Lauren Dinse

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. 

There are sharp distinctions between the regional fare of the Middle East, but there is also a lot of common ground, especially when it comes to a love of chickpeas, tomato, parsley, pickles, garlic, lemon, proteins grilled over coals, and falafel. Whether you're specifically in the mood for some Lebanese fare with enough garlic toum to kill your dining partner, or open to whoever is doing the best hummus in town, Melbourne boasts an ace Turkish, Israeli, Lebanese, Persian, Syrian, or Armenian restaurant to sort out your craving for Middle Eastern food.  Feeling more Mediterranean? Here's Melbourne best Greek restaurants. Or for a curry, try Melbourne's best Indian restaurants. Not sure what you fancy? Something on the 50 best restaurants list will hit the mark. 

July 2024: 'Tis the season for melty cheese fondue goodness and mulled wines galore, cosy roast lunches (preferably in pubs with roaring fireplaces) and venturing out in our puffiest puffer jackets to bask in the wonder of Melbourne's seasonal light shows. But let's be real – all that winter fun can get a little exxy. So if your wallet needs a break, try one of these cheap eats instead the next time you're out and about in town.  The late and great respected chef Anthony Bourdain once famously said: “I'd rather eat in Melbourne than Paris." It goes without saying that Melbourne has long been revered as one of Asia Pacific's most exciting food cities, but that status isn't just attributed to our fancy restaurants – special as many of those upper crust institutions may be. Our laneaways and hidden alcoves are brimming with cheap street eats, smashable pub deals and dinner options you can enjoy for $20, $15 or even under $10, so you can stop counting your hard-earned pennies and start eating instead. Looking for a drink to wash it all down? These are the best happy hour deals right now. Curious about other yummy specials? Here's how to get a cheap meal in Melbourne every night of the week.

Vegans tend to get a bad wrap, but that shouldn't mean they only get to eat bad wraps. Melbourne continues to expand its plant-based options, with everything from vegan degustations to vegan cheap eats available across the city. While there are many dedicated vegan and vegetarian restaurants, some of Melbourne's most beloved and popular spots are also serving up excellent vegan fare. These restaurants won't leave you wanting for any meat.  While you're at it, check out the best restaurants for vegetarians in Melbourne. Explore more with the 50 best restaurants in Melbourne. 

To use the amorphous moniker ‘African food’ to describe the multifaceted cuisines of an entire continent is a misnomer – the food of east, west, north, south and central Africa differ greatly due to intersecting forces of colonisation, trade and landscape. Whether it’s in the ingredients used, the dishes these ingredients appear in, or the choice of carbs that accompany each meal (Ethiopians love their flatbread, Somalis prefer rice, while West Africans swear by their cassava, plantain, yam and rice), African food is hyper-regional. Dishes may bear the same name, but specificities abound according to where they’re cooked.   Melbourne diners are by now well-acquainted with Ethiopian food and the wonders of the iconic fermented flatbread injera – Victoria is fittingly home to the largest Ethiopian population in Australia – but more recent waves of migration from Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon are culminating in a mushrooming of West African restaurants around Melbourne.  Yet there are a few commonalities that unite many African cuisines. The communal nature of sharing food is a key way of enjoying the continent’s most renowned dishes, while cutlery is often eschewed in favour of hands.  Below is the non-exhaustive list of our favourite African restaurants in Melbourne. Want more? Check out the best Malaysian restaurants in Melbourne, plus our guide to the 50 best bars right now.

What’s the secret recipe for crafting an exceptional dining experience? In coming up with Time Out’s list of the best restaurants in Australia we considered a mix of ingredients. Talented chefs? Stylish decor? Lively ambience? Top-notch drinks? And of course, food that you can’t stop thinking about for days, months, or even years. Luckily, Australia’s restaurant scene is sizzling with spots that check all these boxes, plus so much more. Our nation’s top restaurants are a celebration of Australia’s native ingredients too. From an intimate 40-seat dining room cut into the rolling hills of Tasmania’s countryside to a 30-year-old institution overlooking Sydney’s sparkling Bondi Beach, these are the restaurants Time Out Australia’s team, including resident foodie Melissa Woodley, recommends for your next culinary adventure. RECOMMENDED: These are the best luxury hotels to book in Australia.

Fish and chips are such a nostalgic meal for Australians that it’s easy to forget that they didn’t actually originate here. Sure, the Brits often get the credit for the dish (they do love their salt and vinegar), but it turns out that Portugal is the motherland of the ultimate takeaway food. 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. After all, it isn’t a salty summer by the beach if your hunger wasn’t satiated with some fish and chippies, right? So whether you're touring Australia's best beaches, or need a pit stop on your great Australian road trip, here are the best fish and chips shops in the land.  RECOMMENDED: These are the best pizzas in Australia.

