armadale

Bansho

Restaurant

This bistro gives fusion a good reputation, expertly blending French and Japanese techniques. Settle in at the marble green sushi counter, where chefs deftly make maki, nigiri and sashimi to order.

Neighbourhood Pizza

Restaurant

Look for the fairy lights and locals eating puffy Neapolitan pizzas on the parklet out front. Find a spot there or head inside for pies with a twist (a Pepperoni number with honey), on-point pastas and mostly Italian wines.

Zia Rina’s Cucina

Restaurant

A farm on the Mornington Peninsula informs the degustation at Zia Rina’s, a rustic, candle-lit trattoria that celebrates the seasons with each lovingly prepared course. To drink, it’s southern Italian wines with a big focus on Sicilian winemakers.

Amaru

Restaurant

Take one of 34 seats and put yourself in the hands of Clinton McIver and his degustation-only menu.

Neds Armadale

Cafe

An outstanding bakery-restaurant delivering house-made European breads and brunches. Take your pick from the counter lined with sweet and savoury pastries, Danish-style sandwiches and more.

Nine Yards Armadale

Cafe

The neighbourhood cafe so nice that its owners made it twice. Locals return for brunch classics like avocado toast, as well as surprises like the Aussie French toast and a loaded sushi bowl.

Ruben’s Deli

Cafe

This inviting old-school deli is inspired by those found across New York. You’ll find a bagel bar, wine and bottled cocktails to take home, ready-made roasts, dips and salads. And of course, a killer Reuben sandwich.

Hank’s Bagelry

Cafe

Borrowing its name from a favourite Breaking Bad character, this spot serves up fresh bagels inspired by New York City. Load yours with classic fillings like cream cheese and house-made jam, or mix it up with beetroot-and-gin-cured salmon or harissa-roasted pumpkin.

Lune Croissanterie Armadale

Cafe

Lune's third Melbourne outpost bears all the spaceship-like interiors of the flagship Fitzroy store. Come for the world-famous croissants, cruffins, Coffee Supreme espresso and filter.

Moby

Cafe

The owner of this sleek cafe trained directly under Yotam Ottolenghi, and the influence shows. There's a playful feel to many of the dishes (we love the prawn and leek omelette) and the servings are hearty. Plus, at lunchtime there's a killer range of wraps and sandwiches.

The Orrong Hotel

Bar

Shuttered for years, this classic pub was carefully restored to its former glory by a crack team of publicans. Find hibachi-grilled skewers, classic prawn cocktails, a coolroom turned pool room and a knock-off-ready courtyard.

Albert’s

Bar

A homey neighbourhood wine bar set in a Victorian-era building. Find filled-to-the-brim bagels and Reubens by day, and fancy bar snacks and wines that punch above their weight by night.

Toorak Cellars

Bar

Part wine bar and part bottle shop, with plenty of expertise.

Auterra

Bar

This warmly lit bolthole, by Amaru's Clinton McIver, is all about fun fine-diner snacks – sans the degustation price tag and cutlery So, raise a spanner-crab doughnut in one hand, and a glass of champagne in the other.

By The Glass

Bar

You can sample just about every bottle at this moody wine venue, which uses a Coravin to preserve opened bottles. Sit around the horseshoe bar and try drops from Italy, Hungary, Greece, South Africa and beyond. Plus, snacky plates like oysters, roasted celeriac and kingfish aguachile.

Harvie

Bar

Secure a spot at this chic, art deco rooftop bar and soak up golden hour with your hands around an overflowing lobster-and-prawn roll. To reach the space, you need to scale a striking staircase inside an historic former dairy.

Armadale Cellars

Shop

Wine to suit all tastes and budgets.

Camilla and Marc

Shop

A sophisticated Sydney label known for cocktail dresses and impeccable tailoring.

Scanlan Theodore

Shop

Simple elegance combined with Australian and European influences and quality – a never fail option.

Victor Churchill

Shop

Anthony Bourdain called the original in Sydney “the most beautiful butcher shop in the world”. Its Melbourne outpost has all the same opulence: dark-green marble floors, a wall of solid pink Himalayan salt blocks and vintage 1930s slicers.

Habbot

Shop

Quality shoes that come in just about every shade imaginable.

Mister Zimi

Shop

Bringing the spirit of a Balinese sojourn to Melbourne.