It can be pricey to eat out every day, especially if you are a student living in Melbourne with limited budget for meals.

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There are many kinds of cuisine that will cover your meals from brunch to dinner time in Melbourne.

Photo Credit: Yamato Japanese

#1 YAMATO JAPANESE

A cosy space hidden away at the end of an alleyway in the heart of Chinatown, Yamato Japanese is a small restaurant that serves as authentic Japanese food.

Stepping into the charming little restaurant immediately transports you to an izakaya in Japan, the air filled with the smell of delicious greasy bar food and friendly Japanese waitresses taking orders in fluent English. The menu serves a wide variety, from everyone’s favourite sushi rolls to curry rice bowls and ramen.

On a cold day in Melbourne, tucking into their Shabu Shabu (A$15.80/pp) served on a hotpot is great for keeping warm in this homely restaurant.

28 Corrs Ln,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9663 1706
Mon to Thur: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Fri: 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Sat and Sun: 5pm – 10.30pm

Photo Credit: Little Rogue

#2 LITTLE ROGUE

This little café is also tucked away in an alley outside Melbourne Central shopping centre, it is a gem that many only know through word-of-mouth recommendations. Despite being located right next to the ever-crowded Swanston Street, Little Rogue provides an escape away from the hustle of the city.

A popular favourite amongst its young visitors is the Matcha Latte (small for A$4.30, large for A$6) and the Iced Matcha (A$6.50), which is also available in a large takeaway bottle for enjoyment in the comfort of your own private space.

It is easy to understand why these are favourites as they are not overly sweet, which allows the fresh bitter and earthly taste of the matcha flavour to come through just right. Start your weekend right with one of their coffees and a cake pairing.

12 Drewery Ln,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 6pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 6pm

Photo Credit: Sushi Hotaru

#3 SUSHI HOTARU

Sushi is a popular lunch option for Melbournians who are looking for a quick bite. Sushi Hotaru is one of the few sushi joints in Melbourne that serve the well-loved Japanese dish on a conveyer belt.

Dishing out a wide variety of hand rolls, sashimi, sushi and nigiri, Sushi Hotaru is a favourite for its no-frills ordering system, sushi train and budget friendly experience if you’re tired of the usual hand rolls.

Midcity Arcade, 118/200 Bourke St,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9663 7538
Mon to Sun: 11.30am to 10pm

Photo Credit: Brown Bagels

#4 BROWN BAGELS

A great casual breakfast or lunch alternative is Brown Bagels.

Choose something sweet with a coffee for breakfast or switch it up with one of their gourmet bagel sandwiches, some of which take on a unique Korean twist.

25 Equitable Pl,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9670 9114
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 3.30pm

Photo Credit: Dodee Paidang

#5 DODEE PAIDANG

Situated right beside Brown Bagels is Dodee Paidang, a casual Thai restaurant that is usually packed with students and workers.

Instead of sitting along the lane outside, head down the stairs to a larger seating area. Their menu offers a wide selection of food, including the usual favourites of Pad Thai with Chicken (A$10.90) and Pad See Ew with Beef (A$10.90), as well as an extensive menu of customisable noodles: from the noodle type to the spice level.

353 Little Collins St,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9602 4968
Mon to Sun: 6.30am – 1am

Photo Credit: k aren

#6 CJ LUNCH BAR

Right along the ever-popular Hardware Lane is the simple CJ Lunch Bar, which serves value-for-money casual Korean food with generous portions, from dons to bentos.

A favourite amongst diners is the Cheese Chicken Bulgogi (A$17.50) and comes out smoking with a heaping pile of chicken marinaded in spicy Korean sauce.

391 Little Lonsdale St,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9602 5559
Mon: 11.30am – 10pm
Tues to Sat: 11.30am – 9pm
Sun: Closed

Photo Credit: Roule Galette

#7 ROULE GALETTE

Near the famous Flinders Street Station is Roule Galette, a cute little French creperie that is concealed from the busy Flinders Lane.

Upon stepping into the creperie, you will be given the option to either sit outdoors or the cosy and homely indoors, where you will be able to observe them making crepes while singing along to French tunes. Offering both sweet and savoury options, their crepes are warm and perfectly soft yet crispy.