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.

A traditional bánh mì has bread with crunch, but not so much that it scrapes the roof of your mouth. It’s fluffy and light, but not so flaky it completely disintegrates into your lap. It’s the perfect vessel for liberal amounts of pâté, a Vietnamese condiment called egg mayo butter, fresh cucumber, pickled carrot (and daikon if you’re lucky), generous sprigs of coriander and chilli, plus the protein of your choice. On the sauce front, some shops will opt for a dash of Maggi seasoning and soy, others go the hoisin route or even a combination of more than one. Word of warning: you may encounter a holier-than-thou type on your bánh mì travels who insists your choice of sanga is "not the authentic way". But the truth is that 'bánh mì' literally translates to the short baguette itself. You can enjoy this freshly baked delight stuffed with any filling you like – crispy pork belly, nem nuong (grilled pork sausage), chicken, mixed ham, tofu, beef or just plain salad! We love the braised pork and duck confit options at Banh Mi Stand, but we're equally partial to the no-nonsense cold cuts at Phuoc Thanh. There are plenty of regional variances all across Vietnam, and some Vietnamese even like to enjoy theirs filled with ice cream. So how did we come up with this list? Well, we ate a lot of bánh mì. We kept a rolling document that helped us to compare each one. We considered the balance of condiments, the quality of the bread and the freshness of the meat and salad. And we washed it all

July 2024: Miserable as the weather may be (rain is hammering at the window right now as this writer hammers her keys..), there is reason to be joyous. For Melbourne is currently being blessed with a deluge of hot new restaurant openings. But that doesn't mean we forget about the legends: those venues that continue to wow us year after year and maintain their supremity over Melbourne's dining scene. Keep a note of this list to see which restaurants –both old and new – are thrilling 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 a k

Here at Time Out, we're all about spotlighting the individuals and organisations that are making lasting change in the city's arts, hospitality, community and culture sectors.  So let us introduce Melbourne's Future Shapers for 2024 – a group of creative types, clever thinkers, risk takers, boundary pushers and legendary locals who are dedicated to making our beloved city a better place to work, live and play. Read on to find out more about these seven remarkable people. Melbourne's future really is looking bright. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

Remember Smorgy’s? Or Sizzler? Perhaps you’ve wiped those cheesy suburban buffet restaurants out of your memory long ago. Thankfully, Melbourne’s all-you-can-eat dining offerings have come a long way since then. Forget buffets with sad, limp salads and lukewarm bain-marie monstrosities. Today you’ll discover Brazilian barbecue with high-quality cuts, fresh seafood bars slinging bottomless oysters, lobster and A-grade sashimi, great value Sri Lankan and Indian vego feasts, and glitzy hotel banquets. We’ve rounded up the best spots where you can go back for seconds, thirds, fourths – and fifths, if you dare – without judgement. After more feeds that promise great bang for your buck? Here are the best cheap eats in Melbourne. Want to try the finest eateries our city has to offer? Here are the best restaurants in Melbourne right now. 

Situated along the picturesque banks of the Yarra River, Studley Park Boathouse is always an idyllic spot for catch-ups – especially since its beautiful $5.8 million makeover in 2023. This winter, the venue has stepped it up a notch with its exclusive pop-up winter wonderland packages. You can now book your own private igloo for a cosy high tea with friends, family or that special someone. With a dedicated kids' menu, even the little ones are welcome to nestle inside for a special (and very snug) feast! Imagine sipping a glass of sparkling, surrounded by twinkling lights and nature views more enchanting than a snow globe. With a menu of delicious eats, including generous picnic boards, finger sandwiches, prawn rolls and sweet dessert tartlets, the igloo packages are the perfect way to make magical winter memories. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic packages are available. Sound dreamy? Reserve an igloo here. Not fussed about the fancy weekend package and all its accoutrements? The igloos are also available from Monday to Thursday, and you can dine on the a la carte menu instead. For more information, visit the website. For another interesting high tea this season, check out this hotel's extravagant 'high cheese'.

