A man speaking into a microphone with the text 'One and Only' overlaying the image.

Check out these Melbourne experts’ top city picks

Love live music? Melbourne's your city. From iconic pubs and cosy nooks to the big stage under the stars, Marlon Williams' takes us on a tour of his top spots to catch a gig in the city.

Marlon Williams' One and Only in the City

Marlon Williams' One and Only(s)

Interior showing a crowded bar, with people sitting at tables, people waiting at bar counter for service.

The Drunken Poet

With live Irish music, the Drunken Poet is a real locals' pub - cute, cosy and friendly.

Ornate architecture of dome and tower of Forum Melbourne, with Federation Square in the foreground.

Forum Melbourne

This theatre with its iconic architecture is one of Melbourne's most popular live band venues.

Heading out for dinner but spoilt for choice?

Our city experts have you covered. We pressed MasterChef Judge Sofia Levin and chef Tom Sarafian to choose their One and Only in the City. A tough ask, but they’ve come through with the goods. Check out their picks below.

Sofia Levin’s One and Only in The City

Sofia Levin's One and Only(s)

Dimly lit wine bar with people seated at small dark tables.

Embla

Casual wine bar and restaurant with an open-plan space and wood fire and grill.

Chopsticks drawing slippery noodles from a Thai prawn dish.

Nana Thai Style Hotpot & BBQ

Enjoy traditional Thai-style street food and barbecue.

Silver platters of Yemeni food presented on red table covering on a low table with matching seating, including bowls of rice and meat, with glasses and table lantern.

Mandina Kitchen

Experience the taste of Yemen at Melbourne's first Yemeni restaurant.

Tom Sarafian’s One and Only in The City

Tom Sarafian’s One and Only(s)

Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.

Carlton Gardens

A World Heritage Site known for its Victorian fountain and tree-lined avenues.

A couple walking into a brick cottage in the city.

Caretaker's Cottage

Smart drinks, top tunes and good times in a beautiful old cottage.

The moody interior of a Chinese restaurant, with exposed brick walls, dark red carpet and tables with white tablecloths on the right and without tablecloths on the left.

Lee Ho Fook

Enjoy critically acclaimed cuisine exploring the flavours of China with a modern Australian lens.

People walking down a busy Melbourne laneway with outdoor dining tables and chairs.

Secret city spots that offer the real Melbourne vibe

Discover Melbourne's hidden gems in sprawling laneways, nostalgic food halls and bespoke boutiques.

A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

Things you can only do in the city

There's only one place to find these rare Melbourne experiences and secret spots.

A Ferris wheel in the city at sunset with colourful reflections on the river.

Melbourne’s most Instagrammable experiences

You won't need filters at the city's most photogenic spots.

Discover more

Two friends are leaving a theatre.

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in Melbourne

Fuel up before a big show or extend your city visit at these local eateries.

Crowds outside restaurants in a city laneway at night.

Your guide to Melbourne's official Koreatown

Travel to South Korea from Melbourne with the best fried chicken, K-BBQ and more.

Chef lifting a smoking glass cloche off a plate of food.

Fine dining

Discover some of Melbourne's best restaurants, from wine bars to more traditional fine dining.

Long restaurant table with plates of food.

Melba Restaurant

Sample the excitement, theatre and creative genius of Melba.