USD 
Written by Luxury Escapes
You could spend days tasting your way through each and every corner of the CBD, but if you only have 48 hours to make the most of the city’s outstanding food scene, we’re here to help. When it comes to dining, this is the ultimate guide to what to do (and eat) in Melbourne.
Friday evening in Melbourne
Melbourne is always buzzing on a Friday night, and you might want to join the locals for an after-work drink in one of the city’s most popular riverside venues: Arbory Bar and Eatery. Built on the disused Sandridge railway platform at Flinders Street Station, this is Melbourne’s longest bar, lining the banks of the Yarra. Espresso martinis and Aperol Spritzes flow freely, the burgers are juicy and there are plenty of beers to choose from.
Come summer, Arbory spreads onto the river, opening its sister venue, Arbory Afloat – a coastal-inspired floating oasis complete with a pool on the upper deck, serving share plates and refreshing cocktails right on the water’s edge.
If you’re travelling with children and the Arbory isn’t quite your scene, Melbourne has great pram-friendly bars and restaurants. Only a few hundred metres upstream, Riverland Bar has highchairs, changing facilities and a kids’ menu of burgers, schnitzels and pizza.
Further downstream, Kingpin at Crown hosts the ultimate night of family fun. From ten-pin bowling and laser tag to darts and an enormous arcade, it’s a favourite of families and couples alike.
As the sun dips beneath the horizon, make for Eureka Skydeck – Australia’s third-tallest tower – to admire views over Melbourne by night. Head to floor 88 for a spectacular views across Port Phillip Bay.
Saturday morning in Melbourne
The options for good coffee in the CBD are near endless: Industry Beans Lt. Collins, Dukes Coffee Roasters and Brother Baba Budan all have your need for caffeine fixed. If you crave tasty treats to accompany your coffee, Hardware Société is the place to start your day. Located at Katherine Place (a small lane off Hardware St), this CBD gem offers creative breakfast fare matched with Market Lane coffee – the perfect recipe for Melbourne brunch.
Pairing your morning beverage of choice with a stroll through one of many lush city gardens may be the quintessential Melbourne morning. From Hardware Société, a stroll up King Street or a tram up William brings you to Flagstaff Gardens – a city block of rolling lawn complete with walking paths, tennis courts, a picnic area and as many shady spots as you need.
For a sweet, kid-friendly snack, try Roule Galette on Flinders Lane where a long list of crepes will excite the child within. Every topping, from traditional honey, sugar and butter to more imaginative options like the Tiger (chocolate, homemade salted caramel and almonds) is incredible.
Saturday afternoon in Melbourne
Fancy a snack? Head to Brunetti Oro Flinders Lane – an Italian pasticceria (Italian-style pastry and coffee shop) Melbourne institution founded in Carlton in 1991. The Flinders Lane cafe is the brand’s flagship store, the more glamorous sister to the original Brunetti on Lygon Street. This 300-seat, ultra-modern Italian eatery sits in the heart of the CBD and serves not only fine Italian cakes and pastries but also savoury bites like pizza, pasta and delicious panini.
If it’s sunny, gelato is always a good idea – especially if it’s 100% natural and made from scratch using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Piccolina opened its first shop in Hawthorn, followed by Collingwood and St Kilda, and now owner Sandra Foti is bringing her creamy, traditional Italian gelato to the CBD, with shops opening in Hardware Lane, Swanston Street and Degraves Street. Try the pistachio or hazelnut flavours, both made from nuts roasted in-house and churned into fresh, creamy gelato – top your flavour of choice with homemade nutella topping on tap.
For a splash of art to fill your afternoon, head down to ACMI (the Australian Centre for the Moving Image) in Federation Square. In this flashy museum you’ll find all manner of exhibitions and screenings covering a world of topics to engage the whole family. If more classical art is your scene, the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) is just across the Yarra River and renowned for its vast collection of works spanning disciplines and periods.
After a long day of sightseeing, drinks with a view are in order. The list of sky-high bars is lengthy –Rooftop Bar is worth a visit – but topping it is State of Grace’s funky rooftop bar.
