The chocolate brownie, a black hole of chocolate-fuelled oblivion, goes well with a piping hot latte.
Those in the know go for the prawn and fish dumplings (which are considerably cheaper to take away).
Flamed, succulent chunks of chicken explode on the plate next to the best damn fries we’ve had in a long, long time.
Our favourite was the celeriac pancake with roast carrot, butter radish, peas and hazelnut kipfler potatoes. Elegant and curious concoctions that dazzle you and your fork alike.
The cannelloni, in particular, is brilliant. A noteworthy shortcut for a gourmet meal at home.
In typical fashion, the luminaries behind haunts like Lucky Coq and Bimbo Deluxe put the social experience front and centre.
On entrance, you’ll be gifted a cold bottle of beer to sip on for the duration of your visit. Not a bad way to embark on the adventure.
Don’t go past the organic caramel slice or Funky’s hot apple pie. We’re still trying to figure out how food this vege’d up can taste like the real meaty deal.
If you long ago gave up on ever getting to one day meet your abs, then the lasagna with four cheeses, silverbeet and spinach is for you, as is the rigatoni with Berkshire pork sausage.
The nasu no dengaku (fried eggplant with sweet miso dressing) is a savoury slice of smothered mushy eggplant, perfectly delicious and wonderful for winter.
If money is no object (and if you're at icebergs, then it probably isn’t) opt for the epic wagyu rib eye, roasted on the bone with fennel cabbage and celery hearts – even for two people it’s epic.
Their winter collection—featuring a number of sharp trenches and coats—has just received further reductions; a perfect time to investigate a worthy brand.
The Ox delivers a delicious suburban bite delivered with flair, youth and energy that endears it far sooner than you’d expect.
The recent, 12 month renovation hasn’t simply upped the venue’s distinct façade—it’s breathed brilliant new life into a Melbourne icon.
Try the crunchy shards of blazed sweet-pork and the minced chicken larb - a lip-stinging mass of lemon juice mint and spring onion.
The Gai yang, an achingly charred chicken with jim jaew splashing-sauce on the side is about as good a meat as you’ll ever eat – and for less than 20 bucks!
Great for a quick pit stop or perfect for some lunchtime communal table-style sharing with coworkers, and with most mains hovering around the $15 mark, it’s lighter on the pocket than Longrain.
Don’t miss any of the merrily named in house cockatils such as the Ping Pong, Camp Bitch, Bloody Longrain or the famed Caiprioska. Trust us, you want to be slightly drunk when the bill arrives.
A Melbourne institution if there ever was one, it’s perched right on St Kilda beach, weaving a relaxed beach house vibe with a dining experience that epitomises premium.
Eating in is a little pricier, but taking your chicken and running away with it comes in at a pittance.
This isn’t one of those pricey places that still manages to be casual, so do your best to scrub, primp, preen, suit up, mind your manners.
A platter of grilled chicken, lamb and beef is the way to go. Deep, chargrilled, beautiful meat splashed with garlic sauce and wrapped in bread is a joy that needs absolutely no describing.
Under no circumstances are you to leave before you have sampled the sublime white nectarine snow egg -- a chilled, meringue-and-fruit blob of awesomeness -- or the "eight textured" chocolate cake.
On "Tijuana Tuesdays" there are generous serves of Mexican mains (the Chilli Con Carne is unbelievable) all under $15, and a nip of Cuervo will barely touch your wallet.
The passion and enthusiasm for quality roast is palpable from the moment you set foot inside the clean, timber-lined space.
Heavily influenced by its eclectic international menu, the wine list has a dynamic range of Spanish, Austrian, German and modern Australian offerings.
Try the beautifully seasoned beef with vegetables and oyster sauce, or the crisp pork belly with Chinese broccoli.
Sandwiches are stellar (if they haven’t already sold out) and the real hot chocolate and earthy coffee justifies a stop in even if you won’t be having anything to eat.
Their beef burger slammed with beetroot cheddar chutney and hand cut chips is just the kind of winter-thing to get yourself in a sweet saucy salty mess over.
The decaffeinated man should not feel humbled in ordering the cioccolato caldo con panna: this thick Italian hot chocolate renders the palate powerless to its charm.
The croissants and baked treats are devilishly decent dessert-tricks, but the Sonoma brand granola is definitely the best option.
More one to take the missus to on a lazy Sunday arvo, rather than the boys after a footy game.
Old Schooler’s who don’t fancy fancy can keep their self respect with the backyarder: classic aussie beef and tomato with coleslaw coopers ale BBQ sauce and melted cheddar.
Start off with the BBQ eggplant tahini and pearl barley in preserved lemon, and work your way onto housemade pork sausage, grass fed angus and Suffolk lamb ribs.
