai barbecue, it’s always advised to go for the Thai barbecue set or the Isaan-style jim jum hot pot. Barbecue sets here are designed for either two to three people, or four-plus. Plastic trays come loaded to the brim with raw slices of chicken breast, rashers of bacon, pork belly, mussels, baby octopus, raw egg and tiger prawns. It’s complemented by individual serves of dipping sauces and another tray of uncooked rice vermicelli noodles, sliced up napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, whole shiitake mushrooms and chrysanthemum leaves. Staff ignite the portable stove and hand you the reins. Grease up the golden dome that awaits with pork fat, fill up the sides with soup and away you go.  There are classic dishes that traditionally feature on Dodee Paidang’s menu on offer too. Blink twice and you might miss the medium-rare slices of Crying Tiger beef and the signature sauce spiked with fish sauce

South Yarra’s quarter of Toorak Road is hot property. At the top sits French institution, France-Soir, that’s wined and dined the likes of Mick Jagger. A hop, skip and a jump away is newcomer and heavy hitter Vesper Bar and Bistro. Mosey on across the street to Yagiz, one of the finest Turkish venues in the state. And a few steps down is Cosi Ristorante. An Italian icon that’s served southside masses for over two decades. Co-owners Omar El Deek and Giacomo Pietrantuono arrived in Australia 10 years ago on working holidays visas and sparked up a friendship while waitering at Caffe e Cucina. In 2017, the duo took over Cucinetta and, soon proving themselves a force to be reckoned with, took ownership of Cosi Ristorante in 2019. The result? A complete facelift of the venue that still manages to pay homage to the venue’s origins with white tablecloths, classic, comforting Italian dishes and plenty of old-world Italian charm. Sleek red velvet curtains cordone off nooks and crannies as if one were at the theatre; while Pavarotti is projected onto a little screen and framed black and white prints of iconic Italian celebrities adorn the walls.  A central wraparound bar lit up by neon green lights breaks the fourth wall by making the bar staff and their antics a part of the floor. A gelato cart sits pretty in the middle of the venue, and plush brown leather banquette seating lines the sides with empty premium wine bottles placed along the walls – memories of good times passed.  A sunli

Footscray may be renowned more for its pho than its fish, but DT Fusionz serves up excellent Japanese/British fusion fish and chips and it totally works. Try not shouting ‘banzai!’ (hurrah!) as a pudgy, oblong hunk of blue grenadier in bronze beer batter is sprinkled with dried nori and accompanied by a bountiful serve of crunchy chips and sweet Kewpie mayonnaise arrives at your table. Order a perky green side salad with Japanese pickles, lotus root and sesame dressing to compliment your meal. This tiny shop also turns out bento boxes, tofu cheesecake and their legendary springy veggie balls that have made them a prime lunch destination for local hospital staff. Surely if health care workers are eating it, that’s a green light for the rest of us?

It’s glaringly clear that during times of trouble Melburnians tend to turn to one of life’s simplest pleasures: the humble sandwich. Skid your knee as a kid? Here, have a sanga. Attending a wake? Perhaps a finger sandwich might help. Enduring the midst of a pandemic? Eat a sandwich to ease your woes.  One of Melbourne’s finest sandwich connoisseurs, Hector’s Deli (who is a constant in our best sandwich list) has the most exciting news to announce since the invention of sliced bread. Richmond’s sister venue has just opened up on Coventry Street in South Melbourne to give southside punters a taste of all the carb-loaded action. Co-owner Dom Wilton is excited to open the deli and carry on the team's ethos of evolving no-frills classics to maintain their original integrity, but also showcase premium ingredients. Wilton recalls his childhood and the classic Australian country bakery experience. “I remember eating sandwiches for almost every course as a kid and I think that really resonates with the older generations too who get excited at seeing a sandwich shop.”  At the South Melbourne venue, you can expect new daily specials (thanks to the large, on-site kitchen) with hot and cold menus designed by chef Jack Muir Rigby (Etta, Embla), salads (AKA sandwiches without bread) and Stomping Ground x Hector's Deli Lunchtime Lager by the can or on tap. Sandwiches will always remain the star of the show and Turkish bread (developed with Flywheel) will be used to keep them fresh for as lon

We’re right in the thick of truffle season which occurs from June to September in the southern hemisphere. It’s normal at this time of the year to spot fine diners shaving or microplaning hoards of the stuff all over dishes, but we’re in lockdown and many of us have had to emulate that experience at home. But who said you couldn’t add a touch of opulence to your day-old mac and cheese or your scrambled eggs?  This is where Australian Truffle Traders steps in. The purveyors of the luxe fungus are now delivering fresh truffles direct from the farm in Manjimup in Western Australia’s southwest right to your door. They're carefully cleaned, graded, sealed, cold-packed and shipped via express post within 48 hours (in most cases). Truffles from Manjimup are of the same good quality to those sourced in France and New Zealand due to the climate and soil they grow in. At the farm, trained truffle dogs (AKA the goodest boys and girls Molly, Gidgee or Max) hunt for these underground treasures. What’s even better is that Australian Truffle Traders are able to deliver anywhere across the country. Looking for a gift for your food-obsessed friend? Consider it done. Purchase yours now before truffle season ends here. Looking for something to shave your truffles on to? Get extra fancy with these oysters delivered to your door.

