14 Sep Melbourne – food and culture capital of Australia

Melbourne is renowned as the food and culture capital of Australia, and it well deserves its coveted crown.

I recently got to check out the latest accommodation, restaurant, entertainment and relaxation options, and it didn’t disappoint. It really is the perfect choice for a romantic interlude or BFF get-together.

Stay at the ultra-cool StandardX – Fitzroy’s newish boutique hotel

Newish kid on the block – The StandardX – has catapulted itself into the eclectic Fitzroy neighbourhood. I couldn’t wait to try it. Part of the Hyatt Group, this trendy young addition is utterly hip.

With its distinctive, red, shiny façade it’s hard to miss.

The 125 rooms range from a Standard King to the Suite Spot and have a pared back, comfy vibe. I recommend booking the  Premium King with Balcony  which provides an outlook over the tin roofs and graffiti that are quintessentially Melbourne.

Dining options include a ground floor bistro and rooftop bar serving small bites. There is also a well-stocked bodega with everything from takeaway drinks and snacks to those essential personal items you forgot to pack!

Experience Australia’s food capital

I’d read a lot about Carnation Canteen helmed  by Head Chef and Owner Audrey Shaw, a finalist in the Gourmet Traveller’s 2025 Best New Talent Award. The setting is a light-filled, Euro-style bistro with a charming courtyard in a leafy Fitzroy locale.

The food is Italian-leaning, fresh and simply delicious. We kicked off with bite-sized bruschette and baked cheese and olives. We then devoured some delicious char-grilled snapper lightly seasoned with butter and lemon. The accompanying smashed butter beans with wilted greens were a perfect match. All washed down with a glass of Chardonnay.

Dinner was at the intimate and cosy Suze.  Raw fish, Tasmanian wasabi, and desert lime opened up the palate. Followed by  Aylesbury dry aged duck, inca berry and erbette it was a delicious feast. Paired with a soft Pinot Noir, it provided just the right amount of sustenance for the walk back to the StandardX rooftop. A warming glass of red under the stars in front of the open fire was the perfect end to the evening.

Discover a unique gem at an artists’ market

the next day we headed around the corner to the Rose St Markets. Featuring hand-made original works by local artisans including ceramics, lighting, illustrations and watercolours, it is a great way to pick up a truly unique piece of Melbourne. Definitely the best souvenir you can buy!

Across the road are the Fitzroy Markets and Fitzroy Mills Markets where you can grab food, drinks, vintage and handcrafts, usually to the soundtrack of a live musician. It all adds to the Melbourne vibe.

Immerse yourself in the culture capital

Fever Candlelight Concerts are held in over 400 cities around the world, so I was keen to find out what Melbourne had to offer. For the uninitiated these concerts vary from Amy Winehouse to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, delivered by musical ensembles in unique venues surrounded by candles. The ambience is surreal and the music is spectacular.

I chose a Tribute to Queen and ABBA at the Athenaeum Theatre and added a Sidedoor by AmazingCo curated tasting experience. This includes a mystery restaurant and bar and accompanying online trivia to keep the conversation going.

The day before the event, I received an email with the details of our restaurant – Asian fusion  CBD favourite, Seamstress.  Housed in an historic 4-level building that has variously operated as a textile factory, 1930s sweatshop, brothel and Buddhist monastery, it was a great start to the night. We aced the ABBA and Queen trivia too!

The concert, performed by String Quartet- Eclective Strings was truly amazing and combined with the candlelit ambience, the event was a surreal sensory experience.

Relax at the Sense of Self bathhouse

Speaking of sensory, the following day I headed to the bathhouse and massage studio, Sense of Self in Collingwood, for an indulgent couple of hours luxuriating in a hot mineral pool, sauna and hammam. Other options include the cold plunge tub and massages, however, the joy of just lolling around in the heat, and smothering myself in heavenly scrubs was more than enough.

That night, I had the most amazing post-spa sleep. The perfect way to end an amazing getaway in the food and culture (and relaxation) capital of Australia.