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 hot chocolate flavours will be available to try throughout August, featuring sweet and indulgent treats like torched crème brûlée, boozy truffles, melting chocolate emoji discs and so much more! Each steamy creation is barista-made with a shot of either dark, milk, white, ruby or caramelised warm couverture chocolate, served in a large glass with a giant fluffy hand-crafted marshmallow and a selection of artisan ingredients. No reservations are needed so all you need to do is drive out to one of the participating locations, pop in for a browse and try one of the eight flavours available that day! “Our annual Hot Chocolate Festival has become a real feature on the calendar for our destinations and we've loved coming up with even more decadent and over the top concoctions,” says the Chocolateries' founder, Leanne Neeland.   The revolving weekly menu of eight hot choccy flavours is available at each chocolaterie's cafe daily, including a few boozy options for adults. Music to your ears if you’ve just spent a drive with noisy kids, right?  Can’t decide on just one flavour? Then the Tasting Session has your name on it. At $28 per person, it’s a 45-minute hands-on event where you’ll get to sip and sample all eight fabulous flavours available on the day.

July 2024 update: This event has unfortunately been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. All current ticketholders will receive a refund in the coming days. The organisers have revealed they are working on schedule new dates soon, so stay tuned. Though the weather may be a little bitter right now, there are plenty of cute events this winter to keep us out and about on the town. One of those is the Winter Gin Market in Collingwood, which will be hosted at the Craft and Co from Friday, July 26 to Saturday, July 27. If you're a big fan of gin, you'll want to mark your calendar because this one-stop shop – Australia's original and longest-running gin market – will be brimming with the stuff. Some of the country's best distillers are bringing their bottles of local craft spirits to the party, and there'll be plenty of opportunities to meet the makers, indulge in tastings and stock up on your favourite drops. Food and drinks will also be available at the Craft and Co's bar and eatery. The event itself will work a bit like speed dating for gin makers – all you need to do is take a seat and enjoy the presentations, as a rotation of distilleries make the rounds to show you their best tipples. You're then invited to mingle with fellow gin enthusiasts and visit the pop-up bottle shop where you'll discover exclusive specials and products unavailable anywhere else.  Keen to join the fun? All you need to do is head to the website to book your session and purchase a ticket. It's only

Do you know the differences between a trattoria, an osteria, a ristorante and an enoteca? Most of us have heard Italian eateries being described using these very words, but how many of us know the exact translations? That's the sort of stuff you might hear top sommelier James Tait happily chatting away about with his guests at Enoteca Zingara, a humble new Fitzroy wine bar and bottle-o fresh from the Alta Trattoria crew. Similar to its elegant big sister in the same neighbourhood, this venue treats guests to an experience that speaks to Italy's regional distinctions authentically. The point of difference, however, is that Enoteca Zingara doesn't zero in on the Piedmont region like Alta, preferring to cover the entire gamut of the boot-shaped nation in its food and drinks menu. And as its name suggests, Zingara (Italian for 'gypsy', an homage to the building's history) is an enoteca – not a restaurant.  While Alta may be more ideal for a refined, sit-down dinner, here you can embark on all sorts of culinary (and less pricey) endeavours: a casual aperitivo hour with a friend – drinks range from $6 to $12 and come with complimentary snacks; a spot of vino retail therapy for a takeaway bottle of something special; or a proper multi-course dinner with sommelier-paired wines. Highlights of the menu include crostini with braised chicken livers and pickled baby onions, panzerotti (pizza-flavoured pockets), the in-house baker and chef's perfect pizzette and rich, tomatoey polpette (me

After the huge success of its previous parmesan wheel events, refined Italian eatery Cucinetta has brought back its famous cheese wheel. Once again, the team is serving the traditional meal of fettuccine cacio e pepe, a simple yet sophisticated traditional 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 28. A serving costs $36.90 per head and it's available on the menu over lunch and dinner from Monday to Thursday, and over dinner only on the weekends from 5pm until the restaurant closes.  Want to get in on the carby goodness? Stop salivating, start booking.  Craving Italian now? These are the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne.

Don’t give up if you’re finding it difficult to get a table at Navi. Once you’ve scored a booking, you’re in for a first-rate culinary adventure that’s both rare and engaging – all while being joyously laidback.  Before dinner, our group of four begin with a few drinks in the adjoining cocktail bar Navi Lounge (hot tip: this intimate spot accepts a small number of walk-ins, and you can sample Navi’s genius via snacks for as low as $7 a pop). The service both here and in the restaurant is warm and serene, and after a non-alcoholic lavender and cherry ‘No-groni that’s good enough to make me shun liquor for the rest of the night, we’re led into a space that feels more like a cosy lounge room than a fancy fine diner.   But having heard extensively about Navi, we sit a little closer to the edge of our seats. We suspect a good deal of magic is coming our way – and we’re right. Take the very first snack, for instance: a perfectly formed, concrete-hued macaron. A dessert for starters? No, it’s a wildcard flavour explosion of fermented black garlic and salmon roe. The allium’s caramelised earthiness plays well with the fresh, vibrant roe in this chewy biscuit form.  The following snacks are small aesthetic parcels of ingenious flavour: the juicy leaf of a succulent plant (bower spinach) chauffeurs smoked eel, native thyme and apple gel into our mouths. A leathery curl of smoked carrot sings with the brightness of kombucha and nutty yeast. Our table is particularly in awe over a puffed