Arbory Bar and Eatery is slinging burgers and chips for just $5 a pop in honour of National Burger Day. Is National Burger Day a real thing? Who knows – but at least we're getting cheap burgers as a result of it.  The riverside venue is known to do a decent burg, so much so that it won our Battle of the Burger Competition in 2016. The aptly named Arbory Cheeseburger will feature a crisp, disc-like smashed burger pattie, tomato ketchup, mustard, onion and pickles and come with a side of chips. Head down to Arbory Bar and Eatery on Saturday, May 28 from 11.30am onwards.   Love burgers? Check out our definitive guide to the best burgers in Melbourne.

Mamma's Boy Trattoria has given us bottomless gnocchi before, but there has been a collective carb-hole left in the hearts of Brunswick locals once the promotion stopped. Luckily, Mamma's Boy knows to how keep a good thing going and back by popular demand, the Italian joint will be serving up bottomless steaming hot bowls of pillowy potato gnocchi, garlic bread and cocktails in two-hour seatings once again .  There will be three different sauces available for you to choose from (but really, why wouldn't you have them all?): slow-cooked lamb ragu; a classic Napoli sauce with fior di latte; and a creamy truffle, mushroom and spinach. Mop up whatever's left with garlic bread and wash it down with cocktails from the spritz bar, or with an Espresso Martini or a Mojito.  Bottomless gnocchi is available on Sundays from 11.30am to 9.30pm at $59 per person. Bookings are essential and can be made through the website.  Can't say no to a bargain? Check out our favourite cheap eats.  

Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger have all gone down in a major outage overnight. Facebook, who owns the aforementioned services, is aware of the outage but the cause is yet to be determined.  "We're aware that some people are having trouble accessing our apps and products," Facebook said on Twitter. "*Sincere* apologies to everyone impacted by outages of Facebook powered services right now.  We are experiencing networking issues and teams are working as fast as possible to debug and restore as fast as possible," Facebook chief technology officer Mike Schroepfer said on Twitter. The outage is said to have occurred at around 2.45am AEST, with outage website Downdetector noting a spike in user reports relating to the services at that time. With social media services down (and slowly coming back), users will need to access their news directly via the source. We recommend you bookmark Time Out and visit this page for any updates, or to access the best of our city.  Here's what we know about the current restrictions in Melbourne...and when things will begin reopening.  

The CBD’s iconic laneways are going to be the hottest place to be this summer, with indoor trading, dining and entertainment outdoors spilling onto the streets of Melbourne via the City of Melbourne's Inside Out initiative. The initiative could mean selected laneways would be closed to vehicle traffic on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to allow hospitality businesses to trade into the evening. Melbourne is due to turn inside out once the state achieves a double-dose vaccination rate of 70 per cent which is currently forecast for late October. The City of Melbourne is also hoping to bring back the ever-popular Melbourne Money program that provided diners with up to 20 per cent off their bill at CBD venues. “This will be an exciting first for Melbourne. Imagine a bustling market with clothing racks and trestle tables on the street, along with food stalls and buskers that will help bring the vibrancy back to our beautiful city, safely,” says lord mayor Sally Capp. Retail trading hours could also be extended so that customers can shop late into the night during the warmer months, and buskers could be employed to entertain crowds. In addition to the 200 outdoor trading permits already granted, the City of Melbourne will look to fast-track new applications from business owners who are interested in participating in the Inside Out initiative too. Unsure about vaccination targets? Learn more about the Doherty modelling and what it means to you.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has made the decision to cancel its Winter Edition this year. The Winter Edition was originally scheduled to take place from August 20 to 29 and was postponed, but has since been cancelled. Events were slated to take place down the track regionally as well, but due to the current climate all plans have come to a halt. “The challenges around lockdowns and restrictions related to COVID-19 continue to affect event planning and it is with a heavy heart that we have made this decision. We rescheduled the festival twice this year to try and find a place on the calendar where we can run the event safely and with some certainty but these plans are no longer workable in the current environment,” says Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO of Food + Drink Victoria, the not-for-profit parent company behind MFWF. The festival plans on celebrating its 30th year in 2022 instead. Support local venues with this guide to restaurants, bars and cafés offering takeaway and delivery.

