It’s no secret that I love living in Melbourne. Aside from being crowned the “World’s Most Liveable City” for seven years in a row, Melbourne is Australia’s cultural melting pot.
Known for it’s thriving arts scene, café lined alleyways and world famous sporting events, I guarantee you won’t run out of things to see in Melbourne.
I’ve lived here long enough know to know where to find the best coffee in Melbourne, the best Melbourne attractions and the best experiences that Melbourne has to offer.
So here are my top 5 reasons why you should visit Melbourne!
1. World class coffee.
Melbournians take their coffee game VERY seriously. If you’re visiting the city, you will have no shortage of trendy cafes to keep you energized throughout your time in this bustling city.
It’s no secret that the city of Melbourne’s coffee is renowned as one of the best on earth. Our roasters and baristas are some of the most accomplished and innovative in the world so where did it all begin?
Our love affair for coffee can be traced back to the arrival of Italian and Greek immigrants after World War 2. A generation of migrants brought their beloved European-style espresso machines to Melbourne.
Nowadays Melbourne’s coffee culture is recognised globally and we have become famous for our light roast’s, moving away from the bitter Italian coffee’s of the past to create a brew that is tasty and smooth.
Melbourne is home to over 2000 cafes across the city and most of these serve up creative brunch dishes that taste as good as they look. I’ve scoured the best of the best to bring you my favourite brunch spots in Melbourne.
Located within the lush green suburb of South Melbourne approximately 15 minutes from the city centre, the Kettle Black is one of Melbourne’s most sophisticated café/restaurant hybrids. Serving up Instagrammable blueberry and ricotta hotcakes and delicious Sicillian-style scrambled eggs, this relaxed breakfast hotspot is a must visit when you visit Melbourne.
Housed in a heritage-listed powerhouse at the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the inventive Higher Ground is an all day dining destination not to be missed. With excellent service and unmatched atmosphere, Higher Ground personifies the city of Melbourne in the best way possible.
For the most sustainable café in Melbourne, look no further than Dukes Coffee Roasters. This gorgeous café ensures their coffee is sourced directly from growers, cooperatives and producer groups in each coffee growing region around the world whilst maintaining strict quality requirements. The interior is fitted with recycled tiles and reclaimed timber and provides a warm and intimate vibe for all visitors.
Not only do I love the minimal aesthetic at Industry Beans, I also love their super unique menu and gorgeous location in Fitzroy. Known for their expertly brewed coffee and an all-day brunch and lunch menu, you wont’ run out of tasty options to wet your whistle.
2. Thriving street art.
Street art is an iconic part of Melbourne’s cultural identity, something for which the city has developed worldwide recognition. From hidden bluestone laneways to full scale murals, the Melbourne street art scene is thriving and even has support from the local government.
Like other major cities including New York, Melbourne’s graffiti started in the train yards but quickly move to the city’s trademark laneways. While local graffiti writers aimed to show their style through the difficulty of their illegal public work, it had a fun and political side too.
By the 1990’s, Street Art had become a full-fledged movement and artists like Banksy showed up bringing their creative flair to laneways around Melbourne. The City of Melbourne realized that they were fighting a losing battle and designated certain spots around the city as legal graffiti streets.
Today you can get lost in dizzying array of colours, characters and shapes created by local and international artists alike. Go for a wander on your own or join one of the popular walking tours to get some background on the artists and their work.
Melbourne’s most-celebrated laneway for street art, Hosier Lane is a site to behold even if you aren’t typically a fan of graffiti art. Every inch of the walls on the street and side alleys are covered in spray paint and chances are you might get to see an artist in action!
Named after the legendary Australian rock band, the murals found on AC/DC Lane are often music-themed, making it a must-visit for rock ‘n’ roll fans. Stop by the nearby Duckboard Place to discover Steen Jones’ towering tribute to Melbourne.
Meyers Place is one of Melbourne’s oldest laneways and has always been a popular spot to escape the city’s bustle for one of the many bars and restaurants. The main mural here is a beautiful urban jungle by artist Mike Makatron which reflects a world in which nature fights back against humanity. Saddle up to Loop Roof dining deck to score a stunning bird’s eye view.
You will struggle to find a laneway anywhere else in the world that is as unique as Presgrave Place. Check out the kitschy, framed artworks that line the brick walls and look up to see the Banksy-inspired rat sculptures hanging above.
3. Sporting capital of the world
Did I mention that Melbourne is the self-proclaimed sports capital of the world? We are a sports-obsessed city all year round and we have the most loyal and passionate fans too!
Our sporting precinct has played host to over 150 years of sport history is is home to the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, Marvel Stadium and AAMI Park. Add to that Melbourne Park and Hisense Arena and there really is something for everyone and the best of everything.
Every year, Melbourne hosts the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix which is one of the most anticipated races in the sporting calendar. Located on the world-famous Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, this annual event also features electrifying live performances and entertainment.