Aren't we Melburnians just a lucky bunch? The only chocolate festival in Australia to celebrate cacao growers and chocolate makers is hosting its very first annual event at Abbotsford Convent on July 7, 2024.   Ticket holders will be treated to a delicious day of free samples and chats with the makers behind the chocolate magic. Actual cacao farmers will also be attending to demonstrate 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 first-hand! Expect to enjoy tastings from over 30 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 intensely indulgent experience, 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 its inaugural year, visit the official website. Need to warm up? Here's where you can find Melbourne's tastiest hot chocolates. For something a bit stronger, try our list of the best mulled wines in town.

Despite Lygon Street’s popularity with tourists and locals alike, there are probably only four venues on the famous Carlton end of the strip that regularly garner a long queue outside: ice cream shop Pidapipo, rooftop bar Johnny’s Green Room, Universal Restaurant (likely for its monster cheap parmas) and finally, Good Measure. The latter is an all-day coffee shop that transforms into a lively cocktail bar in the evenings, and it’s home to arguably the city’s most famous signature coffee order right now: the Mont Blanc. After going viral on social media roughly a year ago, the drink appears conspicuously at almost every table inside – a beautiful glass tumbler of filter coffee and black-sugar syrup, wearing a thick lid of fresh cream flecked with nutmeg and orange zest. Is it worth the hype? 100 per cent. It was once reported that co-owner Max Allison goes through multiple 18-litre kegs of his filter coffee a week to keep up with the demand. So of course, it’s the first thing I order from the menu when I arrive on a chilly Sunday arvo, along with a cinnamon babka from the pastry counter. Having skipped brekky on account of a late-night party sesh on Chapel Street the night before – I think I took researching this piece a bit too seriously – I’m pining for a sanga, but the waiter informs me there are close to none left. Out of the four fillings normally on offer, including the ramen egg salad which I really wanted to try, only the sweet potato is still available. Sadly, I’m ju

As one of Melbourne's OG laneway bars, Gin Palace has been keeping folks loose and liquored for more than 25 years. There have been many keys to the cocktail haunt's longevity: those famed chicken and mayo sangas, 90-milliletre Martini pours, a generous closing time of 3am (ideal for post-shift workers), a certain brand of bohemian swagger and a mastery of all drinks juniper. It's such an institution that it even won the Legend Award in the 2016 Time Out Food & Drink Awards. But now, there's a new drawcard to add to that list: super swanky renovations. A fully custom-built, state-of-the-art 'No Step' bar has been implemented, which allows bartenders to access everything they need at arm's reach. Another new addition from the month-long makeover is a multi-tiered Tasmanian oak back bar, which now houses around 360 pretty potions (mostly gin, of course.) In a city where shiny, bright new bars tend to get more attention, owner Ben Luzz knew a refresh was in order to keep Gin Palace relevant. But if you're a longtime devotee, there's no need to worry that too much might have changed. The original vision and aesthetic of this basement-level bar remains, which the late and great founder Vernon Chalker described as a "table service lounge bar opened in Budapest in the 1870s and renovated in the 1950s". Drop in for a drink and check out the new custom-made purple leather menus, a fresh new carpet and an even larger 'harem', which is the only bookable table at Gin Palace and now able

Meet Champagne Problems, the youngest darling in the Melbourne cocktail bar scene. She's preened and primed, ready to welcome you into her arms in the heart of the city and open late most nights of the week.  The playful new bar is by the owner of Evie's Disco Diner, Wayne Markus, and was born of a desire to bring an 'elevated camp' aesthetic to the CBD.  Those kitsch vibes shine through almost everywhere – from the lime green theme woven throughout the space to the food offerings. Champagne Problems isn't afraid to dish up a good ol' fashioned nostalgic snack, so expect to find devilled eggs just like your mumma made them, prawn cocktails, retro meatballs and '70s party sticks on the menu. If you're feeling a bit bougie, you can also indulge in caviar on toast, baked brie with spicy fig jelly and crostini slices, seared scallops and oysters with Champagne granita, because after a long day of work – why the flying flip not?  But the highlight is arguably the cheese fondue (especially in winter) – which is perfect for sharing with a friend or that sexy new someone you've been tuning for a while.  On the drinks front, you can anticipate all your fave fruity classics (Bellini or Appletini, anyone?) as well as more sophisticated drops for those harder days where you need something that packs a stronger punch. Try the Cherry Negroni, the Turkish Delight or the Blue Bourbon Bliss. And is there Champers on the menu? It'd be criminal not to offer it on account of the bar's name, so y

