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Food and Drink
Melbourne has a nationwide reputation for its food scene. There is an enormous variety of cuisine available and restaurants offering specific types can be found in different areas of the city: Lygon Street for Italian, Little Bourke Street for Chinese, Lonsdale Street for Greek, Victoria Street for Vietnamese, Sydney Road for Turkish and Johnston Street for Spanish. Other cuisines that are well represented in the city's restaurants include French, American, Mexican, Lebanese, African, Malaysian, Afghan, Swiss and Mongolian.
Regional specialities:
• Fish is excellent, particularly the signature Murray cod. Also try trout, flathead and yellow perch.
• Meats such as beef, lamb and kangaroo.
• Cheeses, such as the creamy sheep's milk cheese from Highland Farm.
Regional drinks:
• Yarra Valley wine is popular, from a crisp Sauvignon blanc to sturdy Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Microbreweries have mushroomed: Mountain Goat, Grand Ridge Brewery and Holgate are all good.
Regional specialities:
• Fish is excellent, particularly the signature Murray cod. Also try trout, flathead and yellow perch.
• Meats such as beef, lamb and kangaroo.
• Cheeses, such as the creamy sheep's milk cheese from Highland Farm.
Regional drinks:
• Yarra Valley wine is popular, from a crisp Sauvignon blanc to sturdy Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Microbreweries have mushroomed: Mountain Goat, Grand Ridge Brewery and Holgate are all good.
Nightlife
Melbourne is home to a vibrant and varied entertainment culture. There is everything from ballet, classical concerts and opera to plays in Melbourne's ornate theatres, as well as street performers. There is an eclectic array of pubs, bars and nightclubs in and around Melbourne.
Fitzroy is one of the best neighbourhoods for traditional pubs, stylish bars, cafes and live music. The city is well regarded for its live music scene and venues vary from major performance venues to backstreet pubs. Beachside St Kilda has one of the best - The Esplanade Hotel, or Espy, as well as a burgeoning cafe scene. Chapel St in South Yarra is where to head if you fancy mingling with the beautiful people.
The central business district itself has come into its own in recent years and now hosts a plethora of very stylish bars, the best of which are normally tucked away down narrow streets and laneways. If you prefer blending streetside cappuccinos with designer label shopping head to Carlton.
Fitzroy is one of the best neighbourhoods for traditional pubs, stylish bars, cafes and live music. The city is well regarded for its live music scene and venues vary from major performance venues to backstreet pubs. Beachside St Kilda has one of the best - The Esplanade Hotel, or Espy, as well as a burgeoning cafe scene. Chapel St in South Yarra is where to head if you fancy mingling with the beautiful people.
The central business district itself has come into its own in recent years and now hosts a plethora of very stylish bars, the best of which are normally tucked away down narrow streets and laneways. If you prefer blending streetside cappuccinos with designer label shopping head to Carlton.
Shopping
Traditional sheepskins and the Australian's answer to the raincoat, the drizabone, can be found here. Iconic Akubra hats are found in shops around Flinders Street train station. Local wines from the Yarra Valley are very popular buys.
Melbourne is a major fashion centre, home to the world-famous surfing brand, Quiksilver, and shoppers looking for Australian and international designer wear should head for the city arcades, South Yarra or Lygon Street in Carlton. Unusual buys and bargains, as well as a festive atmosphere, can be had at the Queen Victoria Market. For some beautiful, unique and individually crafted jewellery head for the Rose Street Artists Market in Fitzroy.
Shopping hours: Mon-Wed 0900-1730; Thurs and Fri 0900-1730 but some will have a late-night shopping policy and stay open until 1900 or even 2100; Sat and Sun 0900-1730 but some may not open until 1100 or 1200. Most major supermarkets are open 24 hours.
Melbourne is a major fashion centre, home to the world-famous surfing brand, Quiksilver, and shoppers looking for Australian and international designer wear should head for the city arcades, South Yarra or Lygon Street in Carlton. Unusual buys and bargains, as well as a festive atmosphere, can be had at the Queen Victoria Market. For some beautiful, unique and individually crafted jewellery head for the Rose Street Artists Market in Fitzroy.
Shopping hours: Mon-Wed 0900-1730; Thurs and Fri 0900-1730 but some will have a late-night shopping policy and stay open until 1900 or even 2100; Sat and Sun 0900-1730 but some may not open until 1100 or 1200. Most major supermarkets are open 24 hours.