Melbourne city council is offering those who have been vaccinated the chance to win prizes in an eight-week-long campaign. The campaign will kick off on radio from Monday, August 16 and is designed to incentivise Melburnians to get vaccinated in order for Melbourne to open up again (and stay open). Melburnians will also get the chance to win a prize a day through social media, with a total prize pool valued at $100,000.  Ten Melbourne experience packages worth $5,000 each will be up for grabs through the radio promotion. These will include $1,250 vouchers to spend at Emporium Melbourne, $1,000 accommodation vouchers, $500 dining vouchers, Frozen the Musical tickets and more.  The second element of the campaign will be hosted via social media every day for six weeks with the chance to win $1,000 shopping vouchers to spend at Melbourne Central, Emporium Melbourne or Queen Victoria Market. All that will be required for people is to share their vaccine hero stories and what they’re looking forward to when Melbourne opens up again. Keep up to date with any announcements via Melbourne city council’s Instagram or Facebook. Vax and the City: Every public health official in Australia agrees that mass vaccination is the only way out of this crisis. We at Time Out recommend that you get vaccinated as soon as you can, if that is appropriate for your own health. Please speak to a medical professional about what is right for you. Here's what you need to know about how to get a vaccine rig

Welcome, iPhone users, to the exclusive club that was once Android-only, the club that allows you to instantly top up your Myki using just your phone. The technology formerly serviced Android operating systems using Google Pay only, but now provides the same benefits to iPhones that have NFC capabilities (that’s most current iPhones) and requires the user to download or update the free PTV app.  While this doesn't mean you're able to touch on using just your phone yet (that privilege still only lies with Android users) this does detract from you needing to spend umpteen minutes topping up your Myki and causing you to miss your train, tram or bus. Not sure where you can travel to? This map shows you your 5km radius.

Social enterprise restaurant Charcoal Lane is set to close its doors after 12 years of service. Operated by Mission Australia, the Fitzroy-based venue is known for providing hospitality training and employment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander apprentice chefs and dishing up fine diner-style meals championing native bush foods. “We believe we have honoured the cultural heritage and significance of this building and are proud to be able to return the place that we’ve called home for more than a decade, back to the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service so they can re-establish this site for their Aboriginal health service," said Mission Australia manager of social enterprise programs in Victoria, Troy Crellin, in a statement.   “The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service was originally established in 1972 and moved into this iconic building on Gertrude Street in 1979. It is an important mainstay for the local Aboriginal community and a site of activism.”  The eatery and enterprise's last day of trade will be Thursday, September 16. Looking to support your local? Order in from one of these restaurants or bars offering takeaway.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has announced that it will postpone its Winter Edition program from August 20 to 29, 2021 to October 1 to 10, 2021. “The current COVID-19 restrictions do not allow us to run the program in its intended format to ensure a successful festival for industry partners and a safe event for our guests,” says Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO of Food + Drink Victoria, the not-for-profit parent company behind Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. “While we are naturally disappointed, we look forward to celebrating the very best this city has to offer with a program of more than 150 events across ten days in October around Melbourne, including our new festival hub at the Queen Victoria Market.” The festival will work through its ticketing arrangements, including refunds, with everyone in the following weeks. The Winter Edition was set to have Queen Victoria Market (its major hub) come to life, hosting myriad free and ticketed workshops, events and demos, including an all-you-can-eat tribute to the hot chip and a Japanese-style convenience store/Brooklyn bodega-hybrid toting sandos and cocktails. Additional MFWF events were to be hosted off-site in venues. Stay up-to-date with any further announcements via the website and Instagram.   In other event-related news, the Royal Melbourne Show was recently cancelled.

After recently opening a brand-new underground carpark, there's more movement over at Melbourne's famous Queen Victoria Market. This icon of Melbourne will soon be home to its own pop-up park. Works on the new Market Square pop-up are set to begin in August and once completed the park will stay open for a minimum of two years. Its open date is yet to be announced. In terms of size, it's reportedly due to be as large as the sprawling greens of the State Library of Victoria. Hopefully, the new park will encourage more visitors and shoppers to Queen Victoria Market along with providing more green space for local residents. The new space will also play host to live music, community events and recreational activities, and will replace part of the existing asphalt car park on Queen Street. Looking for an excuse to visit? Melbourne Food and Wine Festival's winter edition will soon call Queen Victoria Market home.  

Getting vaccinated soon? Prince Alfred Hotel thinks you deserve a drink. The Port Melbourne watering hole is giving away free booze again to those who get vaccinated at the neighbouring Town Hall, but for this week only. It's simple: get vaxxed at the Town Hall, then roll up to the venue straight after with your bright blue vaccination card, present it to the pub's staff and choose from a pint, wine or a house spirit and mixer.  The venue's decision comes after several Bay Street venues were listed as exposure sites in May, and the stress of the lockdown hit a little closer to home for residents and businesses in the area.  Nervous about the jab? Two of our editors got their vax - here's what it was like.