  Grazeland is Melbourne’s ultimate foodie playground, a permanent food vendor park located in Spotswood with views of the Yarra River and CBD skyline. It spans over 10,000 square metres and hosts more than 50 food purveyors peddling both sweet and savoury delights from across the globe, drinks bars, and two stages for live entertainment. From award-winning Italian wood-fired pizza and German hotdogs to Caribbean jerk chicken, Sri Lankan street food and freshly made Chinese dumplings, adventurous palates will be rewarded with the Grazeland’s vast and extensive offering.  Grazeland is open every weekend of the year across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Entry is $4 per person, with kids under 12 admitted free. For more information, head to the website or check out what’s on this week at the events page.   Looking for more fun things to do this winter? Check out our ultimate guide. For more tasty eats, try searching for these top food trucks around Melbourne.

It's going to be a scorcher of a day at food truck park Welcome to Brunswick this June 22, thanks to the mighty return of the Hot Sauce and Chilli Festival. Can you handle the heat? The 2024 iteration of this spice fest includes a hot sauce market selling some of Melbourne's best chilli sauces, oils, spices and salts and other condiments guaranted to light a fire in your mouth (and possibly up your bum.) Expect to see the likes of Melbourne Hot Sauce, Six-Eyed Scorpio, Danny Balboa's Sauce Co., Derek's Hot Sauce, Cempasuchil Mexican, Keating and Co. Condiments and several more fiery hot vendors.  But aside from the chance to fill up your goodie bag with all things chilli, the biggest highlight of the day is the 3pm chilli eating contest. Brave contestants will attempt to conquer ten rounds trying seven to eight sauces and two to three types of chilli, with the crowned winner taking home a keg party. Second and third place winners will take home Welcome to Brunswick vouchers, plus all who place will be gifted an assortment of hot sauces and oils. There’s only room for eight contestants to enter on the day, so turn up early if you want to give it your best shot! Even if you're not game enough to enter, you should turn up on the dot anyway because the first 100 people at the festival get a spicy gift of exclusive merch. And of course, there'll be a drool-worthy line-up of food trucks on the day, dishing up all your fave eats with a spicy twist. Try Nashville hot chicken, ribs, s

There's a sweet panacea to our winter blues, Melbourne, and it comes in the form of an elegant dessert bar straight from the sunny shores of Sydney. Koi Dessert Bar is a fresh new 42-seat haven in the CBD's swish Queen and Collins precinct for aesthetic treats, drinks and show-stopping celebration cakes unlike anything you'll find elsewhere in Melbourne. The luxe brand began six years ago, founded by the visionary Poernomo family, including Australia's very own 'Dessert King' and MasterChef alumnus, Reynold Poernomo.  Photograph: Supplied / Koi The family's high-end pastries and desserts fast developed a strong following in Sydney, while Melburnians were forced to fly cakes across the border for friends and family – until now. As you might guess, Koi Melbourne isn't just your average café for a coffee and cake date. Rather, it's a dessert lovers' heaven complete with 150 mouthwatering creations that rotate over time, meaning every visit guarantees something new and exciting to try. It also offers a unique in-kitchen dining setting, allowing you to sit, eat and watch all the culinary magic unfold before your very own eyes.  Photograph: Supplied / Koi Upon first sight, you'd be forgiven for thinking the impeccably crafted desserts are artistic sculptures and not cakes, such is the beauty of their presentation. But take a bite, and you'll be bowled over by fresh, local ingredients and innovative pastry techniques, combined to create flavours inspired by nature.  Indulge in t

