Australia’s Coffee Capital, Foodie Paradise, and the Perfect One-Week Escape
When most people think of Australia, Sydney usually comes to mind first. Between the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, it’s hard to compete with one of the world’s most recognizable skylines. But after spending a week in Melbourne, I found myself enjoying it even more.
Melbourne isn’t a city built around one iconic landmark. Instead, it’s a city defined by experiences. It’s the smell of fresh espresso drifting through the laneways every morning, hidden cocktail bars tucked behind unmarked doors, world-class restaurants serving food from every corner of the globe, and neighborhoods that each have their own personality.
It’s also one of those rare cities where some of the best memories aren’t planned. They’re found while wandering down an alleyway that wasn’t on your itinerary or stopping into a café simply because it looked interesting.
If you’re making the long trip from the United States, I’d highly recommend spending at least a week here. That gives you enough time to experience the city itself while also escaping into the surrounding countryside for a day or two.
Whether you’re a coffee lover, foodie, wine enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys exploring great cities, Melbourne deserves a spot near the top of your travel list.
Getting There
Flying to Melbourne
Getting to Melbourne from the United States isn’t exactly a quick trip. Depending on where you’re flying from, expect somewhere between 18 and 25 hours of travel with at least one connection.
Because of the length of the journey, comfort becomes just as important as packing clothes.
For long-haul flights I never leave home without:
- Noise-canceling headphones
- A backup pair of wired headphones
- Neck pillow
- Sleep mask
- Portable charger
- Refillable water bottle
- Compression socks
If you can manage to sleep for even a few hours on the flight, adjusting to Australia’s time zone becomes much easier.
Melbourne is served by Melbourne Airport (MEL), about 30–40 minutes northwest of downtown depending on traffic.
Getting Into the City
Unlike many international cities, Melbourne doesn’t have a train directly from the airport into downtown. Instead, most visitors have four options:
- Uber
- Taxi
- SkyBus
- Rental Car
For our trip, Uber was the easiest choice. Pick-up was straightforward, prices were reasonable, and we were at our hotel in under forty minutes.
If you’re spending your entire vacation in Melbourne itself, I wouldn’t recommend renting a car. Between the city’s walkability, free trams, trains, and inexpensive rideshares, you’ll probably spend more time looking for parking than actually driving.
However, if you’re planning on exploring outside the city especially places like the Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley a rental car can certainly make sense.
Just remember one important difference… Australians drive on the left side of the road.
It sounds intimidating at first, but honestly it becomes second nature after a day or two. Roundabouts are where you’ll notice it the most, so just take your time and don’t let impatient locals rush you.
Know Before You Go
Currency
Australia uses the Australian Dollar (AUD).
One thing we noticed almost immediately was just how cashless the country has become. We rarely carried cash during the week and paid for nearly everything with a credit card or Apple Pay.
If your credit card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, this is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel through.
Transportation
Melbourne has one of the best public transportation systems we’ve used.
The city’s iconic green trams run constantly throughout downtown, and many visitors don’t realize one of the best perks:
Most of downtown Melbourne is inside the Free Tram Zone.
That means you can hop on and off trams throughout the Central Business District without paying a cent.
If you’re venturing outside the free zone, you’ll need a Myki card, which works on trains, buses, and trams throughout Victoria.
Between walking, trams, and Uber, we rarely felt like we were missing a car.
Weather
One thing you’ll hear repeatedly is:
“Melbourne has four seasons in one day.”
And honestly… It’s true. Even during summer, mornings can be cool before quickly warming into the afternoon. I’d recommend packing layers regardless of when you visit.
Summer (December – February)
Warm days averaging 70–80°F (21–27°C), long daylight hours, and perfect weather for rooftop bars, wine tours, and walking the city.
Autumn (March – May)
One of the most beautiful times to visit. Cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, and excellent wine country weather.
Winter (June – August)
Cool but rarely freezing. Expect temperatures around 45–60°F (7–16°C). Still plenty of sunshine, and arguably the best time to enjoy Melbourne’s café culture.
Spring (September – November)
Flowers bloom throughout the parks, temperatures become comfortable again, and the city begins filling with outdoor events.
Regardless of when you visit, bring a light rain jacket. You’ll probably use it.
Coffee Culture
If there’s one thing Melbourne takes more seriously than almost anything else… It’s coffee. Coming from the United States, you’ll quickly notice that ordering coffee here feels different. There isn’t much emphasis on sugary syrups or oversized drinks. Instead, the espresso itself is the star.
