Ask any Australian which is the best café in Melbourne and most of them will direct you to Proud Mary.

The Collingwood café has achieved a lot over the past seven years; it was ranked as Melbourne’s Best Café in 2012 by The Age Good Food Guide and most recently, it was ranked as Australia’s second best cafe by review site Beanhunter.

Proud Mary is more than just a coffee shop. The household name has evolved tremendously and today, it is also a coffee educator, a coffee retailer and a coffee roaster. Founder Nolan Hirte makes it a point to visit the coffee producers annually to maintain a sustainable working relationship.

Proud Mary is packed daily as eager patrons flock to the backstreets of Collingwood to get their brunch and caffeine fix. The queue is notorious and if you cannot wait, do call to make a reservation. However, do note that bookings are accepted only on weekdays.

Start your day with a Flat White (A$3.80) or a Nitrogen Infused Cold Brew (A$6). The beans used to prepare your coffee are on a rotational basis—simply refer to the current coffee showcase menu to understand where your coffee comes from.

The speciality coffee café also takes its food very seriously. Ingredients are primarily local and vegan options are available. Treat yourselves to Pork On Ya Fork (A$21.50) or Butterscotch Hotcakes (A$18.50).

Should you be interested to learn the ropes from Proud Mary’s baristas, you could register your interest for coffee classes too. Courses range from a two-hour An Introduction To Grading Green Bean Coffee class to a two-day Barista Boot Camp.

Proud Mary
172 Oxford St
Collingwood VIC 3066
Tel: +61 3 9417 5930
Mon to Fri: 7am – 4pm
Sat and Sun: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Tram Station: Hodgson St/Smith St

Dressed up to the nines and ready to splurge on that one special occasion? Be it an anniversary dinner or a birthday lunch, there are 5 fine dining restaurants in Melbourne – located in the CBD, Docklands, Southbank and Eastside of the city – for you to visit, namely Atlantic, Bistro Guillaume, No 35, Zio’s and New Quay. Atlantic has been host to Lady Gaga, Bistro Guillaume has won several chef hat awards over the past few years, No 35 overlooks the skyscrapers of Melbourne CBD, Zio’s chocolate soufflé has been coined as “to die for” and last but not least, New Quay does it buffet style.

Atlantic

Located in Crown Entertainment Complex along the riverside, the Atlantic fine dining restaurant is famous amongst both Melburnians and tourists. Featured on UK’s leading travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller, Singapore Epicure Magazine & over fifty other online and print media, it is no surprise that even Lady Gaga paid a visit to this prestigious restaurant.

The Atlantic has 3 different designated areas for you to patronize – the restaurant, the oyster bar and the private dining room. Their executive chef, Donovan Cooke, is a renowned culinary figure, having won awards and appeared in Master Chef: The Professionals.

Their slogan, Ocean to Plate, perfectly describes their working mechanism – seafood is carefully hand selected from both local and specialist sources, assuring you superbly fresh ingredients throughout the menu. They have several different types of oysters to choose from and each oyster is priced at AUD $4. Even the poultry is as good as the seafood! I managed to try the yummy slow roasted corn fed chicken (AUD $38), which was served with Portobello braised mushrooms and broad beans.

Crown Entertainment Complex
8 Whiteman Street
Southbank VIC 3006 Australia
Tel: +61 3 9698 8888
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm

Bistro Guillaume

The Crown Entertainment Complex houses numerous award-winning restaurants. Bistro Guillaume is just a few restaurants away from The Atlantic (see above) and has been awarded One Chef Hat by The Age Good Food Guide for the past 2 consecutive years.

Guillaume is particular about their wines, with half its bottles imported from France and another half sourced from Victorian wineries.