With impressive city views, snacks and pizzas, and a long list of cocktails on offer (including a salted caramel espresso martini), this is a favourite afternoon hangout spot. When the sun goes down, the lights go up in State of Grace’s hidden cocktail bar, accessible through a secret bookshelf… if you can find it.
Saturday night in Melbourne
Once you’re ready to hit the city for a night out, Melbourne will spoil you for places to eat, drink and dance.
Fuel up for the night ahead with delicious Asian fare prepared by chef-restaurateur Andrew McConnell in the slick surroundings of Supernormal. Inspired by the cuisine of Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and Hong Kong, Supernormal’s menu features dishes such as dumplings, bao, pulled Korean BBQ pork andtheir legendary lobster rolls. Not sure what to order? Pick the banquet option, offering a selection of the Chef’s favourite dishes from the a la carte menu, plus a few curveballs.
For family-friendly places to eat in the heart of Melbourne, consider the Transport Hotel – perched between Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and the Yarra River. This three-in-one venue includes the ground floor public bar, level one Taxi Kitchen and rooftop Transit Bar. All levels (except for Transit Bar) include pram access, indoor-outdoor seating, highchairs, a kids’ menu and gorgeous 180-degree city views (if you snag the right table).
Take it to the 55th floor of the iconic Rialto building for a drink with a view at the ultra-glam Lui Bar. Perched high above the city streets, Lui Bar offers 360-degree views of Melbourne and an exceptional drinks list brimming with cocktails, wine, champagne and more. Get in early to bag a window seat and order a seasonal signature cocktail.
For nights in this dazzling city that don’t include alcohol, there are options aplenty. Wander most city blocks on the weekend and you’ll find a theatre thronging with people eager to see the world’s latest shows. From live productions at the Regent and Princess to live bands at the Forum, the CBD streets are a theatregoer’s playground.
Sunday morning in Melbourne
If you’re feeling a little worse for wear, Higher Ground will fix your problems with its award-winning dishes and masterfully made coffees. This Little Bourke Street favourite embraces industrial chic style with its tactile palette of terrazzo, cork, steel, stone and solid timbers. Its specialty coffee is equally robust and perfectly complemented by dishes like prawn toast benedict, hotcakes and an avocado pretzel topped with decadent whipped ricotta.
Feel like a cocktail with your breakfast? Bodega Underground’s boozy brunch starts as early as 11.30am and involves Mexican-inspired food with bottomless cocktails, beers and wine. A five-course menu of slow-cooked brisket tacos, Mexican fried chicken, churros and more helps soak up the booze. There is also a vegan menu, and both restaurants can accommodate gluten free guests.
Sunday afternoon in Melbourne
Melbourne loves a good high tea, so why not treat yourself to an afternoon of delectable desserts, exceptional savoury treats and bubbles at The Block Arcade’s Tea Rooms 1892?
A Melbourne icon, the tea rooms were originally opened in 1892 by the Victorian Ladies’ Work Association, where they would cater to the city’s socialites. Today, the tea rooms are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, an enduring symbol of quaint old Melbourne (and one of its very best high teas).
Afterwards, take a load off and board the City Circle Tram. Even after two nights of exploration, it’s never too late for a quick city tour. Find Route 35 along any of La Trobe Street, Spring Street, Flinders Street or Harbour Esplanade for a free whip around the CBD with audio commentary so you don’t miss any major sights.
Sunday evening in Melbourne
There’s no better way to end the weekend than settling in at Garden State Hotel, one of Melbourne’s best-loved CBD pubs. Tucked along Flinders Lane, this four-level wonderland fits up to 800 people, largely thanks to the tiered beer ficus tree-lined garden at its heart.
The ground floor public bar is where to head for craft beers on tap, pub classics and the easy hum of Sunday evening in Melbourne. Downstairs, the Rose Garden basement offers a more intimate setting for cocktails and catch-ups. Whatever you’re feeling for your final hours in Melbourne, Garden State Hotel can accommodate it.
