Lauren Dinse

Well, Melbourne, let's face it: summer's long gone and it's going to be a long, chilly few months ahead. Luckily, Melbourne's best pubs are lighting their fireplaces so you can beat those winter blues. Our advice? Pull up a pew, grab a pint, gather your friends by the fire and get cosy.  For more winter warmers, take a look at our guides to Melbourne's best hot chocolates and mulled wines. And if you'd like to start planning lots of other fun things to do in the months ahead, this guide is the place to start.

The undeniably carnal high that comes from dropping meat and veg into scalding broth powered by gas and flames at the dining table is something a good many of the world’s populations are into. China alone accounts for at least ten distinct varieties of hot pot across its highly nuanced regional gastro-map, but neighbouring countries Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand are also bubbling many of their own unique broths.   In this exercise, we’ve plucked out five of the city’s most impressive hot pots. Wrangle a crew – you’ll generally want at least four – and prepare to get a little messy (and smelly – good smelly) at one of Melbourne’s best. If you're still hunting city gems, try hitting up our favourite Korean BBQ joints or test your spice levels with Melbourne's hottest dishes.

We get it. Sometimes there's actually TOO much to eat, drink and do in little ol' Melbs (what a good problem to have). Lucky for you, the Time Out Melbourne editors are out on the front lines sipping, snacking, seeing and playing – all so you don't have to. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. Here are our favourite things we ate, drank, saw and did this month. Want a weekly update on what's new in Melbourne? Make sure you're getting our newsletter.

If you can't eat gluten, dining out can be difficult to navigate. So many foods use gluten as a binding and preserving agent, and for coeliacs, the risk of cross-contamination is also a problem. That’s why we rounded up this list of gut-friendly restaurants and cafés where you and your gluten-free pals can dine in peace, safe from the spectre of surprise gluten. Don't eat meat? Right this way to the best vegetarian restaurants in Melbourne. Once you've eaten well, why not tick something off your Melbourne bucket list. Recommended: The 50 best restaurants in Melbourne

Melburnians are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding an ideal drinking spot to catch up with mates, toast to the weekend or celebrate a special occasion. But while most bars and pubs offer up a cheap vino or half-price pint in the early hours of the evening, there are some venues where you can get the biggest bang for your buck. From a sky-high staple to a bayside behemoth and inner-city institution, we’ve rounded up the best happy hours on offer across the city to help you make the most out of your hard-earned cash. After more fun for less? Check out our guides to the best cheap eats and BYO restaurants in Melbourne.

Melbourne has a thriving Vietnamese community that has only continued to grow since the 1970s. And the city’s wealth of Vietnamese restaurants has grown right alongside it. From the outer suburbs to the CBD, you’ll find a treasure trove of regional Vietnamese eats from Hanoi-style beef pho to caramelised seafood claypots and chewy banh cuon (a delightful steamed and stuffed rice roll). There’s plenty to explore, so dive into our picks for Melbourne’s top Vietnamese eateries. If it’s specifically bánh mì that you’re craving, here are our picks for the best rolls around. If it's a sweet deal you're after, check out the best cheap eats in Melbourne.

Melbourne is home to plenty of tiny laneway bars and hidden bars, but here, we're celebrating the watering holes that are more than a little left of centre. Some are fun and shamelessly silly and others are so high-concept that they're verging on immersive theatre. All of them provide drinking experiences that you won't find anywhere else. A little more serious about your cocktails? Here's where you can find Melbourne's best. And for the city's top 50 greatest bars, look here.

"You choose the place" is a phrase that hardly anyone wants to hear when it comes to arranging the perfect date – the pressure! Your choice of spot can really make or break the evening, so let us help you with our fail-proof list of romantic spots. We've rounded up the best spots specifically for your first to eighth dates – should things go that well! Whether you're searching for a quiet spot to share snacks and get cosy over a bottle of wine, a fun and rowdy place to laugh and have a good time, or a fancy spot to try and impress, use our list below to take the hard work out of choosing and save your energy for finding the right outfit or thinking of some engaging conversation starters. Good luck out there, daters. Successful evening? Take it to the next level with our list of the best hotels in Melbourne. Or go one step further in these luxury Melbourne hotels. Prefer boutique? Check out these hotels.