237-241 Flinders Ln,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9639 0307
Mon to Thur: 7.30am – 8pm
Fri: 7.30am – 9.30pm
Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm

Photo Credit: Takahiro Shimizu

#8 DON DON

A favourite amongst Melbournians for cheap eats, Don Don has several joints spread across the city serving quick Japanese rice bowls at great budget prices.

Choose from a Teriyaki Don (A$7.70) to Beef Curry Don (A$8). Their food is great for students seeking a quick bite to eat that isn’t greasy fast food.

198 Little Lonsdale St,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9670 7113
Mon to Sun: 11am to 9pm

While planning a trip to Melbourne, most holidaymakers seem to forget about one important issue: Airport transfer. For those who have never visited Melbourne before, here is something you need to know—there are no trains located at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, hence getting to the city centre is not as simple for first-timers to the world’s most liveable city.

There are several modes of airport transfers available, but one should always consider a number of factors—such as budget, flight timing and the number of travellers with you etc— before picking your ideal mode of airport transfer. From renting a car, taking a taxi to using sky bus, here are 6 Ways To Get From Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport To The City.

#1 CAR RENTAL

Renting a car from Tullamarine Airport and self-driving yourself to the city is most ideal if you are travelling in a group. Look up online site Airport Rentals where you can browse rates from different companies after selecting your desired date and timing for pick-up and drop-off.

You can rent a Toyota Corolla from Atlas or Hyundai i20 from East Coast at S$40.60 and S$49 per day respectively. Do the math and a group of 4 only has to pay about S$10++ per pax!

Read: 10 things you should consider before driving on a road trip.

#2 PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This is the cheapest way to get from Melbourne airport to city.

First, purchase a Myki card (similar to Singaporean’s ezlink card) at the Skybus Terminal, before you proceed to Terminal 1′s platform. Board bus number 901, alight at Broadmeadows Station and then switch train/tram to whichever destination you have in mind.

#3 ROYALE TRAVEL

If travelling in style is your top priority and you have no qualms splurging on a fancy ride, then do give Royale Travel a shot. Prices range from A$139 for a four-seater BMW 7 Series to A$189 for a Mercedes Benz Viano. This luxurious chauffeur service is available 24/7 so it doesn’t matter what time your flight arrives/departs. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

#4 SKY BUS

Sky Bus is possibly the most cost-efficient and convenient mode of airport transfer. Operating 24/7 daily with a high frequency of every 10 minutes, Sky Bus will shuttle travellers to and fro Southern Cross Station and Tullamarine Airport within 20 minutes for each one-way journey. Tickets are affordably priced at AS$19 each for a single trip and A$38 each for a round trip.

#5 STAR BUS

Star Bus is great for solo travellers who have to get to the city centre or head to the airport. It functions as a door-to-door airport shuttle service and operates from 6am to 7pm daily. A two-way trip costs you just A$30. To give you a clearer idea, its operations are similar to Uber Pool. Call (03)8378-8700 upon luggage collection and you will be directed to your pick-up location.

#6 TAXI

Taxis are readily available at the designated taxi stands. However, as the taxis run by the metre, you might end up having to pay heaps if you are unfortunately stuck in a traffic jam due to peak hours or car accidents. A one-way ride from the airport to the CBD typically could cost from anything between A$50 to A$70. Use this online calculator to gauge your taxi fare.

For more recommendations, read our guide on 41 Best Cafes in Melbourne.

Melbourne has been ranked as the most liveable city in the world for many consecutive years —and is not hard to see why. With many beautiful attractions located within the city and an abundance of exciting events all year round, it is not hard to see why this city has been so well-loved by everyone.

Some of the best things in life do not cost a thing and that includes admission to Melbourne’s best iconic destinations. From the stunning World Heritage listed Carlton Gardens to the majestic Flinders Street Railway Station, almost every corner in Melbourne is effortlessly Instagram-worthy. The best part is that they are accessible to the public for free!

Here is our guide to 10 Iconic Attractions in Melbourne that you can visit for free.

#1 BRIGHTON BEACH

Brighton Beach is extremely famous for their long row of 82 colourful bath houses. The licensed bathing boxes are interestingly of the same height and they actually look the same since a century ago; each Victorian-style cubicle is built with durable corrugated iron roofs, timber frames and weatherboard. Till date, they remain disconnected from electricity and water amenities. While the bathing houses no longer serve the pubic, they are an important cultural asset to Melburnians.

