The Happy Apple Essendon Celebrates Its First Birthday With Tastings, Giveaways and a Spin & Win Written by David Hagger on 10 September 2026 . One of Essendon's favourite new grocers is turning one, and it's throwing the neighbourhood a party to mark the occasion. And we will be there to celebrate. The Happy Apple, the independent grocer known for its beautifully curated fresh produce and premium-but-approachable feel, opened its fourth store on Mount Alexander Road in Essendon a year ago. Since then it's become a go-to for locals after fresh produce, artisan bread, flowers, specialty groceries and a decent coffee, all in a space that manages to feel both contemporary and genuinely neighbourhood-y at once. Now the Essendon store is celebrating its first birthday over the weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September , with a full program of tastings, giveaways and instant-win prizes for anyone who pops in. And we are excited to celebrate with locals at this fine grocer of note. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 10 September 2026 . One of Essendon's favourite new grocers is turning one, and it's throwing the neighbourhood a party to mark the occasion. And we will be there to celebrate. The Happy Apple, the independent grocer known for its beautifully curated fresh produce and premium-but-approachable feel, opened its fourth store on Mount Alexander Road in Essendon a year ago. Since then it's become a go-to for locals after fresh produce, artisan bread, flowers, specialty groceries and a decent coffee, all in a space that manages to feel both contemporary and genuinely neighbourhood-y at once. Now the Essendon store is celebrating its first birthday over the weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September , with a full program of tastings, giveaways and instant-win prizes for anyone who pops in. And we are excited to celebrate with locals at this fine grocer of note. Continue Reading No.22 Cafe Is Back: Melbourne's Best Focaccia Returns to Flinders St Written by David Hagger on 09 September 2026 . If you've spent any time on Melbourne food Instagram over the last two years, you already know the name No.22 Cafe. The tiny Flinders Street focacceria near Federation Square built a cult following on one thing: proper, round, Puglia-style focaccia, baked fresh and sliced to order, with a queue to prove it. Now it's back — renovated, re-equipped and ready to do it all again. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 09 September 2026 . If you've spent any time on Melbourne food Instagram over the last two years, you already know the name No.22 Cafe. The tiny Flinders Street focacceria near Federation Square built a cult following on one thing: proper, round, Puglia-style focaccia, baked fresh and sliced to order, with a queue to prove it. Now it's back — renovated, re-equipped and ready to do it all again. Continue Reading Mr Vincenzo's Reopens on the Mornington Peninsula With a Stunning New Look Written by David Hagger on 07 September 2026 . Mr Vincenzo’s, the beloved Italian restaurant and bar on Mornington’s Esplanade, has reopened in a space three times its original size – and having just been back ourselves, we can confirm the wait was worth it. This has long been one of our favourite tables on the Mornington Peninsula, thanks to a location that’s hard to beat overlooking Port Phillip Bay, and the new-look venue only cements its place as a genuine jewel of the region. The renovation is stunning, the food is kicking goals with local produce heralded on every plate, and there’s now a dedicated wine bar to match. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 07 September 2026 . Mr Vincenzo’s, the beloved Italian restaurant and bar on Mornington’s Esplanade, has reopened in a space three times its original size – and having just been back ourselves, we can confirm the wait was worth it. This has long been one of our favourite tables on the Mornington Peninsula, thanks to a location that’s hard to beat overlooking Port Phillip Bay, and the new-look venue only cements its place as a genuine jewel of the region. The renovation is stunning, the food is kicking goals with local produce heralded on every plate, and there’s now a dedicated wine bar to match. Continue Reading The Meat & Wine Co Collins Street: Melbourne's New African Sky Steakhouse Written by David Hagger on 07 September 2026 . Looking for a special steak experience in Melbourne that also doubles as a top date night selection? The Meat & Wine Co has landed on Collins Street, and it has arrived with more theatre than almost any steakhouse opening Melbourne has seen in years. We enjoyed a long lunch and experienced the standout Butter-Aged Southern Range Rib Eye - an absolute showstopper, plus other highly impressive dishes. Service is impeccable. The brand's 14th Australian venue and first Melbourne "Safari" concept, this 220-seat flagship trades on the drama of its "African Sky" design as much as it does on its famous flame-grilled beef — and after dining there ourselves, we can say the fit-out alone is worth the visit, before a single course even arrives. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 07 September 2026 . Looking for a special steak experience in Melbourne that also doubles as a top date night selection? The Meat & Wine Co has landed on Collins Street, and it has arrived with more theatre than almost any steakhouse opening Melbourne has seen in years. We enjoyed a long lunch and experienced the standout Butter-Aged Southern Range Rib Eye - an absolute showstopper, plus other highly impressive dishes. Service is impeccable. The brand's 14th Australian venue and first Melbourne "Safari" concept, this 220-seat flagship trades on the drama of its "African Sky" design as much as it does on its famous flame-grilled beef — and after dining there ourselves, we can say the fit-out alone is worth the visit, before a single course even arrives. Continue Reading Best Gelato in Melbourne 2026 Written by David Hagger on 04 September 2026 . Looking for the best gelato in Melbourne? Melbourne doesn't do things by halves when it comes to gelato. From old-school Italian pozzetti counters on Lygon Street to Japanese-inspired scoop shops wrapping ice cream in mochi, this city has more genuinely excellent gelaterias per capita than almost anywhere outside Italy. And the rest of the country has taken notice — Essendon's own Oh My Gelato! was just crowned Australia's best at the inaugural Australian Gelato Cup, proof that Victoria is where the country's gelato game is at its sharpest. We've eaten our way through the city's best gelaterias — from the Italian institutions to the boundary-pushing newcomers — to bring you this guide to the best gelato in Melbourne right now. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 04 September 2026 . Looking for the best gelato in Melbourne? Melbourne doesn't do things by halves when it comes to gelato. From old-school Italian pozzetti counters on Lygon Street to Japanese-inspired scoop shops wrapping ice cream in mochi, this city has more genuinely excellent gelaterias per capita than almost anywhere outside Italy. And the rest of the country has taken notice — Essendon's own Oh My Gelato! was just crowned Australia's best at the inaugural Australian Gelato Cup, proof that Victoria is where the country's gelato game is at its sharpest. We've eaten our way through the city's best gelaterias — from the Italian institutions to the boundary-pushing newcomers — to bring you this guide to the best gelato in Melbourne right now. Continue Reading Australia's Best Gelato 2026: Oh My Gelato! Wins Cup Written by David Hagger on 03 September 2026 . Victorian business Oh My Gelato! wins title of country's best Looking for Australia's best gelato? I was in the room for this one, and I can tell you first-hand: Australia's best gelato has officially been named, and it's made right here in Victoria. Announced yesterday, May Quah and Apple Robles of Essendon's Oh My Gelato! took out the coveted title of the country's best with their bespoke competition flavour, "The Melbourne Marvel" — a knockout combination of Australian pistachio, espresso variegato and dark chocolate-coated honeycomb. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 03 September 2026 . Victorian business Oh My Gelato! wins title of country's best Looking for Australia's best gelato? I was in the room for this one, and I can tell you first-hand: Australia's best gelato has officially been named, and it's made right here in Victoria. Announced yesterday, May Quah and Apple Robles of Essendon's Oh My Gelato! took out the coveted title of the country's best with their bespoke competition flavour, "The Melbourne Marvel" — a knockout combination of Australian pistachio, espresso variegato and dark chocolate-coated honeycomb. Continue Reading My 妈妈 & Your Nonna: Inside Da Guido La Pasta's Chinese x Italian Fusion Dinner Written by David Hagger on 01 September 2026 . There's a particular kind of magic that happens when two food cultures stop being compared and start being combined. That's exactly what unfolded at My 妈妈 & Your Nonna , a one-night-only Chinese x Italian fusion dinner hosted by Da Guido La Pasta in Carlton — and it might be one of the most inventive dining experiences we've had in Melbourne this year. Da Guido La Pasta has long been a favourite Italian restaurant among Melburnians for its handmade pasta and warm, unpretentious dining room. So when we heard the team was pairing up with chefs Charles and Andrés for a collaborative six-course tasting menu built around childhood memories — his mother's cooking meeting her nonna's — we knew this wasn't going to be a straightforward Italian dinner. It wasn't. It was a full-blown culinary conversation between two of the world's great food traditions, and it landed on every level. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 01 September 2026 . There's a particular kind of magic that happens when two food cultures stop being compared and start being combined. That's exactly what unfolded at My 妈妈 & Your Nonna , a one-night-only Chinese x Italian fusion dinner hosted by Da Guido La Pasta in Carlton — and it might be one of the most inventive dining experiences we've had in Melbourne this year. Da Guido La Pasta has long been a favourite Italian restaurant among Melburnians for its handmade pasta and warm, unpretentious dining room. So when we heard the team was pairing up with chefs Charles and Andrés for a collaborative six-course tasting menu built around childhood memories — his mother's cooking meeting her nonna's — we knew this wasn't going to be a straightforward Italian dinner. It wasn't. It was a full-blown culinary conversation between two of the world's great food traditions, and it landed on every level. Continue Reading Meatmaiden Dry-Aged Burger: Melbourne's Messiest Lunch Written by David Hagger on 26 August 2026 . A 200g dry-aged and Sher Wagyu patty, a 48-hour smoked bone jus, and only 15 served a day — we went in hungry and came out needing a lie down. Meatmaiden has always built its name on serious beef — the dry-ageing cabinet at the entrance isn't just for show. So when word came through that the Little Collins Street steakhouse had turned that same dry-aged program into a lunch-only burger, it went straight to the top of our list. We booked a Tuesday lunch, ordered two, and did not regret a single bite. