A fond farewell to Melbourne |

It’s already been a year since we packed up our life in Melbourne Australia, and moved to the UK.

It’s only just hit me that the UK is our new home, as after a year here we’ve just returned from a two week trip to Melbourne to tie up loose ends.

So now that we’ve said our final goodbyes to the fantastic city of Melbourne, I thought it only fitting to give it a proper farewell. In the same way that I said a fond farewell to Windsor, after moving from there when we first arrived in the UK.

Here are my recommendations on what to see, where to shop, and where to eat in this fabulous city.

What to see

Federation Square
Just near Flinders Street Station lies Federation Square. You can’t miss this uniquely designed building with its grey and blue patterns, beach chairs, large TV screen, and more often than not protestors, entertainers, and food markets in its centre.

There are often designer craft markets held inside Federation Square, as well as exhibitions at the Ian Potter Centre.

Federation Square is walking distance to Melbourne’s shopping districts, restaurants, and Crown Casino.

National Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery of Victoria can be seen from Federation Square. It’s home to interesting exhibitions, Operas, shows, and other entertainers.

There is a Sunday market held outside the gallery selling art, clothing, accessories, food, homewares, and stationery.

St Kilda
This is the place to go for cake, cake, and more cake! Acland Street is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and European cake stores, where you can find biscuits, cream cakes, one of a kind cakes, and everything in between.

St Kilda is also home to a beach, where you can find penguins hiding under the pier.

Where to shop

The question is more like where not to shop, as Melbourne is full of shopping opportunities. Whenever I talk about Melbourne I always say it’s the home of shopping, food, and coffee – oh how I miss Melbourne’s coffee!

City centre

Bourke Street Mall
Bourke Street Mall is in the heart of the CBD and contains high street retailers, Australian department stores David Jones and Myer, fantastic buskers, and laneways that Melbourne is known for including Centre Place, Hosier Lane, and Hardware Lane. In these laneways you’ll find walls covered in graffiti by actual artists, boutique shops, food for all tastes, and coffee – did I mention how much I miss Melbourne coffee?

Emporium Melbourne
Emporium Melbourne is Australia’s largest designer precinct. It also has a fantastic food court with a massive variety of food. Emporium Melbourne is linked to Melbourne Central, and within walking distance to other massive shopping centres.

DFO South Wharf
DFO South Wharf is an outlet shopping centre behind Melbourne’s Crown Casino (another must see Melbourne attraction). This shopping centre is perfect if you love designer brands at bargain prices.

Outside the city centre

Chadstone
If you’ve already researched shopping centres in Melbourne, then you would already know about Chadstone. Chadstone is MASSIVE and has everything you can ever need. If you’re a shopaholic then you can’t go to Melbourne and not visit Chadstone. I promise, you won’t regret it.

Westfield Doncaster
Westfield Doncaster was only 20 minutes from my house, so I visited quite regularly. It’s large, but not as large as Chadstone, and has some great restaurants upstairs.

Chapel Street
Chapel Street is synonymous with Melbourne. It’s a street shopping experience where the well dressed, and well fed shop. It has high-end brands, combined with high street brands, and many fantastic restaurants.

Where to eat

Again, the question is where not to eat. Melbourne has everything in abundance. I so miss Melbourne food, especially breakfasts. Here are a just a few of my favourites.

Borsch Vodka and Tears
Borsch Vodka and Tears is my all time favourite restaurant, and is the only restaurant Nick and I went back to on our recent Melbourne trip.

It’s Polish and has a drink list the size of a phone book. Some dishes include polish gnocchi, cabbage rolls, potato blintzes, pierogi, polish dumplings, and beef goulash.

Maha
Maha is a Middle Eastern restaurant located in the city. Its food is spectacular, and the interior gorgeous, and is run by well-known Melbourne chef Shane Delia.

Flower Drum and Red Spice Road
Both of these restaurants are Asian.

Flower Drum is elegantly designed with staff that are so attentive it’s crazy. Come here for an experience, or special occasion.

Red Spice Road is trendy and has fantastic dishes including beef roasted chilli betel leaf, lamb ribs with tamarind nam jim jaew, and green papaya salad.

Both are located in the city.

For a more casual eating experience there’s Gami Chicken and Beer who specialise in Korean fried chicken. Fonda Mexican specialising in Mexican street food, and for burger lovers you must visit YOMG.