Melburnians are almost as passionate about their cocktails as they are about their coffee. What's the proper way to make a Martini? Gin or Vodka Gimlet? And should an Aperol Spritz ever be on tap?  We've sipped our way around this great city to find the bars with the best atmosphere, the most creative bartenders and of course, the best drinks. If firewater is more your thing, Melbourne's got some of the best whisky bars around. Or if you're keen on a glass of vino, head to Melbourne's best wine bars. 

It can be tempting to skip eating before a show, but that's a rookie error. There’s nothing quite as embarrassing as your stomach growling during a particularly silent scene, or being too hungry to appreciate your favourite band. And there’s nothing unusual about wanting to take the edge off your day before the show goes on. Save yourself the pain of having to buy plastic cups of beer or survive on box office peanuts: hit up one of these restaurants or bars before your next show. Spent all your money on the show? Here are some of Melbourne's best cheap eats. 

There's a lot to love about long weekends: sleep-ins, a quick getaway, a big night out on the town, perhaps? However you choose to celebrate the King's Birthday this year, we're here to help by letting you know which Melbourne restaurants are open (and when) so you can plan your long weekend antics.  Looking for more fun out and about? Check out our list of the best things to do this King's Birthday weekend.

There seems to be a high correlation between bars that are hidden away and hard to find, and bars that are serving some of the best drinks, vibes and service in town. Sure these laneway spots may require Google Maps to locate, but the promise of a top-quality hand-crafted cocktail or cold frothy is sure to be ample rewards for the journey.  Looking to kick on? Check out the best late-night bars in Melbourne.  

Similar to its Thornbury sister, Welcome to Brunswick has long been famous for hosting a solid rotation of food truck vendors, such as Red Sparrow, O Tuga and Mr Burger. And now, the sprawling venue has added a newly revamped restaurant, bar and events space: the Hall. To celebrate the grand opening of the recently refurbished space, Welcome to Brunswick is pulling out all the stops with a line-up of enticing special offers in the coming months. Pop in at Happy Hour from 5-6pm on a weekday and you’ll be treated to $7 small plates of curry puffs, sweet corn fritters and juicy chicken skewers. Live in the area? Tuesday’s Locals Night has your name all over it. All you need to do is show your postcode and you'll get a whopping 25 per cent off your meal – score! Bring your plant-based pals along on Wednesday nights when a Vegan Veg Out feast offers a vegan grazing menu for just $30 a head (that’s $20 off the usual $55 price.)  A local gem for weddings and big celebrations, the Hall is no stranger to large groups but smaller crews and pairs are also welcome to dine on modern Asian at the intimate tables in the indoor garden rooms. Expect to find slaw-loaded bao buns with hoisin sauce, hearty beef massaman and red curries, pad Thai and 12-hour braised crispy pork belly with the crackling of your dreams on the menu. For dessert, you're covered with chocolate brownies cushioned against a vegan ice cream so good you won't believe it's actually vegan, and lime and lemongrass crème brûl

In one of Melbourne's most anticipated glow-ups of the year, the former European Bier Café’s multi-million-dollar renovation is now complete. Led by the masterminds at Australian Venue Co (State of Grace, Harlow and Brewdog Pentridge), the project has taken the historic 1924 building back to its eponymous roots and given it a flashy modern upgrade just in time for winter. On July 10, Morris House will open to the public for the very first time. With capacity for more than 500 guests and four sprawling levels to explore, the new drinking and dining destination shapeshifts as a pub, bar, restaurant and comedy club all in one. Talk about a phoenix rising from the ashes!  Bells and whistles aside, a glance at the food and drink menu is encouragement enough that the kitchen means business. For seasonal fare and share plates, guests can hit up the dining room – though bites to eat are aplenty across every level of the venue, spanning loaded bagels, burgers and reimagined pub classics.  For a more refined affair, start with housemade focaccia and a selection of artfully prepared smallgoods such as the honeyed chorizo with nduja paste and chives, or pastrami with tarragon mustard and fried capers. Small plates to follow introduce fresh seafood and Italian-style cicchetti into the mix, like meatballs and truffle arancini, half-shell scallops with curried cream and Thai basil, mini prawn rolls and Morris House’s take on a kingfish ceviche with pickled red onion and fennel. The spanner