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 26 August 2026 . A 200g dry-aged and Sher Wagyu patty, a 48-hour smoked bone jus, and only 15 served a day — we went in hungry and came out needing a lie down. Meatmaiden has always built its name on serious beef — the dry-ageing cabinet at the entrance isn't just for show. So when word came through that the Little Collins Street steakhouse had turned that same dry-aged program into a lunch-only burger, it went straight to the top of our list. We booked a Tuesday lunch, ordered two, and did not regret a single bite. Continue Reading Melburnians Said Yes to a Free Glass of Wine — Then Found Out It Was Worth $22,000 Written by David Hagger on 25 August 2026 . Free wine on a city street usually comes with a catch — a wine club sign-up, a spruiker's pitch, a slow walk past a shopfront you weren't planning to enter. So when a man in plain clothes started stopping pedestrians on Spring Street outside The European and offering them a complimentary tasting, most people did what most Melburnians do: they kept walking. The handful who said yes had no idea they were about to taste one of the most expensive bottles of wine most of us will ever get near — a 2014 magnum of Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru, valued at roughly $22,000. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 25 August 2026 . Free wine on a city street usually comes with a catch — a wine club sign-up, a spruiker's pitch, a slow walk past a shopfront you weren't planning to enter. So when a man in plain clothes started stopping pedestrians on Spring Street outside The European and offering them a complimentary tasting, most people did what most Melburnians do: they kept walking. The handful who said yes had no idea they were about to taste one of the most expensive bottles of wine most of us will ever get near — a 2014 magnum of Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru, valued at roughly $22,000. Continue Reading Eleni's Greek High Tea, Yarraville Written by David Hagger on 23 August 2026 . Melbourne loves a good high tea, but I'd never come across one quite like this. Eleni's Kitchen + Bar in Yarraville has taken the very British ritual of finger sandwiches, scones and free-flowing tea and given it a full Greek makeover — and the result is one of the most genuinely distinctive high teas I've come across in this city. If you love Greek food and you love high tea, this is the mash-up you didn't know you needed. I've eaten at Eleni's a handful of times over the years — it's a bit of a Yarraville institution — but this was my first time trying the new Greek High Tea concept, inspired by owner Thierry Mana's yiayia's kitchen. It's the kind of idea that sounds like a novelty on paper but, once you're sitting in front of three tiers of honey-drenched baklavadakia and taramosalata tartlets, makes total sense. Melbourne's high tea scene has exploded over the past few years, from grand hotel affairs at the likes of the Windsor and the Langham through to quirky themed sittings built around everything from Bridgerton to Wonderland. What most of them have in common, though, is that they're still working from the same British blueprint — scones, cucumber sandwiches, a tiered cake stand of pastel macarons. Eleni's is one of the few I've come across that throws that blueprint out entirely and rebuilds the format around a completely different culinary tradition, and it's all the more memorable for it. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 23 August 2026 . Melbourne loves a good high tea, but I'd never come across one quite like this. Eleni's Kitchen + Bar in Yarraville has taken the very British ritual of finger sandwiches, scones and free-flowing tea and given it a full Greek makeover — and the result is one of the most genuinely distinctive high teas I've come across in this city. If you love Greek food and you love high tea, this is the mash-up you didn't know you needed. I've eaten at Eleni's a handful of times over the years — it's a bit of a Yarraville institution — but this was my first time trying the new Greek High Tea concept, inspired by owner Thierry Mana's yiayia's kitchen. It's the kind of idea that sounds like a novelty on paper but, once you're sitting in front of three tiers of honey-drenched baklavadakia and taramosalata tartlets, makes total sense. Melbourne's high tea scene has exploded over the past few years, from grand hotel affairs at the likes of the Windsor and the Langham through to quirky themed sittings built around everything from Bridgerton to Wonderland. What most of them have in common, though, is that they're still working from the same British blueprint — scones, cucumber sandwiches, a tiered cake stand of pastel macarons. Eleni's is one of the few I've come across that throws that blueprint out entirely and rebuilds the format around a completely different culinary tradition, and it's all the more memorable for it. Continue Reading Betty's Burgers Drizzler: Are Melburnians Messy or Clean Eaters? Written by David Hagger on 20 August 2026 . There's no polite way to say it: Australia has a mess problem, and it's happening at the dinner table. New national research has found the country almost evenly split between diners who eat with surgical precision and those who give in to full, sauce-dripping chaos - and Betty's Burgers has built its biggest chicken launch yet around exactly that divide. The brand's new dish, The Drizzler , has landed in restaurants for a limited time, and it's designed to work whichever camp you fall into. For Melbourne diners who've spent years debating whether a burger should be eaten with a knife and fork or straight out of the wrapper, this one feels personal. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 20 August 2026 . There's no polite way to say it: Australia has a mess problem, and it's happening at the dinner table. New national research has found the country almost evenly split between diners who eat with surgical precision and those who give in to full, sauce-dripping chaos - and Betty's Burgers has built its biggest chicken launch yet around exactly that divide. The brand's new dish, The Drizzler , has landed in restaurants for a limited time, and it's designed to work whichever camp you fall into. For Melbourne diners who've spent years debating whether a burger should be eaten with a knife and fork or straight out of the wrapper, this one feels personal. Continue Reading Bolobek Garden Fair 2026: Macedon's Historic Garden Event Returns Written by David Hagger on 20 August 2026 . Just under an hour from Melbourne, tucked into the foothills of the Macedon Ranges, sits a private garden that opens its gates only once a year. This October, the Bolobek Garden Fair returns for its 12th year - and it remains one of Victoria's most cherished garden events, drawing green thumbs, food lovers and curious visitors alike to a setting as rich in history as it is in horticultural beauty. With over 50 specialist stallholders, a keynote address from one of regional Victoria's most respected garden cooks, and a history stretching back to 1839, Bolobek offers something increasingly rare: a genuine celebration of community, nature and generosity, where every dollar raised goes back into the region that hosts it. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 20 August 2026 . Just under an hour from Melbourne, tucked into the foothills of the Macedon Ranges, sits a private garden that opens its gates only once a year. This October, the Bolobek Garden Fair returns for its 12th year - and it remains one of Victoria's most cherished garden events, drawing green thumbs, food lovers and curious visitors alike to a setting as rich in history as it is in horticultural beauty. With over 50 specialist stallholders, a keynote address from one of regional Victoria's most respected garden cooks, and a history stretching back to 1839, Bolobek offers something increasingly rare: a genuine celebration of community, nature and generosity, where every dollar raised goes back into the region that hosts it. Continue Reading Partner With TWLM Written by David Hagger on 19 August 2026 . Boost Your Brand - Partner With TWLM The World Loves Melbourne is one of Melbourne's longest-running independent food, travel and lifestyle publications — read by people who are actively deciding where to eat, stay and go next. Every month, 30,000+ readers come to TWLM for first-person, personally researched reviews rather than generic listicles — and a large share of that traffic lands directly on page one of Google for the venues, suburbs and experiences we cover. That means partner content doesn't just run once and disappear — it keeps working, month after month, for as long as the article stays ranked. Sound familiar? "We're a great cafe, but nobody outside our street knows we exist." You need discovery — a feature that gets found on Google and keeps getting found. → See Standalone Sponsored Article or Full Package below. "We know we should be posting more, but nobody has time to run social media." You need hands-off content — TWLM plans, shoots and posts for you, so your feed stays active without eating your week. → See Social Media Management below. "We want to be *the* name people think of for [X] in Melbourne — not just another listing." You need sustained visibility — ongoing presence across TWLM's website, Google, Instagram and newsletter. → See Premium Brand Partnership below. Not sure which fits? Get in touch and we'll recommend the right package for your goals. What Partners Say "We were a big fan of David's long running local Melbourne content, so wanted to invite him to SuperPark to help spread the word. He was super easy to work with, and within days he visited our park, shot unique and engaging content and written up a blog for us. Within days we had thousands of views on the social and web content. Super happy with the result, highly recommend, and look forward to working with David in the future." — Dan Hall, Digital Marketing Manager, SuperPark See the results for yourself: the SuperPark Highpoint feature and Best Family Activities in Melbourne . For more behind-the-scenes from shoots like this, follow @theworldlovesmelbourne on Instagram. Why Partner With TWLM 30,000+ monthly readers , with strong returning-visitor engagement Multiple articles ranking on page one of Google for high-intent Melbourne search terms 37,000+ Instagram followers across TWLM's social channels 45%+ average open rate on TWLM's email newsletter — well above typical industry benchmarks — direct to inboxes of engaged Melbourne foodies and travellers 15+ years of editorial trust — TWLM content reads as genuine recommendation, not advertising Content that keeps earning attention long after launch day, thanks to lasting SEO value This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Partner Packages Whether you want a simple editorial spotlight, a dedicated feature, or an ongoing campaign across website, social and newsletter, there's a package to fit. Package What's Included Investment Partner Spotlight Add-in Your brand featured within a relevant, already-planned TWLM article — ideal for venues, products or events that fit an existing editorial theme. $400 Standalone Sponsored Article A dedicated, fully written feature article about your venue, brand or offering — researched and written in TWLM's genuine editorial voice, published with clear ACCC-compliant disclosure. $750 Full Package Standalone sponsored article plus dedicated Instagram promotion, extending your reach to TWLM's 37,000+ followers. $1,000 Social Media Management 25 