4 Esplanade, Brighton
Bayside VIC 3186

From the The Rose Street Market, Sunday Camberwell Market to Chadstone Shopping Centre, here are 10 Top Places To Shop In Melbourne.

#2 CARLTON GARDENS

Carlton Gardens is a beautiful world-heritage listed garden with a landscape that changes with the season; the park is covered with golden ash leaves in autumn and the scenery transforms drastically in winter as the European trees are stripped bare. We found ourselves hopelessly falling in love with its romantic ambience over and over again despite having visited it countless of times. Carlton Gardens is a popular wedding photoshoot destination with its breathtaking backdrop of the Royal Exhibition Building and gorgeous water fountain.

1-111 Carlton Street
Carlton VIC 3053

#3 FEDERATION SQUARE

Federation Square is not just the focal point of Melbourne’s arts but is also the 6th best public plaza in the world. Affectionately known as ‘Fed Sq’ by locals, it occupies 3.2 hectares of land and is renowned for their numerous art exhibitions. Crowds are often formed outside the photogenic architectural building to catch live events or sporting games on their outdoor giant screen.

Corner Swanston Street & Flinders Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

#4 FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY STATION

Located on the corner of Flinders Street and the ever bustling Swanston Street is a popular tourist attraction and also a train terminal that services both students and working executives daily. With more than 12 operating platforms, the railway station is essentially a major part of the locals’ lives. Established since 1854, it is the oldest station in Australia and a symbolic icon of the Victoria state.

Corner Swanston Street & Flinders Street
VIC 3001

Read: Guide to 10 Best Road Trip Destinations from Melbourne that you will regret not visiting. These attractions offer a diverse range of interesting activities and its highlights can usually be covered within a day.

#5 HOSIER LANE

Located within a stone’s throw away from the famous Flinders Street Railway Station is Hosier Lane – the most famous laneway in Melbourne. The laneway’s popularity is derived from its contemporary art-strewn walls. The murals are an expression of creative individuals that have been approved by Citylights Projects. However, illegal graffitis are evidently inevitable and the resulting is a cobblestoned pack street surrounded with the most unexpected street art. Bring your camera along and snap away! Like all the places listed in this guide, entrance to this unique passageway is completely free.

Corner of Hosier Lane & Rutledge Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000

#6 ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS

Royal Botanical Gardens is home to a wide selection of over 10,000 plant species of which an abundance of wildlife reside in. Take a relaxing stroll around the lush vegetation and watch in awe as the blooming gardens reveal a kaleidoscope of colours. Despite its proximity to the city center, the Royal Botanical Garden is a tranquil sanctuary with its serene lakes and sweeping lawns.

#7 SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE

The magnificent infrastructure was erected as a memorial for all Australians who have served in the World War I. Every year at the 11th hour of 11 November (Remembrance Day), Australians will hold their silence for a minute to commemorate for the noble heroes and heroines. The grandeur of the shrine is truly remarkable – view of the building from the city remains completely unobstructed to honour those who have sacrificed.

Birdwood Ave
Melbourne VIC 3001

#8 STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA

The State Library of Victoria is an European-style 19th century building and is a landmark that one should not miss. Absorb the magnificence of the state library’s heritage interiors at its very best when you climb to the top of the domed ceiling of La Trobe Reading Room. The library boasts over two million books and there are free exhibitions that you can explore. You can also join one of the daily guided tours for a more thorough explanation of the library’s history.

328 Swanston Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Mon to Thu: 10am – 9pm
Fri to Sun: 10am – 6pm

42 Best Cafes in Melbourne you must visit once in your life

#9 ST KILDA

St Kilda Beach is only 6 kilometres away from Melbourne city and provides you an instant beachside getaway. For an amazing panoramic view of the sea and the city, do walk through the St Kilda Pier. The landscape is a relaxing view of a myriad of yachts juxtaposed against Melbourne’s tall skyscrapers. Photographers will be thrilled to picture this. There are free exhibitions and events from time to time too that you can check out.

#10 VICTORIA MARKET

They said you have not been to Melbourne until you have visited Victoria Market. Otherwise known as ‘Vic Market’, the market spreads over two blocks of land and you can sample their fresh produces or window shop through the merchandise area. Walking through the market itself is like navigating through a wonderland – there is so much to see and so much to absorb! They do have a night market every winter Wednesday night, which is a great way to see the market from another perspective.

For more recommendations, read our Melbourne food & travel guides on the best places to visit in the city.