Locals may remember it as Hannah Hanoi New Quarter before the lockdown years, but the popular Neo-Vietnamese haunt, now shortened simply to New Quarter, has since changed its stripes. In 2021, the Commune Group (Firebird, Tokyo Tina, Moonhouse) transformed the casual diner into a somewhat more elegant affair both in terms of style and substance. Picture a minimalist fit-out with tasteful timber tones under wicker lights and the soft glow of wall projections.  Head chef Scott Lord, whose resume boasts an impressive history (Sunda, Cumulus Inc), doesn’t shy away from the Vietnamese flavours you know and love, but instead strives to make them shine anew in a modern light. Take the reimagined banh mi “finger,” for instance, or a fish-sauced beef tartare with egg and gelatinised broth. Of course, you could just get a bowl of pho here, but why would you stop there when there are so many other interesting dishes to try? A recent addition to the menu is the Nem Nuong, a Viet-style kebab that sandwiches a beef mince skewer in blankets of aromatic pork fat and flatbread. Jaew (a Thai-style chilli dipping sauce) and a crunchy pickle respectively throw in some spice and tang – and cut through the fat – so you can have more than one and make a meal of it if you please. With wok-tossed noodles and plenty of piquant proteins rounding out the menu, a feast is in order here, which you can easily arrange by opting for a set menu. While funky signature cocktails are the major drawcard of the dr

As Melbourne's wintry temps drop to new lows, rooftop dining and drinking may not be on your radar, but don't strike the Imperial Hotel off your list just yet. The folks have erected a cosy marquee decked out with heaters, plush après ski-style booths, fluffy rugs and cushions so you can enjoy views of Parliament House and the city skyline without catching a chill.  The winter makeover also sees the bar slinging hot toddies, mulled wine and its classic hearty pub menu, all perfect excuses to duck in one afternoon and make a night of it with friends. Tuck into juicy Wagyu beef sliders on glossy milk buns, fried chilli-glazed chicken ribs or the epic parma that's both the size of a Frisbee and, according to our reviewers, one of Melbourne's tastiest. The Impy may be the official home of Liverpool supporters in Melbourne, but you’ll be well treated no matter whom you barrack for here. The venue stays open late for all the Premier League matches, and keeps it classy, clean and comfortable with a traditional English pub vibe and welcoming staff. You can even call ahead to book screenings of any sport you like. About a million taps pour pretty standard stuff, but with a view like this and a frosty pint (or a hot bevvy) in hand, you’re kicking goals at the Imperial. Go to the website to nab a spot on the rooftop before they all get booked out. Prefer a cosy indoor vibe? Check out our list of Melbourne's best pubs with fireplaces. We've also rounded up our fave places to drink mulled

Just when you think there’s no more scope for jazzing up the classic croissant, another pastry devotee comes along and does it again. In this case, it’s Calle – an elegant European-inspired artisan bakery that’s piping funky fillings like black sesame and chocolate into silky spirals of golden, flaky, buttery bliss.   Like renowned fellow croissanterie Lune, the family-run Calle is well aware variety is the spice of life, especially in a fast-paced, multiculturally diverse city like ours. So each month, the flavours switch over to present a refreshed array of new and exciting treats to try. Pop in one weekend and you could sink your teeth into an Earl Grey with lychee and white chocolate creation. Pick a different time and you might discover a pistachio and raspberry pastry combo or a rich tiramisu wheel. Whatever you sample, it's bound to be a delight. Calle (the Spanish and Venetian word for 'street') may pay homage to owner and head pastry chef Huey Phung’s family travel memories through the quaint laneways and delicatessens of Western Europe, but the team isn’t afraid to play with Asian ingredients like yuzu, lychee, sesame and more. Judging from the long weekend queues, this creativity pays off.  Of course, you'll also find regulars on the menu, such as the ever-popular yuzu and honey croissants, chocolate and hazelnut-filled croissants, escargots and traditional fruit Danishes. Phung has 25 years under his belt, so you can also anticipate fresh baguettes, seeded sourdo