scheduled posts across your company (e.g. restaurant/cafe) social channels, plus a couple posts TWLM social channels, content-planned and posted on your behalf. *Terms apply — see below. $900/mth Premium Brand Partnership Sustained monthly visibility across TWLM's website, Google, Instagram and newsletter — see full details below. From $2,150/mth All partner content is clearly disclosed in line with ACCC guidelines. Links follow a rel="sponsored nofollow" tag. Payment is required upfront via PayPal or our bank account, with an invoice provided. Terms: Post content, format and scheduling are agreed in advance. Package is valid for use within an agreed timeframe from purchase. Any sponsored or paid posts are clearly disclosed in line with ACCC guidelines (e.g. #ad / #sponsored / "Paid Partnership" labelling), consistent with TWLM's approach to all partner content. Additional posts, reels, or extended campaigns beyond the 25-post scope are quoted separately. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 19 August 2026 . The World Loves Melbourne is one of Melbourne's longest-running independent food, travel and lifestyle publications — read by people who are actively deciding where to eat, stay and go next. Every month, 30,000+ readers come to TWLM for first-person, personally researched reviews rather than generic listicles — and a large share of that traffic lands directly on page one of Google for the venues, suburbs and experiences we cover. That means partner content doesn't just run once and disappear — it keeps working, month after month, for as long as the article stays ranked. Sound familiar? "We're a great cafe, but nobody outside our street knows we exist." You need discovery — a feature that gets found on Google and keeps getting found. → See Standalone Sponsored Article or Full Package below. "We know we should be posting more, but nobody has time to run social media." You need hands-off content — TWLM plans, shoots and posts for you, so your feed stays active without eating your week. → See Social Media Management below. "We want to be *the* name people think of for [X] in Melbourne — not just another listing." You need sustained visibility — ongoing presence across TWLM's website, Google, Instagram and newsletter. → See Premium Brand Partnership below. Not sure which fits? Get in touch and we'll recommend the right package for your goals. What Partners Say "We were a big fan of David's long running local Melbourne content, so wanted to invite him to SuperPark to help spread the word. He was super easy to work with, and within days he visited our park, shot unique and engaging content and written up a blog for us. Within days we had thousands of views on the social and web content. Super happy with the result, highly recommend, and look forward to working with David in the future." — Dan Hall, Digital Marketing Manager, SuperPark See the results for yourself: the SuperPark Highpoint feature and Best Family Activities in Melbourne . For more behind-the-scenes from shoots like this, follow @theworldlovesmelbourne on Instagram. Why Partner With TWLM 30,000+ monthly readers , with strong returning-visitor engagement Multiple articles ranking on page one of Google for high-intent Melbourne search terms 37,000+ Instagram followers across TWLM's social channels 45%+ average open rate on TWLM's email newsletter — well above typical industry benchmarks — direct to inboxes of engaged Melbourne foodies and travellers 15+ years of editorial trust — TWLM content reads as genuine recommendation, not advertising Content that keeps earning attention long after launch day, thanks to lasting SEO value This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Partner Packages Whether you want a simple editorial spotlight, a dedicated feature, or an ongoing campaign across website, social and newsletter, there's a package to fit.

All partner content is clearly disclosed in line with ACCC guidelines. Links follow a rel="sponsored nofollow" tag. Payment is required upfront via PayPal or our bank account, with an invoice provided. Terms: Post content, format and scheduling are agreed in advance. Package is valid for use within an agreed timeframe from purchase. Any sponsored or paid posts are clearly disclosed in line with ACCC guidelines (e.g. #ad / #sponsored / "Paid Partnership" labelling), consistent with TWLM's approach to all partner content. Additional posts, reels, or extended campaigns beyond the 25-post scope are quoted separately. Continue Reading Nikka Perfect Serve 2026: Brendan Grey Crowned Australian Champion at Moondrop, Fitzroy Written by David Hagger on 19 August 2026 . Ten of Australia's best bartenders. One whisky brand steeped in Scottish technique and Japanese craft. And a brief that had nothing to do with pouring the perfect drink, and everything to do with reading the person standing in front of you. That was the challenge at the 2026 Nikka Perfect Serve Australian Final, held last night at Moondrop in Fitzroy, where Western Australian bartender Brendan Grey was crowned national champion. His winning cocktail, For Rhonda and Rita , was built as a tribute to his favourite regular at Tigerfish in Cottesloe, 70-year-old Rhonda, using lavender picked from her own garden alongside Nikka From the Barrel, honey syrup and a homemade hay and blackberry soda. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 19 August 2026 . Ten of Australia's best bartenders. One whisky brand steeped in Scottish technique and Japanese craft. And a brief that had nothing to do with pouring the perfect drink, and everything to do with reading the person standing in front of you. That was the challenge at the 2026 Nikka Perfect Serve Australian Final, held last night at Moondrop in Fitzroy, where Western Australian bartender Brendan Grey was crowned national champion. His winning cocktail, For Rhonda and Rita , was built as a tribute to his favourite regular at Tigerfish in Cottesloe, 70-year-old Rhonda, using lavender picked from her own garden alongside Nikka From the Barrel, honey syrup and a homemade hay and blackberry soda. Continue Reading An Ode to Westholme Wagyu: La Madonna's Exclusive Wagyu Dégustation Written by David Hagger on 11 August 2026 . Looking for the ultimate steak experience in Melbourne? There's a particular kind of restaurant confidence that comes from building an entire menu around one ingredient and daring you not to be impressed. La Madonna, perched on Level 3 of Next Hotel Melbourne, has done exactly that with An Ode to Westholme Wagyu - a five-course dégustation that we sat down to on a quiet Tuesday evening, curious whether a menu this singularly focused could actually sustain five courses without repeating itself. It can. Comfortably. Westholme is one of Northern Australia's most respected Wagyu producers, prized for marbling that holds its structure under heat rather than simply melting into oiliness, and for a flavour that reads as savoury and mineral rather than one-note rich. Handing that raw material to Michelin-trained Executive Chef Jacopo Degli Esposti was always going to produce something worth writing about, and this menu is his love letter to the breed - carpaccio to consommé to crème brûlée, with barely a non-Wagyu ingredient in sight. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 11 August 2026 . Looking for the ultimate steak experience in Melbourne? There's a particular kind of restaurant confidence that comes from building an entire menu around one ingredient and daring you not to be impressed. La Madonna, perched on Level 3 of Next Hotel Melbourne, has done exactly that with An Ode to Westholme Wagyu - a five-course dégustation that we sat down to on a quiet Tuesday evening, curious whether a menu this singularly focused could actually sustain five courses without repeating itself. It can. Comfortably. Westholme is one of Northern Australia's most respected Wagyu producers, prized for marbling that holds its structure under heat rather than simply melting into oiliness, and for a flavour that reads as savoury and mineral rather than one-note rich. Handing that raw material to Michelin-trained Executive Chef Jacopo Degli Esposti was always going to produce something worth writing about, and this menu is his love letter to the breed - carpaccio to consommé to crème brûlée, with barely a non-Wagyu ingredient in sight. Continue Reading Fern's Hidden Winter Garden at Hotel Indigo Extends Into Spring Written by David Hagger on 05 August 2026 . By popular demand, Melbourne's most talked-about winter dining escape isn't going anywhere just yet. Fern's Hidden Winter Garden , the botanical conservatory experience at Fern Bar & Dining inside Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins, has been extended through to Sunday 4 October - with a fresh spring makeover to match the change of season. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 05 August 2026 . By popular demand, Melbourne's most talked-about winter dining escape isn't going anywhere just yet. Fern's Hidden Winter Garden , the botanical conservatory experience at Fern Bar & Dining inside Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins, has been extended through to Sunday 4 October - with a fresh spring makeover to match the change of season. Continue Reading Best Family Activities in Melbourne | Full 2026 Guide Written by David Hagger on 04 August 2026 . Melbourne is "family friendly" and is one of those rare cities that genuinely delivers for families, whether you're visiting for a weekend or you've lived here for years and are always hunting for the next outing that will impress a six-year-old and a teenager in the same afternoon. From hands-on science museums to a zoo that's been delighting kids for over 160 years, the city and its surrounds pack an enormous amount of family-friendly fun into a compact, walkable footprint. Best of all, a lot of it is either free or very affordable, and almost everything is connected by Melbourne's iconic tram network. Here's our definitive guide to the best family activities in Melbourne, covering everything from full-day adventures to short, sweet strolls you can slot in between meals. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 04 August 2026 . Melbourne is "family friendly" and is one of those rare cities that genuinely delivers for families, whether you're visiting for a weekend or you've lived here for years and are always hunting for the next outing that will impress a six-year-old and a teenager in the same afternoon. From hands-on science museums to a zoo that's been delighting kids for over 160 years, the city and its surrounds pack an enormous amount of family-friendly fun into a compact, walkable footprint. Best of all, a lot of it is either free or very affordable, and almost everything is connected by Melbourne's iconic tram network. Here's our definitive guide to the best family activities in Melbourne, covering everything from full-day adventures to short, sweet strolls you can slot in between meals. Continue Reading Melbourne's Most Instagrammable Restaurants (2026 Guide) Written by David Hagger on 03 August 2026 . There's a particular kind of Melbourne dinner where the phone comes out before the fork does. I don't say that as a criticism — some rooms genuinely earn it. After 15-plus years reviewing this city's restaurants in person, the venues that photograph best are almost always the ones that were designed with real intent, not just a feature wall bolted on for the socials. We have eaten our way through most of the CBD's grand dining rooms and the inner suburbs' moodier corners chasing exactly this list, and what follows are the Melbourne restaurants that consistently deliver the shot and the meal. From a 300-metre-high dining room over the MCG to a century-old mural-lined institution on Bourke Street, here are Melbourne's most Instagrammable restaurants worth booking a table — and charging your phone — for. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 03 August 2026 . There's a particular kind of Melbourne dinner where the phone comes out before the fork does. I don't say that as a criticism — some rooms genuinely earn it. After 15-plus years reviewing this city's restaurants in person, the venues that photograph best are almost always the ones that were designed with real intent, not just a feature wall bolted on for the socials. We have eaten our way through most of the CBD's grand dining rooms and the inner suburbs' moodier corners chasing exactly this list, and what follows are the Melbourne restaurants that consistently deliver the shot and the meal. From a 300-metre-high dining room over the MCG to a century-old mural-lined institution on Bourke Street, here are Melbourne's most Instagrammable restaurants worth booking a table — and charging your phone — for. Continue Reading Australia's Best Spirits Revealed: 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards Winners Written by David Hagger on 29 July 2026 . Melbourne just crowned the best spirits in the country, and the winners' list reads like a who's who of Australian distilling - with a couple of genuine celebrity surprises thrown in. The 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards (AISA) , presented by Melbourne Royal, brought together more than a thousand entries from Australia and, for the first time in the competition's history, international producers, all vying for the title of the nation's benchmark spirits event. And we were invited along to enjoy a stellar evening of celebrating "the best of spirits". With a new immersive, roaming format at the Victoria Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds, the night ditched the traditional sit-down ceremony in favour of guests wandering between tasting stations, sampling Gold and Trophy-winning spirits, and meeting the makers behind them. I went along to see who took home the silverware - and the results are a genuinely great snapshot of where Australian gin, whisky, rum and tequila are heading in 2026. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 29 July 2026 . Melbourne just crowned the best spirits in the country, and the winners' list reads like a who's who of Australian distilling - with a couple of genuine celebrity surprises thrown in. The 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards (AISA) , presented by Melbourne Royal, brought together more than a thousand entries from Australia and, for the first time in the competition's history, international producers, all vying for the title of the nation's benchmark spirits event. And we were invited along to enjoy a stellar evening of celebrating "the best of spirits". With a new immersive, roaming format at the Victoria Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds, the night ditched the traditional sit-down ceremony in favour of guests wandering between tasting stations, sampling Gold and Trophy-winning spirits, and meeting the makers behind them. I went along to see who took home the silverware - and the results are a genuinely great snapshot of where Australian gin, whisky, rum and tequila are heading in 2026. Continue Reading Elará Melbourne: The Rooftop Venue Redefining Events Above the CBD Written by David Hagger on 28 July 2026 . Perched above the Melbourne CBD, Elará Melbourne is the city's newest rooftop destination for luxury celebrations, elevated guest experiences and events that were never meant to be ordinary. Architectural, immersive and effortlessly refined, the space pairs sweeping skyline views with a striking glass atrium centrepiece, creating a setting that feels iconic from every angle. We attended the spectacular launch and felt this venue has a unique and desirable vibe and location in the city, and is more than ready to deliver for your next function. Purpose-built for premium weddings, luxury social events, brand launches and sophisticated corporate experiences, Elará Melbourne strikes a rare balance of indoor and outdoor atmosphere without sacrificing comfort, flexibility or flow. From intimate gatherings to large-scale productions, the venue accommodates up to 180 guests seated or 300 cocktail-style, with the option to connect seamlessly into Evoqé Events below for immersive, multi-level events on an even grander scale. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 28 July 2026 . Perched above the Melbourne CBD, Elará Melbourne is the city's newest rooftop destination for luxury celebrations, elevated guest experiences and events that were never meant to be ordinary. Architectural, immersive and effortlessly refined, the space pairs sweeping skyline views with a striking glass atrium centrepiece, creating a setting that feels iconic from every angle. We attended the spectacular launch and felt this venue has a unique and desirable vibe and location in the city, and is more than ready to deliver for your next function. Purpose-built for premium weddings, luxury social events, brand launches and sophisticated corporate experiences, Elará Melbourne strikes a rare balance of indoor and outdoor atmosphere without sacrificing comfort, flexibility or flow. From intimate gatherings to large-scale productions, the venue accommodates up to 180 guests seated or 300 cocktail-style, with the option to connect seamlessly into Evoqé Events below for immersive, multi-level