If you've ever wanted to party with G Flip, drop everything and listen up! The superstar has landed Down Under to launch their new business venture, Box Alcoholic Juice, and you're invited to help celebrate. In true G Flip style, the celebration will take place as a public bar crawl – or as the singer's calling it, a 'Box' crawl – around Melbourne on Thursday, July 25. It kicks off at 6pm on the dot at the CBD's Garden State Hotel, before continuing to the charismatic musician's other favourite watering holes, like Harlow in Richmond and the Espy in St Kilda.  And if that news wasn't sweet enough, G Flip has also announced they'll be giving thirsty fans 300 free cans of Box. It's one per person while stocks last, so be there or be square! You can follow along via the brand's Instagram account to see when and where G is headed next on the night.  So what is Box, anyway? It's both G's first foray into the drinks market and a fruity collab with the Moon Dog crew.  “Box is the drink I always wished existed,” says G Flip. “My drink of choice has always been juice and alcohol, one because I like the flavour of juice, and two since becoming a singer, I stay away from carbonation – think burping on stage, nobody wants that. So juice and alcohol is what I drink before I perform – it’s my vibe. So, I decided to create the real deal. No word of a lie, it tastes amazing.”   Since it's available in two funky flavours, you can either go ga-ga over the Apple Guava or say ta-ta to tired and

When you were a kid, did you imagine the future would look like flying cars and personal robots? Most of us probably pictured something like Blade Runner. Well, take the dystopian aesthetic of that film (and forget about all the other scary stuff) and what you've got is a hot new venue on Chapel Street serving up all those cyberpunk vibes – plus good food, art, music and cocktails, of course. The brainchild of cousins Lee Theodoridis and Dimitri Degrenis, the space is enigmatically called 'the Chapel' and promises visitors the feeling of escaping to a different realm. As soon as you step inside, you're met with jaw-dropping custom art from tattooist extraordinaire Mayonaize, whose graphic novel-like work has graced the likes of Maha restaurant.  “Our vision is to create a full sensory journey for our customers, honing in on every detail to craft a unique experience that transports you to a different world. Driven by our love for music, fashion and art, we have infused these elements into every aspect of the Chapel,” says Dimitri Dengrenis. Photograph: Arianna Leggiero Bathed in an entrancing neon glow, the bar and kitchen beckon you to grab a table, while the pulsing beats of a DJ suck you further into this electric new dimension. But uber-cool aesthetics aside, what can you actually eat at this joint?  Very yummy things, as it turns out, and a generous assortment of them, too. The chef takes inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine and jazzes up popular classics with a mode

If aliens were to beam down to our city to pick up some Melbourne artefacts, no doubt they'd swing by the American Doughnut Kitchen van at Queen Victoria Market. These sugar-dusted hot jam doughnuts have been giving Melburnians their sweet-and-fried fix since 1950, and we've even crowned them as one of Melbourne's must-try eats. But this week marks a new and exciting chapter for the beloved vintage van, which has just announced its opening date for a new bricks-and-mortar store at Prahran Market: Saturday 6 July. Yippee! For the first time, you'll be able to pair your doughnut with a delicious cup of coffee for the ultimate market breakfast. And don't just expect another van. The new shop features a fit-out that pays homage to the truck, with the same open work station so you can watch all that glorious doughnut magic take place – from the cutting and cooking, to the royal jam and sugar treatment. It's an immersive in-store experience guaranteed to enthral old-timers, little ones and kids at heart alike.  Photograph: Tim Grey Photography As for the celebrity-status doughnuts, not much needs to be said if you've tried them. They've got the perfect Goldilocks level of oily crunch and they're piped with a sweet red dollop of classic raspberry plum jam (that's well worth getting your hands sticky for), then dusted in a generous snow of sugar. It's the taste of childhood in a single bite. American Doughnut Kitchen managing director Belinda Donaghey has shared her excitement at

Melbourne lovers of Latin American cuisine are in for a treat. After successfully launching his acclaimed dining concept Morena in Sydney earlier this year, renowned Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia (Farmer's Daughters, Victoria) has announced plans to expand his empire with not one but two venues in Melbourne's swanky 80 Collins precinct. Famous for housing big restaurants from the Lucas stable such as Society, Lillian and Yakimono – as well as Saravia's own Farmer's Daughters – the duo of new restaurants joining the party will offer distinctly separate experiences. Morena Restaurant promises a journey through Latin American cuisine with options ranging from à la carte to chef’s selection menus. Morena Barra is slated to be an all-day dining destination with a vibrant bar as the centrepiece. Think fun signature cocktails crafted from premium spirits, plenty of Spanish and South American wines to explore, and exciting bites.  Both menus will include dishes from Saravia’s native Peru as well as from Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil. Since 2006, Saravia has been a widely recognised leader in introducing Aussie diners to the diverse and regionally distinct flavours of Latin America.  “After the outstanding reception to Morena Sydney, I am so excited to be bringing the Morena concept to life in the heart of Melbourne,” said Saravia. “With Farmer’s Daughters around the corner, Morena will be continuing to deliver warm hospitality and exciting culinary exp