On a rainy Sunday arvo, it's hard to know what to expect on your way to Taita’s House ('taita' is Arabic for grandmother). Are you actually going to someone’s house? Will there be obvious signage or will you have to knock on some strange door, only to be met by a perplexed old Lebanese woman and her wooden spoon? Our concerns are fast assuaged as we approach the restaurant and see tables and chairs scattered out the front of a clearly marked establishment. At first glance, the dining space seems somewhat reminiscent of a casual kebab shop. A bright orange sign gleefully announces ice cream, while a TV mounted on the wall blares sentimental Lebanese music videos. The young woman behind the counter welcomes us in and shows us to our seats. It’s fresh inside, and if we're being honest – a little chilly. But as we sit down at the table and settle in, our attention rests on warmer details. A small electric heater playfully disguises itself as a mini fireplace. There’s an old farmhouse-blue cabinet filled with colourful teapots and tubs of cutlery. Artworks depicting provincial scenes decorate the space, and partially exposed brick walls are painted with the Lebanese national flag.  We approach the counter to rattle off our wish list, and moments later our waitress arrives at the table to ask if we’d like some dips while we wait. A hot pot of freshly brewed cinnamon tea is the first to arrive with little glass teacups to drink it from, followed by ghannouge and a basket of crisp an

June 23 2023 update: Missed out on the first few sessions that sold out like hotcakes? You're in luck! Grandma has agreed to host several more sessions throughout the year. Click here to secure your ticket.  From bubblegum K-pop acts surging in global popularity to the growing recognition of Seoul's fashion and street food scenes, there's no doubt interest in Korean culture has skyrocketed in recent years. But what Korean export could be more deserving of our fervour than stinky, spicy, slap-it-on-everything kimchi? This winter, South Korean chef and restaurateur Hong Kim is unveiling the mystique behind the musky stuff with his new kimchi making masterclass series. Hosted at Kim’s Seven Star Pocha Chinatown restaurant by both Kim and his charming grandmother (former chef Shinjo Jang), the events offer Melburnians an intimate look into how traditional kimchi is prepared in Korean households and why the vegetable ferment holds such a special place in hearts the world over. Historically, the preparation of kimchi was for the purpose of storing and preserving vegetables during cold winters. Today it is the most ubiquitous side dish on a Korean table and a precious way to pass on cultural heritage. Every family has their own special way of making kimchi; at Seven Star Pocha, you’ll learn Kim’s.  You’ll meet the beloved matriarch of this family for an hour-long recipe class, followed by a three-course Korean set menu lunch. Two drinks are included in your ticket price, so you can

Arguably the coolest laneway in the ‘Cray, Yewers Street will be home to a series of free entertainment and street food markets this winter. Wander down on a crisp Friday evening to discover a melting pot of international eats, mulled bevvies, dessert offerings, distillery tastings and an eclectic program of live music, carefully curated by hospo mavericks 4People. These are the same guys behind Back Alley Sally’s, Slice Girls West, Lickety Split, Harry and Larry’s and trendy warehouse venue the Line, so you can trust you’re in good hands. The program vendors and live musicians will change month to month, but we’ve got the first scoop on a few of the highlights you can expect. Anticipate rare West African eats from A Taste of Senegal, Goldieboy’s cult cheeseburgers, epic toasties from Toasta and American-style pies from Cherry Pie. St Gerry’s will be bringing its legendary Greek doughnuts and desserts to the party, while Smokeyboiz have carnivores covered with hot chicken and barbecue.  There’ll be hawker-style long tables you can share with your mates and heated lounge areas perfect for people-watching over a chocolate Martini from Route 109. Grab a bite and a drink and soak up the fragrant street food aromas on Yewers Street before settling in the undercover warehouse to enjoy the warmth and music with friends.  The monthly event, proudly supported by Maribyrnong City Council, takes place from June 23 to August 25. No tickets are required, so all you need to do is pick a ni