I had a terrific time there even though the French Onion Soup (AUD $16) failed to impress. The Smoked Salmon with dill cream and toasted brioche (AUD $25) was fantastically fresh and tasty. The delicious Caesar Salad (AUD $22) is served main course size with generous portions of tender chicken and crunchy bacon. The other mains, Half Roasted Chicken with Paris Mash (AUD $38) and the Whole Baby Snapper (AUD $36) were such delicacies. They were delightfully flavourful but not over the top.

Crown Entertainment Complex
8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006
Tel: + 61 3 9292 4751
Daily: 12pm – 11pm

No 35

I was on cloud nine while dining at No 35, located at level 35 of Sofitel Hotel. Dining at No 35 allows one to simultaneously tuck into the scrumptious modern cuisine and watch the lovely sunset over the skyline of Melbourne City. The interiors of the restaurant are filled with shades of gold and red, accompanied by contemporary arts, and musicians playing tranquil classics in the background.

No 35’s philosophy is to focus on local organic produces and pure flavours. The waiters are very knowledgeable about their food menu and wine list. Upon explaining my fancy for fruity liqueur, I was recommended local Moscato Rouge East 2009 from Mornington Peninsula and it was indeed love at first taste. The food is however far from cheap as a meal on average costs about AUD $75. Nonetheless, it is definitely worth making a trip up to the restaurant at least once for the wonderful experience.

35/25 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Tel: +61 3 9653 7744
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sun: 5.30pm to 10pm

New Quay

When the two words fine dining come into mind, people usually think of small portion gourmet food served over a few courses in a high-class restaurant setting by formally dressed waiters.

New Quay, however, has an entirely different concept. The fine dining restaurant establishes itself as an international buffet, serving almost everything from Chinese Peking Duck to French Crème Brulees. Most dishes are self-serve, hence leaving you to decide the variety and quantity on your plate. Dinner buffet costs AUD $58 per person on weekdays and AUD $63 per person on weekends. While the quality of the food may not be as excellent as the other highly acclaimed restaurants listed above, this restaurant still won me over with its huge selection of international cuisine.

Fine dining in buffet style? I love it.

4-6 New Quay Promenade
Docklands VIC 3008
+61 3 9670 3889
Closed on Tuesdays
Daily (except Tuesday): 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

Zio’s

Rumour has it that Zio’s restaurant has the best chocolate soufflé (AUD $16.90) in Melbourne. I visited the beautiful Victorian house in East of Melbourne to verify this claim, and. I will not deny that my partner and I actually devoured the sinful dessert within a minute.

Zio has been around for two decades and has won itself a long list of loyal customers with its mouthwatering food. The European dishes are influenced by Asia cooking, making the menu even more interesting. For entrees, I would highly recommend the amazingly fresh glazed Canadian scallops (AUD$23.90) and Australian King Prawns tossed in Lobster Butter ($24.90). The mains were even better. I absolutely love The Duck Plate (AUD $42.90), which consists of 4 differently prepared ducks, featuring a variation of flavours and textures.

14 Lansdowne Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002
+ 61 3 9419 0252
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 6pm – 11.30pm

About the writer
Hui Jun Ng was previously a marketing executive and freelance photographer in the food industry. Her work has been published on Epicure, Lifestyle Asia and Meld Magazine etc. She is currently on a break and traveling around the world. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram or The Keepers Map where she shares useful curated travel itineraries.

Words and photographs by Hui Jun Ng

Living in Melbourne city has been an exciting gastronomical experience for me. Being surrounded by endless food and beverages on a daily basis has prompted me to come up with a list of 5 special foodie experiences that are reasonably priced.

Forget about walking along the main roads, it’s time to venture further, turn into laneways and walk up/down dark stairways. These precious gems that I am about to talk about (an open concept roof top bar, a tram stop café, an Italian restaurant managed by a mischievous boss, a floating bar and an underground Japanese restaurant) are located in the city vicinity but often in unnoticeable places. There’s so much Melbourne can offer!

Join me in an adventure in Melbourne!

