Graffiti-walled alleys, fast city walkers, a plethora of coffee shops – Melbourne’s art and hipster scene thrives. It’s a place for the business-savvy, coffee lovers, artists and urbanites. There’s a charm to this place that makes it so hypnotic. Would you believe that one of the top 50 things to do in Melbourne before you die according to Google’s search engine is to eat at a Thai restaurant? Well, I hope you believe it, because it’s true.
Before arriving in Melbourne, an acquaintance told me that as a cafe hopper, I would absolutely adore this genteel city. Oh, I did. As rated one of the most liveable cities in the world, nothing during my trip down under was disappointing. Coffee was blatantly a highlight, but so were the markets, the cultural diversity, the design of laneways and the impeccable street art. It is safe to say that Melbourne’s infrastructure is suitable for just about anyone.
Melbourne offers an array of coffee courses for beginners that will have you certified within five quick hours. The basics of grounding beans to brewing coffee and lastly, to creating different latte art will be mastered. For any barista wanna-be, this is the perfect place to become an expert. And, if you ask any barista around, they will tell you coffee is more than just coffee. Sit at a coffee shop and see what’s around you. Coffee shops are one of the top places to gather with friends and family. It’s a place where people come and do work. It’s a place where ideas are generated. Coffee shops contribute to our planet’s future.
Not only is the coffee scene made into an art form, so is food. The simplest of foods, like pancakes, become this extravagant piece to the palate.
The easy grab-n-go foods are made so delightful that they are hard to resist, just like the croissants from Lune Croissanterie. Lune’s croissants are perhaps the world’s best croissants ever tasted. While there, don’t pass up for this gem.
Hipster has been a term thrown around for quite some time now. It is the new cool. Melbourne is flocking with them. Many young millenials stray from mainstream culture to embrace things that are lesser known, but still trendy. There are two perfect spots to soak in the hipster vibes for a nice dinner and hangout – first is the Thai restaurant briefly mentioned that you must visit before you die, Chin Chin, and second is a Japanese dumpling house, Chotto Motto. Chin Chin is a refined Thai restaurant serving up the classics but with a little fusion twist added. It has the coolest wall backdrop with R&B and funk music playing. One visit was just not enough here.
Chotto Motto is the hit spot for some dumps. You walk into a retro, jolly place with cute anime plastered on walls, a gumball machine and baskets and game boards converted into tables and chairs. Chotto Motto shouts fun and free-spirit.
An hour drive out of Melbourne brings you to Yarra Valley, home to a bountiful of vineyards for you to spend a boozy day accompanied by some savory bites. Vineyards showcase more than just long fields of grapes soon to be fermented in barrels. Upon arriving at each vineyard, they all have a sophisticated and modern architectural built to them. The entrance of each builds suspense to the climactic fields of green.
The visit was ethereal.
Wine is enjoyed by the splendid views, but also by the interiors carefully decked into a minimal statement. Having visited Yering Station and TarraWarra Estate, one thing was shared among all of them – the spacious inside. It gave plenty of room to feel personally catered to among many visitors and to roam around as you take a lustful sip from your glass.
Melbourne is one splendid place worthwhile to take a trip to from all corners of the world – a place to say cheers to. It is home to a continuous advancing infrastructure to live, study and build your passionate pursuits.