Some drinks you’ll commonly see include:
- Flat White
- Piccolo
- Long Black
- Magic (or Melbourne Magic)
The Melbourne Magic quickly became one of my favorites. It’s essentially a double shot of espresso topped with steamed milk, creating a naturally sweeter, richer coffee without needing flavored syrups. During our week here, Sam and I probably averaged three or four coffees every day. I’m not exaggerating when I say we never had a bad cup. Every neighborhood seemed to have another incredible café, and discovering new coffee shops became one of our favorite parts of exploring Melbourne. If you’re someone who normally reaches for a caramel macchiato or vanilla latte, I’d encourage you to try ordering a flat white or a Melbourne Magic instead. You might just discover your new favorite coffee.
A Few Things We Learned
- Australians are incredibly friendly and always willing to help if you’re lost.
- Tipping isn’t expected like it is in the United States.
- Tap water is perfectly safe to drink and tastes great.
- Restaurants can get busy quickly (especially on weekends) so make reservations whenever possible.
- Melbourne is an incredibly walkable city. Bring comfortable shoes because you’ll easily walk 15,000–20,000 steps each day without realizing it.
- Don’t overplan your itinerary. Some of our favorite memories came from wandering into cafés, bookstores, and restaurants we hadn’t planned on visiting.
Sightseeing Highlights
One of the things I loved most about Melbourne is that sightseeing doesn’t feel like checking attractions off a list. Instead, the city encourages you to wander. Some of our favorite experiences happened simply because we turned down a street that looked interesting. The following were some of our favorite places and experiences from our week in Melbourne.
Wander Melbourne’s Famous Laneways
If there’s one thing Melbourne is known for, it’s the laneways. What were once service alleys have transformed into some of the city’s most vibrant destinations, filled with cafés, cocktail bars, boutique shops, and constantly changing street art.
Some of our favorite laneways included:
- Hosier Lane
- AC/DC Lane
- Duckboard Place
- Croft Alley
- Centre Place
- Hardware Lane
- Tattersalls Lane
- Rankins Lane
Every alley has its own personality. One might feature massive murals stretching several stories high, while the next is lined with tiny cafés serving some of the best espresso you’ve ever had. One thing to keep an eye out for is the artwork of Australian artist John Murray. His colorful emus can be spotted throughout Melbourne, and once you notice one, you’ll start seeing them everywhere. Even if street art isn’t normally your thing, it’s worth spending an afternoon simply wandering. New artwork appears all the time, meaning every visit is a little different.
Historic Arcades
Melbourne is also home to some beautiful Victorian-era shopping arcades that are worth visiting even if you don’t plan on buying anything.
Our favorites were:
- Block Arcade
- Royal Arcade
The architecture alone makes these worth visiting. Inside you’ll find specialty chocolate shops, boutiques, cafés, bookstores, and beautiful mosaic tile floors that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. If you’re looking for a coffee break between sightseeing, this is a great place to stop.
Queen Victoria Market
No visit to Melbourne is complete without spending a morning at Queen Victoria Market. Part farmers market, part food hall, and part shopping destination, it’s one of the best places to experience local life.
You’ll find:
- Fresh produce
- Local cheeses
- Fresh seafood
- Artisan breads
- Souvenirs
- Australian spices
- Kangaroo products
- Local wines
Even if you don’t plan on buying much, the atmosphere alone makes it worth the visit. It’s also one of the best places to pick up gifts to bring home. If you’re interested in trying kangaroo but don’t necessarily want to order an entire meal in a restaurant, you’ll often find kangaroo sausages, jerky, or salami here.
Walk Melbourne Food Tour
One of our favorite experiences during the trip wasn’t a restaurant it was a food tour. If you’re short on time or simply want a great introduction to Melbourne’s incredible food scene, I highly recommend booking a Walk Melbourne Food Tour. Rather than trying to research dozens of restaurants yourself, the tour takes you through Melbourne’s famous laneways while stopping at several local restaurants, cafés, and hidden gems. We were able to sample everything from excellent coffee to local specialties while learning about Melbourne’s history and architecture along the way. One of the best parts was getting to share the experience with other travelers from around the world. By the end of the afternoon, we had a list of restaurants we wanted to return to later in the week. If you’re only spending a few days in Melbourne, this is one of the best ways to experience several outstanding restaurants in one afternoon.
Yarra Valley Wine Tour
If you’re looking to escape the city for a day, I can’t recommend Yarra Valley enough. Located about an hour outside Melbourne, it’s one of Australia’s premier wine regions and makes for an easy day trip. Rather than renting a car or worrying about who would be the designated driver, we booked our excursion through Hop It, and it ended up being one of the best decisions we made during the trip. Hop It operates a small shuttle that picks guests up in Melbourne before taking everyone into the Yarra Valley. Before your tour, you can either choose the wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries you’d like to visit, or, if you’re unfamiliar with the region, Hop It will create an itinerary for a small planning fee. Throughout the day, the shuttle loops between participating wineries, allowing everyone to explore at their own pace before moving on to the next stop. At the end of the day, you’re dropped right back in Melbourne without ever having to worry about driving. For us, this was the perfect way to experience wine country.
