Food & Culture – GeekEvangelist

Melbourne is a hub of activity and showcases some of the worlds best restaurants, bars, entertainment precincts from around the globe. But when you are new to Melbourne, or just visiting for a short-time, where do you start!

Below is a list of recommended foodie locations to check out,, shopping malls and laneways, rooftop bars and recommended sightseeing around Melbourne which I have personally experienced, and can highly recommend on your next trip.

COFFEE and CAFE’S

L eague of Honest Coffee – This is one of my favourite cafes in Melbourne! The big bowls of coffee are great and I love their PADRE roasted beans. Be sure to try their black coffee, or a nice latte. Their toasted ‘Avo on Toast’ is also one of the best I’ve had to date. Be sure to get here early though, because it gets super busy at lunch!
8 Exploration Lane, CBD, Melbourne, VIC
https://leagueofhonestcoffee.com.au/

P atricia Coffee Brewe rs – Rated as one of the best coffee shops in Melbourne. This is definitely a must try when visiting Melbourne. Patricia offers various styles of coffee to suit your taste, including the basic latte, long black and espresso, which keeps it nice and simple.
493-495 Little Bourke Street, CBD, Melbourne, VIC
http://www.patriciacoffee.com.au/

Market Lane Coffee – They offer a great quality of coffee. Unlike many other coffee shops in Melbourne, you can directly see the roasting process of the coffee, as the beans are roasted directly in the café, and you can directly smell the coffee when entering the shop.
8 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
https://marketlane.com.au/

St Ali Coffee – St Ali’s has made a name for itself in Melbourne for its high quality beans but after visiting their café in South Melbourne. The café is located in a warehouses that is down a laneway, and has that stereotypical grungy Melbourne character to it. St Ali serves some amazing coffee, and foot to match.
12-18 Yarra Place, South Melbourne, VIC
https://stali.com.au/

Things to Do

Holey Moley Mini Golf and Bar – Yes that’s right, Mini Golf course and bar that turns your traditional putt putt into a multi-sensory labyrinth of unique holes that’ll keep you on your toes across the craziest round of golf you’ve ever played. A great night out with friends and your older children, for serving Pizza’s, Drinks, Karaoke & 9-27 Hole Mini Golf.
590 Little Bourke Street, CBD, VIC
https://www.holeymoley.com.au/

National Gallery of Victoria – The National Gallery of Victoria is a one stop shop for local and international art in Victoria. Located on the periferie of Melbournes CBD, the NGV is most accessible when travels via public transport. The NGV is a free entry – with some paid exhibits inside, which range from local, and international artists, for ~3-4 months.
180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC
https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – A tour of the MCG & The National Sports Museum in Melbourne is highly recommended, even if you’re not a cricket or AFL fan. This is such an iconic site, and an institution for Australian Sport. The tour takes you through the various areas of the MCG, including places that you normally would not be able to access as a spectator. The tour guides are very informative and tell lots of great stories and give very interesting statistics. Lots of fun for Kids and Adults.
Yarra Park, Jolimont, Melbourne, VIC
https://www.mcg.org.au/

Queen Victoria Market – Queen Victoria Market is an authentic, bustling, inner-city market that has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for over 140 years. Home to over 600 small businesses, it’s a great place to discover fresh and specialty produce, hand-made and unique products, great coffee and food, souvenirs and clothing. Queen Victoria Market is also home to the Night Market on Wednesday nights, showcasing global street food, live music and entertainment, festival bars, specialty shopping and a great Melbourne night out.
Victoria Street | Corner of Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC
https://qvm.com.au/

Melbourne Street Art Tour – Melbourne is world famous for its street art. Melbourne Street Tours is the 1st and only tour company in Australia run by artists. The tour provides an overview of the Melbourne underground street art scene, each tour is led by one of Melbourne’s elite street art. With local knowledge on just about everything, you will be shown the most memorable and amazing street art, backed up by personal knowledge and experience.
ACMI – Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC
https://melbournestreettours.com/

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria – Visit Melbourne’s inner-city oasis. Over 10,000 plant species from around the world are presented in a kaleidoscope of colour and texture. Sweeping lawns, tranquil lakes and majestic trees are home to an amazing range of wildlife.
Birdwood Ave, South Yarra VIC
https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/

Heading on down Clarendon Street en-route to a work function and came across Kebabs on Clarendon. Perfect opportunity to experience the rage that is Halal Snack Pack.

Sign: 3/10 – Impressive signage overall for the shop, but only a small sign in the window positioned for people walking by, promoting the HSP. Not sure you would see this from the road driving by, however extra point for lamination and presentation.

Greeting: 10/10 – very friendly team on board tonight, and welcomed with the usual “Hello Bud, What can I do for you? Would you like the Small or Large, and What kind of Meats? Would you like the Three Sauces? Any Drinks Today?”. I ordered the Large Combination HSP with the Holy Trinity & Can of Coke.

Chips: 9/10 – Chips were crisp and well salted to taste. All chips were hot, golden and crunchy, blending in well with the combination Cheese, Meats and Sauces.

Meat: 7/10 – Opted for a large combination Chicken and Lamb. Both Chicken and Lamb were tender, although there was probably more Lamb than Chicken. Meat had been pre cut, awaiting the grilling for extra crispness which was welcomed, however could have done with some larger shavings. Zero oil residue in the bottom of the pack.

Cheese: 7/10 – Topped with an adequate serving of Cheese to Meat/Chip/Sauce ratio, combining together the many great flavors.

Sauce: 7/10 – Ordered the Holy Trinity (Garlic, BBQ & Chilli). Chilli had a sweet kick to it, combining the BBQ & Garlic Sauces to ensure the correct balance.

Packaging: 10/10 – Standard Styro served on a Plastic Red Tray (Dine In), with Metal Knife and Fork. Adequate Serviettes provided.

Price: 8/10 (today) – $15 for a Large Halal Snack Pack, Can included for $18. Usually $18.50.

Overall 8/10 – For the experience. First HSP I’ve ever had, but certainly left a great first impression and solid serving for a main meal. I’ve spent more on Burgers and Kebabs before, leaving disappointed, so the HSP was great value and experience IMHO. Judging on the photos I have seen from other nearby venues, please pay Kebabs on Clarendon a visit, and take the time to enjoy the meal In-House…

What to do in Melbourne this Weekend?

Kebabs on Clarendon