The 5 Best Places In Melbourne, Australia to Eat, Drink, See and Stay

Nestled along the southeastern coast of Australia, Melbourne is an incredible city that blends culture, art, and incomparable charm. Melbourne is one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities I’ve been to. From its endlessly captivating alleys filled with the most incredible food and the coolest street art to the parks and museums sprinkled throughout the city, there is no lack of things to do here for anyone no matter your interests.

Melbourne and the suburbs surrounding it are not only incredibly accessible thanks to the Yarra tram system they also each have a different flair that really caters to anyone and everyone. There are 25 different tram routes that take you from within the CBD (central business district, or downtown) to suburbs like Prahran, St. Kilda, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Coburg, and many more. The CBD is the free tram zone, you can ride the trams for completely free within the downtown area until you get to Flinders street, right before you cross the bridge to get to the other side of the river. To ride the trams outside of the free tram zone you need a myki which you can get at nearly all of the convenience stores in Melb, 7-elevens are usually your best bet. There are certain stops that have a kiosk but better to be safe than sorry and just head to a 7-eleven.

Although Melbourne is a large city, it is incredibly walkable. It really caters to bicyclists and pedestrians, therefore you will have no issue getting around. The layout of Melbourne is very easy to get to know as it is pretty much a grid, but it is not as hectic of a grid as NYC, it is much more tame and the pace is slower to help you get to know everything better. Now that we’ve gone over your intro to getting around and some of the spots Melb has to offer, let’s get more specific.

Where to stay in Melbourne

1. Park Hyatt Melbourne (5-star) – located a bit east of the CBD, right next to Fitzroy Gardens this Park Hyatt upholds the sophistication it is well known for in this property. There isn’t a bad room in this hotel, every view overlooks something beautiful whether it’s the gardens, the city skyline, or the Parliament House. Reasonable for a 5-star and living up to the service they are known for, this property is definitely worth a few nights at the least.
2. Grand Hyatt Melbourne (5-star) – waking up overlooking the city skyline is a fairytale to almost everyone and this allots you that view and more with huge windows, contemporary decor, and a central location right on the luxurious Collins Street. The Grand Hyatt is the type of hotel where you would tell your kids not to touch anything. From the marble tubs overlooking the city skyline to the full size fitness center and spa, you will never want to leave this property.
3. Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands (5-star) – think Dubai vibes with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Docklands this Marriott property is like no other with a very minimal look featuring lots of greys and concrete. It is the perfect modern structure with natural shapes and designs, perfectly cohesive and incredibly satisfying. This and Hotel Indigo are the two most friendly priced in this list.
4. Hotel Indigo Melbourne – An IHG Hotel (4-star) – like you are stepping into a movie theater, this art deco property is incredibly central, reasonably priced, and like no other. From the lobby to the room to the fitness center you will be looking at it wondering where they even found half of the unique furniture and things that are in there. If you are a film lover and you like to feel like the star of the show, this is the spot for you.
5. The Langham, Melbourne (5-star) – I am incredibly biased to The Langham properties, I think they are so classy, stunning, and I love the little accents of pink. This property is on the Southbank promenade with beautiful city skyline and Yarra river views. While the rooms could use a bit of a makeover the common areas of the hotel are striking and for a 5-star hotel, the prices are fairly reasonable.

The best restaurants in Melbourne

1. Lee Ho Fook, Melbourne CBD – an amazing restaurant that you will find down one of Melbourne’s graffiti covered alleyways. Careful you don’t miss the door to this coveted new age Chinese restaurant with a seafood specialty.
2. Hotel Esplanade, St. Kilda – you cannot miss the iconic Hotel Esplanade right off the tram route in St. Kilda. This 140 year old hotel has been converted into 5 levels of eating and drinking featuring beer galore, classic pub bites and a Cantonese restaurant. The Espy has been transformed into a chic, retro experience that is totally worth a visit.
3. Smith & Daughters, Collingwood – this Mediterranean inspired vegan eatery is unlike anything you’ve ever tried before. With it’s beautiful modern yet antique interior, this place is sure to wow and is an especially unique stop in Melbourne.
4. Manzé, North Melbourne – another unique spot in Melbourne (are you catching a theme here), this restaurant focuses on Mauritian cuisine which also has French, Creole, and Chinese influences. This is a very small spot and it books up so make sure to plan ahead if you want to partake in this beautiful experience.
5. Shandong MaMa, Melbourne CBD – the most iconic dumpling spot in Melbourne (and that’s saying a lot as Melbourne has a huge Asian influence). You will find this in the most unassuming spot but, trust me, it is WELL known. It is a super popular spot so be prepared to wait but just know, it is so beyond worth it.