Our Favorite Stops
Soumah
Soumah was our favorite winery of the entire day. The wines were outstanding, the property was beautiful, and the atmosphere felt relaxed without being pretentious. If you only have time for one winery in the Yarra Valley, this would be my recommendation.
Giant Steps
Located in the town of Healesville, Giant Steps is a little different from many of the traditional wineries in the valley. Instead of sprawling vineyards, Giant Steps operates more as a tasting room right in town. The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and we ended up having one of our favorite tastings of the day. We also learned an interesting local fact while visiting. Healesville gets its name because it’s located in the “heel” of the Yarra Valley. Whether that’s local folklore or historical fact, it certainly made the name easier to remember.
Coombe Estate
Coombe Estate was another standout stop during our tour. The estate itself is beautiful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the tasting. If you’re visiting in the morning, I highly recommend ordering the biscuits with house-made jam alongside your first glass of wine. It sounds simple, but sitting outside with fresh biscuits, homemade jam, and a glass of wine turned out to be one of our favorite moments of the entire day. Sometimes it’s the small experiences that end up becoming the most memorable.
Yarra Yering
Yarra Yering is one of the valley’s iconic wineries and absolutely worth a stop if you’re looking for exceptional wines. The tasting experience felt more intimate than some of the larger wineries, allowing the wines themselves to really take center stage.
Four Pillars Gin Distillery
Not everyone enjoys wine, and Four Pillars is the perfect alternative. Their gin tastings were excellent and provided a nice break from wine throughout the afternoon. Even if you’re primarily there for wine, I’d still recommend making time for Four Pillars. It was one of the most enjoyable stops of the day and offered something a little different.
One Stop We’d Skip
One winery you’ll frequently see recommended is Domaine Chandon. There’s no denying that it’s beautiful. The views overlooking the vineyards are fantastic, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a kangaroo grazing nearby while sipping on a glass of sparkling wine. However, compared to the smaller cellar doors we visited throughout the day, Domaine Chandon felt much more commercial. If your goal is simply to enjoy the scenery and have a glass of sparkling wine, it’s certainly worth considering. But if you’re visiting the Yarra Valley specifically to experience outstanding wines and smaller wineries with more personal tastings, I’d spend that time at places like Soumah, Giant Steps, Yarra Yering, or Coombe Estate instead.
Even if wine isn’t your favorite drink, the Yarra Valley is still worth visiting. Many wineries also serve excellent food, local cheeses, cider, craft beer, and spirits, all while surrounded by beautiful rolling vineyards. It provides a completely different perspective of Victoria and makes for a perfect break from the city. If you have one week in Melbourne, I’d absolutely dedicate one day to exploring the Yarra Valley.
Restaurants
If there is one thing Melbourne does exceptionally well, it’s food. While Australia certainly has a few iconic dishes of its own, Melbourne isn’t really a city that’s known for one signature meal. Instead, it’s known for having incredible versions of almost every cuisine imaginable. That’s because Melbourne is truly a melting pot of cultures. Over generations, immigrants from Italy, Greece, China, Vietnam, India, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, and countless other countries have made Melbourne home, bringing their family recipes and traditions with them. The result is one of the most diverse food scenes you’ll find anywhere in the world.
One afternoon you might find yourself eating handmade mackerel dumplings in Chinatown. Lunch the next day could be one of the best Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches you’ve ever had, followed by handmade pasta that rivals restaurants in Italy for dinner.
That’s what makes eating in Melbourne so much fun. You don’t come here looking for “Australian food.” You come here looking for incredible food. The only cuisine we consistently struggled to find was Mexican food. So don’t come to Australia expecting incredible tacos or enchiladas. Instead, embrace what Melbourne does best and let your taste buds travel around the world without ever leaving the city.
Some of Our Favorites
Heart Baker
Hidden away in Scott’s Alley (with another location on Spring Street), Heart Baker served one of the best Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches we had during the trip. It’s the perfect quick lunch while exploring downtown and absolutely worth seeking out.
Shandong Mama Mini
This little restaurant quickly became one of our favorite meals in Melbourne. Their handmade mackerel dumplings were unlike anything we’d ever tried before, and they were every bit as good as everyone says. Just don’t knock it before you try it. Yes mackerel dumplings sounds weird.
We also loved the calamari and shrimp dumplings, making this one of those places we’d return to immediately on another trip.
Tipo 00
Without question, one of the best Italian restaurants we visited. The handmade pasta was outstanding and easily one of the best meals of the week. Reservations are highly recommended. Seriously, tables disappear quickly, and after eating here it’s easy to understand why. If you still find yourself in the area without a reservation after reading this drop by right when they open at night to see if you can get a bar seat. But, that is your only chance.
