Melbourne's Must Try Japanese

Ben Shewry's Guide to Great Sandwiches

Chef Ben Shewry, the mind behind Melbourne institution Attica, is drawn to places that are completely “dialled in.” Talking about sandwich shops leads him to Japan, where people dedicate their lives to repeating the same craft over and over until they become exceptional at it. That’s what connects his picks here: roast shops, schnitzel counters and steak sandwich spots focused on doing one thing properly — no funny business, no endless options, just deeply satisfying food made with total conviction.

Kate Reid's Guide to Melbourne's Best Cafes

Former aerospace engineer turned pastry phenomenon, Kate Reid has helped shape Melbourne’s obsession with precision pastries and great coffee. When the “butter queen” isn’t perfecting croissants at Lune Croissanterie, she’s visiting a tight rotation of cafés across the city. From the produce-driven kitchen at Morning Market to CBD institutions like Patricia Coffee Brewers and Good Measure. These are the Melbourne cafés she swears by.

Andy Allen's Best of Melbourne

Andy Allen shares his Melbourne favourites, from special-occasion dining and neighbourhood cafés to underrated gems, tacos and a proper pub feed. Plus, the bars he strings together when dinner turns into a night out.

Thai Ho's Guide to Springvale

Thai Ho, founder of MAMAS Dining Group, has built a reputation on bold, high-energy takes on Vietnamese food. But it all starts in Springvale. This is where the standards are set, shaped by community, tradition and generations of pride. From crispy bánh mì to slow-simmered broths and street-side iced coffee, this is his Springvale circuit.