We Aussies sure do love a good pie, so it checks out we've got an annual competition dedicated to searching for the best of 'em. Every year, the Baking Association of Australia hosts the Australia's Best Pie and Pastie Competition to crown local winners in a number of pastry-related categories, including Best Chicken Pie, Best Gourmet Pastie, Best Gourmet Pie and more. But there's one award that participating bakeries want to get their flour-dusted hands on the most: the highly coveted accolade of Australia's Best Pie. In 2024, the big win has gone to the Bellarine Peninsula's very own Rolling Pin Bakery for its flavourful prawn laksa pie. First of all, a big congrats to the Rolling Pin crew is in order! Secondly, we really want to drive out and go try that pie right now. It's the third time the Bellarine Peninsula business has taken out the coveted title, with its surf 'n' turf pie and its creamy mushroom and truffle pie winning the 2021 and 2022 competitions, respectively.  “Holy S$At! We have just been judged Australia’s Best Pie for the third time in four years,” Rolling Pin Pies wrote on social media. Interestingly, it's the second year in a row a seafood pie has been ranked the best in the nation. Could this be a sign Aussies' historic love for meat pies is evolving? Last year's winner of the Best Pie award, Kyneton's beloved Country Cob Bakery, took home the prize for its incredible fish amok pie. And while it may have missed out on the top gong this year around, thes

There's no denying the kebab is everyone's fave late-night snack, but where do you find the tastiest? Well, we reckon these ones around town are pretty primo but the Triple M Melbourne crew has taken things a step further by asking the people. And after an extensive survey as part of the radio station's rigorous 'Best of Melbourne' competition, one humble kebab shop in Pakenham has emerged victorious as the crème de la crème of Melbourne's kebab scene. Thousands of Melburnians voted Legend Kebabs as home to the best kebab in Melbourne – and it seems the name fits!  So what makes Legend Kebabs so special? Eddie, the owner of the shop, uses a special recipe he remembers from his grandparents when he was growing up in Türkiye.   "I can tell you over 100 kilograms of dough has been dumped trying to get exactly the same bread my grandmother did," Eddie told Triple M. Photograph: Supplied / Legend Kebabs Of his pies, HSPs and other delicious offerings, Eddie shared: "I give people Turkish street food. Everything is homemade – our dips, everything. It takes a lot of work, but it's worth it." It's safe to say Legend Kebabs isn’t just any run-of-the-mill kebab joint – it’s a labor of love and tradition.  Triple M's 'Best of Melbourne' competition saw an overwhelming response from the community, with more than 35,000 Melburnians passionately supporting their favourite local businesses. The radio station not only recognised the top kebab joint, but also highlighted Melbourne’s vibran

Quick question: what will you be doing on the morning of Thursday, June 20? Work? Study? Babysitting? Pretending to do one of those things? Right, so you're going to want to skip that, and make a beeline for Collingwood's Smith Street instead. That's because Minor Figures is going to be stationed at the uber hip Skydiver Records slinging cups of pure dairy-free deliciousness in the form of oat milk lattes, and if you're mad about coffee (or fine print-free freebies), you won't want to miss out. Why so generous, you may ask? It's a promotional campaign from the oat milk wizards to get Melburnians clued up on their story, plus the key facts as to why they're game-changers in that mysterious world of cow's milk alternatives. Let’s rewind the tape back to 2014, where it all began on a rooftop with three mates, fuelled by a passion for coffee and sustainability. Fast forward to today, and Minor Figures has taken the world by storm, making waves with their Barista Oat milk that’s not just a sidekick to espresso but a co-star in every coffee lover’s daily ritual.  Photograph: Supplied / Minor Figures And it’s not just about great coffee. Minor Figures wears their sustainability badge proudly, certified as a B Corporation and leading the charge in the plant-based milk revolution. With a carbon-neutral footprint and a commitment to using less water than other milk alternatives, their oat milk isn’t just good for your taste buds; it’s a win for the planet too. It's also locally

Get ready to loosen your belt buckles and brace yourselves for a massive meal – with a bizarrely eerie twist. Mad Mex, a popular go-to chain for burrito buffs, is resurrecting its monstrous 1kg Big Burrito after a 14-year hiatus, and this time it's teaming up with cult water brand Liquid Death.  Picture this: a mammoth-sized burrito that's double the fun, paired with a complimentary can of Liquid Death to wash it all down. But be warned, this isn't your average meal deal – tackling this culinary behemoth requires guts of steel and a willingness to take part in a pretty macabre promotion. Read on if you dare... Ready? One lucky burrito warrior will have the chance to win a prize that's literally out of this world: a burial plot in the heart of the Australian property market.  That's right, folks, your very own piece of real estate, nestled in the serene grounds of a cemetery. Because why settle for a house when you can have a tomb with a view? Photograph: Supplied / Mad Mex To throw your hat in the ring for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, all you have to do is snag a Big Burrito combo, scribble down the inscription for your tombstone (or one for your brave amigo who couldn't quite conquer the burrito beast), and cross your fingers for good luck. It's a competition where the stakes are high and the rewards are, quite literally, set in stone.  What happened to to the good ol' days when prizes were holidays, cash or yummy food hampers? Ah well, at least if you win, you can