For the tenth year, Fitzroy's beloved Builders Arms Hotel is once again devoting ten days to sausages in June, celebrating everything from classic British bangers to stuffed pigs' trotters. Make a lunch or dinner booking anytime from Friday June 23 to Sunday July 2 to taste your fave sossies from the special festival menu.  The carnivorous array includes pacific oysters with grilled Merguez sausages, lemon and mignonette sauce; Cumberland sausages with mashed potato and onion gravy; choucroute garnie (a French dish and the mother of all sausage preparations with two types of sausage and pork belly, served on sauerkraut with mustard); and stuffed pig's trotter sausage with braised lentils, mustard fruit and salsa verde .  While we love a Bunnings sizzle as much as the next person, there's no doubt this menu takes it to the next level. The incredibly talented Troy Wheeler and his team from Meatsmith are making all the sausages from scratch in the Builders Arms kitchen, so you can expect proper juicy ones of an exceptional quality and with all the complementary accoutrements.  For a bit of extra fun, the program includes a special sausage-themed edition of Trivia with Cam Smith (of Triple R's food show Eat It) on Wednesday evening, June 28. Call up your most competitive foodie friends, establish a team and prepare yourself for a night of obscure sausage facts, general snag knowledge and plenty of laughs all around. See the full program and make a booking at the website. How abo

Snugly situated in the basement of the new Le Méridien Melbourne, Dolly is an immersive restaurant and cocktail bar that transports its guests back in time to the glamour and mystique of 1930s cinema. Meander down the curved Art Deco staircase to unearth a moody and strangely seductive dining alcove most passersby up above on Bourke Street would be surprised even exists.  Yet here’s a space that’s lived many lives before Dolly – as a hotel, theatre, cinema and music venue. It’s only fitting that the restaurant, named after the dolly zoom camera technique pioneered during Alfred Hitchcock’s classic psychological thriller Vertigo, pays reverence to its history as an entertainment playground for revellers and performers alike. The immediate attraction is the bar, a striking centrepiece wrapped in fluted chrome and a polished marble countertop, where impeccably dressed staff sling cocktails inspired by artists such as Aussie soprano Florence Austral, Prince Rogers Nelson (or the artist formerly known as Prince), and his lover and muse, Denise 'Vanity'. Co-collaborators the Everleigh Bottling Co have lent their exacting standards to the drinks, creating a well-balanced base for Dolly’s dramatic flair and pretty floral garnishes.  Though Dolly welcomes casual after-work drinks, the plush 90-seat dining area with its soft mulberry banquette seating invites a longer stay for dinner. Unsurprisingly, the food here is a cinematic affair with stark plating and a penchant for old-world

Winter is here but that doesn’t mean you and the family need to stay at home. Rug up and head west to Grazeland to find your fave foodie precinct utterly transformed into a winter wonderland that will impress both kids and the young at heart. Each weekend from June 23 to July 30, the epic culinary playground will be decked out with dreamy white snow, the biggest snowman in Melbourne at ten metres high, neon lights and eye-popping balloon displays.  As the days get shorter and the temps drop to new lows, there’s never been a better excuse to venture out and have a cosy night by the river. Warm up with mulled wine by the fire pits and dig into a diverse array of international eats, including ooey-gooey raclette cheese from Frencheese, juicy German meatballs from Bratboy or Chinese fare from Lucky Little Dumplings. Couples won’t be able to resist a fun Insta snap in front of the giant snowman or in a chairlift on top of the snowy mountain. With roving performers, live bands and interactive DJs providing plenty of entertainment, have a dance by the magical snow machine or treat the kids to a face painting session and playtime in the fun zones.   When it’s time to sit back and relax, warm up those mitts with a spice-infused wine from Jam Shed or devour a box of Dutch-style pancakes from Little Miss Dutchy.   Christmas may be far away yet, but when there’s an opportunity to have a white Christmas in July – we’ll take it! Looking for more fun things to see and do this winter? Check

