MELBOURNE: the insider’s guide
SUBURBIA DOWN UNDER IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED. It may not have Sydney’s Opera House or Perth’s sparkling beaches, but in the mornings Melbourne’s skies are filled with multi-hued parakeets and, at dusk, giant bats. And they’re often dotted with hot-air balloons. But it’s the food scene that has made it one of Australia’s favourite destinations. I could never have imagined living near a George Calombaris restaurant (his renowned Hellenic Republic is a local hotspot) or ordering some of the best dumplings I’ve ever tasted via Uber Eats. Here are 10 of my best experiences – no Michelin stars or celebrity chefs required.
1 HAUTE BRUNCH
Chilli. Crab. Scramble. There can be little wrong with a city that considers it acceptable to consume crab for breakfast. How about a grilled prawn benny with your latte? Melburnians have embraced the art of brunching and an enthusiastic tribe of young chefs has responded with a plethora of slick-looking cafés that serve brunch all day. There’s no annoying no-eggs-after-11 rule. Evolved, right?
