The Meridian guide to Melbourne

Melbourne has flown under the international radar for a long time — but not anymore. The city has a coffee scene that borders on philosophical, a wildly diverse collection of restaurants, and a serious artistic streak. Here, you’ll find diehard Melbourne footy fans, muralists sketching their next project, and tech builders on their second idea of the morning all brushing shoulders as they order (another) espresso. Melbourne isn’t in your face about what makes it great — the best things here reward people who pay attention. 

For this guide, we asked Manoj Dias — founder of gentle—noise, meditation teacher, writer, and author — about what makes him love the city. From art-filled laneways to sprawling gardens, these are the spots Manoj says you’d be remiss to miss. 

Melbourne sits at the bottom of the world, far enough away that many people don’t make the journey to visit — they don’t know what they’re missing

This city isn’t loud and flashy. It seduces you slowly — through a coffee that will make you question what you’ve been drinking all these years, through a gem-filled laneway you almost walk past, through the warmth of people who have no interest in impressing you but somehow always do. Melbourne has one of the great food scenes on Earth, a genuine arts culture, and a sporting obsession that borders on the spiritual. It’s also the city that made me who I am. I may be biased in my love for Melbourne, but visit, and you’ll know I’m right about it. 

Napier Quarter

359 Napier St., Fitzroy 

Go early to get a table in this intimate espresso & wine bar. There are only 26 seats inside, and it fills quickly with light and locals who know better than to queue anywhere else. The menu is inventive without trying to prove anything, and you may get a chance to chat with owners Daniel Lewis and Simon Benjamin, who often work the floor. Your visit won’t be complete without trying the anchovy toast with boiled egg and green sauce.

Gimlet

33 Russell St., Melbourne

A French bistro-esque place that feels like a secret even when it’s packed (and it always is — make reservations). The 450+ bottle wine list is perfectly curated with top-tier international selections and local producers, and the bistro fare feels like anything but — fusing refined European staples with native Australian produce and woodfire techniques. A classic, quality dinner — inspired by the glamour of 1920s Chicago — from the king of Melbourne hospitality, Andrew McConnell.

Melbourne City Laneways

Central Business District (CBD), Melbourne 

Get lost in the CBD’s side streets and alleyways: massive graffiti murals, hidden bars, and cafes the width of a hallway. There’s Desgraves Street, a cobblestone lane lined with cafes, bakeries, and boutiques selling locally made goods. And Flinders Lane is the go-to laneway for award-winning restaurants, boutique bars, and contemporary art galleries. Sure, they’re a hit with tourists, but on a beautiful Melbourne day, there’s no better place to stroll around.

Calēre Coffee

Unit 1/166 Gertrude St., Fitzroy

In a city with a legendary coffee culture, there’s an incredible coffee shop on seemingly every corner. On my last trip to Melbourne, I discovered this hole-in-the-wall spot with espresso that ruins you for everywhere else. The word calēre means “to be warm” in Latin, an ethos that’s reflected in the service and quality of drinks they serve.

At the Above

Level 1, 198 Gertrude St., Fitzroy

A raw, industrial space imbued with an energy that makes whatever’s happening in it feel more charged. Fashion, art, and design converge through ever-changing exhibitions, residencies, and pop-ups. There are tattoo shows, art openings, and even breathwork sessions hosted for Melbourne’s creative crowd. Recently reopened after a hiatus, you can stop by any day of the week, though Mondays and Tuesdays are by appointment only.

Incu

12 Albert Coates Ln., Melbourne

Curated without being precious, this is my go-to spot to shop Australian and global clothing designers. Founded by twin brothers Brian and Vincent Wu, they fused their love of travel and fashion into a concept that is innovative, personable, and unique. The edit here understands the uniquely understated sensibility of the Melbourne aesthetic.

National Gallery of Victoria

180 St. Kilda Rd., Melbourne

With the largest collection of any Australian gallery, I can easily spend a full day wandering through their exhibits. The collection moves between colonial Australian work, indigenous art, and contemporary pieces, and in some cases, the building itself is the art. Don’t miss the ceiling in the Great Hall, created by Australian designer Leonard French, which features more than 16,000 individual pieces of stained glass arrayed over 2,500 square feet. 

Carlton Gardens

1-111 Carlton St., Carlton

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building within were originally designed for the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. This is where 19th-century Melbourne showed the world what it could do, and it still feels special today. Spend an afternoon strolling through tree-lined paths past ornamental lakes and elaborate fountains. A group of Moreton Bay fig trees, near Gertrude Street, holds special significance to the Victorian Aboriginal community as an enduring meeting place.

AFL Game at Melbourne Cricket Ground

Brunton Ave., Richmond

Walk through one of the entrances of MCG and you’re likely to find nearly 100,000 people losing their minds over an AFL (Australian Football League) game. Played on a pitch twice the size of a standard NFL field, you’ll find players kicking, dribbling, and tossing a football (all while using other players as launching pads) to score goals. You may not understand the rules at first, but the energy, the roar, the sheer Australian-ness of it all — you just need to be there.

Hear from other founders, builders, and creatives about the places that inspire them: Austin, Texas | Mexico City | and more coming soon.