LUNCH & DINNER 

OLD PALM LIQUOR - 133B Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057

From the team behind Neighbourhood Wine - a warmly lit wine bar with an open plan kitchen, clever menu guided by chargrill & retro fit-out complimented perfectly by hanging greenery and shelves covered in natural wines. Perfect meat & sides execution. Great for just drinks, or dinner & date night. Open fire place in the back for a nightcap post dinner also. EAT: Scotch Steak w Rosemary & Anchovy Butter, Snapper crudo

MIZNON - 59 Hardware Ln, Melbourne 

Fast, fresh Israeli street food from a chain of restaurants with outlets in Tel Aviv, Paris, Vienna & New York. Perfect casual affordable option for lunch or dinner, a two story restaurant that feels like a family kitchen. EAT: Whole Roast Cauliflower, Golden Fish Pita

PUBLIC WINE SHOP - 179 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North VIC 3068

A tiny wine bar in St Georges Rd, Fitzroy that sits quietly amongst antique stores & acupuncturists - it has one communal table inside, and only takes walk ins. If and when you do secure a spot inside, its well worth the pre stress of no booking. The snack menu caters great, simple, salty accompaniments to wine (Oysters, Olives, Crisps). The daily printed extended menu holds unique, sharable plates of wine-bar-classic tinned fish on toast alongside chargrilled meats, cheeses & charcuterie. The most enjoyable overstay post dining I’ve had in a long time. Sun goes down outside & candles inside light up wine glasses & its 10/10 heaven. EAT: Oeuf mayonnaise, Whole roasted flounder 

CITY WINE SHOP -  159 Spring St, Melbourne 

Opposite Parliament House & beside Princess Theatre, on my favourite street in the city. A wine bar heavily across good food, outdoor dining thats well heated & unreal for people watching. Doubles as a retail bottle shop, by the same team behind Siglo & the European, has a 10/10 Negroni. EAT: Gnocchi Pomodoro, Grilled WA Octopus 

NAPIER QUARTER - 359 Napier St, Fitzroy VIC 3065

A corner in the backstreets of Fitzroy that has an entire day covered - AM offers Allpress coffee (although note: no dairy alternatives?), dressed toasts & fresh pastries & PM moves from espresso to wine bar. For two, you’ll need to walk in which is equally as intimidating as it is worthwhile. Creative, fresh & unique seasonal plates of amazing produce (Meatsmith, Grown & Gathered). Simple charcuterie, cheeses & focaccia alongside always evolving pasta’s & proteins. 

SUPERNORMAL - 180 Flinders Ln, Melbourne

Modern Korean, Chinese & Japanese fusion. By Andrew McConnell, who’s behind Gimlet, Meatsmith, Marion, Cutler & Co, Cumulus, etc. Amazing open plan restaurant in the inner city, and kitchen-view bar seating. I’d say very close to my favourite of all time. Sit at the pass, spectate heavily on the kitchen, order the house down, drink an amaretto sour, etc etc etc. EAT: Lamb Shoulder, Lobster Roll, Duck Bao, Peanut Butter Parfait

ROYAL OAK - 442 Nicholson St, Fitzroy North VIC 3068

On the corner of Nicholson & Freeman St - the Royal Oak (EST 1871) An enduring, cherished pub with Marquis of Lorne, Mt Erica, Union House & Bridge Hotel brother/sister restaurants. I’ve had boozy long lunches here, quick weeknight dinners & Sunday afternoons in the sun and it’s catered perfectly to all. A menu that serves elevated pub food classics alongside distinctively well executed entrees. Also - truly some of the most well seasoned hot chips in Melbourne. EAT: Wagyu beef tartare w/ potato crisps & Crumbed squid w/ herb aioli, aforementioned chips

LILAC WINE - 31 Stephenson St, Cremorne VIC 3121 

A new light filled wine bar with a great vibe, concealed in what was an old upholstery warehouse in Stephenson St, Cremorne. Its  industrial fit out has been, simply & considerately renovated to transform the space whilst maintaining so much of its original charm. The facade is unassuming and would be easily missed (being covered in graffiti) if not for its tiny light-box signage & sound from the DJ within - who sets up as the sun goes down. Great for casual date/girls night or quick post work drink. Open plan kitchen, weekly changing menu & wood-fire oven out of which comes chargrilled flatbread covered in garlic oil that shan’t be missed. 10/10 Negroni & Margarita from those who have truly, done the legwork. EAT: The aforementioned flatbread, Whipped Eggplant, Duck Fat Potatoes 

OH LORETTA - 324 High St, Northcote VIC 3070

Dined here on a night it was so foul outside we considered skipping dinner all together & was very quickly after arrived glad to have rallied. The interior is almost deceptively low key & comfortable given the share plates that came out of the open kitchen were not only flawless but refreshingly unique & incredibly flavourful. Warm bread served with molasses brown butter I won’t even begin to put into words. The owner on this night was working the restaurant alone with one chef (who hugged us as we left). These are the people who deserve a full restaurant. A feel good family business & pleasure. EAT: Everything 

CLAYPOTS -  Shop 101, 116 Cecil Street, Market, South Melbourne

Big institution energy on the corner of South Melbourne Market. The BBQ out the front slings one of the best sandwiches to eat whilst procuring produce - The Fish in Bread. Grilled white fish, charred ciabatta, onion & sumac salad, pickled chilli + mayonnaise - heaven. The restaurant, for lunch or dinner, is a celebration of the best seafood produce - triumphed by simple, well executed dishes on a blackboard menu. Also live music in the arcade with heating on weekend nights. EAT: Seafood Linguine, Garlic King Prawns, Cajun Flathead, Crushed Potatoes 

EPOCHA - 49 Rathdowne St, Carlton 

Broad European & Greek Influence in a restored Victorian Terrace in Carlton - heaven for date night, an unreal set menu options, and waiters that cater to and curate for any occasion. Home to another 10/10 Negroni. EAT: Beef Cheek, Duck Fat Potatoes, Chocolate Soufflè 

EMBLA - 122 Russell Street, Melbourne 3000

My #1 favourite and some of the best dining experiences I’ve had. A seasonal French/Italian inspired menu with chargrilled meats cooked over fire & genuinely otherworldly sides. Another wine bar heavily versed in amazing produce & execution. Intimate moody vibe in modern yet rustic fit out - in a tiny standalone building on Russell Street. Perfect date night / special occasion. EAT: Hasselback Celeriac, Beef Carpaccio w Artichoke, Soured Cucumbers

MARION - 53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 

A big vibe for lunch or dinner or afternoon wine & small plates in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. Beautiful modern light filled fit out with an exposed kitchen, floor to ceiling wine racks & windows. A pasta & wine in the afternoon out the front in the spring/summer is a genuine pleasure. The menu changes daily however you couldn’t order incorrectly here if you tried and the must haves are always included. Open late, great for date night / celebration / just because. EAT: Mussels, Flatbread, Any Pasta, Rib Eye, etc, etc, etc. 

I'm a big fan of an institution, less so for those you can rarely get into without a booking / local notoriety, however within this & certainly worthy of a mention are: France Soir, Di Stasio (Citta & Pizzeria - Carlton), Stokehouse, Scopri & Florrentini. 

Other notable food mentions: 

• All Are Welcome (Coffee, Pastries, Sandwiches) 
• Secret Kitchen (YUM CHA)
• Neighbourhood Wine
• Tien Dat (Vietnamese)
• La Tortelleria (Mexican)
• Tonka (Modern Indian)
• Rockpool
• Falco Bakery

& for a drink: 

• Alberts Wine Bar
• Bouzy
• Siglo
• Bar Margaux