Roof Top Bar

During summer, this open concept bar is converted to a roof top cinema. Located on the seventh level, this bar boasts a spectacular view of Melbourne city. This place is the perfect place to hang out after dinner since it only closes at 1am. However, take note that there is usually a crowd so finding a spot or getting a drink might require a little struggle.

7/252 Swanston Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Tel: (03) 9654 5394
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 1.00am

Mart 130

Take tram number 96 down towards St Kildas and you will be warmly welcomed by the sweet looking café, MART 130, located at the tram stop itself. This cosy little café serves an array of delectable modern Australian café food. Their signature dish, the renowned corn fritters is a hit with customers (AUD $17.90), served with grilled bacon, tomato relish, sour cream & corianders.

The next hot item on the menu would be their deliciously fluffy stack of pancakes served with blueberries and raspberries. I have tried several other items and they too were amazingly yummy! Most of their items are served in generous amounts so you will definitely be satisfied. MART 130 only accepts cash and closes as early as 4pm.

107 Canterbury Road Middle Park
Melbourne, VIC 3206
Tel: (03) 9690 8831

Mercandte Woodfired Pizzeria

Lygon Street, otherwise known as little Italy, boasts a long list of Italian restaurants and Mercandte Woodfired Pizzeria is one of them. Mercandate Woodfired Pizzeria is not for the faint-hearted as pranks are often played on customers. Depending on your luck, you could have a clown creeping up to you or fake spider flying onto your face. All these free entertainments often occur out of the blue, leaving you slightly taken aback but nevertheless amused. Life is too short to be too serious!

Food is affordable – an entrée portion of pasta is priced at only AUD$14.90 and a main portion of pasta is at AUD$16.90. You can choose your pasta from a wide selection: spaghetti, fettucine, penne, gnocchi, pappardelle, fusilli, tortellini etc. The signature dish here is the Chocolate Pizza; rolled up pizza pieces of nutella, decorated with sliced strawberries, dash of cocoa and slabs of cream. Coined as ‘The Best in Australia’ on its signboard followed by something along those lines ‘according to my kids’. The owner of this store definitely has a wicked sense of humour.

123 Lygon St
Carlton, VIC 3053
Tel: (03) 9347 6974

Izakaya Den

Tucked away in the basements of Melbourne city is Izakaya Den, a charmingly modern restaurant-cum-bar that everyone one should visit. Izakaya Den only serves set lunches in the day so it is recommended that you visit them at night where the ala carte menus are available.

The place is usually packed so do be mentally prepared to wait up till 30 minutes before getting a seat. But trust me, most dishes are so awesome that it is worth the wait! Must-orders include deliciously seared Tuna Tataki with Garlic Soy and Wasabi Cream & fresh Marinated Scallops paired with Fish Roe and Egg Plant Sauce.

It is no wonder that Izakaya Den was awarded ‘The Best New Restaurant’ in The Age’s Good Food Guide in 2011.

114 Russell Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9654 2977

Ponyfish Island Bar

A million dollars view of both the Melbourne CBD and the South Yarra river accompanied by cheap light eats and tasty alcoholic drinks (AUD $20 for a jug) where customers are allowed to drink, eat, smoke and listen to good music. What more can you ask for? Walk through a stairwell from the Yarra Pedestrian Footbridge and you will arrive at this cool floating bar surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. Ponyfish Island is suited for everyone – the early birds and the night owls. For breakfast, order the waffles topped with maple syrup and walnuts. For dinner, order quesadilla and some beer. You cannot go wrong with this place.

Yarra Pedestrian Bridge
Melbourne, VIC 3006
Mon to Sun 08:00 am – 1:00 am
Tel: (03) 2650 1857

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng was previously a marketing executive and freelance photographer in the food industry. Her work has been published on Epicure, Lifestyle Asia and Meld Magazine etc. She is currently on a break and traveling around the world. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram or The Keepers Map where she shares useful curated travel itineraries.