  *June 20 2023 update: Introducing Transit's new fondue and cocktail winter warmer! Available all day every Wednesday and Thursday, the offer includes three fondue options and desserts at $15 each, plus $15 signature cocktails. Pair melty raclette with potatoes, and a glass of crisp Chardonnay; black caviar, chives and house-made crème fraiche with Transit's Passionate Pole vanilla vodka cocktail; or black pepper, dark chocolate and raspberry fondue with an Old-Fashioned. Or skip straight to the sweets and dunk cinnamon churros into hot chocolate sauce! Walk-ins accepted. Sitting on top of Taxi Kitchen and Transport Public Bar, Transit Rooftop Bar is the upper crust in the Transport hotel sandwich. From its lofty Fed Square digs Transit is ideal for watching the Yarra after a long day with a cocktail in hand. The bar knows they’re in prime viewing position and they make good use of it. Transit has a big outdoor deck, all the better for you to idly watch the river, city and sunset. There’s a good selection of beer and wine but where Transit really excels is with its cocktails. Stand outs include the colourfully named Monkey Gland (West Winds Sabre gin, Absinthe, orange and grenadine) and Naked and Famous (Vida Mezcal tequila, Aperol, Yellow Chartreuse and lime). Eats come from the downstairs Taxi Kitchen and come in the form of candied pork with red nam jim and Szechuan duck with five spice caramel. Transit is a jazz and cocktail bar meaning the soundtrack to your evening c

We all like to think we know what we're doing when we dine out. Obviously, we've all done it before. We’re set to wine, dine, socialise and have a great time. But how often do we think about the people on the other end who make our food, pour our drinks and take our orders? Being a chef, bartender, host, server or manager isn’t easy, and we’re not just talking about the hours on end without sitting, not being able to take a toilet break, working in (mostly) very hot and cramped spaces, being at constant risk of injuring oneself or being starved out on shift. Believe it or not, the hardest part of any hospitality professional’s life is us, the diners. So, here’s our guide to dining out without making anyone else’s life a living hell. Make a bookingAt many of the city's most loved restaurants, you can’t just turn up on a Friday or Saturday night and expect a free table unless you’re specifically trying to dine somewhere that doesn’t take bookings. In which case, good luck. Making a booking allows the restaurant to prepare and plan ahead and avoids any disappointments on your end if the joint's bursting at the seams when you arrive. Honour that bookingBooking times are not suggestions. Arriving early is fine as you can usually have a drink at the bar, but show up significantly later and you’re putting pressure on your server and the kitchen to get more food out at a required time than was planned. No-showing is not just rude, it can break a restaurant. In a time where margins ar

Australia's early wine history isn't exactly aglow with triumphs. There were the overly oaked chardonnay years. The goon bag years. The sickly sweet rieslings of the 1960s. But today, we can put the past behind us and lay claim to being citizens of a nation that produces the best wines in the world in 2023.  Trumping Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand, Argentina and every other country on the planet, little old Australia has taken home the most Best in Show awards – ten in total – in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023. It's a wine competition regarded as the world’s biggest and most legit, now in its 20th year. And in an industry that has its tough times, we couldn't be more stoked for our hardworking winemakers, producers and drinkers. Hats off! A Best in Show award is the highest accolade awarded by the judges, who taste tested around 74,000 bottles of wine from 60 countries for this year’s competition. The next award is Platinum, Gold, Silver – and you get the gist. Morris from Rutherglen was the only Victorian winery to win one of these awards, with the Cellar Reserve Grand Muscat. Penfolds from South Australia’s Adelaide Hills and Jacob's Creek from South Australia's Barossa Valley also took home a Best in Show award for each of their drops. The Eden Valley, Margaret River, Hunter Valley and McLaren Vale were the other Aussie wine regions to take home awards. You can check out the full list of Australian winners here. Thanks to our environment, soil and climate, we make

