Our three favourite Melbourne eating must-dos

World-class sporting events, exceptional shopping, a diverse arts scene and impressive architecture, it's no wonder Melbourne often appears on the list of the world's most liveable cities. But we all know the real reason everyone loves Melbourne ... the dining out.

And there’s a lot to love. The city boasts a remarkable depth to its culinary scene, thanks mostly to the diverse range of cultures and backgrounds that call Melbourne home. Just about every nationality and every style of cuisine appear somewhere on the Melbourne dining scene. The city is home to the third largest Greek population in the world and the Italian and Chinese cultures are part of the city's fabric. Thanks to this diverse melting pot, dining out in Melbourne is anything but dull.

Knowing where to go for top nosh in Melbourne 

Melbourne is famous for its laneway dining. Our best advice is not to worry too much about following directions. The best discoveries come when you become completely lost in the alleyways, down stairways and through unmarked doors.

Local dining precincts are dotted throughout the city. Run the gauntlet of spruikers along Carlton’s Lygon Street, and you will be rewarded with the authentic taste of Italy. St Kilda is the place to go for people watching that is as good as the dining. High Street, Prahran has a reputation for being the home of some of Melbourne’s best restaurants. In the CBD, you'll find Chinatown on Little Bourke Street where you can immerse yourself in the sights and smells of Chinese grocery stores and restaurants. Then there’s also South Melbourne, Chapel Street, Docklands and we could go on.

Melbourne is a serious foodie destination. But if you’re on a tight timeframe, here are our three favourite Melbourne eating must-dos. 

St Kilda

Famous for the beaming face of the Luna Park gates, St Kilda is a vibrant suburb where inner-city cool meets the beach. Along Acland Street, you can test your willpower browsing the mouth-watering window displays of the cake shops and patisseries. Some of the best picks for St Kilda are Woods Café & Bar, Pablo Honey Tapas Bar for delicious tapas with attitude and Veludo for stylish dining and drinking.

Italian

The Italian influence stretches back to Melbourne's first settlement days. This vibrant culture has played a major role in shaping the city’s dining scene.

What's so great about Italian dining? Pizza. What more do we need to say? For pizza and much, much more you’ll find Italian restaurants throughout the city, including Lygon Street, the CBD and Richmond. Itali.co is the place for award-winning pizza in St Kilda. Don’t miss il Duca in East Melbourne, a long-standing family Italian diner not far from the CBD. The key to Italian dining is to always leave room for Dolci!

Gastro pubs

Gastro pubs, or as you may know them, pubs are the foundation of the Melbourne dining scene. The difference between a pub and a gastro pub is a subtle one. A Gastro Pub will transform the humble 'steak and chips' into grass-fed aged Wagyu served with organic cauliflower puree and kale chips. But we reckon there’s a lot to love about a pub that takes its food and drink seriously. Some of our favourites include The Wolf & I in Windsor for a quirky modern pub experience.  And while Port Melbourne's Third Wave isn’t technically a pub, its incredible slow-smoked meats are the epitome of gastro pub dining.

For an unforgettable food adventure, it’s got to be Melbourne.