From winsome wine bars to a brutalist bolthole overlooking the city's Botanic Gardens, these are the finest restaurants, bars and hotels in Australia's cultural capital.
Sunny Sydney hits hard with its tropical beauty, horizon-altering architecture and joie de vivre vibes, but Melbourne is a slower burn. And thus, adventures here are even more rewarding, as the city's tangled laneways and unassuming doorways reveal world-class restaurants, trend-setting cocktail bars and stylish stays. From the buzzing CBD to the city's eclectic neighbourhoods, including creative Fitzroy, Italianate Carlton and upscale South Yarra, treasure awaits enquiring eyes. Gad about on foot, by bike or via tram, remembering to go slow and scratch beneath the surface.
Where to eat
The top-notch, neighbourhood one... Amaru
@amaru_melbourne
It would be easy for newcomers to Melbourne to miss the inner-city suburb of Armadale, just a 10-minute drive away, but then you'd also miss out on Amaru. Here, Queensland-born chef Clinton Mciver creates fine-dining tasting menus that riff on Australia's iconic flavours and the country's beauty. These menus – and the laid-back charm of the open-concept dining room, which seats just 34 – have bowled critics over; in 2023, Amaru became one of just four three-hatted restaurants [rankings given by Australian Good Food Guide's Chef Hat awards] in Melbourne. Stay in the same 'hood for Auterra, Mciver's equally winsome wine bar/restaurant.
The one with world-class wine pairings... Marion
@marionwinebar
An enticing test of a restaurant is whether its menu makes your mouth water while reading it. With sparsely worded options such as 'mussels, 'nduja, cucumber, fried bread and aioli', 'raw tuna with white soy and horseradish', and 'chocolate crémeux, sour cherries and olive oil', it's a test that Marion passes with flying colours. Occupying a peachy, corner-chunk building, where arterial Gertrude Street meets Deadman's Lane, Marion delivers a masterclass in Fitzroy flair. The wine selection is one of the city's best, combining local stars and global favourites; doubling up as decoration, bottles are lovingly displayed against the white-brick walls.
The one with knee-weakening views... Vue de Monde
@vuedemonde
Tick off one of the city's fine-dining grande dames at Vue de Monde, which sits on the 55th floor of the iconic Rialto skyscraper. Opened by Australian chef Shannon Bennett in 2000, today the restaurant showcases Australia's natural larder and superlative suppliers. Put your trust in executive chef Hugh Allen and opt for the Signature Chef's Tasting Menu or the Extended Experience. Culinary creations are flavour bombs and artistic triumphs, complementing the restaurant's local and international art collection, curated with help from Australian gallerist Anna Schwartz. Other visual rewards include the Aussie-inspired architecture and interiors, featuring corrugated-iron walls and sustainably sourced kangaroo fur chairs, not to mention those city vistas.
Where to drink
The hidden-away one... Above Board
@aboveboardbarmelb
The best things in life aren't free – they're a little bit hard to find and tucked away behind Beermash, judging by Above Board. A convivial mood is created by the communal walnut table, with space for up to 12 discerning imbibers, but what the bar lacks in space, it compensates for in style. Above Board does a fine line of classic cocktails, but if you're feeling more experimental, sample one of bartender Hayden Lambert's signature serves: the Stitch Up, made with gin, strawberry milk, rhubarb liqueur and lemon juice, perhaps. The interior is as slick as the drinks: with glossy white walls, shiny steel and glowing lights.
The one with Italian leanings... Bar Olo
@barolo_carlton
There are many reasons to love the Italian region of Piedmont. Big-name wines. Earthy truffles. Creamy hazelnuts. Star-turn dishes such as vitello tonnato, bagna cauda and agnolotti. And now there's Bar Olo, which honours its muse with elegant cocktails and artful small plates. The European influences reflect Bar Olo's Carlton setting, which drew an influx of Italian immigrants after the Second World War. Head here for aperitivo between 4 and 6pm for lasagne croquettes, fritto misto with chilli salt and grilled octopus with vodka sauce and olive-oil croutons. Alongside the punchy wine list, top sips include the Salted Butter Martini, Apricot Highball and Barolo Sour.
The one that champions Victoria... Byrdi
@byrdimelb
A little birdy told us about Byrdi: a box-fresh entry on The World's 50 Best Bars 2024 list. Proudly Aussie, Byrdi writes liquid and edible love letters to Victoria's small-batch spirits producers and fertile farmsteads. The drinks menu pays tribute to the mixologists that have inspired Byrdi's owners, Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura. You might not think of crafting a cocktail with chicken-fat caramel, waffle milk, black honey and artichoke – but Byrdi has, and you can sample it in the madcap GN Chan, named after the eponymous founder of Double Chicken Please bar in New York. Small plates are equally tempting, from chicken-fat oysters to a layered Russet potato cake with sour cream and salt-and-vinegar saltbush.
Where to sleep
The budget-friendly fun one... The StandardX, Melbourne
@thestandardxmelbourne
Channelling the cool-kid spirit of its Fitzroy setting, The StandardX, Melbourne is the brand's first Antipodean outpost (and its debut StandardX spinoff). Decorated with pieces by local artist Jane Sinclair, the 125 rooms invoke the neighbourhood's grittiness, while home comforts come in the form of king-size beds, 300-thread count sheets, Smeg kettles, French presses and Davines amenities. Pooch in tow? Opt for the Premium King with Balcony: if you've got dollars to splash, choose for the 48sq m Suite Spot. Enjoy drinks at The Roof, a lofty oasis with wow views and source snacks and drinks from The Box, the hotel's bodega.
The one that eyeballs the city... The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne
@theritzcarltonmelbourne
For a room with a (ripper) view, set your sights on The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, in the beating heart of the city's CBD. Prepare to feel your ears pop in the lift: this iconic hotel has 80 storeys up its sleeve, revealing the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria Harbour and Port Phillip Bay below. The highs continue at Atria restaurant, which sings in tune with the seasons and celebrates sustainable harvesters, growers and fishermen. Opt for the five-course tasting menu and drink in the panoramic views via giant windows. Seal some deals at the Club Lounge or reset with a botanical treatment or a workout at the spa.
The one beside gorgeous gardens... United Places
@unitedplaces
(Image: Sharyn Cairns)
If you missed Chelsea Flower Show or need a little green-fingered inspiration, bed down at United Places Hotel Botanic Gardens, which surveys the city's emerald treasure. Nab a room with a garden-spying balcony or take an Urban City Suite for serene South Yarra scenes. Culinary delights await at hatted restaurant Matilda 159, helmed by superstar Aussie chef Scott Pickett (whose Melbournian legacy includes Estelle and Saint Crispin). Design-wise, United Places takes its cues from brutalism: picture sand-blasted concrete, bronze-trimmed fittings and Italian-made furniture from Moroso, Patricia Urquiola and Grant Featherston, as well as locally made pieces by Wootten and Apparent.
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