Rooftops and River Views: Ring in the New Year at These Ten Venues in Melbourne's CBD

Ring in 2026 at these inner city venues.

How a Melbourne Hospo Veteran Opened the Bistro of His Dreams in Box Hill

Hospitality veteran, Sam Hatherley saw a gap in his suburb of Box Hill and turned it into a cafe-cum-bistro.

This Just In: Royal Stacks Now Has Fro-Yo Bars with All the Toppings at Every Venue

Royal Stacks has unveiled a new fro-yo bar across Melbourne, serving nostalgic toppings, signature flavours like Blue Mango and the city’s only waterfront frozen yoghurt at Crown.

GABS Hits Pause: Australia's Biggest Beer Festival Takes a Breather Ahead of a 2027 Return

Following a takeover from the Schwartz Family Company, this much-loved beer festival will brew up some fresh ideas before it returns in a year's time.

This Just in: the Team Behind Johnny's Green Room to Open Garfield, a Playful Pizzeria with Natural Wines and Pidapipo Softserve, on Lygon Street

The historical Carlton grocery shop is to enter a new era with plans just announced for three fresh and exciting new venues to open in 2026, including playful pizzeria, Garfield.

Where to Find the Best Ice Cream and Gelato in Melbourne

Whether you like your scoops creamy, salty, vegan or sandwiched, you can find them in our guide.

Kikanbo Ramen Will Finally Reopen this Week and to Celebrate it's Giving Away Free Ramen, So Get Ready to Slurp Those Noods

The popular eateries have finally made a come back following months of unfair closures.

We Asked Australian Hospitality Owners What They Think the Future of Nightlife Will Look Like

"Netflix will still be there when you get home."

Patti Chimkire Has Brought Mali Bakes to Print with a Debut Cookbook Filled with Vintage Piping, Bold Colours and Nostalgic Cakes

From retro piping to flavour-driven cakes, Mali Bakes founder Patti Chimkire opens up about her creative evolution and the release of her debut cookbook.

This Just in: Matt Moran Launches Proper Burgers, Bringing His Philosophy of 'Simple Food, Done Properly' to a Soft Milk Bun This Summer

On the menu, classic burgers, snacks and sides are all designed to reflect Moran's commitment to top-quality produce.

The Best Private Dining Rooms in Melbourne

These private dining rooms have you got you covered from private bartenders to suckling pigs, martini trolleys to luxurious sashimi platters.

This Just in: Andrew McConnell Will Open a European Grill Inspired by the Basque Coast Next Year, in a Heritage Restaurant Space Steeped in Legacy

McConnell's latest venture, located on Crossley Street, will offer a European grill that channels the flavours and vibes of the Basque coast.

Hospitality Legends on Where They Head After Their Shift

"It has music loud enough to reset your brain and cocktails good enough to make you forget how tired you are."

The Specials Board: These Are Melbourne's Must-Try Food and Drink Specials for December

New month, new flavours — these are the standout new dishes and deals to check out this month.

Messina Is Serving Its First-Ever Breakfast Gelato, Combining Honey Ice Cream with Brookfarm's Toasted Macadamia Muesli

Creamy yet crunchy, this limited-edition brekkie-inspired scoop is both the ideal sweet start to the day or late-night treat.

This Just in: Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Announces its 2026 Program, Including a Cake Picnic, a Greek-Themed Longest Lunch, Free Pizza, and Even Blind Whisky Tastings

From a Korean Fried Chicken Festival, to wild foraging experiences and pop-ups at some of the best restaurants in town, there's truly something for everyone.

This Just in: You Can Now Use Your Favourite Take-Out App to Book Exclusive Tables at Otherwise Fully-Booked Restaurants

This innovative new feature means that your go-to app for dining in can now be used for dining out.

ST. ALi Is Helping You Stuff Stockings and Enjoy a Cracking Brew This Christmas with Its Festive Nutcracker Blend

This annual Christmas blend has no interest in subtlety, offering strong festive notes that'll impress your coffee-loving friends and family.

Coming Soon: Young Gun Chef Ellie Bouhadana Will Bring Her Signature No-Fuss, Coastal-Inspired Cooking to the Stokehouse's Beach Box Kiosk This Summer

Ellie's Kiosk, a laidback location designed both for casual dining or take-out, will be serving Bouhadana's signature produce-driven, no-fuss fare.

The Best Seafood Restaurants in Melbourne

Here's where to find Melbourne's best seafood — across fine-diners, messy crab shacks, local neighbourhood eateries and lavish omakase haunts.

Four Pillars Is Bringing Back Its Pudding-Like Australian Christmas Gin, Perfect for Gifting or Sipping on the Big Day

Marking its tenth limited-edition release, this Aussie-inspired gin features all the notes and character needed to level up your Christmas lunch.

