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NewsMelbourne Is Getting its First All-Vegan Pizza Joint, Red Sparrow Pizza
Nine vegan pizzas, five types of vegan cheese.
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NewsTen Australian-Owned International Restaurants Worthy of a Holiday
For when you're overseas, but want to be close to home.
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Guide12 Killer Summer Recipes from Some of Australia's Best Chefs
Entrees, mains and cocktails from Porteno, Kitchen by Mike, Matt Stone, Big Poppa's and more.
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GuideConcrete Playground's Most-Read Food Stories in 2016
From Melbourne's own cheese toastie drive-through to a free dumpling festival and a 15-acre chocolate estate. Yes, estate.
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GuideThe Best New Year's Eve Events Happening Around Melbourne
Ring in the new year at Lorne, with Ashanti or celebrating your own death.
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GuideThe Best Pubs in Melbourne
These institutions have stood the test of time, serving pints and parmas to their devoted regulars for longer than anyone can remember.
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GuideMelbourne Bars and Restaurants That Are Undeniably, Unabashedly Romantic
Low lighting, jazz playlists, opulent cocktails — these top Melbourne date spots will help you to start planning the perfect Valentine's Day.
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GuideThe Best Wine Bars in Melbourne
Considered fitouts, elevated shared plates and a uniquely curated wine offering — these are our favourite wine bars across the city.
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GuideThe Best Bars in Melbourne
Whether you're on the hunt for an extensive wine collection, a luxe date-night spot or a place to have a little boogie, these are our picks for the best bars in Melbourne.
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NewsWhere to Find the Best Matcha in Melbourne
Laced with strawberry, topped with ube cream or spiked with yuzu — however you like it, here's where to get it.
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GuideSip, Snack and Savour: These Melbourne Bars Are Pairing Haku Vodka Martinis with Rice-Inspired Bites
This winter, discover elegant Haku Vodka martinis paired with inventive snacks that celebrate Japanese rice craftsmanship.
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GuideWhere to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne for 2025
Whether you're a coffee snob or an extra-weak latte lover, these top Melbourne coffee roasters and brewers will have what you need.
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GuideThe Best Bars in Melbourne with Beer Gardens and Boozy Courtyards for 2025
Save cosy pub corners for the depths of winter — it's time to drink a brew out in the open at these fab Melbourne beer gardens.
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GuideThe 15 Best Sports Bars and Pubs in Melbourne for 2025
These Melbourne bars and pubs play local and international sporting matches live and loud throughout the week — from AFL, NRL and cricket to soccer, tennis, boxing and basketball.
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GuideMelbourne's 20 Most Popular Bars of 2024
Sprawling breweries, neighbourhood pubs, CBD cocktail spots and cosy wine bars — they’ve all grabbed your attention so far this year.
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GuideMelbourne's 50 Most Popular Restaurants of 2016
Catch up on the year's most buzzed-about establishments.
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NewsThis New York Company Prints Edible Selfies On Cookies, Cupcakes and Coffee
Why just upload your selfies to Instagram when you can eat them?
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GuideYour Guide to Dining Out in Melbourne on Christmas Day
Swap the roast pork for a dozen dumplings this year.
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NewsThe Benefits of Being a Designated Driver Over the Holiday Season
Start your new year off the right way.
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NewsThis Non-Profit Lets You Book a Restaurant for Valentine's Day and Help End Hunger
A Table to End Hunger is bringing purpose to one of the most stressful days of the year.
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RestaurantLa Spaghettata Restaurant
238 Lygon Street, Carlton
Twirl your pasta at one of the first family-run trattorias in Carlton.
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RestaurantYakimono
80 Collins Street, Melbourne
This colourful Chris Lucas venture features a futuristic aesthetic and a menu filled with Japanese street food that's cooked over flames.
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RestaurantGood Times
214 Saint Georges Road, Fitzroy North
A charmingly low-key joint with drawing paper on the tables and wallet-friendly negronis, wine carafes and pasta dishes for just $9 a pop.
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PubMt View Hotel
70 Bridge Road, Richmond
Great views, good booze and food that will keep you satisfied on game day make this pub the sportsperson’s favourite.
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RestaurantGigi's Piazza, Red Hill Estate
1208 Mornington-Flinders Road, Main Ridge
The new laidback hang-out spot is suitable for everything from first dates to family days out.
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RestaurantCrittenden Wines & Restaurant
25 Harrisons Road, Dromana
Not only has this renovation given the restaurant a new lease on life, but importantly, it has been a part of a return to its roots.
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RestaurantPunt Road Wines
12 Saint Huberts Road, Coldstream
The new cellar door cements the estate as a must-visit destination in the Yarra Valley, as visitors can experience many of the region's highlights in one convenient location.
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BarLe Bar Supper Club
12 North Concourse, Beaumaris
Raise a crystal glass to French food, fancy drinks and burlesque shows in this Beaumaris bar.
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BarHotel Mexico
238 Whitehall Street, Yarraville
Hotel Mexico is Yarraville's huge group hang spot that's made for margarita-fuelled sessions.
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BarBendigo Hotel Collingwood
125 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Collingwood's legendary live music pub The Bendigo Hotel is back in action thanks to The Mill Brewery Crew.
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NewsFitzroy Vego Legends Vegie Bar Open New All-Vegan Dessert Bar Girls & Boys
Vegan soft serve, cakes and milkshakes.
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NewsMelbourne's 15-Year-Old Bistro Morgan Doughnut Whiz Opens Permanent Store
What have you done today?
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NewsMarket on Malvern Is Prahran's New Cafe for People with Allergies and Digestive Issues
Dairy, gluten, fructose, nut or animal product free? This is your happy place.
