ICYMI: These Were the Biggest Headlines This January

There's been a lot going on this month, so in case you've been living under a rock, are still in that post-New Year's haze, or you've lost a few brain cells due to the insufferable heatwaves, we've rounded up some of January's biggest stories for you. 

This month saw new restaurants open, old venues close, and big hospo names announce exciting plans for the year ahead. Of course, we were busy covering the Australian Open, from floating tennis courts to exciting activations. There were also pickleball pop-ups, plenty of film festival news, suggestions for how to make the most of the summer, and revamped restaurant guides to get you out and about. 

Keep scrolling to catch the biggest stories, In Case You Missed It, this January. 

Recommended reads:
The Best Cafes in Melbourne
The Best Ice Cream in Melbourne
The Best Restaurants in Melbourne
The Best Things To Do This Valentine's Day

Nobody's Baby Announces its New Chef-in-Residence 

This January, Nobody's Baby welcomed their next guest chef in residence to its kitchen. From Friday, January 23, Chef Aitor Jeronimo Olive brings Basque Txoko (pronounced "chock-o") to the South Yarra bustling bar. The owners say, "We're so excited to have Aitor at Nobody's Baby for the next three months. A number of cuisines and pop-ups have rotated through our kitchen – from Italian, to Middle Eastern, to the Basque Country –, and no matter the style of food, we love being a vessel for anyone to showcase their cuisine, and our hospitality remains the same – warm, welcoming, and ensuring every guest leaves feeling like they've made a friend in us. The convivial nature of Aitor's rustic Basque cuisine fits so perfectly with what Nobody's Baby is about, and we're stoked to be his first home in Australia."

Rooftop Pickle Ball Pops-Up in the CBD 

Along with plenty of other tennis-related news, this month we covered the return of another racquet-in-hand summer pop-up. Until Saturday, February 28, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is serving up rooftop pickleball to budding pros and first-timers alike. Free for hotel guests and the public, this fifth-floor perch has aced the experience both on and off the court. If you head along for a game, you'll encounter a brand-new partnership that elevates the activation in 2026. Teaming up with Mount Franklin, the hotel now has self-serve vending machines stocked with sparkling flavoured water, ready-to-drink cocktails, and refreshing mocktails.

Toorak Cellars Celebrates 15 Years with its Barbecue Summer Series 

Tucked into the backstreets of Armadale, Toorak Cellars is gearing up to celebrate a major milestone, having served the "vinously afflicted", — as co-owner Lyndon Kubis puts it — for the past 15 years. To ring in the anniversary, this go-to wine destination is bringing back its BBQ Summer Series for a second year running, where two star-studded Melbourne chefs team up to take charge of the tongs every Sunday. Of course, the wine won't be a side event. For its birthday month, Toorak Cellars will put the Coravin through its paces, offering a series of by-the-glass feature wines poured in commemorative glassware. Book your spot now to avoid missing out. 

The Community Rallies to Support Victorian Businesses

Following a harrowing bushfire season, Victorian businesses did it tough this January. With community support needed more than ever, we put together a list of ways you can donate to leading bodies, fundraise for devastated businesses or dine and shop with those contributing essential funds to the cause. If you haven't already, check out the ways you can help those in the Victorian community who really need a hand right now. 

Europa! Film Festival Releases its Full 2026 Program 

European cinema doesn't get much representation in Australia for most of the year, at least until Europa! Europa rolls around. This January, we brought you news of the full program. Returning this year for its fifth run, the festival will draw on the rich cinematic talent of continental Europe to create a lineup of 43 of the latest and greatest pictures from 22 countries and import them to screens around the country from Thursday, February 19, to early March.