As the weather gets cooler, you may be tempted to spend more nights in. But Commune Group’s new ‘Dine and Cash’ promotion is one reason why you should venture out instead. Running throughout the entire month of June across all of Commune’s six popular restaurants, the deal gifts 25 per cent of your table’s entire bill back in the form of a voucher. You can then redeem that voucher at any of those restaurants. Score! Commune Group is known in Melbourne’s hospo scene for its funky and fresh spin on modern dining and progressive take on classic Asian cuisines. Try woodfired Vietnamese-inspired eats at Firebird in Prahran, jazzed up Chinese-Aussie fusion fare at Moonhouse in Balaclava, Japanese street food at Tokyo Tina in Windsor, new-school Vietnamese at New Quarter in Richmond, or more fun Vietnamese food and drink with a twist at any of the two Hanoi Hannah restaurants.  It’s a big thank you to the loyal customers who return again and again to Commune’s venues, but it’s also an excuse to roll off the couch and make the most of winter in Melbourne. So what’s in the fine print? The promotion runs only from Monday to Thursday, so you’ll need to book your meal mid-week. It’s also only available for in-venue dining, so you won’t be able to get any money back for takeout or delivery. There’s no minimum spend required, so you can even claim this offer on a round of cocktails. The folks at Commune Group are raining down all the love! All you need to do is take a snap of your bill and

Every year, Italian judging panel 50 Top Pizza decides which slices of 'za from around the world are the best in the business (talk about a dream job). The 2023 results for the greatest pizzas in the Asia-Pacific region have just dropped, and we're stoked to see a handful of our local dough slingers make the list.  Coming in at fourth, we have Elsternwick-based 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar (also voted best in Australia). As 2021's numero uno in Oceania, it's definitely fallen down a few slots globally, but this local Italian joint (it also has an outlet in South Yarra) is clearly still impressing the most discerning of pizza judges. Back in 2019, it was also recognised as having the best pizza in Australia at the World Pizza Championships in Parma, Italy. The judges of 50 Top Pizza have praised 48h's balance in combining both tradition and creativity, as well as chef and co-owner Michele Chirchirillo's focus on quality dough baked into a soft but crunchy base. It's described as a faithful indication of a "true Neapolitan-style pizza," but whether you've been to Italy or not you'll taste from the first bite that it's worth the buzz. Go for the pizza, but get a side of the bar's famous gnocchi too, which also gets a well-deserved mention. Other pizzerias in Melbourne that made the top 50 list in Asia-Pacific this year include +39 Pizzeria, Shop225 and Il Caminetto. It's safe to say we're spoiled for choice, and we couldn't be happier. Want more Italian foodie inspo? Check out where

How does getting paid to eat and drink to your heart's content sound? Like a dream? Well, consider your dream a reality because a major hospitality hero is now offering Aussies the chance to do just that.   Australian Venue Co. (AVC) is searching for 100 keen eaters across the country to go undercover and test out the quality at their venues. If your application's successful to join this Secret Sipper Club, you can anticipate opportunities to eat for free at some of the city's most loved establishments – from trendy rooftop bars to top spots for quality pub fare. Some popular venues operated by Australian Venue Co. include State of Grace, Trinket, BrewDog Pentridge, the Duke and the Espy.  Your mission is simple. Visit your assigned pubs and bars undercover roughly once a month throughout the year. And then complete a quick review report and submit. You’ll simply be rating things like customer service, product quality and general areas for improvement. It’s basically the foodie equivalent of mystery shopping.  In return, you'll get $30 each month for your food, plus a check of $200 for your thoughts on the experience.  As is the case with anything this good in life, there's a little fine print. You’ve got to be over 18, to be able to visit 12 venues a year, and have your own transport to and from the venues, plus a mobile device. But if you tick all these boxes and you’ve got an eye for detail, a good memory and the ability to be discreet, you'll be a perfect candidate for th