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The Summer Guide to Melbourne 2016/17
Slap on your invisible zinc and get out there, blue skies wait for no one.
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EventFrank Green Warehouse Clearance
Thu, 16 Apr - Sun, 19 Apr 2026
Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale
The water bottle is free if your name's monogrammed on it.
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EventDiana Desensi x Dan Lidgard at Bau Bau
Sat, 2 May, 2026
Bau Bau Dining, Mount Eliza
The pair will come together for one-night only to showcase premium ingredients and Italian cookery.
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EventMahjong Nights at Moondrop Bar
Sun, 12 Apr and Sun, 26 Apr 2026
Moondrop Bar, Fitzroy
Swap screens for tiles, as this twice-monthly mahjong night serves up high-stakes strategy, social fun and a Chinese-inspired cocktail menu.
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EventPidapipo x CHAE Korean Gelato Cups
Thu, 9 Apr - Thu, 30 Apr 2026
Various Melbourne locations, Melbourne
Blending tradition with technique, this trio of limited-edition gelato flavours combines signature Korean ferments with artisanal ice cream.
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EventBook Doof — A Reading Rave at Revolver
Sat, 30 May, 2026
Revolver Upstairs, Prahran
Transforming the dance floor into a cosy book-lovers' den, this community-driven reading event is raising funds for Indigenous literacy.
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EventButterboy Melbourne Central Pop-Up
Mon, 13 Apr - Sun, 19 Apr 2026
Melbourne Central, Melbourne
Sydney's cookie king is returning to Melbourne for round two — and this time it's giving locals an exclusive first bite of a soon-to-launch treat.
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EventVera Blue x Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Orchestral Veil
Sat, 11 Jul, 2026
Hamer Hall, Southbank
The groundbreaking Australian artist is once again reimagining her music with Victoria's top orchestra this July.
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Event'Body Worlds: The Anatomy of Happiness'
Sat, 28 Mar - Sun, 26 Jul 2026
The District Docklands, Docklands
If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on beneath the surface, this confronting exhibition uses real preserved human bodies to explore anatomy and emotion.
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EventMelbourne Design Week 2026
Thu, 14 May - Sun, 24 May 2026
Various Melbourne locations, Melbourne
With over 400 events to explore, the latest instalment of this design-lovers dream spans big ideas and hands-on experiences across architecture, food, fitness, tech and more.
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Event'The Vinyl Factory: Reverb' at Rising 2026
Fri, 22 May - Mon, 31 Aug 2026
ACMI, Melbourne
Indulge your wax obsession with this immersive vinyl-led exhibition, spanning multiple genres, continents and musical energies.
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NewsThe Ten Best Australian Craft Beers of 2016
Negroni IPAs, hibiscus sours and barrel-aged doppelbocks. Try 'em all.
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NewsAnnouncing Concrete Playground's Best of 2016 Melbourne Award Winners
The very best new Melbourne bars, restaurants, cafes, pubs, events and precincts of the year.
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NewsQueensland's Cult Favourite Burger Bar Betty's Burgers Has Opened in Melbourne
Expect five types of burgers and Shake Shack-style frozen custard desserts.
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NewsAustralia's Best Locally-Made Icy Poles to Cool Down with this Summer
Sunny Boys, move to the back. These local pops, blocks and poles do summer right.
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NewsGelato Messina's Christmas Cake Is a Delicious Festive Response to Sydney's Lockout Laws
Make a creamy cultural statement at Christmas lunch.
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GALLERY: The Grey Goose Boulangerie Bleue Waterside Mansion Party
We kicked off the start of summer with frozen vodka cocktails.
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NewsFormer Taxi and The European Chef Tim Martin Is Opening His Own Bar and Restaurant
Prepare your stomach for a dual-venue venture focusing on ageing meat and naturally fermented beverages.
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NewsYou Can Now Make Your Own Glow-in-the-Dark Beer
Drinking brews just got a whole light brighter.
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NewsSoft Serve Sensations Milkcow Open Their First Permanent Australian Store
Soft serve sundaes topped with everything from fairy floss clouds to a shot of espresso.
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NewsThe Yarra Valley Is Getting a New Wine and Food Festival
The two-day event is the first time that the region's big and small wineries have come together to showcase their tipples.
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GuideMelbourne's Best New Pubs of 2016
Honouring the best new arrivals on Melbourne's pub scene this year.
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GALLERY: Our Wild Soda Workshops with Cornersmith at the Stoneleigh Hotel
The night we mixed berries with water and learned about wine.
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GuideMelbourne's Best New Bars of 2016
Honouring the best new arrivals on Melbourne's bar scene this year.
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GuideMelbourne's Best New Restaurants of 2016
Honouring the best new arrivals on Melbourne's restaurant scene this year.
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Guide
Melbourne's Best New Cafes of 2016
Honouring the best new cafes on Melbourne's cafe scene this year.
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News
Announcing Concrete Playground's Best of 2016 Melbourne Nominees
Honouring the very best arrivals on Melbourne's scene this year — vote for your favourite now.
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NewsTen Group-Friendly Melbourne Venues with Enough Room to Celebrate
'Tis the season to get everyone together and celebrate.
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NewsAte One Ate Is Glenferrie Road's New 180-Seat All-Day Eatery
Serving everything from coffee and cake to carrot hot dogs and carbonara.
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NewsAustralia's CUB Boycott Has Ended, Brewery Employees to Return to Work
A well fought fight deserves a big cold beer, and the best cold beer is okay to drink again.
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Feature
Best of 2016 Melbourne
These 30 outstanding Melbourne ventures have been handpicked by Concrete Playground for their combination of originality, innovation, creativity, approachability and sustainability.
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NewsWestern Australia's Colonial Brewing Co. Opens Port Melbourne Brewery
They've officially launched on the east coast.
