Melbourne is vibrant city full of food, European architectures, artistic yet absurd graffitis. It is a city that is lively and enrich with cultures around the world. It is definitely a city you should visit and maybe live here for a month or two if possible. Like many cities, there are markets on the weekends and events during the year. However, Melbourne CBD has so many interesting laneways fill with amazing food. It is truly an endless food hunt adventure.
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If you decided to have a short holiday to Melbourne, and we all know how short holidays can be tiring… Below are the places you may visit on a Saturday and enjoy the Melbourne atmosphere. No need to rush, however there is some walking involved.
Wake up to some delicious breakfast at Krimper Cafe. One amazing thing about them is that the cafe colour scheme is very mellow. The decors are quite rustic. It has a really homey feel. Price of the food is in the expensive range for the amount of food they serve; however they are yummy.
Maybe it is good that Krimper Cafe’s meal portions are not huge because Short Stop serves some amazing donuts. They are finger lickin’ good! I enjoyed every mouth full. It is like the dough is dancing in your mouth! Spending your morning tea with Short Stop donuts, you will fall in love with it like I did.
After your breakfast and morning tea… You may be quite full. Take a stroll up to Carlton. The main food street would be Lygon Street, where you can find yourself in a mini Italy town. Full of Italian food and European housing.
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If you appreciate and love simple designs, Wren Store is the shop to go to. They sell everything a woman needs from homewares to artwork, fashion to toiletry. It is a store that is targeting at females, however gents; you now know where to buy some luxury gifts for your other half or a female friend.
Stop by Gewurzhaus Herb and Spice and emerge yourself in that incredible aroma of world spices after the luxurious wonderland at Wren store.. They sell more than just spices and herbs; they also sell tea, kitchenware and have gift boxes available. The store itself is very calming and welcome. So buy some ingredients for a Sunday cook up while Gewurzhaus’s friendly staff are at their best assistance.
Enjoy Lygon laneways and streets which are full of graffiti. plants and a feel of Europe before lunch time hits. A few streets down from Gewurzhaus Herb and Spices, you will find yourself at Brunetti Caffe, an Italian cafe full of incredible pizzas & pastas and many mouth watering desserts.
The cafe itself is quite big. You may order from the display cabinets or from the menu. Plenty of choices to choose from. They have about four to five dessert cabinets, one pizza cabinet and one quick bites (eg. sandwich) cabinet. In the middle, they have a barista/bar area where you may order your drink. The decor of the restaurant is really cute; it is retro yet modern.
More walks around Carlton after lunch to work off all that carbs. Grab a coffee on Pelham Street at Assembly. It is a coffee and tea store that sells hot beverages, coffee/tea equipments and some homeware (eg. cups/mugs).
The cafe itself is quite small, but they have seatings outside. It is definitely a must try coffee. They have friendly baristas and Scandinavian style decor. I love this shop! Love everything about it. Minimalistic and clean store that serves amazing beverages.
Walk to Melbourne Museum while enjoying your Assembly coffee. The museum has many sections. Wild – animal section, Forest Secrets – rainforest plants/animals, Dynamic Earth – rocks and gems, Marine life – deep sea animals, The human Body and more! Most importantly, they are all FREE! How amazing.
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Time for dinner? Walk back to Melbourne CBD and have some authentic Japanese Ramen at Hakata Gensuke on Russell Street! Warning! The restaurant is VERY, VERY busy. I suggest you to get there before they open for dinner at 5pm. Other wise you will definitely be waiting in line if you get there after 5pm. My friends and I got there at 5:05pm and we had to wait for 5 minutes already! Trust me though, it is worth the wait!
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If you LOVE and enjoy spicy food, I suggest you to get God Fire, level 2. It is quite spicy, and I am an Asian who loves spicy food… So I am being serious when I say it is spicy. However, it’s nice spicy; not over powering or numbing feel spice. The flavour of the soup lingers on your tongue. The texture of the noodle is just right; not overly chewy and not soggy or smushed. Add some crunchiness to your meal with bamboo shoots for just $2.
Embrace the Asian fusion at Chinatown after your delicious meal at Hakata Gensuke. Walk down to any laneways and discover interesting graffitis and random signages with weird quotes. The Workshop Bar will be welcome you with upbeat music when you decide to sit down and have a drink or two.
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The Workshop Bar is located upstairs at a $10 bookshop. They have plants outside at the smoking area. The staff are friendly and love to dance. Yummy and cheap apple cider on tab. A nice bar where you can just chill, do nothing and enjoy your drink and your friends company while watching the bartenders entertain themselves. A nice end to the day I truly believe.
Drink up, eat lots, walk everywhere and let the Melbourne vibe sinks in you!
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