Already 13 years old, RUMI on the edgy Brunswick East end of Lygon St, is one of Melbourne’s most marvellous modern middle eastern restaurants. The vibe is warm and welcoming from the Make Food Not War script at the entrance to the good natured staff and cozy atmosphere inside. This is the best sort of [...]

When you want it fast, flavourful and flashy…then dive right into Ho Chi Mama, a bustling modern Asian fusion joint in the centre of town. Nestled in one of Melbourne’s coolest laneways, with outdoor tables spilling out onto the street, it is the perfect fusing of Melbourne and Saigon…well, with a bit of Japan, China, Sth [...]

For 23 years, Becco has been such a solid part of the Melbourne restaurant scene that it’s easy to take this classic Italian for granted. I remember many beautiful dinners there in the early years but I hadn’t visited in a decade. We recently took my daughter there for her 21st birthday dinner and what [...]

Botherambo is where Vietnam fuses with Thailand in the most delicious way. It is one of our go to pre-event spots in Richmond, before a concert or a game, and each time the vibrancy of each dish never fails to excite. I’m a sucker for betel leaves as a starter and their Mar Hor Pork [...]

There are a few bread meccas in the world and this place is at the top of my list. ⠀ Nestled in a corner of the market square, the Forno Campo de’ Fiori turns out handmade breads, pizzas, pastries and biscuits to die for. ⠀ Peek through the glass to watch the master baker at [...]

For high end, fine dining with old school service, Aroma ( @aroma_restaurant ) @ Hotel Palazzo Manfredi is notable, not only for the flashy food and attentive service but for the unbeatable view of the Colosseum. ⠀ This is special occasion destination dining, and on the day we lunched, there was romance all around with couples seated [...]

Turning a deli into delicious, Alimentari in Smith Street, Collingwood is a much-loved Melbourne food spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is a convivial casual cafe/restaurant with a fresh, airy feel both inside and out. Upside-down bunches of flowers and glowing lamps hang from the high ceilings, service is fast and friendly to suit [...]

It’s always a buzz to get a table at the hottest new restaurant in town, and even more pleasing when it lives up to the hype. Lesa, the grown up upstairs sister to cheeky Embla, has been a long time coming but once you walk in to this moody, self-assured yet welcoming space, it instantly [...]

From the moment you turn into the tree-lined drive of Trofeo Estate, you can easily imagine you are in the Italian countryside surrounded by grapevines. The feeling only grows as you set foot inside the rustic 1930s refurbished cannery that is home to the cellar door and Whispering Vines restaurant. This is old world meets [...]