If you did not know, Melbourne is known as the coffee central of the world. I verified this fact personally during a trip to the coffee heaven this winter. I admit, I am a coffee lover and yes, if you are one too, you have to go on a café spree when you visit this city.

So come on, follow me on my café-hopping journey. Here are 5 cafes in Melbourne that you should totally drop by.

Cafe, coffee, conversation, book, brunch…

Market Lane Coffee

I guess the world works in the most magical ways. As usual, it was morning and I was craving for my daily dose of caffeine. To my surprise, we chanced upon Market Lane Coffee on the way out of Queen Victoria Market! I was so delighted and yes, I got myself a cup of hot latte. It has a hint of bitterness to it, which is a perfect way to enjoy a cup of coffee. The coffee here got to be one of the best in Melbourne. I was not surprise when I realised that it is the winner for Best Coffee on CHEAP Eats 2012.

Victoria Market 109-111 Therry Street
Melbourne 3000
Tel: (03) 9804 7434

Brother Baba Budan

This one is fun. It is a busy tiny little coffee house along Little Bourke Street. I reckon this would be my favourite coffee place in Melbourne. Stepping inside, I was excited to see that there were loads of wooden chairs hanging down from the ceiling.

Of course the highlight here is the coffee. Ordered my café latte, took a sip and oh my, I’m at peace. The foam was so smooth and silky. You can just taste the sweetness of the coffee beans without sugar. Another fun fact for you, Brother Baba Budan also carries coffee beans from Seven Seeds, which is another pretty popular café in Melbourne.

359 Little Bourke Street
Melbourne 3000
Tel: (03) 9606 0449

Manchester Press

For all you latte art lovers out there, this one is for you. Manchester Press is located in a small lane just round the corner of Brother Baba Budan. They have excellent bagels, such as, smoked salmon with cream cheese on a freshly toasted bagel.

They are also known for their coffee, which brings a little surprise too. Its latte art is one that you will be looking forward to. If you are wondering what kind of latte art, think explicit!

8 Rankins Lane, Melbourne
Tel: (03) 9600 4054

The Workshop Bar

If you have visited Melbourne, actually in fact any part of Australia, you will realise that most cafes and shops would be closed by 5pm. The Workshop Bar, on the other hand, operates into the wee hours. Do drop by this café bar if you want some good coffee after the usual hours. Get absorbed into the graffiti and paintings hanging around the café. Allow yourself to relax and enjoy the cup of freshly brewed fragrant coffee in a hidden artsy spot found right in the middle of the bustling city.

Level 1, 413 Elizabeth Street
Melbourne 3000
Tel: (03) 9326 4365

The Commercial Bakery

What is your favourite meal to have coffee with? Brunch for me! The Commercial Bakery is the perfect spot for a great cup of coffee accompanied by really amazing brunch food (when I said amazing, you are really in for a treat!).

When we walked in on a Wednesday morning, the place was pretty much filled up with people and the scent of fresh coffee. The café latte was so smooth with a bitter-sweet touch. It gave me this warm fuzzy feeling as I drank it. Apart from coffee, I was so impressed by how amazing the food was. The eggs Benedict was perfect (yes, I know perfect is a strong word, but really it’s the best I ever had), the hollandaise sauce was so tasty and covered the perfectly poached egg which sat nicely on buns that were crispy on the outside but really moist and soft on the inside.

Can you imagine where I am coming from now?! I hope you do. This is the place to be for a great cup of coffee and amazing brunch food.

Gills Alley 360 Little Collins Street
Melbourne
Tel: (03) 8631 5900

About the writer:
Just like that foodie friend of yours, Natalie is one who hunts down all the yummy food places and will want to order every single dish on the menu! Especially if it comes to dessert! With a strong passion for food and writing, she started a little writing space on Tumblr and her journey begins. You can read about Natalie’s adventures in Sydney here.