Other Restaurant Recommendations
While the restaurants above were our personal favorites, Melbourne has no shortage of incredible places to eat. Some of these we tried and some of the others we got as recommendations from a couple local friends.
Asian
- Hochi Mama
- Shanghai Street
- Kiss & Tell
- Lee Ho Fook
- Rice Paper Scissors
- Lucy Liu
- Hutong Dumpling
- White Tomato (Korean BBQ)
- Mensho Tokyo (Ramen)
Italian
- Da Guido
- Trattoria Emilia
- Grossi Cellar Bar
- Marameo
- Becco
Indian
- Tonka
- Daughter-in-Law
French
- Reine
- French Saloon
- Bistrot d’Orsay
Steak
- Rare Steakhouse
- Rockpool Bar & Grill
- San Telmo
Seafood
- The Atlantic
- Ministry of Crab
Fine Dining
- Attica
- Aru
- Gimlet
- Maison Batard
- CODA
No matter what type of cuisine you’re craving, Melbourne probably has an exceptional version of it nearby.
Looking for Something Uniquely Australian?
If you’re hoping to try foods that are distinctly Australian, you’ll have to look a little harder. For Indigenous Australian cuisine, I would recommend Mabu Mabu (Big Esso) at Federation Square. Their menu highlights native Australian ingredients while celebrating Aboriginal culture in a way that’s difficult to find elsewhere.
If trying kangaroo is on your bucket list, Metro Burgers offers burgers made with kangaroo, emu, and even crocodile.
Another option is Queen Victoria Market, where you’ll occasionally find kangaroo sausages, jerky, or salami if you’d rather sample it that way.
While these experiences are certainly fun, they’re more of a novelty than an everyday meal for most Australians. Melbourne’s greatest culinary strength isn’t traditional Australian food. It’s its incredible multicultural food scene.
Nightlife
Melbourne comes alive after dark. Whether you’re looking for rooftop cocktails overlooking the skyline, hidden speakeasies tucked behind unmarked doors, live jazz, or wine bars that stay open late, there’s something for everyone.
Some of our favorite spots included:
Hidden Cocktail Bars
- Eau de Vie
- Fall From Grace
- Beneath Driver Lane
- Caretaker’s Cottage
Rooftop Bars
- QT Rooftop
- Good Heavens
- Johnny’s Green Room
- Fleet Rooftop
- Rooftop at QT
These are especially enjoyable around sunset when the skyline begins to light up.
Where to Stay
For first-time visitors, I would highly recommend staying in or around Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD). Doing so puts you within walking distance of many of the city’s biggest attractions including:
- Federation Square
- Flinders Street Station
- Queen Victoria Market
- Hosier Lane
- The Yarra River
- Countless restaurants and coffee shops
If you’re looking for a neighborhood with a little more character, Fitzroy and Carlton are excellent options with fantastic cafés and nightlife. Southbank offers modern hotels with beautiful river views, while Richmond provides easy access to sporting events and local restaurants. Whether you choose an international hotel brand or an Airbnb, you’ll have plenty of great options.
Suggested One Week Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrive in Melbourne
- Walk along Southbank
- Grab your first flat white
- Early dinner and adjust to the time change
Day 2
- Hosier Lane
- Federation Square
- Block Arcade
- Royal Arcade
- Explore the laneways
- Rooftop cocktails
Day 3
- Walk Melbourne Food Tour
- Queen Victoria Market
- More coffee stops
- Chinatown for dinner
Day 4
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour (pick max three or you will be spinning on your way back to the hotel)
- Soumah
- Giant Steps
- Coombe Estate
- Yarra Yering
- Four Pillars Gin
Day 5
- Explore Fitzroy
- Shopping
- Café hopping
- Hidden cocktail bars
Day 6
- Visit neighborhoods you haven’t explored yet
- Fine dining dinner
- Rooftop drinks
Day 7
Enjoy one last Melbourne coffee before heading to the airport.
You’ll probably already be planning your next visit.
Final Thoughts
Before visiting Australia, I expected Sydney to be my favorite city and a must when visiting. Melbourne was not on my radar. Instead, Melbourne completely surprised me. It isn’t a city built around checking famous landmarks off a list. It’s a city that’s best experienced slowly. Spend another hour in a café. Turn down that side street you weren’t planning to explore. Order something on the menu you’ve never heard of. Talk with the barista. Sit at a rooftop bar as the sun sets over the skyline. Take a day to explore the Yarra Valley. Those are the moments you’ll remember long after you get home. After a week in Melbourne, I finally understood why it’s consistently ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities.
Between its incredible coffee culture, world-class restaurants, welcoming people, hidden laneways, and beautiful wine country just outside the city, Melbourne quickly became one of our favorite destinations anywhere in the world.
If you’re planning a trip to Australia, don’t just add Melbourne to your itinerary. Give it the time it deserves.
I don’t think you’ll regret it.
