Eating and drinking Melbourne 2012
Over 700 of the best restaurants, nifty bars and cheap treats
Laura Cullen
Eating and drinking Melbourne 2012 [©Hardie Grant]
Described as a Melway for your tummy, Eating and Drinking Melbourne 2012 is a fresh and fun guide to high-quality restaurants, cheap and cheerful restaurants, and the bars of the moment.
This may seem like a huge task for one guide but the editors have cleverly divided it up into smaller geographic areas such as "City – NoBo" (north of Bourke), meaning despite the huge number of fantastic venues Melbourne has to offer you can easily narrow your search using this feature of the guide.
Each review follows the same format making it easy to compare dining options. All need to know information such as type of cuisine, address, phone number, map reference (there are handy maps in the back of the book), opening hours and indicative pricing is listed first. This is followed by a review that aims to describe the whole eating or drinking experience and not just the meal.
The review for Longrain in Little Bourke Street describes the venue perfectly, right down to the lazy susans, and the communal dining experience. Food descriptions leave you wishing you were already sitting there ready to eat. It is also important to note that reviews such as these are written by one of a team of writers who are independent.
While there are not any star or chef hat ratings ranking the venues you will find a ‘Top 5’ or ‘Top 10’ list such as the top 10 places to eat local produce, the top 10 places for a lazy lunch, the top 10 hidden bars and the top 10 rooftops to name just a few. Already know where you want to eat? Then the alphabetical listing at the back of the book will take you straight to the information you want or alternatively if all you know is that you want Indian you can see the list of restaurants by cuisine type.
The self-contained nature of this guide (reviews and maps) would make it ideal to keep in your bag or car if only it was a little smaller and lighter. It would seem that the editors also realised this small drawback and have released an iphone app with all the same comprehensive information. However while I wait for an android version I’m just going to have to carry a bigger bag to accommodate this handy reference.
Eating and Drinking Melbourne 2012 edited by Dale Campisi, Michael Brady and Genevieve Gannon is published by Hardie Grant (Melbourne, Australia, 2011; pb, 320 pp) and is available here from Booko.com.au »
Regions
- Melbourne (VIC)
Our Recommendations
To see our recommendations, ratings and reviews you must be a logged-in subscriber.
To subscribe please enter your email address in the "Subscribe Now - it's Free" box on the right and click the "Join" button, or fill in this form >
More than 70 brand-new restaurants, cafes and bars feature in this year's Good Food Guide. Some are big-name, big-money ventures but some are little spots where ... Get the rundown on what we're eating and where »
Tutor your nose to detect the subtle aromas in wine and learn to appreciate and enjoy its complexities. VisitVineyards.com subscribers purchasing Le Nez du Vin aroma sets can save up to $110 and get two Essential Wine Tasting Guides for the price of one. Read about the 
Thinking celebration? Then surely thinking Champagne, the wine that's always part of life's most important occasions. And sometimes just for the pure bubbly, enjoyment. Dine and sip with royalty, celebrity at history-making moments with your copy of Champagne and Chandeliers by Bernadette O'Shea. VisitVineyards.com subscribers, you receive a 15 per cent discount on purchase 
Le Figaro calls her "the undisputed mistress of the kingdom of wine". Receive an immediate introductory 
Like to discover more about this state's lifestyle, wine, food and more? Then ask us now for your free copy of Tasmania 40 Degrees South the magazine that showcases the best of Australia's island state. 
In our No 1 Wine Book of 2010, Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein matches distinctive wines with recipes from his favourite chefs in this book focussing on new and emerging grape varietals. VisitVineyards.com subscribers and Members buying this book will receive a 
MEMBER BENEFIT: Access to exclusive events and those who make a purchase over $500 will receive 
The fabulous Grange and Whitsundays holiday prizes have been drawn. Is your name on our winners list? You could sipping on fine Tasmanian pinot or attending the Weekend Fit for a King or International Cool Climate Wine Show. There are also great wine and book prizes to be claimed so 