The best things to do in Melbourne

1. Queen Victoria Market – maybe I’m biased here but this was one of my favorite places to spend time at. Queen Victoria Market is just an endless maze of vendors selling everything from fruits to trinkets to meats. Queen Vic Market is massive and is such a fun place to stroll around, eat, and explore some of the goods that Australia has to offer. The picture featured is the night market which occurs in the winter (our summer) and during their high season (dates vary) on Wednesdays. It is also right on the edge of the free tram zone within the CBD!
2. National Gallery of Victoria – located just across the river from Flinders Street Station (just outside of the free tram zone) is this jaw dropping art gallery. With 4 levels of exhibits, a visit to this gallery should take you the whole day and it is absolutely worth it. The exhibits are constantly switching so check on their website to see what’s on.
3. Royal Botanical Gardens – with 38 hectares (97 acres) of tens of thousands of native plants located right in the heart of the city, you cannot go wrong with a day in the gardens. Located on multiple tram lines (1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, and 72) and just across the river from the free tram zone the gardens are accessible and a beautiful respite from your days in the city.
4. Phillip Island Tour – while this isn’t in the city, it is actually about an hour and a half outside of it, but so worth a trip. I would recommend you stay a night if you have the time to as the island has some beautiful stargazing opportunities. It is also worth a little extra time just to be able to take in the beauty of the nature and wildlife surrounding you on this unique little island. Penguins, kangaroos, koalas, and whales await you on this enchanting journey.
5. State Library of Victoria – this is definitely for a specific type of person, but if you are this person, you will be absolutely obsessed. Established in 1854, this library holds over 2 million books and is a book nerd’s dream. There are 6 reading rooms and a beautiful lawn out in front of the library. It is located right in the CBD so spend as much time as you’d like here and then head off to explore more of Melbourne.
6. Bonus entries – don’t miss out on Chinatown (lots of speakeasies here, good luck) and just wandering aimlessly down the many alleyways covered in some of the coolest graffiti from the city’s artists.

The best bars in Melbourne

1. Rooftop Bar, Melbourne CBD – one of the first bars I went to in Melbourne so this place is near and dear to me, not to mention the city skyline views from this seventh floor bar are gorgeous. This is also Melbourne’s first rooftop cinema. The place is lacking in decor but you hardly notice while you’re watching a movie looking out over the CBD with a tasty cocktail. In this same building (Curtain House) is Cookie, another excellent bar and restaurant.
2. Arbory Bar and Eatery, Melbourne River – located right on the Yarra River this spot has some beautiful views, some tasty bites, and some delicious drinks with the most incredible vibes. What more could you ask for?
3. Naked in The Sky, Fitzroy – the rooftop version of it’s indoor counterpart “Naked for Satan” head up the lift for a few drinks overlooking Fitzroy with a view of the CBD. Classy bar bites, exposed brick, and great music make this a must go when in the area.
4. Heartbreaker – this is entirely different from all of my other recommendations, as I want to cater to multiple people. This spot is for my rock’n’roll lovers, anyone who likes a darker vibe, a low lit spot with neon red lights and just a hint of grunge, this is for you.
5. Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne CBD – maybe one of the coolest spots in Melbourne (in my opinion) located in an old bank vault serving up whiskey and blues, not getting any more old timey than that. Heading into this bar makes you feel like you’re stepping into a different, old, exclusive world that only an elite few are allowed to indulge in… enjoy it.

The best beaches in Melbourne

1. St. Kilda Beach, St. Kilda – a super short tram ride from the CBD to one of the most popular beaches in the area. St. Kilda beach is filled with activities and surrounded by plenty of restaurants and bars. Spend the day and enjoy!
2. Brighton Beach, Brighton – the location of the iconic bathing boxes, the brightly colored sheds that line the end of the beach and catch millions of eyes a year. The water at Brighton Beach is lovely and calm and you are very close to Brighton’s Church Street where you’ll find restaurants, cafes, and shops, a great addition to a day on the coast.
3. Half Moon Bay – about a 45 minute drive from the CBD is this unique beach lined with red rock cliffs (only a portion). There is a sunken battleship from the 1870’s off the coast that was utilized to create a breakwater for the yacht club. This beach is also in the bay so it is protected making the waters incredibly tranquil and kid friendly. There aren’t a ton of shops, cafes, and restaurants around so pack a light snack, some waters and if you’re craving fish and chips head over to Cerberus Beach House.
4. Warrnambool Beach – if you are heading down the Great Ocean Road (which you definitely should) many of the beaches on the road are a little rough for a relaxing day at the beach, just a half hour or so past the 12 apostles is this breathtaking stretch of beach. Picture perfect blue water and sand dunes invite you to relax on this stunning beach.
5. Bushrangers Bay – about an hour and a half from the CBD awaits these unique tidal rock pools unlike any other beach near Melbourne. Surrounded by volcanic black rock you will feel like you stepped foot onto another planet while enjoying these crystal clear tidal pools.

Give yourself ample time to explore all that Melbourne has to offer and don’t miss out on anything. Whether you choose to stay in the city, head towards the coastline, or use Melbourne as a jumping off point for a road trip, there is something for everyone and it is absolutely worth the journey to get there.