A perfect place to get lost in thought, or in intimate conversation. Gentlemen, the bar has been set high.
It might be the little touches that keep you coming back: the steak sandwich is sublime.
Don’t bother trying to make a reservation—or coming in after 8—Claypots is an institution, and its clientele are as intense as the seafood is fresh.
Grab a bottle, take your company by hand and secure one of the old-world private carriages—if you can.
There’s an old-world elegance in the fine print of the Melbourne Supper Club -- nostalgia is woven into its walls. Once again, there is no better way to have a nightcap in this city.
The decidedly popular bar combines old-world elegance with a twist of socialite mayhem on Fridays and Saturdays. Navigate it well, and the world is your oyster, lads.
Be sure to order a half-dozen antipasto dishes here: the calamari and lamb cutlets have our hearty recommendation.
The rich timber tables and prominent columns add a gentrified charm to the Collingwood grit.
Gorgeous brass railings, monogrammed carpeting, and oak sourced from the old Melbourne Cricket Club line the restored building. Our pick? The Victorian black angus -- the actualized pub steak. Read more.
Fresh takes on ornate Arab décor, and an intimate timber deck courtyard that screams inner south -- your vibe won’t be wanting. Kamel takes casual Middle Eastern to dizzying heights. Read more.
Head straight for the Moroccan fried eggs, complete with in-house hummous, feta, olives and Turkish loaf. An impeccable twist on Melbourne breakfast. Read more.
Strike, ever innovative, have added gourmet pizza and foreign beer to the laser tag equation. Nice. Plus, y’know, if you’re a terrible shot, there’s always redemption on the bowling lanes. Read more.
Be sure to pay the paltry cover charge and check out some live jazz -- it’s the way cocktails ought to be consumed. Read more.
Dinner highlights include a steamed pork bun & the roast pork belly with sichaun eggplant. The sorbets and chocolate truffles are a must try -- as is a stunning list of reds, whites, cocktails & sake Read more.
The textures and the richness of the meat might just make this one of the best meals in Sydney. Read more.
Universal really does offer the whole bloody world on a plate. Despite the rollicking food, it really is the desserts that will drive pretty much every woman in Sydney crazy. Read more.
The pick of the red pizza is the Saracena -- a simple beauty born from fresh tomato, mozzarella, basil and parmesan -- while the Gorgonzola is the winner from the whites. Read more.
The knowledge and consistency of the beans is pretty astounding, even in coffee-mad Sydney. Crazy-delicious muffins, cakes and other sweet things baked in-house are also fantastic. Read more.
1806’s basement operation, the Understudy, is drenched in charm and booze and gastronomic delights. Opt for the cocktail degustation on a quieter Thursday night. Read more.
When the black cod miso, wagyu gyoza and white fish sashimi are cleared away, you still get that frisson of the palate. Y’know, to tide you over until the chocolate bento box arrives. Read more.
If breakfast and brunch is your thing: get your bruschetta on. But rest assured, as the sun sets, the food only gets more refined. Read more.
Manchester Press is a viable CBD option: opt for the chorizo bagel. (And another with just a schmear, if you must.) Read more.
Ananas (French for pineapple) is a modern cocktail and champagne bar complemented by the splendour of an art deco-inspired brasserie and late-night supper club. Read more.
Though it has fewer bells and whistles than Vibe’s more polished CBD offering, the rooftop pool and views of Rushcutters Bay might make you convert. Read more.
The toasted stracchino and black truffle quesadilla is a phenomenal high brow solution to the age old Toasted Cheese Craving.
Decent plonk, casual verve and an excellent menu (which boasts a fish-burger that will batter you senseless).
The absolutely bloody incendiary award though, has to go to the oxtail gravy with fried potato, crispy beef threads, cheddar and beer sauce. Read more.
The bar offers a range of reinvented Aussie classics including shandy cocktails like the Honey Sunset, made from Coopers Pale Ale, honey, basil, orange and lemonade. Read more.
Queenie’s menu of large portioned, Caribbean-style dishes are designed to be shared -- perfect for a mid-week catch up or fun date. Read more.
All the ingredients you need to enjoy tequila as it ought to be enjoyed -- including hammocks. The flavour-drenched, rotating menu of Mexican dishesare perfect company for a boozy affair. Hammocks! Read more.
The amenities aren’t game-changing, but expect A1 views and next-level staff. Purpose-built for longer stays, you’ll be around the corner from Melbourne jazz institution, Bennetts Lane. Sharp. Read more.
The Prince Alfred’s is huge -- and summer ready. Amidst some of the punchier gastropub offerings, we also had deep appreciation for the well-executed steak and greens. Read more.
Rice & Noodle should definitely be on your Bayside radar. You know how it goes: cash-only, no booze, insanely tasty. Read more.