The Australian Open is a two-week tournament of tennis at the start of each year where the best players in the world gather to play at Melbourne Park. The first of four Grand Slams in the annual tennis calendar, the Australian Open holds men’s and women’s singles titles, as well as double and mixed-double, junior, wheelchair and legend’s titles.
The AFL Grand Final is the Australian Football League championship game that is held every year at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The game is traditionally played on the final Saturday in September each year and the entire city of Melbourne turns into one big party. The Grand Final sells out every year and is watched by a television of more than 3 million people whilst attracting a worldwide audience of nearly 30 million people.
Arguably one of the most important horse racing carnivals in the world, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is a four-day event at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. It’s held over 4 days every year at the end of October and usually attracts around 300,000 punters.
Each year in October, the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit hosts the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, a dedicated round of the MotoGP championship which determines the world MotoGP champion. Fans from all over Australia and around the world descend on Phillip Island to catch all of the action and take in the island’s jaw dropping beauty.
The Boxing Day Test is an iconic sporting fixture on the world cricket calendar, and eagerly anticipated each year by sports-loving Victorians and international visitors alike. Taking place over five days at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, this event brings together Australia’s best batters, bowlers and all-rounders to compete against talented touring international teams, including England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, South Africa, New Zealand and the West Indies.
4. Amazing food
We are so lucky to have an amazing food scene here in Melbourne. From old favourites to culinary institutions, the dining scene in Melbourne continues to evolve and expand.
The city is a melting pot of different cuisines and the diversity of the dining offering is what contributes to the strength of our hospitality community. In my opinion, the best restaurants are the ones that leave an impression and are a whole package from the menu to the service to the overall vibe.
You can find Chin Chin in the heart of the CBD at 125 Flinders Lane and they are a must visit if you’re on the hunt for the best thai food in Melbourne. It’s not just their pad thai that I love. They also have an awesome cocktail menu with plenty of interesting picks from home and abroad. Plus the vibe of the place is electric so it feels less like a meal and more like a party.
The Farmers Daughters is one of the best restaurants in Melbourne! The Farmers Daughters is full of fresh seasonal produce from Gippsland and their menu takes diners on a seasonal exploration across regional Victoria. Downstairs you’ll find the deli and providore serving Farmer’s Daughters house coffee, upstairs you’ll find a warm and cosy restaurant and on the third and final floor you’’ discover the rooftop bar’s vertical gardens.
For the best Japanese in Melbourne, look no further than Supernormal. This beautiful restaurant features an open kitchen and bar-side seating that lets you get up-close and personal with the best in the business. Their dishes are so beautifully presented and their unique cocktails are sure to impress. Be sure to try their Supernormal Smash!
Grill Americano is all about Italian fine dining! The hundreds of amazing reviews for this restaurant really speak for themselves. As well as amazing wood oven pizza, they also have signature pasta offerings which are whipped up fresh each day. Other standouts include their rare wagyu breeds, impeccably fresh seafood and classic Italian desserts.
5. Must-see attractions
You will never run out of things to do in Melbourne. Explore the city’s diverse galleries, stroll through lush gardens, cruise along the Yarra River or hop aboard a heritage tram to discover Melbourne’s magic.
Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens were established back in 1846 and covers an area of 38 hectares. Home to more than 10,000 plant species from across the globe, the gardens are a treasured part of cultural life here in Melbourne. With its stunning vistas, tranquil lakes and diverse plant collections, the gardens are a place of continual delight among visitors.
Take the short Aboriginal Heritage Walk to explore the rich heritage of Indigenous Australians, book a punting ride of the Ornamental Lake for a unique view of the gardens or return here during Summer to enjoy a moonlight cinema under the stars!
The National Gallery of Victoria is not only the oldest public art gallery in Australia, it’s also the most visited art gallery in the country! Housed in two city locations, the NGV displays more than 70,000 works of European, Asian, Oceanic, and American art.
The international collection is housed in the St. Kilda Road building which is known for the colourful stained-glass ceiling of the Great Hall. The extensive Australian collection is held in the Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square which features Aboriginal works through to contemporary mixed media.
A popular place with locals and tourists, the Queen Victoria Market has been at the center of fresh produce shopping since 1878. The market stalls are open five days a week and sell everything from farm fresh goodies, clothing, art, and toys to that hard-to-find unique souvenir.
Every year, the Queen Victoria Market hosts the Winter Night Market and the Summer Night Market, an exciting mix of global street food, bars artisan shopping and live entertainment.
Whether you are after BBQ meats, melty, oozy cheesy goodness, veggie and vegan options, or simply something sweet, this annual after dark event brings the community together.
A visit to Melbourne wouldn’t be complete without stopping by Australia’s oldest train station, Flinders Street Station. With its prominent green copper dome, distinctive yellow façade and arched entrance, it is one of Melbourne’s most recognisable landmarks.
Flinders Street Station was completed in 1910 and the upper floors were purpose-built to house a library, gym, and lecture hall, later used as a ballroom. Today, heritage-listed Flinders Street Station is the one of the busiest suburban railway stations in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 1500 trains and 110,000 commuters passing through each day.
Leave a Reply