Square Is Teaming up with Chef Joel Bennetts to Explore Sydney's Neighbourhoods

Watch a Sydney chef peel back the curtains on some of our city's most viral spots.

One Day Only: Pizza Hut Locations Across Australia Are Exchanging Your Old Pizza Boxes for a Free Pepperoni Pizza

Don't bin that greasy pizza box just yet — this pizza icon is exchanging them for garlic- and cheddar-filled goodness across Australia this month.

Carlton North's Beloved Monforte Viennoiserie is Finally Serving Barista Coffees — And They're Giving Them Away for Free This Saturday

Concrete Playground's Editors on What's Trending After Dark

We tapped Concrete Playground's editors, to learn more about the future of the night-time economy and what's trending after dark right now.

Inflation Means The Price of Everything Is Going Up — Except Your Morning Coffee

Inflation is back on the rise, but at least you can expect coffee prices to stop increasing in 2026.

Good Vibes Only: What Aussies Say Makes or Breaks a Night Out

Turns out Australians are big foodies, with our social needs following close behind to get us out of the house.

The Best Bakeries in Melbourne

Crusty sourdough loaves, flaky croissants, shiopans and shokupans, cookies and doughnuts, bagels and ficelles, pies and pasties, and everything in between.

Now Open: Haus of Wendy Is the US Burger Chain's Biggest Aussie Launch to Date, Opening in the Heart of Brisbane CBD

Spanning two brightly coloured levels, this huge Wendy's highlights the brand's ambitions to take over Aussie fast food.

Now Open: This Toorak Road Terrace House Is Home to the New Greek Restaurant Astoria Bar Kè Grill

This South Yarra spot servies up traditional Greek fare with contemporary flair.

Lonely Planet Has Named Melbourne's Food Scene One of the World's Top 25 Travel Experiences

From Lune croissants to Palestinian soul food and Italian marketplaces, Melbourne’s culinary scene has officially been crowned one of the world’s best by Lonely Planet.

This Just in: Hospo Stalwart Ronnie Di Stasio Has Just Days to Save His Restaurants Amid Tax Debt Dispute

If the debts are not settled on time, the companies could be deemed insolvent, with a liquidator appointed.

Coming Soon: Daphne, a Bustling Public House From Etta's Hannah Green — With Everything from a Martini Club to a Considered Kids' Menu — is Set to Open this November

Step into Hannah Green's new home just a couple doors down from Etta, with her new restaurant set to offer warm hospitality rooted in community.

Gen Z Is Keeping Melbourne's Nightlife Alive — Just Ask Gracie's Wine Room

The success of Gracie's Wine Room proves Gen Z's appetite for nights out.

This Just in: Shannon Bennett's Residency at The StandardX Has Proven So Popular That it Has Been Extended With No End Date In Sight

The legendary chef's neighbourhood bistro-style concept has been so successful, that Bennett and his team of all-star collaborators are sticking around.

Coming Soon: This Multi-Sensory, Not-So-Serious, Theatrical Restaurant Is So Popular That It Is Opening a Second Venue to Keep Up with the Demand for Seats

Shelly will offer a 10-course degustation menu that is flamboyant, dramatic, and at its heart, just a lot of fun.

Espresso Your Views on the Community, as South Melbourne Market Invites Locals to Chat with Cops Over Coffee

Sit for a low-key chat with your neighbourhood officers, as this easygoing session is all about community bonding and engagement.

Coming Soon: This CBD Boutique Hotel Will House Five New Hospo Venues — From the Group Behind Lilac Wine and Hazel

The new venues include everything from a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop, to an all-day bistro and late night rooftop bar.

Melbourne is Getting a Four-Level, Members-Only Private Wine Club with a 5000-Bottle Wine List, Champagne Lounge and Whisky-Centric Rooftop Cocktail Bar

Membership at this exclusive club gives you access to all 67 Pall Mall venues globally.

This Just In: The Revolver Building Is for Sale, with Bids of $15 Million or More Landing This Notorious Nightlife Icon

Woven into the cultural fabric of Melbourne, grime and all, the infamous nightclub and its surrounding commercial complex are seeking a new owner.

We Spoke to the Former Owners of The Everleigh About the Cocktail Rules They Live By — and the Drink They Think Will Define This Summer

The duo behind some of Melbourne’s most iconic bars have just released 'The Madrusan Cocktail Companion' — a 2800-recipe behemoth that’s rewriting the rules of modern mixology.

This Just In: Two Australian Bars Have Been Ranked in The World's 50 Best Bars List, With One Popular, Petite-Sized Spot Taking Out The Best Bar in Australasia

The list, as voted for by more than 800 experts across the world, represents an international guide to the best bars and drinking destinations globally.