events on an even grander scale. Continue Reading Best Restaurants Port Melbourne: The Gilroy Sets the New Standard Written by David Hagger on 24 July 2026 . Looking for a standout bar and restaurant in Port Melbourne? There's a particular kind of restaurant that Melbourne does better than almost anywhere else in the world, and it's not the degustation temple or the hatted fine-diner chasing a third chef's hat. It's the neighbourhood room that shines so that locals want to keep coming back - a bar you'd happily prop up alone with a negroni, and a restaurant serious enough to warrant a special occasion booking six weeks out. The Gilroy , tucked into Bay Street in Port Melbourne, is exactly that rare, difficult-to-pull-off thing. And having spent an evening working my way through its menu, I can say with some confidence that Port Melbourne has just landed one of the best openings anywhere in Melbourne this year. It's a bold claim in a city that produces new contenders for that title every month, but The Gilroy backs it up with a level of consistency, from front door to final course, that's genuinely hard to fault. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 24 July 2026 . Looking for a standout bar and restaurant in Port Melbourne? There's a particular kind of restaurant that Melbourne does better than almost anywhere else in the world, and it's not the degustation temple or the hatted fine-diner chasing a third chef's hat. It's the neighbourhood room that shines so that locals want to keep coming back - a bar you'd happily prop up alone with a negroni, and a restaurant serious enough to warrant a special occasion booking six weeks out. The Gilroy , tucked into Bay Street in Port Melbourne, is exactly that rare, difficult-to-pull-off thing. And having spent an evening working my way through its menu, I can say with some confidence that Port Melbourne has just landed one of the best openings anywhere in Melbourne this year. It's a bold claim in a city that produces new contenders for that title every month, but The Gilroy backs it up with a level of consistency, from front door to final course, that's genuinely hard to fault. Continue Reading Best Doughnuts in Melbourne (2026 Guide) Written by David Hagger on 20 July 2026 . Melbourne loves its doughnuts and we are somewhat of a "doughnut capital" of Australia. We queue for them at 7am in the cold outside a vintage van, we drive across town for a "bronut" stuffed with brioche and Biscoff, and we still argue about whether a hot jam doughnut from a market van beats an artisan number with a name longer than the ingredient list. We enjoy institutions like American Doughnut Kitchen , the Queen Victoria Market icon behind Melbourne's most famous Hot Jam Doughnut, who marked 75 years in business in recent times. Every venue below is one we celebrate - from the third-generation family van that's been frying dough since 1950, through to the newer wave of Melbourne doughnut specialists doing genuinely inventive things with brioche, brûlée and everything in between. Whether you want nostalgia, novelty or something dangerously close to dessert, here's where to go. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 20 July 2026 . Melbourne loves its doughnuts and we are somewhat of a "doughnut capital" of Australia. We queue for them at 7am in the cold outside a vintage van, we drive across town for a "bronut" stuffed with brioche and Biscoff, and we still argue about whether a hot jam doughnut from a market van beats an artisan number with a name longer than the ingredient list. We enjoy institutions like American Doughnut Kitchen , the Queen Victoria Market icon behind Melbourne's most famous Hot Jam Doughnut, who marked 75 years in business in recent times. Every venue below is one we celebrate - from the third-generation family van that's been frying dough since 1950, through to the newer wave of Melbourne doughnut specialists doing genuinely inventive things with brioche, brûlée and everything in between. Whether you want nostalgia, novelty or something dangerously close to dessert, here's where to go. Continue Reading Truffle Dinner Experience at Lord Lygon Dining + Bar Written by David Hagger on 15 July 2026 . Truffle lover? Then let me tell you about the night four of us sat down at Lord Lygon Dining + Bar at Zagame House for their Truffle Dinner Experience - and walked out convinced it's one of the ultimate truffle events of the Melbourne winter. Running 1 July to 22 August , the Truffle Dinner Experience at Lord Lygon pairs a four-course, truffle-driven menu at $85 with a flawless matched wine list for an extra $45 - and after working through all four courses I can tell you every dollar of it is worth it. Continue Reading Written by David Hagger on 15 July 2026 . Truffle lover? Then let me tell you about the night four of us sat down at Lord Lygon Dining + Bar at Zagame House for their Truffle Dinner Experience - and walked out convinced it's one of the ultimate truffle events of the Melbourne winter. Running 1 July to 22 August , the Truffle Dinner Experience at Lord Lygon pairs a four-course, truffle-driven menu at $85 with a flawless matched wine list for an extra $45 - and after working through all four courses I can tell you every dollar of it is worth it. Continue Reading More Articles ... Una Cena Raccontata: ICCI Dinner at Al Dente Enoteca Kafeneion: Melbourne's Slice of Athens Above Parliament Cha Ching Winter Truffle Banquet: Melbourne's Best Value Truffle Experience Asia's Top 50 Pizza Masters Team Up for One Epic Truffle Wagyu Pizza Subscribe today and receive Melbourne's best new restaurant openings, hidden bars and cafes, weekend getaway inspiration and exclusive givaways. 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