We don't know what it is exactly, but something about eating in the great outdoors just hits different. Whether you're gorging on a basket of homemade treats at a cute picnic spot or breathing in an invigorating sea breeze at one of these beachside restaurants, let's face it: salt tastes saltier, sugar tastes sweeter and flavours just taste better when you're sitting outside.  That's why we're stoked that Gozney, the premium outdoor oven brand, is bringing back Proof Supper Club – its acclaimed series of unforgettable outdoor dining experiences. Following the success of its sell-out 2023 tour, this year's seven-stop odyssey promises to elevate the unique dinner experience to new heights. The series will take guests on a gastronomic adventure to secret locations across the globe, from urban hideaways to remote landscapes, offering an evening of untamed outdoor dining. Where will Melbourne's be held? Well, it's still a secret!  Photograph: Supplied / Gozney What we do know, however, is that Matt Stone will be the celebrated chef at our city's supper club on January 30, 2025. Stone is a sustainable cooking pioneer renowned for his farm-to-plate ethos and minimal waste approach. His culinary journey has taken him from the west coast to the Byron Bay hinterland with successful ventures like the Eltham Hotel and You Beauty. "Having worked with Gozney before, I was stoked to get the call up to host the new Melbourne stop," said Stone. "I’m excited to close out this epic world tour

Nawww, don't they grow up so fast? Your fave Windsor spot for cheap pizzas and late-night tomfoolery, Lucky Coq, is about to turn 18! To celebrate, the crew are throwing a birthday bash to remember – and you're invited. After swinging open its doors for the first time back in 2006, it wasn't long before Lucky Coq quickly rose up as a Chapel Street legend, beloved by students and bar crawlers alike for its wallet-friendly prices and chilled-out atmosphere. Now, the bar legends are gearing up for the ultimate celebration: the Golden Coq party.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 22, when the festivities kick off at 2pm. The kitchen will be firing up the ovens and dishing out pizzas for just 18 cents all day and night. Yes, you read that right – 18 cents for a whole pizza, no funny fine print! From classic favourites like the capricciosa to bolder creations like the peri peri pollo, Lucky Coq's entire pizza menu will be available at this crazy-low price. And with tasty options ranging from American cheeseburgers to Vietnamese banh mi, there's something for every palate so your whole group can go nuts all night long! Photograph: Ashley Ludkin But the fun doesn't stop at the food. Throughout the day and night, some of Chapel Street's finest DJs, including John Course and Spacey Space, will be spinning tunes to keep the party pumping. It's sure to be a day filled with good vibes, good music, and, of course, Lucky Coq's yummy (and dirt-cheap) pizza. To toast to 18 years of suc

As the weather gets cooler, you may be tempted to spend more nights in. But Commune Group’s ‘Dine and Cash’ promotion is one reason why you should venture out instead. Returning for the second year and running throughout the entire month of June across Commune’s popular restaurants (except Studio Amaro), the deal gifts 25 per cent of your table’s entire bill back in the form of a voucher. You can then redeem that voucher at any of those restaurants. Score! Commune Group is known in Melbourne’s hospo scene for its funky and fresh spin on modern dining and progressive take on classic Asian cuisines. Try woodfired Vietnamese-inspired eats at Firebird in Prahran, jazzed up Chinese-Aussie fusion fare at Moonhouse in Balaclava, Japanese street food at Tokyo Tina in Windsor, new-school Vietnamese at New Quarter in Richmond, or more fun Vietnamese food and drink with a twist at any of the two Hanoi Hannah restaurants.  It’s a big thank you to the loyal customers who return again and again to Commune’s venues, but it’s also an excuse to roll off the couch and make the most of winter in Melbourne. So what’s in the fine print? The promotion runs only from Monday to Thursday, so you’ll need to book your meal mid-week. It’s also only available for in-venue dining, so you won’t be able to get any money back for takeout or delivery. There’s no minimum spend required, so you can even claim this offer on a round of cocktails. The folks at Commune Group are raining down all the love! All you n