Ash’s Melbourne recommendations
Donuts (and cakes)
Best donuts in town. Tip: The only place in Melbourne that does real 'cake donuts'. $
59 locals recommend
Shortstop Coffee & Donuts
12 Sutherland StBest donuts in town. Tip: The only place in Melbourne that does real 'cake donuts'. $
Crullers to die for. When you bite in, you're always surprised by the texture and overwhelmed by the taste.
Moon Cruller
50 Rose StCrullers to die for. When you bite in, you're always surprised by the texture and overwhelmed by the taste.
Lygon Street is home to the original tea-room. The Flinder's Lane outpost is the modern hipster version. Tidbit: These shops are owned by two brothers - previously together and now separately.
164 locals recommend
Brunetti Carlton
380 Lygon StLygon Street is home to the original tea-room. The Flinder's Lane outpost is the modern hipster version. Tidbit: These shops are owned by two brothers - previously together and now separately.
Bars
The original rooftop bar - great anytime of day. They also served top-notched burgers. With an open-air cinema in the summer, this place has it all. Tip: Don't be tempted to take the stairs. Locals take the tiny lift to the top floor and walk the last flight.
175 locals recommend
Rooftop Cinema
252 Swanston StThe original rooftop bar - great anytime of day. They also served top-notched burgers. With an open-air cinema in the summer, this place has it all. Tip: Don't be tempted to take the stairs. Locals take the tiny lift to the top floor and walk the last flight.
Restos
Off one of Melbourne's least known but nicest lanes, Lucy Liu is similarly a hidden gem. Great food, great service. $$-$$$
58 locals recommend
Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar
23 Oliver LnOff one of Melbourne's least known but nicest lanes, Lucy Liu is similarly a hidden gem. Great food, great service. $$-$$$
Modern, upmarket Indian in an understated place. This isn't your neighbourhood curry. Tip: If you're at a lost, ask the staff to bring their best dishes for your number of guests. $$$
46 locals recommend
Tonka
20 Duckboard PlModern, upmarket Indian in an understated place. This isn't your neighbourhood curry. Tip: If you're at a lost, ask the staff to bring their best dishes for your number of guests. $$$
HOCHI MAMA
35 Liverpool StSurprisingly good.
Very expensive but also very good dim sum in a fine dining environment.
Red Emperor (Chinatown) Chinese Restaurant
Very expensive but also very good dim sum in a fine dining environment.
Farmers Markets
Queen Victoria Market
Queen StreetThe biggest!
South Melbourne Market
322-326 Coventry StThe best!
Prahran Market
163 Commercial RdThe sweetest!
Street art
This lane u-turns into Duckboard Place so that they almost feel like the same place. Great for street art and fine dining.
AC/DC Lane
AC/DC LaneThis lane u-turns into Duckboard Place so that they almost feel like the same place. Great for street art and fine dining.
Hosier Lane
7-9 Hosier LnMelbourne's most famous street.
Artists Lane
Artists LaneGet out of the city centre and take in this semi-hidden spot
This lane u-turns into AC/DC lane so that they almost feel like the same place. Great for street art and fine dining.
Duckboard Place
This lane u-turns into AC/DC lane so that they almost feel like the same place. Great for street art and fine dining.
Activities
They set out to deliver an art experience that everyone will love and they deliver. For kids, non-art lovers and art-lovers alike. Tip: I don't even like Van Gogh and I loved this experience.
THE LUME Melbourne
5 Convention Centre PlaceThey set out to deliver an art experience that everyone will love and they deliver. For kids, non-art lovers and art-lovers alike. Tip: I don't even like Van Gogh and I loved this experience.
The main art gallery is on the south side of the river. This gallery is the home of Australian art. IMO it's the nicer of the two. It's also a lot less busy.
128 locals recommend
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Russell StreetThe main art gallery is on the south side of the river. This gallery is the home of Australian art. IMO it's the nicer of the two. It's also a lot less busy.
One of Melbourne's most impressive buildings anyway. The dome has recently reopened but only for tour guests. Book yourself in for a behind the scenes and historic tour of the building.
189 locals recommend
Royal Exhibition Building
9 Nicholson StOne of Melbourne's most impressive buildings anyway. The dome has recently reopened but only for tour guests. Book yourself in for a behind the scenes and historic tour of the building.
Ice-Cream
Great inventive flavours. But don't hang around inside - take your cone for a walk down Smith St.
Fluffy Torpedo
Great inventive flavours. But don't hang around inside - take your cone for a walk down Smith St.
One of the three best gelaterias in Melbourne. Classic flavours. Their Salted Caramel is Melbourne's best.
63 locals recommend
Pidapipó
299 Lygon StOne of the three best gelaterias in Melbourne. Classic flavours. Their Salted Caramel is Melbourne's best.
One of the Melbourne's best gelaterias. Creamiest ice-cream of all.
137 locals recommend
Gelato Messina Fitzroy
237 Smith StOne of the Melbourne's best gelaterias. Creamiest ice-cream of all.
Great specials. Bombe Alaska and ice-cream sandwiches highly recommended.
35 locals recommend
Piccolina Gelateria
296 Smith StGreat specials. Bombe Alaska and ice-cream sandwiches highly recommended.