Pipi's Kiosk Brings a Taste of the Sea to Fitzroy

This month, Beachside beauty Pipi's Kiosk quietly and unassumingly set up its second outpost; however, it's not sticking around for long. Open now until the end of February, Pipi's North is bringing the team's signature seafood offering all the way to Fitzroy. Taking over the former Alta Trattoria site on Brunswick Street, Pipi's North, inspired by the sun-soaked tapas bars of the Basque Coast, is serving snacky bites made for easygoing sharing in a comfortable, relaxed space. 

Feel the Love With Valentine's Day Just Around the Corner

While Valentine's Day might be a heavily commercialised holiday that plays into mass consumerism, we reckon we could all use a little extra love this month, so we put together a guide of the best things to do on the most romantic day of the year. And even if you think V-Day is lame, you're as single as a Pringle, or are planning to spend the day with mates or glamming up for Galentine's Day, these are still pretty great deals worth checking out. Cupid called, and he said spots are filling up fast, so book ahead and score extra brownie points this Valentine's Day.

Get Fit Before Feb with Top-Rated Hikes 

For those looking to get more active in 2026, we covered the best one-hour hikes to get you moving. You now have a convenient list of breathtaking tracks to explore on foot, as go-to hiking and biking app AllTrails has revealed the top-rated one-hour hikes and day trips within touching distance of Melbourne. Topping the list of one-hour loop trails outside Melbourne is the 3.9-kilometre Ker-Bur-Rer Walk. Situated near Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula, this easygoing trek pairs gentle hills with stellar views and wildlife encounters, from wallabies to emus. Other highly rated walks were Doncaster's Ruffey Lake Park Circuit, the Albert Park Loop and the Parkdale Beach Walk. Primed for laidback strolls in a convenient location, it's no surprise these walks are considered some of Melbourne's most popular.

Collingwood Welcomes a New Wine Specialist 

This January, Collingwood welcomed Bar Local Drop to the neighbourhood, serving everything from limited and rare drops to barbecue spatchcock, fresh pasta specials, and an impressive selection of over 500 bottles to stock your home cellar. The bar was founded by Jagdev Singh and his wife, Emily Prunty, the founders of The Local Drop, a respected wine business covering retail, events, and bespoke cellars. They chose Collingwood, specifically the design-forward space at 116 Rokeby Street, curated by Studio Y and recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects, to set up their bricks-and-mortar offering. While there is a deep and serious focus on all things wine, Bar Local Drop is also prioritising food, with a Euro-leaning menu championing local growers, including Somerset Farm, Natoora and Day's Walk Farm. 

Ocean Alley Embarks on a Massive National Tour 

To go with the sweet sounds of summer, we announced news of a massive national tour kicking off at the end of this month. Ocean Alley is beloved for their brand of sun-soaked psychedelic surf rock, tinged with funky basslines and buttery-smooth lyrics. Now the band is embarking on a massive national tour, taking their sound on a jam-packed road trip that spans beachy regional towns and capital cities. The upcoming tour comes on the back of Ocean Alley's landmark 2025. As for the 2026 tour, Ocean Alley is kicking things off in Melbourne on Saturday, January 24, in Catani Gardens before hitting Brisbane Showgrounds on Friday, January 30. Dates in Sydney, Tasmania, Perth and beyond follow soon after, with the tour wrapping up at Glenelg Beach in South Australia on Saturday, March 21.

The CBD Scores a New Place to Scoop

Mondo Gelateria on Elizabeth Street is an all-day, late-night spot serving coffee, pastries, gelato, and good vibes, which opened with a bang at the end of January. With flavours inspired by cultures across the globe, expect bold flavours and exciting new combinations that add to Melbourne's already dynamic ice cream scene. The 28 ice cream flavours are influenced by ingredients from all corners of the world, from Italy to Japan, China to America. Hero flavours and mainstays on the menu include salted caramel with kumquats and freeze-dried raspberries, chocolate fudge brownie, lemon cheesecake with almonds, roasted lemon cake, pistachio with crunchy praline and Black Forest with Amarena cherries and chocolate sponge.

Feature image: Mondo Gelateria.